Selling Cakes: C21

Chapter Twenty-one

This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

_{“That’s enough,” Shen Yunjie touched his stomach, whispering.}
When Shen Yunjie again opened his eyes, the morning sun had just begun creeping into the sky. The biting pain and numbness assaulting his lower body had not subsided, and the only part of him he could try to move was the tips of his fingers.

“That’s enough,” Shen Yunjie touched his stomach, whispering.

_{Seeing his proposition was accepted, Old Zhou knocked open a floor tile and pulled out an ebony box from a hidden compartment. Inside was a neatly arranged set of silver needles that seemed to radiate a cool aura. The old man shot a glance at the backyard and then turned back to ask one last time, “Are you sure?”}
“It’d be best if you didn't try to move.” Old Zhou spoke up from some distance away as he took a messy bite from a sugar bun.

Seeing his proposition was accepted, Old Zhou knocked open a floor tile and pulled out an ebony box from a hidden compartment. Inside was a neatly arranged set of silver needles that seemed to radiate a cool aura. The old man shot a glance at the backyard and then turned back to ask one last time, “Are you sure?”

_{Xiao Ning fell silent once more, holding back countless words wishing to be spoken. He wanted to tell that man he would never go back to a place like Nanjiu Lane.}Seeing his proposition was accepted, Old Zhou knocked open a floor tile and pulled out an ebony box from a hidden compartment. Inside was a neatly arranged set of silver needles that seemed to radiate a cool aura. The old man shot a glance at the backyard and then turned back to ask one last time, “Are you sure?”

Xiao Ning fell silent once more, holding back countless words wishing to be spoken. He wanted to tell that man he would never go back to a place like Nanjiu Lane. He wanted to tell him he should have never left him alone that past night. But none of these words could be uttered, and following a long silence, his final sentences were a hardened string of words. “You must properly give birth to this child. This is what you owe me.”

_{The old man replied by first pointing to Shen Yunjie's stomach. “I want this child of yours to inherit my legacy. I want them to respect me as their teacher and care for me in my old age. So, what about that?”}When Shen Yunjie again opened his eyes, the morning sun had just begun creeping into the sky. The biting pain and numbness assaulting his lower body had not subsided, and the only part of him he could try to move was the tips of his fingers.

The old man replied by first pointing to Shen Yunjie's stomach. “I want this child of yours to inherit my legacy. I want them to respect me as their teacher and care for me in my old age. So, what about that?”

_{“For about two months, it seems. Did you not notice anything?” Old Zhou sounded a bit shocked but continued to add pragmatically, “But there’s no need to think about it too much. If the foetus hasn’t stabilised, then there isn’t much we can do to force the matter. If you’d like, I can brew you a bowl of medicine to aid the process so you don’t suffer needlessly in the future.”}When our time to part this world finally comes, we will have a house filled with grandchildren.

“For about two months, it seems. Did you not notice anything?” Old Zhou sounded a bit shocked but continued to add pragmatically, “But there’s no need to think about it too much. If the foetus hasn’t stabilised, then there isn’t much we can do to force the matter. If you’d like, I can brew you a bowl of medicine to aid the process so you don’t suffer needlessly in the future.”

_N/A
Shen Yunjie sighed, his reluctant and heavy gaze turning to Old Zhou.

N/A

_{Chapter Twenty-one}“But in my opinion—if you care to hear it, that is—I believe it isn’t worth it. What’s more, didn’t you wish to spend a few more years by his side?”

Chapter Twenty-one

_{From beside them, Shen Yunjie held his hand against the place where the needle had sealed in his heart, looking up at Xiao Ning. “If Xiao Yuan wakes up and realises no one is there, he’ll get quite scared.”}Shen Yunjie stared down at his hands at the question, the words Xiao Ning spoke that night replaying in his mind. His hands were stained with the blood of Xiao Ning's family, and they were destined to never be washed clean. “It’s long overdue. I should’ve repaid him with my life a long time ago.”

From beside them, Shen Yunjie held his hand against the place where the needle had sealed in his heart, looking up at Xiao Ning. “If Xiao Yuan wakes up and realises no one is there, he’ll get quite scared.”

