CHAPTER TWELVE 

Guo Feng bolted right out of his chair the moment the hand he was holding twitched. Chen Li Sha's unclear mumble coincided with the monotonous sound of the machine attached to her while relief washed over him.

When her eyelids finally fluttered open, he was already standing at a safe distance that would not raise questions from her.

"Thought you plan on skipping work forever," he commented.

Her disoriented gaze ran over the hospital room before settling on him. For a second, her eyes shone with an emotion he had always hoped for. However, it was like a mirage that disappeared right after.

Instead of her usual snarky reply, she clutched her head. Panic reared up its ugly head again. Without thinking, he held her cheeks in his palm.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Their eyes locked, one with worry and the other with confusion. Time seemed to freeze until they realized how close they were. Guo Feng let go as if he was burned while Chen Li Sha leaned back, looking away.

A moment of silence seemed to pass before he spoke.

"Should I call a doctor?"

She shook her head. "No need. I thought I was still in a nightmare where we died and I'm still stuck with you."

Hearing her words, he let out a snicker as another wave of solace eased the remaining tension in his body. A bit of color returned to her complexion and she could manage to speak like she always did.

"Dreaming of me, eh?" he said as he handed her water upon noticing her lips.

"As if!" She took the glass with so much force. Water would have splashed if it was full. Despite her scowl, she drank it in one go.

"Who was it that was crying again?" he reminded her as she took the glass away. No matter how strong she appeared, only he knew she was so quick to tears.

'Only to me...' Was what he hoped. He could count all the years down to the seconds how long they had known each other but he dared not to admit it.

First, the embarrassment would last a lifetime. But most importantly, he could not risk losing their bond, no matter how twisted their rivalry could get, for a stupid emotion.

He was satisfied with what he had now. Staying by her side was always enough.

"Ew. Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing. Just thinking you're giving any ghost a run for their money with your state right now."

"Urgh. Can't I have a day without you pissing me off?" she grumbled with her forehead creasing.

"Of course..." He reached out and tousled her hair. "Not."

Guo Feng fleed right away, leaving Chen Li Sha in her room without a moment to react.

Seeing his back, she could not help but recall what happened back then. She hated how the emotions she should ignore were so deeply rooted in her soul. She could deny it the first time but experiencing how he could die a second time unleashed those feelings again.

A deep breath broke out from her mouth. It was impossible to hope for more. There were too many barriers to break and would it be even worth the sacrifice?

'Besides...'

She removed the drip and stood up, walking to the bathroom. Upon seeing her reflection, Guo Feng was right. She really looked like a ghost. The tangled strands could be compared to a bird's nest with all the frizz. Her skin was as ghastly as it could get. Her lips were chapped and her eyebags had a tint of purple. Fortunately, there were no marks of physical wounds and it was probably thanks to Liu Hui.

She unbuttoned her pajama and the crystal-like stone that was only visible to her had been dyed in black. All her efforts were wasted in just a day but if she had a choice, she would repeat the same thing just to come out alive and save Guo Feng.

However, she did not feel the usual pain. She would not even be standing if the stone was already that muddied by the monster's blood. 

Before she could ponder on it. The door burst open. A tall woman wearing a traditional red qipao came rushing towards her.

"Chong-er! You're finally awake. Ni rang wo danxinle!" (You made me worry!)

She broke free from her embrace, her eyes not almost disbelieving. "Muqin? How come you're here?"

"Why shouldn't I be? My daughter has been on the brink of death and you expect me to stay in China? I should have left Qinqin with you regardless of what they say."

"But the rules—"

"I am the Golden Mother, the supreme goddess and only second to that geezer, therefore why should I be abiding by their rules? I am the one who makes rules!"

"Xingan," a mellow voice interrupted her mother's tirade. "We already discussed we don't want to make things complicated for Chong-er."

Recognizing the man, she rushed to his side. "Fuqin!"

"Careful, Chong-er. You just recovered." Chen Shui's gentle demeanor was the complete opposite of his wife and that earned him the nickname of the Queen's tranquilizer.

Some even said he was unlucky to be surrounded by two volatile women yet in truth, they could freely be capricious due to his affection and doting.

An exaggerated sigh came behind her. "I gave birth for you only to be attached to your father. How distressing."

She slid back to her mother's side and pulled her away from the bathroom. "That's not true, Muqin. I love you both!"

