Selling Cakes: C27

Chapter Twenty-seven

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

_{Without wasting a second, Xiao Ning scooped him up and carried him to their bed. “If you feel unwell, just lie down. Why are you messing about? Did you go out today?”}
Medicine in hand, Shen Yunjie made his way back home. After passing two streets, he noticed someone was trailing him from behind. Not turning around, he turned into a small alley and hid while a dagger slipped down his arm to his fingertips. Since his run-in with those hoodlums, he made sure to always keep a blade close.

Without wasting a second, Xiao Ning scooped him up and carried him to their bed. “If you feel unwell, just lie down. Why are you messing about? Did you go out today?”

Xiao Ning pulled the covers over Shen Yunjie before making his way down the stairs to make another batch of the medicine. The herbs were kept near the stovetop, so he pulled open the twine of the parcel and poured a batch into a clay pot. Before he even set it to boil, the pungent odour of the herbs started filling the kitchen. Curious about the contents, Xiao Ning picked up an herb, leaning closer for a sniff. If he wasn’t mistaken, the herb in his hand was called “ghost lantern". It was mainly used for clearing toxins from the body and giving protection to the heart. But for the life of him, he couldn’t understand why such a thing would be recommended as medicine to prevent miscarriage.

_{After many engagements, the two had indeed grown much closer. Now, with just a bit of teasing, Xiao Ning was able to turn Shen Yunjie into putty in his hands.}
Listening to the trailing footsteps grow closer, he slipped out the second the figure appeared from the corner, his blade already pressed against their neck.

After many engagements, the two had indeed grown much closer. Now, with just a bit of teasing, Xiao Ning was able to turn Shen Yunjie into putty in his hands.

_{“Where’s the medicine?”}Medicine in hand, Shen Yunjie made his way back home. After passing two streets, he noticed someone was trailing him from behind. Not turning around, he turned into a small alley and hid while a dagger slipped down his arm to his fingertips. Since his run-in with those hoodlums, he made sure to always keep a blade close.

“Where’s the medicine?”

The bitterness within the medicinal concoction was strong, so much so that the stench lingered throughout the courtyard. Shen Yunjie barely had an appetite as it is, and the child in his stomach was growing so quickly, yet after he managed one bowl of medicine and before he could finish a second cup of tea, everything from his belly came surging forth.

_{Shen Yunjie hesitated for a second, but before withdrawing his dagger, he asked, “Why were you following me?”}The bitterness within the medicinal concoction was strong, so much so that the stench lingered throughout the courtyard. Shen Yunjie barely had an appetite as it is, and the child in his stomach was growing so quickly, yet after he managed one bowl of medicine and before he could finish a second cup of tea, everything from his belly came surging forth.

Shen Yunjie hesitated for a second, but before withdrawing his dagger, he asked, “Why were you following me?”

_{Xiao Ning pulled the covers over Shen Yunjie before making his way down the stairs to make another batch of the medicine. The herbs were kept near the stovetop, so he pulled open the twine of the parcel and poured a batch into a clay pot.}“Oh, so that’s why.” Shen Yunjie now withdrew his blade, his head tilting in a slight bow. “My apologies, then. I was rude.”

_{As the days went on, and after their last rooftop affair, Xiao Ning, having tasted something so delectable, saw to it that the bottom of that little ointment jar could be seen.}Chapter Twenty-seven

As the days went on, and after their last rooftop affair, Xiao Ning, having tasted something so delectable, saw to it that the bottom of that little ointment jar could be seen.

_N/A“It’s nothing. I’m alright. My stomach is just a bit upset.” Shen Yunjie did his best to calm himself down, enduring the spinning in his skull.

N/A

_{“I–I was on my way home when I saw you coming from the apothecary.” Zhao Sheng stammered out. “I was worried those guys would trouble you again, so that’s why I…” he added, his face covered in a blush.}
“I-i-it’s me…” Zhao Sheng muttered through an awkward smile, beads of sweat dotting his forehead.

“I–I was on my way home when I saw you coming from the apothecary.” Zhao Sheng stammered out. “I was worried those guys would trouble you again, so that’s why I…” he added, his face covered in a blush.