_{Uncomfortable by Shen Yunjie’s eyes on him, Old Zhou finished his sugar bun in a couple of bites. Then after wiping his greasy fingers on his clothes, he dragged over a stool and began to explain, “That man of yours is out back decocting some medicine, and your son is fast asleep at home.}
Uncomfortable by Shen Yunjie’s eyes on him, Old Zhou finished his sugar bun in a couple of bites. Then after wiping his greasy fingers on his clothes, he dragged over a stool and began to explain, “That man of yours is out back decocting some medicine, and your son is fast asleep at home. The reason I suggested you keep still is because your acupuncture session is still ongoing. But there's also something else you should know. You may have a miscarriage soon, so it would be in your best interest to prepare yourself.”

Uncomfortable by Shen Yunjie’s eyes on him, Old Zhou finished his sugar bun in a couple of bites. Then after wiping his greasy fingers on his clothes, he dragged over a stool and began to explain, “That man of yours is out back decocting some medicine, and your son is fast asleep at home. The reason I suggested you keep still is because your acupuncture session is still ongoing. But there's also something else you should know. You may have a miscarriage soon, so it would be in your best interest to prepare yourself.”

_{“There’s no need for me to stay by his side for much longer. To him, my presence is only a source of torturous pain.” After seeing the conflict in Xiao Ning’s eyes the night before—a conflict that seemed to be a source of constant pain—Shen Yunjie finally understood everything.}“Let’s go home, then.” Xiao Ning bent over to carefully pick up the man next to him. Taking him in his arms, he felt that man was as light as a feather, his bones protruding enough to be felt on his skin.

“There’s no need for me to stay by his side for much longer. To him, my presence is only a source of torturous pain.” After seeing the conflict in Xiao Ning’s eyes the night before—a conflict that seemed to be a source of constant pain—Shen Yunjie finally understood everything.

_N/A“In the northwest, in Tongguan, I have some money hidden away and a shop under my name. So if you wish, they’ll all be yours.”

N/A

_{“But what reason do I have to help you in all of this?”}
Confusion washed over Shen Yunjie initially, followed by his struggling attempt to clutch his sore stomach once he regained his senses and rasped, “How long have I…”

“But what reason do I have to help you in all of this?”

_{Shen Yunjie sighed, his reluctant and heavy gaze turning to Old Zhou.}
“For about two months, it seems. Did you not notice anything?” Old Zhou sounded a bit shocked but continued to add pragmatically, “But there’s no need to think about it too much. If the foetus hasn’t stabilised, then there isn’t much we can do to force the matter. If you’d like, I can brew you a bowl of medicine to aid the process so you don’t suffer needlessly in the future.”

Shen Yunjie sighed, his reluctant and heavy gaze turning to Old Zhou.

_N/A
Seeing his reaction, Old Zhou took Shen Yunjie’s pulse again. Then, after a moment of silence, he replied, “Perhaps, but it’s pointless.”

N/A

_{The old man replied by first pointing to Shen Yunjie's stomach. “I want this child of yours to inherit my legacy. I want them to respect me as their teacher and care for me in my old age. So, what about that?”}Shen Yunjie stared down at his hands at the question, the words Xiao Ning spoke that night replaying in his mind. His hands were stained with the blood of Xiao Ning's family, and they were destined to never be washed clean. “It’s long overdue. I should’ve repaid him with my life a long time ago.”

_{“Is that so? Then, how about Needle Sealing?” Old Zhou suggested. “But I must warn you, originally, you had a few years left, but utilising this method will give you a year at best.”}“Bite down on this and don’t make a sound.” Old Zhou wasted no time and handed him a rag. “I’ll be inserting six sealing needles into your body, and they will suppress the poison for a year, but afterwards, the poison will no longer be restrained. So if you change your mind and decide to not forfeit your life, that person who poisoned you is your only salvation.”

“Is that so? Then, how about Needle Sealing?” Old Zhou suggested. “But I must warn you, originally, you had a few years left, but utilising this method will give you a year at best.”

_{The old man replied by first pointing to Shen Yunjie's stomach. “I want this child of yours to inherit my legacy. I want them to respect me as their teacher and care for me in my old age. So, what about that?”}
“But that still means there’s a chance, yes? There’s still hope…” Shen Yunjie used the bed for support and slowly sat himself up, the relieved sigh escaping him by instinct.

