Apocalypse Chapter 88: Control

Chapter 88: Control

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

The Spark Base had plenty of water and many canals, so when the two kids were playing roughly, one of them accidentally tumbled into a roadside ditch. Fortunately, Junjun and Lele had been following closely and were able to pull both children out in time.

Yuan Yuan was lucky—she was quick enough to grab onto some grass beside the ditch, ending up only with wet clothes. Xiaoheng wasn’t as fortunate. He swallowed some water and his little face turned pale.

By the time Jiang Rong arrived, kind-hearted people had already taken the children to the hospital. After examining them, the doctor arranged for Jiang Xiaoheng to be admitted overnight for observation. If he didn’t develop a fever or cough during the night, he could be discharged the next day.

Xiaoheng made a pitiful face, hoarse from coughing after choking on the water. “I don’t want to stay in the hospital…”

The Chu family elders were also there, negotiating with the doctor. “How about not admitting him? We’ll watch him tonight. If anything happens, we’ll bring him to the hospital. The Chu house is close—we can get there in ten minutes on the donkey.”

The elders meant well, but Jiang Rong still decided the kids should stay at the hospital overnight. Uncle Chu and the others were getting older and couldn’t afford to lose sleep over the children. “Better to stay. If something unexpected happens, the doctors can treat him immediately.”

After thinking it over, the elders agreed. “Alright, then he’ll stay. Xiao Rong, go ahead and work—we’ll keep an eye on Xiaoheng.”

Xiaoheng lifted his eyelids, looking at Jiang Rong with big eyes full of expectation. Jiang Rong understood what the boy was feeling. Since the base was built, he’d been spending less and less time with his children. Xiaoheng wanted to be with him. The boy was so thoughtful—though full of hope, he didn’t want to bother him.

Sure enough, Xiaoheng pressed his lips together and looked down, looking as pitiful as could be. “Daddy, you should go to work…”

Jiang Rong’s heart ached. He thought back to when he was sick as a child, wishing his parents were right there when he opened his eyes. Xiaoheng was just a kid; all he wanted was companionship. That was no unreasonable request.

Smiling, Jiang Rong ruffled his son’s hair. “Don’t be scared, Xiaoheng. The doctor just wants to watch you for one night. If everything’s fine tomorrow, you can come home. Daddy will come to see you as soon as I’m done with work, okay?”

Xiaoheng’s eyes suddenly brightened. He grinned and chuckled twice, “Really?”

Jiang Rong hooked his pinky with his son’s. “Of course, when have I ever lied to you?”

Xiaoheng cheered up, obediently lying down and pulling the covers over himself. Then he waved at Jiang Rong. “Daddy, go to work quickly. Come back early when you’re done.”

*

After the day’s events ended, Jiang Rong arranged for Liu Heng and his group to stay at the best hotel in the Spark Base. After hosting the Peace Base espers, Jiang Rong and Guan Shao hurried to the hospital.

When Jiang Rong pushed open the hospital room door, the lively scene inside made him raise an eyebrow. He had expected to find Jiang Xiaoheng lying there alone, but the bed was crowded with Jiang Hao and Yuan Yuan, while Lele, Junjun, and the mischievous cat were sprawled on the floor. Outside the window, Little Guaiguai and Little Fairy hung on the sill.

The spacious single room was packed with little ones who were all fixated on the TV. On the screen, Captain White Cat’s voice came through, “Fire on all evil—”

The kids shouted back excitedly, waving their arms, “Fire—!”

Jiang Rong shook a steamed bun in front of them. “Who wants a bun?”

Their eyes shifted from the TV to him. They raised their hands and ran over eagerly. “Me, me!”

Jiang Rong handed out a few buns to each, then turned to Guan Shao. “Alright, Xiaoheng is staying in the hospital tonight. You two need to behave.”

Jiang Hao and Yuan Yuan hugged their buns and drawled, “Okay~”

Jiang Rong smiled at Guan Shao. “The fridge at home is nearly empty. Take the kids to the cafeteria for dinner, okay? When you get back, no cartoons. Make sure they finish their homework and go to bed early.”

Guan Shao held the kids gently and nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of them. Do you or Xiaoheng want anything special? I can cook for you later.”

Jiang Rong’s smile was warm. “No need. Just take care of Xiao Hao and Yuan Yuan. Guan Shao, the house is in your hands.”

Guan Shao’s eyes were soft. “Got it. Call me if anything comes up.”

