Scattered into dust
"Your hands are cold and you still won't come to bed." A sentence that wasn't too harsh, a gesture that wasn't too forceful, struck Zhu Xun's heart with a heavy blow, effortlessly dispelling all negative emotions.
"Go upstairs and sleep inside."
Zhu Xun remained silent, took off her shoes and socks, climbed into the bed, and bit her lip without saying a word.
You Youju lay down beside him: "Hmm? Are you very confident in killing A-Yi?"
It didn't sound like a question, so Zhu Xun could only shrink deeper into the blankets and respond with You Youju's disappointed reply: "Yes."
"Is it because you think you're better than him? He's just a skinny little beggar?"
"....I..."
I was speechless, because that was indeed the case.
"Why? He only had a few days left to live."
silence……
"Have you not yet emerged from the illusion either?"
Zhu Xun remained silent for a long time. He wanted to ask, "And what about you? Didn't you feel pity?"
What about me?
You Youju felt somewhat exhausted and disheartened. If she hadn't suddenly returned, A-Yi might have been the first person Zhu Xun killed. The Demon Emperor's genes still had a potential crisis.
When he saw Zhu Xun place his hand on A Yi's neck, his heart skipped a beat, and his years of hard work almost went to waste.
Zhu Xun was so focused that she didn't even notice herself walking behind him. The faint light in the darkness, and the eyes with their rosy shadows, made You Youju feel uneasy.
"I don't want anyone to take you away from me." The wind outside the window blew even harder, howling and crashing against the windowpane.
You Youju was stunned. Perhaps wanting to lighten the mood, he chuckled softly, "Why are you still acting like a child? We're family, who can take me away?"
He felt that the moment should be serious, and warned, "When you have gained power, remember to guard against arrogance and impetuosity. Never use your own hands to harm innocent people."
"It is difficult and a long process to have the ability to remain as steady as a boulder that remains unmoved under the crashing waves, but I believe in you."
I hope that the power of our Bamboo Seeking is used for protection—to protect ourselves and to protect important people and things—rather than for collisions and harm.
Fearing that he was speaking too softly and Zhu Xun wouldn't hear him clearly, he turned slightly to get closer to Zhu Xun.
A warm sensation came from beside her ear, and Zhu Xun turned her head reflexively.
The rain had stopped for a while, the dark clouds dispersed, and some moonlight shone through the window, creating a hazy scene. Just like that, he fell into a moonlit lake, its brightness startling him, its gentle ripples soft and gentle.
Why does he still shine so brightly on a night like this?
"Do you understand what I'm saying? Just like my initial reason for coming to your side was to protect you." Seeing Zhu Xun turn around, You Youju softened her voice.
Protect...protect....
"You will never again harbor thoughts of killing the weak without cause, okay?"
This child, whom she had practically raised herself, made You Youju's heart tremble slightly, filled with a sense of panic and lingering fear.
He recalled the scene of Zhu Xun's death described in the book, and couldn't bear it, so he reached out and ruffled Zhu Xun's hair.
He almost subconsciously spoiled and pampered the child, even though it might not have been right.
Zhu Xun stared at You Youju's opening and closing mouth, but he couldn't hear what You Youju said next.
"Huh? Did you hear that?"
Zhu Xun snapped out of her daze, turned around, still with her back to You Youju: "Hmm? Hmm."
Seeing that he suddenly turned his back, You Youju assumed he hadn't figured it out yet and smiled helplessly.
Then Zhu Xun awkwardly twisted her body, pressing her back tightly against his chest.
You Youju reached out and hugged him tightly: "Still being affectionate. Go to sleep."
Zhu Xun sometimes felt that he was actually a wild beast, and You Youju was like a treasure he had taken away. He couldn't stand anyone trying to take advantage of him, so he would bar his teeth and brandish his claws. But as long as You Youju gently stroked his fur, he would become the little dog or cat that You Youju raised, and he would just want to hide in his arms and sleep peacefully.
As dawn broke, Zhu Xun was still asleep in his arms.
You Youju tucked the blanket around her, intending to get out of bed for a drink of water, when she noticed A-Yi sitting at the table with his head down, playing with Yao Guang's beard. You Youju poured some water and then instructed the waiter to bring up some hot water.
"What's wrong"
A-Yi pursed her lips and looked up at You Youju, with a hint of tears in her eyes.
You Youju overcame the aftereffects of the illusion and put on a smiling face: "Is there anything you usually want to eat or do?"
Ah Yi wiped away her tears sadly: "I want...I want to eat...pear blossom pastry."
You Youju put down her teacup and rubbed her temples hesitantly: "A-Yi..."
A-Yi spoke first: "I know it's an illusion! Can't we just consider it... the delusion of a dying man like me?"
