Chapter 32

Chapter 32

My face is so hot and red!

Lian Sheng stiffened as the sudden weight crashed into him, hurriedly catching Cen Lin, only to realize he was scorching hot.

The man was burning up, his cheeks pale and almost translucent. His usually steady, sharp eyes were tightly shut, long lashes casting a fragile shadow beneath them. He slumped weakly against Lian Sheng, unable to even stand steadily.

"Doctor Cen? Cen Lin!"

Lian Sheng's voice trembled, the tender green little lotus pod on his head standing straight up in panic, then quivering slightly with anxiety.

He fumbled to support the other man, half-holding, half-dragging this man heavy enough to topple him onto the sofa. The moment his fingertips touched Cen Lin's forehead, he was so startled by the heat that his eyes reddened.

Just like last time, it was a fever.

Lian Sheng immediately went to fetch the medical kit. After rummaging for fever-reducing medicine, he returned to the sofa, but Cen Lin was nowhere to be seen. As he turned to look, someone suddenly seized him from behind.

A familiar, cool, refreshing scent instantly enveloped his senses.

"Doctor Cen?"

Cen Lin behind him pressed him down onto the sofa and pinned him beneath.

This position immediately put Lian Sheng on alert. "You... what are you doing?"

Cen Lin's eyes darkened. "Continuing the conversation we didn't finish last time."

His breath was scalding, his voice hoarse and trembling.

The little lotus pod spirit tried to retreat, but there was nowhere to go.

He instinctively avoided Cen Lin's gaze, his hands coming up to push weakly. "I... I need to check on Kangkang, he's about to wake up..."

As soon as Lian Sheng finished speaking, the grip on his waist tightened slightly, yet remained gentle, as if afraid of hurting him.

Cen Lin looked down, his gaze fixed on Lian Sheng's flushed eye corners. His scorching breath washed over Lian Sheng's neck, carrying an abnormal heat. Wherever it landed, it felt like tiny flames were igniting.

"Kangkang is sleeping soundly."

His voice was low and gravelly, each word raspy with fever. "You're lying to me."

Lian Sheng's whole body stiffened, his nose stung. The little lotus pod wilted and swayed, yet he couldn't help but lean closer.

The man pinned him down, making it impossible to move. The cramped, narrow space made him gasp lightly a couple of times. He didn't dare look into Cen Lin's eyes. Those eyes, usually so composed, were now dark and fathomless, like whirlpools he'd never escape once he fell.

"I didn't..."

He whispered his rebuttal, his fingers clutching Cen Lin's collar. The soft, gentle force felt more like a coquettish plea than a real push.

Cen Lin's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

He leaned down again, his nose almost brushing Lian Sheng's temple. The cool, refreshing scent completely enveloped him. "You said you wanted to have a child with me."

He spoke in a low voice, his tone not exactly fierce, but carrying an unmistakable seriousness. Each word struck Lian Sheng's heart. "And now you're hiding."

Lian Sheng's ears flushed crimson instantly, a faint pink spreading down his neck. The little lotus pod trembled lightly, wilting against the top of his head. "I... I'm not hiding..."

"Not hiding?" Cen Lin's fingertips gently lifted his chin, forcing him to meet his gaze. The pad of his thumb, abnormally hot, brushed over Lian Sheng's soft lower lip. The motion was extremely light, tinged with a disconcerting possessiveness. "Look at me."

Forced to look up, Lian Sheng crashed into a churning sea of dark turmoil. The man's eyes, usually so calm and self-possessed, were now filled with a heat suppressed to its limit—restraint, loss of control, and an obsession so thick it was almost tangible, one even he himself hadn't fully grasped.

"Lian Sheng."

Cen Lin whispered his name, his voice low and trembling.

"Do you know how utterly devastating these three words are for me?"

Lian Sheng stared at him blankly, his clear eyes misted with a thin layer of moisture. He didn't understand those complex emotions, but he could clearly feel the scalding heat radiating from the other man, and that overwhelming, almost suffocating sense of care that was about to spill over.

