Ten years had already passed.
Even now, when bringing it up, Lu Daoxing's emotions were still stirred.
He gripped the steering wheel tightly, his palms turning white from the pressure.
"At that time, she lay in a pool of blood, telling me to run alone."
"Seeing her like that, I clenched my teeth and thought: Even if I die, I'll die with her."
"The mutated Scythe Beetle kept attacking, and all I had in my hand was a jack. I aimed at its head and hurled it with all my strength, a last strike of attack and vengeance."
"Maybe because I'd been a baseball pitcher for over ten years, the throw had some real force. That jack smashed into its head, actually forcing it back two steps."
"I seized the chance, carried my wife into the car, and drove off."
"Although we were almost at the safe zone, her condition was really critical. Blood soaked the whole seat. I was frantic, so I quickly called Old Li, begging him for help."
"Old Li was loyal. He even personally came to the safe zone entrance to pick me up."
"After entering the safe zone, Li Tianming quickly verified my identity, then used Chen Fenghe's connections to get her hospitalized for treatment."
"Dean Chen's medical skills were excellent. My wife's life was saved, but her body was permanently damaged."
Lu Daoxing's gaze carried sorrow and guilt.
"She could no longer work, nor bear children."
"From then on, she rested at home. Later, through Old Li's introduction, I continued taking on small research projects to get by."
By this point, Lu Daoxing's eyes were already red.
Qin Siyang couldn't help but sigh.
"Didn't think you and Old Li shared this kind of bond."
Lu Daoxing nodded, "Old Li is a loyal man. He never told anyone about helping me, not once. Even Old Zhang and the others probably only know a rough outline."
"If it weren't for Old Li, my wife and I would be long dead. So whatever he asks of me, I'll always come."
"A few months ago, when Old Li had nothing, Lao Wu, Lao Hao, Chang Da, Chang Er, and Old Zhang all stood by him. Because of his character."
"You see him joking around, seeming unserious, but if something really happens, he'll definitely help you."
Qin Siyang also remembered how Li Tianming had found him outside the safe zone.
If not for Li Tianming, he would have died with a box of precious materials in his arms.
He and Li Tianming had also shared life-and-death experiences, so he deeply understood Lu Daoxing's words.
"That's right, Old Li truly is dependable."
Lu Daoxing smiled at Qin Siyang, "Not just Old Li, Little Qin, you too are a man of character. That's why we get along."
Qin Siyang nodded slightly, acknowledging it.
"Professor Lu, but from what you say, it seems your wife controls you pretty strictly. Why is that?"
"Eh, what else could it be. She has no sense of security, so she became sensitive."
A bitter smile tugged at Lu Daoxing's lips.
"She used to be a strong woman, always excelling. Now she can't do anything, relying only on me to support her. That contrast is enormous."
"She feels she's a burden, since she can't work or have children. More than once she wanted to divorce me, but I firmly refused."
"Then she said, if we don't divorce, I have to listen to her in everything big and small. I don't mind. If it makes her happy, so be it."
"As for kids, I don't care either. Old Li, Chang Da, Chang Er, and Old Hao all have children, but they don't seem to live any more carefree or happy than me."
Lu Daoxing let out another long sigh.
"The only problem is that my work involves too many things I can't tell her. That did make me ignore her feelings, so she thought the family was struggling. Anxious to share my burden, she tried to make money by speculating on futures."
Qin Siyang completely understood Lu Daoxing now.
He understood the depth of his feelings for his wife.
Truly, every family has its own difficult scripture.
"Since losing that money, she's been depressed, on the verge of breaking. At home she speaks softly, careful and restrained, a completely different person than before. It breaks my heart to see her like that."
"Thankfully, Little Qin, you helped me. Otherwise I really would have been overwhelmed by the debt."
"You practically saved the two of us. Don't worry, I'll always remember it. It's not something that can be repaid with just one or two god-hunting tools."
Qin Siyang didn't want to burden him with too much pressure, so he said, "Actually, the Crimson Crystal matter wasn't that important to me."
"I don't have any use for it, and I don't plan on doing research. It was always meant to be shared with everyone."
"No," Lu Daoxing shook his head, "Maybe it was easy for you, but for me, it was like snow in a long winter."
"That capsule pod, I'll give it straight to you. As for the rest, we'll talk later. After dinner tomorrow, I'll teach you how to use it. The operation is simple, I bet after two lessons you'll get it."
Qin Siyang was puzzled, "Give it to me? Didn't you say we'd trade?"
"That was just for show in front of Old Zhang and the others."
"If I said I'd just give it to you, that bunch, especially Old Li, would pester me nonstop to make god-hunting tools. Right now I've got my own things to do, no time to serve so many people."
"Oh, thank you, Professor Lu."
"It's nothing. Later when you meet my wife, just play down the debt situation a bit…"
"Don't worry, Professor Lu, I get it. I'll cover for you."
They chatted all the way.
Soon they arrived outside Lu Daoxing's residence.
———
It was a high-end complex with two apartments per floor.
Definitely not cheap in District 7.
Following Lu Daoxing upstairs, Qin Siyang knocked on the door.
"Old Lu, you're back. And this must be Little Qin?"
Qin Siyang nodded, "Hello, Aunt Yang."
A frail, thin woman with a kindly smile but a weary face opened the door to greet them.
"Please, come in!"
"Come on in, Little Qin."
At Lu Daoxing's invitation, Qin Siyang stepped inside.
He quietly observed Lu Daoxing's wife, Yang Dan.
She really was far too thin.
Skin clung to bone, hardly any muscle. Beneath her pale skin, every vein was visible.
It was hard to imagine that Lu Daoxing's wife, a [Fragrance Seeker] sequence user, could have wasted away like this.
Clearly, physical injury and psychological trauma were too much even for a sequence user.
Qin Siyang also noticed their [Sleepless One] housekeeper.
Aunt Xu, the housekeeper, had eyes that glowed with energy, sharp and restless like an owl. Obviously someone who could go without sleep all day.
Yang Dan welcomed Qin Siyang to the table.
"Little Qin, knowing you were coming tomorrow, I specially cooked a few dishes myself. Try them and see how they are?"
The smile on her face even had a hint of ingratiation.
As if she thought she was troubling Qin Siyang greatly.
Qin Siyang remembered what Lu Daoxing had said on the way, and his heart grew heavier.
He smiled and said, "Thank you, Aunt Yang."
"Professor Lu told me, I helped him gather some materials, so he's treating me to the highest-standard family banquet, and even giving me a fourth-rank god-hunting tool. That's more than enough repayment."
"In that case, I'll have to properly taste Aunt Yang's cooking."
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