_{As they prolonged their nightly activities, the only thing Xiao Yuan noticed was his dad's increased fondness for sleeping.}“It’s nothing. I’m alright. My stomach is just a bit upset.” Shen Yunjie did his best to calm himself down, enduring the spinning in his skull.

As they prolonged their nightly activities, the only thing Xiao Yuan noticed was his dad's increased fondness for sleeping.

_{When the medicine was finally done, Xiao Ning returned upstairs, but Shen Yunjie had already drifted off. For a while, Xiao Ning looked at him but ultimately couldn’t bear to wake him. So after setting aside the medicine on a portable stove to keep it warm, he tucked Shen Yunjie’s hanging arm back under the covers.}
Shen Yunjie hesitated for a second, but before withdrawing his dagger, he asked, “Why were you following me?”

When the medicine was finally done, Xiao Ning returned upstairs, but Shen Yunjie had already drifted off. For a while, Xiao Ning looked at him but ultimately couldn’t bear to wake him. So after setting aside the medicine on a portable stove to keep it warm, he tucked Shen Yunjie’s hanging arm back under the covers.

_{On a day like most others, Xiao Ning returned home with a basket in hand, filled with lotus roots he bought from the fisherman by the river. They were currently in season, the time when their flavour was at its most deliciously sweet.}Shen Yunjie shook his head, then quickly put some distance between himself and Zhao Sheng. “The head of my house dislikes me getting too close to others, so please excuse me. I’ll be leaving first.” After he was done, he did not stay there a second longer.

On a day like most others, Xiao Ning returned home with a basket in hand, filled with lotus roots he bought from the fisherman by the river. They were currently in season, the time when their flavour was at its most deliciously sweet.

_{Without wasting a second, Xiao Ning scooped him up and carried him to their bed. “If you feel unwell, just lie down. Why are you messing about? Did you go out today?”}“N-no! I-it’s alright.” Zhao Sheng quickly waved his hands. “Anyhow, it’s not safe for you to come out here alone, so how about I escort you home?"

Without wasting a second, Xiao Ning scooped him up and carried him to their bed. “If you feel unwell, just lie down. Why are you messing about? Did you go out today?”

_{Xiao Ning soon returned, and the thing he came upon was Shen Yunjie struggling to hold himself up by leaning on a tree, vomiting until tears streamed from his eyes.}Shen Yunjie shook his head, then quickly put some distance between himself and Zhao Sheng. “The head of my house dislikes me getting too close to others, so please excuse me. I’ll be leaving first.” After he was done, he did not stay there a second longer.

Xiao Ning soon returned, and the thing he came upon was Shen Yunjie struggling to hold himself up by leaning on a tree, vomiting until tears streamed from his eyes.

Shen Yunjie shook his head, then quickly put some distance between himself and Zhao Sheng. “The head of my house dislikes me getting too close to others, so please excuse me. I’ll be leaving first.” After he was done, he did not stay there a second longer.

_{As they prolonged their nightly activities, the only thing Xiao Yuan noticed was his dad's increased fondness for sleeping.}Without wasting a second, Xiao Ning scooped him up and carried him to their bed. “If you feel unwell, just lie down. Why are you messing about? Did you go out today?”

As they prolonged their nightly activities, the only thing Xiao Yuan noticed was his dad's increased fondness for sleeping.

_{Medicine in hand, Shen Yunjie made his way back home. After passing two streets, he noticed someone was trailing him from behind. Not turning around, he turned into a small alley and hid while a dagger slipped down his arm to his fingertips. Since his run-in with those hoodlums, he made sure to always keep a blade close.}◈◇◈

Medicine in hand, Shen Yunjie made his way back home. After passing two streets, he noticed someone was trailing him from behind. Not turning around, he turned into a small alley and hid while a dagger slipped down his arm to his fingertips. Since his run-in with those hoodlums, he made sure to always keep a blade close.

