Chapter 36 The Second Son’s Worries

Chapter 36: The Second Young Master's Concern

Jian Ru, thinking of the Second Young Master at home, left the medical clinic a little earlier than usual. The Li Family Medical Clinic was in a bustling downtown area, surrounded by shops and street vendors selling food and trinkets.

His eldest sister's daughter, Qiao Zhi, would have her birthday soon. As Jian Ru walked back, he casually scanned the stalls, hoping to find a suitable birthday gift for her.

Lost in thought, occasionally stopping to ask prices, Jian Ru unknowingly walked past the correct turn-off and continued toward the end of the street.

At the street's end stood a memorial archway, with two narrow alleys branching off on either side. Jian Ru only realized his mistake when he reached the archway. Just as he was about to turn back, he spotted a familiar figure in the right-hand alley, seemingly engaged in conversation.

Jian Ru was about to call out when he saw the person stumble backward, nearly falling, revealing a furious woman who had been hidden from view.

The woman appeared to be in her early twenties. Despite the lingering cold, she wore a brightly colored spring dress. Her features were ordinary, but her skin was fair, and her makeup was meticulously applied.

The woman spoke again, then raised her hand and delivered a sharp slap across the person's face, snapping his head to the side.

Startled, Jian Ru quickly lowered his head and turned away, trying to appear natural as he walked back, though his mind was in turmoil.

He couldn't recall how he made it back to the courtyard. When he finally came to his senses, he saw Xiao Ning standing at the door, spatula in hand, speaking to him.

"Jian'er, Jian'er, what's wrong?" Xiao Ning asked with concern.

Jian Ru quickly replied, "Ah, nothing. I was just lost in thought." Collecting himself, he asked, "How was everything today? Nothing happened, did it?"

Xiao Ning smiled and said, "All good. This morning, the Second Young Master exercised, then practiced calligraphy and read. After lunch, he strolled in the courtyard to enjoy the sun. After his nap, he's been reading ever since."

Xiao Ning didn't think much of it, as this was how the Second Young Master had spent his days even before marriage. But Jian Ru felt a pang of unease upon hearing it.

After the Second Young Master's return, Jian Ru had initially planned to stay home with him instead of going back to the clinic. But the Second Young Master encouraged him, saying that if he enjoyed helping at the clinic, he should go. If anything came up, Xiao Ning could always fetch him—it would only take a short while.

The Second Young Master had even joked, "If I ever fall ill, you won't be able to go anywhere anyway. You'd have to stay cooped up with me for ten days or half a month."

When he said this, he had smiled wryly, with a hint of resignation.

Jian Ru couldn't bear to see him like that. Though he enjoyed working at the clinic—finding it fresh, interesting, and fulfilling—he also liked staying home with the Second Young Master, chatting, practicing calligraphy, and reading together. He wasn't particularly attached to going to the clinic.

But as days passed, he understood the Second Young Master's feelings more and more. If he insisted on staying home, it would only make the Second Young Master feel like a burden, adding to his stress. So Jian Ru didn't argue further and agreed to ask his mother-in-law for permission.

When he entered the room, the Second Young Master, having heard him, was already waiting at the door.

Jian Ru stepped inside, and the Second Young Master smiled. "You're back."

Jian Ru murmured in response, taking off his outer robe. The Second Young Master took it, hung it on the clothes rack, and smoothed out the wrinkles.

By the time he turned back, Jian Ru had already washed his hands and thrown himself into his arms, tilting his head up to kiss him.

The Second Young Master chuckled, wrapping his arms around Jian Ru's waist and lowering his head to accept the kiss.

After kissing for a while, they sat down together to drink tea.

Jian Ru had something on his mind, hesitating whether to tell the Second Young Master what he had witnessed on the street.

The Second Young Master poured him a cup of hot tea, watched him take a sip, then picked up the pulse pillow nearby. Jian Ru automatically extended his wrist, and the Second Young Master placed two fingers on it, concentrating as he took his pulse.

