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墨書 Inktalez
She was almost out of control, bending down to grasp his bleeding arm, her lips trembling. For a long time, only the sound of her low sobs could be heard.
Shen Muqing's brows furrowed in irritation as he glanced down at Yan Zhouwan, who was looking down with an unclear expression. The reprimand that had been on the tip of his tongue was swallowed back. After a moment of contemplation, he finally sighed and said, "It's nothing serious; just some superficial wounds. A bit of ointment will do."
His words were stiff, resembling a naive youth who didn't understand social interactions. He seemed more like a proud leopard, high and mighty, suddenly lowering its head to seek peace with its prey. This side of him left Yan Zhouwan at a loss, her heart racing with surprise.
It wasn't until Shen Muqing let out another gasp that Yan Zhouwan realized her own awkwardness. She quickly said, "I... I'll go get you some ointment so it doesn't get inflamed from being delayed."
She didn't understand why she had said that or why a sense of melancholy swept through her heart. They had agreed to ignore and forget everything, to not recall his coldness and the pain he had caused her. Yet at this moment, all she could see was how he protected her, willing to endure burns himself rather than let her suffer even a little harm. It was as if he had spoken against his own will and conscience.
Shen Muqing paid no mind to the awkwardness and turmoil of Yan Zhouwan. He simply replied with a faint "hm," and then the two of them walked out of the Oven.
Yan Zhouwan awkwardly knocked on Xia Muxin's tightly closed door, her face filled with anxiety and apology as she fidgeted with her fingers at the entrance. When the door finally opened to reveal Shen Muhan's expressionless face, she swallowed hard and stammered, "Um... could I borrow some burn ointment? He... your brother... burned his arm."
After speaking, her gaze flickered down to her toes, as if she were guilty of something and couldn't meet Shen Muhan's eyes.
Shen Muhan frowned slightly but then readily handed over the burn ointment without asking about the severity of the injury. He simply passed it to Yan Zhouwan and stood at the door watching her leave.
"Is it serious? Should we take a look?"
It wasn't until Shen Muhan closed the door and walked over to the bed that Xia Muxin poked her head out and spoke in a tired voice.
She felt even more weak and limp than before. Once she lay down, she didn't want to get up again. She had dozed off in a daze until the sound of knocking at the door brought her back to a sliver of consciousness. However, Shen Muhan did not follow to check; instead, he asked with some confusion.
"Someone is taking care of things, no need for me to interfere."
Shen Muhan did not lie back under the covers but sat at the head of the bed, taking Xia Muxin's hand and examining it closely. After a pause, he asked, "Are you tired? Do you want to sleep a bit longer?"
It was actually not early anymore; the hour had passed. However, since Xia Muxin had delayed getting the Child Gu that day, she needed to recuperate well over the next few days, or else she might not be able to hold on.
Feeling the warmth of his palm against hers, Xia Muxin's face flushed slightly. She smiled lightly and shook her head, pulling her small hand back and climbing out from under the covers. She grabbed her clothes from beside her and began putting them on while saying, "I heard that seven days have already passed since that day. I have no idea what the outside world looks like now. I want to go out and breathe some fresh air."
Shen Muhan's tightly pressed lips curled into a faint smile as he helped her style her hair. Only when they were both dressed neatly did he take her hand and lead her downstairs.
The workshop was bustling with activity, and the brick factory was also busy. Even after such an incident with the Xia family, everything continued without pause. Xia Muxin was a bit shy; once they stepped outside, she no longer allowed Shen Muhan to hold her hand. Keeping a distance, she looked at the busy people around them, a smile forming on her lips as she took a deep breath of fresh air before heading toward the fish pond.
Shen Muhan looked at his empty hand and shook his head with a chuckle. When did this girl become so shy? But he didn’t linger; he quickly caught up with her and walked side by side.
The water in the fish pond was not clear; it had a light green hue mixed with a hint of yellow. They had just added some aquatic plants, which were now floating lushly in the center of the pond. The fish of various sizes were eagerly tugging at the plants, devouring them without being disturbed by Xia Muxin's presence.
The sun had grown quite warm after midday, but fortunately, Daimiao Village was picturesque with its clear mountains and waters, and the breeze was refreshing. Even after walking for some distance, Xia Muxin didn't feel too hot, though beads of sweat still formed on her forehead.
However, this bit of activity made her feel better overall; her fatigue lessened significantly, and her spirits lifted as well.
The two found a clean spot to sit down under a tree. Shen Muhan looked at her with concern and reached out to wipe away the sweat from her forehead before gently asking:
"Are you thirsty?"
The two of them had come out without bringing anything, and since Xia Muxin had woken up, she hadn't had a drop to drink. Earlier, he had hinted that she should eat something, but she insisted she wasn't hungry and didn't want to eat. He didn't press her, allowing her to make her own choices and following her wherever she went. At this moment, however, he couldn't help but worry about her frail body.