_{Xiao Ning pulled the covers over Shen Yunjie before making his way down the stairs to make another batch of the medicine. The herbs were kept near the stovetop, so he pulled open the twine of the parcel and poured a batch into a clay pot.}Just as he was about to start cooking, Shen Yunjie saw the world in front of him darken. Sensing the blackout, he gripped the stove for balance out of instinct, the acrid metallic flavour already barreling up his throat. Blood, an entire mouthful, was spat up with little warning, the accompanying pain stabbing him through the chest enough to make him nearly faint. Staying still for a moment, the world before him gradually brightened, allowing him to crouch on one knee. Holding his stomach, he remained until the dizzy spell was finally over. Then, with careful motions, he pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve, wiping away the blood from his lips. Tossing the soiled rag into the fire below the stove, along with the wood stained by coughing, burning all remnants into ashes.

_{“Why are you—” Shen Yunjie’s hand suddenly stilled.}
“Oh, so that’s why.” Shen Yunjie now withdrew his blade, his head tilting in a slight bow. “My apologies, then. I was rude.”

“Why are you—” Shen Yunjie’s hand suddenly stilled.

Supporting his sore lower back, Shen Yunjie nodded and replied, “I went to see Lao Zhou so he could check my pulse. Then, I went to buy the medicine ingredients, and after that, I came back. I did not go far.”

_{Just as he was about to start cooking, Shen Yunjie saw the world in front of him darken. Sensing the blackout, he gripped the stove for balance out of instinct, the acrid metallic flavour already barreling up his throat.}
“N-no! I-it’s alright.” Zhao Sheng quickly waved his hands. “Anyhow, it’s not safe for you to come out here alone, so how about I escort you home?"

Just as he was about to start cooking, Shen Yunjie saw the world in front of him darken. Sensing the blackout, he gripped the stove for balance out of instinct, the acrid metallic flavour already barreling up his throat. Blood, an entire mouthful, was spat up with little warning, the accompanying pain stabbing him through the chest enough to make him nearly faint. Staying still for a moment, the world before him gradually brightened, allowing him to crouch on one knee. Holding his stomach, he remained until the dizzy spell was finally over. Then, with careful motions, he pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve, wiping away the blood from his lips. Tossing the soiled rag into the fire below the stove, along with the wood stained by coughing, burning all remnants into ashes.

_{“Why are you—” Shen Yunjie’s hand suddenly stilled.}Shen Yunjie hesitated for a second, but before withdrawing his dagger, he asked, “Why were you following me?”

“Why are you—” Shen Yunjie’s hand suddenly stilled.

_{Supporting his sore lower back, Shen Yunjie nodded and replied, “I went to see Lao Zhou so he could check my pulse. Then, I went to buy the medicine ingredients, and after that, I came back. I did not go far.”}
Shen Yunjie shook his head, then quickly put some distance between himself and Zhao Sheng. “The head of my house dislikes me getting too close to others, so please excuse me. I’ll be leaving first.” After he was done, he did not stay there a second longer.

_{“What happened?” Xiao Ning rushed over to help the trembling man up.}
As his plain robes gradually faded into the distance, Zhao Sheng still stood in place, his eyes fixed on that departing form, his fingers curled into a fist.

“What happened?” Xiao Ning rushed over to help the trembling man up.

_{“It's downstairs.”}Chapter Twenty-seven

“It's downstairs.”

◈◇◈

_N/A
The bitterness within the medicinal concoction was strong, so much so that the stench lingered throughout the courtyard. Shen Yunjie barely had an appetite as it is, and the child in his stomach was growing so quickly, yet after he managed one bowl of medicine and before he could finish a second cup of tea, everything from his belly came surging forth.

N/A

_{“I-i-it’s me…” Zhao Sheng muttered through an awkward smile, beads of sweat dotting his forehead.}“It’s nothing. I’m alright. My stomach is just a bit upset.” Shen Yunjie did his best to calm himself down, enduring the spinning in his skull.

“I-i-it’s me…” Zhao Sheng muttered through an awkward smile, beads of sweat dotting his forehead.

_{Xiao Yuan was quite fond of anything sweet, a taste he must’ve inherited from Xiao Ning, who shared the same preference. With that in mind, Shen Yunjie decided to make sweet sticky rice-stuffed lotus root.}Xiao Ning soon returned, and the thing he came upon was Shen Yunjie struggling to hold himself up by leaning on a tree, vomiting until tears streamed from his eyes.

