Chapter 57 Stingy
The day after Chu Jianshan returned, Jiang Yan sent someone to deliver his old clothes, but he hesitated for several days before putting on these luxurious clothes. When he stood in front of the mirror, he could hardly recognize himself.
Soft fabric clung to his body, a sash encircled his slender waist, and his hair was neatly combed and bound with a jade crown. Compared to his previous carefree and dashing appearance, he now looked more dignified.
Although the fabric of the clothes was good, he was not used to wearing them. They were not as comfortable as those coarse linen clothes.
He looked at his face in the mirror. In fact, his appearance hadn't changed much in the past seven years, but Chu Jianshan always felt that he had aged a lot, so he began to examine his face for fine lines in front of the mirror.
Footsteps sounded at the door. Chu Jianshan turned around and looked in the direction Cheng Yuan was walking in, meeting his gaze.
Upon seeing Chu Jianshan like this, Cheng Yuan was stunned for a moment, but quickly recovered, lowered his eyes, and placed the porridge in his hand on the table.
"Master, the porridge is ready. Please have some."
This has been the case for the past few days. Cheng Yuan has been cleaning his room and cooking for him every day. He doesn't say much else, and he avoids people when there are outsiders around. It's as if he has never left Changjin Mountain, and everything that happened down the mountain has never happened. They are still master and disciple, and there is no other relationship between them.
Chu Jianshan sat down and took a bite of the porridge. The taste was the same, but he felt it wasn't as good as before. He took one bite and then stopped eating.
Seeing his expression, Cheng Yuan thought that his cooking skills had become rusty, so he took the bowl away and said, "Perhaps I didn't cook it well today. I'll have someone bring me a different bowl."
“No need,” Chu Jianshan stopped him. “It’s quite delicious. Maybe my taste has changed.”
"Okay." Cheng Yuan agreed and stayed where he was.
For a moment, the room was eerily quiet, and the atmosphere between the two was somewhat awkward.
Chu Jianshan was naturally angry, and several days had passed without any sign of it subsiding. But since Cheng Yuan was determined to keep his distance, he had better not overstep any boundaries. He wanted to see who would give in first.
He gently slammed the spoon into the bowl and said softly, "I'm not eating anymore."
"What's wrong?" Cheng Yuan lowered his eyes and noticed that he had only taken two or three bites of the porridge in his bowl. Sensing something was amiss, he asked, "Are you not feeling well? Or are you having an appetite?"
Chu Jianshan looked up at him, his eyes a little red: "You really are heartless. You said you would avoid suspicion, and you did so without any violation of the rules."
Hearing him say this, Cheng Yuan felt a pang of sadness, but he still steeled himself and said, "This is what I should do."
Upon hearing this, Chu Jianshan became furious and slammed the door shut.
He stood up and approached Cheng Yuan step by step, his eyes full of questioning: "Is that so? Then is it something a disciple should do to hug me, embrace me, and press me down on the bed to kiss me?"
“You…!” Cheng Yuan’s eyes widened, as if he hadn’t expected Chu Jianshan to say such things.
"What do you mean, 'you'!" Chu Jianshan took another step closer to him: "You dare to do it but not admit it?"
Cheng Yuan had nowhere left to retreat and was forced to lean against the bedside. He looked at Chu Jianshan and said, "Master..."
Chu Jianshan looked up at him and asked, "And now?"
Cheng Yuandao: "Now... what?"
Chu Jianshan reached out and slowly hooked his hand around Cheng Yuan's sash, the smooth sash slipping off his fingers: "Now, do you still want to hug me, kiss me, and hold me?"
Cheng Yuan's breathing suddenly became heavier, and his heart pounded. He had never known before that Chu Jianshan was so good at seducing people.
He swallowed hard and turned his head away: "I don't want to."
"Is that so?" Chu Jianshan raised an eyebrow. "Then I think..."
As soon as he finished speaking, he pressed Cheng Yuan's shoulders and kissed him. Cheng Yuan froze on the spot, not daring to move.
Chu Jianshan's kissing skills were as bad as ever; he couldn't find the right spot and just kept teasing Cheng Yuan like he was scratching an itch through a boot.
Cheng Yuan gripped the bed frame tightly with both hands, his fingernails scratching the wooden frame. Even though his heart was churning with turmoil, his body remained motionless and he did not respond to Chu Jianshan.
Chu Jianshan kissed him for a long time but he still didn't react. He was furious and was about to question him when he had a change of heart and a bad idea came to his mind.
He tiptoed and whispered in Cheng Yuan's ear, "Help me, brother."
