How To Hide The Tyrant's Child In The Apocalypse
Chapter 24. Sacrificing myself for others

Chapter 24: 24. Sacrificing myself for others

AT THE SAME TIME

EMPEROR LIANGWEI POINT OF VIEW:

As we were talking I understood that we could have happier lives. Suddenly, the villagers rushed in, panic written on their faces.

"The crops are rotting! If it spreads, there’ll be nothing left to eat!"One of them shouted.

The system buzzed sharply in my mind

"Alert: Crop contamination detected. Immediate intervention required."System said.

Mei Shen’s eyes went wide, then she sprang up.

"I have to go help. This could ruin the whole village."She said.

Huan’s small voice trembled as he clung to her sleeve. "Mom... you no sick, right? You promise no get sick?"He asked.

She knelt down, brushing his hair back gently.

"I’ll be careful, Huan. I’ll be back soon, I promise."She said.

As she turned to leave, I saw the worry flicker deep in Huan’s eyes. He looked up at me, his little hands gripping mine tightly.

"Daddy, what if mom gets sick? What if she can’t come back?"He asked.

I swallowed hard, pulling him close.

"She’s strong. And we’re here, so no matter what, we’ll get through this together."I said. _{f\r(e)ewe.b no\vel.com}

Huan nodded slowly but didn’t let go of my hand.

"I wanna help too. Help Mom be safe."Huan said.

I smiled softly, feeling a fierce protectiveness grow. "We’ll watch out for her. Together."I said.

I knew for sure that we were there for her no matter what. The village had settled into a hushed calm, but the worry still hung in the air like a thick fog. I sat beside Huan, watching the way his small fingers fiddled nervously with a loose thread on his sleeve.

"Daddy." He said quietly, eyes serious for such a little kid. "I think mom maybe... she feels hot. Like she’s tired but won’t say."

I looked down at him, the concern in his voice cutting sharper than I expected.

"You noticed that, huh?"I asked.

He nodded solemnly.

’Yeah. Her cheeks were all red when she hugged me goodbye. I think she’s got a fever."Huan said.

Before I could respond, that damn god Zeyrith’s voice echoed inside my head, dripping with mockery.

"Oh, how sweet. Your little son is playing doctor. Maybe Mei Shen’s too stubborn to admit she’s sick. Better keep an eye on her, or you might lose her to that fever after all!"Zeyrith said.

I clenched my jaw, ignoring the teasing. Huan’s words stayed with me, heavier than the god’s jabs. She was strong, but even the strongest could break. I squeezed Huan’s hand.

"Thanks for telling me, little warrior. We’ll be ready when she gets back."I said.

Huan grinned a tiny, proud smile.

"I wanna help. Help mommy get better."He said.

"Then we’ll do it together." I promised, the weight of the moment making me realize how much I needed them both, now more than ever.

AT THE SAME TIME

MEI SHEN’S POINT OF VIEW:

I wiped the sweat from my brow, my hands trembling as I prepared the herbal mix for the crops. The sun was relentless, and my chest felt tight, heavier than just exhaustion. But there was no time to rest. If I didn’t act fast, the village would lose everything.

"Mei Shen, are you alright?" A villager called out, eyes narrowing with concern.

I forced a smile, swallowing the lump rising in my throat.

"I’m fine. Just a little tired."I said.

But the whispers began.

"She looks pale... maybe she’s sick."One of them said.

"Is it the fever they warned about?"Second asked. "Should someone help her?"Third one suggested.

I clenched my jaw, feeling the pressure tighten around me, not just from the work but from the watchful eyes. I wasn’t just fighting the apocalypse’s threat to the crops anymore. Now, I was battling their doubt, their fear. My vision blurred for a second. I swayed, barely catching myself on the table. A sharp cough escaped my lips, harsh and sudden. Heads snapped toward me, eyes wide in alarm.

"Mei Shen!" Someone shouted, rushing forward.

I shook my head, desperate not to fall apart in front of them.

’No... I’m fine. Just keep helping the crops."I said.

But inside, a scream clawed its way up. How could I let them see me like this? Weak? Broken? I had to be strong. For Huan. For Lianwei. For all of them. And yet, as my body betrayed me, I knew this was only the beginning.

The stench of rot clung to my clothes as I staggered back through the village gate. My hands were raw, knuckles scraped and stained from pulling infected plants with my bare fingers when the tools failed. My head throbbed, each step feeling heavier than the last, but I forced my legs to keep moving. They needed me. I couldn’t collapse now.

"You did good, Mei Shen." I whispered to myself hoarsely, trying to ignore the ringing in my ears and the cold sweat soaking my back.

But as soon as I rounded the corner to our home, my heart dropped. Lianwei was waiting there. Arms crossed, his storm-green eyes locked on me with a force that froze my blood. Beside him, Huan’s tiny fists were clenched at his sides, his eyes wide and wet.

"Mom!" Huan cried, his voice cracking as he ran to me. "You’re not okay! Why didn’t you tell us?!" His little hands gripped my sleeves, tugging desperately. "You’re all wobbly... you’re sick! I knew it!"

I tried to kneel, to smile, but my knees buckled. Lianwei caught me before I hit the ground, his strong arms trembling slightly as he held me upright.

"Mei Shen." He said lowly, almost like a growl. "What the hell were you thinking?"

"I had to-" I tried to protest, but my voice came out as a croak.

"No." His jaw tightened, the muscles in his face twitching. "You pushed yourself too far. Again."

"Mommy... don’t leave us." Huan hugged me as tightly as his small arms could manage, his warm tears soaking through my sleeve.

"I’m not going anywhere." I whispered, but even I could hear how weak it sounded.

Lianwei’s arms tightened around me, his breath hot and shaky against my hair.

"You’re not allowed to do this to me again, Mei Shen. To us."He whispered.

I barely registered the door slamming shut behind us. My body was so heavy now, like I had left everything of myself out in those fields.

"Breathe, Mei Shen. Damn it, stay with me." His voice cracked. Actually cracked.

I blinked up at him, his pale face swimming in my blurred vision. He was trembling. Emperor Lianwei, who had faced death and war without flinching, was trembling because of me.

"I’m fine..." I whispered weakly, though it wasn’t even convincing to my own ears.

"Don’t you dare say that!" His voice rose sharp, frantic. "You’re not fine, you’re burning up! You nearly passed out out there, and you still say you’re fine?!"

"Mommy, don’t go sleepy! You need drink water, okay? Daddy, make her drink!"

"I know, Huan, I know, just... give me a second."I muttered.

Lianwei was already carrying me to the bed like I weighed nothing. He set me down with a care so gentle it broke my heart. His hands brushed my face, my hair. Too warm. Too clammy. His panic radiated off him in waves. The system’s voice pinged in my head, calm and clinical compared to the storm in the room:

"Warning. The host’s vitals are dropping due to extreme fatigue and dehydration. Immediate intervention required."System said.

"Shut up." I hissed weakly at it.

"Don’t you shut them up! What do I do?!" Lianwei demanded, eyes wide as he shot a glare toward the empty air like he could see the system himself.

"Hydration and rest are critical. Administer tonic from the storage cabinet. Monitor closely."The system said.

He bolted before I could stop him. Huan scrambled onto the bed beside me, clutching my hand in both of his tiny ones.

"Mommy... I bringed my blankie for you. Because it makes me feel better when I’m sick." He laid his small, worn blanket over my legs. "You don’t go bye bye, okay? You stay."

Tears burned my eyes as I weakly squeezed his hand. I felt tierd and moments after I fell asleep.