XG 23 - The foretold disease

"I'm fine!" Grandpa Chen waved his son and grandchildren's worry, his eyes stared at Suzie Yap in terror, but also with growing hope.

"My advice to you, Elder Chen, is not to trust fortune teller Shang too much. The named list may be true, but the intention behind it was not pure."

Grandpa Chen was taken aback. Sixteen years ago, he was also skeptical about Master Shang, but after seeing his prediction come true several times, he grew to trust that master. He had not thought much about the master’s intention of telling them, other than being compassionate, so he did not investigate in that direction.

"What have you found out?" Grandpa Chen asked grimly, his aged frame slowly regaining some vigor of youth. No one liked being used or tricked, especially with his family’s life and death matters being involved.

"Unfortunately, not much. Someone is behind the fortune teller, directing him to do things. I've yet to figure out who. Grandpa Chen, do not spread it to others yet."

"I know." Grandpa Chen would not disturb Suzie Yap’s plan. He could not stop his gaze from going to Wong Xue Guo, who felt discomfort with the way he was staring at her, as if she was a living miracle. "If you changed her fate, then my sons… my grandson…!"

"It will depend on them. My daughter survived because I relied on myself to protect her from harm. Perhaps if we put in more effort, we could prevent their fated death."

Chen Tang An rubbed his father's back to calm him down and then asked, "How about the research of that gene? If you say Master Shang is questionable, won't the research of the gene be questionable as well?"

They were told that researching the unknown gene would save their family that was named by Master Shang. The master had shown them much irrefutable proof, which then had numerous families donate a large amount of their wealth to fund the research to protect their listed family members. Master Shang’s words were vague and led them to believe their predestined death was from an illness that needed the gene to help them survive.

The Chen family had three members of their family named and was much more willing in donating the research, even if they do not fully understand what the research entails. Luckily, they had two of their family members involved with the research, freeing them from being worried about the research.

Chen Tang An could not see any sign of illness from the Wong girl, which was impossible if her death was predestined to be yesterday. But if he linked the disease that was preordained to take dozens of lives with the walking dead bringing danger to their world, the foretold disease might be those zombies.

Suzie Yap leaned forward with a serious expression. "Questionable, but its usefulness could not be denied. We need it to combat the virus that created those living dead. Elder Chen, your family must immediately leave Malaysia now when you are still able to. Go to China and reunite with your sons."

Grandpa Chen's second and third sons were working in China's army base, which could protect the Chen family. It was not a forever safety, but even a temporary shelter was enough with the situation happening around the world.

Suzie Yap was not selfish to share some of her information. "It's going to be winter soon in China where the virus is less aggressive in a cold climate, but when the season changes, that place will not be safe. Use the winter season to prepare a safe place in a place where winter visits for the whole year-round."

Chen Tang An's face brightens. "You know-"

"Yes, but I don't have much time to stay and explain everything. I will contact you when I have the time, but your sons in the army should be able to fill in some information meanwhile."

The moment Suzie Yap stood up, giving her daughter a brief glance at the corner of her eyes, Wong Xue Guo immediately followed after getting the hint.

When Chen Jiang An saw his cousin also standing up to follow Suzie Yap, he quickly grabbed his hand. "Cousin, you can follow us. Uncle and elder cousin brother can meet up with us in China."

Chen Yibo shook his head. "I will be more assured to go to them myself." He did not tell anyone that his father and brother might not be willing to leave Korea.

"That does not make sense! It's too dangerous!"

"Go if that's what you decide," Grandpa Chen suddenly said, ignoring Chen Jiang An's unbelievable look. "Do not take dangerous risks."

Chen Yibo nodded, his lips curled at his grandfather's concern. "Thank you, grandfather."

"Bring some of the bodyguards with you," Chen Tang An told his nephew, seeing that his father had no intention of stopping Chen Yibo. Even if his nephew was not the heir of the Chen family business, that does not mean he was not any less loved by the elders.

Although Chen Yibo’s name was not listed, it does not mean he would not die early in an accident. While it was hard to move a mountain just like how one could not prevent a person’s death, it was much easier to seek death and die earlier than dated.

"No need. I can protect myself, and Mrs. Wong has their bodyguards too."

"He's right. I have enough bodyguards to protect us all." Suzie Yap's words blocked the insistence. After all, adding too many people will be troublesome when it comes to transportation. Sometimes, a large number of helping hands does not mean it will be better.

"Mrs. Wong, I will have to trouble you to take care of my grandson." Chen's patriarch walked the guests to the door. "You can discard him if it threatens your life. Yibo has a hard life and can protect himself."

Chen Jiang An choked at the heartless words. "Grandpa! How can you say that about your own grandson!"

"Grandpa is right," Chen Yibo agreed with a helpless smile.

"I won't leave him behind," Suzie Yap promised. “He is like my own son.”

Although Suzie Yap said so, Chen Yibo also understood that as long as he continued protecting Wong Xue Guo, she would not leave him behind.

When Wong Xue Guo reached home, it was already past two a.m. There were many days where she had actually slept later than this time to secretly catch up with mangas, but today was much more tiring than those nights. The energy she refilled from the short nap in the car was used up in Chen’s house.

Wong’s house was still lit brightly despite the time and it stood out among the neighborhood. Inside the house, both helpers and bodyguards were busy moving things, likely by her mother's command.

However, there were some idlers standing near the walls to avoid blocking other's paths. Their eyes were on Suzie Yap that just returned home, but their gaze was strange and unpleasant.

Unfazed by the stares, Suzie Yap turned to her daughter instead. "Guo Guo, can you accompany Yibo to pack his luggage? Mummy needs to speak to everyone, so only you are free to accompany him. Both of you protect each other's backs, okay?"

Wong Xue Guo: “...” I think Yibo will be protecting my back instead.

But she did not protest, knowing that her mother wanted to speak to the servants privately. However, she was also curious about what they would be talking about. Resignation? Or will they be forced to come along so that they could sacrifice their lives to protect their employers?

Wong Xue Guo paused her dark thoughts and glanced at Chen Yibo. She unconsciously flinched when her eyes collided with his that happened to be staring at her. "Are you fine with it?"

"I have no problem with it." It was surprising that Chen Yibo showed no signs of unwillingness to bring along a dead weight with him.

Suzie Yap had no reason to worry about her daughter in danger with Chen Yibo guarding her, and also because the infection had not spread this far yet. They still have the luxury of strolling around without worry.