Chapter 29 Lychees [New] Instead of sending plum blossoms, I send red snow a thousand miles away…
Fu Hongxue's eyes were complicated, his right hand clenched into a fist, his nails digging into his palm.
You Mingjiang tilted her head and met his gaze openly: "What, are you surprised?"
Fu Hongxue's voice was hoarse: "Why are you blindfolded?"
You Mingjiang smiled and gently stroked the two blue fish stones on the black silk ribbon. "These were sewn by my little sister. She said they can protect against the wind and sand, and wearing them will make my eyes feel more comfortable."
When the word "little sister" was mentioned, You Mingjiang's tone softened unconsciously, like spring water overflowing a newly opened riverbed, gentle and clear.
This is a heartfelt gift, meticulously sewn stitch by stitch by Haihongzhu, naturally different from others.
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Fu Hongxue's long-suppressed feelings were once again pierced.
She is healthy and has the care of her family.
All of this is different from him.
He was jealous of her.
I envy that she can so calmly separate candy from me, a complete stranger, and that she exudes a purity that seems to be constantly protected by light.
Later, when he saw her covered with a black silk ribbon, he mistakenly thought she was blind, and at that moment, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He even felt at one point that she was more pitiful than him. He only had epilepsy and a limp, while she was destined to be trapped in darkness forever…
Now that he knew the truth, Fu Hongxue realized that he was the most pitiful one. There were never any strangers who shared his misery; from beginning to end, it was all just him indulging in self-pity and self-destruction. He wasn't just suffering from epilepsy and having a limp; he was cowardly and despicable to the core. The one truly trapped in darkness wasn't her, but himself.
Thinking of this, Fu Hongxue couldn't help but let out a bitter smile.
It seems I really am rotten inside and out.
When will these days without light end?
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You Mingjiang's attention was still focused on the Holy Mother system.
The system did not reward her, clearly indicating that it did not recognize her so-called "salvation".
She sighed softly.
That makes sense.
Aside from watching him writhe in agony, screaming and struggling, she really did nothing else...
Nothing was accomplished.
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Fu Hongxue frowned, his left hand pressed tightly against his chest, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his temples were soaked.
He gritted his teeth, trying to prop himself up, but he only swayed slightly before collapsing back down.
You Mingjiang quickly stepped forward, supporting his trembling shoulder with one hand and firmly holding his wrist with the other, and slowly helped him up.
Fu Hongxue stiffened and instinctively tried to break free.
He has never been used to or liked such close contact with people, especially now that he is in such a sorry state. He doesn't want to be a useless person who depends on others for everything, and he is even less willing to admit that he is weak.
“No need.” His voice was soft, but it carried a hint of stubbornness.
You Mingjiang's hands looked slender, but they were surprisingly strong, effortlessly supporting most of his weight. She didn't let go, and said softly, "You're already like this, why are you still trying to be strong?"
Fu Hongxue struggled a few times but couldn't break free, and finally gave up. He turned his head away, pursed his lips, and let out a muffled groan.
You Mingjiang sighed softly, about to say something more, when the system's announcement suddenly rang in her ears:
[Ding! Respected young hero, your act of concern for ■■■ has been detected, triggering a hidden quest.]
[Mission Title: Investigate the Root Cause of ■■■'s Pain.]
[Mission Description: The martial world is rife with undercurrents, and [unclear] hides a past unknown to others. Young hero, with your keen insight, step into the world of [unclear], piece together memories buried by time, and uncover the truth. Remember, the martial world is fraught with danger, and human hearts are unpredictable. The truth may lie behind illusions; proceed with extreme caution.]
[Mission Reward: 1 Portable First Aid Kit]
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To find the root cause of ■■■'s suffering?
You Mingjiang was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
If she remembered correctly, this was the first time the system had issued a hidden mission. Could this black-clad boy suffering from epilepsy be an extraordinary character?
Just as they were about to ask the boy in black his name, a series of fierce shouts and curses suddenly came from outside the door.
