The next morning, the group set off in a horse-drawn carriage.
Lin Zhi sat with Jiang Chuting, holding his hand tightly the whole time. The night before, Jiang Chuting had told him that Lu Zhao and the others came from the legendary Penglai Immortal Island and promised to take them there to treat their eyes.
Lin Zhi also wanted to cure his eyes, but he had many doubts in his heart.
The carriage had only traveled a short distance when Lin Zhi asked the same question he had asked countless times: "Chu Ting, you really didn't promise him anything?"
He always felt something was amiss, and he was afraid that Lu Zhao would take advantage of the situation.
Seeing his tense expression, Jiang Chuting said in a deep voice, "No, relax."
Lin Zhi still didn't fully believe him, but gripped his hand even tighter and said stubbornly, "If there is such a thing, I would rather be blind for the rest of my life."
Jiang Chuting reached out and touched the back of his head: "I said no, stop overthinking."
Lin Zhi rubbed her hand against his palm, then leaned her head on his shoulder.
Lin Zhi could sense that Jiang Chuting's attitude towards him had softened considerably since yesterday.
If only things could stay like this forever...
It would be at least two months' journey to reach the border of Qionghai. To prevent Lin Zhi's eyes from worsening, Jiang Chuting would take him to see a doctor wherever there was one, just to be on the safe side.
Fortunately, the situation has not improved, but it has not worsened either.
During their journey, they celebrated Xing'er's second birthday, but Lu Zhao only stayed at the banquet for a short while before returning to his room to rest due to feeling unwell.
Jiang Chuting watched his departing figure, her heart inexplicably churning. She felt that she shouldn't just stand by and watch him without doing anything.
Although Lin Zhi couldn't see, she could hear and knew that Lu Zhao had left. Afraid that Jiang Chuting would chase after him to check on him, she clutched his clothes tightly under the table.
Jiang Chuting didn't get up in the end. She put some food on his plate and said gently, "Eat quickly."
Throughout the journey, meals were always like this: Jiang Chuting would quietly put food into Lin Zhi's bowl, and Lin Zhi would just eat, making sure that everything he ate was his favorite dish.
Besides that, Jiang Chuting would take meticulous care of him whenever he had trouble, such as walking, applying medicine, or even taking a bath and changing clothes. She would also worry that he might be bored and would take the initiative to talk to him.
Except for the fact that I can't see, everything seems to have returned to the way it was before, something I never dared to imagine before.
But Lin Zhi knew in his heart that there was something between them that was difficult to overcome.
He didn't know what he should do.
More than a month later, the evidence of the drug trial was conclusive, the case was finally closed, and the Lin family's crimes were exposed to the world.
The news was so outrageous and bizarre that it spread like wildfire, causing a nationwide uproar!
Whether Jiang Chuting and his companions were walking on the street or in an inn, they could hear people discussing the matter endlessly and angrily slamming their fists on the table and cursing.
What shocked and angered them most was not that the Lin family had killed so many people, but that they actually wanted men to have children!
This attempt to reverse yin and yang is an utter disgrace to men who have always been in a dominant position.
The thought that there might be a child born from a successful male experiment nearby made them both shocked and disgusted, and they strongly criticized and condemned it.
Most women echoed this sentiment.
"No matter how dangerous childbirth is, it's ultimately a woman's responsibility. How can a man be allowed to give birth? Lin Xuan's behavior is too strange..."
"Yes, doing such a despicable thing."
"If men really have to give birth, then what use are we women?"
"She can't lay an egg herself, so she resorts to these crooked ideas."
"She seems to have a daughter."
"So what if she's a daughter? Once she's married, she belongs to someone else's family."
Even those few who had other ideas probably didn't dare to speak out in public.
In short, public resentment soared, and even though the Lin family's shops all over the country had been sealed off, they still couldn't escape being vandalized and smashed.
Some people even dug out all the people who had worked in the Lin family's shop before, and chased after these "accomplices." After robbing them of their "dirty money," they beat them up severely, which not only wouldn't be stopped, but would surely elicit cheers.
Countless people are clamoring to dig up the Lin family's ancestral graves.
Whether it was to vent anger or for the legendary valuable burial goods, we can only say for sure.