Once Guan Shao led the kids away, the room finally quieted. Jiang Xiaoheng reached out his hands. “Daddy, hold me~”

Jiang Rong gathered his son into his arms. “Come here, sweetheart. Are you feeling any pain?”

Xiaoheng touched his chest. “Here it hurts a little.”

Jiang Rong stroked his son’s head. “You swallowed some water. It’s normal for your chest to feel uncomfortable. Don’t worry—rest well and you’ll get better.”

With just the two of them left in the room, Jiang Xiaoheng suddenly grew clingy. He held tightly to Jiang Rong’s shirt, refusing to move. “Daddy, I’m so happy.”

Jiang Rong chuckled, “You’re in the hospital, and you’re happy?”

Xiaoheng pressed his cheek against Jiang Rong’s chest. “Because today I get to be with you alone. No Uncle Guan, no Yuan Yuan, and no Xiao Hao—just the two of us.” He couldn’t even remember the last time they’d spent time alone.

Hearing this, guilt welled up inside Jiang Rong. He kissed his son’s forehead. “Once Daddy’s done with work, we’ll have a lot more time together.”

He needed to cherish these moments before Xiaoheng started school. He’d heard once school started, helping with homework would be chaos. Then, he wouldn’t be the favorite Daddy anymore—just the Daddy they found annoying.

After coaxing Xiaoheng to eat dinner, Jiang Rong was about to help him bathe when the door knocked. Opening it, he found Liu Heng standing there, carrying several gift boxes.

Jiang Rong blinked. “General Liu, what a surprise! What brings you here?”

Liu Heng smiled. “I heard your baby was in the hospital. Since it’s after work, I thought I’d stop by to visit. Catching up with the kids at a brother base isn’t too much, right?”

Jiang Rong hurriedly invited him inside. “Come on in! Xiaoheng, say hi to Uncle Liu.”

Xiaoheng shyly waved. “Hello, Uncle Liu~”

Liu Heng’s smile softened. “Hello, little one! Uncle brought you some toys. See if you like them.”

The toys Liu Heng brought were impressive, the kind that had been considered top-notch before the Great Crisis. Naturally, Jiang Xiaoheng loved them. Hugging a large gift box, he thanked Liu Heng sweetly. “Thank you, Uncle Liu.”

Liu Heng’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “Aww, good boy!”

He knew exactly how to bond with the boy. After some polite small talk with Jiang Rong, their relationship quickly grew more familiar.

Thanks to the toys, Jiang Xiaoheng was quite taken with Liu Heng. Plus, Liu Heng used his metal powers to craft a few small animal figurines for him. Before long, Xiaoheng’s eyes sparkled whenever he looked at this uncle. Jiang Rong chuckled. “I didn’t expect General Liu to be so good at charming kids.”

Liu Heng chuckled softly, “If my kid was still alive, he wouldn’t be much older than Xiaoheng.”

Jiang Rong opened his mouth, “My condolences.”

A shadow of sorrow passed over Liu Heng’s eyes. “We’re all parents here. Our children mean everything to us. General Jiang, please cherish the time with your kids. Don’t be like me—regret only comes after loss.” He said this quietly, then soon excused himself.

Watching Liu Heng’s lonely figure leave, Jiang Rong felt a deep pang of emotion. Jiang Xiaoheng tilted his head curiously. “Daddy, are you unhappy?”

Jiang Rong ruffled his son’s hair gently. “No, Daddy is very happy to be with you.”

Xiaoheng giggled and hugged Jiang Rong’s body, swaying playfully. “I’m happy too~”

*

Late into the night, Xiaoheng grew drowsy and developed a high fever. His breathing became labored. The worst fear came true—Xiaoheng’s pneumonia, triggered by a lung infection from inhaling water.

If it had been a simple injury, the treatment espers at  the Spark Base could have helped. But pneumonia in a child was beyond their reach. Xiaoheng had to stay in the hospital longer.

For the next two days, Jiang Rong spent his days in meetings and visits with the Peace Base espers, and his nights by his son’s bedside. The pneumonia was relentless—Xiaoheng’s once-chubby cheeks grew noticeably thinner in just a few days.

Jiang Rong’s heart ached, but there was nothing he could do beyond staying by his son’s side. Xiaoheng’s physical constitution was much weaker than Xiao Hao’s or Yuan Yuan’s. Of the three children, Xiaoheng was the only ordinary human—how could he compete with espers?

Fortunately, the doctors at the Spark Base were highly skilled. After three days in the hospital, Xiaoheng’s condition improved dramatically, and Jiang Rong finally exhaled in relief.