Xia Muxin wore a gentle smile, her gaze drifting towards the horizon as she shook her head lightly. Shen Muhan felt a pang in his heart and pulled her into his embrace, letting her lean against him.
"I thought I would go back."
After a long pause, Xia Muxin opened her eyes again, clarity shining within them as she gazed at the vast sky in the distance. There was a hint of shivering in her voice, yet it carried deep meaning.
The last confrontation with Qingyue felt like it had just happened; the memory was vivid and haunting. Although she wasn't someone who feared death or was unfamiliar with bloodshed, seeing someone like Qingyue turn gray in an instant was a first for her. The thought sent a shiver down her spine.
Moreover, Shen Muhan hadn't explained anything throughout it all, which left her feeling extremely uncomfortable. Even though he had sacrificed so much for them, the unease in her heart made it seem as if there was a barrier between them because of Qingyue. It felt like this barrier would linger for a lifetime, and she wondered if it might lead her to depression.
Listening to her ambiguous words, Shen Muhan tightened his hold on her. Following Xia Muxin's gaze, he saw nothing but endless emptiness. For a moment, he felt an illusion that Muxin might sort things out or even leave him. This feeling was unbearable; a sharp pain pierced his heart. After a pause, he helplessly said:
"She is buried on the back mountain of Jun Yuan Villa."
This was actually the last thing he wanted to mention. With Qingyue's death, his master’s lineage was completely severed. He had also broken his promise to their couple and cut off all ties with his sect. Guilt weighed heavily on him, but he could only bear it alone. He didn't want Xia Muxin to know too much; the more she knew, the more she would have to endure. So he brushed over it simply but was puzzled by her mention of going back.
This place was her home; where could she possibly return to?
His words surprised Xia Muxin slightly. She bit her lip but didn't say anything further; instead, she quietly nestled in his arms, admiring the beauty of the distant mountains and nearby waters with a faint smile gracing her lips. This smile did not escape Shen Muhan's notice, and the fatigue that had plagued him for days finally began to dissipate.
"Muxin, I am now completely an ordinary citizen; no one can separate us anymore."
At the same time, he couldn't help but share his happiest news with Xia Muxin. She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist and buried her head against his chest. After a while, she murmured softly, "I know."
The doubts and exhaustion that had weighed on them were alleviated. Xia Muxin felt much lighter and began contemplating opening a chain supermarket. Little did Shen Muhan know that his little wife had already fallen into thoughts of wealth due to the lifting of her mental burdens while still reveling in their current happiness...
"I'm sorry, I'll be gentler."
At this moment, Yan Zhouwan felt her face burning, likely as hot as a cooked duck. Hearing Shen Muqing's restrained heavy breaths, she lowered her head and spoke stiffly.
She had lost all her face today; everyone knew how she had been ostracizing Shen Muqing lately. In her heart, she silently vowed never to pay attention to that man again, regardless of his life or death. Yet, he had only suffered this minor injury, and she felt as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Thinking about Shen Muhan's unusual gaze earlier made her want to slap herself.
Digging her own grave and then jumping into it—Yan Zhouwan, you’ve really outdone yourself.
At this moment, Shen Muqing sat in the chair with his knees bent and his body leaning forward. His sharp eyes darted between his injured hand and Yan Zhouwan, who was applying medicine while bowing her head. His gaze was ambiguous, dark yet complex.
Yan Zhouwan knelt before him, carefully applying ointment to his large wound where flesh was clearly visible. Even after applying the ointment, the smell of blood lingered because she was distracted and her movements were sometimes too light and sometimes too heavy, which led to Shen Muqing's displeased heavy breaths.
If one were to delve deeper, it might seem like she was taking revenge.
"Alright, I heard this ointment works well. It won't take long to heal, but when new skin grows, it will itch. Just bear with it and try not to scratch."
After finishing applying the ointment, Yan Zhouwan let out a sigh of relief and deeply exhaled. Not looking at Shen Muqing, she began tidying up her things while softly reminding him.
This ointment belonged to Shen Muhan; she had used it before. It would help the peeling skin grow new skin, but the process took time and was particularly itchy. If one couldn't control themselves, they would ruin the new skin, making it look unsightly even if it eventually healed.
"Since that's the case, why not remove the gauze from your face and apply some of this ointment?"
Shen Muqing withdrew his hand and carefully examined the area where he had applied the ointment for a while before speaking in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, Yan Zhouwan was taken aback. This was the first time Shen Muqing had spoken to her so kindly and in such a gentle tone. However, what he said struck a nerve with her. Her eyes turned red immediately as she placed the items into a nearby box without looking at Shen Muqing and spoke in a tone meant to calm herself down:
"You should rest well if you're hurt. I'll go take care of some things first."
With that, without waiting for Shen Muqing to respond, he hurriedly left the room.
Shen Muqing gazed at his hurried figure with a profound expression, feeling an inexplicable tightness in her chest, yet she found herself smiling absentmindedly.
