Chapter 43 Chapter 43

Chapter 43

1

Lin Chenxin buried her face in her knees.

The gorgeous light behind her spilled onto her back, throwing her lonely shadow on the ground.

A gentle breeze swept by, bringing a bit of summer heat. Lin Chenxin lifted her head, and the breeze blew her hair across her cheek.

She stared off into space, her eyes shimmering, bright and lost.

There was nothing in front of her, yet she stayed still for a long time.

A soft sound broke the silence, and only then she lowered her head, dazed, she looked at the long-life lock in her hand.

Her eyes focused, her lips pressed tightly together, and a blazing light flickered in her gaze.

The bright, glossy long-life lock was clean and spotless, the deeply carved character “Jun” imprinted in Lin Chenxin’s heart, spreading like a drop of ink, burning her with searing pain.

“Chen Gujun.”

She clutched the long-life lock and said in a hoarse voice.

The dark Junzi Courtyard was filled with cold wind.

Standing under the eaves, Chen Gujun tilted his head, lifting his dead eyes to the sky above the high walls.

“Lin Chenxin,” he murmured.

The wind chimes responded with a few soft sounds.

His eyelashes drooped slightly, his face going pale.

After who knows how long, he held the broken branch in his hand and slowly walked forward.

His bare feet stepped onto the mud in the backyard, dragging chain marks across the ground.

When he reached the well, he crouched down and touched the fragile green sprouts.

He lowered his head, his dry white hair falling from his shoulders, and from behind, his hunched back made him look like an old man about to die.

He picked up the watering can next to him and carefully watered the sprouts that had grown, making sure not to water them too much or too little—he always remembered that rule.

But after a while, the can ran dry. He stood there silently for a moment, then slowly straightened up, picked up the branch, and stumbled through the darkness.

The wind blew his white hair over half his face.

He stared straight ahead, his pitch-black eyes as hazy and empty as the gloomy fog above his head.

—

At the gate of Junzi Courtyard, the Second Miss stared at the locked door a moment, then turned and left without a word.

She went to Lanting Courtyard, where the middle-aged man was still standing guard at the entrance. When he saw her, he said nothing, just asked her to leave.

Mr. Chen hasn't been back for days.

The servants in the house had either run off or gone into hiding, so there were hardly any left.

Since yesterday, there's been no one to cook.

The middle-aged man standing guard was just a weak line of defense.

The Second Miss could've forced her way in if she wanted.

But he stood his ground, like the cold, strict rules of the Chen family, making an impenetrable wall—growing quieter and quieter, making it harder to move forward.

She didn't know when it began, but everyone in the Chen family seemed to have chains on their feet.

The Second Miss stood at the gate for a long time, then turned and left without a word.

Inside, Ms. Liang sat under the lamp, the bright light not lighting up her face, just outlining a thin shadow.

Without turning around, she asked, “Has Xiaoqing left?”

The middle-aged woman looked down and answered, “Yes.”

Ms. Liang turned her head, staring at the desolate courtyard in the wind, her deep eyes giving nothing away.

The middle-aged woman tightened her fingers and couldn’t help but ask, “Does the young lady really trust her that much?”

Ms. Liang stayed still and answered, “Yes.”

—

Today, the young master’s spirits were much better. The Second Miss wasn’t sure if it was a last burst of energy; she just hoped he was truly recovering.

“Sis.”

The young master looked at the half-cooked noodles in the bowl and raised his eyes to the Second Miss across from him.

“What? If you don’t eat, go hungry.”

The Second Miss’s expression was cold, and she subtly hid her burned hand in her sleeve.

“No, I’ll eat.”

The young master lowered his head, but as he ate, tears fell into the bowl.

The Second Miss’s eyes reddened instantly.

In such a short time, she seemed to have matured a lot, even though tears welled up in her eyes, they never fell.

She lifted her head and said, “What’s there to cry about? No backbone.”

The young master kept his head down, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably.

He gripped the chopsticks tightly in his hand, letting out a choked sob.

“I’m sorry.”

Hearing this, the Second Miss’s eyes turned crimson, and she immediately slammed the table and stood up.

“Take that back!”

The young master flinched.

His body was still frighteningly thin, the back of his neck showing, like it could be snapped with one hand.

He gritted his teeth, not wanting to cry so pathetically, but tears still streamed uncontrollably down his face.

The second young lady closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then looked down at him expressionlessly.

"Have some pride. You haven't wronged anyone."

After a long moment, the little master nodded firmly.

"Mm!"

He ate the noodles in big mouthfuls, completely forgetting the manners he'd been taught, not caring if the noodles tasted good or not.

Right now, he just wanted his body to heal quickly.

Sister-in-law was right.

Everything will be fine.

The most important thing is to never give up hope!

—

Lin Chenxin texted Miss Liu, then walked alone down the empty street under the streetlights.

Back at the hospital, Doctor Jiang was still there.