_{“What do you want, then?” Shen Yunjie sighed.}“But in my opinion—if you care to hear it, that is—I believe it isn’t worth it. What’s more, didn’t you wish to spend a few more years by his side?”

“What do you want, then?” Shen Yunjie sighed.

_{“But what reason do I have to help you in all of this?”}On the way back, neither said a word to the other, but upon arriving at their doorstep, Xiao Ning finally spoke. “Shen Yunjie, we’re going to have another child.”

“But what reason do I have to help you in all of this?”

_{“It’d be best if you didn't try to move.” Old Zhou spoke up from some distance away as he took a messy bite from a sugar bun.}
Old Zhou tapped his fingers on the edge of the bed, thinking for a while before replying, “Well, keeping the foetus safe is not particularly difficult, but dealing with the poison in your system affecting it will be.”

“It’d be best if you didn't try to move.” Old Zhou spoke up from some distance away as he took a messy bite from a sugar bun.

_{“But what reason do I have to help you in all of this?”}Seeing his proposition was accepted, Old Zhou knocked open a floor tile and pulled out an ebony box from a hidden compartment. Inside was a neatly arranged set of silver needles that seemed to radiate a cool aura. The old man shot a glance at the backyard and then turned back to ask one last time, “Are you sure?”

“But what reason do I have to help you in all of this?”

_{“Alright,” Shen Yunjie replied after a moment of silence.}“Is that so? Then, how about Needle Sealing?” Old Zhou suggested. “But I must warn you, originally, you had a few years left, but utilising this method will give you a year at best.”

“Alright,” Shen Yunjie replied after a moment of silence.

_{Shen Yunjie took the rag, and Old Zhou’s hand moved with practiced skill. The pain he felt only lasted for a short while. It was so swift; everything was done before Xiao Ning came back in.}Uncomfortable by Shen Yunjie’s eyes on him, Old Zhou finished his sugar bun in a couple of bites. Then after wiping his greasy fingers on his clothes, he dragged over a stool and began to explain, “That man of yours is out back decocting some medicine, and your son is fast asleep at home. The reason I suggested you keep still is because your acupuncture session is still ongoing. But there's also something else you should know. You may have a miscarriage soon, so it would be in your best interest to prepare yourself.”

Shen Yunjie took the rag, and Old Zhou’s hand moved with practiced skill. The pain he felt only lasted for a short while. It was so swift; everything was done before Xiao Ning came back in.

_{When our time to part this world finally comes, we will have a house filled with grandchildren.}
To this, Shen Yunjie glanced at the needle still stuck into his arm and countered, “For someone known as the Piercing Silver Ghost, I’m confident you can find a way.”

When our time to part this world finally comes, we will have a house filled with grandchildren.

_{Confusion washed over Shen Yunjie initially, followed by his struggling attempt to clutch his sore stomach once he regained his senses and rasped, “How long have I…”}“In the northwest, in Tongguan, I have some money hidden away and a shop under my name. So if you wish, they’ll all be yours.”

Confusion washed over Shen Yunjie initially, followed by his struggling attempt to clutch his sore stomach once he regained his senses and rasped, “How long have I…”

_{Shen Yunjie’s gaze was deathly still; his voice seemed drained of all life as he asked, “Is there any way to keep it?”}“What do you want, then?” Shen Yunjie sighed.

Shen Yunjie’s gaze was deathly still; his voice seemed drained of all life as he asked, “Is there any way to keep it?”

_{{When our time to part this world finally comes, we will have a house filled with grandchildren.}}Not expecting Shen Yunjie to have awoken when he returned, Xiao Ning was shocked at first but soon reached out to touch him without thinking, only to awkwardly withdraw his hand. Looking away from him, Xiao Ning turned to Old Zhou and scolded, “When did he wake up? Why didn’t you call me?!”

When our time to part this world finally comes, we will have a house filled with grandchildren.

_{To this, Shen Yunjie glanced at the needle still stuck into his arm and countered, “For someone known as the Piercing Silver Ghost, I’m confident you can find a way.”}
“Is that so? Then, how about Needle Sealing?” Old Zhou suggested. “But I must warn you, originally, you had a few years left, but utilising this method will give you a year at best.”

To this, Shen Yunjie glanced at the needle still stuck into his arm and countered, “For someone known as the Piercing Silver Ghost, I’m confident you can find a way.”

