NOVEL NEXT 27
Chapter 27: Going Home
Ellis remained silent.
Outside the door, someone coughed heavily and discreetly knocked on the half-open door.
Ellis quickly pulled the blanket over his head, then reconsidered and pulled it back down, lying on his back with eyes cast down.
Xi Tian chuckled and patted his head, his hair slightly covering his eyes.
“Come in.”
The person outside waited a few seconds after hearing the response before pushing the door open.
It was a young female nurse who entered, with a youthful face and petite stature, holding an electronic tablet.
“I’m here for rounds, to check Captain Ellis’s IV progress.”
The female nurse inspected the drip bag, the needle, and then glanced at the medication label below. “Everything looks normal. This is the last bag. Once it’s finished, he can leave.”
He stole a quick glance at Xi Tian and quickly retreated with the tablet, exiting the room.
The door didn’t close completely, and both inside heard hushed conversations in the corridor outside.
“There’s actually a male zerg inside. My goodness, a male came to accompany him!”
“No way, are you kidding? How could a male come here?”
“It’s true, and that male is handsome. He even smiled at me.”
Shortly after, another female nurse knocked on the door and entered, eyes sparkling and a bright smile on face.
“Sorry, my colleague forgot to take something. I came in to find it.” The nurse searched around, picked up something from the cabinet, and kept his eyes fixed on Xi Tian.
“Um, you’re very handsome,” the nurse suddenly said, “Can I take a photo with you?”
“Huh?” Xi Tian turned to look at the nurse. “You mean with me?”
“If it’s too much trouble for you, I’m really sorry.” The nurse bowed hastily and said, turning to leave.
“Sure.” Xi Tian smiled reassuringly. He couldn’t bear to see others disappointed, especially over such a small favor.
“Ah! Thank you!” The nurse happily ran out after taking a picture with Xi Tian.
Xi Tian saw the young female nurse going out and followed her out, as if remembering something.
“Typical male! Always chasing after novelty!”
Ellis clicked his tongue, pulled the blanket over his head again, and curled his arms to cover his eyes.
Annoying!
Ellis refused to say anything, and it was only after seeing the young nurse that Xi Tian thought to ask the doctor about Ellis’s condition.
Ellis was feeling embarrassed and sulking now.
Xi Tian paid no mind to it.
After meeting with the doctor and inquiring, Xi Tian learned that Ellis had fallen asleep on the airship returning home and was mistakenly thought to be in critical condition by his subordinates when disembarking, who rushed him to the military hospital. It’s customary for returning military females to undergo comprehensive physical examinations, and the hospital, accustomed to severe cases, initially suspected something serious. However, after the examination, it turned out Ellis was suffering from extreme fatigue due to prolonged sleep deprivation and low blood pressure from not eating, leading to unconsciousness. The doctor sighed and explained they had administered saline and glucose to him.
Listening to all this, Xi Tian found it all rather bizarre.
“Does Ellis know about this?” Xi Tian asked.
“Patients are usually aware of their own conditions,” the doctor replied cautiously. “But it’s best not to mention it in front of females,” the doctor added diplomatically, “females, well, they do have their pride.”
Xi Tian thanked the doctor and walked into the corridor, rubbing his nose. He felt somewhat powerless accepting the absurdity of the reason for his fiancée’s hospitalization.
Finally, in a secluded spot, he quietly chuckled to himself.
Xi Tian often pondered over trivial matters. It started from a young age, like what exactly constituted missing someone.
It was an age-old question. Back when he was still in his youth, with few friends around, he was accustomed to a solitary world. Missing someone meant recalling their voice, appearance, and laughter. He could easily recall anyone’s actions, words, and mannerisms. But did that mean he missed them? Clearly not.
So, what truly defined missing someone?
The days Ellis was away provided him with an answer.
When you see a scene and it reminds you of your shared past.
When you see an object and it reminds you of how they used it.
That’s what missing someone is.
It comes from the heart, without needing to actively ponder it.
Xi Tian returned indoors, waiting for Ellis to finish the IV drip so he could take him home.
The aircraft was set on autopilot mode, and the ride smoothed out considerably.
During the flight, neither of them spoke.
Ellis looked out the window, the one who had initially quarreled with the male. Now that the male wasn’t speaking, he didn’t know what to say either.
Xi Tian absentmindedly turned on the radio from the pilot’s seat.
The broadcast continued to update on the latest developments in the war between Zerg and Tartar stars. Meanwhile, spontaneous demonstrations labeled “Bring Back H612” had erupted across 15 states by young people.
Ellis was surprised. “They actually held demonstrations?”
“Yes, petitions started half a month ago, and this week the news of demonstrations is everywhere,” Xi Tian replied.
“…Oh.”
After this statement, Ellis didn’t know what else to say.