She led her to the bed and propped herself back to the bed while her father placed some fruits on the table.

"By the way, when have you arrived, Muqin?"

"The moment I heard the news, obviously." Her mother caressed her hair as she spoke but momentarily stopped as her eyes darted on the exposed part of her chest.

Not everyone could see the gem except for her and of course, her own mother who gave it to her. No wonder she did not feel pain, her mother could have done something.

"Chong-er, tell me the truth. How did the divine stone mutate? Why did the fulu in your body become cursed marks? How long has it been this way?" The following questions followed by her sullen gaze made Chen Li Sha's spine straighten.

"Since the incident I discovered I have the magic of deconstruction."

"That long..." Her voice cracked. "How absurd. I am not even aware I am sending my daughter to the gates of hell. The dread I felt could not equate to any terror I had faced all my life when I discovered what happened to you. I thought that geezer was bluffing but it turned out to be true. You should have told me, my child. If I had been aware of this earlier, this would not end this way." She clasped her shoulders, meeting her eye to eye. "As soon as you are out of this hospital, let's go back to Kunlun Mountain."

Her fingers fidgeted with her mother's resolute declaration. "But I'm not a god and not even an immortal like Fuqin."

"Don't worry. I had been tolerating them for a long while but not this time. If I want my child with me, only my decision should preside. They better not forget I was once the Catastrophe of the Sky."

She grabbed her mother's hand and glanced at her father.

"I am on your mother's side, Chong-er. We have been contemplating and her point is valid. We could not just watch you die with the curse. You're missions involved the blood of the monster and every single drop affects your lifespan."

Her mouth gaped at how they knew all the details about her curse when she thought she had hidden it so well in the past.

"But I thought you want to live forever with me? Won't I just be a mortal if I cannot fully crystalize the amulet that you gave me?"

"I can find more ways, my child. You're just twenty-one. A mere baby in the eye of the gods. We have more time to find a solution, one that doesn't compromise your life."

"But how about the curse?"

"I can just remove the stone—"

"That's what I thought too, Muqin. But someone told me it was not as simple as that."

"Who was it?" The sharp eyes she inherited from her squinted, making her much fiercer.

"I don't recognize him but he was the one who explained about the curse and its consequences."

Xi Wang Mu scowled. "The divine stone is a forbidden artifact not everyone is aware of its existence. It's the only artifact to make a demi-god a full-blooded one. Out of the people who tried, you're the only compatible one because of your immortal soul retained in a mortal body. However, that was just a conclusion on our side. There were no scriptures about it so how could someone know more about me?"

She summarized the earlier encounters with the man as her parent's faces became grim.

"So this was his intervention..." Xi Wang Mu mumbled under her breath. "What else did he say?"

"He always reminded me I should complete it as soon as it reached the seventh year on my body."

Even a pin drop could be heard when silence ensued. No one talked when they realized the number of days left and hope was bleak.

"...We don't even have a year. I should have listened to that hateful man. I shouldn't have been selfish but is it wrong to wish that my child could live as long as I do?" She faced Fuqin who took her in his arms.

Chen Li Sha still held onto her hand. "Muqin, it's okay. Trust me. I can do it."

Her mother's eyes glistened. She let go of her father and hugged her.

"Promise me, this won't happen again. You can continue your missions but never go overboard. Your life is always a priority. You should have left that son of the monkey king to save your life."

She giggled at the thought because she was here all because of him.

"I'm serious, Chen Li Sha."

"Yes, Muqin. I'll try."

It was the only safe answer she could offer knowing she was bound not to keep it anyway.

‧ 🀦 ‧

After reassuring her parents, Chen Li Sha was discharged from the hospital. The other guys were already outside and they accompanied her parents back to the hotel before driving home.

Nothing changed in her room except for the conspicuous bird sitting on the bay window. The gold irises directed at her were like the sun shining and with its cyan feathers. Its features were like the image of the bright sky outside if it had become an animal.

Qinqin was part of the San Qing Niang which served her mother. It was given to her as her guardian but she could not just bring a mythical being of China to another territory yet there they were here now.

She was certain her mother put it on her own volition. 

"How are you, Qinqin?"She stroked its ruffles. It was only a ruler high but when needed, its original form could fill up her entire bedroom.

She took it to her shoulders and exited the room. On her way down, she came across Guo Feng's door which was slightly ajar.

