To Rise Again In The Apocalypse

A few days passed since the night Xue Liang broke into his room and Li Xinwen is now preparing himself to go to Min Xiaoyu's martial art school. Because he had been looking forward to this day, Li Xinwen was unexpectedly in a very good mood that he was even humming as he placed his spare clothing in a duffle bag.

There was a gentle knock on the door before he heard the door was being opened. When he glanced over to the door, he saw Sun Xiao's head peeking into his room.

"Xin- gege , are you ready?" he asked. His eyes that were shining brightly is unable to hide the excitement and impatience behind.

Li Xinwen also knew that Sun Xiao is looking forward to this day. These past few days, he had helped Sun Xiao with basic training of body strengthening. Of course, since it has only been a few days since Sun Xiao started, the only changes that occur are just a simple increase in strength.

"Ready now," Li Xinwen said as he zipped his duffle bag. He slung it over his shoulder and approached the door. The door swung open to reveal Sun Xiao in his sportswear, carrying a heavy-looking backpack. Seeing the backpack, Li Xinwen raised up an eyebrow. " Ah 'Xiao... what else are you carrying?"

"Oh, umm... books?" Sun Xiao looked up at Li Xinwen as the color of red spreads all the way to his ears.

"Martial arts books?" Li Xinwen asked.

Sun Xiao shyly nods his head before he lowered his head and looked down on the floor.

Seeing this reaction, Li Xinwen can't help the helpless smile that formed on his face. He raised his hand and gently pats Sun Xiao on the head. "Your bag looks too heavy. How many did you bring, hmm? Come on, let's put some of them into my bag so it won't be too heavy for you," Li Xinwen suggested as he brought Sun Xiao into his room.

At first, Sun Xiao thought that Li Xinwen would tell him to leave the books. He didn't expect that Li Xinwen would help him carry them instead. His admiration for his brother simply grew to another level as he happily followed Li Xinwen inside.

After dividing the books, they finally went downstairs to eat breakfast. With how fast Li Xinwen had proved himself to be recovering, he managed to coax mother Li to increase the variety of his diet though he has yet to eat solid food. 'Not that I am complaining. The food really tastes good in this world,' Li Xinwen thought to himself as he took his seat.

" Ah 'Wen, are you really sure you want to go and practice martial arts at the martial art school? Can't you just practice here at home just as you had done these past few days?" Mother Li, asked when she saw her son. She knew that in a martial arts school, their training would be harder, and not to mention there will be a sparring session. Her son had only just returned from the brink of death and now, her boy is going off to do dangerous things again.

"Mom, don't worry about me too much. You've seen how far I've recovered. Plus, I know the condition of my body well. Once I feel unwell, I promise you that I will stop practicing," Li Xinwen said, trying to assure the older lady.

"Hua- er ... can you please persuade your brother?" since she couldn't do it, Mother Li turned to her daughter instead.

"Mom, don't worry about Ah 'Wen. These past few days, he has been training with Ah 'Xiao and we've seen how his condition is better than before. In fact, I feel like he has even grown stronger than before the accident," Li Jinghua who was the one suggesting Li Xinwen go and practice with Min Xiaoyu felt guilty as she cannot help her mother.

At this, Li Xinwen just nods his head while giving Mother Li a pleading look. In the end, Mother Li can only let out a heavy sigh. "Alright. But make sure that you be careful. If this old woman sees a single bruise on you, you will stop immediately. Got that, young man?"

"Yes, mom!" Li Xinwen replied with a huge smile on his face. "You're the best!" he added before he continued to eat breakfast.

After breakfast, the two brothers finally left their home in order to go to Min Xiaoyu's place. Unexpectedly, when they arrived, Xue Rui was already waiting for them by the entrance. Xue Jun was also present. But there was no trace of Xue Liang.

When Xue Rui saw Li Xinwen, his face brighten up and he quickly went over to greet him. "Xinwen, good morning! Have you eaten?" Xue Rui asked with a smile on his face.

"En. Where is Xue Liang?" Li Xinwen asked.

Hearing that the first person that Li Xinwen asked about is Xue Liang, the expression of both brothers changed considerably. Though Xue Jun recovered almost instantly, Xue Rui still sported a dejected look as he answered.

"That night, after being scolded by... grandfather, he ran away again."

"Ran away?" Li Xinwen was surprised and turned to look at Xue Jun for a clearer answer.

"It's exactly what Xiao Rui was saying. That guy ran away. Seriously, he's already this old and still acts like a rebellious teenager," Xue Jun grumbled. Just thinking of his second brother is enough to give him a headache. Adding his third brother's foolishness, it is a miracle that he didn't go crazy.

