Hua Rongjian, seeing her serious tone, stopped trying to persuade her.
“You’ve changed,” An Jiu frowned.
In just half a year, Hua Rongjian had matured rapidly, both in appearance and temperament. An Jiu disliked this change. The carefree youth who used to watch stars over the great river and drink wine with her while sharing their thoughts was gone. His newfound depth resembled Chu Dingjiang, Mo Sigui, and Wei Yuzhi too much. It wasn’t that An Jiu hated this depth, but she preferred the warm-hearted young man he used to be, even if others saw him as frivolous.
“People always change,” Hua Rongjian said, then smiled at her. “You haven’t changed.”
An Jiu was constantly seeking spiritual liberation, and her mindset naturally evolved. Yet, her inherent purity remained unchanged.
“Protecting one’s true nature is a skill,” Hua Rongjian remarked. He wore a blue brocade robe covered by a black cloak, with black fox fur around his neck framing his face, which glowed like an ancient moon. Though he smiled as he spoke, a hint of melancholy seeped through.
An Jiu suddenly stepped forward and grasped his hand.
Hua Rongjian looked up, surprised.
Feeling the warmth from his palm, An Jiu’s lips curled into a smile. “Some parts of you haven’t changed.”
Hua Rongjian slowly closed his fingers, returning the grip of her small, cold hand. His eyes suddenly grew moist. Just when he felt lost, she told him that some parts of him remained unchanged. “Thank you,” he said softly.
After a moment, An Jiu withdrew her hand.
Hua Rongjian felt a void in his heart. He sighed, then untied a pendant from his waist and handed it to her. “If you ever need help, bring this to the Hua residence. I’ll do everything in my power to assist you.”
The pendant was unlike ordinary accessories. It was a face carved from black jade, with only vague features discernible. Upon closer inspection, tiny points of light sparkled within the stone, resembling the night sky.
An Jiu accepted it without hesitation and tucked it into her sleeve.
Hua Rongjian smiled at her response. She had always been this way, unhesitatingly giving or accepting only when she considered someone a friend.
“I’m leaving,” Hua Rongjian said, looking at the motionless An Jiu. He abandoned any hope of her rising to see him off. “Take care of yourself. There’s no need to see me out.”
As she was about to explain, Hua Rongjian quickly interrupted, “I know you weren’t planning to see me off.”
An Jiu nodded.
Hua Rongjian was speechless. He walked to the door, then suddenly stopped and turned back. “If you ever change your mind, you can always come back and marry me. Although I married Mei Ruyan that year, she isn’t my official wife until her name is recorded in the family registry.”
Perhaps fearing an unwanted answer, he hurriedly left before An Jiu could respond.
Reality can be both beautiful and painful.
An Jiu sat for a while before getting up to have breakfast.
Chu Dingjiang was still waiting for her in the corridor.
The patients in the small courtyard could now move freely, so Mei Yanran no longer brought meals to each room. Instead, everyone gathered in the dining hall.
When An Jiu and Chu Dingjiang arrived, Wei Yuzhi and Mo Sigui were nearly finished eating.
“Sigui said you can eat today, so I’ve prepared some light dishes,” Mei Yanran said, placing a bowl of porridge in front of her.
An Jiu’s attention was completely drawn to the various breakfast items on the table. She muttered a quick thanks and began eating with gusto.
Wei Yuzhi, holding half a steamed bun, stared in disbelief at An Jiu, who was eating like a ravenous wolf.
As An Jiu reached for her eleventh bun, Chu Dingjiang stopped her. “You can’t eat anymore.”
An Jiu silently let go and took a sip of porridge.
Mo Sigui picked up the bun and sighed, “I’m full, but Aunt’s cooking is just too good. I can’t help but have one more.” He took a large bite, chewing noisily.
Wei Yuzhi glanced at An Jiu, who looked thin and weak. Holding just a bowl of plain porridge, she suddenly resembled a mistreated young girl. He used his psychic power to subtly push half a salted duck egg in front of her.
Chu Dingjiang noticed but didn’t stop him. Instead, he scooped out half the egg and placed it on her plate.
After the meal, Mei Yanran cleared the table as the others continued their conversation.
“Doctor Mo, is there any concern about An Jiu’s condition?” Chu Dingjiang asked.
Mo Sigui replied, “She’s just a bit weak. With gradual nourishment, she’ll recover. There are no other major issues.”
Chu Dingjiang smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
Mo Sigui, sensing danger, looked around and grabbed Wei Yuzhi. “You’re not the only one at the Huajing level. You can’t act recklessly!”
“How is it reckless? I merely wish to settle accounts with the good doctor who has been so dedicated to An Jiu’s treatment,” Chu Dingjiang said, his last words barely escaping through gritted teeth. He recalled how Mo Sigui had to examine An Jiu thoroughly each time he treated her, and his anger bubbled up.
“Doctor…” Wei Yuzhi, unaware of the situation but sensing it involved An Jiu and Chu Dingjiang’s anger, quietly withdrew his arm. “I’m just a patient.”
“Oh!” Mo Sigui wailed and bolted. “Chu Dingjiang, if you dare touch me, don’t expect my help ever again!”
Chu Dingjiang knew Mo Sigui’s weakness—he wouldn’t abandon An Jiu!
The sound of fighting and Mo Sigui’s cries echoed from outside.
An Jiu nonchalantly grabbed another bun and stuffed it in her mouth, earning a glare from Wei Yuzhi when he noticed.
Wei Yuzhi lowered his head with a shy smile.
Mei Yanran quickly cleared everything away to prevent An Jiu from sneaking more food.
After breakfast, the two patients exercised in the courtyard. Both had recently suffered severe injuries and weren’t suited for vigorous activity. Wei Yuzhi sat wrapped in a blanket on the porch, sunbathing. He had a chessboard beside him and was setting up an endgame position. Nearby, a white plum tree encased in ice sparkled in the sunlight, its cold fragrance faintly discernible.
Wei Yuzhi wasn’t particularly handsome, at least not compared to Chu Dingjiang or Mo Sigui. However, when deep in thought, he possessed a unique charm that seemed to draw others in.
An Jiu stood in the courtyard, watching him play against himself. She was briefly captivated but mostly puzzled. He kept placing and removing pieces, seemingly finding interest in an activity that appeared utterly dull.
The courtyard was small, so Wei Yuzhi had long noticed An Jiu. He held a white piece, hesitating to place it. After a moment, he turned and asked, “Would you like to play?”