_{Shen Yunjie stared down at his hands at the question, the words Xiao Ning spoke that night replaying in his mind. His hands were stained with the blood of Xiao Ning's family, and they were destined to never be washed clean. “It’s long overdue. I should’ve repaid him with my life a long time ago.”}
“That’s enough,” Shen Yunjie touched his stomach, whispering.

Shen Yunjie stared down at his hands at the question, the words Xiao Ning spoke that night replaying in his mind. His hands were stained with the blood of Xiao Ning's family, and they were destined to never be washed clean. “It’s long overdue. I should’ve repaid him with my life a long time ago.”

_{“Unfortunately for you, I have no interest in money.” The old man shook his head.}Old Zhou tapped his fingers on the edge of the bed, thinking for a while before replying, “Well, keeping the foetus safe is not particularly difficult, but dealing with the poison in your system affecting it will be.”

“Unfortunately for you, I have no interest in money.” The old man shook his head.

_{“What do you want, then?” Shen Yunjie sighed.}
“But in my opinion—if you care to hear it, that is—I believe it isn’t worth it. What’s more, didn’t you wish to spend a few more years by his side?”

“What do you want, then?” Shen Yunjie sighed.

_{Shen Yunjie cast his gaze towards that part of him that would grow, replying simply, “Understood.”}N/A

Shen Yunjie cast his gaze towards that part of him that would grow, replying simply, “Understood.”

_{Old Zhou tapped his fingers on the edge of the bed, thinking for a while before replying, “Well, keeping the foetus safe is not particularly difficult, but dealing with the poison in your system affecting it will be.”}Chapter Twenty-one

Old Zhou tapped his fingers on the edge of the bed, thinking for a while before replying, “Well, keeping the foetus safe is not particularly difficult, but dealing with the poison in your system affecting it will be.”

_{Seeing his reaction, Old Zhou took Shen Yunjie’s pulse again. Then, after a moment of silence, he replied, “Perhaps, but it’s pointless.”}
“There’s no need for me to stay by his side for much longer. To him, my presence is only a source of torturous pain.” After seeing the conflict in Xiao Ning’s eyes the night before—a conflict that seemed to be a source of constant pain—Shen Yunjie finally understood everything.

Seeing his reaction, Old Zhou took Shen Yunjie’s pulse again. Then, after a moment of silence, he replied, “Perhaps, but it’s pointless.”

_{Shen Yunjie sighed, his reluctant and heavy gaze turning to Old Zhou.}Uncomfortable by Shen Yunjie’s eyes on him, Old Zhou finished his sugar bun in a couple of bites. Then after wiping his greasy fingers on his clothes, he dragged over a stool and began to explain, “That man of yours is out back decocting some medicine, and your son is fast asleep at home. The reason I suggested you keep still is because your acupuncture session is still ongoing. But there's also something else you should know. You may have a miscarriage soon, so it would be in your best interest to prepare yourself.”

Shen Yunjie sighed, his reluctant and heavy gaze turning to Old Zhou.

_{But the old man ignored his barks and instead dropped a stack of pre-packaged anti-miscarriage drugs into Xiao Ning’s hands, “Enough of that. I’ve just told him the child was temporarily saved, and there’s no longer any need for him to drink that concoction you’ve been brewing.}Uncomfortable by Shen Yunjie’s eyes on him, Old Zhou finished his sugar bun in a couple of bites. Then after wiping his greasy fingers on his clothes, he dragged over a stool and began to explain, “That man of yours is out back decocting some medicine, and your son is fast asleep at home. The reason I suggested you keep still is because your acupuncture session is still ongoing. But there's also something else you should know. You may have a miscarriage soon, so it would be in your best interest to prepare yourself.”

But the old man ignored his barks and instead dropped a stack of pre-packaged anti-miscarriage drugs into Xiao Ning’s hands, “Enough of that. I’ve just told him the child was temporarily saved, and there’s no longer any need for him to drink that concoction you’ve been brewing. So have him rest in bed, carefully, and have him take this medicine twice a day. I’ll stop by from time to time as well, so that’s all.”

_{“What do you want, then?” Shen Yunjie sighed.}N/A

“What do you want, then?” Shen Yunjie sighed.

