Three chapters combined, mwa!
He short-circuited very timely, his brain smoking, and didn’t hear what Ji Hong said after pecking his eyelid. It took a quarter of an hour for him to recover, and he awkwardly said, “I’m going to make a cold dish…”
Ji Hong stood at the kitchen door, seeing the young man making a tofu skin salad, and even mistook the sugar jar for the salt jar.
Yu Jinnian didn’t realize he used the wrong seasoning and continued mixing the tofu skin with chopsticks, sneaking glances at Ji Hong. Seeing the other person’s calm and slightly puzzled look, he panicked: Could it be that he didn’t peck my eyelid on purpose but lost his balance and accidentally bumped into me? My big reaction must seem very guilty and embarrassing then?
Thinking this, Yu Jinnian straightened his back deliberately and stopped sneaking looks at Ji Hong, deciding it was more important to focus on cooking.
Then Ji Hong saw him sprinkle a handful of baking soda into the tofu skin and couldn’t help but feel alarmed, thinking he must not let him serve this dish later.
**
To enjoy the moon, the reunion dinner was set in the backyard. The two pots of Cypress Vine Yu Jinnian bought had spread many branches, climbing up the walls. The red and white pentagon flowers hid among the feathery leaves, becoming a scenic spot in the small courtyard, full of vitality. That day, wealthy families hung luxurious lamps under the eaves, complementing the moon and making a beautiful sight. In contrast, ordinary families like theirs hung two lanterns on poles in the yard, symbolizing reunion.
In the Da Xia Dynasty, it was customary to drink wine under the moon, so every household prepared wine and enjoyed it till dawn. Yu Jinnian had drunk some intoxicating wine at the Yicui Pavilion at noon, feeling hot and uncomfortable, and the scent still lingered on him. Aunt Xu and Sui Sui couldn’t drink, and Ji Hong had an appalling low tolerance.
But the Mid-Autumn Festival without wine felt incomplete. Luckily, there was some sweet rice wine left in the kitchen, which could be enjoyed by everyone. They heated it up, each person took a cup, and pretended it was wine. Then various hot dishes were served, including savory eggplant, colorful vegetable shreds, and a large, plump crab in the center, making everyone salivate and feast heartily, rivaling any restaurant outside.
Sui Sui used a small spoon to scoop the meat filling from the stuffed crab, her plate filled with fermented tofu, eyeing other dishes, wanting to taste everything. Yu Jinnian wrapped vegetables in the small round pancakes he made, making it easy for her to hold and munch slowly.
Aunt Xu, suffering from chronic illness, forced herself to come out and eat but couldn’t enjoy much good food. She leaned on the chair, drinking a bowl of pumpkin millet porridge. She glanced at the unusually silent duo at the table and suddenly asked, “Xiao Nian, what happened to your face?” Then she added, “Mr. Ji, make yourself at home.”
Yu Jinnian, still dizzy with his mind short-circuited, muttered, “He’s indeed making himself at home, bullying the host!”
Ji Hong looked at him, cluelessly asking, “What’s wrong with your face?”
“…,” Yu Jinnian glared at him fiercely, “I hit a stone!”
“Stone-faced” Ji Hong remained calm, not only picking a crab for him but also touching the red mark on his forehead, sincerely saying, “Be careful next time.”
Yu Jinnian almost wanted to cough up blood on his face.
After the meal, everyone was full, and the bright moon had just risen. Yu Jinnian cleared the dishes, picked ten taros from the basket at the door, and put them in the pot to cook, preparing a quick midnight snack. Then he set up the incense table to prepare for the moon worship.
Yu Jinnian simplified many moon-worshiping rituals. He arranged plates of fruits on the long table, stacked mooncakes in a tower, cut watermelon into lotus shapes, and lined up grapes, apples, peanuts, and pears. Then he lit red candles and an incense burner, reciting some customary prayers. As it was said men didn’t worship the moon at that time, neither Yu Jinnian nor Ji Hong needed to bow deliberately. Only Sui Sui was dressed up to bow to the Moon Rabbit Goddess.