The two looked up and saw the landlady, who had been demanding exorbitant prices, storming in angrily, carrying a large broom. Upon seeing the huge hole in the roof, she jumped up in fury; and when she caught sight of the corpse inside, she nearly fainted.
You Mingjiang quickly said, "I'll compensate you..."
"Who wants you to pay me back! Get out of this house right now!"
The old woman swung her large broom, sweeping left and right, the dry twigs rustling loudly: "Get out! Get out of here, you two jinxes!"
"You haven't refunded his rent yet!" You Mingjiang argued, dodging the broom. "Even if you deduct the cost of repairing the roof, you should still give him the rest... Ouch!"
Earlier, while chasing the assassin, You Mingjiang accidentally knocked down the roof. Feeling somewhat apologetic, and seeing that the old woman was quite old, he was afraid that his dodging might knock her over, so he simply didn't bother to dodge.
Unexpectedly, the old woman was quite impolite and hit her on the forehead. You Mingjiang had no choice but to cover her forehead and take two steps back.
"Pah! You want money from me?!" the old woman cursed, lashing out at the two men with her large broom.
Fu Hongxue's face turned pale, and he staggered back two steps, not having time to completely avoid the old woman's barrage of curses.
He was so weak that he could barely stand.
He had just had an epileptic seizure and was convulsing on the ground. He had exhausted all his strength and was even slow to raise his hand to cover himself.
Seeing his unsteady steps, You Mingjiang immediately realized that his body couldn't hold on any longer; but the old woman, whether intentionally or unintentionally, seemed to be targeting Fu Hongxue's head and face.
That's going too far!
Without further thought, she rolled up her sleeves, revealing her lean and muscular arms, and stood between him and the old woman.
No matter how much the old woman swung the broom, cursed, and charged, she steadily stopped her, ensuring that the other woman didn't touch Fu Hongxue at all.
She didn't want to raise her voice and lose her gentleness, and she didn't like to argue or make things difficult for others, but this old hag was really going too far!
The black-clad boy beside him, panting slightly, was clearly still recovering from his epilepsy. He was extremely weak and could barely breathe, let alone argue with anyone.
If I don't step in, given his temperament, that fifty taels of silver will surely be swindled out of by that old hag!
·
"What," You Mingjiang sneered, rubbing his fists together, "You just pocketed fifty taels of silver, and you're already complaining about it being too hot to handle?"
The old woman shrank her neck, a hint of fear appearing on her face, and her imposing manner diminished.
His gaze swept over the corpse on the ground, and he immediately put his hands on his hips and forced a smile, saying, "Stop talking nonsense! If you don't leave, I... I'll report you to the authorities!"
You Mingjiang glanced at her sideways, a half-smile on his face, but his gaze was chillingly cold: "I've heard that the rent for a room where someone has died... is halved. But in the end, no matter how cheap it is, it's still not as good as living there for free, don't you think?"
She suddenly stepped forward, a chilling murderous aura emanating from her, her words piercingly scathing: "You old hag, you want to steal my money and drive me away, do you really think I wouldn't dare to make a move? Believe me or not, tonight I'll turn this house into a real haunted house?! You won't get a single penny, and you'll lose your old life!"
Fu Hongxue moved his lips, as if to say something, but then felt dizzy and quickly grabbed the wall for support, ultimately unable to utter a word.
The old woman's face was a mixture of pale and flushed, and cold sweat poured down her face.
She could tell that this wasn't a bluff; it was a real threat to her life.
The old woman forced a smile, which looked more like a grimace, her voice trembling: "Young man, don't be so hot-tempered, calm down... I'm just being mean, I was just joking, just joking..."
As she spoke, she shakily pulled out the still-warm silver ingot from her bosom and handed it over through gritted teeth.
You Mingjiang snatched it away, weighed it in his palm, his smile deepening, but his tone remained icy: "If even a single word of tonight's events gets out..."
"No, no! I'll keep it to myself! I'll keep it to myself!" The old woman waved her hands repeatedly, her face pale.
"That would be best."