After a moment, the Second Young Master withdrew his hand.

Jian Ru asked, "How is it?"

The Second Young Master smiled. "Everything's fine."

Jian Ru watched as he put the pulse pillow back into the medicine chest and casually asked, "Why have you been taking my pulse every day lately?"

At this, the Second Young Master paused what he was doing and glanced at Jian Ru, remaining silent for a moment.

Jian Ru suddenly realized something. He studied the Second Young Master's face, noticing his complicated expression.

"I'm afraid I might end up like my elder brother..." Li Jintong's Adam's apple bobbed. He paused before adding, "...neglecting things."

Jian Ru blinked, not understanding at first.

The Second Young Master continued, "Ever since we returned from Second Uncle's house, I've regretted not checking your pulse before we... What if something had happened..."

Jian Ru finally understood. No wonder he had taken his pulse again after they were intimate that day, and then sighed in relief. His face flushed bright red, and he lowered his head, fiddling with the hem of his clothes. "You... you're just like Mother. How... how could it happen so quickly..."

The Second Young Master's face reddened too. He cleared his throat lightly. "You've always been healthy, and there's nothing wrong with me in that regard. Besides... besides..."

"Besides what?" Jian Ru bit his lip, looking up at him.

The Second Young Master coughed again. "Besides, every time after we... when I wipe you with a cloth towel, there's hardly anything..."

Hardly anything meant most of it stayed inside.

Jian Ru understood his meaning and felt as if he were on fire.

He sprang to his feet. "I... I'll go see how dinner is coming along in the kitchen."

Jian Ru made to leave but was stopped by the Second Young Master. "Wait... wait a moment."

Jian Ru halted, too embarrassed to look at him.

The Second Young Master stood very close, his voice soft. "Although you promised Mother, I haven't asked you myself. You're still young. Are you willing... willing to conceive and bear a child for me now? If not, I can take some medicine myself..."

The moment Jian Ru heard him mention taking medicine, he grew anxious. The Second Young Master already had to take so much medicine daily. Forgetting his embarrassment, he blurted out plainly, "I'm willing."

Hearing this, the Second Young Master lowered his head, remaining silent for a long while, though a smile played on his lips the whole time.

Then, he reached out, took Jian Ru's hand where it hung at his side, and gave it a gentle squeeze.

As soon as he let go, Jian Ru, too shy to look at him, hurriedly dashed out of the room and headed toward the kitchen.

As for the matter he had been brooding over earlier, he completely forgot to mention it to the Second Young Master.

...

The next morning, after breakfast, the couple went to the main house to pay their respects.

As Jian Ru followed the Second Young Master into the room, he saw Eldest Sister Li Jinhui speaking loudly, gesturing toward Zhao Pin, who stood nearby with his back to the door.

Hearing them enter, both Jin Hui and Zhao Pin turned to look. The moment Jian Ru saw Zhao Pin's face, his mind went blank, and his body froze.

Half of Zhao Pin's face was swollen like a steamed bun, with a dark bruise on his cheekbone. Ointment had been applied, making the bruise shine ominously—a startling sight at first glance.

Li Jintong frowned deeply. "Brother-in-law, what happened to your face?"

Zhao Pin touched his face awkwardly, wincing in pain. "I tripped over a stone on my way home last night and fell."

Jin Hui, standing beside him, was fuming. "I was just telling Mother about it. Honestly, I worry about your brother-in-law every single day. How can he manage to fall like this just walking down the street? What is he even capable of?"

Zhao Pin, being scolded in front of everyone, didn't retort and simply smiled good-naturedly.

Li Jintong said, "When Big Brother gets here, have him check it out again. The new ointment he prepared is very effective for bruises."

Zhao Pin answered with a laugh.