Aunt Xu watched Sui Sui being spun around by Yu Jinnian, laughing heartily, saying, “Spare her!”
Sui Sui, in a daze, was making a wish to be as beautiful as Chang’e and find an ideal husband. At that moment, a small child with a dirty face ran in from outside, holding a strangely shaped yuzu lantern, laughing and shouting, “I’m here! I’m here to play with Sui Sui!”
The little girl sprang up, forgetting about her ideal husband, waving her layered dress, and jumped up, “I’m here! I’m here!”
Aunt Xu laughed, “Is Yun’er here? Come in and eat mooncakes.”
Yun’er, Sui Sui’s new friend, came from a family that made tassels and played together all day. Although Yun’er was a little girl, she was quite the tomboy, climbing walls, swimming, setting off fireworks, chasing cats, and playing with dogs, unlike Sui Sui, who was too shy to talk in front of Ji Hong. It was curious how such different little girls played together so well.
The two girls sat together, Yun’er chattering away while Sui Sui nodded enthusiastically. Aunt Xu gave them a plate of snowy mooncakes, and Yun’er, picking one up, exclaimed how pretty they were.
Sui Sui proudly said, “Brother Xiao Nian made it!”
Yu Jinnian was in the back kitchen making sweet taro. After boiling the taro, he peeled it, cut it into pieces, and boiled it again with a spoonful of baking soda. When cooled under running water, the taro turned red, making the sweet taro especially enticing. Seeing Ji Hong enter, he huffed and ignored him, continuing to rinse the taro pieces with a strainer. After a while, not hearing any movement behind him, he turned to look.
Unexpectedly, Ji Hong was holding a raw taro, presumably trying to help, but a small patch on his hand was red, and he was scratching it confusedly.
The sap inside taro skins contains oxalic acid, which can irritate the skin. This is true not only for taro but also for yams. Yu Jinnian had suffered from this in his previous life.
“Ah, quickly put it down.” Yu Jinnian immediately set the strainer aside, grabbed Ji Hong’s hand, and placed it in front of the stove to roast. “Who told you to touch raw taro? With such delicate skin, it itches when you touch it.”
The heat from the fire made Ji Hong feel warm, and the tingling on his hand indeed lessened. The two squatted by the stove, so close that it seemed like they were sharing secrets. Ji Hong let the young man turn his hand over and over by the fire, watching the red flames dance in the boy’s eyes, sparkling like amber and glass.
Ji Hong touched Yu Jinnian’s forehead and softly asked, “I heard there’s a night market on River Street tonight with acrobatics, games, and many southern and northern snacks. Do you want to go?”
Yu Jinnian, who hadn’t explored a night market since coming to this era, had only heard neighbors talk about how fun the Mid-Autumn night market was. But after Ji Hong inexplicably pecked his eye and then asked him to go to the night market, he didn’t want to please this person. Even though he was tempted, he said, “No, you go if you want.”
Ji Hong squinted and said, “Alright, I’ll take Sui Sui.”
He actually started to leave, calling out in the courtyard, “Sui Sui, do you want to go to the night market?”
Yu Jinnian also called out, “Sui Sui, Brother Xiao Nian will make you a yuzu lantern!”
Ji Hong: “…” Was the boy deliberately contradicting him?
Sui Sui hesitated between the night market and the yuzu lantern. The night market was fun, but all her peers had lanterns, like the beautiful yuzu lantern her friend Yun’er had. She wanted one too.
Should she go to the night market or get a yuzu lantern? It was a tough decision.
At this moment, Ji Hong whispered something in the ears of the two little girls. Sui Sui’s eyes lit up, and she cautiously asked Yu Jinnian, “Brother Xiao Nian, can Sui Sui wait for you to finish making the yuzu lantern, and then we go to the night market together? There are many delicious foods at the night market. Brother A’Hong said he would buy you a lantern!”
Yun’er also chimed in, “The night market is so much fun! Brother Xiao Nian, come with us, come with us!”