In such a short time, the Lin family became a pariah, hated by everyone. Those who had no connection to the Lin family but shared the surname dared not reveal their surname in public, fearing that they might inadvertently offend those who were deliberately trying to take advantage of the situation and bring trouble upon themselves.
About half a month later, another piece of news spread: during the pursuit, the criminal Lin Xi set fire to the dilapidated house where he was hiding, burning it to ashes.
Yuan Sang already harbored extreme hatred for the Lin family, and after hearing firsthand about all their heinous crimes, he immediately exclaimed with delight, "Good riddance!"
Even Lu Zhao, who never spoke ill of others, spoke up. His expression was cold and deep, and he gave a barely perceptible sneer, uttering four words in a low voice: "Indeed, he deserves to die."
Lin Zhi appeared dazed and didn't seem to react much.
With Hong Yufei's abilities, she could definitely have helped her mother escape successfully; he didn't know why things were like this.
At night, Jiang Chuting was in a light sleep when she sensed something was wrong. She opened her eyes and found that Lin Zhi had covered her face with the blanket.
Suppressed sobs could be heard.
Jiang Chuting's heart skipped a beat. She sat up, gently lifted his blanket, and called out, "Lin Zhi."
His face was flushed red from holding back his tears for so long, and his eyelids were swollen.
Upon hearing his voice, Lin Zhi subconsciously raised her hand and forcefully wiped away her tears, but the tears seemed endless and she couldn't stop them no matter how hard she tried.
"I..." Lin Zhi wanted to speak, but her throat was so choked and painful that she could only manage to utter a faint breath.
Jiang Chuting sighed silently, carried Xing'er to the bed, and lay down next to Lin Zhi.
Jiang Chuting wiped away his tears with his sleeve, and Lin Zhi threw himself into his arms, holding him tightly. No longer able to hold back, his tears quickly soaked his clothes.
Jiang Chuting hugged him back as he cried uncontrollably, gently patting his back.
No matter what Lin Xi is like, she is the one who gave birth to him and raised him.
It's only natural for him to feel heartbroken and distressed over her death. I had been a little worried because he seemed calm before.
It's a good thing that you can cry at this time.
After hearing the news of Lin Xi's death, Lin Zhi was depressed for several days. Xing'er accompanied him and tried to cheer him up, but he could only manage to move the corners of his mouth with difficulty.
They soon arrived at a small town on the border of Qionghai, and without resting, they planned to board a boat and head out to sea.
Yuan Sang took out the blindfold and said to Jiang Chuting, "It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that you're not from the island, so you have to abide by this rule."
Penglai Island has been coveted by outsiders for quite some time, so it's normal to have such precautions.
Jiang Chuting reached out to take it, but Lu Zhao said, "No need, let's just leave it like this."
Jiang Chuting turned her head and met his dark eyes. After a moment, she took the strip of cloth and chuckled, "It's best not to break the rules. Being blindfolded won't hurt."
Jiang Chuting first blindfolded Wei Jia and Xing'er. Lin Zhi was already blind, so there was no need for him to do that. In the end, he blindfolded himself.
It was pitch black, but he could feel Lu Zhao staring at him.
As if struck by a thought, he let out a soft sigh.
After an hour's ride in the carriage, everyone disembarked. Jiang Chuting carried Xing'er, while the others who were unable to see were helped to walk forward.
Xing'er felt uncomfortable being blindfolded and kept squirming and fussing in Jiang Chuting's arms, almost causing Jiang Chuting to drop his arms.
Seeing this, Lu Zhao, who had been supporting him, raised his hand and removed Xing'er's blindfold.
Jiang Chuting noticed this and turned her head slightly.
Lu Zhao said, "The child is still young, there's no need to be so strict."
Jiang Chuting didn't insist any further and nodded, saying, "Thank you."
Lin Zhi had already been helped to the front by Yuan Sang. Lu Zhao paused, then suddenly asked, "Chu Ting, do you think it was excessive for me to take this opportunity to make demands of you?"
Jiang Chuting paused for a moment before saying, "I could have refused; it was my own choice."
Lu Zhao looked at Lin Zhi, who kept turning back, with a dark expression, and asked in a low voice, "Aren't you afraid that I'll trick you into coming to the island and never let you out again?"