Suddenly, he wasn't afraid anymore.

The little lotus pod quietly perked up a bit, timid yet resolute.

He raised his hands, gently encircling Cen Lin's neck. Finally unable to resist the temptation, his voice turned utterly soft, yet clear and distinct. "Doctor Cen, I... I'm not hiding from you, really."

"I just want... to have little ones with you."

"I don't know what's wrong either. This body of mine seems broken. Here..." Lian Sheng pointed to his chest. "...it's beating so fast."

"I don't know if I have a fever, I..."

Cen Lin shuddered all over.

The next second, he could no longer restrain himself, pulling Lian Sheng tightly into his embrace. The force was so great it seemed he wanted to embed him into his very bones and blood.

His burning forehead pressed against Lian Sheng's. His long-suppressed voice, now hoarse and broken: "I understand... Don't regret this. Don't lie to me."

"I really... will take it seriously."

The sofa was soft, the lamplight warm. The cool, refreshing scent intertwined with the fragrance of lotus and greenery. Even the air seemed to shimmer with a palpable, scorching flutter of the heart, ready to ignite at a touch.

Cen Lin gently cradled the back of Lian Sheng's neck, lowering his head to kiss his lips.

It wasn't a plunder, but a kiss of utmost cherishment. Warm with fever, it was so tender it made Lian Sheng's nose ache.

A faint blush colored Cen Lin's pale cheeks. His fingertips gently traced Lian Sheng's hot earlobes, his flushed eye corners—each touch as light as if afraid of shattering this delicate little lotus pod.

Kissed until the corners of his eyes grew damp, Lian Sheng instinctively clutched Cen Lin's shirt hem. The little lotus pod on his head nestled softly against Cen Lin's neck, obedient and pliant.

Cen Lin rested his forehead against Lian Sheng's, his breathing slightly ragged. He whispered hoarsely, "I'll be gentle. I could never bear to hurt you."

The room was brightly lit. Held by Cen Lin, Lian Sheng's vision grew dim. Cen Lin held the back of his neck, giving him a long, lingering kiss.

Cen Lin's forehead was burning. A hint of crimson bloomed on the man's pale face. His thumb slid from Lian Sheng's earlobe along his jawline to his chin, tilting his head up. His tongue lightly kissed the small, protruding Adam's apple, watching as Lian Sheng, stimulated, tilted his head back slightly, the apple bobbing. He kissed it gently once more.

As a medical student, he clearly knew how fragile and important the blood vessels in the neck were; they couldn't be sucked on too forcefully. So Cen Lin only kissed lightly all over, avoiding dangerous pressure points. He then slid down, placing light kisses on Lian Sheng's collarbone, leaving behind a few faint, plum-blossom marks.

The usual coolness on the man's face had long evaporated in the hazy atmosphere.

Stimulated by him, Lian Sheng kept tilting his head back. The shimmering light in his eyes rippled like gentle waves stirred by a breeze over a jade-green pond. Unaware, this very appearance made Cen Lin's kisses grow even more meticulous, yet remained incredibly gentle. Each one held his profound care.

Just as they were about to go further, Lian Sheng felt himself being lifted by Cen Lin.

"To the bedroom."

Placed on the soft bed, Lian Sheng heard the door being firmly locked by the man, as if afraid he might run away.

He hooked his arms around Cen Lin's neck, his glistening, watery eyes fixed directly on him. "Doctor Cen..."

A flurry of kisses fell once more.

The door closed softly, shutting out all the noise from outside, leaving only a room full of tenderness.

Lian Sheng nestled in his arms, small hands tightly clutching his lapel, voice soft as cotton: "Doctor Cen..."

"I'm here."

Cen Lin gently laid him on the bed, leaned in close, and warm kisses landed on his hair, his brow—feather-light yet devout.

"From now on, this will always be your home."

Only a warm, yellow nightlight remained in the room, casting his profile in an exceptionally soft glow, having shed all coldness and restraint.