After speaking, the two girls looked up at Ji Hong and asked, “Is this okay?”
Ji Hong nodded, and they cheered, “We want candied hawthorn! Candied hawthorn!”
Yu Jinnian: … Cunning, despicable, traitors!
But he still had to make the yuzu lantern for Sui Sui.
Making a yuzu lantern required a round yuzu. Cut a small opening at the top, scoop out the pulp, then carve or engrave auspicious patterns on the yuzu peel with a small knife. For example, the lantern in Yun’er’s hand was in the shape of a lotus flower, with characters or coins engraved on four sides. Yu Jinnian carved many small stars and a jade rabbit on one side.
He used four red strings to thread through the top of the yuzu and tied them to a smooth, straight stick. Finally, he inserted a candle inside, and it was done.
When lit, the bright light shone through the dozens of small stars, dazzling.
In the noodle shop, cheers erupted. Outside, the bright moon and lanterns complemented each other. Yu Jinnian returned to the kitchen to finish making the sweet taro—drizzling osmanthus honey over the taro. Ji Hong followed him in, now dressed in a stone-blue long robe, leaning against the door calmly, his tall and elegant figure looking more distinguished.
“Really not going?” Ji Hong asked. “The two little girls couldn’t wait and ran off with Yun’er’s mother. It’s just the two of us.”
Yu Jinnian’s heart skipped a beat.
He seemed to emphasize “the two of us,” with an indistinct trace of laughter in his tone.
Yu Jinnian was captivated by the man’s slight smile. Whenever he looked at Ji Hong, it felt like looking through a layer of soft smoke, hazy and unclear. Although he couldn’t clearly see this person, he found him unexpectedly attractive and intriguing, like an unsolvable puzzle. It frustrated him, yet he couldn’t stop unless he could uncover all of this person’s secrets.
Ji Hong raised an eyebrow, interrupting Yu Jinnian’s thoughts, “I’ll really buy you a lantern.”
He said it so casually that it made Yu Jinnian’s earlier fuss about the peck on his eyelid seem overly dramatic. It was just a peck, after all; it wasn’t like he needed to demand his innocence back. Yu Jinnian pursed his lips, rolled down his sleeves, and went back to his room to grab the outer robe hanging on the chair, “I’m not a kid; I don’t need a lantern.”
They said goodbye to Aunt Xu and eventually left together.
“You’re still young,” Ji Hong said gently. To him, Yu Jinnian indeed seemed young. As they walked on the street, he persistently asked, “Then what do you want?”
Yu Jinnian pushed him, “I don’t want anything.”
“Hmm. Candied hawthorn?”
“I said I don’t want anything…”
The street was brightly lit, with a silver disk hanging high. The moonlight fell like silver snowflakes on the shoulders of the passersby. As they walked towards the River Street night market, the crowd grew thicker, the lanterns and candles dazzling. Their figures blended into the throng, moving closer together.
***
In the end, he did buy a lantern…
Yu Jinnian, who had said he didn’t want anything, happily took the lantern after Ji Hong paid. It was a small red lotus lantern that could be carried by hand. Once he had seen enough, he could release it on the water to float away. He had never floated a water lantern before, so he was excited and eager to try.
It was just a two-wen lantern, yet it made the boy so happy.
Ji Hong watched him smile brightly and felt light-hearted himself. If he still had his former status, if he could still use his previous connections and wealth, buying a Precious Pavilion’s Glass Celestial Music Candle wouldn’t be an issue. That candle played celestial music when lit, with dazzling and unusual light patterns, something the boy would surely love.
He didn’t realize this was the thinking of a foolish ruler. If Yu Jinnian hadn’t had a strong sense of right and wrong, and no extravagant habits, Ji Hong’s vast wealth would have been squandered in no time!
They passed various stalls, but the one selling candied hawthorn was the busiest, surrounded by children. The vendor had a large hot pot with bubbling syrup. He poured in a basket of red hawthorn berries, then quickly removed the pot from the fire and stirred the syrup with a large spatula. The syrup crystallized into white frost, coating the berries, filling the air with a sweet aroma.