Without saying another word, You Mingjiang turned around, took Fu Hongxue's arm, and walked out of there step by step.
Once the two figures disappeared into the night, the fear on the old woman's face vanished completely. Leaning on her large broom, she walked to the corpse, turned it over, and examined it carefully.
Upon seeing the blue dragon tattoo, the old woman let out a barely audible sneer. She looked up in the direction the two had left, a shrewd calculation flashing in her eyes, and muttered to herself:
"Sure enough, some loaches have wandered in... Stir it up, stir it up as much as you want! The water in this city is getting muddier and muddier."
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Night had fallen, the wind had died down, and the insects in the grass were chirping softly.
A faint light, hanging high in the night sky, flickers on and off.
Fu Hongxue stood there in this desolate place, experiencing for the first time the feeling of "not knowing where one's lonely shadow has gone".
The summer heat had clearly subsided, but he felt a tightness in his chest and couldn't catch his breath.
"This is the refunded rent..." You Mingjiang said, handing him the fifty-tael silver ingot.
Fu Hongxue glanced at it but didn't take it.
Seeing that his eyes were red and he looked like he was about to cry, You Mingjiang softened her voice: "I really didn't mean to. I reached out to pull him up before the assassin collapsed the roof..."
The only response she received was the boy's limping back.
You Mingjiang then realized that his right leg was not very flexible. With each step, he had to laboriously step out with his left leg first, before his right leg could slowly follow.
She suddenly froze on the spot.
Her gaze unconsciously locked onto his slightly limping right leg, and her heart felt as if it had been suddenly clenched, a surge of burning regret rising within her.
You Mingjiang hurriedly threw the silver into the bamboo medicine basket, cursed herself inwardly, and turned around to quickly chase after him.
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The lush, overgrown weeds by the roadside swayed wildly in the wind.
You Mingjiang followed a few steps behind the boy in black.
Fu Hongxue held the knife in his left hand and walked slowly and heavily, step by step.
Seeing the boy's difficulty walking, You Mingjiang was filled with worry and couldn't put her mind at ease.
Walking alone in the darkness, who knows what dangerous surprises await you ahead.
Fu Hongxue thought so too.
Therefore, he had no intention of sending her away, nor did he plan to shake her off. Fu Hongxue slowed his pace and walked alongside her.
He never wanted others to stare at his back; to him, dignity was more important than life.
Fu Hongxue didn't want to be pitied, much less be stared at or pointed at. He looked down at the road beneath his feet, kicking aside any small pebbles that occasionally appeared.
My right leg started to hurt in waves.
This dull pain seems to erupt from the very bones.
Over the years, he has relied on these recurring bouts of lingering pain to remind himself: Don't forget who drove him to this point.
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You Mingjiang silently followed Fu Hongxue.
Her gaze lingered on his slightly limping right leg, and she wanted to ask him several times if he needed to rest, but she swallowed her words back, fearing that her good intentions might make him suspicious.
Fu Hongxue remained silent throughout.
Her guilt deepened.
If he hadn't been chasing the assassin and accidentally stepped on the roof, he wouldn't have been evicted by the landlord, and he wouldn't have ended up homeless in the dark...
You Mingjiang leaned forward and said earnestly, "How about... I be your personal physician for a month, as an apology?"
Seeing his difficulty in walking, her heart softened, and she blurted out, "If that still doesn't work, I'll be your bodyguard... I'll treat your injuries and help you fight, and I'll make sure you don't suffer any losses."
Fu Hongxue glanced at her sideways.
A bodyguard? She'll be her own bodyguard?
She had a clean and tidy appearance, was tall and thin, and spoke in a gentle and refined manner. She didn't look like a person from the martial arts world at all.
Imagine that scene; it's almost insane.
He shook his head and said slowly, "...No need."
"You don't believe me?" She widened her eyes, raised her fist, and pounded her chest. "Cough cough cough, I'm very good at fighting! I'll count to ten, and if you don't say anything, I'll take that as a yes!"
She counted quickly: "Ten, nine... three, two..."
Fu Hongxue said, "This is not good."
