Chapter 49 Resting

Chapter 49: Convalescence

Aunt Chen, unaccustomed to such distinguished figures, was momentarily spellbound. It wasn't until Jian Ru had introduced both parties and the Second Young Master offered her a polite smile and bow that she regained her composure. Instinctively, she smoothed her collar and sleeves before returning the greeting.

Jian Ru explained, "Aunt Chen is here to get medicine for her grandson's stomach ailment."

Noticing Jian Ru's reserved demeanor, the Second Young Master turned and summoned an assistant, instructing him to escort Aunt Chen to the medicine counter. The couple then bid her farewell and proceeded to the consultation room.

As the assistant led her away, Aunt Chen frequently glanced back at them.

She overheard the Li family's Second Young Master tell Jian Ru, "Old Lady Wang bought some freshly picked local cherries at the market today. They're exceptionally fresh. Mother knows you love them, so she sent Xiao Ning to bring some over for you to taste."

Jian Ru's face lit up at the news, and his steps became noticeably lighter.

The Second Young Master continued, "Xiao Ning also mentioned that this summer is hotter than previous years. Mother suggested we visit the nearby fabric shop when we have time to choose some material for a light quilt."

Jian Ru inquired, "Do my sisters and eldest brother have them too?"

The Second Young Master nodded, "They all do."

Reassured, Jian Ru replied, "I'll go during my noon break."

What followed was lost to the distance, too faint to be heard clearly.

Aunt Chen felt a pang of both envy and a touch of bitterness.

When her medicine was weighed and she was about to leave, she couldn't resist peeking into the consultation room. She saw Jian Ru seated, engrossed in an account book, while leisurely popping juicy red cherries into his mouth.

The day was warm, and a fine sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead, a stray lock of hair clinging to it. Noticing this, the Li family's Second Young Master gently brushed the hair aside, produced a handkerchief, and delicately dabbed Jian Ru's forehead. His careful movements suggested Jian Ru was a fragile piece of porcelain, easily shattered by even the slightest force.

Aunt Chen scrutinized the Second Young Master once more, concluding that the rumors were utterly unfounded.

Though somewhat slender, the Second Young Master showed no signs of illness; on the contrary, he was remarkably handsome. She had once thought Jiang Maocai from the village was exceptionally good-looking, someone who would stand out even in town. Now, it seemed her world had been too small. Compared to the Li family's Second Young Master, Jiang Maocai was like earth to heaven.

From what she had just overheard, the Li family treated Jian Ru quite well.

Jian Ru was truly blessed. She wondered what stroke of luck had led him to marry into such a family.

She almost suspected Jian Ru had bewitched the Li family's Second Young Master with some kind of love potion.

It wasn't until she reached the clinic's entrance that Aunt Chen finally tore her gaze away. Her mind was now set on rushing back to the village, eager to share the day's intriguing news.

...

After several days of bustling activity at the clinic, Jin Rong had everything prepared.

That morning, after breakfast, Jian Ru took a thorough bath and then went to his second sister's room to wait.

At this time, with Jin Feng holding down the fort at the clinic, the rest of the household remained indoors, keeping Jian Ru company.

Madam Li clasped Jian Ru's hand and said, "Xiao Ru, don't worry. Your second sister would only proceed with the surgery if she were confident."

Jian Ru trusted Jin Rong, yet a natural nervousness gnawed at him. This surgery aimed to remove the scar on his face, but it also felt like excising an old, festering wound deep within his heart.

Nevertheless, he maintained his composure, gently squeezing his mother-in-law's hand in return. "I'm not afraid at all," he declared.

Jin Hui directed Zhao Pin to light the atractylodes and fumigate the adjacent room. Jin Rong sterilized the surgical instruments and needles in boiling water, while the Second Young Master prepared the anesthetic for Jian Ru on a small medicine stove.

As everyone moved in and out of the room, Jian Ru remained outwardly calm, but Madam Li grew increasingly restless. She abruptly stood up and said to Jian Ru, "My child, let me take you to the main hall to pray. May the Li ancestors bless you with safety."