Jin Hui was furious with him and wanted to scold him further, but Madam Li had seen enough and tugged at her, saying, "Alright, alright, enough already. Who would want to fall like this? It was just an accident. Can you guarantee you'll never trip while walking?"

Jin Hui was about to say more when the eldest brother and his wife entered the room. Seeing them, she dropped the scolding and hurried over to drag her big brother to examine Zhao Pin's injured face.

The eldest brother washed his hands, gently pressed on Zhao Pin's injured face, and said, "No bones are broken."

Hearing this, Jin Hui relaxed, her expression softening. Although she could also assess injuries, she wasn't as skilled as her eldest brother in treating bruises and sprains. Besides, worry had clouded her judgment—she was afraid she might have missed something.

Li Jinfeng said, "Use an ice pack on it twice today, and switch to warm compresses starting tomorrow. I'll bring the new ointment from my room later. Apply it for about ten days, and he'll be fully recovered." He then explained the details of applying cold and warm compresses and the ointment.

Jin Hui listened carefully, taking note of everything.

Jian Ru watched from the side, his mind tangled with conflict, but in the end, he didn't reveal the truth in front of everyone.

After everyone finished talking, it was time to head to the clinic.

The Second Young Master helped Jian Ru adjust his scarf and saw them off.

At the clinic, Jian Ru continued to assist in the accountant's office.

Around noon, an attendant called for him from outside, saying someone was there to see him.

Jian Ru was puzzled, unsure who would come looking for him there. If it were Xiao Ning, he would have come in directly instead of sending someone to fetch him.

Jian Ru informed the Old Accountant and stepped outside.

Outside the clinic, Zhao Pin stood by the street. When he saw Jian Ru come out, he bowed slightly in greeting.

Jian Ru was taken aback but walked over to him.

Zhao Pin smiled awkwardly, glanced toward the clinic, and said apologetically, "I was afraid Jin Feng and Jin Rong might see me, so I had to ask the clerk to call you out."

Jian Ru already understood—Zhao Pin had seen him yesterday.

Sure enough, Zhao Pin hesitated and said, "About yesterday... could you keep it to yourself for now?"

Jian Ru looked at him coldly. "I was planning to tell my elder sister tonight."

Hearing this, Zhao Pin smiled bitterly. "If you want to tell her, I won't stop you. It's just... she'll only worry and get upset with me again."

Jian Ru frowned deeply. "What's your relationship with that woman?"

Zhao Pin quickly waved his hands. "It's not what you think. I swear, I haven't betrayed Jin Hui, and I would never hurt her. Otherwise... may I die a miserable death!"

Jian Ru's resolve softened slightly. "I don't understand. If there's something between you two, why can't you just talk it out? Why keep it from her?"

This time, Zhao Pin just shook his head, his eyes weary, refusing to answer.

Jian Ru said, "You have to give me a timeframe. I can't keep hiding this from my sister forever."

Zhao Pin hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "One month. Give me one month. I'll resolve this matter by then."

Jian Ru nodded. "One month it is."

Zhao Pin said, "Alright."

Jian Ru looked at him, puzzled. "What happened to your face? Didn't that woman only hit you once?"

Zhao Pin raised a hand to touch his face, wincing in pain. He smiled bitterly and said, "I was afraid Jin Hui would recognize it as a slap mark and ask questions, so I hit my face with a brick. I accidentally hit it too hard."

Jian Ru winced just hearing it. He asked again, "Since you saw me yesterday, why didn't you approach me then? Weren't you afraid I'd tell Jin Tong last night?"

Zhao Pin's shoulders slumped, his eyes heavy with exhaustion, as if weighed down by darkness. "I barely slept last night. I thought... if you told Jin Tong, then so be it. Maybe it's for the best."

Jian Ru frowned. "If my sister finds out you've been hiding this from her, she'll be heartbroken."

At these words, a look of profound sorrow flashed across Zhao Pin's face—one that would move anyone who saw it. He hung his head and whispered, "This is the last time. It won't happen again."