He held Lian Sheng's waist tightly, palm covering the small of his back, resting against his forehead as he whispered, his voice low, slow, and earnest, as if making a lifelong vow: "Lian Sheng, stay with me. We can go abroad to register our marriage."

Lian Sheng's entire body stiffened, his clear eyes widening abruptly.

Marriage...

The word was like a small pebble, sending ripples through the pond of his heart.

Although he had been so happy and comfortable here with Cen Lin, wanting to stay by his side forever...

He couldn't forget his gravely ill Clan Elder, nor the Blackwater that constantly threatened their kind. Before, he didn't know he could purify those things, but now he knew—he had to go back.

His fellow spirits with withered leaves, the Clan Elder's words, the chaotic toxins that once filled his own body... all flooded his mind uncontrollably.

He was Lian Sheng, a Lotus Pod Spirit. In the end, he had to return. And with his spiritual power, whether he could survive after purifying the entire waters was unknown...

He didn't think the fragmentation of his soul was something to grieve. Spirits gathered essence to be born and had lifespans too; when it was time to die, they died naturally. His mother had said this was a natural law, like rain or snow.

But if he truly married Cen Lin, how could he bear to leave?

If he stayed here forever, what would become of his clan?

Immense joy and conflict twisted together, clogging his chest until it felt stifled. His heart, which had been racing just moments before, was now in complete disarray.

He didn't dare look into Cen Lin's eyes. His long lashes fluttered in panic, and the little lotus pod on his head drooped listlessly, awash with helplessness.

Seeing his silence, Cen Lin assumed it was shyness. His fingertips gently pinched Lian Sheng's soft cheek, his tone no longer cold as before, now laced with gentleness: "You don't want to?"

"I will be good to you, good to Kangkang, give you both a stable home, never let you suffer the slightest grievance again."

All the repression, unease, and restraint of recent days had transformed into this moment's most sincere tenderness.

He wanted only Lian Sheng.

Lian Sheng's throat tightened. He opened his mouth, but not a single word came out.

To agree was impossible.

To refuse was unbearable.

He simply squeezed his eyes shut tightly, long lashes veiling the panic in his gaze, softening his breath, pretending to have already fallen asleep.

Cen Lin looked at his tightly closed eyes, his slightly trembling lashes—how could he not know he was pretending?

He didn't expose him, just sighed helplessly, softly. His fingertips lightly traced the shape of Lian Sheng's soft lips, then leaned in to place an extremely light, extremely devout kiss on his smooth forehead.

Like a feather brushing past, like a treasure lightly touched.

"Take your time. I'll wait."

"I'll wait however long it takes."

The low, gentle voice fell by his ear. Then the mattress beside him dipped slightly as Cen Lin moved closer, gently encircling his waist once more.

Lian Sheng leaned against his feverish yet steady embrace, listening to his calm, strong heartbeat, while his own heart felt ready to leap from his chest.

He kept his eyes tightly shut, not daring to open them, only one thought circling repeatedly in his mind.

Did Doctor Cen... really care for him?

Care for him enough to marry him?

Suddenly, a faint, sleepy "Mmm..." sounded by his ear.

Low, husky, carrying the languor of deep sleep, it drifted lightly into Lian Sheng's ear, almost as if earnestly responding to the question in his heart.

Lian Sheng froze, his breath hitched instantly. The little lotus pod on his head shot up ramrod straight, his heart leaping into his throat.

Had... had his inner thoughts just been heard?

So embarrassing!

His face felt so hot, so red!

Lian Sheng stiffened into a segment of tender lotus root, not even daring to breathe heavily, his cheeks burning hot enough to steam.

He could clearly feel Cen Lin's arm around his waist tighten slightly, the warmth from his palm seeping through the thin fabric to burn against his skin, sending a tremor through his heart.

The little lotus pod on his head stood rigidly straight, its tender green tip trembling faintly.

