Chapter 93 Memories fade like flowers in the long river of time.
Shen Mi stood in the shower, carefully pulling her clothes up with her still-intact fingers. But halfway up, the bandage on her finger was pulled, and she instinctively hissed. She paused, then paused again; no pain came over her.
Chen Mi couldn't help but wonder, could the effects of anesthesia last that long?
She tried poking the injured area with her finger, and she really couldn't feel any pain at all, only the sensation of being poked.
With a try-it-and-see attitude, she slowly unwrapped the bandage. The blood-stained strips of cloth slid off, completely exposing Chen Mi's fingers. Her once bare nail beds were now covered with a thin layer of nails.
Chen Mi stared in disbelief, then carefully reached out and touched it. It was real, though a little thin, and it felt a bit strange to the touch.
She excitedly unwrapped the other bandages, revealing new fingernails growing from them.
Hehe, but the fact that she recovered so quickly must be related to the medicine Jingyuan applied to her that afternoon.
After I take a shower, I'll have to thank him properly. Shen Mi sighed inwardly; only she knew the hardships she'd endured along the way. But the thought of finally lying in her soft, comfortable bed again that night made her feel so light she almost wanted to do a moonwalk on the bathroom floor.
Warm water slid down her hair, and the rising steam blurred the mirror. She wiped it casually, and a smiling face was reflected in the mirror. Shen Mi raised her hand, looking at her fingers that were beginning to heal, and couldn't help but feel an indescribable joy and happiness welling up inside her.
While Shen Mi was happily soaking in the hot water, the atmosphere was completely different for the three people on the other side.
Ren left first, his steps cold and hard, without pausing. He pushed open the bedroom door, went straight to the wardrobe, opened the door, and pulled out the clothes he had left behind. The movements were swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation. After taking them, he walked towards the ensuite bathroom without looking back.
It was as if there were some old things hidden in this room that he didn't want to touch, and that staying there even for a moment would evoke unforgettable memories.
Ren stepped into the bathroom, stood under the showerhead, and began to peel off his clothes piece by piece. The bandages wrapped around his body were slowly untied, scattering in circles at his feet, carrying the scent of old blood and damp cold. The next moment, warm water poured down, instantly enveloping his tall, scarred body.
The water washed over each wound, bringing a brief burning pain, followed by a numb silence. Ren closed his eyes, letting the sound of the water fill his ears, but he couldn't hide the memories surging in his heart. Those voices, those faces, seemed to approach from the mist, gripping his throat tightly.
He longed to die slowly, without thinking of anything or remembering anything. But reality is cruel; the more he tried to forget, the clearer it became.
Ren exhaled heavily, his chest heaving violently. He raised his hand and braced it against the cold tile wall, his knuckles turning white from the force. Water rushed down his hard shoulders and back, carrying away blood and grime, but it couldn't take away the brand-like pain in his heart.
He lowered his head, his wet hair clinging to his cheeks, water droplets dripping down his chin. After a moment, he slowly clenched his fists, as if trying to force himself to calm down.
Ren knew very well that he had no right to escape, nor the right to die. Even burdened with blood and sin, he could only continue on this path, step by step. Like a prisoner bound by fate, no matter how much he loathed it, he could only grit his teeth and live.
He didn't deserve to die so easily, nor did Danfeng. Death was too easy, and his punishment was to live in despair and pain, carrying wounds and the blood and fire of his memories, forced to look back on the past day and night.
As for Danfeng... I will personally bring you punishment.
When Shen Mi came out after taking a shower, she saw three people already busy in the restaurant.
Dan Heng bent down and set the table, his movements clean and efficient, placing the dishes precisely in their positions, making it clear that this wasn't his first time doing this. Jing Yuanzheng placed the washed vegetables on the table one by one, not forgetting to also bring out the brewed tea. Beside him, Ren stood quietly by the sink, his back to everyone, a handful of vegetable leaves in his hand, his expression indifferent, as if he had only realized this was all the work left after taking a bath, and had reluctantly taken it on.
Looking at the harmonious scene, Shen Mi felt a sense of peace and tranquility. If it weren't for those things, they would probably still be cooperating so well, and they might even chat happily between their actions, starting with what they ate that morning, then moving on to the people and things they encountered at work, what they did, sharing any embarrassing moments, or uncovering each other's little secrets... In the end, everyone would burst into laughter.
Just imagining it made her lips curl into a smile.
Jingyuan placed the last dish down and turned around to see her standing at the door, smiling like a flower blooming by the door, light and bright.
He paused for a moment, as if his heart had been touched unintentionally, and his gaze softened quietly. Seeing her staring blankly ahead, he followed her gaze but found nothing. He could only gently wave his hand in front of her eyes and ask with a soft laugh, "What's wrong? Did something good happen? Why are you smiling so happily?"
Shen Mi smiled and replied, "No, it's just that the atmosphere is just right. Everyone is here, and it makes me feel warm inside."
This "harmonious" atmosphere was something Chen Mi had never seen before. Whether as an observer outside the game or now as a player, she silently prayed that each of the Five Heroes of the Clouds would have a truly happy ending...
If you were given a chance to rewrite their fate, would you choose to sacrifice yourself for others?
"Ding—" She was about to answer when she suddenly realized that the voice did not belong to anyone here.
Huh? Who's talking? Shen Mi looked around. It was quiet, except for Jing Yuan standing in front of her. Because of what Jing Yuan hadn't finished saying, she asked softly, "What 'dang'?"
Shen Mi paused for a moment, as if she had figured something out. She smiled back and said to Jing Yuan with delight, "Ta-da!"