“Alright! Your three bags!”
Ji Hong took them and turned around to find the boy gone.
—
Yu Jinnian, holding the lotus lantern, was squatting by a small stall watching people play pitch-pot. A scholar-like person was currently playing. Out of ten arrows, only four or five hit the target, winning corresponding prizes. This was already a good score, as many couldn’t hit any.
He carefully measured the distance and felt that if it were him, he wouldn’t hit even one.
“Made me search for you.”
A bag of candied hawthorn appeared in front of him. Yu Jinnian grabbed one and chewed it, then suddenly exclaimed, “Ji Hong!”
Ji Hong was startled and quickly asked what was wrong.
Yu Jinnian, with a distressed expression, said, “My leg’s gone numb from squatting. Help me up…”
Ji Hong couldn’t help but laugh. He reached out and lifted the boy up, looking down at Yu Jinnian, who was half-leaning against him and groaning. He asked, “Squatting for so long, did you want to try pitch-pot?”
Before Yu Jinnian could answer, the old man running the stall came over and greeted them, “Young master, you’ve been watching for so long. How about trying a throw? Sir, why not buy a few arrows for your little brother to play with?”
Ji Hong hadn’t been interested, but because of the old man’s comment about “little brother,” he tossed three copper coins, buying over ten arrows. Without any elaborate aiming, and while still supporting the unsteady Yu Jinnian, he threw the arrows casually, with a graceful and effortless air. Like a doting but foolish king, he threw at whichever pot Yu Jinnian pointed to, and each arrow hit its mark without fail.
Yu Jinnian clapped and praised him, exclaiming, “Amazing!” The onlookers also shouted, “What a skill!” Yu Jinnian felt proud and happy, even more so than if he had hit the target himself.
In the end, they spent just a few coins and won all sorts of trinkets from the stall, leaving the old man wiping his sweat.
When asked how he managed to hit the targets so precisely, Ji Hong mysteriously replied with four words, “Only skillful hands.”
Yu Jinnian thought to himself that this man really had too much free time.
They walked around, carrying their winnings, stopping to look at various local goods. Every small stall or vendor fascinated Yu Jinnian, and he was thoroughly enjoying himself, losing track of time. He only noticed that the oil lamps on the stalls were half-burned and the night sky was dark, illuminated only by the bright moon.
At the end of the night market, Yu Jinnian was starting to feel sleepy. Suddenly, the surroundings became lively, with people looking up in one direction. He didn’t know what was happening but followed the crowd’s gaze. In the distant darkness, a bright lamp suddenly lit up high in the sky, followed by a second one, and soon a circle of lights appeared.
He realized that the lamps were on a seven-story pagoda in the distance. If he looked closely, he could vaguely see the silhouettes of people lighting the lamps.
“Eternal lights,” Ji Hong said, bowing toward the pagoda. Seeing Yu Jinnian’s curiosity, he explained.
In the previous Yue Dynasty, the last emperor was foolish, causing chaos and hardship. People were suffering, and even oil for lamps was scarce. In response, the Buddhist monks lit lamps on the pagodas of all 300 temples, keeping them burning through the night to illuminate the world and offer salvation. This custom continued even after the new regime stabilized. On the first and fifteenth of each month and on festivals, the pagoda lamps remained lit until the oil ran out.
Yu Jinnian listened intently. Though he didn’t believe in ghosts or gods, he was captivated by such stories of compassion. Just listening and imagining made him feel grand and moved, so he, like the others, respectfully said, “Amitabha.”
Behind him, someone echoed, “Amitabha.”
Yu Jinnian jumped in surprise, and luckily, Ji Hong caught him before he could trip over himself.
They turned around to see a large monk, resembling Maitreya, smiling kindly. Realizing they were blocking his path, Yu Jinnian awkwardly pulled Ji Hong aside to make way.
The monk, with a Maitreya-like appearance and smile, didn’t rush past. He looked kindly at the two of them and chanted deeply, “One thought leads to another, half a step to the underworld; the soul’s light rekindles, and withered wood blooms again.” He smiled, “Young master, your merits are complete. Past lives are over, and this life brings fortune like the eastern wind.”