Seeing her wearing only socks, he paused for a moment but didn't ask, just smiled and said, "Want something to eat? The cafeteria's still open."

"Did Chenyi eat?" she asked.

Doctor Jiang opened the door to the ward. The principal was inside, reading a storybook to the younger siblings.

The two little ones sat side by side on the hospital bed, reading intently.

Their strikingly similar faces were so sweet it melted your heart. Lin Chenxin couldn't help but smile and turned to Doctor Jiang. "I'll eat in a bit. Thanks, Doctor."

Doctor Jiang smiled and nodded.

When he saw her at the door, her little brother called out, "Sister!"

After calling out, he realized the patients were resting and quickly covered his mouth with his little hand.

The principal stood up and turned to look at Lin Chenxin.

She looked at her with kind eyes and said, "You've lost a lot of weight."

Lin Chenxin chuckled. "But I'm still just as strong."

The principal smiled too.

Chenyi asked softly, "Sister, can Chen'an stay here tonight?"

Lin Chenxin looked at her nervous little brother and her expectant little sister, then smiled and nodded.

"Sure."

The two kids' eyes lit up, and they immediately hugged.

Lin Chenxin's gaze softened. She turned to the principal and said, "Thank you for your help. I'll take care of Chen'an today."

The principal's beautiful blue eyes were always as forgiving as the sea.

"The Lord is always with you."

Watching the principal leave, Lin Chenxin sat down on a stool and picked up the storybook from the nightstand.

In the past, Lin Chenxin had always been the one to tell stories to her younger siblings to help them fall asleep.

Living in the basement, they couldn't afford to turn on the lights and didn't have any storybooks, so Lin Chenxin would tell her younger siblings the stories their parents had once told her.

It had been a long time since they'd been together like this.

"Sister."

The two little ones lifted the blanket, patted the bed, and looked at her with bright eyes.

She chuckled and lay down on the bed with her little siblings.

The two little ones snuggled up to her, one on each side, their faces full of trust and love.

Lin Chenxin was about to continue telling them a story when her little sister suddenly grabbed the longevity lock on her wrist and whispered, "It's so pretty."

Her little brother also reached out to touch it, his eyes shining.

Lin Chenxin pressed her lips together and set the book down.

After a long pause, she swallowed hard and said, "Chen'an, Chenyi, your sister is married."

The two little ones looked at her, their clear eyes innocent and pure.

She took a deep breath and thought, maybe this was fate—a moment that wasn't perfect but clear enough.

Today, she was sure: she didn't want to give up on Chen Gujun.

And her decision needed her younger siblings to be a part of it.

She smiled and asked, "Do you want to see what your brother-in-law looks like?"

"Yeah, we want to see!"

The same excitement appeared in both little ones' eyes.

She said softly, "But he looks a bit different from other people. Don't be scared."

Her little brother shook his head firmly, his chubby face determined.

"Not scared."

Her little sister also shook her head, saying firmly, "I'm not scared either."

She laughed and kissed each of them once.

"Good, you're the best and bravest."

Both little ones puffed out their chests with pride.

Lin Chenxin took out her phone, but her fingertips trembled as she opened the photo album. She hesitated for a long time without tapping.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then forcefully pressed her finger down. The moment she saw Chen Gujun, she was instantly lost in thought.

It had only been a few days since they'd last seen each other, but it felt like forever.

With his eyes closed, Chen Gujun looked harmless and fragile.

He seemed like someone who didn't belong in this world at all.

But the truth is, this world brought him here, only to abandon him.

Lin Chenxin's eyes went distant, and she couldn't help reaching out to touch Chen Gujun's face.

Suddenly, a young, confused voice spoke up.

"Is he sick?"

Lin Chenxin's heart clenched, and she squeezed her fingers tight.

In a hoarse voice, she said, "Yes, he's sick."

Her younger siblings' faces fell with sadness.

After a moment, her brother asked, "Will he get better?"

Lin Chenxin closed her eyes, her face set with determination.

"He will."

Her brother and sister let out a sigh of relief, their eyes still innocent and curious as they stared at the person on the screen.

Lin Chenxin's gaze softened as she looked at Chen Gujun's closed eyes, and she said quietly, "He's a really gentle person. He's read many books, writes beautiful handwriting, and can make all kinds of lovely, interesting things."

"Will he play with us then?" her brother asked, his eyes shining with excitement.

She smiled and said, "He will. He'll even make you a lantern to play with."

Her brother went, "Wow!"

Her sister couldn't wait to ask, "Then will he read stories?"

As if remembering how Chen Gujun would stay quiet and not talk much, she let out a soft laugh.

"He will." She lowered her head and gently touched her sister's cheek.

"He'll be so, so good to you both."

The two little ones' eyes lit up bright and sparkling.

"I like him."

"I like him too!"

Lin Chenxin smiled, but her heart ached with a bittersweet feeling.

She looked at Chen Gujun, his hair white, her gaze tender yet firm.

Chen Gujun, did you hear that?