Chapter 104

Chapter 104

When Liu Buhua presented the mooncake box to Xie Yinxue, the latter was in a dilemma whether to accept or refuse, especially after he had recently lost his favorite carved sandalwood table and chairs in the "Lock of Longevity."

Xie Yinxue sighed, looking at it: "Didn't I mention not to send me mooncakes?"

"This box doesn't seem to be from the main family," Liu Buhua was equally puzzled by the origins of the green pearwood box, "It was left at our doorstep just like that unsigned letter last time, with a note saying 'For Xie Yinxue, Mid-Autumn mooncakes'. I brought it over as soon as I saw it."

Oh?

Feeling a slight stir in his heart upon hearing this, Xie Yinxue reached out, "Hand it over then."

Liu Buhua complied, passing the green pearwood box to Xie Yinxue.

Xie Yinxue, initially wanting to open the box, halted abruptly after slightly lifting the lid. Two seconds later, he closed it, suggesting, "Since they are Mid-Autumn mooncakes, let's open and enjoy them while moon-gazing tonight."

Liu Buhua inquired, "Shall I store them in the kitchen for you in the meantime?"

Xie Yinxue agreed, "Sure."

Liu Buhua then took the box away, while Xie Yinxue picked up and read the small note attached—its robust and vigorous handwriting was familiar, clearly from the same hand that wrote the previous letter.

After a moment's contemplation, Xie Yinxue folded it and stored it with the previous letter on the bookshelf in his bedroom.

In the inner courtyard, Shen Qiuji and Mama Chen were setting up the dining table. Once ready, they called Xie Yinxue and Liu Buhua to eat. Despite the table being laden with a feast, the grand round table felt somewhat empty and desolate with just the four of them.

However, none of them felt that way.

After their Mid-Autumn reunion dinner, they prepared a lower table near the pavilion, setting out mooncakes, osmanthus wine, and water chestnuts. As the moon emerged from the clouds, they gathered to appreciate its pristine brilliance.

But before that, Xie Yinxue had to make a video call to the main Shen family.

Even though those appearing on screen were Xie Yinxue's blood relatives, the call lacked the warmth and unity of a Mid-Autumn family reunion. Instead, there was just formal respect and unfamiliarity—Xie Yinxue sat while they stood, nodding and addressing him as "Seventh Uncle," and reciting the simple blessing they had thought of in advance, respecting his dislike for long-winded wishes: "Wishing Seventh Uncle a peaceful and prosperous Mid-Autumn."

Wishing for well-being on Mid-Autumn instead of unity is somewhat ironic.

Xie Yin Xue nodded gracefully in acknowledgment of their greetings, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival," she wished them in return.

After exchanging brief pleasantries, an awkward silence settled between the two parties.

The Shen family sincerely appreciated Xie Yin Xue and cared deeply about her wellbeing. However, they refrained from being too effusive in their concern, fearing it might upset her.

Xie Yin Xue herself had unresolved feelings towards Chen Yu Qing and remembered her cursed fate that brought harm to her loved ones, which made her hesitant to grow closer to them.

Yet, on this festive day of reunion, she didn't want to seem distant. Glancing through the video feed, she noticed several new faces from the Shen family she hadn't seen before. Likewise, there were a few familiar faces missing.

"Where is Shen Huai Shen?" Xie Yin Xue inquired, addressing the family's new head, Shen Qiu Jian. "Isn't he greeting me for the festival?"

"He's around, but he's not feeling well, so he didn't join us downstairs for dinner," replied Shen Qiu Jian. "Would you like to see him? I can take you to him right now."

With that, he headed upstairs with his phone in hand, rounding several corners before finally stopping to focus the camera on a pristine white hospital bed—where the former head of the Shen family, Shen Huai Shen, lay.

“

"Uncle,

are you still awake?"

Shen Qiu Jian gently nudged the frail old man, whose face was gaunt and with an oxygen tube connected, and informed him, "Seventh Uncle is on the phone."

"Is it Yin Xue calling?"

Hearing this, the elderly man strained to open his eyes and tried to focus on the phone in Shen Qiu Jian's hand.

Xie Yin Xue met his gaze, looking into those lifeless eyes, and wished him, "Shen Huai Shen, peace and well-being this Mid-Autumn Festival."

Shen Huai Shen struggled to breathe and speak, but still managed a tender smile, remarking, "Yin Xue, Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to you... You look much better."

Xie Yin Xue gave a wry smile, "Of course, the last time you saw me, I was on death's door."

"Times change. Now it's my turn to be on the brink,"

sighed Shen Huai Shen. Seeing Xie Yin Xue's smile, his clouded eyes seemed to brighten, adding a hint of color to his face. "How is Ah Ji? How's his training with you?"

Xie Yin Xue answered candidly, her voice steady, "He's living well, but his training leaves much to be desired."

Hearing Xie Yin Xue expose his shortcomings in front of the family, Shen Qiu Ji murmured with a hint of resignation, "…I truly did my best."

