The Obligations of the Elderly - Chapter 14

Not long after Qiu Xia woke up, Xi Liu left.

“Thank you.” Gong Si could only say this.

With their back turned, Xi Liu waved a hand and wandered out the door, tossing out a light remark: “Vice class monitor, help me ask for leave on Monday. I’m not feeling well, I’m sick.”

Gong Si: …

“I need to ask for leave too…” He could only mutter this, then returned to the bedside.

Because Qiu Xia was sent to the doctor in time, his body recovered quickly. He stayed at the clinic for two days, and on the third day, after the doctor checked him and confirmed he was almost recovered, he was allowed to be discharged.

“You should still go to a professional school. There, you’ll learn the proper way to use your abilities, and then find a suitable Vessel. Only then will your body truly recover.” The doctor said to Gong Si and Qiu Xia when they were discharged.

“I understand. I’ve already written to the school. After Qiu Xia rests for two more days, we’ll go there to handle the enrollment procedures.” Gong Si replied. He glanced at the doctor and finally thanked him.

“Uh… Actually, I didn’t do much. My medical skills aren’t that advanced. Your brother recovered so quickly mainly because he’s healthy himself…” The doctor explained, a bit flustered.

“I know,” Gong Si said.

Doctor: Why does his certainty make me feel a little uncomfortable…

“Thank you for saying those words to me,” Gong Si said to him.

“Starting today, I will learn about the world of Users together with Qiu Xia.”

After speaking, he carried Ah Ji on his back, holding a bag in each hand, and bowed to the doctor.

Then he left with his brothers.

Just like last time, they took the bus again. On his second bus ride, Ah Ji was still excited, his big eyes wide open, looking out the window with great interest, not needing any adult to coax him.

When they returned home, as expected, the house was already filled with the aroma of food. In the study, two or three old regulars were reading. Hearing their return, two middle-aged women emerged from the kitchen.

“Finally back! We were just talking about how long you boys would have to stay at the hospital~” one of the women said.

“The food is just ready. You haven’t been home these days, and we didn’t know when you’d return, so we made lunch and dinner for you every day.” The food was made especially for the Gong Family brothers. The old regulars might bring some food over, but at most they’d gather at the tables outside the study to eat while reading and drinking tea. They wouldn’t eat at the brothers’ home, and when the brothers weren’t around, they definitely wouldn’t.

This is the peculiar way of socializing and keeping distance in Lengshui Town.

As the Gong Family brothers came in with their bags, the old regulars also saw Qiu Xia-

“Qiu Xia was hospitalized with a fever?”

“I heard drinking herbal tea after a fever is good. I brought you some, you can have it today.”

“A high fever can help you grow taller. Qiu Xia might get taller~”

The guests chatted one after another, and finally all their words turned into a shared concern: “Has Qiu Xia recovered from his fever?”

“Oh dear~ How did he get a fever?”

Gong Si exchanged a glance with his brother, and the two nodded to each other. Finally, Gong Si cleared his throat and announced to everyone: “Qiu Xia has become a User~ That’s why he had a fever. Don’t worry, he’s healthy, and the doctor said he’s fine.”

The neighbors’ mouths opened slightly, and after a moment, they all nodded: “So that’s what happened! Qiu Xia has become a User!”

“I heard Users are really impressive~ In the nearby towns, there are lots of Vessels, but few Users!”

“Qiu Xia might be in high demand~”

“He was already popular, he’ll be even more popular in the future!”

After saying this, the old men and women looked at Qiu Xia with ambiguous smiles.

“Hey! What are you all talking about? You’re making it sound like Qiu Xia is looking for a partner…” Feeling creeped out by their smiles, Gong Si complained.

“Isn’t it just like looking for a partner? The relationship between Users and Vessels is just like that! I heard that some powerful Users, if they can’t find a suitable Vessel, might end up with several at once. Those Vessels compete openly and secretly, just like a harem~” said an old man, who, thinking of something, smiled even more ambiguously.

Then, he met Gong Si’s serious face.

His smile vanished instantly, and the old man quickly coughed a few times: “Uh, well… I read a harem novel recently, about Users and Vessels. Uh… it’s all just fantasy, just fantasy! Kids shouldn’t listen!”

As he spoke, he even reached out to cover Dong Chun’s ears.

But it was already too late.

Licking a lollipop, Dong Chun shouted loudly: “Is it that book ‘All the Famous Vessels Love Me’?”
“Eh?!” Grandpa Qin’s eyes widened instantly.