You Mingjiang was dumbfounded: "You, you, you! How can you go back on your word like that!"
Fu Hongxue said calmly, "I haven't finished counting."
You Mingjiang was speechless for a moment, then said, "Then I'll count again, this time I'll count to three... Hey!"
Before he could finish speaking, Fu Hongxue had already walked away on his own.
Yu Mingjiang had no choice but to continue chasing after them.
.
As Fu Hongxue walked, his breathing became more and more rapid, cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and the back of his clothes was soaked with sweat in patches of varying depths and sizes.
This limp is a problem he's had since childhood.
My knee is always slightly swollen, and the joint protrudes with a stiff outline under the thin skin. Anyone can see that my right leg is struggling to bear weight and can't support its weight. If I walk for even a little while, my whole leg easily becomes stiff and numb, and I can't bend it back. There is often a burning pain under the skin, sometimes like being stabbed with a knife, sometimes like ants crawling into my bone marrow.
But over the years, he's gotten used to it.
Pain or limp, I've endured it all.
Seeing this, You Mingjiang felt a pang of anxiety. Without thinking, she reached out to support Fu Hongxue and, without further ado, half-helped and half-carried her to a large rock to sit down.
Fu Hongxue was slightly taken aback. Before he could react, she had already pressed his shoulder and made him sit down.
She squatted down and reached out to roll up his trouser leg.
"No..." Fu Hongxue recoiled as if burned. His face flushed red, he was both surprised and ashamed, and he almost frantically raised his hand to block her.
No one has ever... touched his crippled leg.
You Mingjiang did not back down.
She raised her head, her clear, bright eyes fixed on him, saying nothing, yet it seemed as if she had said everything.
Fu Hongxue paused, unsure whether to stop him or let him go, only feeling his heart pounding loudly.
In the end, he silently lowered his hand, letting her gently roll up his trouser leg.
.
You Mingjiang took out a small porcelain bottle from the bamboo medicine basket, picked up a silver spoon, gently scooped up a spoonful of black ointment, and carefully applied it to his swollen knee.
The movements were very light and steady.
It felt as if I were touching a handful of snow that was about to melt.
Her sleeve brushed against his calf unintentionally, the touch fleeting, yet it sent a silent shiver through him.
"This ointment is made by mixing Drynaria fortunei, Dipsacus asper, Curcuma longa and raw Arisaema heterophyllum," she explained softly when she saw him trembling, assuming he was scared. "Applying it can relieve some of the pain."
Looking at her lowered eyes, Fu Hongxue felt a faint, bittersweet scent of purple gromwell waft into her nostrils, and her heart skipped a beat.
Over the years, he had long been accustomed to enduring all the excruciating pain and silent humiliation alone.
No one had ever gotten this close to his wounds before.
No one has ever...
This gentle touch revealed his hard shell and the unhealed vulnerability beneath.
The ointment slowly melted into her skin, spreading a cool sensation. The previous throbbing burning pain gradually turned into a slight tingling. Fu Hongxue unconsciously pulled her legs back, but her knees were gently pressed down by her hand.
"Don't move." You Mingjiang took out gauze and steadily bandaged him. The gauze wrapped around him round and round, each turn just the right tightness, neither too taut nor too loose, securing the ointment properly. A few strands of hair fell beside her ears, swaying gently with her movements.
Fu Hongxue stared at her blankly, his lips moving slightly.
At this moment, a long-suppressed emotion was silently surging. The first warm current in his life finally rippled out from the frozen sea of his heart. His throat felt sore and dry. The grievances and bitterness accumulated over the years could no longer be suppressed and surged up suddenly.
Fu Hongxue suddenly looked up at the vast darkness, blinking repeatedly as she forced back her tears.
·
“You…” You Mingjiang looked up and met his reddened eyes. Her cheerful mood, which had been about to say “It’s bandaged up,” immediately sank.
Surely not?
Could it be... that she was too rough and hurt him?
You Mingjiang was somewhat at a loss.
In her eyes, the boy in black in front of her was nothing more than a dullard who looked like an adult but was still very immature.