Yu Jinnian immediately broke into a cold sweat. The monk’s words, though cryptic, seemed to point directly to his reincarnation, almost making Yu Jinnian think the monk saw through his secret of being from another time. Would others burn him as a demon if they knew?
As the monk moved to leave, Ji Hong took a step forward and asked, “Master, could you elaborate?”
“No, to explain further would reveal heavenly secrets.” The monk smiled and waved as he walked away.
Ji Hong looked down at Yu Jinnian, who also turned to look at him, chewing on a candied hawthorn and winking.
Ahead, a cheer erupted as a flame shot into the sky from the crowd, signaling the start of a performance by an acrobat troupe. The crowd surged forward to watch the sword swallowing, fire breathing, and magic acts. Yu Jinnian, holding his prizes, was jostled about and accidentally stepped on someone’s foot. Just as he was about to apologize, Ji Hong’s hand reached in and pulled him out.
Ji Hong sighed and held onto his wrist, not letting go, afraid of losing the adorable boy. Seeing a stall selling sugar ears, a northern treat, he thought the southern-born Yu Jinnian might not have tried it and bought a bag.
The two of them walked until they veered off from the river street night market and stopped to rest on a bridge that wasn’t crowded. Beyond this bridge lay the North City Gate of Xinan County, which was why locals called it “Guarding Gate Bridge.” They sat on the stone bridge, watching the thousands of river lanterns floating downstream, resembling the Milky Way reflected on the water.
Yu Jinnian was reluctant to let go of his little lotus lantern, so he placed it by his feet and watched the wick burn steadily. Having not slept well for two consecutive nights, and busy making mooncakes the previous night, he felt completely relaxed as soon as he leaned against the steps, his head heavy and eyes unable to stay open. The bustling night market with its drums and gongs became a lullaby in his ears.
He still held a sugar ear in his hand, but soon both hands loosened, dropping it to the ground as his head slumped onto the shoulder of the person next to him, falling asleep.
Ji Hong reached out to touch the boy’s hair, shaking his head helplessly. “So tired and yet you played so late.”
Looking at the drowsy Yu Jinnian, Ji Hong thought about the monk’s cryptic words earlier. Recently, he had heard similar remarks. A Taoist at Aunt Wu’s place had said the boy’s “prenatal light had gone out” and suggested he should cultivate to become an immortal. Today, a monk said his “soul light rekindled”. Both Buddhist and Taoist seemed to view him differently, speaking of heavenly secrets, which was quite fascinating.
“Ah Hong, stop bothering me, let me sleep…”
Ji Hong chuckled at the sleepy muttering, gently scratching behind Yu Jinnian’s ear, “Alright, but we need to go home to sleep, or you’ll catch a cold.”
After a while, Yu Jinnian groggily got up, tried several times, but ended up sitting back down, struggling to keep his eyes open. “I can’t walk anymore.”
Just then, from across the river, came a distant cry for help, indicating someone had fallen into the water. The bright moon hung high, the night market was bustling, and the revelers were immersed in their festivities, so few noticed the faint call.
Yu Jinnian jumped up, forgetting his earlier exhaustion, and said, “I’ll go check it out.”
Ji Hong followed him, tracing the sound to its source. Two soaked figures emerged from the river, a man and a woman. The strong man quickly lifted the frail woman onto the bank. He then climbed out and sat heavily on the ground, wringing water from his clothes, shouting for a doctor—it was none other than Qian Da, who had sold Yu Jinnian crabs that afternoon.
Several others arrived at the scene, but only a brave woman dared to turn the girl over. Seeing the scratches on her face, she screamed, “She’s dead!”
Qian Da rushed over, checked for breath, and shook his head in despair.
The crowd didn’t know what to do, and a few sober-minded ones called to report to the authorities.