Xiao Yuan was quite fond of anything sweet, a taste he must’ve inherited from Xiao Ning, who shared the same preference. With that in mind, Shen Yunjie decided to make sweet sticky rice-stuffed lotus root. The lotus root had tender, white flesh, which, when stuffed with glutinous rice and simmered in sweet osmanthus flower syrup, became a sweet dish that did not overpower the natural taste of the lotus root.

_{“N-no! I-it’s alright.” Zhao Sheng quickly waved his hands. “Anyhow, it’s not safe for you to come out here alone, so how about I escort you home?"}Listening to the trailing footsteps grow closer, he slipped out the second the figure appeared from the corner, his blade already pressed against their neck.

“N-no! I-it’s alright.” Zhao Sheng quickly waved his hands. “Anyhow, it’s not safe for you to come out here alone, so how about I escort you home?"

_{“Where’s the medicine?”}
Xiao Ning soon returned, and the thing he came upon was Shen Yunjie struggling to hold himself up by leaning on a tree, vomiting until tears streamed from his eyes.

“Where’s the medicine?”

_{After many engagements, the two had indeed grown much closer. Now, with just a bit of teasing, Xiao Ning was able to turn Shen Yunjie into putty in his hands.}Supporting his sore lower back, Shen Yunjie nodded and replied, “I went to see Lao Zhou so he could check my pulse. Then, I went to buy the medicine ingredients, and after that, I came back. I did not go far.”

After many engagements, the two had indeed grown much closer. Now, with just a bit of teasing, Xiao Ning was able to turn Shen Yunjie into putty in his hands.

_{Shen Yunjie shook his head, then quickly put some distance between himself and Zhao Sheng. “The head of my house dislikes me getting too close to others, so please excuse me. I’ll be leaving first.” After he was done, he did not stay there a second longer.}Just as he was about to start cooking, Shen Yunjie saw the world in front of him darken. Sensing the blackout, he gripped the stove for balance out of instinct, the acrid metallic flavour already barreling up his throat. Blood, an entire mouthful, was spat up with little warning, the accompanying pain stabbing him through the chest enough to make him nearly faint. Staying still for a moment, the world before him gradually brightened, allowing him to crouch on one knee. Holding his stomach, he remained until the dizzy spell was finally over. Then, with careful motions, he pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve, wiping away the blood from his lips. Tossing the soiled rag into the fire below the stove, along with the wood stained by coughing, burning all remnants into ashes.

_{Xiao Ning soon returned, and the thing he came upon was Shen Yunjie struggling to hold himself up by leaning on a tree, vomiting until tears streamed from his eyes.}After many engagements, the two had indeed grown much closer. Now, with just a bit of teasing, Xiao Ning was able to turn Shen Yunjie into putty in his hands.

Xiao Ning soon returned, and the thing he came upon was Shen Yunjie struggling to hold himself up by leaning on a tree, vomiting until tears streamed from his eyes.

_{“Where’s the medicine?”}Supporting his sore lower back, Shen Yunjie nodded and replied, “I went to see Lao Zhou so he could check my pulse. Then, I went to buy the medicine ingredients, and after that, I came back. I did not go far.”

“Where’s the medicine?”

_{Without wasting a second, Xiao Ning scooped him up and carried him to their bed. “If you feel unwell, just lie down. Why are you messing about? Did you go out today?”}“Why are you—” Shen Yunjie’s hand suddenly stilled.

Without wasting a second, Xiao Ning scooped him up and carried him to their bed. “If you feel unwell, just lie down. Why are you messing about? Did you go out today?”

_{Xiao Yuan was quite fond of anything sweet, a taste he must’ve inherited from Xiao Ning, who shared the same preference. With that in mind, Shen Yunjie decided to make sweet sticky rice-stuffed lotus root.}
“It’s nothing. I’m alright. My stomach is just a bit upset.” Shen Yunjie did his best to calm himself down, enduring the spinning in his skull.