With a snap, the string in Cheng Yuan's mind broke.
He suddenly turned around and pinned Chu Jianshan down. Both of them were panting heavily, their breaths mingling. He cupped Chu Jianshan's face, resisting the urge to kiss him, and asked, "Where did you learn all this from?"
Chu Jianshan looked completely innocent: "Didn't you teach me? In this matter, you are the master."
Cheng Yuan closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath: "You want to kill me."
"Stop talking nonsense," Chu Jianshan said anxiously, "Are we going to kiss or not?"
"I……"
The arrow was on the bowstring, but Cheng Yuan hesitated at the last minute. Chu Jianshan was disappointed in him and gently tugged at his sleeve, trying to urge him on.
Even a strong will is no match for the person in front of him. Before Chu Jianshan could even react, Cheng Yuan kissed him passionately.
Touch, grind, gently bite—Cheng Yuan wished he could taste it all, but the fire in his heart burned brighter and brighter, and he couldn't wait any longer, so he stuck his tongue in.
"Hmm...! Don't..." Chu Jianshan turned his head away, trying to stop him from going so fast, but Cheng Yuan had no choice. He pressed Chu Jianshan's head back down and swallowed his moans.
Chu Jianshan's mind was completely blank at this moment, as if he had a fever. He was in a daze, yet he still craved this kiss, following his most primal desires to hug him and respond to him.
Their saliva mingled and turned into silvery threads that fell down. Cheng Yuan gripped his waist, penetrating deeper and deeper each time.
"No..." Chu Jianshan reached out to push him away: "I can't..."
Cheng Yuan stepped back, pressed his forehead against his, and asked breathlessly, "Can't breathe again?"
Chu Jianshan shook his head slightly: "No, my legs... my legs are weak."
Cheng Yuan wrapped his arms around his waist, hugged him tighter, and said firmly, "Stop."
Chu Jianshan frowned and glared at him: "I can't stand up!"
Cheng Yuan chuckled and asked, "Why such a strong reaction this time?"
Chu Jianshan turned his head away: "Who told you to... stick your tongue out..."
Cheng Yuan replied, "Who told you to provoke me?"
Chu Jianshan started acting like a rogue again: "I am the master, whatever I say goes."
“Okay,” Cheng Yuan replied, “I will listen to Master in everything.”
He suddenly picked Chu Jianshan up, placed his hands on his thighs, and made him wrap his legs around his waist. In this position, Chu Jianshan was much taller than Cheng Yuan.
Cheng Yuan looked up at him and said, "Let's continue."
Chu Jianshan wrapped his arms around Cheng Yuan's neck and lowered his head to kiss him. This time, Cheng Yuan was much gentler, his right hand around Chu Jianshan's waist and his left hand stroking his hair. The two of them were lost in the kiss.
Knock knock knock, someone knocked on the door.
Both of them immediately jolted awake, their beautiful dream shattered into pieces.
Cheng Yuan gently put Chu Jianshan down. After a moment, Chu Jianshan looked towards the door and asked, "Who is it?"
“It’s me,” Bai Qianfan replied. “Why are you keeping the door closed in broad daylight? Is there someone else in your room?”
Bai Qianfan was utterly astonished: "In broad daylight... ouch!"
"What are you thinking about!" Chu Jianshan was furious. He was about to open the door to let him see properly when the person behind him grabbed his hand.
"Master...don't open the door yet." Cheng Yuan's voice was a little hoarse.
After experiencing it a few times, Chu Jianshan instantly realized what was happening and suddenly felt a little guilty. He had succeeded, but he felt sorry for Cheng Yuan.
Chu Jianshan said to the door, "Say what you need to say here."
Bai Qianfan raised an eyebrow, having roughly guessed the current situation, so he didn't make things difficult for them. He said, "The sect leader asked me to come and deliver a message, saying that Madam's spirits have improved these past two days, and he hopes you can go and see her when you have time."
Chu Jianshan understood. He had gone there the day he returned, but Chu Qinglan was ill at the time and couldn't recognize him at all. Now it seemed that she could recognize people, so Jiang Yan was anxious to have him go over.
After seeing Bai Qianfan off, Chu Jianshan turned to look at Cheng Yuan and asked softly, "How did it go?"
Cheng Yuan smiled and said, "It'll be ready in a moment."
Chu Jianshan couldn't bear to leave him behind, so he waited until he had recovered before going to Tinglan Pavilion with him.
Tinglan Pavilion was quite lively, with Jiang Yan, Bai Qianfan, and Ji Shi all present.
