Chapter 98: Appearing

Bai Xiao’s tone was lost and sorrowful.

Cheng Yao instinctively pulled Bai Xiao into an embrace. He felt a surge of anxiety. This version of Bai Xiao was utterly unfamiliar to him. He had seen her happy, sad, troubled; he had seen her act coquettish, throw tantrums, show patience, focus, and seriousness—but never like this, so bewildered.

He recalled the story he had just heard from Old Zhang.

That Fang Xi, once vibrant and ambitious, had suddenly become desolate and lonely... No, Old Zhang had only caught a glimpse of Fang Xi after many years and did not truly understand him. But what about Bai Xiao...

“What exactly happened? What did that person do to you?” Cheng Yao asked anxiously.

Bai Xiao shook her head and casually said, “I just fought with him.”

Suddenly, Bai Xiao seemed familiar again.

Back in college, when she quarreled with Huihui, she would also offhandedly toss out a sentence like that, brushing him off, but then she would be upset and angry for a long time afterward.

At that time, Cheng Yao didn’t know Bai Xiao well enough.

Cheng Yao cupped Bai Xiao’s face, forcing her to meet his gaze.

Bai Xiao parted her lips, pushed him away, and awkwardly tidied her hair.

“Shengsheng,” Cheng Yao said, grabbing her hand.

Bai Xiao fell silent, her expression complex, then finally spoke, “I... I noticed that person a long time ago... I realized someone was following you. It must be because of me... I know you care a lot about the Monster Clinic, about those patients you investigated, and about that Zheng Yichao...”

Bai Xiao’s words were labored, her eyes flickering.

Cheng Yao knew she was recalling that stormy night with him.

That stormy night they deliberately chose to ignore.

“Not just Zheng Yichao, but Baobei too. I know you care about those things...” Bai Xiao reversed her grip on Cheng Yao’s hand; the ring, which should have been cold, was already warmed by his palm. She forced a bitter smile, “Those things are holding you back. I thought it was just a rare occurrence, just temporary. But then another patient appeared, and that person even followed you... It seems we can’t escape the Monster Clinic... Since I was resurrected, you have...”

Bai Xiao suddenly lowered her head and began to cry. Tears fell onto the back of Cheng Yao’s hand.

“You can’t see Cheng Yang; you can’t travel with Jiang Yifan; those relatives and friends... I saw Yuyu... but I could only lie to her with a fake name. She doesn’t know me. I can’t tell her I’m Shengsheng, I am Shengsheng... Mom and Dad are gone. I thought after I was resurrected, at least, at least you wouldn’t be alone anymore. Thirty-five years, you never remarried, you kept my things... I thought if I came back, we could live happily...”

Cheng Yao reached out to wipe the tears from Bai Xiao’s face.

Bai Xiao sobbed uncontrollably, “My resurrection hasn’t made you happy, it’s only gotten in the way—”

Cheng Yao lowered his head and kissed her lips, cutting off her words.

Bai Xiao’s eyelashes fluttered, brushing against Cheng Yao’s skin.

She bit her lip, lowered her head, and rested her forehead against his shoulder.

Cheng Yao gently stroked her hair, patting her back.

“You’re being so cliché...” Bai Xiao muttered.

“As long as it works,” Cheng Yao replied with a smile.

Bai Xiao still kept her head down, pulling out a tissue to blow her nose.

Cheng Yao helped wipe her tears. “Don’t say things like that again.”

Bai Xiao didn’t respond.

“Since you came back, I’ve been happy. If you hadn’t come back, if I hadn’t walked into the Monster Clinic that day...” Cheng Yao sighed softly.

That night, when he left his father-in-law’s house, he knew exactly what state he was in.

At the funeral, many people came to comfort him, but few truly worried. Everyone around him thought he should have adjusted by now, or rather, gotten used to it. They had witnessed how he had endured those thirty-five years. Although he never fell in love again or remarried, he was incredibly strong. Moreover, although the four elders had gradually passed away, he still had his cousin Cheng Yang and his close friend Jiang Yifan. He shouldn’t have been lonely.

Instead, it was Boss Le who solemnly introduced the Monster Clinic to him.

Perhaps the insider is always confused while the outsider sees clearly; perhaps Boss Le didn’t understand him well enough and acted out of well-meaning but needless worry;

Or perhaps because Boss Le appeared extroverted and rugged but was actually sensitive and perceptive.

In any case, the truth was that thanks to Boss Le and the doctors at the Monster Clinic, he did not become truly alone that night.

