Chu Yu stood there motionless.
As she quietly gazed at him, she felt the surrounding sounds gradually fade away, as if she were standing on water, with ripples spreading outward in circles.
The sounds were separated by these waters, becoming particularly distant and blurred. Only that person, in this world that seemed shrouded in mist, remained exceptionally clear. He held up the flower crown he had made, his smile tinged with shyness. Chu Yu watched silently, feeling something pulsing and rising within her heart. It was like a seed, pressed deep in her heart, desperately striking against flesh and blood, trying to break through the soil.
Chu Yu stood still. After a while, Wei Yun found it strange and tilted his head, asking, “Sister-in-law?”
Hearing Wei Yun’s call, Chu Yu snapped back to reality. She hurriedly pulled Shen Jiaojiao forward, approaching Wei Yun. She lowered her head and asked, “What’s this?”
“Bend down a little,” Wei Yun raised the flower crown, smiling, “I’ll put it on for you.”
Chu Yu lowered her eyes, hiding the emotions within them, and bowed her head, allowing Wei Yun to place the flower crown on her. The crown was light, settling on her head as water droplets chased down, the cool drops touching her skin, making Chu Yu’s heart tremble involuntarily.
Beside them, Shen Jiaojiao became unhappy, making a “hmph” sound and saying, “You’re all so annoying. Uncle only talks to my mother, and he only gives you flowers. No one cares about me!”
Chu Yu and Wei Yun both laughed. Chu Yu looked down at the clay figurine in her hand and said, “Didn’t I give you a little clay figurine?”
“But it’s not from Big Brother,” Shen Jiaojiao lowered her head, somewhat displeased, “I want Big Brother to give me a flower crown too.”
As she spoke, Shen Jiaojiao looked at Wei Yun with expectation, “Big Brother, can you give me one too?”
Wei Yun nodded towards Shen Wushuang, but said, “Go ask your uncle.”
Shen Jiaojiao’s eyes dimmed, and she clutched the clay figurine, saying, “If you won’t give me one, fine. I’ll go find Uncle.”
With that, she let go of Chu Yu’s hand and ran towards Shen Wushuang. She ran quickly, passing through the crowd to reach Shen Wushuang and Bai Shang. Seeing Shen Jiaojiao safely run over, Chu Yu turned to look at Wei Yun, saying with some exasperation, “Why don’t you make one for her?”
Wei Yun gave Chu Yu a faint look. That gaze was light, containing no emotion, but just this look reminded Chu Yu of Wei Yun from her previous life.
Wei Yun who held a high position and whose word was law – the Northern Marquis.
Chu Yu was momentarily stunned, then watched as Wei Yun pushed his wheelchair, turning away and saying, “I’m not a flower seller. Do you think everyone deserves my effort?”
Hearing this, Chu Yu couldn’t help but laugh. She hurried to catch up, placating him, “Alright, alright, I know you’re the Marquis of Zhenguo, Young Lord, of noble status. Is that okay?”
Wei Yun didn’t speak. Chu Yu pushed him, and as someone squeezed past, almost bumping into Chu Yu, Wei Yun quickly grabbed that person, calmly reminding them, “Stand steady.”
The person thanked Wei Yun. Chu Yu looked down at him, seeing how even sitting in a wheelchair, he was still clearing the way and protecting her. Her gaze filled with warmth as she looked at the young man in front of her who refused to turn back, “I know, you’re not this good to just anyone.”
Wei Yun finally spoke, his voice stiff, “You’d better know it.”
Chu Yu smiled, saying nothing more.
The two of them wandered the streets. Chu Yu didn’t buy anything, but Wei Yun bought a lot. At first, Chu Yu didn’t notice, but later she realized that everything Wei Yun bought was for girls. In every stall that Bai Shang browsed, he would buy some delicate and clever items. The things weren’t expensive, but he bought many miscellaneous items.
He held them on his lap. On the way home, Chu Yu couldn’t help but wonder, “What are you buying all these things for?”
Wei Yun held onto the small items, his voice stiff, “For you.”
Chu Yu was somewhat surprised, “What do I need these for?”
“Bai Shang and Shen Jiaojiao bought them,” Wei Yun said righteously, “You should have them too!”
