Chapter 53: Congratulations, You Came Back to Life

“Lin Jiangye, who are you… what did you do to her?”

Lin Yu’s eyes were bloodshot. The fist resting on his leg was clenched so tightly that veins bulged across it. He asked the question hoarsely, one word at a time.

His legs had gone weak. He could not stand up. At the same time, he had realized something.

Even if he could stand, it would be useless. The eerie changes before him had already gone far beyond his understanding. Even if he charged over with a knife and hacked at someone, it would be useless.

But Qiu Zhen seemed to have had something happen to her.

She sat collapsed on the floor, her legs and skirt soaked in a thick layer of hot blood. After her emotions had collapsed to the extreme, she had suddenly fallen silent. Her empty gaze fell into nothingness.

She said nothing. She did not move. She was like a lifelike wooden statue.

Most of the arterial blood that had sprayed out had been blocked by Lin Jiangye standing in front of her, but inevitably, her wet face and hands were splashed with strange, star-like flecks of blood.

This was not a scene an ordinary person could endure, especially when the woman sitting blankly in the middle of the blood pool was his mother, and the man whose throat had been cut, whose skull was slowly leaking pale pink-white fluid, was his father.

Without waiting for Lin Jiangye’s answer, Lin Yu covered his face with his own hands. His stinging eyes soaked into his gradually damp palms, and he could not control the violent dry heaving. All he vomited was bile.

His tears hid within the spasms of his throat, as if no one knew.

“I’m so hungry. I want to eat those chocolate dumplings.”

“They’re in the car. I’ll get them.” Yu Wangxiao handed him a handkerchief. “Can you handle this alone?”

“Mm. It’ll be quick.”

Lin Jiangye put away the handkerchief, then gently picked up Qiu Zhen, who was still as dazed as a sculpture. Darkening, sticky blood slid down their legs and hems, dripping onto the glass shards scattered across the floor with soft, tiny drip, drip sounds.

He carried Qiu Zhen around the coffee table and nudged Lin Yu’s leg with his knee. His tone was as casual as ever. “Don’t sit here. Get up, get up. Let Qiu Zhen lie down for a while.”

“…Lin Jiangye, cough cough… she’s your mom!”

His voice was tough, but his body was very obedient. Lin Yu did not dare touch him at all. His legs trembled as he supported himself with the armrest of the sofa and quickly stood up, making room on the couch.

“If we go by that logic, I’m your biological younger brother too, but didn’t you diligently insult me for three years?”

Lin Jiangye smiled without warmth and gently placed Qiu Zhen on the sofa. Then he suddenly took a step closer to Lin Yu, moving so quickly that Lin Yu’s vision darkened and blurred. He could not see clearly at all.

The distance between them was far too close. Their faces were almost pressed together. Lin Yu’s legs instinctively weakened, and he nearly fell backward, but Lin Jiangye tugged his tie and effortlessly pulled him back into place, leaving him unable to move.

Lin Yu’s breath hitched. His Adam’s apple rolled uncontrollably, and as though drawn in by a black hole, he subconsciously wanted to move closer. He wanted to touch the hand wrapped around his tie. In the next second, he was horrified by his own bizarre reaction.

No. This was wrong!

“Apologize.” Lin Jiangye tilted his head and stared at him. Unrestrained silver-white radiance reflected in Lin Yu’s trembling, bloodshot pupils, filled with a trace of curiosity. “You really are strange. Even now, you still refuse to apologize to me even once… Do you think you did nothing wrong?”

“…”

His throat tightened again. Lin Yu realized his whole body was trembling so hard it hurt, as if he was about to cramp. He did not dare look at those inhuman, bizarre eyes. He did not dare look directly at this young man, who appeared strangely beautiful under the glow. He could only force his vision to blur into a haze.

He was afraid that if he looked for too long and became entranced, the next person to go insane would be himself. He should not be entranced. He ought to be terrified of everything about Lin Jiangye with his whole heart.

“Lin Yu, speak.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Ah, no, that won’t do. That was purely because I scared you.” Lin Jiangye released his tie in dissatisfaction and sighed softly. “Let’s eat first. After eating, we’ll try again.”

Eat?

Lin Yu could not believe his ears. Was the scene before him not absurd enough?

