Natural Disaster: Back to the End of the World

Part 5

Yao Ziqing didn't notice Cheng Tao's concern. His stomach still hurt, leaving him feeling weak, though the pain wasn't as severe as before.

"It's fine now, much better. You go ahead and do your things. Don't worry about me," he said.

Cheng Tao glanced at the time. "You haven't eaten all day. I'm going to get you something to eat. You need to have something. I'll get some porridge. Call me if you need anything."

After Yao Ziqing nodded, Cheng Tao took his wallet and keys and left.

Yao Ziqing hugged a pillow against his stomach, leaning slightly forward to ease the discomfort.

Not long after, the door opened again. Su Li was scolding Wu Wenqing, who followed behind. Seeing Yao Ziqing in such a state, Su Li quickly went over.

"Qingzi, is it your stomach acting up? Did you take the medicine? Where's Taozi? Didn't he come back already?"

Wu Wenqing put down the supper he brought. "Is it really painful? Let's go to the hospital. Su Li, help him onto my back."

Yao Ziqing shook his head. "I've taken the medicine. He went to get some porridge. I'm okay. Don't worry about me."

Just then, the phone in the corner rang.

Yao Ziqing looked back, and Su Li quickly picked up the phone. "It's Lei Xiao. Should I answer it?"

Yao Ziqing, unsure if it was his stomach or his heart, felt a sharp pain that made him double over with a muffled groan.

Su Li quickly threw the phone aside. "Don't push yourself. Wenqing, hurry. We're going to the hospital!"

Yao Ziqing looked up at the still-ringing phone. "Answer it. Just say I'm out for a late-night snack with someone."

Afraid Su Li's tone might come off harsh, he added, "He's my second brother."

Su Li gave him a disapproving look but answered the call as instructed.

Lei Xiao had just returned from training and was lying in bed thinking about what his elder brother had said that morning. He hesitated for a moment before calling the fourth brother.

After a long ring, just as he was about to hang up, an unfamiliar voice on the other end spoke. With a serious expression, Lei Xiao listened for a moment before responding:

"Please let him know that I need to speak with him when he gets back. If it's too late, just tell him to rest and call me tomorrow."

Su Li ended the call, sticking out his tongue and tossing the phone onto Yao Ziqing's bed. "Your second brother sounds quite imposing. Just from his voice, he seems like a very authoritative figure."

Yao Ziqing weakly smiled. Seeing his pale face, Su Li was about to make another sarcastic comment when Cheng Tao returned with steaming porridge.

"Feeling better? Eat while it's hot."

Wu Wenqing glanced at the food on the table. "Taozi, you eat the supper you brought back. It's too strong for him right now."

Yao Ziqing slowly ate the porridge. Maybe it was the hunger, but the warm chicken porridge helped ease his aching stomach.

He ate most of the bowl but couldn't finish it.

He felt that even wasting a single grain of rice was a terrible sin, but he just couldn't eat any more.

Cheng Tao finished the supper that Su Li and the others had brought back and ate the remaining porridge without any complaint.

"Wasting food is disgraceful. My brother taught me that from a young age."