_{“Bite down on this and don’t make a sound.” Old Zhou wasted no time and handed him a rag. “I’ll be inserting six sealing needles into your body, and they will suppress the poison for a year, but afterwards, the poison will no longer be restrained. So if you change your mind and decide to not forfeit your life, that person who poisoned you is your only salvation.”}
“But what reason do I have to help you in all of this?”

“Bite down on this and don’t make a sound.” Old Zhou wasted no time and handed him a rag. “I’ll be inserting six sealing needles into your body, and they will suppress the poison for a year, but afterwards, the poison will no longer be restrained. So if you change your mind and decide to not forfeit your life, that person who poisoned you is your only salvation.”

_{Confusion washed over Shen Yunjie initially, followed by his struggling attempt to clutch his sore stomach once he regained his senses and rasped, “How long have I…”}
“In the northwest, in Tongguan, I have some money hidden away and a shop under my name. So if you wish, they’ll all be yours.”

Confusion washed over Shen Yunjie initially, followed by his struggling attempt to clutch his sore stomach once he regained his senses and rasped, “How long have I…”

_{But unbeknownst to Shen Yunjie, as the faint morning light reflected in Xiao Ning’s eyes and a soft smile curled his lips, that man holding him tightened his grasp before he whispered, “Then, you must teach them to read and write and watch them grow into adults…”}“Let’s go home, then.” Xiao Ning bent over to carefully pick up the man next to him. Taking him in his arms, he felt that man was as light as a feather, his bones protruding enough to be felt on his skin.

But unbeknownst to Shen Yunjie, as the faint morning light reflected in Xiao Ning’s eyes and a soft smile curled his lips, that man holding him tightened his grasp before he whispered, “Then, you must teach them to read and write and watch them grow into adults…”

_N/AN/A

N/A

_{“Unfortunately for you, I have no interest in money.” The old man shook his head.}
“Unfortunately for you, I have no interest in money.” The old man shook his head.

“Unfortunately for you, I have no interest in money.” The old man shook his head.

_{“Let’s go home, then.” Xiao Ning bent over to carefully pick up the man next to him. Taking him in his arms, he felt that man was as light as a feather, his bones protruding enough to be felt on his skin.}Shen Yunjie took the rag, and Old Zhou’s hand moved with practiced skill. The pain he felt only lasted for a short while. It was so swift; everything was done before Xiao Ning came back in.

“Let’s go home, then.” Xiao Ning bent over to carefully pick up the man next to him. Taking him in his arms, he felt that man was as light as a feather, his bones protruding enough to be felt on his skin.

_N/AXiao Ning fell silent once more, holding back countless words wishing to be spoken. He wanted to tell that man he would never go back to a place like Nanjiu Lane. He wanted to tell him he should have never left him alone that past night. But none of these words could be uttered, and following a long silence, his final sentences were a hardened string of words. “You must properly give birth to this child. This is what you owe me.”

N/A

Shen Yunjie took the rag, and Old Zhou’s hand moved with practiced skill. The pain he felt only lasted for a short while. It was so swift; everything was done before Xiao Ning came back in.

_{“But in my opinion—if you care to hear it, that is—I believe it isn’t worth it. What’s more, didn’t you wish to spend a few more years by his side?”}
The old man replied by first pointing to Shen Yunjie's stomach. “I want this child of yours to inherit my legacy. I want them to respect me as their teacher and care for me in my old age. So, what about that?”

“But in my opinion—if you care to hear it, that is—I believe it isn’t worth it. What’s more, didn’t you wish to spend a few more years by his side?”

_{“That’s enough,” Shen Yunjie touched his stomach, whispering.}“Unfortunately for you, I have no interest in money.” The old man shook his head.

“That’s enough,” Shen Yunjie touched his stomach, whispering.

_{On the way back, neither said a word to the other, but upon arriving at their doorstep, Xiao Ning finally spoke. “Shen Yunjie, we’re going to have another child.”}“But what reason do I have to help you in all of this?”

On the way back, neither said a word to the other, but upon arriving at their doorstep, Xiao Ning finally spoke. “Shen Yunjie, we’re going to have another child.”

_{“For about two months, it seems. Did you not notice anything?” Old Zhou sounded a bit shocked but continued to add pragmatically, “But there’s no need to think about it too much. If the foetus hasn’t stabilised, then there isn’t much we can do to force the matter. If you’d like, I can brew you a bowl of medicine to aid the process so you don’t suffer needlessly in the future.”}
“Alright,” Shen Yunjie replied after a moment of silence.

