Chapter 64 My dear, stop crying, hurry up and kiss me.

The steam rising above the dining table seemed to freeze at that moment, and Shen Jiuxu's chopsticks, which were about to pick up food, stopped in mid-air. He began to wonder if there was something wrong with his ears.

Jiang Yu, however, remained calm, like a still pond, sitting there properly. He rarely behaved so formally and respectfully. When no one else was around, he usually liked to lean on Shen Jiuxu's shoulder, acting unrestrained and casual.

But this period was different. Apart from occasionally telling Shen Jiu a joke or gently asking him to hug him, he was always like a model from a sage's book, spotless and aloof, as if he would never make any mistakes.

His emotions had also diminished considerably; he no longer laughed as before, nor did he occasionally reveal the childlike innocence he retained from his youth.

Shen Jiuxu had worried about this problem before, but too many people had died in the past few days, and there were too many things to do. Jiang Yu was still unconscious for a long time, and when he appeared in front of so many people for a short time, Shen Jiuxu was not able to speak, so he could only watch Jiang Yu slowly turn into this state.

"It should be fine after a while."

Jiang Yu didn't hear anyone speak, so she added, "Actually, it doesn't really affect my life. I just—"

He suddenly paused as someone hugged him. Although he couldn't see the face, the fragrance surrounding him made Jiang Yu know perfectly well who was holding him.

Only Shen Jiuxu would do that.

He probably still retains some of the nature of a tree; whenever he hugs me, he likes to hold me very tightly, and this time, that part of my arm even aches slightly.

"Don't be afraid."

Jiang Yu's hand hesitated before moving upwards until it touched Shen Jiuxu's trembling shoulder blades, then she gently patted him a few times. In fact, from the first time Jiang Yu met Shen Jiuxu, when he called her "brother," she had already engraved that title in her heart.

Therefore, he often chooses to tolerate everything about Shen Jiuxu.

"Is there anything else wrong?" Shen Jiuxu didn't believe him anymore. He anxiously looked Jiang Yu up and down and then channeled spiritual energy into his body.

Although the flower buds were far away, they still heard what was said. No wonder they always felt that Jiang Yu was acting strangely after waking up, and even asked, "Is it daylight outside?"

So that's what it meant.

The flower buds shriveled up in a ball, whimpering and making a fuss, but there were too many people there, and they couldn't be exposed, so they had to hang on the tree one by one, hiding behind the dense leaves.

Jiang Yu had probably spent a lot of time with them, so he was able to sense their emotions.

Shen Jiuxu appears somewhat reserved, but his emotions are primarily revealed through the flower buds. Whenever Jiang Yu thinks Shen Jiuxu is a taciturn person, those lively flower buds always provide him with some completely opposite ideas.

Jiang Yu took Shen Jiuxu's hand and gestured for him to sit down. The clasped hands gradually calmed Shen Jiuxu down, and Jiang Yu tickled his palm.

Zhou Yongyin hadn't yet processed the news. He looked into Jiang Yu's dark eyes, but didn't want his emotions to affect Jiang Yu and make things worse. He could only whisper, "It's okay...it's okay, things will definitely get better. Some people, maybe they were stressed or too tired during that period, and that's how they ended up like this."

"It will get better, it will get better."

His words seemed to be comforting Jiang Yu, but they were more like self-deception. In reality, Zhou Yongyin didn't know what to do either.

"Grandfather, I'm going to trouble you again during this time."

Jiang Yu was the calmest one among the group, as if he were the one who couldn't see, not the others.

Sunlight shone on his face, and his clear, black-and-white eyes drooped down, giving him a somewhat divine appearance.

"As long as you're all healthy, that's fine. I'm just an old man with nothing to do all day, so taking care of you and cooking for you is just what I need." Zhou Yongyin tried to make his voice sound normal. "There are so many medicinal herbs in the mountains, I'll find some time to go and dig some up tomorrow."

“When you were little, you were sick so many times, and your grandfather always took care of you and helped you get better. This time will definitely be the same, so don’t be afraid.”

He patted Jiang Yu's head, and the soft, long hair reminded Zhou Yongyin of the obedient child he was when he was little, who would suffer injustice but never speak up.

“With Grandpa here, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

He patted Shen Jiuxu's head again. The kind yet reassuring aura emanating from the elder seemed to give Shen Jiuxu a bit more confidence.

Even if he really can't see, so what? He will always be by Jiang Yu's side.

“Then I’ll go with my grandfather tomorrow. My master and Young Master Dianxing are there, so I’ll stay here with you and Young Master Jiang. That way, my master can rest assured.”

Xichuang was even more surprised that this would happen. He was still thinking about how to tell Lian Quesheng about this. If Lian Quesheng found out, he would probably make a fuss and come over.

He'll probably bring over all the physicians and elixirs from the two major sects, Egret Island and Starry Sky Palace, leaving nothing behind.

Jiang Yu was surrounded by darkness. He tentatively reached out, but Shen Jiuxu stopped him and touched his forehead. "You shouldn't move around for now. I'll do it."

Are you hungry?

Not wanting them to worry, Jiang Yu smiled and said, "I smelled the dishes my grandfather made while I was inside the house, and I wanted to try them."