The thick blood had soaked the wool carpet until it was swollen and heavy, even bubbling like wriggling worms, making one’s whole body go cold. Every breath he took was blocked by the thick, rusty smell of blood. Every pore seemed to have turned sticky and damp… Why could Lin Jiangye still act so casually? Beautiful and clean, as if he had been born carrying light, as if nothing had happened at all.

“Please. Please explain first. Cough cough… What exactly happened to my mom? Is she alive?”

“Of course.” Lin Jiangye blinked, then suddenly curled his lips meaningfully. “As for whether you are alive, that’s not certain.”

Lin Yu took a step back and leaned against the wall. With great difficulty, he used his back to support his body, which might collapse at any moment. His voice trembled as he asked, “What… what do you mean?!”

“When something happens, use your own brain first, okay? It has been rusting for a long time.”

Lin Jiangye stopped tormenting him and happily went to open the door for Yu Wangxiao. The takeout Lin Yu ordered had also arrived, and Yu Wangxiao brought it in with him.

Although it was breakfast, Lin Yu had considered that there were many people at home today, so he had ordered plenty. It was barely enough to fill Lin Jiangye’s stomach.

Lin Jiangye hurriedly washed his hands, took off his blood-smeared coat, and brought the steaming casserole to the dining table.

“Wow, Lin Yu, you actually have decent taste. You ordered morning tea from Chunyu Hall. I’ve had this seafood congee before. It’s good.”

He was truly hungry. While biting into the cold snowball-like dessert, he served Yu Wangxiao a bowl of congee, then picked up a spoon and immediately started eating.

Lin Yu leaned against the wall with a pale face, staring blankly as the two of them sat down and began eating as if nothing had happened. Then he looked down at the wet bloodstains on his own pant legs and gave a low laugh, angered by this absurd world.

Perhaps he was angry at himself. He knew nothing, understood nothing, grasped nothing… and could do nothing.

“Come eat too, Lin Yu,” Yu Wangxiao said gently and unhurriedly as he picked up a shrimp dumpling and placed it into Lin Jiangye’s bowl. “And that young Lin student. You also need to replenish your strength.”

“…Xiao Yao, Xiao Yao, don’t look! Don’t come down!” Lin Yu jolted violently, as if waking from a dream. He wiped his face with one hand and quickly walked toward the stairs. In the blink of an eye, he saw Lin Jingyao crouching at the corner.

But to everyone’s surprise, Lin Jingyao’s complexion was not that bad. At the very least, he was not as bloodless as Lin Yu.

No, he was not pale at all. Lin Jingyao’s face was even flushed. That inexplicably sticky gaze lightly bypassed the anxious and worried Lin Yu and fixed straight on Lin Jiangye’s side profile.

He had already been staring at Lin Jiangye for a long time. He had likely seen everything from beginning to end without ever looking away.

Lin Jingyao realized he had been discovered. Seemingly nervous, he slowly stood up, half of his pretty face and reddened eyes emerging from behind the corner. He carefully said, “Can I eat with you too? Mr. Yu, actually, I can just eat a little fruit by myself. I’m worried that if I’m here, you’ll feel uncomfort—”

“If you want to eat, eat. If you don’t, don’t. Lin Jingyao, if you say something so passive-aggressive again, I’ll press you into Lin Bingsheng’s urine. Do you think I can’t hear it?”

Lin Jiangye turned his head while holding his bowl and interrupted without mercy, narrowing his eyes impolitely.

His little thoughts were exposed without any consideration. Lin Jingyao’s whole body trembled quietly, but his face strangely grew even redder.

“I’m sorry, Brother.” He was extremely obedient and immediately apologized softly, lowering his head and quickly coming downstairs.

“Xiao Yao, wait.” At this moment, Lin Yu suddenly grabbed his arm, somewhat unable to believe it. “You called him Brother?”

Lin Jingyao let out a soft sound and gently, calmly replied, “Big Brother… you are both my brothers.”

“Look at what Mom and Dad have become. How can you… Xiao Yao, why do you have that expression? You… you don’t think it’s frightening at all?” Lin Yu lowered his voice and asked through gritted teeth, his voice trembling.

“I’m scared. Of course I’m scared. Lately, I always want to cry. At night, I toss and turn and have nightmares, and all my dreams are full of Brother’s face… But Brother is so beautiful.” Lin Jingyao’s eyes were wet, and the trembling rhythm of his breathing almost resonated with Lin Yu’s. “He’s so beautiful, so beautiful… Big Brother, you secretly think so too, don’t you?”