"It's been two weeks and you already ransacked the whole house so what's the point?" Zhu Mu Yang's tone was laced with irritation.

"Just stop involving me in this. He won't even tell what he lost."

"It's a necklace, okay? I know I brought it here." Chen Li Sha completely stalled in her tracks, snooping at the door.

They didn't even notice her presence as the gap revealed the havoc they were doing. Countless bags were opened. The bed and the rest of the furniture were overhauled. Even the picture frames were not spared and were flipped over on the ground.

"Then I'm sure it was lost during the mission," Liu Hui said and stood up.

"I agree. If it was that important, you should have left it at home."

Guo Feng was reprimanded back and forth but he continued his search. Chen Li Sha's eyebrows snapped together.

'Don't tell me he was looking for that?'

She retreated to her room and unpacked the bag she had earlier. It contained all her belongings from the last mission. The gold chain was still safely stuffed inside. She placed Qinqin back to the window and then went back to Guo Feng's room with the item in hand.

Zhu Mu Yang and Liu Hui were nowhere in sight while e Guo Feng's attention was all on the clutters on the floor.

Another thing caught her eye. She leaned down and it was what she was thinking — a notebook she lost in high school.

Chen Li Sha cleared her throat. "Looking for this?"

She dangled the necklace as he swiveled to her side. He gasped when he realized it was her who was holding it. He avoided her stare only to be more agitated when her other hand was holding her notebook.

"Didn't know you're a thief?"

He scoffed. "Huh? You gave that to me!" He stood up, walking towards her.

"Care to explain the notebook then?" She smirked at how flustered he was.

"You lent it to me. I just forgot to return it and you forgot it too. I don't even remember it is with me."

She nodded but was still grinning. "Uhuh..."

"It's true!" He grabbed the necklace and notebook and stuffed it inside the nearest duffel bag that was laid open.

With nothing in her hand, awkwardness crept into Chen Li Sha's mind. Why was she gloating over there a second ago? Was she hoping for something?

Guo Feng made a small noise. "Ah, I get it."

"Huh?" Confusion reflected on her face.

"I didn't know you're so eager, Chong-er."

The emphasis on her nickname spread a hint of scarlet on her cheeks but his following words dissipated all the feelings right away.

"You should have told me you want to stay in my room. You came barging in a man's room must mean something, right?"

"What? Are you delusional? Who was it that has my notebook and necklace again?" she retorted.

Chen Li Sha expected his frenzy but Guo Feng already reigned his emotions and had gained the upper hand. "Is it wrong to keep things I received? It's not like it's just yours."

She rolled her eyes for his sad excuse. "Whatever. Where is Carlos, by the way? I haven't seen him since I woke up."

Associates were the assistants of the Hunters. Even the processing of her discharge was done by Zhu Mu Yang when it should be Carlos' job.

"He had been detained since I recovered. I told them about your suspicions but it seems like he had a solid alibi," Guo Feng said.

"What?"

"Apparently, he was seen in the headquarters during the meeting. He arrived here when the van already left."

"Hold on. Does that mean we are infiltrated?"

"That's what he said. For now, he is still our associate. He will be released once you wake up so he'll be back later this week."

"But who was it? Shu Xin? Did you tell them about her too?"

"Not yet. I wanted to wait for you to explain to them."

"That's good. Shou Xi should be informed first."

Someone who was supposed to be dead was alive and with Guo Feng as her witness, the god's intervention was needed. 'Speaking of gods...'

"Also, I forgot to ask, who won?"

"Our team. You purged the Desastre at your life's expense, after all."

"Great!" She beamed, not noticing the abrupt coldness in Guo Feng's tone from the mention of her sacrifice.

In her mind, there was already one god that would fulfill all the unanswered questions she had.

U n S c e n e s

Chen Li Sha: You like me right?

Guo Feng: Isn't it the other way around? It is you who like me.

Chen Li Sha: It's you!

Guo Feng: No, it's you!

Liu Hui: Why not just say that you like each other? 

Chen Li Sha/Guo Feng: Shut up!

Translation:
Xingan ‧ heart or darling

Pronunciation:
Xing an ‧ sing an

Note:
Too much going on, for real. Gotta jam-packed it all lol Also I'm doing my chapters on Sunday already because I'm trying to adjust my personal schedule.

See you next week.

Hopefully :)