He didn't dare move, didn't dare open his eyes, didn't even dare let his thoughts wander anymore, afraid another half-foolish word might pop into his mind and be precisely caught by him.

Cen Lin wasn't actually deeply asleep.

The fever had left his consciousness muddled. Although in this whole episode, Lian Sheng had been caught off guard and had completely forgotten about his fever, that didn't mean the fever was gone.

He was drowsy, yet he remained exquisitely sensitive to Lian Sheng's emotions. The slight stiffness of the person in his arms, the rapid, nearly held breath, and that suddenly rigid little lotus pod—all were perfectly clear to him.

A low chuckle suddenly escaped his throat, husky enough to melt, carrying lingering heat, gently vibrating against Lian Sheng's ear.

"If you're not asleep, don't pretend."

Lian Sheng's lashes trembled violently. He kept his eyes stubbornly shut, burying his head deeper into the pillow, like hiding under a lotus leaf as a child, soft and willfully evasive.

"I... I'm asleep..."

His voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum, still thick with sleep—clearly a lie.

Cen Lin's heart softened into a puddle. The tension in his shoulders from the fever completely relaxed.

He turned slightly, tucking Lian Sheng more securely into his embrace, letting his entire face bury into the crook of his neck, his clean, cool scent enveloping him completely.

His fingertips lightly landed on Lian Sheng's head, stroking along that soft, tender little lotus pod again and again, his touch incredibly gentle.

"If you're asleep, how can you hear me talking?"

Lian Sheng pursed his lips tightly, didn't say a word, but the tips of his ears were red enough to drip blood. The little lotus pod on his head gently nuzzled against his palm, both obedient and timid.

He could feel Cen Lin's fingertips slowly sliding down, brushing past his reddened eye corners, and coming to rest on his tightly pressed lips, giving a light press.

The pad of the finger carried an unnatural heat, tracing the soft shape of his lips bit by bit—not too light, not too heavy, yet with a seriousness that made his heart flutter.

Lian Sheng trembled all over, his breath catching for a moment, his tightly closed eyelashes fluttering even more intensely.

He could clearly feel the temperature of that finger, hotter than his own body heat, as if carrying fire. With just a light touch, it made his whole heart go soft.

"Still pretending?"

Cen Lin's voice was low and hoarse, tinged with laughter yet hiding a tenderness so thick you could cut it.

He didn't press him, only gently withdrew his hand, then took hold of his wrist instead, pressing that soft little hand against his own burning forehead.

"Feel it," Cen Lin added. "I'm still feverish."

The moment Lian Sheng's fingertips touched that scorching heat, his heart instantly tightened. All his shyness and panic were pushed aside by worry.

He forgot to pretend to be asleep or to dodge, instinctively wanting to raise his hand to check his temperature, his voice filled with unconcealed panic: "You... you must be feeling awful, right? I'll go get you medicine, and water—"

Just as he was about to move, the grip around his waist tightened slightly.

Cen Lin pulled him back into his embrace, holding him firmly, not letting him escape even half a step.

The man's voice was terribly hoarse, carrying a hint of fragility and stubbornness: "Don't go. Stay like this."

Lian Sheng stiffened, unable to break free any longer.

He could only obediently lie in Cen Lin's arms, his nose nuzzling against the cool scent at the man's neck, his little hand gently pressed against his burning forehead, stroking it clumsily yet tenderly, over and over.

The little lotus pod on his head was no longer tense either, drooping softly to rest on Cen Lin's shoulder, as if silently soothing him.

While Cen Lin was distracted, he picked up his phone, unlocked it, and shot off a message to Ming Jiang, asking him to get a doctor over to check on Doctor Cen.

There was no reply from the other side. By the time the phone screen went dark, Cen Lin finally noticed his distraction, reached out to move the phone away, forcing him to focus solely on him.

"Doctor Cen..." he whispered, his voice low. "Why did you wait for me?"

Cen Lin closed his eyes, his breathing slightly heavy. "What do you think?"