_{On a day like most others, Xiao Ning returned home with a basket in hand, filled with lotus roots he bought from the fisherman by the river. They were currently in season, the time when their flavour was at its most deliciously sweet.}“I-i-it’s me…” Zhao Sheng muttered through an awkward smile, beads of sweat dotting his forehead.

_{“Oh, so that’s why.” Shen Yunjie now withdrew his blade, his head tilting in a slight bow. “My apologies, then. I was rude.”}As the days went on, and after their last rooftop affair, Xiao Ning, having tasted something so delectable, saw to it that the bottom of that little ointment jar could be seen.

“Oh, so that’s why.” Shen Yunjie now withdrew his blade, his head tilting in a slight bow. “My apologies, then. I was rude.”

_{“It's downstairs.”}
Without wasting a second, Xiao Ning scooped him up and carried him to their bed. “If you feel unwell, just lie down. Why are you messing about? Did you go out today?”

“It's downstairs.”

_{As the days went on, and after their last rooftop affair, Xiao Ning, having tasted something so delectable, saw to it that the bottom of that little ointment jar could be seen.}
Supporting his sore lower back, Shen Yunjie nodded and replied, “I went to see Lao Zhou so he could check my pulse. Then, I went to buy the medicine ingredients, and after that, I came back. I did not go far.”

As the days went on, and after their last rooftop affair, Xiao Ning, having tasted something so delectable, saw to it that the bottom of that little ointment jar could be seen.

_{“N-no! I-it’s alright.” Zhao Sheng quickly waved his hands. “Anyhow, it’s not safe for you to come out here alone, so how about I escort you home?"}
“Where’s the medicine?”

“N-no! I-it’s alright.” Zhao Sheng quickly waved his hands. “Anyhow, it’s not safe for you to come out here alone, so how about I escort you home?"

_◈◇◈“N-no! I-it’s alright.” Zhao Sheng quickly waved his hands. “Anyhow, it’s not safe for you to come out here alone, so how about I escort you home?"

◈◇◈

_{“I-i-it’s me…” Zhao Sheng muttered through an awkward smile, beads of sweat dotting his forehead.}
“It's downstairs.”

“I-i-it’s me…” Zhao Sheng muttered through an awkward smile, beads of sweat dotting his forehead.

_{After many engagements, the two had indeed grown much closer. Now, with just a bit of teasing, Xiao Ning was able to turn Shen Yunjie into putty in his hands.}As the days went on, and after their last rooftop affair, Xiao Ning, having tasted something so delectable, saw to it that the bottom of that little ointment jar could be seen.

After many engagements, the two had indeed grown much closer. Now, with just a bit of teasing, Xiao Ning was able to turn Shen Yunjie into putty in his hands.

_{Xiao Ning soon returned, and the thing he came upon was Shen Yunjie struggling to hold himself up by leaning on a tree, vomiting until tears streamed from his eyes.}Xiao Ning pulled the covers over Shen Yunjie before making his way down the stairs to make another batch of the medicine. The herbs were kept near the stovetop, so he pulled open the twine of the parcel and poured a batch into a clay pot. Before he even set it to boil, the pungent odour of the herbs started filling the kitchen. Curious about the contents, Xiao Ning picked up an herb, leaning closer for a sniff. If he wasn’t mistaken, the herb in his hand was called “ghost lantern". It was mainly used for clearing toxins from the body and giving protection to the heart. But for the life of him, he couldn’t understand why such a thing would be recommended as medicine to prevent miscarriage.

Xiao Ning soon returned, and the thing he came upon was Shen Yunjie struggling to hold himself up by leaning on a tree, vomiting until tears streamed from his eyes.

_{The bitterness within the medicinal concoction was strong, so much so that the stench lingered throughout the courtyard. Shen Yunjie barely had an appetite as it is, and the child in his stomach was growing so quickly, yet after he managed one bowl of medicine and before he could finish a second cup of tea, everything from his belly came surging forth.}
Xiao Ning pulled the covers over Shen Yunjie before making his way down the stairs to make another batch of the medicine. The herbs were kept near the stovetop, so he pulled open the twine of the parcel and poured a batch into a clay pot. Before he even set it to boil, the pungent odour of the herbs started filling the kitchen. Curious about the contents, Xiao Ning picked up an herb, leaning closer for a sniff. If he wasn’t mistaken, the herb in his hand was called “ghost lantern". It was mainly used for clearing toxins from the body and giving protection to the heart. But for the life of him, he couldn’t understand why such a thing would be recommended as medicine to prevent miscarriage.