Chu Yu looked up at Bai Shang and Shen Wushuang ahead. Bai Shang was holding Shen Jiaojiao’s hand, while Shen Wushuang carried the things, happily following behind the mother and daughter. After pestering them all night, Bai Shang’s attitude towards Shen Wushuang had noticeably softened. They had now walked into a darker area; the small path had lights on the way there, but on the way back, the lights were all out. Bai Shang’s steps faltered, seemingly unaccustomed to the darkness. Shen Wushuang’s hand reached out, and in the darkness, he held onto Bai Shang. His tone lacked its usual playfulness and even carried a hint of timidity as he said softly, “Sister-in-law, be careful not to fall.”
Shen Jiaojiao couldn’t see in the darkness, but Chu Yu and Wei Yun could see clearly from behind. Wei Yun glanced sideways, looking at Chu Yu’s hand on the wheelchair.
Her hand gradually darkened with the fading light, moving from the moonlight into the darkness.
Wei Yun lowered his eyes, unconsciously stroking the patterns on the inside of his wide sleeve.
He looked at Shen Wushuang ahead, feeling something stirring in his heart. Chu Yu deliberately kept a distance from the two people in front. Wei Yun said softly, “Sister-in-law.”
“Hm?”
Wei Yun’s throat moved, and he finally said, “Be careful not to fall.”
Chu Yu smiled, saying gently, “Don’t worry.”
The two fell silent for a while. After a long time, he finally said, “Sister-in-law.”
“Hm?”
“About Shen Wushuang…”
He wanted to ask but couldn’t bring himself to finish the question. Since he didn’t complete his thought, Chu Yu didn’t respond. She probably knew what he wanted to ask, but it wasn’t something she could answer, so she remained silent.
Pushing Wei Yun out of the darkness, the group arrived at the medical pavilion. Shen Jiaojiao was feeling sleepy, so Shen Wushuang and Bai Shang took her to bed. Wei Yun waited in the courtyard while Chu Yu went to get wine and snacks. The four of them planned to eat and drink while waiting for the final sky lantern release at midnight, the most grand and important part of the Lantern Festival.
Wei Yun waited alone in the corridor for a while, feeling bored. He decided to push his wheelchair to find Chu Yu. However, after moving just a few steps, he heard a man’s panting voice mixed with a woman’s muffled whimper.
Wei Yun suddenly froze, feeling caught in a dilemma. If he moved his wheelchair, he would certainly startle the two people, but if he didn’t move, he felt somewhat awkward. After pondering for a moment, he decided to stay still. He heard the two people at the corner panting for a while, and then a crisp “slap” rang out.
“Shen Wushuang,” Bai Shang’s trembling voice sounded, “I am your sister-in-law!”
Wei Yun’s heart clenched. Somehow, he felt that this slap wasn’t on Shen Wushuang’s face, but on his own, stinging painfully.
However, a moment later, Shen Wushuang’s voice rang out.
“I know.”
Without his usual joking tone, his voice was solemn and calm: “If my brother were still here, I would stay far away from you. But A’Shang… We can’t be buried with my brother, can we? People who are alive need to move forward. If you can accept someone else, why can’t it be me?”
Bai Shang didn’t speak. Her silence made Wei Yun feel as if he too was waiting for a judgment.
After a long while, Bai Shang finally spoke: “Wushuang, you can like me, that’s your business. But I can’t get over this hurdle, that’s my business. I won’t accept you, nor will I accept anyone else. Keep that in mind, it’s better for everyone.”
“Don’t force me…” Bai Shang choked, “I know you’ve always done whatever you wanted, but please don’t force me, okay?”
Shen Wushuang didn’t speak. After a long time, he said hoarsely, “Alright.”
A moment later, Bai Shang hurriedly left. When the corridor was quiet again, Wei Yun looked up to see Shen Wushuang coming around the corner.
His expression was calm, without a smile. Seeing Wei Yun, he didn’t seem surprised, just nodded as if in greeting.
Wei Yun hung his head. As Shen Wushuang passed by him, he suddenly said, “Haven’t you thought about your brother?”
Shen Wushuang stopped in his tracks. He turned his head, raising an eyebrow: “What, are you going to lecture me too? Scold me for disregarding human ethics, call me shameless and ungrateful?”
Wei Yun didn’t speak. Every word from Shen Wushuang felt like a slap to his face.
He watched as Shen Wushuang burst out in anger: “But what am I supposed to do?”