“It’s not surprising he hasn't mastered it,” Shen Huaishen defended Shen Qiujie. “After all, not everyone possesses your natural talent.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Yinxue lowered his eyes, choosing not to respond.

Seeing Xie Yinxue's silence, Shen Huaishen wondered if he had said something wrong. After an awkward moment, he tried again: “Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, Yinxue. You didn't accept the mooncakes from everyone this year. Did you get any to eat?”

Xie Yinxue’s answer was succinct: “Yes.”

Yet, noticing the genuine concern in Shen Huaishen’s eyes, he couldn’t help but add, “Someone sent some to me.”

“Good, good, that’s good…”

Repeating the word "good," Shen Huaishen closed his eyes and reclined, seemingly exhausted from the brief conversation with Xie Yinxue. Though he wanted to talk more, he was simply too weak.

Everything indicated his time was drawing near.

But after ending the video call, Xie Yinxue felt a deep sense of disbelief. It had only been seven years since he last saw Shen Huaishen at Chen Yuqing's funeral. In his memory, Shen Huaishen had always been the formidable head of the Shen family, handling all its affairs.

How had Shen Huaishen aged so rapidly?

Reflecting further, Xie Yinxue realized there had been signs: Shen Huaishen’s suddenly aged silhouette when he took him to Mingyue Cliff; the bowed back when he saw Xie Yinxue kneeling in front of Chen Yuqing; and the snow-white hair during their last meeting.

“What happened to the master?”

Shen Qiujie looked at Xie Yinxue, who sat in the pavilion. Since the call with the Shen family, Xie Yinxue seemed to have aged considerably, as if he might vanish with the slightest gust of wind.

Liu Buhua sighed, “He must be feeling sorrow.”

Shen Qiujie inquired, “Sorrow for what?”

Gazing at the full moon, Liu Buhua murmured, “While the moon may be full, not all hearts are.”

Shen Qiujie felt he understood, yet he didn’t completely. Xie Yinxue seemed bound by a profound grief but simultaneously appeared unaffected. Casually, he headed to the kitchen to retrieve the mooncakes stored in a green pearwood box, cheerfully inviting them, “Come, let’s appreciate the moon.”

“Coming, coming!”

Liu Buhua was enthusiastic about moon-watching. He was the first to sit by the low table, pouring osmanthus honey wine for everyone.

Shen Qiujie wasn’t fond of mooncakes. Especially last year, when Liu Buhua had prepared either jujube or red bean paste fillings, which were overwhelmingly sweet. But this year, wanting to celebrate the festival and considering the water chestnuts he had prepared to offset the richness, he decided to have a piece.

However, he was determined not to have another sweet mooncake. He wanted a different flavor. So, before indulging, he asked Liu Buhua cautiously, “Brother, are there any savory-filled mooncakes here?”

Pointing to a plate of golden-skinned mooncakes on the right side of the desk, Liu Buhua said, “Yes, this plate right here.”

Shen Qiuji took his word for it, not bothering to inquire further. He took a bite of the mooncake Liu Buhua had pointed to. After only a few chews, he stopped, frozen, and asked, “What's this mooncake filled with?”

Why does the filling have a crunchy sensation, as if biting into a shell?

Liu Buhua responded, “Deep-fried scorpion filling.”

“……”

Xie Yinxue, who was opening the green pearwood box of mooncakes, fell silent at the revelation. Without saying a word, Shen Qiuji had already dashed off to the side, throwing up.

“Did he throw it all up?” Liu Buhua lamented, thinking of his precious scorpions. “What a waste.”

Xie Yinxue silently sympathized for his junior who had accidentally eaten the scorpion-filled mooncake. He then lifted the lid of the pearwood box. His gaze settled on a white mooncake wrapped in translucent oil paper, shaped like a pear blossom.

Although the design of the mooncake was simple, the center of the flower was delicately tinted with gold leaf. On the back, written in red, were the blessings: [Peace and joy, free from illness and worries]. The mooncake was just the right size, a few bites for Xie Yinxue.

"Is there only one?" Liu Buhua looked puzzled. "Who could have sent this?"

Who sends just one mooncake as a gift?

While many knew the address of Mingyue Cliff, due to the barriers set around the mountain, no one could approach without being led by the master. This mooncake, like the letter from before, seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. The surveillance showed nothing useful, as if they had materialized from thin air.

"Who else but Bu Jiuzhao?" Xie Yinxue leaned back and uttered the name, "He probably made this mooncake himself."

"Him?"

Liu Buhua had a moment of realization. It made sense why such a beautiful box contained only one mooncake—Bu Jiuzhao most likely wanted only Xie Yinxue to savor his creation. Others shouldn't even think about it.

Since there was only one mooncake, Liu Buhua and the others naturally wouldn't compete with Xie Yinxue for it. Liu Buhua didn't want to either.

He took another bite of his golden-skinned mooncake, contentedly musing, “Is it as delicious as my scorpion mooncake?”

Xie Yinxue simply smiled and took a bite of the pear blossom mooncake.

To his surprise, the mooncake was fragrantly flavored with pear, the crust soft and the filling subtly sweet, an experience accentuated by the boundless night around him.