_N/A“N-no! I-it’s alright.” Zhao Sheng quickly waved his hands. “Anyhow, it’s not safe for you to come out here alone, so how about I escort you home?"

N/A

_{Xiao Ning soon returned, and the thing he came upon was Shen Yunjie struggling to hold himself up by leaning on a tree, vomiting until tears streamed from his eyes.}Shen Yunjie did recall the old doctor’s recommendation that they practise such events in moderation, but he had no desire to refuse Xiao Ning and spent the nights embroiled in indulgence. It appeared that even he had grown addicted to the taste of pleasure; his pregnancy also playing a role, growing his desire to become even more connected to Xiao Ning, whether it be through their bodies or souls.

Xiao Ning soon returned, and the thing he came upon was Shen Yunjie struggling to hold himself up by leaning on a tree, vomiting until tears streamed from his eyes.

_{“What happened?” Xiao Ning rushed over to help the trembling man up.}“N-no! I-it’s alright.” Zhao Sheng quickly waved his hands. “Anyhow, it’s not safe for you to come out here alone, so how about I escort you home?"

“What happened?” Xiao Ning rushed over to help the trembling man up.

_{“Oh, so that’s why.” Shen Yunjie now withdrew his blade, his head tilting in a slight bow. “My apologies, then. I was rude.”}
When the medicine was finally done, Xiao Ning returned upstairs, but Shen Yunjie had already drifted off. For a while, Xiao Ning looked at him but ultimately couldn’t bear to wake him. So after setting aside the medicine on a portable stove to keep it warm, he tucked Shen Yunjie’s hanging arm back under the covers.

“Oh, so that’s why.” Shen Yunjie now withdrew his blade, his head tilting in a slight bow. “My apologies, then. I was rude.”

_{On a day like most others, Xiao Ning returned home with a basket in hand, filled with lotus roots he bought from the fisherman by the river. They were currently in season, the time when their flavour was at its most deliciously sweet.}
As the days went on, and after their last rooftop affair, Xiao Ning, having tasted something so delectable, saw to it that the bottom of that little ointment jar could be seen.

_{Shen Yunjie did recall the old doctor’s recommendation that they practise such events in moderation, but he had no desire to refuse Xiao Ning and spent the nights embroiled in indulgence. It appeared that even he had grown addicted to the taste of pleasure; his pregnancy also playing a role, growing his desire to become even more connected to Xiao Ning, whether it be through their bodies or souls.}
Shen Yunjie did recall the old doctor’s recommendation that they practise such events in moderation, but he had no desire to refuse Xiao Ning and spent the nights embroiled in indulgence. It appeared that even he had grown addicted to the taste of pleasure; his pregnancy also playing a role, growing his desire to become even more connected to Xiao Ning, whether it be through their bodies or souls.

Shen Yunjie did recall the old doctor’s recommendation that they practise such events in moderation, but he had no desire to refuse Xiao Ning and spent the nights embroiled in indulgence. It appeared that even he had grown addicted to the taste of pleasure; his pregnancy also playing a role, growing his desire to become even more connected to Xiao Ning, whether it be through their bodies or souls.

_{Xiao Ning soon returned, and the thing he came upon was Shen Yunjie struggling to hold himself up by leaning on a tree, vomiting until tears streamed from his eyes.}
After many engagements, the two had indeed grown much closer. Now, with just a bit of teasing, Xiao Ning was able to turn Shen Yunjie into putty in his hands.

Xiao Ning soon returned, and the thing he came upon was Shen Yunjie struggling to hold himself up by leaning on a tree, vomiting until tears streamed from his eyes.