A dizzying sense of despair was already about to crush Lin Yu completely. He could not understand it. No, perhaps he could barely understand, but he resolutely refused to fall into that absolutely abnormal, inhuman, strange attraction.

Madmen and monsters appreciated one another, as if briefly trapped in a demonic daze and unable to return to their senses. It seemed only he was a normal person left. It seemed that way.

He silently released the hand gripping Lin Jingyao’s arm and, with difficulty, supported himself back to the dining table, sitting directly across from Lin Jiangye.

After a moment of silence, Lin Yu cleared his throat and slowly said hoarsely, “Lin Jiangye, no matter who you are, in any case… I’m sorry. Everything unfair that you suffered was my fault. I was blind and foolish. I was biased.”

Lin Jiangye raised his brows slightly, put down the bowl in his hand, and took a deep breath.

Before he had the chance to speak, Lin Yu continued. As he spoke, his words turned entirely into choked breaths. “Whatever you want to do is fine. Torture me, kill me, eat me, take revenge, vent it all on me. Please, direct it all at me, alright? Please don’t treat him like this. He just needs love too much. I spoiled him. The bad things weren’t done by him. They’re my fault. He really didn’t bully you. Let him go… please.”

“This time it sounds sincere. But, well, if you were talking about someone else, that would be one thing. But you’re asking me to let Lin Jingyao go… I don’t think I’ve done anything to him, right? I saved his life.”

The more Lin Jiangye listened, the more confused he became. He could not understand Lin Yu’s train of thought and hurriedly sought confirmation from Yu Wangxiao. “That’s right, isn’t it? I feel like I didn’t do anything. Really. And I definitely didn’t enter his dreams to seduce him.”

Yu Wangxiao looked thoughtful, as if everything happening around him had nothing to do with him, only caring about certain special points. “So, do you have that ability?”

“…Theoretically, I can. Very much so.” Lin Jiangye could not help thinking carefully. Considering the common imagery and authority of the moon, he still found it very surprising. “But this isn’t part of my work scope. I’ve never trained for it. I also have no need to run into other people’s dreams in the middle of the night.”

“You’ve never trained for it?” Yu Wangxiao’s tone was gentle, but he always seemed able to find details that made people sweat.

“…Mm. So maybe, if I was careless, maybe I really did it? And didn’t notice after doing it.”

Lin Jiangye glanced at Lin Jingyao, who was sitting obediently beside him, and quietly moved his chair closer to Yu Wangxiao, trying to make up for it. “Don’t be angry, don’t be angry. Tonight, I’ll take the initiative and try it once myself. I’ll definitely be able to enter your dream.”

“It’s fine. This is something you can’t control. How could I be angry?” Yu Wangxiao’s tone remained gentle as he placed another shrimp dumpling into Lin Jiangye’s bowl.

Lin Jiangye did not believe him.

So he lowered his head and ate more, doing his best to keep his energy abundant. If his attempt to enter Yu Wangxiao’s dream tonight failed, the consequences would be hard to predict.

Lin Yu said nothing else. One mouthful at a time, he drank the scalding hot congee, unusually quiet. He had already used up all his strength and emotions. At the very least, he could confirm that Lin Jiangye seemed… seemed to bear no malice.

This tiny fact, which made him want to collapse and question everything, instead brought forth a wave of exhaustion that crashed over him. Lin Yu could not even lift his hands anymore. He did not want to think about anything, did not have the strength to fight over anything. It was as if his whole person had been covered by a gray haze.

After eating and drinking to satisfaction, they checked the time. It was still early.

Lin Jiangye casually tidied the dishes and stretched. Lin Jingyao immediately rushed over eagerly to help, but Lin Jiangye directly signaled Lin Yu with his eyes to quickly drag away this young master who had never done chores.

This time, Lin Yu understood the look. He quickly pulled Lin Jingyao behind him and, rarely, spoke to him with some sternness, his voice still hoarse. “Xiao Yao, don’t get close to him. When has anyone ever needed you? Are you rushing to your death?”

“…I’m sorry.” It was the first time Lin Jingyao had been scolded by him like this, and he was not used to it. He shrank back and apologized softly, seeming a little wronged.