“Move aside!” Yu Jinnian pushed through the crowd to the girl’s side. The scratches on her face startled him, unsure if they were from the fall or inflicted by someone. But they weren’t fatal. He confirmed she had no pulse or breath, but her skin was still warm. He then began to tear at her outer garment.
Qian Da grabbed him, furious, “What are you doing, Xiao Nian?”
Yu Jinnian said, “I’m saving her.”
Qian Da was incredulous, “She’s dead. How can you save her? Can you bring her back to life?” He had never heard of any treatment involving tearing at someone’s clothes.
Yu Jinnian replied, “Whether I can bring her back to life depends on this moment. If you want to know if it will work, let go of me. Any more delay, and she’ll be truly gone!”
Qian Da hesitated. Ji Hong stepped forward. Though surprised at the claim of resurrection, he felt a trust in Yu Jinnian, especially seeing the determined look on his face. “Let him try.”
“Little brother,” a woman cautioned Yu Jinnian, “whether she’s alive or dead, she’s a girl, maybe even someone’s daughter. You might get into trouble if you touch her. The authorities might not understand.”
Yu Jinnian retorted, “Should I stand by and watch her die to protect myself? Justice lies in the heart. As a healer, I must be true to my conscience. Clear the way.”
Kneeling, Yu Jinnian opened the girl’s outer garment, leaving only her loose underclothes. He was preparing for CPR—knowing that after the heart and breath stop, there is a crucial four-minute window before irreversible brain damage occurs. This was his urgent task, ingrained in his mind without hesitation.
Ji Hong watched as Yu Jinnian’s hands interlocked, pressing rhythmically on the girl’s still chest, with remarkable composure.
For a teenager, he showed no fear of death.
Qian Da, having had his son’s chronic illness treated with Yu Jinnian’s unique methods, trusted Yu Jinnian’s medical skills. After his initial shock, he calmed down, thinking that perhaps Yu Jinnian really had miraculous healing abilities. He asked, “Xiao Nian, what can I do to help? Just tell me!”
Yu Jinnian, unable to free his hands, instructed, “For every thirty compressions I do, you blow a breath into her mouth.”
“What?” Qian Da’s newfound confidence quickly dissipated. He frantically shook his head, saying, “How can that be appropriate? Men and women shouldn’t touch like this. How can I…”
Yu Jinnian responded, “Then find a woman to do it!”
But it wasn’t just about finding a woman; such a method would make anyone hesitate. What kind of treatment was this? Undressing someone and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation sounded more like indecent behavior than saving a life.
“If you want her to live, do as I say,” Yu Jinnian commanded firmly.
Qian Da hesitated, but he was a simple fisherman without much education. He thought that if there was a chance to save her, it was worth trying. So he finally gritted his teeth, held his breath, and blew into the girl’s mouth as Yu Jinnian instructed.
“Twenty-nine, thirty, again,” Yu Jinnian counted, his forehead now covered in sweat from the physical effort.
Qian Da took another deep breath and blew again.
“One, two…” Yu Jinnian had just counted to three when he felt a slight movement under his hands. He released the pressure, and within moments, the girl coughed violently, turning her head to vomit up several mouthfuls of river water.
Qian Da stood frozen in disbelief, like a statue, before he finally shouted, “She’s alive! She’s alive!”
The crowd murmured in astonishment, marveling at the miracle, “She really came back to life! What a miracle doctor!”
“Stop shouting. Everyone can see what happened. Whoever knows this young lady, take her home, make sure she finishes vomiting all the water, and give her some ginger soup. It’s best to have a doctor check her over,” Yu Jinnian said, checking her pulse and finally relaxing. His earlier burst of energy had vanished, leaving him feeling as if he were drained. He collapsed to the ground, his legs feeling like lead, too tired to move. He reached out for Ji Hong’s help.
Ji Hong obediently came over, lifting Yu Jinnian like pulling a radish from the ground. He patted his head, saying, “You’ve worked hard.”
