Chapter Twelve: A Clumsy Redemption
The night was as dark as ink, and the cold rain began to fall again, tapping on the roof of the car returning to headquarters with a monotonous and rapid sound. Inside the car, the atmosphere was unusually heavy.
Sia sat in the back seat, soaked to the bone, the dust mixed with dark bloodstains, making him look even more horrifying than usual.
But he didn't care at all; all his attention was focused on the boy curled up beside him, tightly wrapped in his expensive coat.
Although Xiya did not know his name at this moment, Zhong Si was in a semi-comatose state, occasionally letting out a soft groan of pain due to the bumps in the vehicle.
His wet black hair clung to his pale forehead, and his long eyelashes trembled incessantly, like butterfly wings wet with rain.
Even in his dazed state, his uninjured hand unconsciously gripped the corner of Xiya's shirt tightly, as if it were the only piece of driftwood he could grab onto in the raging waves.
This subtle movement, like a needle, repeatedly pierced the softest and most bleeding corner of Xiya's heart.
The subordinate in the passenger seat glanced at the rearview mirror, hesitating several times before finally speaking. He lowered his voice and cautiously asked, "Mr. Xiya… should we… should we consult the boss first before taking him directly back to headquarters? Or perhaps we could find an outside doctor to treat him?"
His concerns were obvious: the presence of this boy of unknown origin in the sensitive border ruins was itself a significant security risk. Bringing him directly into the organization's core... what if...?
“Go straight back.” Xiya interrupted him, her voice hoarse but carrying an undeniable resolve.
His gaze never left Zhong Si's small face, contorted with pain yet still faintly resembling Yanni's. "He needs the best doctor, immediately."
His subordinate dared not say another word, only worrying inwardly. He knew that once Mr. "Whale Shark" made a decision, especially in this state, almost no one could change his mind.
The car accelerated through the rainy night, heading towards the warehouse hidden in the shadows of London.
By the time they arrived at headquarters, the rain had intensified. The car drove straight into the internal garage. The door opened, and Xi Ya carefully lifted Zhong Si out, his movements a clumsy gentleness that was completely different from his massive frame and usual violence.
Ignoring the astonished and puzzled looks of his subordinates, he strode toward the medical room inside the headquarters as if protecting a rare treasure.
His arrival was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake... or at least a surface-level calm, immediately causing a stir. The news spread like wildfire.
On the corridor leading to the medical room, he encountered Gongyang Yandaosi, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.
Ram was still dressed in a neat suit, his long silver hair perfectly styled, but his silver-gray eyes were now filled with an unprecedented seriousness and worry.
“West Asia,” the ram blocked his way, his voice low and urgent, “Do you know what you’re doing? Bringing an unidentified outsider directly into the core area! This violates the most basic security regulations!”
Xiya stopped, his red eyes swirling with complex emotions—heartache, stubbornness, and a hint of frustration at being questioned. "He needs treatment," he said, trying to avoid the ram.
The ram moved again, blocking the way, and said in a more forceful tone, "Treatment is possible, but only in the isolation observation area! We must first find out who he is and why he's there! As for Xu Yue..."
“I’ll explain to her!” Sia’s voice suddenly rose, filled with suppressed anger. “Get out of the way, Ram! He’s dying!” He could feel the boy in his arms breathing weaker and weaker.
Looking at the almost obsessive light in Xiya's eyes, and glancing at the barely breathing boy in his arms who was truly on the verge of death, Gongyang knew that forcibly stopping him at this moment would only backfire.
He frowned, and finally stepped aside to make way, but his tone remained icy: "You will be held responsible for your impulsiveness, Xiya. I will report to the boss immediately." With that, he turned and strode away, clearly heading to find Xuyue.
Without further delay, Xi Ya carried Zhong Si into the medical room.
The organization's personal physician had already been notified and was waiting there. When he saw Xiya and the boy in his arms, he was taken aback for a moment, but his professional instincts made him immediately step forward to take over. "Put him on the bed, gently."
Xiya carefully placed Zhong Si on the pristine white hospital bed, creating a stark contrast with the filth outside. She watched as the doctor began to examine him, cut open his tattered clothes, and treat his wounds.
When the boy's thin, bony body, covered with both old and new scars, was fully exposed to the light, Xiya's fists clenched involuntarily.
Some of the wounds were fresh scratches and bruises, while others were old marks, clearly from long-term abuse. This further confirmed his suspicion that the child had endured unimaginable suffering.
After the examination, the doctor's face was grave: "Severe dehydration, malnutrition, fractured left leg, possible rib fractures, multiple soft tissue contusions, and signs of infection and fever... It's a miracle you're still alive. You need immediate debridement, immobilization, and intravenous fluids."
“Use the best medicine,” Sia’s voice was hoarse. “Save him.”
The doctor nodded and began to get busy. Sia stood by the bedside, like a silent guardian, or rather, a statue driven by guilt and a desire for redemption, watching motionless. His presence put immense pressure on the medical staff, but no one dared to ask him to leave.
After an unknown amount of time, the door to the medical room was silently pushed open.
Xu Yue walked in, followed closely by Gong Yang. The atmosphere in the medical room instantly plummeted to freezing point.