Jian Ru accompanied her, followed by Li Qinglan, who brought some food from the kitchen as an offering. Jian Ru sincerely bowed three times, and Madam Li and Li Qinglan also offered their prayers. Only then did the old lady feel a measure of peace.

The anesthetic was ready, and Jian Ru returned from the main hall. He tilted his head back and swallowed it in one gulp. When the Second Young Master asked how he felt, Jian Ru found his tongue numb when he tried to speak. Slurring his words, he managed a muffled, "Hmm hmm."

Unable to articulate the two words clearly, Jian Ru, frustrated, playfully bumped his head against the Second Young Master's shoulder.

The Second Young Master wrapped an arm around his waist to steady him and asked, "Is it alright?"

Jian Ru nodded vigorously.

The Second Young Master smiled, then lifted his hand to support Jian Ru's chin, saying, "Stop nodding, or you'll get dizzy."

He helped Jian Ru sit on the soft couch in the room, bent down to cover him with a thin quilt, and whispered, "Close your eyes and sleep for a while. It'll be over when you wake up."

Jian Ru gazed at him for a moment, then reached out and pinched his wrist, saying, "Don't 'hmm' me."

The Second Young Master asked, "Don't worry?"

Jian Ru nodded again.

The Second Young Master said, "I'm not worried, and you shouldn't be afraid either. I'll stay here with you."

His tone was calm and steady, his expression serene. Influenced by him, Jian Ru felt there was nothing to fear.

Waves of dizziness washed over him, and he could no longer resist. He closed his eyes and lost consciousness.

However, Jian Ru didn't see that as Jin Rong prepared to make the first incision, Li Jintong, who was assisting, trembled slightly. Jin Rong glanced up at him and asked, "Should I call your elder sister in?"

Li Jintong shook his head, "No need."

He took a deep breath, and Jin Rong continued only after seeing that he had composed himself.

...

When Jian Ru awoke, he was already in his own bed.

Li Jintong sat on a low stool beside the bed. Seeing Jian Ru stir and instinctively reach for his face, he quickly held his hand, saying, "Be careful, you can't touch it yet."

Jian Ru looked at him, blinked, and reached out to touch his eyes.

His arm wasn't long enough, so the Second Young Master released his hand, leaned in, and pressed his cheek against Jian Ru's palm.

Jian Ru's fingertips gently traced his deepened double eyelids. "You're tired," he murmured.

The Second Young Master replied, "I'm not tired. How do you feel? Does it hurt?"

Jian Ru shook his head. "My face feels numb, no sensation."

The Second Young Master said, "It might hurt a lot once the anesthesia wears off."

Jian Ru said, "I'm not afraid."

He touched his stomach, and the Second Young Master asked, "Do you need to use the bathroom?"

Jian Ru felt a bit embarrassed. "How did you know?"

The Second Young Master smiled. "You've been asleep for so long; it's about time."

Jian Ru tried to get up, but Li Jintong stopped him. He went out briefly and returned with a chamber pot. Only then did he help Jian Ru out of bed.

Jian Ru's head was still dizzy, and his legs were weak. He had to lean on the Second Young Master while reaching for his waistband with his other hand. The Second Young Master whispered in his ear, "Hold onto my shoulders," then reached down to help him pull his pants down.

Jian Ru was helped into a sitting position, but for a while, nothing happened.

The Second Young Master crouched beside him and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Jian Ru looked up at him and whispered, "I can't do it with you watching."

The Second Young Master chuckled. "I'm afraid you might fall. Try harder, Xiao Ru."

Jian Ru caught the double meaning but could do nothing about it, so he turned his head away, avoiding eye contact. After a while, he finally finished, the sound a faint trickling.

The Second Young Master helped him up, and before Jian Ru could react, he took a piece of paper and meticulously wiped him clean below.

Jian Ru had tried to convince himself that they had done everything together and there was no need to be embarrassed, but his face still flushed hot from this intimate gesture.

Once back in bed, Jian Ru closed his eyes, not wanting to face anyone.

The Second Young Master cleaned up, washed his hands, and came over to offer him water, but Jian Ru refused to look at him.