Yu Jinnian smiled, not bothering to argue about being patted on the head. He leaned on Ji Hong’s shoulder, saying, “I can’t go on. I’m really tired.” Resting his chin on Ji Hong’s shoulder for a moment, he suddenly felt uncomfortable, thinking about how much taller Ji Hong was. He had to stand on tiptoes just to rest his chin, which annoyed him. “Next time, don’t pat my head.”
Ji Hong chuckled, “Alright, let’s go home and sleep.”
Staying up through the night was exhausting, even for a strong man, let alone someone as slender as Yu Jinnian.
Yu Jinnian wobbled as Ji Hong led him back, collecting the small items left on the bridge. Unbeknownst to them, Dr. Zou Heng from Ji’an Hall, returning from a night call, witnessed Yu Jinnian’s miraculous revival. After Yu Jinnian left, Zou Heng checked the girl, confirming that although she was weak, she was alive.
Such a peculiar method of treatment was something Zou Heng had never seen or heard of in his life. He became more convinced that Yu Jinnian might be a secret disciple of a renowned contemporary physician.
**
Completely unaware of the stir he had caused, Yu Jinnian staggered back to the noodle shop. Half-asleep, he opened his eyes to find himself in his small bed. It was already dawn, and he flopped face down on the bed, not wanting to open his eyes for anything.
Ji Hong brought a basin of warm water, seeing that Yu Jinnian had collapsed on the bed without even taking off his outer clothes. Normally, he would be too fastidious to sleep in such a state, but now he walked over, placed the copper basin on the bed, and not only removed Yu Jinnian’s clothes and shoes but also straightened his body. He patiently wiped Yu Jinnian’s hands and feet with a warm towel.
The boy slept deeply, oblivious to Ji Hong’s careful handling. Though he occasionally pursed his lips, he seemed extremely peaceful and sweet, completely unlike the calm and methodical healer who had just brought someone back to life.
As Ji Hong wiped Yu Jinnian’s face with the warm towel, Yu Jinnian unconsciously nuzzled against his hand, making soft murmuring sounds. Ji Hong didn’t mind, teasing the sleeping boy a few more times until Yu Jinnian, annoyed, turned away in his sleep, no longer facing him.
In the quiet room, a soft laugh echoed.
Ji Hong’s face, which had been hardened for so many years, finally melted away in this little noodle shop, in front of this wonderfully indescribable boy. In his household, he had always been a figure of hatred and resentment. For years, he guarded that small courtyard called “Kanghe,” but neither in the eyes of his so-called relatives nor in his own heart did he ever achieve peace and well-being.
When a person is forced into a corner with no escape, they instinctively seek out life and freedom.
Ji Hong found such life and freedom in Yu Jinnian.
Ji Hong quietly lay beside him on the same bed. With a slight turn of his head, he could see the boy’s youthful face. He moved closer, then closer still, until their breaths mingled, their heartbeats audible to one another. Their noses gently brushed against each other. Just a little closer, and he could taste Yu Jinnian.
Was he sweet or sour? Ji Hong was very eager to find out.
He had never so desperately wanted to get closer to anyone.
But he didn’t close that last bit of distance. His years of cultivated calm and restraint reasserted themselves. He backed away, only to pinch Yu Jinnian’s soft earlobe a few times, and pulled the quilt up snugly around him. “Heavenly secrets… Could you really be a little demon who sneaked down from the mountain?”
If he were a demon, he would be a lazy, greedy little demon who loved to eat. Ji Hong’s gaze lingered on his head, half-expecting to see horns or wings sprout. Imagining this amused him. He didn’t think a horned boy would be frightening but rather even more endearing.
“Well, there’s plenty of time,” Ji Hong said softly.
Plenty of time to watch him grow up, plenty of time to wait for the boy to think things through and then… invite him.
After all, fruit is always most delicious when it’s fully ripe and red.
Author’s Note:
Yu Jinnian: You’re the one growing horns! Your whole family are little dragon people!
—
It’s a milestone! Thanks to all the lovely readers who clicked on this chapter. Here’s a carp for each of you~
I won’t go on about this milestone, but I promise to work hard on updating regularly!
And our carp couple is heading towards the peak of their lives!