Lin Jiangye paid no attention to the subtle change in atmosphere between them and could not help yawning again. Perhaps he had eaten too much. He now felt a little dizzy from the carbs, and even his voice became light and soft. He spoke unhurriedly. “Oh right, Lin Yu, the police and forensic doctors will arrive soon. You two should think about how to explain this. You can tell the truth directly. Don’t worry. I killed Lin Bingsheng. It has nothing to do with Qiu Zhen.”

Lin Yu paused. “She didn’t kill him?”

“He was already dead before the knife went in,” Lin Jiangye said with a soft laugh. He pulled Yu Wangxiao’s hand onto his stomach and let him rub it. “I ate him.”

“…”

He was eaten.

Lin Jiangye said Lin Bingsheng had been eaten by him.

“Mr. Yu,” Lin Yu stayed silent for a long while before barely maintaining his remaining calm and forcing himself to look at Yu Wangxiao. “May I ask how long you intend to stay here? Will Lin Jiangye and my mother be arrested? If not, how will the charges be handled?”

“The autopsy result will only be a sudden cerebral hemorrhage, sudden death. No one needs to worry about criminal charges. As for the possible crime of insulting a corpse… Madam Qiu has not been in a good mental state recently, and the person she cut was her husband. It won’t be a big issue,” Yu Wangxiao explained good-temperedly. “Once Madam Qiu wakes up and her physical condition is confirmed, we will not disturb you any longer.”

“…Thank you. Mr. Yu, if there is any information you need from the Lin family, please be sure to let me know in time. I will cooperate.”

Lin Yu lowered his eyes and slowly spoke. After a pause, he emphasized softly again, “Inheritance, shares, whatever it may be—just tell us directly how you want it divided. Just leave a little for Xiao Yao. This year’s bid has also been prepared long ago. I know the quoted price. I will truly cooperate with everything.”

“Brother, you…”

Lin Jingyao hesitated, suddenly feeling strange. He was extremely unused to Lin Yu’s infinitely lowered attitude at this moment. But at the same time, he knew full well that he had no ability to solve the problem, because Yu Wangxiao had no interest in him whatsoever. His emotions and thoughts were meaningless.

He could only stare blankly and tug at Lin Yu’s hem. Then he tentatively held that familiar hand, just like they had done over the twenty years they had spent together, trying to offer a tiny bit of comfort.

Lin Yu found that he somewhat wanted to shake off his hand, yet could not bear to do so. In the end, his trembling fingers still intertwined with his, silent and powerless.

Of course, the one responsible for playing the villain today was not Yu Wangxiao. Yu Wangxiao was busy rubbing the stomach of someone who had overeaten and was about to fall asleep.

So he only smiled helplessly, his voice gentle, as if he was born with a calming serenity. “He Chen will handle the follow-up matters. For now, let us only discuss family matters. Lin Yu, you are Jiangye’s elder brother. There is no need to be so polite.”

Only a ghost would believe that… Lin Yu nodded dully. He found that his thoughts were multiplying until he could barely breathe, as if two little people were fighting in his mind, killing each other over the gap between emotion and reason.

He did not want to approach that pool of blood, much less these two terrifying existences who could act as if nothing had happened, like madmen. Holding Lin Jingyao’s hand, he retreated near the sofa. After discussing it briefly, the brothers began using wet towels to wipe the blood from Qiu Zhen’s hands and face.

Doing some small thing within their ability could at least slightly suppress the unease and terror in their hearts.

“…Huh…”

Before long, Lin Yu’s movements paused. Lin Jiangye also abruptly woke from his drowsy state, stood up, and pulled Yu Wangxiao toward the living room.

They had both heard a hoarse exhale. It came slowly through the top of Qiu Zhen’s skull, somewhat like the low buzzing of a balloon steadily leaking air. It was extremely strange and drawn-out.

“Mom, Mom, are you okay? Can you hear me?!” Lin Yu’s eyes heated. His already unsteady hands trembled even more violently.

“…Mom.”

Lin Jingyao had already started crying. He was the first to meet Qiu Zhen’s cold eyes, and his heart suddenly chilled. What he had feared most over the past few years seemed to be happening at this very moment, and he was completely powerless to stop it.

Choking, he carefully spoke again. “Mom, I’m scared…”

“Stay away from me.”