Jiang Chuting chuckled softly and replied without hesitation, "No."
Lu Zhao stared at his face.
Jiang Chuting said truthfully, "I have been traveling the world for many years and have seen all kinds of people, but there are only three people I feel I can trust and befriend upon meeting them, and you are one of them. Brother Lu is an upright person, and I trust my judgment."
Lu Zhao asked, "What about the other two?"
Jiang Chuting replied, "One is my good friend, whom I've known for almost twenty years, and the other..." He sighed and smiled, then said frankly, "The other is my lover from my youth."
Lu Zhao's pale lips trembled: "Then he..."
Jiang Chuting did not deliberately avoid the question and truthfully replied, "He is no longer here due to an accident."
Lu Zhao stared at him, his eyes filled with unbearable pain, but Jiang Chuting couldn't see it at all.
After walking for about fifteen minutes, they were taken aboard a large ship. When the blindfold was removed, they found themselves in the middle of an endless sea.
Yuan Sang said it would take at least seven days to reach Penglai Island.
Wei Jia was seasick and couldn't eat or sleep well. Jiang Chuting had to take care of Lin Zhi and Xing'er, so Yuan Sang helped him by looking after Wei Jia.
Actually, Yuan Sang wasn't much older than Wei Jia, but he was always a bit silly, so he looked like a little kid.
Yuan Sang found it strange and asked Wei Jia, "You seem like someone with a rare affinity for immortality, so why are you seasick?"
The "fate to the immortals" they mentioned meant having a good connection with Penglai Island. Even if someone was from out of town, they would be allowed to stay on the island for a long time or visit frequently.
Upon hearing this, Wei Jia tilted her head and looked at him: "A predestined connection with immortals? Aunt Yuanxi said the same thing to me."
Yuan Sang's eyes widened, she took a deep breath, and exclaimed, "What? Aunt Yuanxi? You've seen her?!"
Jiang Chuting happened to come over to see Wei Jia and, upon hearing this, couldn't help but ask, "I've seen her before too. Is she really from your island?"
Hearing the commotion, Lu Zhao and Yuan Xia also came over.
After their explanation, Jiang Chuting finally understood that Yuan Xi was a very accomplished senior from Penglai Island. More than twenty years ago, she left the island without permission for unknown reasons and was never heard from again.
Jiang Chuting then asked them the question that had been lingering in her mind for a long time: "Yuanxi helped me a lot back then, and she said that it was destined by heaven that I was the person she was meant to protect. But I find it strange that she would say such a thing when we have no connection."
Lu Zhao lowered his eyes and remained silent.
Yuan Sang asked, "Did she say anything else to you?"
"She told me to head south. And then I met you all."
Yuan Sang and Yuan Xia exchanged a glance. Yuan Xia said slowly, "Although the senior has been away from the island for many years, she must have calculated that there is a new Lord on the island. The only people she wants to protect are the Lord and... the people most connected with the Lord. She must have seen that the relationship between you and the Lord is extraordinary, which is why she said that."
Jiang Chuting asked, "Your lord?"
Yuan Sang pointed at Lu Zhao and said, "Yes, that's him."
Lu Zhaohan's dark eyes, as black as stars, gazed quietly at Jiang Chuting.
Jiang Chuting looked slightly surprised. He had previously heard Yuan Sang and the others respectfully address Lu Zhao as their master, so he guessed that Lu Zhao was someone of some important status on the island. He never expected that Lu Zhao would actually be the Venerable Lord.
Yuan Sang decided to be more direct with Yuan Xia: "It's actually quite simple. Senior Yuan Xi calculated that you are destined to be with the Lord, which is why she did everything she could to protect you and help you meet. Hmm? But something's strange. Logically speaking, you and our Lord should be mutually attracted, so how come..." Yuan Sang's voice trailed off: "Could it be that Senior Yuan Xi made a mistake?"
So... did Yuanxi think he and Lu Zhao would be a couple, which is why she helped him like that?
Jiang Chuting inadvertently met Lu Zhao's calm eyes, and that indescribable feeling welled up again.
...
For nearly a century, countless people have tried to find the location of Penglai Island and seize its treasures, but they have all lost their lives in this vast sea.