“If my brother were alive today, it would be wrong for me to interfere with their relationship. But he’s dead. He’s gone. If I like someone, who am I harming? Who am I hurting? Is it wrong for me to have feelings for someone?” Shen Wushuang raised his voice, “Do I need your fake sympathy? Do you have the right to lecture me?!”
“Your brother’s death,” Wei Yun’s voice dripped with sarcasm, speaking to both Shen Wushuang and himself, “seems to have worked out quite conveniently for you.”
“Then let me die!” Shen Wushuang exploded in rage, his fists clenched and eyes reddened. “I wish it had been me who died! But when someone’s gone, what can you do? Does it mean I can’t be happy for the rest of my life? That I can’t smile, can’t feel joy, can’t like someone? You try it if you think you can!”
“Everyone in this world wants to uphold morality and suppress desires, but can they? We’re only human. Who the hell are you to act like a saint?! Who am I hurting by liking her? I’m not forcing her. I just like her. I think meeting her is the luckiest thing that’s happened in my life. Is that not allowed?! If I’ve sinned, I’ll beg for forgiveness from my brother in the underworld. Who are you all to judge me?!”
With that, he turned abruptly and strode out towards the front hall.
Wei Yun stood in the long corridor, his gaze wavering. Every word Shen Wushuang had said echoed in his ears.
Was it wrong for him to like her?
He didn’t speak of it, he remained silent, patiently waiting and accompanying. Was there no room for his affection?
He wasn’t a saint. He couldn’t suppress his desires. He couldn’t control falling for someone, couldn’t restrain loving someone. He could only confine himself within his self-imposed boundaries, silently cherishing his feelings.
He liked this person.
He liked her very much. So what?
Wei Yun’s hands trembled slightly as countless thoughts surged through his mind. He seemed to suddenly understand something.
He didn’t struggle, nor did he want to. He had always moved forward under a heavy burden, ashamed of these feelings. But at this moment, he suddenly realized.
Meeting her was the most beautiful thing in this life. He wasn’t ashamed of it.
Perhaps it was wrong, but when he met Wei Jun on the road to the underworld later, he would apologize. In this life, this was all he could do.
But he lacked Shen Wushuang’s recklessness. All those intense emotions, he buried deep in his heart, desperately trying to calm them.
He rested for a while in the corridor. Shen Wushuang came back, and he turned to him, saying, “I’ll push you over.”
Wei Yun didn’t ask why he had returned. Perhaps at this moment, Shen Wushuang, like him, needed a reason, a place to calm down alone.
As they went to find Chu Yu and Bai Shang, and the two girls came into view, Wei Yun suddenly spoke, “Be patient.”
“Hm?” Shen Wushuang was puzzled.
Wei Yun slowly said, “There’s nothing wrong with liking someone, but if your affection becomes a burden to her, that’s where it goes wrong.”
Shen Wushuang frowned slightly, not expecting Wei Yun to say such things to him.
“If you like someone, you get close to her, accompany her, protect her,” they were getting closer to the girls with each step, and Wei Yun’s lips curved slightly, “You can try to pursue her, but you need to be patient. You need to let her willingly, gradually notice your good qualities.”
“What if she never willingly accepts it in this lifetime?”
Shen Wushuang frowned. Wei Yun’s expression remained unchanged.
“Isn’t it about liking someone?”
“When has liking someone ever been about getting something in return? If you’re solely hoping that she must reciprocate your feelings, Shen Wushuang,” Wei Yun’s voice was calm, “then this affection is far too selfish and quite revolting.”
Shen Wushuang said nothing. As they arrived at the hall, Wei Yun looked up at Chu Yu and said gently, “A Yu.”
“You’re here?” Chu Yu smiled, “Madam Shen and I have prepared some wine. Xiao Qi is still injured, so he shouldn’t drink.”
“It’s fine,” Shen Wushuang took out a small bottle from his pocket, “I brought him some medicinal wine. It won’t be a problem.”
Seeing the medicinal wine, Chu Yu nodded cheerfully, “Alright then.”
With that, the four of them sat down in the front hall corridor, chatting and drinking.
Chu Yu had a good alcohol tolerance. Shen Wushuang and Bai Shang both had things on their minds, so after several large jars, Bai Shang was the first to pass out, leaning on Chu Yu’s shoulder. Shen Wushuang and Chu Yu continued to play drinking games, but soon enough, Shen Wushuang also collapsed to one side.
