Chapter 46
The heavy curtains blocked out the moonlight, and the chirping of the cicadas and the evening wind were kept far away.
Fang Yi sat quietly in front of the shrine, her gaze lowered, falling on the yellow talisman in front of her.
“I have three questions. As long as I can get a satisfactory answer to all of them, I will sign immediately.”
Shui Wuding raised an eyebrow. “Let’s hear them.”
Fang Yi was Yu Jiufeng’s granddaughter and had more or less come into contact with some metaphysical things.
For the sake of their old friendship, she really wanted to let Fang Yi off the hook.
To withdraw now might not be a bad thing.
Fang Yi held up a finger. “First, why switch to Duan Ruoxi, and not me?”
The corner of Shui Wuding’s mouth twitched. After making it clear that it was to transfer illness and ward off disaster, how could this person be so eager to take it on?
Duan Ruoxi had signed a life contract, while Fang Yi had signed a marriage contract. Of course, they were different.
They never forced anyone.
Shui Wuding: “A fully opened spiritual orifice means losing all protection. Besides the illness, even I am not sure what else will be transferred. This is not a one-to-one exchange. The carrier is destined to suffer greater damage.”
She stared at Fang Yi’s eyes and continued to ask, “Are you willing to die for Lin Shuxing?”
In the end, they had only been a fake couple for a few months and had done nothing.
What was there to love so desperately?
To this day, Shui Wuding still didn’t understand why Wen Qianxue had risked her life to give birth to a child. Even the smartest person, when they encounter love, seems to become foolish.
At first, she had thought that giving birth was to pass all the diseases to the child, just like expelling radiation toxins together, so that the mother’s body could be safe.
But when Wen Qianxue heard her thoughts, she was shocked and strictly ordered her not to appear before the child’s first month.
If she had been by her side at that time, this series of troubles would not have happened.
If…
In the final analysis, it was still Lin Lan’s fault. Why did she let Wen Qianxue get pregnant!
Fang Yi frowned slightly and asked, “So, I can do it too, right?”
Shui Wuding nodded slightly.
Fang Yi thought for a moment and said calmly, “I want to live with her.”
“Your awareness is not as good as Duan Ruoxi’s. She is willing to die for money. So, you see—”
Shui Wuding spread her hands. “Let Duan Ruoxi do it. She gets the money, you get your freedom, and Lin Shuxing’s illness is delayed. This is a win-win-win situation.”
“The money, the house, all of it is yours. You can squander it for a lifetime without any responsibility. Isn’t that great?”
Fang Yi’s expression did not fluctuate. She raised her hand and continued to ask, “Second, if the illness is transferred, how long will it take for Lin Shuxing to recover? Can she make it to the exam tomorrow?”
“…”
Too absurd.
A cold smile appeared on the corner of Shui Wuding’s mouth. “Are you crazy? She’s already like this, and you’re still thinking about her taking the exam?”
“I really don’t understand you humans. Is an exam more important than her life? The dregs of humanity…”
Fang Yi did not refute. “You just have to tell me, can it be done or not?”
“No,” Shui Wuding replied in a huff. “Even if we transfer it, we can only transfer a part. How can she recover instantly? The transmission of cause and effect is not equal.”
“How much is a part? Can 70% be done? At least, to the extent that walking on the ground will not harm her health.”
Precise to the number, Shui Wuding was really annoyed by the questions. She raised an eyebrow and said impatiently, “That’s enough, Fang Yi. What on earth are you trying to do?”
“Don’t play house for a few days and really think you’re indispensable. If you feed a stray cat on the street a couple of bites, it will come and rub against you. You don’t think that’s love, do you?”
Shui Wuding curled her lips in a sarcastic smile. “You and Duan Ruoxi are actually no different. A little girl needs to receive care from someone and give back affection. It’s just that the lot happened to fall on you that day.”
“…”
A marriage drawn by lot was inherently full of uncertainty.
Fang Yi didn’t know that this fate was something Lin Shuxing had sought herself. She had tampered with the bamboo tube and firmly chosen her.
Shui Wuding might have known, but she couldn’t be bothered with these things.
When a coin that decides the future is tossed in the air, whether it falls naturally or is controlled by someone, the result has already appeared.
Fang Yi was silent for a moment, her fists clenched tightly, her breathing also slowing.
Just as Shui Wuding thought she should know when to stop, Fang Yi suddenly laughed, her tone a little strange, but she finally managed to squeeze it out, and then said softly:
“She’s not a stray cat, but you’re a wild snake. It’s normal not to understand human society. Has no one ever loved you?”
