998: The Only Person You Can Count On Is Yourself

The Only Person You Can Count On Is Yourself

Xander's gene modification was for his IQ. Therefore, when something went wrong with his body, his symptoms were not as intense as Caleb's and Queenie's. Instead, it would only be apparent in one way—falling into a coma.2

Nora checked his breathing. When she found that he was breathing evenly, she let out a sigh of relief.

Actually, even if Xander were to die, he would only be brain-dead.

Even Nora could not be sure when he would wake up again.

Nora's grim expression filled the whole Hunt residence with a depressive mood.

It wasn't until ten o'clock in the evening that Xander finally woke up.

The people around him breathed a sigh of relief at once.

Cherry was the first to speak. "Xander, why did you sleep for so long? You've become as lazy as Mommy!"

Pete kept quiet.

No one had told Cherry about what was soon to come. All of them wanted to protect her.

When Xander heard her, his expression became dazed for a while before he finally said with a smile, "Tsk, I'm having a competition with Pete to see who can sleep for a longer time. As I expected, I managed to sleep longer. I must be the eldest among us!"

Xander had a smug look on his face.

Cherry, who didn't know better, nodded again and again. "Yeah! You're amazing! Even Mommy can't sleep as much as you!"

Xander sat up and raised his chin.

Next to him, Pete stayed quiet for a long while before he finally said, "Yeah, you're more impressive. You're the older brother."

Xander's eyes lit up.

Seeing the three children's interaction, Nora and Justin couldn't help but say, "Alright, let's get Xander something to eat!"

The group accompanied Xander downstairs for dinner.

Cherry yawned repeatedly.

She was usually already in bed by this time.

Xander ate something and then said to Cherry, "Cherry, you can go to sleep first."

"No, I have to wait for Pete and Xander to sleep with me!"

Just as Nora was about to speak, Xander nodded and replied, "Okay, then let's go to sleep."

The three little ones went upstairs again.

A worried Nora stood outside their door, whereupon she heard the children's conversation coming from within.

Cherry asked, "Xander, why aren't you sleeping?"

"I already slept the entire day. I'd be a pig if I could fall asleep that quickly!" Xander replied.

Cherry said, "… Oh, that's true. I'm so sleepy, though."

Xander replied, "Go to bed, Cherry. Can you promise me one thing, though?"

"What is it?"

"Even if you want to play games all the time, you still have to learn and master other skills. Be it Pete, Daddy, Mommy, or any of our other relatives, I know any one of them can feed you your whole life, but you are the only one you can really count on!"

Cherry didn't quite understand. Nevertheless, the sharp girl caught something in his words. She asked, "Why aren't you going to protect me?"

"Because I may not be able to grow up with you anymore."

Cherry was so sleepy that she sounded like she was in a daze. She said, "Don't be anxious, Xander. We must grow up bit by bit… yeah…"

As she managed to speak the last few words, she fell asleep.

Nora cast her eyes down, her heart aching a little.

She wanted to push the door open and enter, but Justin stopped her and shook his head.

Sure enough, a short while later, they heard a voice in the room again. "Are you asleep?"

It was Pete.

Xander replied, "Of course not."

"… Why aren't you sleeping?" asked Pete.

"…" Xander kept quiet for a while before he finally replied, "Because I'm afraid that if I fall asleep, I won't be able to wake up again."

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