Wei Yun sat to the side, slowly sipping the medicinal wine, watching them with a smile.
Shen Wushuang’s medicinal wine wasn’t very palatable, with a bitter medicinal taste, but it was potent. Wei Yun could tell and didn’t dare to drink too much, only taking small sips.
Chu Yu, now quite drunk, placed Bai Shang to one side and crouched in front of Wei Yun with the wine, saying earnestly, “Come on, let’s drink together.”
Wei Yun shook his hand with a smile, “How many fingers am I holding up?”
“Three!”
Wei Yun shook his head, “No good. You can’t drink anymore.”
“I can handle it,” Chu Yu said seriously.
Wei Yun just smiled without speaking, watching as Chu Yu furrowed her brows, seriously contemplating how to drink with him.
In the distance, the sound of a cheering crowd could be heard. Both Wei Yun and Chu Yu looked over to see sky lanterns slowly rising. Chu Yu exclaimed happily, “Ah, how beautiful!”
She turned to Wei Yun, her eyes bright, “I’ll take you up to the roof!”
Before Wei Yun could speak, she had wrapped an arm around him and stumbled out. With a leap, they landed on the roof. Sitting on the tiles, Wei Yun, worried about her stability, held onto her and said with some exasperation, “Don’t be so reckless.”
Chu Yu, completely oblivious to his steadying hand, exclaimed happily, “Look, look! It’s so beautiful.”
Wei Yun said nothing. He lowered his gaze and reached out, enveloping Chu Yu’s hand with his own.
Chu Yu didn’t notice his small gesture. Still afraid she might notice, he said softly, “Sister-in-law, be careful not to fall.”
Chu Yu didn’t respond, just gazing into the distance as she said, “It’s so beautiful. I haven’t been this happy in many, many years.”
Wei Yun listened to her voice as he looked towards the lanterns slowly rising into the sky.
It was a sight entirely unseen in Da Chu, accompanied by the distant sound of bells and the chanting of scriptures by the common people. The entire night exuded a sense of otherworldly tranquility. The only thing grounding him was Chu Yu’s slow, husky voice beside him.
“It feels like I’ve been running for so long, never able to stop. He didn’t like me, A Jin hated me, and nobody liked me. I lived miserably alone for so long. Then I came to the Wei family, but I still never got a moment’s peace. Look at all that’s happened since I married into your family. We’ve never had a chance to stop.”
Chu Chu Yuckled lightly, “Sitting here now, it still feels like a dream.”
Wei Yun remained silent, quietly gazing into the distance. Chu Yu turned her head and found herself drawn to the young man before her.
The distant lights reflected in his eyes, his water-blue wide-sleeved robe giving him a scholarly air. His expression was composed and serene, giving her a sense of security she had never felt before.
It was as if time and space had stopped at this moment, and everything else in the world ceased to matter to her.
She suddenly couldn’t recognize who he was, or perhaps didn’t want to recognize him.
She just gazed at him quietly, feeling that this person was too beautiful to be real.
Wei Yun sensed her gaze and turned to face her.
They were very close, their breaths intertwining, their gazes locked.
With just that one look, she seemed to fall into his eyes.
The distant sounds of prayer washed over them in waves as Chu Yu silently gazed up at him.
Wei Yun’s heart fluttered slightly. He didn’t know what came over him, but without a word from her, he lowered his head and slowly pressed his lips to hers.
His movement was slow, gradual. He thought that if she showed any resistance, he would stop immediately.
But there was none.
Despite his pounding heart, she remained perfectly still.
The young man’s kiss carried the coolness of the moonlight, just a gentle touch of lips, reverent and pure.
He closed his eyes, his eyelashes trembling slightly. Chu Yu felt as if she was deep in a dream, so beautiful that she couldn’t help but smile. Finally, she let out a soft laugh and buried her face in the crook of his neck.
Wei Yun’s breathing was still a bit rapid. He dared not move as Chu Chu Yuckled softly in his arms. Afraid she might fall, he raised his arms to embrace her, steadying her body.
Before long, her breathing became even as she fell asleep in his arms.
Wei Yun’s heartbeat slowly calmed to match her breathing. His sleeve draped over her back, providing warmth.
He breathed in the scent of her hair, and after a long while, let out a soft sigh.
“Silly girl.”