No matter the reason, if a child cries, you should always comfort them.
She caught a glimpse of the lush green grass by the ditch and quickly ran into the dense thicket, picking handfuls of it from the left and right, and soon returned with a full bunch of foxtail grass.
Her fingers were very nimble; she twisted and turned the stem of the foxtail grass, and in no time, she had created a little squirrel, so lifelike that it looked as if it were really about to jump down.
You Mingjiang bent down, took his hand, and tied a knot around the thin, long grass stalks she had reserved on his fingers.
She gently coaxed him, as if he were a child, her voice full of tenderness: "Don't be sad, the little squirrel is here to keep you company."
Fu Hongxue was slightly taken aback.
As he turned his wrist, a little squirrel woven from foxtail grass lay on the back of his pale hand, turning along with his wrist.
Fu Hongxue shed a tear without warning.
You Mingjiang's heart tightened, and she reached out to wipe away the tears from the corners of his eyes. "Don't cry, we've been through thick and thin together. By the way, I still don't know your name. My name is You Mingjiang."
Lowering his eyes, Fu Hongxue remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "...Fu Hongxue, the 'Hong' in red and the 'Xue' in snow."
You Mingjiang nodded: "So your name is Fu Hongxue. That's a very nice name."
As soon as she finished speaking, the hidden quest character ■■■ was renamed as well:
[Task Title: Investigate the Root Cause of Fu Hongxue's Pain.]
[Mission Description: The martial world is rife with undercurrents, and Fu Hongxue harbors a hidden past. Young hero, with your keen insight, step into Fu Hongxue's world, piece together memories buried by time, and uncover the truth. Remember, the martial world is fraught with danger, and human hearts are unpredictable. The truth may lie behind illusions; proceed with extreme caution.]
[Mission Reward: 1 Portable First Aid Kit]
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Fu Hongxue gave a bitter laugh and muttered to himself, "Is it nice to listen to?"
Red snow is snow stained with blood.
It is an indelible sin and pain in his life.
"Of course it sounds beautiful! Haven't you heard the line 'I don't send plum blossoms, but red snow from a thousand miles away'?" You Mingjiang's eyebrows curved, and her smile spread from the corners of her eyes and brows. It was not ostentatious, but very clear.
"Red Snow Lychee, the name itself sounds sweet. From today onwards, we're friends. If you need any help, just let me know!"
Red Snow Lychee?
Fu Hongxue's hands, hanging by his sides, slowly curled up and then slowly relaxed.
Over the years, the name "Hongxue" has become inextricably linked with hatred and has become evidence of the Plum Blossom Temple massacre.
This was the first time he had heard someone interpret it with such gentle and pure words. This sudden kindness left him both bewildered and vaguely uneasy.
After a long while, he lowered his eyes and said slowly in a dry voice, "I have no friends."
I never need friends, nor should I have any.
People from two different worlds should naturally be kept separate.
He is bound by the shackles of hatred, destined to never break free. Friends will only become his weakness, and he will bring disaster to his friends.
"...Anyone who gets close to me will be in danger."
You Mingjiang tilted his head and smiled: "Perfect, I love adventure the most."
Fu Hongxue glanced at her, then remained silent with a complicated expression.
Beneath the icy exterior of this snow-covered volcano lies a molten lava well waiting to erupt.
After a long silence, he suddenly frowned and said, "We are not friends, and we will never be friends."
You Mingjiang wasn't annoyed at all, and still smiled: "It's okay if we can't be friends, it's better than being enemies. Besides, I've calculated that you're destined to have me as your friend."
She blinked. "I guess you actually want to be friends with me, but you're afraid of dragging me down with you, right? Otherwise, you would have run far away from me long ago."
Fu Hongxue's face flushed red. "I didn't!"
“An explanation is just a cover-up.” You Mingjiang blinked, put her index finger to her lips, and gently shushed him.
Fu Hongxue: "..."
He gritted his teeth, staring at her as if he were seeing some incredible monster. In the end, he said nothing and just limped on.