After a while, as the anesthetic gradually wore off, the pain set in, and he couldn't help glancing toward the bedside.

The Second Young Master, who had been watching him closely, understood immediately and leaned down to ask, "Does it hurt?"

Jian Ru weakly replied, "Mm." The Second Young Master, his heart aching, took off his shoes, climbed into bed, and held him close, gently stroking his back. "Too much anesthetic isn't safe. Just hang in there a little longer. It will get much better after today."

The day was truly difficult. Jian Ru didn't dare speak or open his mouth to eat. The pain in his face radiated to his temples, and even his teeth throbbed.

He tightly closed his eyes, enduring the pain. The Second Young Master held him the entire time, gently rocking him like a child. Eventually, even the Second Young Master couldn't bear it anymore and asked Xiao Ning to fetch Second Sister, hoping to discuss giving Jian Ru more anesthetic. But Jin Rong chastised him harshly, so he gave up.

For dinner, Jian Ru had rice porridge. After half a bowl, he refused to open his mouth for more, which deeply worried the Second Young Master.

Sleeping at night was even more uncomfortable. Jian Ru was a restless sleeper, and turning over would inevitably bump his face. The Second Young Master held him close in his arms. Jian Ru found it hard to fall asleep due to the pain, and lying still for too long made him uncomfortable, so he kept wanting to turn over. The Second Young Master patiently helped him adjust his position again and again.

It wasn't until late into the night that Jian Ru finally managed to fall into a deep sleep. The Second Young Master fell asleep too but would wake up frequently to check, afraid Jian Ru might turn over and hurt himself again.

The next day, Jian Ru felt a bit better but still didn't dare open his mouth, as doing so would pull at the wound and cause pain.

He barely ate anything again that day. Madam Li had Old Lady Wang specially prepare soft, easily digestible nourishing foods, but Jian Ru was feeling irritable and had no appetite.

In the evening, the eldest and second brothers from Second Uncle's family arrived by carriage to visit him. They brought a large basket of freshly picked peaches and a big box of ice blocks wrapped in cotton quilts, saying Squire Li had pulled some strings to acquire them.

This was a lifesaver. Madam Li happily invited the brothers to stay and had the kitchen prepare a lavish meal to entertain them.

The Second Young Master took a basin of ice and had Xiao Ning store the rest in a cool cellar, still wrapped in several thick layers of cotton quilts. Though it wouldn't stop the ice from melting entirely, it would help preserve it longer.

That evening, Jian Ru got to enjoy iced peaches.

These peaches were picked from sun-drenched branches—large, red, and their refreshing fragrance could be smelled even before biting in.

The Second Young Master sliced the peaches thinly and fed them to Jian Ru. At first, Jian Ru happily ate them, but after a few chews, he winced in pain.

The Second Young Master quickly asked, "What's wrong? Does it still hurt?"

Jian Ru was on the verge of tears, mumbling, "Even chewing without opening my mouth wide hurts."

The Second Young Master thought for a moment and asked, "You don't mind if I...?"

Jian Ru was puzzled. The Second Young Master picked up a slice of peach, put it in his own mouth, chewed it, then leaned in. Jian Ru instinctively met him, and the piece of peach was transferred to him.

The Second Young Master asked softly, "Is this alright?"

Jian Ru swallowed, then nodded with a flushed face, looking somewhat embarrassed but acting with initiative. He leaned sideways, resting against him and tilting his head up to wait. The Second Young Master held him, adjusting him into a more comfortable position, and continued feeding him bite by bite.

It wasn’t until he had eaten well over half of the peach that Jian Ru finally had enough.

The Second Young Master then chewed a piece of ice for him, and Jian Ru held it in his mouth. The icy sensation significantly relieved the pain in his face.

Leaning against the headboard, the Second Young Master held Jian Ru nestled in his arms. Jian Ru clung tightly to his waist with both hands, feeling so comfortable that he grew drowsy and nearly fell asleep. In his hazy state, he thought to himself that he seemed to have become more delicate. Back when he had suffered such severe burns, he could grit his teeth and endure it. Now, with a much lighter injury on his face, he found himself unable to tough it out—he needed someone to comfort and pamper him.