However, just as Yuan Sang had said, their large ship was indeed blessed by the gods, and the journey was incredibly smooth. They arrived at Penglai Island on the night of the seventh day.
Despite the many accolades surrounding Penglai Island, it seemed little different in the quiet of the night.
After traveling by carriage for more than an hour, they finally arrived at the residence of the Venerable Lord of Penglai Island.
It wasn't a grand palace or a luxurious villa, but a very unique two-story wooden house. Several red lanterns hung under the eaves, bright and warm, and the house was surrounded by flowers of various colors, exuding a rich fragrance.
The second floor also has a large terrace enclosed by a railing, where there seems to be a tea table. It would be a great place to drink tea and read books in your spare time.
Jiang Chuting held the sleeping Xing'er in one arm and held Lin Zhi's hand in the other, and couldn't help but glance at her a few more times.
Yuan Sang couldn't hold back his complaints and said, "After becoming the Venerable Lord, he was supposed to live in another place, which is much more spacious and beautiful than this place. It was his own fault that he insisted on choosing such a shabby little house. He doesn't have the slightest bit of the aura of a Venerable Lord."
Lu Zhao, who had been watching Jiang Chuting's expression closely, asked, "What do you think of this place?"
Jiang Chuting sincerely replied, "It's great."
Lu Zhao smiled gently: "I knew you would like it."
Lin Zhi heard everything, his eyebrows twitched violently twice, but he held back and didn't say a word.
Next, we arranged accommodations.
Lin Zhi and Wei Jia were assigned to rooms on the first floor, while Jiang Chuting was assigned to a room on the second floor, right next to Lu Zhao.
"No need for that," Lin Zhi said coldly. "Chu Ting and I only need one room."
Lu Zhao remained expressionless.
Jiang Chuting released Lin Zhi's hand, patted his shoulder, and turned to Lu Zhao, saying, "Okay, that's settled then."
Lin Zhi panicked upon hearing this: "Chu Ting! I, I..."
"obedient."
Lin Zhi pressed her lips together, feeling stifled.
A little while later, Yuan Sang and Yuan Xia brought hot water. Jiang Chuting wrung out a towel and gave Lin Zhi a quick wash, saying, "It's very late today, so go to sleep first. They will arrange for someone to come and check your eyes tomorrow."
Jiang Chuting turned to leave, but Lin Zhi hugged his waist, pleading with teary eyes, "Don't leave me, I'm scared to be alone."
Jiang Chuting stroked his hair, gently wrapped her arms around him, and whispered, "Calm down, don't be afraid. I'm upstairs, just call me if you need anything."
Lin Zhi's nose tingled with tears as she asked, "But why? We used to sleep together. Did you really not agree to any of his conditions? I'm finding it harder and harder to believe him."
Jiang Chuting's dark eyes flickered slightly as she reassured him, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do. This is their place, so we should do whatever they arrange. We're here for medical treatment, so we shouldn't put on airs when we need something from others."
Lin Zhi had nothing to say, so he raised one hand and reached up, his fingers touching Jiang Chuting's soft lips.
Lin Zhi pleaded, her voice choked with emotion, "Then please kiss me, okay?"
Jiang Chuting lowered her head, kissed his tear-stained lips, and then kissed his eyes.
As if a gentle yet firm force had been injected into her body, Lin Zhi's emotions finally calmed down a little, but hearing his footsteps quickly leaving still made her feel a churning discomfort.
He tossed and turned in bed for a long time before finally drifting off to sleep.
Then, he had a very bad dream.
He dreamt that he could see a little again and was happily drinking tea with Chu Ting when Chu Ting suddenly started bleeding from all seven orifices. The doctor examined him and said he had an incurable disease, which drove him crazy. But no matter what he tried, it was to no avail, and Chu Ting eventually died in his arms.
Lin Zhi was still experiencing angina when she woke up, and her pillow was soaked with tears.
He sat up and hugged his head.
It was a dream, not real. Chu Ting was upstairs. Everything that had just happened was just a dream... He kept telling himself this, and his emotions finally calmed down a bit.
But the dream was so vivid that he couldn't stop replaying it in his mind, leaving him feeling listless and extremely distressed all day.