_{Seeing his reaction, Old Zhou took Shen Yunjie’s pulse again. Then, after a moment of silence, he replied, “Perhaps, but it’s pointless.”}From beside them, Shen Yunjie held his hand against the place where the needle had sealed in his heart, looking up at Xiao Ning. “If Xiao Yuan wakes up and realises no one is there, he’ll get quite scared.”

Seeing his reaction, Old Zhou took Shen Yunjie’s pulse again. Then, after a moment of silence, he replied, “Perhaps, but it’s pointless.”

_{Shen Yunjie lowered his head, leaning against Xiao Ning’s shoulder, before responding with a hum.}
Seeing his proposition was accepted, Old Zhou knocked open a floor tile and pulled out an ebony box from a hidden compartment. Inside was a neatly arranged set of silver needles that seemed to radiate a cool aura. The old man shot a glance at the backyard and then turned back to ask one last time, “Are you sure?”

Shen Yunjie lowered his head, leaning against Xiao Ning’s shoulder, before responding with a hum.

_{“There’s no need for me to stay by his side for much longer. To him, my presence is only a source of torturous pain.” After seeing the conflict in Xiao Ning’s eyes the night before—a conflict that seemed to be a source of constant pain—Shen Yunjie finally understood everything.}To this, Shen Yunjie glanced at the needle still stuck into his arm and countered, “For someone known as the Piercing Silver Ghost, I’m confident you can find a way.”

_{“Alright,” Shen Yunjie replied after a moment of silence.}From beside them, Shen Yunjie held his hand against the place where the needle had sealed in his heart, looking up at Xiao Ning. “If Xiao Yuan wakes up and realises no one is there, he’ll get quite scared.”

“Alright,” Shen Yunjie replied after a moment of silence.

_{“Is that so? Then, how about Needle Sealing?” Old Zhou suggested. “But I must warn you, originally, you had a few years left, but utilising this method will give you a year at best.”}“But that still means there’s a chance, yes? There’s still hope…” Shen Yunjie used the bed for support and slowly sat himself up, the relieved sigh escaping him by instinct.

“Is that so? Then, how about Needle Sealing?” Old Zhou suggested. “But I must warn you, originally, you had a few years left, but utilising this method will give you a year at best.”

_{On the way back, neither said a word to the other, but upon arriving at their doorstep, Xiao Ning finally spoke. “Shen Yunjie, we’re going to have another child.”}
Shen Yunjie stared down at his hands at the question, the words Xiao Ning spoke that night replaying in his mind. His hands were stained with the blood of Xiao Ning's family, and they were destined to never be washed clean. “It’s long overdue. I should’ve repaid him with my life a long time ago.”

On the way back, neither said a word to the other, but upon arriving at their doorstep, Xiao Ning finally spoke. “Shen Yunjie, we’re going to have another child.”

_{“But that still means there’s a chance, yes? There’s still hope…” Shen Yunjie used the bed for support and slowly sat himself up, the relieved sigh escaping him by instinct.}
“Bite down on this and don’t make a sound.” Old Zhou wasted no time and handed him a rag. “I’ll be inserting six sealing needles into your body, and they will suppress the poison for a year, but afterwards, the poison will no longer be restrained. So if you change your mind and decide to not forfeit your life, that person who poisoned you is your only salvation.”

“But that still means there’s a chance, yes? There’s still hope…” Shen Yunjie used the bed for support and slowly sat himself up, the relieved sigh escaping him by instinct.

_{{When our time to part this world finally comes, we will have a house filled with grandchildren.}}When our time to part this world finally comes, we will have a house filled with grandchildren.

When our time to part this world finally comes, we will have a house filled with grandchildren.

_{Shen Yunjie stared down at his hands at the question, the words Xiao Ning spoke that night replaying in his mind. His hands were stained with the blood of Xiao Ning's family, and they were destined to never be washed clean. “It’s long overdue. I should’ve repaid him with my life a long time ago.”}“But what reason do I have to help you in all of this?”

