Chapter 63: Senior Brother, You’re Awake

Embarrassed as he was, he still had to report the events of the day to Cen Song. After Chu Junhan succinctly explained everything, the old man stroked his goatee, a gentle smile curling at his lips. “Ruyan has grown up, and her schemes are quite impressive.”

“Teacher, you praise me too highly. If those men in black come again, this trick may not work a second time…” In the boy’s eyes flickered a worry far beyond his years.

Cen Song patted him on the shoulder, his gaze kind and benevolent. “There’s no need to fret, Yan’er. As long as I am here, they wouldn’t dare return. What they truly fear is not me, but the retainers I command.”

Retainers? Chu Junhan thought of the silhouette in the inferno. How many retainers like Yi Wuqing did the teacher still have?

“In that case, all is well. If there’s nothing else, may I take my leave?” The little one glanced at the person lying on the bed—Zimo needed someone by his side at all times.

The old man waved a hand. “Go on, then.”

As days and nights passed, clouds drifted leisurely across the sky. At last, the person on the bed slowly regained consciousness.

Zimo’s eyes fluttered open, seeking the light, and in his peripheral vision he caught sight of a little figure—her small head resting by the bedside, hands tucked beneath, lips slightly parted in slumber. The sight was both endearing and pitiable.

“You must be exhausted… Junior Brother, I’m glad you’re here.” Zimo’s eyes brimmed with warmth. All these years, it was the first time he had ever known what it felt like to be cared for.

The little one rubbed her face with a hand, brows furrowing in her sleep as she reached instinctively for her head. Her tiny hand touched something soft.

“Senior Brother, you’re awake!” Chu Junhan exclaimed in delight, grasping the large hand atop her head as she looked up at Zimo.

Their eyes met, and silence instantly fell over the room.

Zimo’s eyelids drooped, sleep still clouding his gaze, yet he nodded wearily, a gentle smile lingering on his lips. “Yes, I’m awake.”

The youth’s smile was tinged with sweetness. Chu Junhan gazed at him, entranced; in a world so bitter, how could your smile be so comforting, as if tasting honey?

She bit her lip, the sting clearing her thoughts. Realizing she’d been caught staring by a mere child, a blush crept up her cheeks. “Se… Senior Brother, since you’re awake, I… I’ll go inform the teacher.”

“Why are you stammering, Junior Brother?” Zimo’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he propped himself up with both hands. “Has Senior Brother been too good to you, and now you’re not used to it? It’s been a long time since I teased you—do you miss it?”

Chu Junhan shot a glare at the youth on the bed. Such a face could turn the world upside down—his smile was as gentle as a spring breeze. And yet, how could someone so beautiful be so infuriating?

“You’d better worry about yourself, Senior Brother! In your current frail state, you’re in no shape for me to get my revenge!” Gritting her teeth, she flung her sleeve and stormed out the door.

“Hey… Junior Brother…” Zimo lifted his hand slightly, but the little one’s silhouette vanished beyond the threshold, leaving him with an inexplicable sense of loss.

In another room of the thatched cottage, an old man was grinding herbs, occasionally picking up a sample to sniff before placing it back into the small stone mortar.

“Teacher, Senior Brother is awake.”

A child’s voice sounded. Cen Song’s callused hand quivered, and he leapt to his feet in excitement. “Mo’er is awake? I must go see him.”

Chu Junhan stepped aside to clear a path. As Cen Song hurried past, the wind stirred by his robes brushed her cheek. She let out a long breath, shrugging her shoulders. “That old man—pretending to be so composed when he’s clearly still worried about the lingering poison.”