"Didn't you put a tracker on him?" Li Xinwen was surprised that Xue Liang could escape from Xue Jun despite having a tracker planted on him. He remembered that Xue Jun planted a lot.

"All of them were destroyed overnight. We didn't even get to use it."

Li Xinwen let out a hum in response. 'A shame. I would've loved to teach him a very good lessons.'

Sun Xiao has been staring at Xue Jun and Xue Rui all this time as if trying to find if there is any difference between the two men. His eyes were full of curiosity as he stared at them.

" Ah 'Xiao, it's rude to stare at someone like that," Li Xinwen who noticed this said as he rubbed the younger boy's head.

"Sorry," Sun Xiao replied but his eyes were still glued on both Xue Jun and Xue Rui. "They really look alike. Xin- gege , how do you differentiate them?" Sun Xiao asked as he turned to Li Xinwen. When he heard that Xue Rui actually has two identical brothers, he thought that there should still be some difference since Li Xinwen could easily differentiate them. But when he looked at them, they really looked similar.  The only difference is their demeanor.

Li Xinwen just let out a small chuckle before he leaned down and whispered to Sun Xiao's ear. "You will also be able to do it easily once you learn martial arts properly. But if you really want to know early then... look at the left side of their neck, just below the ear. Do you see a small scar on one of them?"

Hearing Li Xinwen's whisper, feeling the other's breath so close to his ears, Sun Xiao felt his heart race and his face burn up. But Sun Xiao still focused his eyes on the two brothers and noticed that one of them have a very small scar on the spot where Li Xinwen mentioned. "I see them."

"That one is Xue Jun. The one without the scar is Xue Rui," Li Xinwen told Sun Xiao. He then straightens up his back and smiled at the two brothers. "Anyway," he speaks up. " Ah 'Xiao, go and introduce yourself."

As Li Xinwen said this, his hand lightly gave Sun Xiao a gentle push from behind, letting Sun Xiao stood before the other two.

Sun Xiao stared at them for a while before he turned to Xue Jun. "Uncle Xue Jun, I'm called Sun Xiao! I will be in your care later," Sun Xiao said with a small smile on his face. After being told to be confident by Li Xinwen, Sun Xiao has been working very hard to build up his confidence so now, he won't act as nervous as long as his brother is around.

Xue Rui and Li Xinwen who heard what Sun Xiao said suddenly have trouble trying to control their expression as to not laugh out loud.

Xue Jun who had been called uncle: ...

Sun Xiao, only noticed that the way he addressed Xue Jun was wrong and he quickly apologized. "Ah... you and Rui- gege are of the same age... then can I call you Jun- gege ?" Sun Xiao asked nervously, hoping that Xue Jun didn't take offense on his mistaken address form.

"Just call me big brother," Xue Jun replied. He felt that being called 'Jun- gege ' is too affectionate. 'But if the one who called me that is Xinwen...' as the thought crossed his mind, his eyes landed on Li Xinwen. But rather than affection, his eyes were only filled with suspicion.

Li Xinwen also noticed this gaze and he only smiled knowingly at Xue Jun. "Shall we go inside?" he suggested and Sun Xiao excitedly walked in front. Just before Li Xinwen walked past Xue Jun, he whispered to the other male: "Young Master Xue, I don't like the way you're looking at me. As I've said that night, as long as you 'impress' me, then I'll answer your question. So why don't you stop looking at me like I am some criminal?"

"Taking another's identity is considered a crime of identity theft. So, you are a criminal in my eyes. You may be able to fool the rest, but not me..."

"Right. You know that I am not... but, this body is indeed Li Xinwen's body and I am indeed called Li Xinwen. It is up to you if you believe me or not," Li Xinwen replied before he walked away.

Xue Rui noticed the short exchange between the two and can't help walking towards his older brother. "Jun- ge , what were you two talking about?" he asked out of curiosity. When the two whispered earlier, they were standing very close to each other so Xue Rui was feeling jealous.

"It is none of your concern, Xiao Rui. He just told me to help him take care of Sun Xiao later when they have class."

"Oh, alright. Speaking of which... how did you know this place, Ge ? I just told you the name of the school and you already know the way without consulting the navigator."

"Of course I know, this school belongs to my master," Xue Jun replied.

"..." Xue Rui who had told Min Xiaoyu that his grandfather is a fraud can only stay quiet and not saying anymore word fearing that he will end up picking up a stone only to drop it on his own foot.