He didn't really listen to what the doctor who came to examine his eyes said. He only knew that his eyes seemed to be somewhat salvageable.
However, the images from his nightmares kept recurring in his mind, preventing him from feeling happy.
The next day, Yuan Sang said he would take them out for a stroll, but Lu Zhao had some things to take care of and did not go with them.
The island's market is somewhat different from the outside world. Many stalls are unattended; the prices of the goods are simply marked on a wooden box, and everything depends on the honesty of the patrons. There are quite a few pedestrians on the street, but it's not noisy. Most of them wear light-colored clothing, and the whole atmosphere exudes tranquility and peace, truly befitting the otherworldly feeling of a paradise on earth.
On Penglai Island, silver and gold are not used. Their common currency is pearls, gemstones, and other precious stones. Some people even barter for goods.
Yuan Sang gave Wei Jia a bag of gems, and Wei Jia's eyes lit up. He took Xing'er and ran around the streets buying food, first buying a lot of flower cakes. Xing'er ran back with one in each hand, handing one to Jiang Chuting and the other to Lin Zhi.
Lin Zhi squatted down, broke off a piece of pancake and offered it to Xing'er, who ate it from his hand.
"It's delicious, Daddy, please eat!"
Lin Zhi finally revealed a slight smile and replied, "Okay."
The buildings on the island are not tall. Looking to the right, Jiang Chuting could clearly see an exceptionally tall tree not far away, towering into the clouds, giving people a sense of mystery.
Yuan Sang began to explain to them: "That is the sacred tree of our Penglai Island, the belief of our people. You should have all heard of it, right? The islanders often go there to worship. Would you like to go and take a look?"
The group went up to it, and upon closer inspection, the tree was even more breathtaking. Its leaves were lush and verdant, blocking out the sun and stretching as far as the eye could see.
Many islanders were chanting and kneeling in worship all around, showing great piety.
Xing'er didn't run around; instead, she took Lin Zhi's hand and guided him along. Jiang Chuting noticed a small house surrounded by white walls not far away, with its doors and windows tightly closed. This was the only house near the Divine Tree, and she couldn't help but wonder, "Does anyone live here?"
Yuan Sang said, "Yes, the person living there is called Doctor Bai. He is probably over 120 years old this year."
Wei Jia gasped in astonishment.
Yuan Sang continued, "His medical skills are superb. No matter what incurable disease a patient has, it's no problem for him. Sounds incredible, right? But we've all witnessed it with our own eyes. He's brought people back to life even though they were already dead."
Lin Zhi's fingertips trembled slightly, and he tilted his head slightly to listen attentively to what he had to say.
"However, as you all know, such divine doctors have rather eccentric temperaments, and even the Lord's orders cannot sway them. If you want him to save people, someone must sincerely offer their life as a sacrifice to the gods, which is equivalent to exchanging one life for another."
Yuan Sang then explained to them that offering sacrifices to the gods meant committing suicide before the sacred tree. In this way, even after death, the soul would remain pure.
As expected, there was a tradition of sacrifice. Jiang Chuting was looking towards the white wall when he felt Lin Zhi suddenly grab his wrist tightly. He couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"
Lin Zhi simply pursed her lips and shook her head, remaining silent.
"Luckily, Lin Zhi's eyes don't need to be examined by Doctor Bai, otherwise you guys would be in real trouble." Yuan Sang smiled and led them away to explore other places.
Two days later, Dr. Yuan, who was in charge of treating Lin Zhi's eyes, prepared the medicine and came over early in the morning to apply it to him, then covered it with white gauze.
Doctor Yuan was a woman. Seeing that Lin Zhi's face was all scrunched up, she said in a gentle voice, "It will definitely hurt a little for the first few days. It's only effective if it hurts. Just bear with it."
Lin Zhiqiang endured the stinging pain, nodded, and said, "Thank you."
Xing'er sat in Lin Zhi's arms, pouting her little mouth and pursing her lips into his eyes, making Lin Zhi's heart melt.
Although he couldn't see it, he subconsciously turned his head to the side to sense his surroundings and whispered to Xing'er, "Xing'er, where's your father?"
Xing'er shook her head: "I don't know."
Lin Zhi sullenly hugged him without saying a word.
