Chapter 119

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In which even more mahjong is played.

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The child was especially beautiful, leading people to like him at first sight.

His body carried a faint scent of osmanthus cakes, warm and soft as he threw himself into those arms. Ren Shaotian felt his heart fill with joy and immediately carried the person up. “Ah-You has woken up?”

The child hugged his neck. “Mhm.”

Ren Shaotian then walked forward carrying the child.

The household servants followed behind. There was a newcomer who moved forward a step or two, wanting to help him carry the little young master so as to stop him from getting too tired. Ren Shaotian hadn’t even refused when the child burrowed into his embrace, taking the initiative to duck away. Ren Shaotian was very happy upon seeing this and said, “No need. I’ll carry him myself.”

A gentle breeze was blowing, and the entire yard was the color of spring.

The peach blossoms were visible as far as the eye could see, giving off a mild fragrance that eased people’s hearts and pleased their spirits.

He carried the child through the residence in this afternoon light. Entering the study, he then placed the person on a chair next to him before beginning to read. For a while, the child sat there, obedient and well-behaved, before then very slowly crawling into his arms. He couldn’t help but let out a laugh before settling the small child into his arms and continuing to read. After who-knew-how-long, a small chubby little thing walked into the room carrying some snacks and, after greeting them, walked over to sit down before then beginning to chew on the pastries, eating them awfully joyfully.

Grabbing a slice of fruit, the child reached out his hand to hand it over to the person behind him.

Ren Shaotian opened his mouth and ate it, patting him on the head in praise. He was then struck with the inspiration to ask, “Does Ah-You want to try writing? Want me to teach you?”

The small child seemed to think for a moment before saying easily, “All right.”

Ren Shaotian then wiped the child’s hands dry before then holding his hand and helping him write the “Yang” character stroke by stroke on the paper.

This was his first time teaching this child how to write.

Although it was skewed and crooked, he still thought it looked good no matter how he looked at it.

When the peach blossoms withered, it became the season for the Liuzhu flowers to bloom.

The people of Huayang City all loved the Liuzhu flowers and formed parties in twos and threes to go flower viewing. He led the child along by the hand as he followed a beautiful woman to exit the gates. A large, handsome man was standing on her other side, tenderly holding her hand. They were a family of four, full of blissful happiness.

The Liuzhu flower bloomed and withered, withered and then bloomed.

The house was still as bustling as always, and he never left the child’s side. They were practically always together, whether it be sleeping or eating, and he treated the child as if the other was the apple of his eye. The child also always followed him faithfully, insisting on going along no matter where he went. Even the Madam said, somewhat jealously, that Ah-You loved his big brother the most and not his mother. But her expression actually carried a hint of a smile as she said so.

Autumn went and winter arrived, and the weather quickly turned cold.

As they entered the winter season, a certain prestigious gentleman was about to arrive at the academy in the neighboring city to give five days of lectures. Listening to his father’s instructions, Ren Shaotian then packed up and prepared to journey to the neighboring city.

“The outside isn’t the same as your own house, so don’t go putting on a young master’s temper…”

Ren Shaotian was standing in front of the carriage, earnestly listening to the Madam’s advice. After everything was said, he then nodded to indicate that he understood. Following that, he turned his gaze to the child holding her hand and raised a hand to pat the other’s head. “Your brother’s leaving.”

The child immediately threw himself over for a hug. “Brother.”

Ren Shaotian laughed and said, “Want to come with me?”

The child said, “Yes!”

Ren Shaotian said, “All right.”

“Stop messing around.” The Madam looked at her eldest son in reprimand before taking the child back. In a soft voice, she coaxed, “Be good, Ah-You. Let’s wait at home for your brother.”

The child pouted. “…Mn.”

This kind of small, wronged appearance immediately softened Ren Shaotian’s heart, and he asked his mother if he truly wasn’t able to take his little brother, only dropping the subject after he received a definite refusal. He then placated the child before stepping into the carriage. Opening the carriage curtains and looking back, he saw that the child had been lifted up into his mother’s arms.

The carriage slowly moved forward, though the people near the gates never moved, and so he quietly watched them. It was only when they were just a small dot on the horizon that he returned to himself.

The days at the academy were even more boring than Ren Shaotian had imagined.

He was the youngest of them, and so a crowd of people called him “esteemed little brother” day in and day out. What’s more, these people were even stupid to no end, not a single one as clever as his little brother.

With chin in hand, he began to consider whether or not he wanted to return home early when, at this time, he heard a great clamor echoing in from the outside. Two bodyguards then ran into the room and rushed directly towards him, giving him quite a fright. “What?”