He held up his finger and said, "Look at my finger!"
Jing Yuan paused for a moment, then subconsciously took a few steps closer, his gaze falling on Chen Mi's outstretched fingers. The fingers that had just been bandaged due to injury were now fully healed, their thin, new nails gleaming slightly under the light.
Chen Mi's eyes shone with excitement and pride: "Look, my fingers are completely healed! They've all grown back!"
Jing Yuan's gaze froze for a few seconds, a complex emotion flashing through his mind—shock.
Shen Mi was completely absorbed in her own joy, utterly oblivious to the flicker of emotion in Jing Yuan's eyes. She looked down at her almost healed finger, a bright smile on her face: "Hehe, I have to thank you for applying the medicine this afternoon. If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have been able to heal so quickly..."
Jing Yuan's lips twitched slightly, forcing a smile. Suddenly, a bad feeling welled up inside him, and he felt uneasy. He wanted to pull her aside and ask her properly, but seeing Shen Mi's happy face and complete lack of awareness, he finally gave up the idea and said in a low voice, "Hmm...not bad, you're recovering very well. A few more days of application and you'll be completely healed."
Upon hearing this, Shen Mi nodded happily, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled brightly: "Yes, the medicine you applied for me is really effective!"
At this moment, Dan Heng walked over and, looking at the two of them, reminded them in a calm and gentle tone, "The dishes are all prepared."
Shen Mi followed his gaze and saw a copper pot bubbling and steaming in the center of the table, the broth bubbling and filling the air with a fragrant aroma. She blinked, paused for a moment, then her eyes widened, and she couldn't help but blurt out, "Hot pot?!"
Half of the copper pot was filled with bubbling red oil, with chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns floating in the broth, making her mouth water with the aroma; the other half was clear broth, with a few pieces of white radish quietly bubbling, exuding a sweet fragrance.
The copper pot was surrounded by neatly sliced meat, washed greens, meatballs, tofu and mushrooms, all neatly arranged on plates. Shrimp and clams, each about the thickness of a finger, were washed and placed together, making it look particularly abundant.
"It's even a hot pot with two broths!" Shen Mi exclaimed in amazement, giving a thumbs up. She turned to look at the three of them, her eyes crinkling with laughter. "You guys are amazing! This setup is practically like a New Year's Eve dinner!"
Jing Yuan's lips curled slightly, a smile playing in his eyes, and he nodded: "Yes, considering it's rare for everyone to get together, this is the most suitable."
Shen Mi nodded in agreement, urging everyone to take their seats, and joked, "Hurry up and sit down, it smells so good I can't help but drool."
Shen Mi and Dan Heng sat on one side, while Ren and Jing Yuan sat opposite them.
Jing Yuan sat diagonally opposite Shen Mi, handed chopsticks and a spoon to Shen Mi across most of the table, and said gently, "You go first, try the soup base and see if it suits your taste."
Sitting beside Jing Yuan, Ren watched his considerate manner, a smile playing on his lips. Suddenly, he raised his hand to cover his mouth and coughed lightly twice. The sound wasn't loud, but it seemed particularly abrupt in the quiet atmosphere.
Dan Heng, who was engrossed in adding vegetables to the pot, was startled by the cough. He looked up slightly, his brow furrowing in displeasure. In that instant, his gaze fell precisely between Jing Yuan and Chen Mi—their hands, separated by the steam and heat of the soup, were meeting in mid-air.
Seeing that the two were inconvenient for a moment, Dan Heng reached out and took the chopsticks and spoon that Jing Yuan handed over, and placed them directly into Chen Mi's palm. His movements were swift and decisive, as if it were just a simple matter.
After the matter was over, he noticed two gazes on him at the same time. He then slightly raised his eyes, his expression calm and composed: "What's wrong? Do you need me to deliver anything else for you?"
Although Dan Heng's face remained as calm as ever, Shen Mi could vaguely sense that Dan Heng was somewhat unhappy.
"That's all, that's all." Shen Mi waved his hand, and as if to please Dan Heng, moved the ice spring water that Dan Heng liked in front of him, "Dan Heng, this is the Lin Yuan Ice Spring that you like."
Dan Heng was putting food into the copper pot. Afraid that Chen Mi would be splashed by the soup, he deliberately pushed Bingquan, which she had moved over, to the side with his elbow. Perhaps he was still too inexperienced and couldn't hide his sourness. When he pushed, his dissatisfaction was mixed in, and Bingquan almost fell to the ground.
Shen Mi caught it quickly, inwardly thinking that Dan Heng was indeed unhappy.
She placed the ice spring back on the table and continued to push it toward Dan Heng. Seeing that Dan Heng did not react, she pushed it inch by inch to attract his attention.
When Danheng shifted his gaze from the copper pot to Chen Mi's face, she blinked and acted cute in a flattering manner, as if to say that the two of them were the best in the world.
Dan Heng looked at Shen Mi, who was deliberately making a fawning expression. Her bright eyes and charming appearance would soften anyone's heart. He hadn't been angry to begin with, but now all his anger had vanished.
But not wanting Shen Mi to think she was easy to coax, she pretended to be aloof, and to avoid others noticing their little actions, she coughed lightly and said in a low voice, "Alright, alright, sit down properly."
Seeing the smile return to Dan Heng's face, Chen Mi finally felt at ease and waited for the meal to begin.
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Author's Note: There will be another chapter the day after tomorrow!!! [doge][starry eyes][starry eyes][starry eyes] I'll be editing during the day!
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