Jiang Chuting accompanied Lu Zhao to the bookstore. The bookstore was empty of owners, and rows of books and silks were neatly arranged, spotless. You could take and look at them as you pleased without paying; you just had to return them after you were done.
Lu Zhao picked up a few books, and Jiang Chuting also chose two storybooks. They flipped through them and found them quite interesting.
Jiang Chuting noticed that the books in Lu Zhao's hands were all about ghosts, spirits, and the supernatural. A thought struck her, and she said, "You also like to read these kinds of books?"
Lu Zhao looked directly at him: "Also?"
Jiang Chuting smiled and said, "A friend of mine is just like you; he really likes and believes in these things."
However, Penglai Island has always believed in these things, so Lu Zhao didn't find it strange.
Lu Zhaomou smiled faintly and said softly, "Is that so?" He paused, then added, "I think what I'm looking at is... something I'm trying to find."
What are you seeking?
"I am seeking... an opportunity to be reborn, for my life is filled with deep regrets."
Jiang Chuting's clear, bright black eyes gazed quietly at his face.
Lu Zhao stared at him for a moment, a lump forming in his throat, before giving a wry smile. He turned his head away and continued searching for books on the bookshelf, saying in a low voice, "Who knows? Perhaps my regrets will be even deeper in my next life. Human desires are always endless."
After choosing their books, the two went back. Whenever islanders saw Lu Zhao walking on the street, they would stop by the roadside, reverently raise their right hand to their chest, and bow in respect.
Jiang Chuting remained silent. Lu Zhao glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and suddenly asked, "Are you very worried about him?"
Jiang Chuting snapped out of her daze and glanced at him sideways: "What?"
Lu Zhao stopped and looked ahead, saying, "Isn't it too much to ask you to spend at least four hours with me every day after you come to the island?"
Jiang Chuting shook her head: "No."
Lu Zhao clenched the book in his hand and slung it behind his back. Without looking at him, he paused for a moment and said, "I'm going to wander around somewhere else. You go back by yourself first."
“Brother Lu, I…” Jiang Chuting watched his departing figure and sighed softly.
Back at their lodgings, Lin Zhi was sitting on the steps in front of the wooden house, chin in hand, lost in thought. Xing'er was beside him, her actions and expressions mirroring his perfectly; she was a miniature version of Lin Zhi.
As soon as Jiang Chuting entered the courtyard, Xing'er stood up first, her face beaming with joy: "Daddy's back!"
Xing'er led Lin Zhi, who had suddenly stood up, toward Jiang Chuting. Lin Zhi reached out and touched Jiang Chuting's face, then grabbed his hands, touched something, and asked, "What is this?"
"I brought back the storybook so you wouldn't be bored, and I read it to you."
Hearing this, Lin Zhi's annoyance vanished, and he leaned closer. Jiang Chuting, as he wished, kissed him and led the two children into the house.
As soon as they entered, Lin Zhi pitifully snuggled into his arms and wouldn't let go: "My eyes hurt so much, can you stay with me a little longer? Can you sleep with me tonight?"
He kept asking him for kisses, and Jiang Chuting coaxed him by reading to him for a while, but in the end he still didn't agree to his request to sleep together.
Lin Zhi was disheartened.
That night, Lin Zhi had another dream.
I dreamt that he was crying and shouting as he knocked on the door of the house next to the sacred tree, begging the people inside to save Chu Ting. Then, the people inside threw out a dagger.
"If you want me to save people, you have to follow the rules."
For several days in a row, he dreamed that Chu Ting was seriously ill, and that he was seeking help everywhere, until finally a dagger was thrown in front of him.
He knew perfectly well it was a dream, but the ominous feeling cast a shadow over his mind, and he began to become a little paranoid.
About a month later, Doctor Yuan finally changed Lin Zhi's dressing. This time, the medicine no longer stung; instead, it felt cool and comfortable.
Doctor Yuan told them, "Let's see if it works in another half month. If it doesn't, then it will be difficult to handle."
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and Doctor Yuan came to remove the gauze.
She rinsed all the medicine off and then wiped his eyes with the medicine solution.
Throughout the entire time, Jiang Chuting's heart was in her throat, her eyes fixed on Lin Zhi's reaction without blinking.