Upon seeing Chu Jianshan and Cheng Yuan enter at the same time, Bai Qianfan's gaze changed, and she kept looking them up and down with a smile on her face.
So when Chu Jianshan passed by Bai Qianfan, he kicked him in the shin with considerable force. Bai Qianfan almost jumped up, but because he felt guilty, he didn't dare to say anything.
Chu Jianshan took a few more steps and saw Ji Shi in the blink of an eye. Just as he was about to greet him, he saw Ji Shi bow respectfully and say in a whisper, "Junior Uncle."
Chu Jianshan suppressed a laugh and nodded, saying, "Get up. I'm suddenly not used to you calling me that."
Ji Shi muttered, "Before... I was ignorant, please don't blame me, Junior Uncle."
As he was about to bow again, Chu Jianshan stopped him in time and said with a smile, "Just call me Chu Jianshan. Here, I will always be Chu Jianshan."
"Really!" Ji Shi's eyes lit up instantly: "You scared me to death! I thought...!"
Chu Jianshan raised an eyebrow slightly and casually found a seat for himself: "What did you think? Did you think I was going to settle scores with you?"
Ji Shi nodded, feeling guilty, and said, "After all, I used to secretly curse you..."
"Really?" Chu Jianshan became interested and asked, "What insults did they all say about me?"
"There are so many!" Ji Shi listed them off one by one: "Stingy, arrogant, bastard, those who owe money and don't pay it back will be struck by lightning, and...!"
"Alright, alright!" Chu Jianshan stopped him in time: "There's no need to go into such detail."
Seeing Jiang Yan chuckling to himself, Chu Jianshan seemed a little flustered. He desperately needed a drink of water to ease the awkwardness. Cheng Yuan understood and stood beside him, pouring him a cup of tea and handing it to him: "Master, have some tea."
Chu Jianshan accepted it without hesitation. Although he didn't want to be too distant from Cheng Yuan, he still had to put on his master's airs occasionally.
At this moment, a servant came out from the inner room and said to everyone, "Madam has woken up."
Chu Jianshan's heart jumped. He got up and slowly walked into the inner room. Passing through layer after layer of gauze curtains, Chu Jianshan saw Chu Qinglan sitting in a chair.
His throat tightened a little. He walked to her side and gently placed his hand on the back of her hand. Only then did Chu Qinglan react and look up at him.
Chu Jianshan tensed up and asked her softly, "Sister, do you know who I am?"
Chu Qinglan opened his mouth, as if trying his best to describe his name. Chu Jianshan did not urge him, but waited.
“Ah Yuan…” she called out.
Chu Jianshan instantly became excited, suppressing his joy as he gently guided her: "I didn't hear you clearly, could you call me again? Who am I?"
"A-Yuan," Chu Qinglan called again, "Is that A-Yuan?"
"It's me, it's me!" Chu Jianshan held her hand, his smile impossible to hide: "It's me, A Yuan, I'm back."
Chu Qinglan remained silent, as if she hadn't yet reacted, but tears welled up in her eyes and fell down. She suddenly stood up and tried to hug Chu Jianshan, but her legs gave way and she almost fell. Chu Jianshan caught her, and the two of them knelt on the ground.
"It's A-Yuan! It's my A-Yuan..."
Chu Qinglan reached out and tried to get a clear look at his A Yuan, but Chu Jianshan couldn't help but tear up as well.
"Don't cry," Chu Qinglan wiped away his tears with her hand, "A Yuan, don't cry, your sister is here, A Yuan is not afraid."
But the more Chu Qinglan said that, the more Chu Jianshan wanted to cry. In the eyes of outsiders, he was the illustrious Southern Immortal Venerable, but in his sister's eyes, he was just a child who could be afraid.
Chu Qinglan hugged him, patting his back gently: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, it's good that you're back, it's good that you're back..."
Bai Qianfan tugged at Cheng Yuan and Ji Shi, signaling them to go out first, leaving only the two siblings in the room.
"I'm sorry..." Chu Jianshan apologized to Chu Qinglan, "I've made you worry for so long, are you blaming me?"
"It's not your fault," Chu Qinglan said with tears in her eyes, smiling as she pinched Chu Jianshan's cheek. "You used to love running off to play when you were little, and I would always wait for you at home. It's just that this time it took a little longer. Promise me you won't run so far next time, okay?"
Chu Jianshan nodded firmly and hugged his older sister.
