21 Warmth After Life and Death
Lan You Nian felt her body became light. The poison that has been with her for many years has left her. Before Lan You Nian could open her eyes, she could already feel Feng Yi Xuan’s warmth, as well as his familiar smell, making Lan You Nian’s heart at peace.
Suddenly, Lan You Nian remembered the blood tears she saw. Lan You Nian stiffened and with trembling lashes, she opened her eyes. Feng Yi Xuan whose whole attention was on Lan You Nian saw Lan You Nian’s movement. He knew Lan You Nian was about to wake up. At this time, Feng Yi Xuan was a little panicked. He remembered the scar on his face. Though he hasn’t seen it himself, he knew of the white bear’s strength. His face was most likely disfigured. He never regretted it nor did he care but when he saw a perfect Nian Nian, Feng Yi Xuan suddenly felt uneasy.
Lan You Nian struggled to open her eyes but before she could see anything clearly, her eyes were covered by a warm hand. In an instant, Lan You Nian’s vision turned into darkness. Though she couldn’t see anything, Lan You Nian didn’t feel a hint of fear or unease. Because it was Feng Yi Xuan.
“Xuan?” Lan You Nian asked in confusion. Lan You Nian’s confused voice carried an ethereal air. After curing her poison, Lan You Nian seemed to be washed anew. If Lan You Nian in the past had a hint of otherworldly air; then, Lan You Nian now was surrounded by an air of transcendency, making others worship.
Feng Yi Xuan pursed his lips, his eyes turning uneasily, and finally uttered though his voice was raspy and magnetic, “Nian Nian, don’t’ look!” He knew Nian Nian wouldn’t mind his scar, but Feng Yi Xuan minded Nian Nian will become upset if she saw his scar. He didn’t want Nian Nian upset.
Lan You Nian reached out her fingers to curl around the hand covering up her eyes, asking coquettishly, “But I missed Xuan! I want to see you! Do you know? While I was unconscious, I can hear you whispering in my ear. I wanted to stop you but I couldn’t make a sound or open my eyes. Xuan, do you know how afraid I was?”
Feng Yi Xuan heard Lan You Nian’s words and slowly put down the hand covering up Lan You Nian’s eyes. He still said in advance, “Nian Nian, no matter what, don’t overthink. No matter what, I did it willingly!”
With Feng Yi Xuan’s words, Lan You Nian looked towards Feng Yi Xuan anxiously. It was this one glance Lan You Nian could no longer hold back her tears. Teardrops like pearls dripped onto Feng Yi Xuan’s chest, burning Feng Yi Xuan’s heart.
It’s only been a month. For her, it took her the time to close her eyes and then open them. The man in front of her has become unrecognizable. The previously handsomely unmatched face is buried under all the exhaustion. Stubble she has never seen before has grown out. The thick dark circles under that pair of purple eyes filled with red veins. Lan You Nian can still see traces of the blood tear. What made Lan You Nian’s heart hurt was the long scar flying across Feng Yi Xuan’s right face. Because it wasn’t treated in time, Lan You Nian can still see the traces of blood on the scar. She didn’t think the scar was horrifying but her heart ached. This pain was even more painful than the poison flaring up. She found it hard to breathe.
Lan You Nian continued to look over him and caught sight of Feng Yi Xuan’s crumbled robes. There were still traces of blood on the clothes. The previously cleanliness obsessive man wore clothes that haven’t been changed for an unknown number of days without being conscious of it. The hands that held hers were covered with frostbite, ruining the beauty of those hands.
“Xuan…” Lan You Nian stroked Feng Yi Xuan’s face with heartache, “Is it because of me? Is it because of me?” Lan You Nian knew this was all because of her. Because of her, this man became like this. Such a stupid man, what should she do with him?
Feng Yi Xuan panicked as he wiped Lan You Nian’s tears, as he rambled an explanation, “Nian Nian, don’t cry, don’t cry. It was an accident. It doesn’t hurt. Don’t cry please? Do you fear this scar?”
Though Feng Yi Xuan never cared for his looks, Feng Yi Xuan still felt uneasy in front of Lan You Nian the girl he loved. He looked at Nian Nian’s extraordinary beauty. He was afraid he couldn’t keep Nian Nian, but inside he told himself no one can take Nian Nian away.
“Not afraid. Why would I be afraid? My Xuan, no matter what you look like, I will not be afraid. I only feel heartache…” Lan You Nian’s tears fell without stopping. She kissed Feng Yi Xuan’s scar, her kiss carrying tenderness and care, “Xuan, sorry…sorry…” Because of me, you are injured. Because of me, you became so helpless. Because of me, you shed such painful blood tears. Because of me, you became so panicked and afraid. But I don’t regret nor will I let go. Because I love you, love you very very much…
Feng Yi Xuan kissed Lan You Nian’s apologetic beautiful red lips. His tongue thrust open Lan You Nian’s tightly closed teeth.
Lan You Nian’s tongue curled inside. The hand on Lan You Nian’s forehead slid down, holding onto Lan You Nian’s slim waist as if he wanted to melt her into his arms.
“Nian Nian, there is no need for apology between us. Because of you, no matter what, I have no regrets!” Feng Yi Xuan wiped away Lan You Nian’s tears, saying in delight. Nian Nian was in his arms. He can feel Nian Nian’s warmth. No matter what price he had to pay, it was okay.
