Chapter 128 Loss of Perception What I want from you is to increase your love for me, and...
Illness seems to be the most abhorrent thing in the world, whether for the unrestrained Jiang Yu or the strategist Xi Chuang. Sometimes, their own health might not be as worrisome as the health of their beloved.
Shen Jiuxu remained unconscious in the inn for two days and one night. Jiang Yu sat by his bedside, watching over him. Even though he wanted to use extreme methods to wake him up countless times, he held back.
Only then did Jiang Yu understand how Shen Jiuxu had managed during the months he was injured. Perhaps retribution truly exists in this world; Shen Jiuxu had twice cared for the unconscious Jiang Yu, and now it was his turn.
The person lying in bed and the person standing beside the bed switched places. This way, they could better understand each other's feelings, the anxiety, pain, helplessness that accompanied love, and even a trace of resentment towards each other.
They resent the other person for hiding it from them, resent their disregard for their health, and resent their own inability to discover it sooner or stop it at that moment.
Love, mixed with all the bad emotions, surged like a raging lake, roaring and rushing towards the reef forged from a heart. But in the end, it all flowed back to its original place. Love will conquer all, just like Jiang Yu now, and just like Shen Jiuxu three years ago, and a month ago.
Jiang Yu suddenly remembered the row of wood carvings that Shen Jiuxu had made while he was unconscious.
While his beloved was unconscious, carving his love into a wooden sculpture bit by bit seemed like an extremely time-consuming task, but it also seemed to be the only way for him to pass the time. He would polish his beloved's image with the carving knife again and again until his movements became more and more skilled, and he would look forward to whether the next wooden sculpture would be completed when his beloved woke up.
Jiang Yu could only wait two days before he couldn't take it anymore.
Staying with someone is too agonizing. The scenes of his time with Shen Jiuxu kept flashing through his mind, making him miss the Shen Jiuxu who was always laughing and joking, who would give him a cold look when he went too far, and who would silently encourage and support him when he was disappointed and discouraged.
Jiang Yu felt like a ripe plum that had burst open, his deepest feelings revealed in these moments.
When will I wake up?
Jiang Yu didn't know or understand, but thankfully the person was still by his side, unlike last time in Yunshui City, when he waited for the person to return in the Fuyou Palace, only to receive news that the soul lamp had gone out. He didn't want to experience that again, and he absolutely didn't want to go through it again.
The tea on the table had long since gone cold. Jiang Yu had eaten some food the night he arrived, but hadn't touched it since. The waiter had already cleared everything away, leaving only a pot of tea.
The tea turned bitter when it cooled down, so bitter that it made people frown. Jiang Yu took a few sips and put it down. But after guarding it for so long, his originally clear mind was now clouded, as if something had covered it up.
He could only stand up and pour himself another cup of cold tea. As soon as he took a sip, Jiang Yu grimaced from the bitterness. It seemed that his sense of taste had become much more sensitive in all aspects after he had a new body.
But once he was fully awake, he returned to the bedside and stared at Shen Jiuxu on the bed. Below his high, straight nose were beautifully shaped lips, and the warm touch of them made Jiang Yu unable to resist kissing him.
He felt a deep joy hidden within him. This person was his own, belonged to him. He didn't have much contact with others, and it seemed that only he and Shen Jiuxu shared the same feelings in this world.
Jiang Yu never imagined she would have such a possessive nature.
He suddenly had a strong urge to kiss Shen Jiuxu. Although Shen Jiuxu was unconscious, this action would not only bring him joy, but also seem to ease the lingering bitterness in his mouth, and allow him to feel the warmth of his beloved.
He thought this way, and that's what he did. Jiang Yu didn't think he had done anything wrong. This was his Daoist partner, his lover, and kissing her was perfectly normal.
Sure enough, Jiang Yu became addicted to this warm and soft feeling.
He had originally intended to only dabble in it, but later he found himself unable to detach himself. Besides his own unwillingness, there was also the fact that Shen Jiuxu seemed to have woken up, and Jiang Yu's heart was filled with joy.
His one-sided kiss became responsive, and the other person's arms held Jiang Yu tightly, pulling him even closer until his body was almost unable to move. In this quiet environment, even the slightest sound could be clearly heard.
This feeling is absolutely intoxicating.
The bitterness was gradually replaced by his lover's kisses, and Jiang Yu's brow relaxed. He was much luckier than Shen Jiuxu, having waited far less. His Daoist partner seemed unwilling to let him wait too long, waking up in just two days.
Is it bitter?
After the kiss ended, Jiang Yu asked Shen Jiuxu, "I just opened my eyes and I was already experiencing such bitterness." Shen Jiuxu patted his head and said, "It's not bitter."
"I just drank some tea, and it tastes very bitter and is hard to swallow if it sits for too long."
Like a child, he complained to the reliable adults around him. At this moment, Jiang Yu felt that only when Shen Jiuxu woke up could he be considered truly alive.
He regained the energy and mood to joke, and he was able to speak with a smile.