He used to think he was too impulsive and knew he would hurt his family, so he never intended for them to know he was still alive. He thought that since he was such a lousy person, it would be fine if he died, and it would save the living from worrying about him. But he forgot that for his family, his being alive was the best news, and that death was the real despair.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
Chu Jianshan kept repeating this sentence. He owed his older sister too much, and he didn't know what else to say besides apologizing.
Outside, Bai Qianfan pulled Cheng Yuan aside to a secluded spot and quietly asked him, "What are your and Chu Jianshan's thoughts now?"
Cheng Yuan lowered his eyes: "My identity is special, and it will definitely bring unnecessary trouble to my master."
"So you're going to cut ties with him?" Bai Qianfan guessed truthfully.
Seeing Cheng Yuan nod, Bai Qianfan added, "Chu Jianshan definitely won't agree, and he'll probably cause you a scene."
This time, Cheng Yuan remained silent for a while before saying, "I can't be a burden to him."
Bai Qianfan sighed almost imperceptibly: "He used to think the same way."
Cheng Yuan looked up at him, and Bai Qianfan continued, "He always felt that he would be a burden to others, so he left you seven years ago, leaving you alone in Changjin Mountain. That's why he was unwilling to tell you his identity at first, thinking that you wouldn't be too sad even if he died one day. But who could have imagined that things would turn out this way?"
"Looking at it this way, you two are quite alike, both so stubborn."
“You don’t need to persuade me,” Cheng Yuan saw through Bai Qianfan’s intention and said, “My thoughts will not change. Some sects have already started to use my identity to put pressure on their leaders. I don’t care what my final outcome is. I just want my master to be well.”
Bai Qianfan shook his head: "I'm not advising you, I just want to tell you not to wait until you miss out to regret it."
He took a few steps forward, looked at the training ground in the distance, and suddenly laughed: "In the past, I was arrogant and unruly, and Xie Yin liked to make me kneel as punishment in the training ground."
“I don’t like calling him Master. Even though he’s not much older than me, calling him that makes me feel like he’s superior to me, and I don’t accept that. So when we’re alone, I just call him Xie Yin. He doesn’t get angry. He responds when I call him. He has an incredibly good temper.”
"Later, I finally caused a huge disaster and ruined all the herbs in Master Li's garden. Old Wang, who was in charge of the garden, chased me for half of Changjin Mountain. That time, he finally got angry."
Bai Qianfan pointed to the location of the martial arts arena: "Right there, he made me kneel for a whole day, but I was still not convinced. When the time was up, I still wouldn't get up. He had no choice but to tie me up and take me back. He patiently applied medicine to my wounds and apologized to me after seeing them, saying that he shouldn't have made me kneel for so long."
Cheng Yuan couldn't see clearly, but he felt that there seemed to be tears in Bai Qianfan's eyes, glistening on and off.
Bai Qianfan continued, "From that time on, I felt that he was abnormal. How could someone have such a good temper? I'm so unruly, why is he still so good to me?"
He turned around and looked at Cheng Yuan, his eyes filled with regret, remorse, and longing.
"But he's been dead for seven years."
He asked Cheng Yuan, "Do you know what has been the most painful thing for me during these seven years?"
Cheng Yuan guessed: "Didn't you avenge him?"
Bai Qianfan shook his head: "I just can't remember what he looks like."
Cheng Yuan looked up at him, not expecting this answer. So, it only takes seven years to forget what someone looks like? No matter how much this person misses him or cares about him, in the end, he can't withstand the erosion of time.
He continued, "In just seven years, I can't remember anymore. No matter how many times I look at his portrait, the moment I close it, my memory of his appearance is still fragmented."
“At first, I was quite persistent. I didn’t want to forget him. If I couldn’t even remember what he looked like, who would? He was such a good person. I didn’t want him to end up being forgotten by everyone. Even if I was the only one who could remember him, that would be fine.”
"But he was a heartless person. In seven years, he rarely even appeared in my dreams. And every time I dreamed of him, it was always a blurry dream."
"What a stingy person, he won't even let me see clearly in my dreams."
He looked down and stared blankly for a moment, then walked to Cheng Yuan's side and patted him on the shoulder: "Now that you and Chu Jianshan are both doing well, that's enough. I will respect whatever decision you make, but don't follow in my footsteps."
The story was over, and Bai Qianfan left, leaving Cheng Yuan standing there dumbfounded.
He looked at the training ground in the distance, and it seemed as if he saw the unruly Bai Qianfan and the gentle Xie Yin from back then.
He certainly didn't want to end up like this, but what was terrible was that he had no choice. Every decision he made felt like he was being pushed around by someone else, and he was afraid that things would eventually get out of his control.
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