_{“It’d be best if you didn't try to move.” Old Zhou spoke up from some distance away as he took a messy bite from a sugar bun.}Xiao Ning fell silent once more, holding back countless words wishing to be spoken. He wanted to tell that man he would never go back to a place like Nanjiu Lane. He wanted to tell him he should have never left him alone that past night. But none of these words could be uttered, and following a long silence, his final sentences were a hardened string of words. “You must properly give birth to this child. This is what you owe me.”

“It’d be best if you didn't try to move.” Old Zhou spoke up from some distance away as he took a messy bite from a sugar bun.

_{“Alright,” Shen Yunjie replied after a moment of silence.}
Shen Yunjie took the rag, and Old Zhou’s hand moved with practiced skill. The pain he felt only lasted for a short while. It was so swift; everything was done before Xiao Ning came back in.

“Alright,” Shen Yunjie replied after a moment of silence.

_N/AShen Yunjie lowered his head, leaning against Xiao Ning’s shoulder, before responding with a hum.

N/A

_{“In the northwest, in Tongguan, I have some money hidden away and a shop under my name. So if you wish, they’ll all be yours.”}
Not expecting Shen Yunjie to have awoken when he returned, Xiao Ning was shocked at first but soon reached out to touch him without thinking, only to awkwardly withdraw his hand. Looking away from him, Xiao Ning turned to Old Zhou and scolded, “When did he wake up? Why didn’t you call me?!”

“In the northwest, in Tongguan, I have some money hidden away and a shop under my name. So if you wish, they’ll all be yours.”

_{Uncomfortable by Shen Yunjie’s eyes on him, Old Zhou finished his sugar bun in a couple of bites. Then after wiping his greasy fingers on his clothes, he dragged over a stool and began to explain, “That man of yours is out back decocting some medicine, and your son is fast asleep at home.}Seeing his proposition was accepted, Old Zhou knocked open a floor tile and pulled out an ebony box from a hidden compartment. Inside was a neatly arranged set of silver needles that seemed to radiate a cool aura. The old man shot a glance at the backyard and then turned back to ask one last time, “Are you sure?”

_{Shen Yunjie’s gaze was deathly still; his voice seemed drained of all life as he asked, “Is there any way to keep it?”}
But the old man ignored his barks and instead dropped a stack of pre-packaged anti-miscarriage drugs into Xiao Ning’s hands, “Enough of that. I’ve just told him the child was temporarily saved, and there’s no longer any need for him to drink that concoction you’ve been brewing. So have him rest in bed, carefully, and have him take this medicine twice a day. I’ll stop by from time to time as well, so that’s all.”

Shen Yunjie’s gaze was deathly still; his voice seemed drained of all life as he asked, “Is there any way to keep it?”

_{When Shen Yunjie again opened his eyes, the morning sun had just begun creeping into the sky. The biting pain and numbness assaulting his lower body had not subsided, and the only part of him he could try to move was the tips of his fingers.}
From beside them, Shen Yunjie held his hand against the place where the needle had sealed in his heart, looking up at Xiao Ning. “If Xiao Yuan wakes up and realises no one is there, he’ll get quite scared.”

When Shen Yunjie again opened his eyes, the morning sun had just begun creeping into the sky. The biting pain and numbness assaulting his lower body had not subsided, and the only part of him he could try to move was the tips of his fingers.

_{“It’d be best if you didn't try to move.” Old Zhou spoke up from some distance away as he took a messy bite from a sugar bun.}Uncomfortable by Shen Yunjie’s eyes on him, Old Zhou finished his sugar bun in a couple of bites. Then after wiping his greasy fingers on his clothes, he dragged over a stool and began to explain, “That man of yours is out back decocting some medicine, and your son is fast asleep at home. The reason I suggested you keep still is because your acupuncture session is still ongoing. But there's also something else you should know. You may have a miscarriage soon, so it would be in your best interest to prepare yourself.”

“It’d be best if you didn't try to move.” Old Zhou spoke up from some distance away as he took a messy bite from a sugar bun.

_{“Is that so? Then, how about Needle Sealing?” Old Zhou suggested. “But I must warn you, originally, you had a few years left, but utilising this method will give you a year at best.”}
“Let’s go home, then.” Xiao Ning bent over to carefully pick up the man next to him. Taking him in his arms, he felt that man was as light as a feather, his bones protruding enough to be felt on his skin.

