NOVEL NEXT 69
Chapter 69: Memories from zerg egg
Xi Tian’s memories from his early childhood were already blurred.
His childhood seemed to be in shades of gray.
He remembered moving from one foster family to another, witnessing various home decorations and meeting many couples he had to call “father” and “dad.” Some had married for years without having children, while others simply wanted to give a homeless child a warm family.
Every couple had sincerely told him, “You will live with us.” Then, shortly after, when they faced him, their expressions were strained and forced. And he would see the director of the welfare agency again.
Males were always the most likely to be adopted from the welfare agency, but Xi Tian became the only male there who was repeatedly returned.
Young Xi Tian thought he was unlikable. He used to hide under the covers and cry quietly after everyone else had fallen asleep. It was the gentlest sub-female aunt who discovered this during the night rounds. He gently comforted Xi Tian: “Dear, it’s not your fault. They just can’t face the truth about themselves.”
Xi Tian had completely forgotten why his younger self was so unlikable, but he vividly remembered that during his saddest moments, an unknown melody would emerge in his heart. It was gentle and winding, accompanying him through many lonely times.
He was very familiar with this melody; as a child, he could even sing the lyrics. But as he grew older, he forgot them.
“Does this lullaby have lyrics?” Xi Tian asked.
“Of course lullabies have lyrics. But now, to make it easier to lull babies to sleep, we just hum the tune,” the female said.
“Could you please sing the version with the lyrics?” Xi Tian asked.
The tune from his childhood finally echoed in his ears:
The wind blows gently,
The birds chirp,
The kitten mewls,
The house is quiet,
The baby is going to sleep.
These were the lyrics that had appeared in his dream the other day, sung by the little child!
In that instant, Xi Tian seemed to see a flash of warm orange in front of him. His feet felt like they were stepping on cotton, and he was almost about to float into the air.
A possibility flashed in Xi Tian’s mind. He eagerly asked the female, “Can babies remember things from when they were in the egg?”
The female replied calmly, “You asked the right person. When my youngest was two, he told me about his memories in the egg. He said, ‘Sometimes it’s pitch black inside, and sometimes it’s red. When bored, I played with my fingers and pulled on a thick cord.’ But as he grew up, he forgot everything. I’ve mentioned this to other parents, and over the years, only a couple of parents have seen this in their own children.”
Xi Tian’s emotions suddenly surged. He had memories of his father’s song from when he was still in the egg. The occasional dreams of warm orange and the melody that naturally surfaced in his heart were all memories of his biological family.
“Where is your hometown? Is this lullaby only sung by people from your hometown?” Xi Tian asked, holding the female’s hands.
The female was a bit at a loss by the excited young male’s actions. Ellis came up and put his arm around Xi Tian’s shoulders, gently patting him.
Realizing his behavior was inappropriate, Xi Tian repeatedly apologized.
“When I was young, only people from my hometown sang this song. In Clay Town, District 4 of Wood Tower Star, you could hear this tune every night as people sang their babies to sleep, though the lyrics varied. I learned this one from a neighbor’s older brother when I was young.”
“In your hometown, are the singers mostly females or males?” Xi Tian asked.
The female gave him a look that said, “Are you joking?” and replied, “Of course, it’s the females taking care of the babies. When have the males ever done that?”
Xi Tian thanked them and called Buma out before leaving, giving him several times the tour fee. Under Buma’s grateful gaze, Xi Tian walked away.
The night wind was slightly chilly but couldn’t quell the fire burning in his heart.
“Ellis, we need to leave here. Immediately. We’re going to Wood Tower Star.”
“Master, why are we leaving after just hearing a melody? Aren’t we going to continue exploring here?” Ellis, unable to grasp the male’s thoughts, asked in confusion.
“I have memories from when I was still in the egg. That lullaby was sung by my dad. I’ve always wanted to find them and ask why they abandoned me.” As he spoke, Xi Tian’s voice choked up, and under the streetlight, Ellis saw tears streaming down Xi Tian’s face.
Xi Tian refused the handkerchief Ellis offered and didn’t wipe away his tears. He took a deep breath and continued slowly, “All these years, I almost gave up. I kept telling myself to accept that I wasn’t raised by my biological father.
“But I can convince my mind, not my heart. Whenever I think of them, it feels like a deep hole in my chest, an abyss that can’t be filled or ignored. Why did they abandon me?!”
By the end, it was as if all the strength had drained from his tall body. Xi Tian squatted down, wrapping his arms around his knees, burying his head between them, crying uncontrollably.
Ellis couldn’t understand the male’s thoughts; he was indifferent to not having a father. But that didn’t stop him from feeling the male’s pain.
The male curled up, tears dripping from his cheeks, dampening the small patch of dirt.
Ellis squatted down and embraced him, becoming his only support at that moment.
“Everything will be alright.
You have me. I will always be by your side.
Wherever you go, I will go with you.”
Xi Tian held Ellis tightly without saying a word, then kissed him fiercely.
The male’s tear-stained face burned Ellis’s cheek.
He, as always, was gentle and compliant, letting the male take what he needed.
After a long while, Xi Tian’s sorrow receded, his rationality returned. He wiped his face haphazardly with a handkerchief, pulled Ellis up, and they walked straight home, one in front and one behind.
Xi Tian’s palm was slightly damp, and Ellis, hooked by his hand, inexplicably felt his master’s emotions.
Xi Tian was now both ashamed and annoyed. Ashamed of showing vulnerability in front of his partner, and annoyed at losing face.
Ellis’s mouth quietly curved into a smile.