cough, cough, cough
Xie Ra heard his Bàba's coughing through the curtain. Yan Yi was currently checking on Bàba. It was been a week since Bo took Bàba to Yan Yi's house.
They said it was because it will be easier for treatment and looking after both of them. Naturally, Xie Ra couldn't believe them. He felt like they were giving an excuse to make Xie ra not worry too much.
He could see how his Bàba grew paler and thinner on each passing day. He wondered if the medicine had any effect on Bàba.
He was helpless. He didn't have any choice but to believe in Yan Yi's medical skills.
Yan Yi walked towards Xie Ra. Xie stood up from his chair.
"How's he, Yi? Is he recovering?"
The young boy's desperate voice pained Yan Lou.
He witnessed countless patients deteriorate in front of his eyes. He saw many souls leave bodies in a matter of seconds.
But the way Mo Xing's health deteriorate pained him. And this desperate kid just found a family of his own. He couldn't imagine how he was keeping himself together.
It's not like he didn't notice eye bags under Xie Ra's eyes.
Then he chose to play the final trump card. There was a chance of Mo Xing getting better if it goes right.
Yan Lou cleared his throat.
"Xie Ra, I think we need to show Mo gege to a city doctor. I did everything I can but it seems like Mo ge's body isn't responding to my treatments. So we should take him to the city where he has a better chance of getting better." Yan Lou told Xie Ra in a serious voice.
"Oh, Then I will go to the city now and borrow a cart from AhLan. I better go quickly."
"Yeah, Travel safe. I'll send Ning Bo with you."
"No need Yi, I think he should stay here. Both of you can look after Bàba while I'm away. I'll say goodbye to Bàba before I go"
"Sure"
Xie Ra went into the elderly man's room. His heart filled with pain as he saw, the small frame of his Bàba lying defenselessly on the bed.
He called the elderly man softly. "Bàba?"
Mo Xing opened his eyes. He didn't talk like the other days. Yet, His eyes showed so many emotions. A cascade of sadness seemed to pour out from his facial expression. He mumbled something. Xie Ra went near him to listen to it.
"My Son," the elderly man mumbled again and again. Then he tried to raise his hands.
Ning Bo, who sat in a corner of the same room, to prepare some herbs for Mo Xing's treatment, seemed to notice the elderly man's movements and went towards them. "I think he wants you to come closer," He told the other boy.
Xie Ra bent closer. He felt a pair of weak arms trying to hug him. Xie Ra hugged back his Bàba lovingly. He held his Bàba very gently to prevent hurting him accidentally.
He heard muttering near his ears. "I'm proud of you, son. Be careful." His weakened voice seemed to mumble.
Xie Ra felt himself tearing up.
Determination glinted from his electric blue eyes. "I'll save you Bàba… I'll do it somehow. Then we can go to see northern cultivators as you promised." Xie Ra laughed with a tear-stained face. Ning Bo felt himself tearing up just by witnessing this encounter.
So, he patted Xie Ra's back and said, "You better be careful, Dim-wit."