Lan You Nian nodded. She knew between them there was no apology. Even if the same thing happened, she would pay any price for Feng Yi Xuan without regret. She couldn’t help the ache in her heart. Lan You Nian blinked her eyes that were washed by tears, making them bright, “What’s the injury from?”
Feng Yi Xuan rubbed Lan You Nian’s hair. He knew if he didn’t explain, Nian Nian will feel even worse inside. Feng Yi Xuan smiled in answer, “I was scratched by the white bear when we went to the Snow Peak to pluck the Seven Colored Snow Lotus.” Feng Yi Xuan said, making light of it. However, Lan You Nian can tell the situation then must have been dangerous. It was all over now. They were all well. This was the greatest blessing.
“Is that white bear dead? If it’s still alive, I must kill it!” Lan You Nian said ruthlessly. No one can harm Feng Yi Xuan. This was her man! After experiencing life and death once, Lan You Nian’s and Feng Yi Xuan’s love was even more passionate. In the past, Lan You Nian’s feelings towards Feng Yi Xuan were mostly acceptance of him but now Lan You Nian was willing to express her own love, because this man was worth it.
Feng Yi Xuan felt his heart soften as he saw Lan You Nian being protective like a little pup protecting its food, the smile on his lips couldn’t be stopped, “Of course it’s dead! Your Xuan isn’t that weak!” Feng Yi Xuan suddenly thought of something, “Nian Nian, you said you heard me when you were unconscious?”
Lan You Nian nodded. When she heard Feng Yi Xuan was going to the Snow Peak, she panicked but she was unable to wake up. Though master and everyone would speak to her, all she could think of was Feng Yi Xuan.
Feng Yi Xuan looked at Lan You Nian anxiously and seemed to be getting something off his chest as he said, “Then did you hear me say if we pass this safely, we will get married?” Feng Yi Xuan actually wasn’t certain. Though he knew Nian Nian was willing to marry him, that was after she came of age. After this poisoning incident, Feng Yi Xuan was unwilling to part with Nian Nian. Even if it was just on the surface, it wasn’t okay. Though Nian Nian was to marry him at this age, it wasn’t good but he will think of a good idea for this.
Lan You Nian’s face was a little red as she looked at Feng Yi Xuan. She naturally heard all of that but didn’t think too much about it. Now that she thought about it, she was feeling a bit shy. Lan You Nian bit her lip, and smiled, “I heard.”
“Then..” Feng Yi Xuan’s pale face was a little flushed. He hugged Lan You Nian, “Let’s get married soon okay?”
Lan You Nian pinched Feng Yi Xuan’s nose, “You don’t have any bridal gifts. You haven’t obtained master and senior brothers’ acceptance. You didn’t even tell father, yet you want to steal me away? Xuan, when have you thought of things so simply? I’m very difficult to marry. You can’t if a single one is missing!”
Feng Yi Xuan smiled in joy. His smile was brilliant and clean. His smile could make a rainbow, making the dark moods of people become light. Feng Yi Xuan knew Nian Nian has agreed to it. She only wanted him to take care of all the trivial things concerning weddings. Feng Yi Xuan felt so happy he could soar into the sky.
“Okay, none will be missing. I will marry you into my Prince Ming manor grandly!” Feng Yi Xuan said in joy, hating he couldn’t immediately run out to let An Yi start preparations.
Feng Yi Xuan hugged Lan You Nian for a while saying some things and realized he hasn’t washed for a long time. Now by Nian Nian’s side, he realized his discomfort. He wanted to go take a bath but he was reluctant to leave Nian Nian, so he was troubled.
How can Lan You Nian not know what Feng Yi Xuan was thinking? After experiencing life and death, they appreciated one another even more. Lan You Nian saw Feng Yi Xuan’s frail appearance and compared it with herself who was unconscious for many days and thought there was a sharp contrast between them.
“Xuan, go take a bath. I will wash your back for you?” Though Lan You Nian was shy, she felt this man has been suffering for her. Lan You Nian felt she should do the duty of a wife.
Feng Yi Xuan heard Lan You Nian’s suggestion and immediately was elated. He pulled Lan You Nian into the bathing pool inside. As Lan You Nian stared with wide eyes, he quickly removed his clothes and walked into the bathing pool. He then looked to Lan You Nian, the meaning was clear without words.
When Lan You Nian saw Feng Yi Xuan take off his clothes, she was feeling slightly embarrassed but when Lan You Nian saw the multiple scars on the body that lost weight over a month, Lan You Nian could feel nothing but heartache.
Lan You Nian picked up the washcloth by the pool and walked into the pool while still dressed. Feng Yi Xuan smiled as he spread out in the pool allowing Lan You Nian to wash his back. Perhaps because he was too tired, when Lan You Nian washed Feng Yi Xuan’s back, she noticed Feng Yi Xuan fell asleep.
“Xuan?” Though there was medicine added to the pool which was good for the body, but it one soaked in it too long, it was harmful. Lan You Nian had to wake up Feng Yi Xuan.
Feng Yi Xuan opened his red-veined eyes and saw Lan You Nian by his side. A smile blossomed on his face and hugged Lan You Nian as he muttered, “Nian Nian, rest with me, okay?”
“Okay!” Lan You Nian nodded. After the two cleaned up, they directly went to sleep. Lan You Nian didn’t feel tired after sleeping for so long but maybe because of Feng Yi Xuan, Lan You Nian hazily fell asleep within moments.
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