Shen Jiuxu noticed that the skin and color under his eyes were clearly different from Leng Bai's. Even though he couldn't see his eyes very clearly, he could guess that they were dark blue-black, and a feeling of heartache welled up in his heart.
"How long has it been since you last slept?"
His fingers slid down, touching that patch of skin, his voice gentle, "I was unconscious for a long time, I'll be fine. Don't wait for me with your eyes open next time."
"don't want."
Jiang Yu kicked his shoes away. Shen Jiuxu lifted the covers and put an arm around him. His embrace was warm. Jiang Yu could clearly hear the strong, powerful heartbeat of Shen Jiuxu, which made him feel extremely at ease. "It's only been two days. You stayed by my side for so long back then. This is just a matter of time."
Knowing he wouldn't listen, Shen Jiuxu knew that no matter how much he tried to persuade him, it would be useless. He could only sigh. But wasn't that how it was between Daoist partners? When Jiang Yu spoke to him, Shen Jiuxu knew he might not listen, so he didn't insist anymore. He simply pulled the other into his arms and rested his chin on Jiang Yu's shoulder. "I'm sorry for making you worry."
"It won't happen again next time."
"This whole mess happened because you were trying to save me, so I should be the one thanking you." Jiang Yu grabbed Shen Jiuxu's hand with one hand, raised his head slightly, stared at him with his eyes, and spoke in a solemn and serious tone.
He truly felt that Shen Jiuxu had sacrificed too much for him, and using this method to save someone was far too dangerous. Jiang Yu had never seen anything like it before; this was the first time he had experienced it firsthand. He didn't know if Shen Jiuxu might have other wounds he hadn't told him about. After all, how could someone who had just escaped death be completely unharmed?
If it truly could ensure peace and safety, this method would have been renowned among the people for generations to come.
Shen Jiuxu didn't like the word "thank you" coming from Jiang Yu's mouth, especially since it was said to him. It made him feel that there was a distance and unfamiliarity between them, which shouldn't be the case. They should be very close.
Jiang Yu shouldn't be filled with self-blame and guilt. What he wanted was for Jiang Yu to be completely open with him, to be able to vent freely in front of him—to cry or laugh, to feel joy or anger, all emotions were acceptable, but there should be no guilt whatsoever.
"It's okay, don't worry."
Shen Jiuxu patted his shoulder, pondered for a while, and comforted him, "Jiang Yu, I saved you voluntarily. It has nothing to do with you. You don't need to feel guilty towards me, and you don't need to blame yourself. Everything I did for you was of my own free will."
"What I want you to increase is your love for me, not anything else."
"How are your eyes? Are there any uncomfortable spots? I'm worried about whether you can adapt to this body." Shen Jiuxu felt Jiang Yu's pulse. He wasn't sure if the Spring Encounter Technique would harm the body. He had lost his memory after using it last time, but this time the spiritual power had been transferred to Jiang Yu. Shen Jiuxu wasn't sure if the effect would change.
"I feel even better than before."
Jiang Yu made no promises about love; words are useless, only actions speak louder than words. He stared at Shen Jiuxu with his bright eyes, making him laugh out loud. Shen Jiuxu found Jiang Yu incredibly adorable, his heart almost melting.
Will I bloom in the future?
Jiang Yu couldn't help but ask him if he really liked the flowers and leaves that kept popping up on Shen Jiuxu's head.
They were like a concrete manifestation of Shen Jiuxu's inner world, except that since he transformed from the amnesiac Shen Qinggui into the all-knowing Shen Jiuxu, those flowers had rarely appeared. Jiang Yu suspected that it might be because Shen Jiuxu had poor control over his body during the days immediately following his awakening.
Do you want to?
Shen Jiuxu didn't answer him directly, but instead asked him in a low voice, "What kind of flowers do you like?"
"Actually, either is fine, but I prefer the one on your head." Jiang Yu wasn't really a romantic person. Among him, Shen Jiuxu, and Lian Quesheng, Lian Quesheng was the most fun-loving and best at dressing up. Even though Jiang Yu made the decisions on many important matters, Lian Quesheng was the most skilled at eating, drinking, and having fun.
“No, but your perception of heaven and earth will be more refined.” A small pink and white flower suddenly appeared in Shen Jiuxu’s hand, and he handed it to Jiang Yu. “It’s time to sleep, so I won’t let it bloom on your head today.”
Jiang Yu burst out laughing.
A light and lasting fragrance filled the room. Jiang Yu placed the flower beside his pillow and kissed Shen Jiuxu again. Actually, he didn't like the flower itself, but rather it was a gift from Shen Jiuxu.
The candlelight was extinguished. Shen Jiuxu saw that Jiang Yu was fast asleep. He looked out the window. The scenery that was once clear was now blurred. But the damage that the Spring Rebirth Technique had caused him was far more than that. Shen Jiuxu could no longer feel the spiritual energy of heaven and earth that was once closely connected with him. He was like a bird in a cage, having lost the freedom of the outside world.
The same applies to Shen Jiuxu.
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