“The master had us rush over to protect the young master.” The bodyguards hastily said this sentence as they pulled him to leave.

Ren Shaotian said, “Where’s Ah-You?”

The bodyguards said, “We left first. The little young master is still at the residence.”

Ren Shaotian said, “What happened?”

The bodyguards said, “It’s unclear.”

Ren Shaotian frowned. “Let’s go back to the house.”

The bodyguards said, “But the master said not to let you return.”

Ren Shaotian said, “Then where did my dad say to go…”

Before he even finished speaking, he felt his sight blur, and then a number of black figures leapt down from the sky to surround them. He once again frowned and, pressing down on the uneasiness in his heart, asked in a cold voice, “Who are all of you?”

However, no one answered him, and those people rapidly rushed over. The moment right before his consciousness faded away, he suddenly saw blood bloom from those two bodyguards’ bodies, bloodcurdling screams rending the air they fell.

What exactly has happened?

What about his parents? What about Ah-You?

How is Ah-You?

His thoughts struggled for an instant, but in the end he powerlessly sank into the pitch-black darkness.

Ren Shaotian suddenly opened his eyes.

An ash-colored light was glistening outside the window, and the sky had just brightened through the mist.

He got up and sat there in a daze for a long while. Finally, he pulled away the covers and messily tidied up for a bit before going to Ye You’s small courtyard.

The household servants had already gotten up, and having received their young master’s instructions, upon seeing him, they respectfully greeted him with, “Eldest young master, morning.”

That familiar form of address caused Ren Shaotian’s pupils to darken slightly, and he said, “Morning.”

He walked slower and slower and finally stopped in front of Ye You’s door. He knew that this person had definitely not gotten up yet and so, after a long moment of silence, decided simply to turn back. He looked at this unfamiliar residence, his head a complete mess, feeling as if he had woken up from a short nap only to find that everything around him had suddenly changed.

“Brother?”

Ren Shaotian instantly stopped.

Ye You had heard the movements outside and so had draped some clothes over himself and come out. Looking at Ren Shaotian, he walked over. “Is there something that made you come over this early?”

Ren Shaotian very slowly turned around and met that face.

Ah-You had already been very beautiful when he was small, and now that his facial features had filled out, he was exquisite to the point of intimidation, looking very much like the Madam from the dream. Having just woken up, his long hair was gently hanging down, softening his usual sharpness, and from the quiet way he was looking at Ren Shaotian, he seemed to be a faint reflection of his childhood appearance.

Ye You saw how silent Ren Shaotian was and was just about to ask again when he saw this person reach out a hand to touch his face.

He faintly paused. “…Brother?”

Ren Shaotian looked at him, expression profound. “Ah-You, you’ve grown up.”

Ye You trembled for a moment, and in that instant, his eyes actually heated up. “You…”

Ren Shaotian didn’t wait for the other to finish, walking forward a step to pull this person into a fierce embrace.

He suddenly felt somewhat like crying.

That year, the entire family had doted on this child. Anytime he bumped or hit anything, everyone always tenderly pampered him for half a day. How did Ah-You escape when things happened? Without his brother by his side to protect him, would others have bullied him? And how exactly did he reach Heji Mountain?

In the past, when Ren Shaotian thought of these issues, he simply found them difficult to take, but who could’ve known that, when he regained his memories, he could feel this much pain.

“…It’s my fault,” he said in a hoarse voice, “I should’ve stayed behind and been with you.”

Ye You closed his eyes.

He was already not that small child of the past. After experiencing that calamity, he had grown up practically overnight, and over these years, he just became more and more used to controlling his own moods. He pressed down on the sourness in his eyes and returned the other’s hug, patting his big brother’s back. “It’s all already in the past.”

Actually, when he thought about it later, his big brother not being there had perhaps been a good thing.

At the time, there was no child at the residence who was of a similar age to his big brother, and everyone in the outside world knew that the Yang family had two young masters. If his big brother had been there, then their parents would’ve definitely had both him and his big brother escape together. Thus, afterwards, when Wei Haide and them found only a small chubby child, they’d definitely send people to search for his big brother in every direction, and there was no telling what’d happen as a result.

He repeated, “It’s all already in the past.”

Ren Shaotian held the person even tighter for a brief moment. “Tell me of what happened after I left.”

Ye You fell silent.

Ren Shaotian said, “Ah-You?”

Ye You said, “I’ll tell you little by little.”

Ren Shaotian said, “Yes.”

From the corners of his eyes, he saw Wenren Heng walking over, dressed neat and tidy, and sluggishly realized that Ah-You had only some clothes draped over. He then let go and indicated for Ah-You to enter the room, so as to avoid catching cold.