Cheng Yao thought again of the Fang Xi Old Zhang mentioned.

Fang Xi seemed to have gained immortality from the Monster Clinic, like Maomao. But Maomao was a cat. It could accompany Lu Meimei as she grew up, fell in love, watched her find companionship, and helped her choose a new pet. Maomao’s life was simple, revolving entirely around Lu Meimei. Its ultimate choice was death.

But Fang Xi, a human... after decades, those around him must have all drifted away.

Fang Xi would become the last one left.

Just like him that night...

Cheng Yao didn’t ponder long.

Bai Xiao had calmed down, wiped her tears and runny nose, leaving only the redness in her eyes and nose. She smiled at Cheng Yao.

“We will live well,” Bai Xiao said seriously.

Cheng Yao nodded.

Just as he was about to speak, his heart skipped a beat. He pulled Bai Xiao behind him, eyes alert toward the small woods nearby.

Creak!

A broken branch snapped underfoot.

The newcomer deliberately made a sound, stepping confidently out of the forest.

He wore a trench coat and had a young, handsome face, exuding an effortless charm like a celebrity.

Fang Xi smiled and introduced himself, “Hello. No need to be so tense. My name is Fang Xi. Like you, I’m a patient of the Monster Clinic.”

Cheng Yao furrowed his brow.

Bai Xiao stood silently behind Cheng Yao, her gaze heavy and fixed on Fang Xi until the wind blew her short hair over her dark eyes.

Fang Xi spread his hands to show he meant no harm. “I had a little conflict with your wife earlier. I apologize for that and any misunderstanding I caused.” He bowed slightly, lowering his gaze, his posture relaxed with no sign of defense or suspicion.

Cheng Yao remained silent but wary.

Suddenly, his palm was empty.

Bai Xiao yanked her hand free, stepped forward instantly, and struck at the back of Fang Xi’s exposed neck.

Cheng Yao’s expression changed; he immediately followed.

Fang Xi’s neck didn’t move, but his body twisted strangely. His hands and feet spun like fan blades, sweeping toward Bai Xiao’s face.

Cheng Yao reached out and pulled Bai Xiao back to his side.

Fang Xi spun rapidly twice, but to onlookers it was just a blur before he stood calmly in place.

He smiled without anger, “I really mean no harm. Please let me finish. After I speak, whether you want to fight or kill me, I will accept it.”

Bai Xiao clenched her fists, her pupils reflecting Fang Xi’s image. Her throat moved slightly as she licked her dry lips, nervous yet restless.

Cheng Yao still didn’t know how Bai Xiao had ended up fighting Fang Xi that day, but from her attitude, he sensed her growing wariness toward Fang Xi.

He didn’t act immediately because he was somewhat wary of Fang Xi.

Compared to Liu Yu, who temporarily lost consciousness; Maomao, who remained rational; Zheng Yichao, who had become a monster; and the infant Baobei, Fang Xi was clearly the most difficult patient to contend with. According to Old Zhang’s account, Fang Xi had surely been a patient for a very long time, longer than the monster-transformed Zheng Yichao. Now seeing him in person, Cheng Yao confirmed Fang Xi’s mastery of the powers granted by the Monster Clinic to its patients was far superior—far more skilled than himself.

Fang Xi seemed unaware of their hostile stance and continued, “As I said, my name is Fang Xi. Though I look young now, I’m actually over a hundred years old.”

“Death is inevitable for humans, but dreams do not vanish with the body’s demise. On the contrary, they grow stronger because of physical limitations,” Fang Xi sighed. “I can feel death approaching. I was so close to improving that technology and boosting factory efficiency by ten percent. If I’d lived just one more year... one more year to finish the work, that ten percent would mean everyone at the factory could have more meat at New Year, and the children could have a chance to eat candy. My dream was so simple at the start.”

Fang Xi’s gaze passed over the two of them, looking toward the buildings on the opposite shore. The wind tousled his hair, making his expression hard to read.

“That’s when I saw the clinic’s door. It appeared out of nowhere in the workshop. I thought I was dreaming, or maybe it was time—that when people die, it’s not like the legends say with the ox-head and horse-face escorts but with a door... I entered and met the doctor. I joked that I didn’t want to die, that I still had so much to do. I was venting. I hated that my lifespan was so short... Some are favored by the Creator, others born flawed.”

He withdrew his gaze, peering through his messy hair at Cheng Yao and Bai Xiao before looking away.