During this time, the scars on her face had mostly faded, and she looked much better than before. However, the bandage on her right cheek was quite bothersome to him, and several times he had thought about tearing it off to see what lay beneath—something that was hidden from everyone.
Moreover, since they had met, that part had never been revealed to anyone. It was glaring to him, yet it also filled him with anger.
He didn't know what he had said to upset her earlier; she had even given him a cold shoulder. But hadn't she been giving herself a hard time all this while?
It was astonishing that he had managed to endure so much himself.
Yan Zhouwan ran out of the courtyard but did not go to work. Instead, she dashed outside until she reached a secluded spot where she crouched down and cried freely, covering her mouth.
This word was a lifelong humiliation for her, so she had used a knife to carve away the flesh in that area. Now, over a month later, the wound had scabbed over but showed no signs of healing. Although it looked ugly, it was still better than having that humiliation displayed on her face.
Shen Muqing's earlier words had pierced her heart deeply. Afraid of crying in front of him, she had come here instead.
"Yan Sister, what's wrong? Who bullied you?"
At that moment, a rough voice came from above her. Yan Zhouwan froze and looked up through her tear-filled eyes at the person standing over her. After a moment of surprise, she wiped away her tears and hoarsely replied:
"Thank you, Brother Sheng. I'm fine; I just thought of my parents when I was young... and couldn't help myself. Sorry for making you worry."
The man was rugged and tall with dark skin. His eyes were filled with concern as he stared at Yan Zhouwan. His pant legs were rolled up; he was Zhao Sheng, the third son of the Zhao family in the village. At eighteen years old, he was at the age for courtship but had yet to take any action due to the opening of Muxin Supermarket, where he became one of the workers. They had become familiar with each other through their daily encounters.
Hearing Yan Zhouwan's words, Zhao Sheng's dark eyes flickered, and his cracked lips moved slightly, yet he remained silent for a long time.
Yan Zhouwan wiped her eyes with her sleeve and then pushed herself up. Perhaps due to squatting for too long, her legs had gone numb. Before she could steady herself, she gasped and fell backward.
Zhao Sheng was startled and instinctively reached out to catch her. In doing so, he managed to pull her back, but their bodies ended up pressed against each other. Yan Zhouwan's head bumped into Zhao Sheng's nose, causing her to panic and try to pull away, but the more she struggled, the more tangled they became.
"What are you two doing?"
Suddenly, a cold voice came from behind Zhao Sheng. Yan Zhouwan widened her eyes in shock, and as she exerted a bit of force with her hands, she lost her balance completely and fell flat on her back, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Zhao Sheng was physically strong; when Yan Zhouwan suddenly pushed him, he only stumbled back a few steps without much harm. However, Yan Zhouwan hit the ground hard, stars dancing in her vision as her head buzzed with pain—undoubtedly a concussion as Xia Muxin had mentioned.
Could a damaged brain be stitched back together?
In the midst of nearly fainting from the pain, Yan Zhouwan found herself pondering this absurd question.
Shen Muqing was filled with rage and wanted to lash out. The moment Zhao Sheng bent down to help Yan Zhouwan, he leaped forward and scooped up the dazed girl whose head had turned to mush in his arms. He shot a glare at the grimacing Yan Zhouwan and coldly shouted:
"Troublesome."
Startled by his shout, Yan Zhouwan shivered and became somewhat clearer-headed. She opened her eyes but felt exceptionally wronged and began to cry again.
Shen Muqing's arm burned from the earlier movement, but when Yan Zhouwan cried out like that, he fell silent. The corners of his tightly pressed lips revealed his displeasure as he ignored the stunned Zhao Sheng beside him and strode away with Yan Zhouwan in his arms.
"What happened?"
Xia Muxin and Shen Muhan happened to return just then. Seeing Shen Muqing carrying what seemed like an unconscious Yan Zhouwan toward the courtyard, they paused in their tracks and exchanged glances. Xia Muxin curiously asked in confusion.
Shen Muhan rubbed her soft hair with a grin that hinted at schadenfreude.
"Mind your own business when it comes to the couple's affairs."
Um...
What kind of nonsense is this?
Xia Muxin tilted her head, scrutinizing Shen Muhan. When she caught the hint in the slight lift of his eyebrows, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh. Leaning closer to Shen Muhan, she whispered, "Is your silly boy finally waking up?"
Shen Muhan, however, wore a particularly mischievous smile. He leaned in towards Xia Muxin and lightly bit her earlobe. Seeing her ears turn red, he chuckled, "Only when his wife is taken away by someone else will he realize he's truly a fool."
Xia Muxin laughed so hard that she fell into Shen Muhan's embrace...
"Stay put; you can't go anywhere."
Shen Muqing ignored Sister-in-law's gleeful expression and directly stepped past them, scooping Yan Zhouwan into her room. With a somewhat rough motion, she tossed her onto the bed and commanded in a muffled voice.
- End of Chapter -
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