It seemed that he didn't need to reply. You Mingjiang, carrying a bamboo medicine basket, followed him briskly.
Seeing his stunned and embarrassed expression was really amusing. You Mingjiang smiled and said softly, "You're already angry? Then let me tell you a joke, okay? Cats meow, dogs bark, but what about chickens? What will chickens do?"
She asked herself the question and answered it: "Chickens are left for those who are prepared!"
Fu Hongxue: "..."
"Huh, isn't that funny?" You Mingjiang stroked his chin. "Then let me think of another one..."
Fu Hongxue remained silent and walked forward without looking to the side.
"I've got it!" she snapped her fingers excitedly. "Do you know how to tell the difference between a real elephant and a fake one?"
Fu Hongxue: "..."
Elephants? Why do we need to distinguish between real and fake elephants?
Fu Hongxue remained silent, but subtly slowed his pace. No matter how mature he seemed, he was still, after all, a young man. He felt a surge of curiosity and silently speculated.
Silence fell, and no one made any jokes, but You Mingjiang clutched her stomach, doubled over with laughter, and was so laughing she could hardly breathe.
"③ Throw them both into the water! Because the truth will come to light, hahaha!"
The answer was so absurd that Fu Hongxue was momentarily stunned and unable to respond.
Seeing her laughing so hard her eyes were glistening with tears, bending over and over, he raised the corners of his mouth, but before the smile could fully spread, he gently suppressed it again. The stone that had been weighing on his heart for many years suddenly seemed to have been pried open with a thin crack.
Fu Hongxue turned his face away, staring ahead, and muttered under his breath, "...Boring."
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You Mingjiang finally finished laughing.
She wiped away the tears of laughter, lightly touched the ground with her feet, and gracefully leaped onto the wall.
She stretched out her arms, stepping from left to right, walking step by step on the half-hand-width wall, parallel to Fu Hongxue below.
The night breeze gently brushed against their hair, creating an atmosphere of extraordinary peace and tenderness.
As they approached the end of the long street, You Mingjiang suddenly tensed up and let out a soft sigh: "Someone's here."
Following her gaze, a distinguished procession of knights suddenly appeared at the end of the street.
Dressed in pure white, they rode tall horses, flanking a luxurious carriage.
Two magnificent horses pulled the carriage, and the coachman sat in front of the carriage, holding the reins, and was also dressed in a white robe.
A sheer curtain, as thin as a cicada's wing, hung on the car window.
Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a faint silhouette in the spacious and comfortable carriage.
But the people in the carriage remained seated quietly, showing no intention of getting off.
Fu Hongxue stopped and stood quietly in place, exuding a cold indifference that said "keep away".
The man in white at the front clasped his hands in a salute and said, "By order of Hall Master Ma Kongqun, I invite you two to a banquet at Wanma Hall tonight."
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Ma Kongqun...
Fu Hongxue lowered his eyes, gripped the knife handle tightly, and his fingers turned white from the force.
You Mingjiang asked, "I'd like to know, was this just an invitation for the two of us, or were other people invited as well?"
Anyone with eyes could see that there was a person sitting in the carriage.
The man in white replied, "We've invited everyone except two more."
You Mingjiang sighed softly, "I knew it. They wouldn't invite us unless they invited others first."
.
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Author's Note: [Good Luck Lianlian] ① The ancient poem quotes "I will not send plum blossoms, but red snow from a thousand miles away": from Han Yuanji's "Drunkenly Falling into Despair (Lychee)".
[Good Luck Lotus] ②③ are derived from internet puns and corny jokes.
[Good Luck Lotus] Meme 4: From Zhou Rui's wife in "Dream of the Red Chamber" delivering palace flowers to Lin Daiyu.
[Let me see] Thank you to the little angels for the nutrient solution:
[Heart] "An" irrigation nutrient solution +41, "Ruchu" irrigation nutrient solution +10, "Gege" irrigation nutrient solution +2, "Hecha Xiaomei" irrigation nutrient solution +5 [Heart]
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