Qiu Zhen suddenly spoke coldly through gritted teeth. Then she pushed away the hands they had extended, struggled to sit up on her own, rubbed her splitting temples, closed her eyes, and breathed heavily for a long time, unable to recover.

“How do you feel?” Lin Jiangye did not approach. He stood nearby and looked at her curiously. “You probably didn’t lose your memory, right? Do you remember everything that happened today?”

“…I remember.”

Qiu Zhen looked toward the sound of his voice. The coldness in her eyes quietly melted. She stared deeply at Lin Jiangye for a long time. Tears rose uncontrollably, only to be forcefully suppressed by her.

“Can I keep calling you Jiangye?” she asked hesitantly. Then she quickly added, “I know he’s gone. I know… You are not my Jiangye.”

“That’s fine. Our names are the same. As long as you can tell the difference.” Lin Jiangye smiled in satisfaction, this time quite sincerely. “Congratulations, you came back to life. I didn’t expect you to be the first one to succeed. If you feel any discomfort or side effects later, contact me directly. I’ll handle it for you.”

“Does this count as success? Maybe it’s already too late. Maybe I don’t deserve to wake up at all…”

Qiu Zhen smiled too, but her eyes surged with almost tangible grief and regret. She wiped the corners of her eyes, still looking at Lin Jiangye, unwilling to look away. “Can you come back for meals in the future? Even once every few months is fine. I promise I can tell the difference. I just… I just want to look at this face a little more.”

“If the food is good, then of course there’s no problem. I’ll bring my family member with me.” Lin Jiangye shook Yu Wangxiao’s hand. “How about it?”

Actually, Yu Wangxiao would agree to anything right now, because the words “family member” had thoroughly pleased him. He was in a very good mood and could almost ignore the fact that Lin Jiangye had previously entered dreams recklessly.

So he curved his lips and replied gently, “Of course. It would be my honor.”

At the same time, Lin Yu looked at the inexplicably harmonious scene before him, then looked at Lin Jingyao, who was curled up on the sofa crying, and felt like he was dreaming. He still did not understand.

After finally gathering his courage again, Lin Yu cleared his throat hard. “Can someone tell me what exactly happened? Mom, are you really okay? What does ‘congratulations, you came back to life’ mean? And where did the real Lin Jiangye go?”

“He really died. I have no need to lie to you. It was on Mid-Autumn Festival. Mm… the cause of death should count as suicide.”

Lin Jiangye was in a good mood now, so he had a little patience with him. “I still have some of his bone marrow here. If you can find a good place to bury him as soon as possible, then give me a sealed glass bottle. I’ll put the bone marrow in it for you later. Once the gravesite is chosen, remember to tell me. I also need to go burn incense for him.”

“Suicide…” Lin Yu stayed silent for a moment and murmured softly. “He committed suicide on Mid-Autumn Festival. Why?”

“Why?! You’re asking why!” Hearing his confused murmur, Qiu Zhen’s painfully suppressed anguish suddenly erupted. She crouched down, covered her face, and cried out in despair. “You were his biological brother. I was his biological mother. What were we doing on Mid-Autumn Festival? My God, we did nothing!”

“…Mm. Nothing.” Lin Yu repeated blankly, as if only now had he finally recognized this truth.

“He didn’t wait for me. He didn’t wait for me to say I missed him, loved him, was sorry to him… But I should have remembered. He lived in my stomach for nine months. There were several times when we nearly couldn’t save him, and I was so terrified I wished I could live in the hospital. Every day, I had checkups, ate so many supplements, and covered a whole wall with his scans. Even your dad liked him more and more the longer he looked… We all liked him very much, didn’t we?!”

The more Qiu Zhen spoke, the more agitated she became. She instinctively wanted to tear at her own hair. Lin Yu rushed over and grabbed her arms, barely stopping her. But she still did not stop. Collapsing into Lin Yu’s arms, she pounded his chest hard.

“Lin Yu, Lin Yu, do you remember?! Your dad wasn’t home. I was always afraid he wouldn’t survive. I cried so many times in the middle of the night. It was you who touched my stomach and cried with me. It was you who said you would protect your little brother for the rest of your life!”

“I remember. Mom, stop crying. I remember everything,” Lin Yu said softly with reddened eyes, helplessly letting her vent, refusing to let go. “It’s my fault. It’s mine.”

“He was clearly the child I risked everything to bring into this world. Why did it become like this? Why? How could I not love him? How could I…”