“Grandpa Qin, you used to always wrap that book in an old cover and read it with such interest. I stood behind you and called you for ages, but you didn’t hear me. So I just stood there and read along with you for a long time.”

Grandpa Qin: !!!

Gong Si: …

“From now on, Dong Chun, you’re not allowed to sneak a peek when Grandpa Qin is reading,” Gong Si instructed seriously.

“Why not? It’s not like I’m reading anything shameful! Aside from the title, it’s actually a really good book! The content is very proper!” Grandpa Qin protested loudly.

Unfortunately, no one believed him anymore.

In the end, it was Gong Si who reached out his hand to him.

“?” Grandpa Qin was still feeling wronged.

“Do you still have that book? Can I borrow it?”

“I do! I’ll lend it to you!” Grandpa Qin immediately pulled a book out from his coat.

“Gong Si, are you really going to read such an improper book?” The old regulars started gossiping again.

“But Gong Si is already 18. He can read improper books now,” said the supporters.

“Hey! I already said, aside from the title, the book is totally proper!” Grandpa Qin was still aggrieved.

“I want to learn about the world of Users and Vessels. Since I can’t find any other books, I’ll start with this one,” Gong Si said.

Seeing Gong Si so earnest, the old regulars were stunned for a moment, then started chiming in:

“Actually, I’ve read books like that too. For example, this one, ‘Peerless Vessel.'”

“I have a new book here, ‘My Super Dominator.'”

“‘Charming Great Ruler’ is pretty interesting… but it’s at home. I’ll bring it for you tomorrow.”

Gong Si: …

For the first time, he realized that ordinary people were actually so interested in the world of Users and Vessels.

Of course-

It was also the first time he realized that everyone had probably only been sneaking around reading these books because of him. Now that they saw he didn’t mind, they finally revealed their own interest in the subject.

Just how much had he shown his dislike for Vessels and Users before? Gong Si reflected on himself again.

After accepting the books recommended by the old regulars, he and his younger brothers ate the lunch the guests had enthusiastically prepared for them. After a quick cleanup, Gong Si started reading.

“Big Brother, you don’t have to force yourself,” Qiu Xia said, carrying a plate of fruit and looking at his big brother, who was frowning at the book.

“I’m not forcing myself. When the books first came in, I noticed they were actually quite popular. Because of my own issues, I never thought about bringing them in. Thinking back, that was a mistake. This is a good chance to learn more.” Gong Si didn’t even look up as he spoke to his brother.

“No need to cut the fruit. Dong Chun can eat it with the skin. You’re still not fully recovered, so go to bed early,” Gong Si instructed Qiu Xia.

“Then… Brother, will you stay with me tonight?” Qiu Xia lowered his head and looked at the floor.

This was Qiu Xia’s way of acting spoiled.

Recognizing his brother’s act instantly, Gong Si shrugged:

“Alright, you can sleep in my room again tonight. Dong Chun, you sleep with Ah Ji tonight.”

Before going to sleep, Qiu Xia saw his big brother reading at the bedside. When he woke up, his big brother was still there, reading.

As the sun rose, Gong Si closed the book in his hands with satisfaction.

“I have to say, it was really good. The world of Users and Vessels is actually so fascinating? It’s like an adventure story from another world…” Gong Si was halfway through his thought when he noticed his brother peeking at him.

His face reddened slightly, and Gong Si coughed: “So what if I stayed up all night reading a novel? I do that sometimes too!”

Qiu Xia just pursed his lips and smiled at him.

Seeing Gong Si about to get up, Qiu Xia pulled him back: “You must be tired after staying up all night, right? Skipping one breakfast won’t matter. I’ll take Dong Chun and the others out to eat. Big Brother, you should sleep.”

With his brother tucking him in, Gong Si’s face turned even redder.

But he didn’t refuse his brother’s arrangement.

Watching his brother neatly fold the quilt and leave, Gong Si recalled a description from the novel-

It was said that a User’s “Energy” would float outside their body.

Depending on their ability, the amount of this “Energy” varied greatly. High-level Users supposedly had enormous “Energy,” like a pair of giant wings surrounding them.

Like invisible wings.

Did Qiu Xia also have a pair of such wings?

It was said to be a magnificent sight.

As an ordinary person, he would never be able to see it.

He would never see Qiu Xia’s wings in this lifetime…

“It’s a bit of a pity when you think about it…” he murmured, sighing as he pulled up the covers. In the blink of an eye, Gong Si fell into a deep sleep.