I want to be your tree
Lying in bed, You Youju felt an unprecedented sense of ease: "Ah! After sleeping in carriages for so many days, this bed is so much more comfortable!"
Zhu Xun brought in water, and You Youju, seeing his conflicted expression, waved for him to come and sit by the bed. Zhu Xun pursed his lips, squatted down by the bed, placed his hands on the edge of the bed, rested his chin on his hands, and softly called out, "Uncle."
You Youju stroked Zhu Xun's hair like she was stroking a puppy's fur: "What's wrong, our little Xun? Why are you so unhappy?"
Having not heard an affectionate address for a long time, Zhu Xun's face flushed slightly, but he remained silent, his eyes drooping and his head turned to the side.
The Face-Changing Pill that You Youju bought only lasted for eight hours, and Zhu Xun had already regained his familiar face. Seeing that Zhu Xun did not answer, You Youju gently pinched Zhu Xun's cheek: "Get up and talk, your legs are numb from squatting."
Zhu Xun stood up, and You Youju also got up and sat by the window, poured herself a cup of tea, and hummed a little tune.
Zhu Xun's voice was filled with grievance. She circled around the question for a few minutes, but finally asked the one with the lightest voice: "Why is Uncle unwilling to teach me more martial arts techniques? I want to fight alongside you when things are dangerous."
Seeing that he was troubled by this matter and had unspeakable bitterness in his heart, You Youju could only call him forward and look up at the boy's reddened eyes.
You Youju couldn't help but chuckle: "What's wrong? Don't want to be your uncle's little shadow anymore? Don't want your uncle to protect you?"
Zhu Xun looked bewildered. He tried to find something in You Youju's smile, but couldn't figure it out. Could it be that he was not a good candidate for cultivation? Was that why his uncle kept fooling him in this way?
He's hiding something. What is he hiding?
Zhu Xun concealed her emotions, only pursing her lips and remaining silent, feeling extremely frustrated.
You Youju understood children of this age. He took Zhu Xun's hand and said, "Silly girl, I always have my reasons for doing things. Trust me, okay?"
Zhu Xun's eyebrows were furrowed, her eyelashes were long and black, her lips were pouting slightly, and her nose looked aggrieved.
He looked very carefully, carving and drawing inch by inch.
Zhu Xun felt the warmth in his hand, and most of his bad mood was blown away. The person in front of him was still the same as he had been six years ago, with a smile as beautiful as falling flowers and spring water, and eyes as bright as the stars and the moon. It seemed that no matter what he did, he could not complain.
Zhu Xun lay down on You Youju's footstool, hugging You Youju's calves, his head resting on You Youju's knees, just like when he was a child, wanting to keep this ethereal god, this was his plea.
You Youju's eyes stung with tears. He could no longer cup the child's face in his hand, nor stroke the soft strands of hair. He felt a profound sense of loss, a clear awareness that day was drawing ever closer. And they would drift further and further apart.
His voice was a little hoarse: "You've really grown up, Zhuxun."
Don't grow up anymore, Zhu Xun.
Zhu Xun tightened her grip: "Uncle, don't treat me like a child anymore."
I recall a spring when the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers. After school, Zhu Xun brought home branches of peach, apricot, and pear blossoms, bought expensive chrysanthemums, and arranged them in a glass vase that You Youju had purchased at great expense.
He knew that You Youju loved flowers. So the way to make You Youju happy was to let him see those beautiful and charming flowers all the time.
He often carried a bouquet of flowers, walking briskly back in the setting sun. He couldn't run too fast because the petals were delicate and needed to be protected. Fortunately, he had practiced his martial arts well.
Pink peaches, white apricots, and snow pears are placed in the hall, their fragrance lingering; a few sprigs of bitter elm are placed in the bedroom, their intensity just right; chrysanthemums are made into sachets and placed in the wardrobe to scent clothes, which can be changed every half day.
You Youju came out wearing a short shirt and riding breeches, with slippers on, looking lazy and carefree.
He had his hair neatly tied in a side braid, and he bent down among the bouquets in the slanting sunlight: "Oh my, Zhu Xun brought flowers back today too. You're even more suitable for a home than peach blossoms."
If you've just woken up or just "come out of quarantine," go back to eat out today.
Then Zhu Xun would proudly watch You Youju change into clothes filled with the scent of spring chrysanthemums that he liked, and he would smile contentedly and tease him, "Oh, so romantic?" Then he would neatly tie up his hair, biting the hairband between his teeth, and say, "You've ripped off the entire flower market."
It flows smoothly like clouds and water. I've watched it many times; it's incredibly beautiful and makes me extremely happy.
Back then, walking under the trees, there were many green and white moss flowers or unknown blossoms. You Youju liked them too, and would touch them a few times, telling him, "Uncle is like this big tree, and Xun'er is like a little flower. Uncle will shelter you from the wind and rain, and Xun'er will grow up well."
...
Uncle, I want to be your tree. To shelter you would be best, but to stand shoulder to shoulder with you would also be fine. The only constant will be that we will never be apart.