Doctor Yuan asked, "How is it?"
Lin Zhi squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before slowly opening them. After concentrating for a while, he suddenly exclaimed excitedly, "I, I, I think I can feel the light!"
Jiang Chuting breathed a sigh of relief and grabbed Lin Zhi's hand, which was waving wildly in the air.
Doctor Yuan said happily, "That's good. Continue applying the medicine for another month, and you should be able to recover."
This is truly wonderful news.
After Doctor Yuan changed Lin Zhi's dressing again, Jiang Chuting saw her out.
Upon returning, I saw Lu Zhaozheng sitting alone at the tea table on the second-floor terrace. After thinking for a moment, I went upstairs.
The two sat facing each other. Lu Zhao looked at him and smiled slightly, saying, "Congratulations, I heard everything."
"I owe all of this to Brother Lu's help." If it weren't for his orders, how could Doctor Yuan have treated Lin Zhi, an outsider?
Lu Zhao poured him a cup of tea and said self-deprecatingly, "No need to thank me, I didn't help you for nothing."
Jiang Chuting took a sip of tea but didn't reply. This tea tasted very similar to the Qing'er leaf tea that Yuan Sang had given him before; both were unique ingredients, and he quite liked them. Lu Zhao would brew it for him every time he came.
“In another month…” Lu Zhao gazed into his eyes and said, “You will be leaving.” The tone was a statement, not a question.
Jiang Chuting nodded and said, "I've already troubled you a lot, Brother Lu. I really don't dare to bother you any further."
Lu Zhao seemed not to hear, his eyes reddening, a hidden pain showing in his expression, and he murmured again, "Only one month left..." Only one month left.
"Brother Lu?"
Lu Zhao picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said in a barely audible voice, "It's nothing."
One month, just one month, that's enough.
After that, everything went as usual. Yuan Sang took Wei Jiaxing'er and Lin Zhi out for a stroll, buying a bunch of delicious food. Jiang Chuting sometimes joined them, and sometimes accompanied Lu Zhao for a stroll, drinking tea, and playing chess. Unable to resist Lin Zhi's pestering, she slept with him for a few nights, and before she knew it, more than twenty days had passed.
Lin Zhi's eyes could already see things vaguely.
He couldn't be happy at all, because the nightmares that had stopped for a while started again, tormenting him to the point of heart attack, and he felt like he was always under a dark cloud.
That day, just as Doctor Yuan finished changing Lin Zhi's dressing and was about to leave, he suddenly said, "Young Master Jiang, why are you bleeding?"
Bleeding?! Lin Zhi was shocked: "Chu Ting, what happened to you??"
Jiang Chuting took the handkerchief handed to her by Doctor Yuan, covered her nose which was suddenly bleeding, and said, "It's nothing, I'll just wash it off."
Jiang Chuting didn't take it seriously, unaware that Lin Zhi's heart was already in turmoil.
This suddenly coincided with the nightmare he had been having for a long time, and a series of extremely bad premonitions rose in his heart.
When Jiang Chuting returned after washing up, Lin Zhi, her throat sore from worry, grabbed him and asked, "Is there anything else that's bothering you?"
Jiang Chuting said, "No."
Lin Zhi still stubbornly requested that Doctor Yuan take Jiang Chuting's pulse, and Jiang Chuting had no choice but to comply and extend her hand.
After a moment's thought, Doctor Yuan said, "It's nothing."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Lin Zhi heard Doctor Yuan lower his voice and say to Jiang Chuting, "Young Master, please come out with me for a moment."
Lin Zhixin felt a sudden weight lift off her shoulders. Before she could call out to them, she heard their footsteps already fading into the distance.
Is there really something wrong with Chu Ting's health? Why do they have to go out and tell everyone?
Lin Zhi was restless. He groped his way to the outside, holding onto the door frame, wanting to hear what they had to say.
In the end, they heard nothing, and Jiang Chuting had already returned.
Lin Zhi hurriedly asked, "What did Doctor Yuan say?"
"She said if I feel unwell, I must tell her." Jiang Chuting held his hand and asked curiously, "What's wrong? Your hands are so cold?"
