FMT 57

Chapter 57 Full Recovery

Liandan himself did not know what was wrong with him. When Chen Shuangning had been gravely ill, he had dared to speak openly about liking him, dared to say in front of others that he wanted to live with him.

But now that Shuangning’s body was slowly recovering and he was getting better each day, Liandan’s courage shrank instead. He no longer dared to speak or act. When he thought back on what he had said then, he sometimes felt ashamed.

During their time in Liuli City, Changle woke several times each night. Xiaodan slept with his aunt, while Liandan kept Changle with him.

Every night before bed, Chen Shuangning would come to Liandan’s room for a while to see the child. He knew Liandan did not sleep well and wanted to take Changle back at night, but Liandan would never agree.

After all, Shuangning had only just recovered to this state. If he got tired and left behind some hidden illness, it would be too late for regret.

After looking at the child, Shuangning would say goodnight to Liandan and go back to his room.

The servant woman helping with the baby could not stand it and whispered to Liandan, “You foolish child, why don’t you let him stay?”

Liandan looked at her, puzzled. She sighed. “You already have two children. How can you still not understand? Look at your husband. He clearly doesn’t want to leave. He is waiting for you to say something!”

Liandan’s face turned red. He lowered his head and stammered, “I… I didn’t notice…”

The servant folded the diapers neatly and placed them at the foot of the bed. She sat down beside him. “This child is both of yours. He cares about you. Let him help you with the baby. At night, you can take turns waking up. It won’t exhaust either of you.

“And besides, your confinement is already over a few days. Always keeping him at a distance isn’t right either.”

She did not know their real situation, and only thought them an ordinary couple. But her words were not without reason.

Liandan’s face was burning. “It’s almost New Year. He has many matters. Let’s wait until the holiday is over.”

As Shuangning grew better day by day, everything naturally went back to him for decision.

From small things, like what New Year’s goods to buy, what to eat for the New Year’s Eve dinner, to big things, like what arrangements to make after the holiday, all needed his say. This inn was only a temporary place after all. Once the New Year passed, they would have to leave.

Before New Year’s Eve, gifts arrived one after another, all sent by the brothers.

They knew Shuangning had a second child, and since it was also the Spring Festival, they sent gifts to congratulate.

Shuangning carefully wrote down a list, then asked Leng Shan and Bai Wushuang to arrange everything and send thanks in return.

On the day of the Spring Festival itself, there were no other guests in the inn.

The innkeeper lent them the kitchen to use as they wished.

Liandan looked after the children. Shuangruo and Liang Yun busied themselves in the kitchen the whole day. Unlike the main house, there were fewer people here, so Bai Wushuang and his family also helped, making it lively.

At night, firecrackers popped outside. Though there were fewer people than before, the meal was still lively and warm.

Shuangning was still on his last few doses of medicine. He only tasted half a sip of wine.

After most of the meal, Bai Wushuang was already drunk, nearly slipping under the table. Leng Shan and Liang Yun carried him back. His little daughter obediently helped support his arm and went with them.

After they left, Shuangruo stood. “I’ll go get something. Leave the things on the table. I’ll tidy up later.”

Liandan also stood. He wrapped Changle in his thick quilt and helped Xiaodan into his cotton robe.

Shuangning came over, took Changle onto his back, and said softly, “Let’s go.”

….

At a crossroads by the lake, paper money burned fiercely in the cold wind, sparks flying up into the night sky.

The brother and sister stood silently watching, firelight reflected in their eyes, no one knowing what they were thinking.

Liandan watched them and felt a wave of sorrow.

The vengeance had finally been repaid, but nothing could be undone. After the fifth day of the new year, the festival was considered over.

Shuangning finished his last dose of medicine. Feng Xingzhou checked his pulse and said happily, “Completely cured. Congratulations, Sect Leader!”

The next day, they left the inn, boarded several carriages, and set out on the road back.

The journey was smooth. A month later, they finally arrived at the main house.

The day they returned, the residence was almost as lively as during the New Year, bustling for two or three days.

After coming back to the main house, Liandan felt much more at ease.

He still lived in the same room as before. Xiaodan was now nearly two years old and wanted to learn from the Bai family’s young daughter to live by himself, so Liandan and Shuangruo set a bed in the study, tidied it up, and let him stay there.

The residence was full of trustworthy people, so Changle could be safely left with the servant women. At night, Liandan could finally sleep well, and he also had more free time.

Only Chen Shuangning grew busy.

Back in Liuli City, he had already discussed with Leng Shan and Bai Wushuang about dividing the sect’s property and had also written to the brothers in different places.

After the sect leader’s death, the demonic sect was already little more than a name. The brothers all hated it deeply and naturally would not allow it to continue existing.

These past years, only to handle the escaped criminals and the two guardians, had they kept things as they were. There was no need to keep it going anymore.

Leng Shan was different from the others. He had been forced into the sect but had refused to go along with them, so he was never trusted with much.

Later, as Chen Shuangning rose in influence, they grew closer since they had the same goals.

There were others like him within the sect. After years of sharing hardships, they were as close as family.

The residence became a home for these people. During holidays or when they missed home, they could come back to stay.

As for the sect’s industries, it would be a waste to divide them into scattered pieces, so they continued operating. Chen Shuangning recommended Leng Shan to take charge of them, and the others agreed.

At the end of the year, profits and losses would be calculated and divided. Anyone unwilling could directly take their share separately.

After finishing these matters, it was already March. The weather was slowly turning warm.

When Liandan had free time, he read books and practiced calligraphy, sometimes went to the kitchen to make food and brought it to Chen Shuangning.

During those busy days, the two of them did not see each other much. When Liandan brought food, they could only exchange a few words.

Sometimes, when Shuangning came back early to see the children, Liandan remembered the servant woman’s words from Liuli City and wanted to ask him to stay, but it always felt awkward, and he could not say it.

He thought it best to wait until Shuangning was less busy, and so it kept being put off.

Shuangruo, who was with him daily, even asked curiously why he did not move in with her brother. Liandan stammered and brushed it off, saying he would wait until things quieted down.

Now that Shuangning finally had more free time, Liandan still could not bring himself to mention it.

At night, the servants carried Changle away. Liandan bathed and stayed in his room, listening through the small hall to the sounds from the other side.

He walked to the door several times but always went back.

That night, after washing, he sat by the bed with his hair loose, reading. He had pushed the window open a crack to let out the steam in the room.

The tree in the courtyard had blossomed, and the fragrance drifted in through the gap, pleasant to smell.

The book in his hand stayed unread for a long time, his eyes often glancing at the door, showing hesitation.

Just then, he heard the door on the other side of the hall open. Someone stepped out of the room and, from the sound, walked into the courtyard.

Liandan did not know why, but he instinctively closed the window tightly.

The footsteps stopped in the courtyard. After a short while, a soft flute melody started to sound.