Shui Wuding’s eyes widened in astonishment. All her grace and mystery could no longer be maintained. She was so angry she wanted to whip her with her tail. “Do you have mushrooms growing in your brain? Let’s stick to the facts. Why are you personally attacking me?”
She speculated maliciously, “Or did I hit a nerve, and you’re angry out of shame?”
Fang Yi tucked her clenched fists into her sleeves and gave a humorless smile. “Last point, I want to see Lin Shuxing.”
“No,” Shui Wuding said without thinking. “What do you want to see her for? Duan Ruoxi will take good care of her.”
Fang Yi threw the yellow talisman, leaned back, and propped her feet up on the offering table. “If I don’t see her, I won’t sign. We can just drag this out. Anyway, if Lin Lan asks, it’s your fault for not doing your job properly.”
Shui Wuding’s green eyes narrowed dangerously, and she said in a huff, “Are you a hooligan?!”
“Yes.”
Fang Yi pointed her shoe down and maliciously left a muddy footprint on the red velvet carpet.
“Take me to see her. I know you have access to the second floor.”
Shui Wuding took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing her anger at this barbaric behavior.
In between breaths, her sharp nails pressed against Fang Yi’s fragile neck. “My patience is limited. Swear that you’ll come down and sign obediently after you see her.”
Her nails were pressing on her carotid artery.
Fang Yi slowly raised her hands. “Alright, I swear. I will sign.”
…
The corridor on the second floor was very quiet. Only the sound of the medical staff’s intense discussion could be heard from the side room.
The servants, carrying the wrapped porcelain shards, hurried downstairs and brushed past Fang Yi.
“You’re here! Thank goodness.”
The little maid who had been stopped and questioned had a smile on her face. She bowed to Fang Yi as if she had seen a savior. “The young lady couldn’t find you just now and smashed a lot of things. Please go and persuade her.”
Another one lowered her gaze and said in a small voice, “Yes, the young lady only listens to you. Please persuade her to eat a little. The several dinners that were sent up were untouched.”
“Miss Duan Ruoxi sent another portion, sigh…”
Duan Ruoxi was kind and gentle, and very popular. At this moment, the two maids looked at each other and saw worry in each other’s eyes.
“Alright.” Fang Yi nodded and quickened her pace.
Shui Wuding secretly rolled her eyes where she couldn’t see.
**
In the bedroom.
Duan Ruoxi sat on the side of the bed, letting the young lady lean against her. She gently patted her thin body with one hand and scooped up a spoonful of congee with the other, blowing on it until it was warm, and slowly brought it to the young lady’s mouth.
“Be good, eat a little more. You’ll have strength after you eat.”
“Eat a little more. You’ll get better when you’re full.”
Her eyelashes curved into a gentle arc. She coaxed her very patiently, feeding her spoonful by spoonful. The bowl of medicinal congee finally slowly emptied.
“The young lady is so good, so strong. She didn’t cry even after eating so much bitter medicine. I’ll bring you a small cake next time, okay?”
She often took care of her sick younger sister and was already familiar with coaxing children.
Many people become irritable when they are sick. Duan Ruoxi completely understood. It was not their fault.
Duan Ruoxi had been fighting illness for the first half of her life. Of course, she knew better than others what a painful state it was.
They were not throwing a tantrum. They were just really uncomfortable.
Duan Ruoxi gently smoothed the young lady’s scattered hair and asked softly, “You’re done eating. Does your stomach feel warm? Is there anything else you want to eat? I’ll go and make it for you.”
“Have a good sleep after you’re full. Maybe you’ll be better tomorrow.”
The young lady hummed in a muffled voice, and a little light slowly lit up in her chaotic eyes.
Her sickly expression was also softened by Duan Ruoxi’s embrace. Her wandering thoughts landed on a certain memory. “I want, I want… Fang Yi.”
“Well, that might be a little difficult,” Duan Ruoxi’s eyes flashed. She leaned close to the young lady’s ear and whispered, “You have to be good. I’ll secretly ask for you later, okay?”
Two knocks came from the main door.
Before the third could fall, Shui Wuding had already pushed the door open, feeling that Fang Yi’s polite knocking was inexplicable, and urged, “We’re all women, what’s there to be embarrassed about? Hurry up.”
The main lights in the room had been turned off, leaving only a small night light by the bed.
The light from the corridor pierced in. Duan Ruoxi raised her hand to shield the young lady from the light.
Fang Yi looked at their warm embrace, bit her lip, and forced a smile to cover her embarrassment.
She subconsciously raised her hand, but it was obviously even more inappropriate to greet her at a time like this.
Hi, you’re awake. I was worried about you.
Are you feeling better? Where does it hurt? Do you want to eat something first?