Xi Tian, however, was eager to continue. “The main participants in these demonstrations are high school students in their teens and a few college students. They are the most easily swayed emotionally. Due to the unconventional nature of the conflict, it sparked condemnation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Later, a university student initiated a petition on the forum addressed to the President, volunteering to go to the battlefield to contribute their modest efforts.
This post quickly gained traction, with many replies expressing willingness to join the front lines, and those unable to go hoping to contribute in other ways.
The largest news website conducted a poll, with seventy percent of respondents expressing indignation over the war, and forty percent willing to contribute to the front lines.
Last night, even the President bowed and thanked the Zerg military on live news, ‘Because of people like you, Zerg Star is what it is today.’
I feel the President’s words should be directed to you most appropriately. The front lines are so dangerous that even a momentary lapse can cost a life…”
Xi Tian paused. “Hey, why are you crying?”
Ellis lowered his head, covering his eyes with his hand. “No reason.”
“Well, okay,” Xi Tian said softly, handing Ellis a handkerchief. “I’m proud of you, Ellis.”
With soldiers like you, Zerg star flourishes today.
But clearly, these words were not meant to be spoken. Setting aside all the awkwardness and reservation, the female threw aside her nervousness and jumped into the male’s arms, silently sobbing.
Xi Tian comforted him, feeling Ellis’s complex emotions.
These emotions were so complex that even Xi Tian couldn’t accurately describe them. All he could do was hold the person in his arms and gently pat their back.
Back at home, Ellis stood still for a while.
Xi Tian nudged him. “Don’t even recognize your own home?”
“It feels strange, both unfamiliar and familiar,” Ellis replied hoarsely.
“You’ve been away for over a month; it’s natural not to feel at home,” Xi Tian said, guiding Ellis to the sofa, fetching two glasses of water, and handing one to him.
Ellis almost spat out the water after taking a sip. “What’s this strange taste?”
“You’ve been absent-minded, so I added a bit of vinegar,” Xi Tian said coolly.
“I haven’t…” Ellis instinctively argued back, realizing he had developed a habit of arguing with the male since returning, which made him feel disheartened. The water in his hand didn’t seem right whether he drank it or not.
Xi Tian burst into laughter, taking away Ellis’s cup and handing him the other cup. “This one’s for you, with a little salt and sugar. It tastes normal.”
The warm water was gulped down quickly, barely tasting it.
“How are you feeling now? Would you like to rest or have something to eat?”
“I don’t want to sleep, nor am I hungry right now.”
Ellis had slept too long on the airship, waking up to find himself hooked up to an IV drip. After finally being able to move, he didn’t want to lie back down.
However, Xi Tian had been sitting beside him all along. In the past, Xi Tian would have gone off to attend other matters.
After thinking for a while, Ellis finally asked, “Why aren’t you going to do your own things?”
“I do those things every day. Whether I do more or less doesn’t matter,” Xi Tian replied. “You’ve been away for a month. It feels like a long time since I’ve seen you, and I just want to look at you a bit more.”
“…Oh,” Ellis replied dryly.
“Have you thought about me during this time?” Xi Tian asked.
“…”
“Mm?”
“Mm.”
“‘Mm’ means what?” Xi Tian hugged his waist, drawing him close and nuzzling affectionately.
“You know what it means,” Ellis said, Xi Tian embraced him for a moment. Ellis immediately tensed up, mentally repeating ‘this place is safe’ to himself, forcing himself to relax.
“I know, but knowing isn’t the same as feeling,” Xi Tian realized the stiffness in Ellis’s body and slowly massaged his sensitive side. Soon, Ellis softened, pressing closer to him. “You have to say it out loud for me to feel it.”
“I do. I think about you often.”
“Besides me, have you thought about anything else?” Xi Tian asked gently.
“…Do you really want to listen?” Ellis’s voice was barely audible.
“You say it, and I’ll listen.”
Ellis suddenly gripped Xi Tian’s hand tightly.
“I wonder why I joined the military, why I went to the battlefield, why I can laugh after killing people as if nothing happened, why I can enjoy peace after causing the death of friends, why I fear death but can accept ‘I’m proud of you’ from others without guilt.”
Ellis had indeed lost a lot of weight; even the comfortable civilian clothes he wore seemed too loose on him.
Xi Tian could feel it. Ellis didn’t cry, but it seemed like every word was squeezed out with great effort from his throat.
He knew that any comfort now would be useless and only add to Ellis’s self-blame.
Xi Tian felt Ellis’s grip almost hurting his hand. If not for his increased strength during his later growth phase, he might not have been able to bear the force from the female.
Xi Tian simply held him tight and whispered softly, “I’m here with you. I’m here.”
They stayed in this position for a long time until Ellis’s grip loosened in exhaustion, and Xi Tian carried the sleeping female back to the bedroom.
Thanks to his later growth phase, Xi Tian realized he could only hold Ellis for three seconds at first, but now he could carry him quite a distance.