_{Without wasting a second, Xiao Ning scooped him up and carried him to their bed. “If you feel unwell, just lie down. Why are you messing about? Did you go out today?”}Shen Yunjie did recall the old doctor’s recommendation that they practise such events in moderation, but he had no desire to refuse Xiao Ning and spent the nights embroiled in indulgence. It appeared that even he had grown addicted to the taste of pleasure; his pregnancy also playing a role, growing his desire to become even more connected to Xiao Ning, whether it be through their bodies or souls.

Without wasting a second, Xiao Ning scooped him up and carried him to their bed. “If you feel unwell, just lie down. Why are you messing about? Did you go out today?”

_{Xiao Ning pulled the covers over Shen Yunjie before making his way down the stairs to make another batch of the medicine. The herbs were kept near the stovetop, so he pulled open the twine of the parcel and poured a batch into a clay pot.}Shen Yunjie hesitated for a second, but before withdrawing his dagger, he asked, “Why were you following me?”

_{Just as he was about to start cooking, Shen Yunjie saw the world in front of him darken. Sensing the blackout, he gripped the stove for balance out of instinct, the acrid metallic flavour already barreling up his throat.}Shen Yunjie hesitated for a second, but before withdrawing his dagger, he asked, “Why were you following me?”

_{As they prolonged their nightly activities, the only thing Xiao Yuan noticed was his dad's increased fondness for sleeping.}
As they prolonged their nightly activities, the only thing Xiao Yuan noticed was his dad's increased fondness for sleeping.

As they prolonged their nightly activities, the only thing Xiao Yuan noticed was his dad's increased fondness for sleeping.

_{Listening to the trailing footsteps grow closer, he slipped out the second the figure appeared from the corner, his blade already pressed against their neck.}
Soon, the autumn frost melted, revealing a scene of brilliantly red leaves. Shen Yunjie was now over seven months along. The neighbours seemed to have long grown accustomed to the new, graceful beauty serving as the shop’s proprietress. After gossiping about him for more than half a year, the only thing they had left was envy.

Listening to the trailing footsteps grow closer, he slipped out the second the figure appeared from the corner, his blade already pressed against their neck.

_◈◇◈
On a day like most others, Xiao Ning returned home with a basket in hand, filled with lotus roots he bought from the fisherman by the river. They were currently in season, the time when their flavour was at its most deliciously sweet.

◈◇◈

_N/A
Xiao Yuan was quite fond of anything sweet, a taste he must’ve inherited from Xiao Ning, who shared the same preference. With that in mind, Shen Yunjie decided to make sweet sticky rice-stuffed lotus root. The lotus root had tender, white flesh, which, when stuffed with glutinous rice and simmered in sweet osmanthus flower syrup, became a sweet dish that did not overpower the natural taste of the lotus root.

N/A

_{Chapter Twenty-seven}
Just as he was about to start cooking, Shen Yunjie saw the world in front of him darken. Sensing the blackout, he gripped the stove for balance out of instinct, the acrid metallic flavour already barreling up his throat. Blood, an entire mouthful, was spat up with little warning, the accompanying pain stabbing him through the chest enough to make him nearly faint. Staying still for a moment, the world before him gradually brightened, allowing him to crouch on one knee. Holding his stomach, he remained until the dizzy spell was finally over. Then, with careful motions, he pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve, wiping away the blood from his lips. Tossing the soiled rag into the fire below the stove, along with the wood stained by coughing, burning all remnants into ashes.

Chapter Twenty-seven

_{Xiao Ning pulled the covers over Shen Yunjie before making his way down the stairs to make another batch of the medicine. The herbs were kept near the stovetop, so he pulled open the twine of the parcel and poured a batch into a clay pot.}Supporting his sore lower back, Shen Yunjie nodded and replied, “I went to see Lao Zhou so he could check my pulse. Then, I went to buy the medicine ingredients, and after that, I came back. I did not go far.”

_{“Where’s the medicine?”}“N-no! I-it’s alright.” Zhao Sheng quickly waved his hands. “Anyhow, it’s not safe for you to come out here alone, so how about I escort you home?"

“Where’s the medicine?”

Author's Note:

N/A

Notes:

N/A

Selling Cakes: C27

Chapter Twenty-seven

Author's Note:

Notes:

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