After this event, Ye You was already no longer sleepy and thus returned to change his clothes, preparing to eat breakfast with his big brother. Ren Shaotian didn’t follow and instead stood in the courtyard, breathing in the chilly midwinter air in an attempt to calm himself down, while also trying to relieve the stuffy ache in his heart. Wenren Heng also didn’t enter the room and walked over to his side. “You remembered?”

Ren Shaotian made a sound in acknowledgment and asked, “How did he get to Heji Mountain that year?”

“He was picked up and taken back by our master,” Wenren Heng said, “You’ll need to ask him for the specific details.”

Ren Shaotian nodded and said, “Many thanks to you for taking care of him over these years.”

He knew that since Ah-You liked Wenren Heng, it was clear that Wenren Heng definitely treated Ah-You very well. And from his memories while as “Ren Shaotian”, Wenren Heng truly did treat Ah-You extremely well; it was clear at a glance to everyone.

Wenren Heng said, “It’s only natural.”

The two chatted for a few more sentences before Ye You came out, having tidied up appropriately.

Ren Shaotian’s thoughts were still immersed in their childhood and, upon seeing him, unconsciously moved towards him a few steps. Conversely, Ye You had gotten used to searching out his Senior Brother, and it was only when he had walked to Wenren Heng’s side that he discovered that his big brother’s arm was slightly raised, apparently having wanted to hold his hand just now but, in the end, being completely overlooked.

Ye You, “…”

Ren Shaotian, “…”

Ye You thereupon scooted towards his big brother, coincidentally also missing his Senior Brother raising a hand to hold his own.

Ye You, “…”

Wenren Heng, “…”

The three of them looked at each other for an instant before deciding to pass over this subtle atmosphere and walk to the dining hall shoulder-to-shoulder.

Sir Yang and those Elders had all already gotten up, and when they reached the dining hall, the former saw Ren Shaotian shooting him quite a few glances after entering the room. He couldn’t help but ask, “Big brother, what is it?”

Ren Shaotian said, “Nothing much, just thinking about how fat you were when you were small. I even thought that you’d most likely become a fatty when you grew up.”

These words were practically earth-shattering, and Sir Yang almost dropped his chopsticks. Those Elders were also astonished and said, in unison, “Brother Shaotian regained his memories?”

Ren Shaotian said, “I remembered a bit.”

Elder Miao and Young Miracle Doctor Fang hastily approached for an examination, while the remaining Elders followed closely behind to encircle him. Very quickly, they learned from their colleague that the drug’s effects had already disappeared, having been broken, and they all felt happy for Brother Shaotian and the Sect Master, saying, “That’s wonderful!”

“This is a happy occasion, worth drinking to!”

“That’s right! After we finish eating, let’s go drinking!”

Miracle Doctor Ji coldly let out a cough.

“…” Those Elders rapidly changed their tunes, “Worth playing some rounds of mahjong to!”

“That’s right! After we finish eating, let’s go play mahjong!”

“Brother Shaotian must play with us!”

Miracle Doctor Ji, “…”

And so, yet another mahjong game opened without incident.

While Ren Shaotian still had some remnants of the drug in his body, he simply needed to drink a few bowls of medicinal soup to eliminate them completely. Although he wanted to find Ye You to talk, he was truly unable to deflect the Elders’ enthusiasm. Out of the corners of his eyes, he saw Ah-You let out a few yawns before he was then pulled away into leaving by Wenren Heng. Seeing Ah-You depending on Wenren Heng so much, he felt some faint discontent in his heart, but rationally he knew that it was actually quite good for them to be like this.

Elder Miao said, “Don’t move! Three tiles[1]! Twenty thousand!”

Elder Mei said, “Brother Shaotian, it’s your turn to draw a tile.”

Elder Baili was astonished. “Brother Shaotian?”

Ren Shaotian regained his senses and drew a tile before tossing it, “East wind[2].”

Those Elders gave him a look. “What are you thinking about?”

Ren Shaotian smiled. “Nothing really?”

“Thinking about what happened in your childhood,” Elder Baili guessed and then suddenly asked, “That’s right, how was our Sect Master when he was young?”

This question immediately attracted the curiosity of the rest of them, and they collectively looked at Ren Shaotian at once.

Ren Shaotian said, laughing, “At that time, Ah-You was very well-behaved and obedient. If I give him just a single piece of candy, he can sit quietly on my lap for an entire day.”

Sir Yang had some vague impressions of their childhood and followed with an agreement, “Mhm.”