"I..." Lin Zhi choked on a breath, her thoughts in disarray, and truthfully said, "I've been having recurring dreams lately, dreams that you're seriously ill, just like this, suddenly bleeding, and then, and then..."
Jiang Chuting laughed upon hearing this, finally understanding why he had reacted so strangely.
"You know it was all a dream. Doctor Yuan said I have some internal heat, and drinking some herbal tea will help. There's nothing wrong with me."
"Really? You're not lying to me?"
"I'm not lying to you." Jiang Chuting gently touched his face, reassuring him, "I'm fine, don't worry."
Lin Zhi nodded with a tense chin, but in her heart she was thinking that if Chu Ting was really like in her dream, she would definitely save him at all costs.
Although Jiang Chuting said that, he continued to have nosebleeds every few days afterward, which didn't seem like he was alright at all.
"Dad, you're bleeding again!" Xing'er, already experienced, quickly handed Jiang Chuting a handkerchief.
His alarmed expression made Jiang Chuting chuckle softly, and she said, "Father is fine."
However, he was also puzzled, as he had never encountered this problem before, except for the period when he was extremely weak after losing his inner strength while carrying Xing'er.
Lin Zhi felt hot and cold all over, and sat motionless and silent.
These days, when Doctor Yuan comes to change his dressings, he always quietly calls Chu Ting out to talk. When asked about it afterward, he says it's all trivial stuff.
Since it's unimportant, why did Doctor Yuan insist on avoiding the topic?
He became increasingly convinced that Chu Ting was deliberately hiding something from him.
He was afraid that his nightmares were gradually becoming reality.
Two days later, Lin Zhi's eyes could see things up close, but things at a distance were still blurry.
Dr. Yuan told him he didn't need to apply the medicine at night, but he should continue during the day to avoid strong light affecting his eyes' recovery.
That evening, Jiang Chuting went out and didn't come to find him. Lin Zhi pulled off the blindfold and stared blankly at a purple flower in a slender-necked vase on the table.
The petals were delicate; Xing'er had accidentally broken one while playing in the garden before dinner and brought it to his room.
After waiting for a long time without seeing anyone, he lay down on the bed with a heavy heart and finally managed to drift off to sleep.
Half-asleep, he found Lu Zhao sitting by his bedside, his gaze icy and piercing.
Lin Zhi tried to sit up, but her body felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. She tried to open her eyelids, but couldn't. As if caught in a nightmare, she drifted off to sleep again...
When he woke up again, he found Jiang Chuting lying next to him, gazing at him with gentle eyes.
The two were standing very close, and Lin Zhi immediately noticed the bloodstains on his lips that hadn't been wiped clean. Lin Zhi's heart pounded: "Chu Ting, what happened to you?"
Jiang Chuting noticed his gaze, realized something, and raised her hand to rub her lips again.
Lin Zhi's eyes reddened with anxiety. She helped him sit up and asked, "What happened? Please don't hide it from me anymore."
Jiang Chuting sighed silently, her brows furrowed with bitterness and helplessness. She said, "I know I can't hide it from you no matter what I do, so I'll tell you the truth: I went to see Doctor Yuan tonight."
Upon hearing this, Lin Zhi already knew what was going to happen, and tears began to stream down her face.
“I am indeed sick, the kind that can’t be cured, and I don’t have much time left.” Jiang Chuting raised her hand to wipe away his tears and said softly, “You are still young, and your eyes will be cured soon. After we leave the island, let’s part ways and live a good life.”
Lin Zhi felt like the sky had fallen and the earth had collapsed. She shook her head vigorously and stretched out her arms to hug him tightly.
His face was streaked with tears, but he gritted his teeth and said firmly, "It won't be incurable. I will make you better. You can't just give up like this, and you can't send me away."
"Get better?" Jiang Chuting said wistfully, "Doctor Yuan said there was no hope, so why not give up? It's all in vain. Lin Zhi, don't be willful, you still have a long life ahead of you."
Lin Zhi buried her face in his shoulder, choking back tears, and said, "There will be a way, Chu Ting, you can't die, I will save you..."
Jiang Chuting sighed, hugged him, and stopped talking.
Like a terrible warning, ever since Jiang Chuting confessed to him, she not only had nosebleeds in the following days, but also frequently vomited blood; the bright red liquid stung Lin.
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