Just as Jiang Rong bent over to pack Xiaoheng’s things, the hospital room door knocked again. He turned to see Liu Heng standing there, carrying several large gift boxes.

Jiang Rong felt a little embarrassed. “General Liu, you could just come visit, why always bring so many things?” Liu Heng had been stopping by every day these past few days, each time with a pile of toys.

Liu Heng set down the boxes skillfully, smiling. “We leave the Spark Base tomorrow. I wanted to see my big nephew one last time—seems reasonable, doesn’t it?”

Xiaoheng coughed but managed a grateful “Thank you, Uncle Liu, cough, cough…”

Liu Heng raised his voice, “The kid’s coughing again. Where’s the water cup? I’ll give him some water.”

Jiang Rong couldn’t let a guest do that. He set down the bags and picked up Xiaoheng’s cup himself. “I got it. Please, sit down, this will just take a moment.”

As Jiang Rong turned his back to feed his son, Liu Heng’s eyes suddenly flashed a brilliant silver. If Jiang Rong had looked over, he would have seen Liu Heng’s eyes exactly matching those of the deceased Meng Liang.

Liu Heng’s facial muscles twitched involuntarily, and silver energy flickered at his fingertips in bursts. If Zhou Xing had been there, she would have recognized that energy signature—it belonged to her late leader.

Unnoticed by others, Meng Liang’s spirit had invaded Liu Heng’s consciousness. Liu Heng’s body was merely a vessel now, housing Meng Liang’s soul.

Meng Liang’s overwhelming energy was incompatible with Liu Heng’s spirit for long-term habitation. He had long sought a better body—and Jiang Rong was the perfect candidate: young, handsome, strong-willed, and vigilant.

Since first seeing Jiang Rong, Meng Liang had plotted how to seize him. Jiang Rong’s strong mind and caution had kept him safe so far. If not for his son’s hospitalization, Meng Liang would still be waiting.

Fate smiled upon Meng Liang. He had waited patiently outside the hospital, finally catching Jiang Rong at a rare moment of vulnerability. With no mutated flora or fauna around and Jiang Rong’s esper companions temporarily away, this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

He would not let Jiang Rong slip away—not Jiang Rong, not the Spark Base.

Step by step, Meng Liang approached. He raised his right hand, extending his middle and index fingers slowly toward Jiang Rong’s pale neck.

Sunlight streamed through the window, and thousands of nearly invisible psychic tendrils swirled in the air.

Countless tendrils twisted and reached for Jiang Rong’s neck. Jiang Rong remained unaware, one arm wrapped around Xiaoheng, the other feeding his son water.

Xiaoheng’s eyes widened gradually. Deep within his black pupils, bright sparkling lights appeared—emanating both from the psychic tendrils in the air and from deep inside his own soul. Time seemed to freeze. Xiaoheng’s body hairs stood on end.

Liu Heng’s face distorted in Xiaoheng’s vision, transforming into a glowing, snarling beast—like the terrifying villain in a cartoon episode of Captain Meow. The twisting tendrils floated closer toward Daddy. Xiaoheng’s small body trembled. Instinct told him that if those tendrils touched Daddy, something terrible would happen. No—he couldn’t let the big bad guy hurt Daddy!

Xiaoheng suddenly threw his arms around Jiang Rong’s neck, his tiny body blocking his father’s front. His voice was sharp, his tone urgent. “Go away! Don’t hurt my Daddy!”

The dazzling silver light swallowed the darkness in his pupils. Xiaoheng’s eyes became brilliant silver—like two finely cut diamonds. A powerful energy burst from his small body. The energy itself was colorless, but sunlight passing through it created a rainbow of colors. The twisting tendrils in the air melted like foam into the rainbow energy. Meng Liang’s spirit burned fiercely, letting out a terrible howl: “Ah—!”

Jiang Rong spun around, holding his son tightly. Liu Heng covered his face with both hands, and a twisted face appeared on his palms. Jiang Rong recognized that face—it was Meng Liang’s. Meng Liang wasn’t dead. He had possessed Liu Heng! Goosebumps broke out all over Jiang Rong’s body. “Little Guaiguai!”

Just then, Guan Shao and Chu Qiang, who were finishing discharge procedures, heard a loud crash above their heads. Looking up, they saw Little Guaiguai smashing through the hospital glass ceiling. Shards sparkled as they rained down. In the blink of an eye, Little Guaiguai dangled a screaming figure by the window—his hands covering his face. Guan Shao’s pupils constricted. “Liu Heng?”

 

 

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