"It's good that you want to eat. After you finish eating, go back to your room and rest!" Zhou Yongyin handed the chopsticks to Shen Jiuxu, who accepted them knowingly. "Grandfather, don't worry, I'm here."

"You've just woken up, have some soup first."

Shen Jiuxu fed Jiang Yu the soup spoon. It was made by Zhou Yongyin, who specially killed his own free-range chicken and stewed it for several hours, from evening until dawn.

"It tastes good."

Jiang Yu twitched his fingers and grabbed the stool beneath him. As if he felt no pain, he scratched a mark on it.

When Shen Jiuxu picked up the bowl and chopsticks, Jiang Yu let go of his hand and covered his right hand with his outer robe, so no one could see his actions.

A smile played on his lips, and his voice was like a gentle spring stream, “Grandpa’s cooking is still the best; I’ve been starving these past few days.”

"Then drink more, there's plenty more in the pot."

Zhou Yongyin's eyes stung, and he took a spoon and ladled another bowl for him, placing it in front of him. The chickens and ducks in the corner of the yard huddled together, no longer squawking, and lay sprawled on the ground, so docile that Xi Chuang couldn't help but glance at them several times.

After dinner, Zhou Yongyin urged them to go back. Jiang Yu couldn't refuse, so he was carried back by Shen Jiuxu. Once they were in bed and the doors and windows were closed, Shen Jiuxu buried his head in his chest.

Jiang Yu felt that a small patch of clothing was wet, but heard no crying. She sighed, "Why are you crying? You were fine outside just now."

Once the flower buds were gone, they all rushed over and surrounded Jiang Yu, each one with tears streaming down their face, looking utterly pitiful.

However, Jiang Yu couldn't see now, so the flower buds didn't care about their appearance anymore. Their delicate cries echoed in Jiang Yu's ears one after another, and his heart was about to melt.

"Don't cry."

Jiang Yu suddenly didn't know who to comfort first.

Shen Jiuxu cried in his arms, silently. The already clinging flower buds also cried beside him, occasionally gasping for breath because they were crying so hard.

He felt helpless, knowing that both his son and daughter were his flesh and blood.

His words, if left unsaid, would have been better than turning on a tap. What was only half-open before was now completely turned on.

The one who tied the knot must untie it. Jiang Yu made a tough decision, temporarily putting aside the faint cries and trying his best to calm their owners down. Otherwise, if things got worse, the tears might really flow endlessly.

Give me a kiss.

Jiang Yu whispered, his hand reaching from his chest to try and touch Chen Jiuxu's lips, "I haven't kissed you in a long time."

"Stop crying, hurry up and kiss me."

Seeing that no one was moving, Jiang Yu had no choice but to find Shen Jiuxu's lips himself. Relying on his memory, he stumbled and rubbed against them several times, but each time he either rubbed against the area around Shen Jiuxu's eyes or bumped his chin.

Jiang Yu sighed silently to himself. He was still the same child as before, so difficult to coax. He tried again, and finally, after much difficulty, found the right place.

Their warm, soft lips touched, and a cold tear slid down Jiang Yu's lips, its taste unbearably bitter.

"You taste a bit bitter, not fragrant anymore."

Jiang Yu teased him, intending to make him relax and be easier to coax, but unexpectedly, Shen Jiuxu was already feeling upset, and after Jiang Yu said that, his actions became even more ruthless.

His hands were tightly wrapped around Jiang Yu's waist, as if he were afraid that Jiang Yu would suddenly disappear. Jiang Yu was so breathless from his kisses that his legs went weak.

The flower buds were also unhappy, staring pitifully at Jiang Yu, unable to believe that they had really become bitter. At this moment, the fragrance became exceptionally strong, as if it was about to bring out all of its reserves.

But at least she stopped crying, and Jiang Yu felt that this method, which hurt the enemy a thousand while harming himself eight hundred, was not bad.

After a while, Shen Jiuxu saw that Jiang Yu's face was flushed and her eyes were filled with tears from the violent movements. Only then did he let go of her, but his arm remained in place.

Having finally found a moment of free time, Jiang Yu gasped for breath and leaned against Shen Jiuxu, saying, "Actually, I really like it when you cry."

As soon as he finished speaking, he keenly sensed that the person in his arms stiffened, and all the embarrassment from before suddenly erupted at this moment, reaching its peak again.

"But crying too much is bad for your eyes. I can't see now, so I can't water you."

Jiang Yu chuckled and teased him, saying that Shen Jiuxu's mood had been low all along. After all, he was a tree, and it wouldn't be good if he cried too much and withered away.

"I don't need you to water it."

Shen Jiuxu blurted out these words, only to realize that he had been amused by Jiang Yu again, and his face turned red in waves. "They didn't cry, they just couldn't hold back."

The flower buds admitted it, huddled together looking aggrieved. Jiang Yu smiled without saying a word, then reached out and symbolically rubbed the heads of those flower buds who were taking the blame for their master.

The flower bud was coaxed and jumped into his arms. The small patch of clothing that had been soaked with tears clung to her body, making Jiang Yu a little uncomfortable. He lowered his voice and said to Shen Jiuxu, "Help me take off my clothes, I feel uncomfortable."

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Author's note: My bad, I'm so late, I'm about to cry too [crying][crying][crying].

This chapter is a normal update for the 20th. The update for the 21st will be during the day. I will definitely finish writing it.