Fang Yi’s gaze fell on the empty bowl. Many unnecessary words were stuck in her chest. In the end, she just waved her hand and said nothing.
Lin Shuxing’s tired eyelids slowly lifted. She was so sleepy after taking the medicine. All her senses seemed to have fallen asleep along with the pain.
But the familiar figure still made her pupils shrink. She held out her hand. “Fang Yi—”
Duan Ruoxi thoughtfully helped her up, added two soft cushions, and tucked her in carefully.
There was a basin of hot water by the bed, and a cartoon towel was draped over the edge.
Seeing that it was Fang Yi, Duan Ruoxi immediately smiled at her apologetically, bent down, and picked up the basin. “I’ll go and get some hot water.”
She tilted her head, intentionally creating a private space for Fang Yi and Lin Shuxing, and said gently to Shui Wuding, “Can you come out and help me, Miss Shui Wuding?”
She was always like this, gentle and considerate, always able to take good care of others.
The young lady’s face had already gained a touch of color, and her spirits looked much better than at the beginning.
Fang Yi’s suspended heart fell a little, and was then filled with a sourness she couldn’t quite understand.
“Fang Yi! What took you so long?” Lin Shuxing waved at her with a small gesture.
“I’m sorry, I’m late.” Fang Yi walked closer, bent down, and gently touched the young lady’s forehead.
Duan Ruoxi said, “The young lady’s fever has subsided. She’s just been given her medicine. The doctor said she needs to rest now.”
Fang Yi: “Yes, that’s good.”
“Then we’ll go out. You can spend more time with her,” Duan Ruoxi smiled. “The young lady was just talking about you, and you came. You really have a telepathic connection.”
“Yes.”
Duan Ruoxi held the water basin with one hand and pulled the reluctant Shui Wuding with the other, forcefully pulling this snake out and closing the door firmly.
Fang Yi sat in the seat Duan Ruoxi had just been in and held the young lady’s hanging hand with both hands.
The bedsheet was warm, and the young lady’s hand was also warm. She was clearly being well taken care of.
Better than she had taken care of her.
Fang Yi gently caressed the warmth on the back of the young lady’s hand with her thumb.
“I went to the Qingjing Temple today and asked for a peace talisman.”
“I heard it’s very effective there. The people above will watch over you,” Fang Yi’s lips curled into a smile. She wanted to talk about something a little lighter.
But the forced smile fell again. In the end, she had no mood to use her pitifully little sense of humor.
If praying to the gods was really useful, this kind of thing wouldn’t have happened today.
She couldn’t hold a smile, and she couldn’t even pretend to be gentle. In the end, she was not a gentle person to begin with. She could only hold the young lady’s hand tightly and ask in a low voice, “Do you want to…”
Do you want to go abroad?
Or… do you want to take the college entrance exam?
Lin Shuxing’s sparkling eyes seemed to have seen through her thoughts. She propped herself up with difficulty and gently blocked her lips with a kiss.
“Take me away, Fang Yi.”
“My documents are all in my bag. I can leave as soon as I get them.”
“I don’t want to stay here. I feel my strength is recovering. It’s just a few exams. It’s no problem…!”
“Alright.” Fang Yi licked her lips, feeling the bitter taste remaining on the young lady’s lips.
Her fingers fumbled in her pocket and took out a few White Rabbit milk candies, handing them to the girl.
“Wait for me. I will be responsible for you,” she paused, her voice a little hoarse. “Fiancée.”
This sudden vow made the young lady stunned for a moment.
She didn’t know about the matter of annulling the engagement. She took the candy softly, her eyes curving into a crescent moon. “Alright, I’ll wait for you.”
Fang Yi took out the peace talisman the little Taoist child had given her from her pocket, gently placed it under the pillow, and helped the young lady lie down.
She slowly bent down and responded with a light kiss.
“Good night—”
“Tomorrow will be a good day. When you wake up, everything will be better.”
Lin Shuxing blinked, slowly slid into the quilt, and said in a low voice, “Good night.”
Watching Fang Yi’s departing back, she took the milk candy from the bedside table, placed it next to the peace talisman by her pillow, and looked at it again and again.
Actually, she knew that Lin Lan would not let Fang Yi take her away.
The security at the Lin family’s house was very strict. It was impossible for anyone to defy Lin Lan’s wishes here, and there was also Shui Wuding…
Take me away!
Such words were less of a request and more of a coquetry.
Only Fang Yi would respond to such a willful request so seriously.
Even if it was just a pretense to coax her.
Lin Shuxing raised her hand to cover her eyes, letting her tears blur her vision. Will tomorrow be a good day?