Those Elders, “…”

Were these two really talking about that incredible Sect Master of theirs? They completely couldn’t imagine it!

Those Elders silently tried to visualize it, but at this time, they heard some soft knocks from the door before the Demonic Sect’s shadow guards pushed it open and entered, handing over a letter to Elder Miao.

Elder Miao took it and, after taking a look, discovered that it was written by Demonic Medicine King. Elder Baili was sitting right by his side and, upon glancing over, asked, “Didn’t Demonic Medicine King leave with the Shaolin Abbot and them? What did he write this letter to you for?”

Of the monsters enlisted by Wei Haide, Demonic Medicine King was the only one who had avoided calamity in the incident this time.

Because although he had been quite vicious that year, he had never reached the level where he needed to be besieged in unison by the righteous faction. And since he had always been by Cong Yun’s side, he was extremely familiar with the drugged men and had successfully helped Miracle Doctor Ji and them break through the drug’s effects this time. Thus, when the people of the righteous faction added all of this up, they then allowed Demonic Medicine King to make amends using these achievements and also handed over the remaining drugged men for him to handle.

Elder Miao had worked together with that person for only a period of time, and their relationship wasn’t deep. Upon hearing that question, he honestly said, “I don’t know.”

He suspiciously opened the letter and saw only that the first sentence was, Brother Miao, a mere day apart feels as long as three years.

Elder Miao, “…”

Elder Baili, “…”

Most likely because Elder Baili’s expression looked far too much like he just saw a ghost, Elder Mei and them immediately had their interests piqued, and they hastily stood up, leaning over as one to finish reading that letter. On the letter, Demonic Medicine King wrote that he felt that Elder Miao’s medical expertise was quite high, and so he wanted to request some guidance, but the words that he used carried a faint ambiguity, as if he was simply scratching the surface, little by little stirring up people’s spirits. These words made people feel especially compelled to keep the appointment as soon as possible, in order to conduct a proper inquiry.

The group looked at Elder Miao, feeling as if either these two people had a somewhat impure relationship or Demonic Medicine King had fallen for him.

But if he was able to fall for Miaomiao, then he was definitely blind!

Those Elders cursed uncharitably in their hearts.

Elder Miao completely didn’t notice their expressions and, closing the letter, appeared to become suddenly enlightened, “Oh…”

Those Elders’ eyes shone. “What ‘oh’? Do you know what he means?”

Elder Miao said, “Yes.”

Those Elders were very excited. “He fell for you?”

Elder Miao said, “No.”

Those Elders said, “Then what is it?”

Elder Miao said, “I forgot to remove the poisonous insects from his body. He probably wants me to remove them for him.”

Everyone, “…”

Ah, so it also wasn’t easy for Demonic Medicine King, having to wrack his brains for so long to come up with this type of wording to get this person to come out?

Those Elders fell silent.

Sir Yang conversely wanted to wipe his sweat.

He suddenly became aware of a grave matter — with the Demonic Sect Elders this outlandish, his second brother’s tongue that poisonous, and now even Wei Jin entering the Demonic Sect, so that his big brother would probably also go, in the future, when those righteous faction members were bullied by the Demonic Sect and didn’t dare to go find the Demonic Sect for payback, would they come to the Yang family residence to find him?

Goddammit, it sounds far too possible!

While the righteous faction wouldn’t dare take his life, they could still lie at the gates and make a terrible scene crying and shouting in order to beg for compensation, point their fingers at him to give him a harsh tongue-lashing, or they could furtively find some trouble for him, even going so far as to put a bag over his head in the middle of the night and give him a sound beating!

His entire face was grave, and he felt in the depths of his heart that this was a truly daunting problem.

Why was his life fated to be full of so much misfortune?

No, no he couldn’t just sit and wait for death!

Looking at these rascals who had thrown down that letter and returned to playing mahjong once again, Sir Yang then stood up and went outside.

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[1] 踫 Uh, a mahjong term… Players shout this when they get three identical tiles in their hand from taking a discard. I don’t think there’s a real English equivalent, so I just translated what it meant.

[2] Do I have to explain how to play mahjong? It’s kind of like, uh, cards but with tiles, where people try to form a winning 14-tile hand. Every player always has 13 tiles on hand, and every turn they draw from the “wall” of tiles — they then decide whether to replace one of their old tiles with this new one or toss it out. (Tossed out tiles can be taken as a discard by another player, which may help them form a winning hand.) Every tossed out tile must be announced out loud, which is what Ren Shaotian is doing.

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Ren Shaotian confirmed as a complete brocon, haha.

One chapter left~ Almost there~

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