“We don’t owe you anything. We even let you go down the mountain. There’s no point in you continuing like this, is there?” Zhu Xun’s voice came from behind the screen behind You Youju.
Knowing he was in the wrong, Ah Yi shivered.
You Youju shook her head: "Let's wash up first, and then we'll go for a walk on the street together."
"Hmph." After tidying up his own bamboo hair, Zhu Xun went straight to You Youju and took a comb to brush his hair.
You Youju hid a smile, her face full of helplessness, but her lips were full of doting affection.
After going out, You Youju first took the two children to a clothing store and bought two sets of clothes. She also bought herself a new face mask, since her face was too easy for people to remember.
The crowd was bustling, and the two children followed You Youju closely, never leaving her side. Only occasionally did A-Yi receive a couple of sharp glares from Zhu Xun.
You Youju was quite unreserved, buying A-Yi a lot of things, big and small. As long as A-Yi lingered for a few seconds, he would pay without hesitation.
"Uncle... what are you doing!" Zhu Xun asked jealously.
Ah Yi was examining a new gadget in his hand not far behind him, unable to contain his smile, but he was pale and thin, looking pitiful.
You Youju patted Zhu Xun's head and said, "Whatever you want, your uncle will just buy it for you. Just let A-Yi have his way."
"Oh no! What's wrong with this child?!"
"Child! Child! Are you alright?"
A gasp rippled through the crowd. The two hurriedly turned around and found that A-Yi had fainted on the spot. You Youju quickly picked up A-Yi, checked her condition with her spiritual power, and shook her head at Zhu Xun, who also looked anxious.
"Let's go back to the inn first."
After a night of wind and rain, very few leaves remained on the tree trunk.
A-Yi kept his eyes tightly shut, his hand gripping You Youju's sleeve tightly. You Youju held his forehead, his feelings complicated.
It's very heartbreaking.
Even knowing this day would come, even being prepared, even having no feelings for this stranger, even in the illusion, they weren't even the same face.
But still, it was completely blocked.
A-Yi opened her eyes, a smile playing on her lips: "Huai-Zhi..."
He glanced at Zhu Xun again, his eyes clearing for a moment. Zhu Xun remained silent, her face cold, and didn't spare him any attention.
You Youju didn't say anything either; it would be a lie to say she wasn't upset. She simply squeezed that thin hand back, offering some comfort: "Why force yourself to endure it?"
Ah Yi smiled and said, "Pear blossom pastry...it really is this delicious."
You Youju also twitched the corners of her lips and tightened her grip on A-Yi's hand.
A-Yi smiled faintly and looked at Zhu Xun for a long, long time. Then he cried, looking at Zhu Xun while crying.
He cried and said, "Thank you."
Then, the faint, weak crying could no longer be heard.
You Youju hung his head and remained silent. A-Yi's hands were clasped together in his palms and pressed against his forehead, as if in prayer.
Zhu Xun couldn't see his expression, but he seemed to have a guilty pleasure in it.
It's also a dull, aching pain.
These emotions were superfluous; he didn't want to see You Youju like this.
Why was he so at a loss?
What is he thinking? Lan Yu in the illusion?
The room remained silent for a long time. You Youju kept adjusting her breathing.
You Youju stood up. Outside the window, the setting sun shone on the world. People came in one after another, shining brightly, and then fell into the shadows one after another.
He gave Zhu Xun a wry smile: "I'm sorry, Zhu Xun."
Why apologize? Zhu Xun was puzzled.
You Youju picked up A-Yi's body and said in a deliberately lighthearted tone, "Looks like we need to find a pear tree."
Zhu Xun nodded, made a hand seal, and softly recited a spell to find the object. You Youju leaned against the wall, looking at him with mixed feelings.
He knew he would die eventually. He hoped that Zhu Xun could stay like this forever.
Less than a quarter of an hour later, Zhu Xun opened his eyes and found You Youju staring at him blankly.
Is my uncle really that heartbroken? Why? Why? Is it worth it?
Zhu Xun felt a lump in his throat, bit his lip, and nodded: "Found it."
The place Zhu found was excellent; the pear trees were large and straight, and the surrounding area was spacious with only lawns, as if this place had been prepared for this moment for a long time.
It was already dusk, and the warm orange sun and the burning fire echoed each other, burning endlessly.
This urn seems to have been prepared by You Youju long ago; a graceful magnolia tree is carved on the pear wood, extending and extending in this way.
They didn't linger and returned to the inn under the moonlight.
Zhu Xun got into bed, wanting to offer some comfort to himself and You Youju. He took You Youju's hand and said, "I'm here."
You Youju turned around, sat on the stool where A-Yi usually sat, pulled Zhu Xun back into her arms, and rubbed her chin against the top of his head: "I know, little adult."
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