The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 252: Xu Brothers

Chapter 252: Xu Brothers

Xu Zeng considered the question for a moment, his eyes focused on the sky above. Then, in a gentle and reassuring tone, he replied, "Do you want to stay in Dongmen?" His words held a weighty implication, as if their destinies rested in Xu Feng’s hands, awaiting his choice.

As if, anything Xu Feng wanted he would do, or at least, he would try to do.

Xu Feng couldn’t bring himself to meet Xu Zeng’s gaze, fearing the innocent and childish expression that might be on his face. That face would haunt his nightmares, he’d been the reason such an innocent was relegated to living in the zombie infested nightmare he’d endured for six long months.

His voice carried a heavy burden as he sighed once more, the pain and reluctance evident in his words. "No... Let me say goodbye to Xuan Jian and Xuan Yang first, and then we can switch."

The choice was clear; he wanted to return to Donghua, to the people and the life he had grown to love. But he couldn’t bear to impose his will on Xu Zeng, forcing him to stay in a world of suffering and danger.

In the midst of the silence that followed, Xu Feng’s thoughts drifted to the various annoying people he had encountered in Donghua. Lady Xuan, the Xuan family elders, Sun Ming Hua...

There were many annoying people, hell, even Xuan Yang was annoying, but he wanted to see that annoying prideful snake every day for the rest of his life. He also wanted to see his Xuan Jian, fiery hot with love, hidden behind a icy appearance...but...

All of them had their quirks.

The silence was daunting.

"The spirit plants you’ve cultivated in the greenhouse are amazing," Xu Zeng’s voice broke the silence, filled with awe. Xu Feng turned to meet those bright, admiring eyes, surprised by the genuine praise and love...

"You know what they are?" Xu Feng asked, his curiosity piqued and a hint of shyness in his tone.

Xu Zeng appeared puzzled for a moment, and then he responded with a question of his own, "Why would I not know what they are?"

His sincere confusion was met with annoyance from Xu Feng, who couldn’t fathom why his question was answered with another question. It was rude and frustrating.

Xu Feng’s irritation should have been enough to push most people away or make them defensive, but not Xu Zeng. Instead, the boyish smile that Xu Feng associated with him blossomed on his face.

Xu Zeng’s transformation from an androgynous beauty to a more masculine and mature appearance was evident, yet his smile remained as innocent and bright as ever.

Xu Feng couldn’t help but find it beautiful, reminiscent of Xu Zeng’s life in Sun Village when he was malnourished and around 15 or 16 years old. Now, this Xu Zeng looked healthy, tall, and appeared to be around 20 years old.

The strange phenomenon of world hopping had undoubtedly taken a toll on both of them, causing their appearances to shift and change.

Xu Feng was left dumbfounded as Xu Zeng leaned in and wrapped his arms around him, pulling him into a heartfelt embrace. The words that followed only added to the confusion and disbelief swirling in Xu Feng’s mind.

"I’m so glad you survived all this time, brother," Xu Zeng’s voice quivered with emotion. "It must have been hard without any inheritance. In a foreign world with no one by your side."

The word "brother" echoed in Xu Feng’s mind, and he couldn’t help but feel an unmistakable sense of disorientation. What did Xu Zeng mean by "brother"? And what was this talk of "inheritance"?

His thoughts raced, and he didn’t know how to react to this revelation. Should he respond? Should he remain silent? Play along? He was on unfamiliar ground, caught between a reality he didn’t understand and the bond that Xu Zeng seemed to believe existed between them.

But Xu Zeng didn’t leave him hanging. The tech genius continued speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Dad, I mean our caretaker, said you would likely be fine if you survived the transportation. And you did. You made it to the other world and lived long enough for us to awaken our inheritance."

Tears welled up in Xu Zeng’s eyes, and he spoke as though he owed Xu Feng something significant. As if he weren’t the one who had lived a pitiful life in the apocalypse on Xu Feng’s behalf. The sense of ownership, the term "older brother," it was all so overwhelming and surreal.

Xu Feng’s mind was a whirlwind of emotions and questions, but he couldn’t find the words to express any of them. Instead, he simply clung to the embrace, trying to make sense of the strange bond that now seemed to connect him to Xu Zeng.

As Xu Zeng continued to speak, recounting their unusual origins and the intricacies of their existence, Xu Feng’s sense of disbelief slowly gave way to acceptance. It all felt strangely true, like pieces of a puzzle falling into place.

"The passage between worlds is near impossible without a strong cultivation level," Xu Zeng explained. "But even as an egg, my brother survived."

Xu Feng couldn’t help but find the story bizarre, yet it resonated with him on some level. The connection he felt with Xu Zeng was undeniable, and the idea of being brothers in some otherworldly sense began to make sense.

This was his brother. That felt true.

Dongmen was neither of their worlds. That also felt true.

He’d done everything in his power to make sure both he and Xu Zeng were on the same family register. He’d also felt more attached to the world with Donghua in to than the one with Dongmen.

He was adopted at the age of three...Okay, that didn’t make sense. If he crossed worlds as an egg from a cultivation world where he was some sort of demon fox scion, how had his egg hatched in the modern world?

Xu Feng couldn’t suppress his confusion any longer. "How could an egg survive and hatch in a world without demon animals?"

Xu Zeng’s face twisted with disdain as he pulled away from the embrace, correcting his older brother, "Demon animals? We are immortal beasts, don’t use such vulgar human language."

Xu Feng stared up at his bigger, younger brother, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. The exchange left him feeling as though he’d used vulgar language, despite only asking a question.