That glance made Cheng Yao’s nerves tighten.

He sensed a fleeting but potent hostility, triggering his instinctive alertness. This feeling had come before.

Sure enough, Fang Xi bore ill intentions toward them!

Cheng Yao heightened his guard.

Fang Xi’s story wasn’t over. “The doctor treated me. I survived. That improvement project was completed. More than that, I did many things. Those people lived well. They no longer drooled over a piece of meat, and children could eat candy every day. My original dream was fulfilled. But human desire is endless. Once you achieve one thing, you want more—ten, a hundred... I don’t know what your dreams are... I can already feel that treatment reaching its limit. I want to see the doctor again.”

Fang Xi spoke obliquely but was honest about his purpose. He looked at Cheng Yao and Bai Xiao sincerely, his eyes clear, free of malice, and tinged with a fervent hope. “A hundred years is too short... I want to live on!”

Cheng Yao remained silent.

“Can you tell me where to find the doctor?” Fang Xi asked, smiling with slightly narrowed eyes, still watching Cheng Yao.

Cheng Yao shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Fang Xi’s smile seemed carved in stone. “How could you not know? Where did you enter the Monster Clinic?”

Cheng Yao raised his eyelids. “The Monster Clinic isn’t there anymore.”

Fang Xi smiled again. “Then can you take me to see that place?”

Cheng Yao considered, studying Fang Xi.

Fang Xi put on his friendliest expression, the strange smile withdrawn. “It won’t harm you. It might even help. I don’t know what treatment you’ve had... I knew when I fought your wife. Her strength... I’m already weakening, though you can’t see it... It may be far off for you... You wouldn’t want to end up like me, right? This hollow feeling inside isn’t good. Besides, you two... even if a loving couple dies in the same year and month, that’s just a compromise, not true happiness.” Fang Xi’s words carried meaning.

Cheng Yao felt Bai Xiao’s body stiffen, as if suppressing something; she trembled slightly.

Cheng Yao’s own heart stirred.

“Just show me the way. Whether or not you agree doesn’t matter. It’s still a glimmer of hope, right?” Fang Xi softened his tone, smiled again, glanced at Bai Xiao who had lowered her head, then looked back at Cheng Yao with that smile.

The night wind swept over the river, waves lapping the embankment, branches swaying endlessly.

The forecast had said a new typhoon was coming ashore yesterday.

Cheng Yao looked at Fang Xi standing straight in the wind and nodded. “Alright. I’ll take you there.”

Fang Xi smiled with satisfaction and thanked them repeatedly, his sincerity far surpassing Old Zhang’s family when they borrowed a wheelchair. Yet Cheng Yao felt Fang Xi’s expression and voice were utterly false.

He wasn’t telling the truth.

At least, this Fang Xi was very different from the three versions Old Zhang described. This man only briefly revealed a trace of sinister bitterness. As for the pride, loneliness, and desolation Old Zhang mentioned, Cheng Yao saw none of that.

Cheng Yao pulled Bai Xiao as they turned, not caring that they exposed their backs to Fang Xi.

Fang Xi followed without a hint of ill intent.

The three patients emerged into Riverside Park.

After walking some distance, Cheng Yao asked, “Have you really lived for a hundred years?”

“More than a hundred now. It’s been so long I can’t remember exactly. In my generation, poor families didn’t celebrate birthdays,” Fang Xi answered calmly, giving a plausible reason.

“So your weakening is...”

“Started in the last ten years.” Fang Xi smiled as if unconcerned. “I only began looking for the doctor in the last ten years. I’ve been to many places and tried many methods, but unfortunately... I saw the clinic door so easily back then...” His smile carried a hint of gritted teeth but he quickly restrained himself, speaking vaguely, “Maybe there’s a reason.”

Cheng Yao comforted him, “Maybe the doctor is busy with other matters.”

He had experience in that regard.

When Maomao died, it entered the clinic, which disappeared immediately after; the clinic reappeared only when it died. When the infant entered, Cheng Yao himself was teleported outside the clinic; when the infant left, the clinic reappeared.

The doctor had also said he would protect patient privacy, though sometimes he seemed to deliberately let Cheng Yao in on certain patients’ secrets...

Cheng Yao’s steps faltered.

If not to protect privacy... then those two disappearances, those expulsions...

Were they just to create an air of mystery?

Fang Xi looked at Cheng Yao.

Cheng Yao feigned casualness and asked, “You only saw the doctor once many years ago? What was the clinic like then?”