Lian Sheng was suddenly at a loss for words. "I... I don't know..."

"You don't know?" Cen Lin's eyes quietly opened, his arm around Lian Sheng tightening slightly, his entire body already burning hot. "...What did you say?"

Cen Lin's usually calm and sharp gaze was dimmed by the high fever, his hand tightening further, almost tucking the person into his embrace.

His voice was hoarse, each word scorching, carrying a hint of grievance and an undeniable seriousness: "...Say it again."

Lian Sheng raised his head slightly. "I..."

"Ding-dong—"

The doorbell suddenly rang outside, instantly breaking the deadlock in the bedroom. Lian Sheng immediately pushed him away. "I'll get the door!"

Cen Lin, who had been pushed away: "..."

Before Lian Sheng pushed the door open and left, he genuinely saw the word "frustrated" written clearly on Cen Lin's face.

But he didn't linger, instead running to the entrance to open the door. "Mr. Ming—"

"Huh?" Lian Sheng let out a puzzled sound upon seeing the visitor. "Doctor Shen, why is it you? I thought..."

Shen Yunqing, dressed in casual clothes, smiled warmly and stepped aside, revealing Ming Jiang standing behind him.

Only, Ming Jiang didn't look too well, as if something was off with his body. When he saw Lian Sheng, he merely smiled. "How's Lao Cen doing?"

"Oh, right, Doctor Cen has a fever. I was afraid his brain might get damaged, so I hurriedly asked for your help," Lian Sheng explained.

Upon hearing this, Ming Jiang wanted to go check, but after taking two steps, his gait grew increasingly strange, as if... as if his pants were bothering him.

Shen Yunqing, standing beside him, watched everything calmly, quietly moved to support him, whispering, "Still hurting?"

Ming Jiang's eyes flickered, filled with anger. "Back off. Who needs your help?"

"Young Master Ming, you're still avoiding the issue."

"You're the one avoiding the issue! You should know better than anyone why I'm like this—" Ming Jiang was so angry he almost lost control, only managing to stop himself at the last few words. "If you don't cure Lao Cen properly today, you're dead!"

Lian Sheng watched their interaction with confusion. The little lotus pod on his head, which had just relaxed not long ago, tilted slightly again, brimming with bewilderment.

Shen Yunqing merely smiled faintly, withdrawing his hand, though his eyes held a hint of indulgence. He didn't press further, only saying softly, "Let's go check on Cen Lin first. Don't let his fever get worse."

Ming Jiang snorted, turning his face away awkwardly, but didn't argue further. However, his walking posture remained strange, each step as if he were enduring something.

Though Lian Sheng was full of curiosity, the thought of a certain Doctor Cen still lying frustrated and feverish in the bedroom made him suppress his questions for now, stepping aside to let the two in.

He trotted ahead, his steps light and brisk, clearly resembling a little lotus pod spirit who had finally found reinforcements.

Only, he didn't see Shen Yunqing behind him, watching Ming Jiang's slightly stiff back, his eyes darkening as he sighed silently, his gaze filled with unconcealed helplessness.

When Shen Yunqing entered the bedroom carrying the medical kit, he could see Cen Lin at a glance—leaning against the headboard, pale-faced yet exuding a gloomy aura.

The man's entire demeanor clearly spelled out "interrupted at a crucial moment, in a terrible mood." Seeing Lian Sheng happily leading people in, the gloom in his eyes deepened even further.

"Do you know how long you've been feverish?" Shen Yunqing set down the kit as if nothing were wrong, taking out a thermometer. "Doctor Cen, your constitution... you're pushing yourself too hard. You should know that."

Cen Lin shot him a cold glance. "Too much talk."

Lian Sheng immediately leaned in, his little face full of worry. "Doctor Shen, he was holding me just now and wouldn't let me go. He was burning up so scarily."

As soon as the words fell.

Cen Lin's ears imperceptibly warmed, and he turned his face away.

Shen Yunqing raised an eyebrow, glancing at Cen Lin with a half-smile, then at Lian Sheng's soft appearance.