Xu Yue's gaze first swept over the unfamiliar boy receiving treatment on the hospital bed, and then landed on Xi Ya, who was disheveled and had a stubborn look in his eyes.
Her face was expressionless, and her gray eyes were like deep pools, revealing no emotion.
She walked to the bedside and quietly observed Zhong Si, who was unconscious for a moment, especially his violet eyes, whose unique shape could not be hidden even when they were tightly closed.
"Is it him?" Xu Yue's calm voice broke the suffocating silence.
“…Yes,” Sia replied, his voice low and tinged with a barely perceptible tension. He could never be as forceful with Xuyue as he was with Gongyang.
"The reason," Xu Yue said succinctly.
Sia took a deep breath; he knew he had to give an explanation. He couldn't bring himself to reveal the deepest reason, the reason about Yanni—it was his own secret, his Achilles' heel.
He chose a relatively objective, yet equally compelling, reason: "He's on our territorial border, injured like this. Saving him might yield some useful information. Besides... it's not our style to stand by and watch someone die." His last sentence carried a hint of weak justification.
Xu Yue didn't speak, but stared directly at Xi Ya with her eyes that could see through people's hearts.
She saw the pain and stubbornness surging deep in his red eyes, as well as an almost pleading look she had never seen in his eyes before.
She knew Xiya and knew that he hadn't acted so impulsively simply because it "might be useful" or out of mere "kindness." There must be a deeper reason behind it.
The ram couldn't help but speak up again: "Boss, the risk is too great. His identity and background are all mysteries..."
Xu Yue raised her hand, stopping Gong Yang from continuing. She glanced again at the fragile boy on the sickbed, who seemed as if he could break at any moment, before turning her gaze back to Xi Ya.
"The person you brought back," Xu Yue's voice remained calm, yet carried a final decision, "is under your full responsibility."
His safety, his actions, and all the consequences he may bring are your responsibility.
Until he is confirmed to be harmless, his movements will be restricted to the medical room and designated rest room, which you will have guards place there. Twilight will also conduct a background check on him. Any questions?
This was the greatest concession and show of trust that Xuyue could make. She did not forcibly expel them, but instead clearly handed over the responsibility and risks to Xiya.
Xi Ya's tense nerves instantly relaxed, and a surge of gratitude welled up inside him. He shook his head vigorously: "No! Thank you, Sister Xu Yue!"
Xu Yue said no more and turned to leave the medical room. Gong Yang glanced at Xi Ya with a complicated expression, then sighed and followed her out. He knew that Xu Yue had made her decision, and further words were pointless; he could only strengthen his defenses.
For the next few days, Xi Ya stayed almost constantly in the room temporarily arranged for him next to the medical room. He turned down all external tasks and devoted all his energy to taking care of Zhong Si.
This process fully exposed West Asia's clumsiness and inability to "care" for its people.
Accustomed to commands and violence, he seemed completely helpless when it came to caring for a vulnerable, seriously wounded soldier.
He tried to feed Zhong Si water, but because he used too much force, he almost crushed the water glass. When he fed the water, his rough movements caused the boy to cough incessantly, which frightened Xi Ya to the point of turning pale. He dared not make a move again and could only stand awkwardly to the side, watching the nurse complete the task.
He found the softest blankets to cover Zhong Si, but because they were laid too tightly, the boy felt restricted and uncomfortable.
He would sit by the bed for a long time, silently watching Zhong Si's sleeping or furrowed brows due to pain. He wanted to reach out and smooth the wrinkles between his brows, but hesitated and retreated for fear that his touch would bring more pain.
He even sneaked into the kitchen, hoping to find some nutritious food, but what he got were either overly greasy meat soups or bread so hard it could be used as a weapon. The doctor in charge of Zhong Si's diet was both amused and exasperated, and tactfully asked him "not to cause any more trouble."
These clumsy actions, through the words of the doctor and guards, more or less reached the ears of other members of the organization, sparking more discussion and confusion.
It's unbelievable that the ruthless "whale shark" would take care of a child of unknown origin like a helpless new father.
But Xiya didn't care what others thought.
Whenever he saw Zhong Si's breathing become more steady, his face less pale, or when he unconsciously grabbed his clothes again in his sleep, the hollow pain in his heart seemed to be relieved in a tiny but incredibly real way.
It was as if he was atoning for his younger brother, who had died years ago in cold and illness, by taking care of this unfamiliar boy. He wasn't filling the void in Zhong Si's life, but rather the enormous black hole in his own heart called "Yani".
A few days later, Zhong Si's high fever finally subsided, and his injuries began to stabilize. In a brief moment of lucidity, he weakly and intermittently uttered his name—"Zhong...Si..."
Sia sat on the edge of the bed, looking into his clear, timidly grateful purple eyes, and a warm current seemed to flow into the ice in her heart. He squeezed out a few words stiffly, almost through clenched teeth: "...Sia. My name is Sia."
He didn't know what this boy would bring to the organization or to himself. He only knew that he had seized this opportunity for redemption and would never let go again.
Regardless of whether the future holds fortune or misfortune, he is determined to use everything he has to protect this fragile "little butterfly" he retrieved from the ruins.
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