“Is that so? Then, how about Needle Sealing?” Old Zhou suggested. “But I must warn you, originally, you had a few years left, but utilising this method will give you a year at best.”

_{Chapter Twenty-one}
On the way back, neither said a word to the other, but upon arriving at their doorstep, Xiao Ning finally spoke. “Shen Yunjie, we’re going to have another child.”

Chapter Twenty-one

_{“There’s no need for me to stay by his side for much longer. To him, my presence is only a source of torturous pain.” After seeing the conflict in Xiao Ning’s eyes the night before—a conflict that seemed to be a source of constant pain—Shen Yunjie finally understood everything.}
Shen Yunjie lowered his head, leaning against Xiao Ning’s shoulder, before responding with a hum.

_{Not expecting Shen Yunjie to have awoken when he returned, Xiao Ning was shocked at first but soon reached out to touch him without thinking, only to awkwardly withdraw his hand. Looking away from him, Xiao Ning turned to Old Zhou and scolded, “When did he wake up? Why didn’t you call me?!”}
Xiao Ning fell silent once more, holding back countless words wishing to be spoken. He wanted to tell that man he would never go back to a place like Nanjiu Lane. He wanted to tell him he should have never left him alone that past night. But none of these words could be uttered, and following a long silence, his final sentences were a hardened string of words. “You must properly give birth to this child. This is what you owe me.”

Not expecting Shen Yunjie to have awoken when he returned, Xiao Ning was shocked at first but soon reached out to touch him without thinking, only to awkwardly withdraw his hand. Looking away from him, Xiao Ning turned to Old Zhou and scolded, “When did he wake up? Why didn’t you call me?!”

_{Shen Yunjie cast his gaze towards that part of him that would grow, replying simply, “Understood.”}On the way back, neither said a word to the other, but upon arriving at their doorstep, Xiao Ning finally spoke. “Shen Yunjie, we’re going to have another child.”

Shen Yunjie cast his gaze towards that part of him that would grow, replying simply, “Understood.”

_{Xiao Ning fell silent once more, holding back countless words wishing to be spoken. He wanted to tell that man he would never go back to a place like Nanjiu Lane.}
Shen Yunjie cast his gaze towards that part of him that would grow, replying simply, “Understood.”

_{“Unfortunately for you, I have no interest in money.” The old man shook his head.}Shen Yunjie cast his gaze towards that part of him that would grow, replying simply, “Understood.”

“Unfortunately for you, I have no interest in money.” The old man shook his head.

_{On the way back, neither said a word to the other, but upon arriving at their doorstep, Xiao Ning finally spoke. “Shen Yunjie, we’re going to have another child.”}When Shen Yunjie again opened his eyes, the morning sun had just begun creeping into the sky. The biting pain and numbness assaulting his lower body had not subsided, and the only part of him he could try to move was the tips of his fingers.

On the way back, neither said a word to the other, but upon arriving at their doorstep, Xiao Ning finally spoke. “Shen Yunjie, we’re going to have another child.”

_{Shen Yunjie cast his gaze towards that part of him that would grow, replying simply, “Understood.”}
But unbeknownst to Shen Yunjie, as the faint morning light reflected in Xiao Ning’s eyes and a soft smile curled his lips, that man holding him tightened his grasp before he whispered, “Then, you must teach them to read and write and watch them grow into adults…”

Shen Yunjie cast his gaze towards that part of him that would grow, replying simply, “Understood.”

_{“But that still means there’s a chance, yes? There’s still hope…” Shen Yunjie used the bed for support and slowly sat himself up, the relieved sigh escaping him by instinct.}“For about two months, it seems. Did you not notice anything?” Old Zhou sounded a bit shocked but continued to add pragmatically, “But there’s no need to think about it too much. If the foetus hasn’t stabilised, then there isn’t much we can do to force the matter. If you’d like, I can brew you a bowl of medicine to aid the process so you don’t suffer needlessly in the future.”

“But that still means there’s a chance, yes? There’s still hope…” Shen Yunjie used the bed for support and slowly sat himself up, the relieved sigh escaping him by instinct.

_{“That’s enough,” Shen Yunjie touched his stomach, whispering.}N/A

“That’s enough,” Shen Yunjie touched his stomach, whispering.

Author's Note:

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Notes:

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Selling Cakes: C21

Chapter Twenty-one

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