"It seems the fever isn't too severe if he still has the energy to cling to someone."

Lian Sheng missed the teasing tone, nodding seriously. "Yes! He's really strong!"

Cen Lin: "..."

He reached out, pulling Lian Sheng to sit on the edge of the bed, holding him by the waist to keep him from speaking carelessly.

The action was domineering, yet gentle enough not to hurt him in the slightest.

Ming Jiang, watching from the side, felt even more awkward, shifting slightly away. But he accidentally tugged at a certain spot, letting out a soft hiss of pain.

Shen Yunqing glanced over immediately, his voice softening. "Hold still."

"Not your problem," Ming Jiang instinctively retorted.

"If I don't look after you, who will?" Shen Yunqing said while preparing the medicine, unscrewing the bottle cap. His tone was flat but carried an unmistakable firmness. "Last night—"

"Shut up!!"

Ming Jiang's face flushed crimson, his eyes flashing, and he nearly jumped up.

The little lotus pod on Lian Sheng's head shot upright, his eyes sparkling. "Huh? What happened last night?"

"Nothing!"

"Children shouldn't listen."

They said in unison.

Shen Yunqing gave a low chuckle and stopped teasing him, focusing on preparing medicine for Cen Lin and checking his throat.

When his fingertips touched Cen Lin's forehead, Cen Lin instinctively flinched away, his gaze firmly locked on Lian Sheng.

The meaning was unmistakable.

Only Lian Sheng could touch him.

Ming Jiang, watching Cen Lin's flushed, dazed face and his pickiness, suddenly remarked, "How odd. Before, if I knocked over your things and messed up their placement, you'd give me the cold shoulder and nag for ages. How come it's different with someone else? Old Cen, what's wrong with you—"

Shen Yunqing shook his head helplessly. "It's a common high fever, caused by inflammation. I'll give you a shot and prescribe some medication."

"A shot?" Lian Sheng immediately grew nervous. "Will it hurt a lot?"

Ming Jiang said, "He's the one getting the shot, not you. Why worry if it hurts him?"

Cen Lin didn't bother to reply. His eyes flickered slightly, about to say it wouldn't hurt, when he heard Lian Sheng softly add, "Can I hold Doctor Cen's hand? I'm afraid he might feel pain…"

Cen Lin: "…"

Though it was a little embarrassing, his chest warmed, and all his annoyance instantly vanished.

Shen Yunqing smiled. "Go on, comfort him."

Throughout the injection, Cen Lin didn't frown once, but his gaze remained fixed on Lian Sheng's face.

Lian Sheng obediently held his hand, gently blowing on it as if comforting a child.

Cen Lin let him fuss, the coldness in his eyes completely melting away.

Seeing this, Ming Jiang secretly glanced at Shen Yunqing, his eyes looking as if he wanted to find a needle to stab him with.

Shen Yunqing caught it out of the corner of his eye. When he shifted his gaze to look, Ming Jiang immediately averted his eyes, pretending nonchalance.

After the medicine was taken and water drunk,

Shen Yunqing packed his things and gave instructions, his tone suddenly turning a bit more serious. "Doctor Cen, don't force things."

He seemed to imply something. "Not everyone perfectly matches textbook examples."

"You're the one forcing things," Cen Lin retorted, his face flushed, using his persistent fever to speak recklessly. He glanced at Ming Jiang, who was standing awkwardly nearby. "What? Are you jealous we have a baby? Want him to carry your child too?"

As soon as the words fell—

Ming Jiang flushed crimson instantly, nearly exploding on the spot to punch him.

Shen Yunqing paused briefly, a deep smile flashing in his eyes. He didn't deny it, only said calmly, "Don't teach the kid bad things."

The little lotus pod on Lian Sheng's head shot straight up, his ears perked, looking utterly confused. "??? Wha—what? Having what?"

"Author's Note"

Gained ten pounds over the New Year... I'm going to start wailing.