You Youju knocked on Huaijing's door at dusk. Huaijing was somewhat surprised, and opened the door after a moment, inviting You Youju in. Her clothes were still half-covered, as if she had put them on in a hurry.
"Brother, you flatter me." He straightened his clothes and slowly poured You Youju a cup of tea.
You Youju smiled and took the drink, then glanced at Huai Jing, asking, "Just woke up? Did I disturb you?"
Huai Jing waved her hand dismissively: "Brother, what are you saying? I just finished bathing and am only wearing my undergarments."
You Youju rubbed the teacup repeatedly in her hands, remaining silent. Her bright eyes burned like torches, and she kept turning the mirror over her face, her gaze shifting slightly, a strange anxiety rising within her: "Brother..."
You Youju then looked away, as if suddenly realizing something: "Look at me! I was mesmerized." She then pointed to the paper package that had just been placed on the table: "Here, try this. I also own this shop. This is a newly opened branch. The taste is exactly the same as the one in Jiaozhou. I came here specifically to have Huaijing taste it for me. Is there anything that needs to be improved?"
Huai Jing was somewhat flattered and glanced at the brand on the paper package: "I never imagined that you, brother, would own this shop. Although I'm not an expert in food, since you've asked..."
He opened the paper package, pinched off a soft, white square cake, put it in his mouth and took a bite. His handsome eyebrows rose: "Not too sweet or greasy, it tastes great!"
You Youju smiled, propping her chin on her hand: "Thank you. I also sent some to Zitang."
Huai Jing looked up and met You Youju's gaze. He immediately calmed down. You Youju's eyes held inquiry, a smile, and perhaps a sense of estrangement.
Before he could take a closer look, You Youju had already gotten up and walked to the door: "Eat less, dinner is coming soon."
Back in his room, he packed his bags, ready to slip away.
Good heavens, I can't be mistaken! The original novel states that Zhu Xun was born with magenta-red demonic eyes, and as his younger brother Chao Lan, being the chosen one, he must also have something different about him. His difference lies in his chest and also in his eyes.
The pupil color is quite dark, and upon close inspection, a mole resembling a planet can be seen emanating from directly below the pupil.
Last time in Fuzhen, You Youju thought she had seen wrong. This time, she can't let her guard down. What if the protagonist's halo kicks in?
It's time to eat. I asked Zhu Xun to take Yao Guang to buy some handkerchiefs to keep on hand in order to get Zhu Xun away, but why hasn't he come back yet?
You felt uneasy and immediately went out.
To be on the safe side, Zhu Xun carried the mother pendant from the mother-child pendant he had given her. If the mother pendant fell, the child pendant would also break, but the child pendant in his hand would remain intact. All he had to do was follow him to find Zhu Xun.
After walking for about half an hour, they found Zhu Xun unharmed at the entrance of an alley. He seemed to be entangled by a man in white. You Youju breathed a sigh of relief, calmed her emotions, and walked over.
"Hey young man, I'm telling the truth! Please, just this once more, do me a favor!" The man in white seemed to be discussing something with Zhu Xun. As soon as Zhu Xun left, he blocked his way, and the impatience on Zhu Xun's face was obvious.
"Seeking Bamboo".
Zhu Xun suddenly turned around: "Uncle!"
The man in white also looked over: "Uncle?"
Zhu Xun brushed aside the persistent man and went straight to You Youju: "Uncle, let's go, this man is a scoundrel."
The man in white stopped them again: "Wait! You two brave men! I'm begging you. Just tell me!"
The man in white clasped his hands together in a "bye-bye" gesture. He seemed genuinely anxious, sweat beading on his forehead, his eyes darting between the two men, searching for a way out: "This is really important to me, I can give you money."
You Youju asked in confusion, "What is that?"
Zhu Xun took down the object hanging from his waist; it was a mechanical sundial with a chain: "This is it. His purse was stolen by a thief. I didn't want to help him, but the thief stole my purse too. I had no choice but to help, and that's when he saw this."
If others don't look closely, they might just think it's decoration.
You Youju's heart tightened, and her expression turned serious: "What do you need this for?"
The man in white took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat. Seeing that things seemed to have taken a turn for the better, he smiled and said, "I just wanted to ask this young man where he bought it. I also want to buy one, but he just wouldn't tell me. To be honest, this thing makes my heart flutter; it seems to be something from my homeland."
You Youju's brows furrowed, his jaw clenched tightly, and the crimson flames in his bag seemed ready to leap. Now, it was his turn to break out in a cold sweat.
Zhu Xun blocked him with her body and took You Youju's hand to leave.
The man immediately panicked: "Handsome guy! No, brave warrior! Don't go! I'll pay any price, I just want to know where you came from!"
You Youju paused, turned around, and said in a gentle tone, "Please come to our residence for a chat."
The man in white followed without hesitation, completely ignoring Zhu Xun's resentful expression.
You Youju sent the reluctant Zhu Xun away to go have dinner with Song Song and the others, and then pulled the man in white into the room.
He disregarded everything else and sat down to take a big gulp of tea: "To know the information about this craftsman, you need to provide some valuable information so that I can send it to that senior for his decision."
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