Cousin Mo was stunned. The light in his eyes dimmed bit by bit.
“Nanxing, I’ve never thought like that before. I don’t want to implicate any of you. If it weren’t for my father’s business mistake and his inability to protect you, the Tong family wouldn’t have fallen into such a state. My father died with a grievance. I’m alive to atone for my father’s sins. I can’t drag you down.”
His voice was light and firm.
I went forward to hug him. I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore. “But you’re my older brother. I don’t want you to die. I want you to live!”
His arms slowly closed around me bit by bit. He hugged me in his arms.
My memories suddenly returned to the chaotic and unclear memories of my childhood. Cousin Mo had always protected me like this. It was when I was tired of crying that I was finally willing to sit down and talk to him properly.
“Nanxing, you’re crying until my heart is broken.” He finally sighed helplessly.
I sobbed a little. “I haven’t cried like this in so many years. I’ve been captured by them and tortured every day as a lab rat. I’ve never cried before, but you’ve made me cry so hard.”
My tears fell again.
“Nanxing, I’m sorry,” cousin Mo apologized without thinking.
I grabbed his hand. “Cousin Mo, Promise me that you’ll let Mr. Li treat You. When we return to China, we’ll definitely find all the medicinal herbs. Mr. Li said that before we find the medicinal herbs, we’ll use Phoenix Blood to stabilize your conditions. Once we find the medicinal herbs, we’ll be able to cure your illness. You can’t give up. Think about little uncle and me. Little uncle hasn’t had a good sleep for so many years. He won’t be able to walk out of this shadow for the rest of his life. You’re going to help him. Think about Ye Qian too. You know how rough her life has been. How can you bear to leave her? You’re the one who gave her sunshine and hope. If you weren’t here, she would have nothing left.”
Cousin Mo’s eyes were filled with tears.
“Cousin Mo, we only have a home if you’re here. Little Uncle, you, and me. You and Ye Qian, little uncle and Ma Ji, Jing Tian and me. Our home will flourish little by little. Little uncle and I can’t afford to lose our loved ones again.
“Don’t think that using my blood to save you is a burden. If you’re the one with Phoenix Blood and I’m the one who’s sick, are you going to save me?” I looked at cousin Mo.
He nodded without hesitation.
“See. So, why can’t I save you? Mr. Li has promised Jing Tian that he’d stay with us. I’ve asked him to study the Phoenix Blood because I want to use it to save more people. Brother, the Phoenix Blood is my destiny, and I lost my parents because of it. However, I understand that destiny can’t be swayed. I’m given the Phoenix Blood for a reason. I have to make some contributions, right? I have so many things that I need your help with. Who would treat me so wholeheartedly like my brother?”
Cousin Mo was moved.
I struck while the iron was hot. “Just think of it as using your body as a test. After all, our family doesn’t have any record of using the Phoenix Blood to treat any illnesses before. Eldest uncle and cousin Zhuo have been tormenting me for years, but they haven’t succeeded in anything. This isn’t an easy task. Plus, we can’t just drag someone off the streets to conduct the experiment. Brother Mo, you’re our only hope!”
After I sorted out my thoughts, my expression became smoother.
Cousin Mo’s eyes lit up.
“Nanxing, Mr. Li, can he really… ?”
I nodded firmly. “Yes, he can. If there’s only one person in this world who can use Phoenix Blood as a medicine, it’s Mr. Li!”
