Chapter 106
Ji Taoyu had known since childhood that his body was not strong.
He had been bedridden many times and had lost consciousness on numerous occasions.
Even though frequent illness and weakness had become commonplace for him, he was aware that he did not suffer from any serious or life-threatening disease—only a continuous series of minor health troubles.
Because of this, although each bout of sickness brought its share of suffering, he was never very afraid, because he knew he would always recover.
But after countless illnesses, countless times confined to bed, he thought he had gained much experience in dealing with sickness that others lacked, and had developed enough resilience to cope with pain.
However, this time, his experience seemed useless, and his resilience was nearly shattered several times.
The difficulty and torment far exceeded his imagination.
It felt like he had taken a bath in sweat.
His body was utterly drained, having expended every last ounce of his energy.
He even forgot how to breathe.
He was like a fish stranded in the desert, with the scorching sun burning his body overhead and the hot, rolling sand beneath. The more he struggled, the more his body's moisture evaporated. His limbs grew heavier and more agonizing with each movement, until his throat was bone-dry and he teetered on the brink of death from exposure in the desert.
Ji Taoyu clearly felt himself hovering and wandering at the gates of the underworld.
But he was somewhat bewildered, suddenly unable to remember why he was suffering so much this time, why he had exhausted all his strength?
That's right, it seemed he had been pushed into the river.
The river was deep, and he struggled desperately. The surrounding voices were loud and chaotic, but no one noticed him fighting for his life on the brink of death.
The breath he could draw into his chest grew less and less, river water constantly rushing into his mouth and nose. His body became unusually heavy, dragging him down relentlessly...
He felt very afraid.
As if to lessen his suffering, memories passed like fleeting clouds, flashing through his mind one by one.
"Taoyu, this essay is very well written. You must continue to work hard."
In the private school he attended as a child, the short, elderly teacher stroked his long beard and praised him with a smile.
"Xiao Taozi, come quickly."
Outside the schoolhouse, Ji Yangzong had already finished his inspection rounds and was waiting with his hands clasped behind his back. He had been standing there for some time, and as soon as he spotted him, he waved warmly from a distance.
Holding his father's broad hand, he entered the familiar courtyard. A gentle woman's voice came from the yard entrance: "Hurry up, you two, wash your hands and come inside to eat. Xiao Taozi, come inside and see who's here. Grandma brought you lots of treats from the city."
Like the gentle sky of the fourth lunar month, these memories spread a comforting warmth through Taoyu's stiff and chilled body.
He thought, if one could choose how to die, then dying in such a spring season, filled with the best memories, would be perfect.
Thus, it would be a complete and satisfying end—one without loneliness.
So he smiled and stepped forward towards the house.
Although this seemingly perfect life seemed to lack something, leaving an empty feeling, he still smiled and decided to eat this final meal.
"Grandma..."
Ji Taoyu pushed open the door and called out happily.
However, the person inside did not answer. Standing in the room was a tall, imposing man.
His voice seemed to startle the man. A pair of intense, fierce-looking eyes—with the whites visible above and below the iris—fixed directly upon him.
Ji Taoyu felt that he ought to be frightened, yet he did not flinch. Those eyes felt intensely familiar to him, behind their fierce appearance lay unmistakable fear and sorrow.
He had never before seen such a tough, stern, even intimidating man display such an expression. In his astonishment, he instinctively opened his mouth, on the verge of asking who the man was.
Suddenly, the sunlight seemed a bit dazzling. Faintly, he seemed to hear a baby's cry.
Some memories abruptly surged into his mind. Ji Taoyu suddenly remembered: that man with the fierce-looking eyes had been the one who pulled him from the river.
The man said he liked him.
They had married.
He had followed him on trading trips.
Later, war broke out in Tongzhou, and they went to Yuchang.
Most importantly... they also had a child.
Ji Taoyu suddenly broke free from the memories and illusions, his eyes snapping open.
His gaze met a weathered, stern face. He opened his mouth; the mouth that couldn't open in the dream was finally free now, though his voice was so hoarse he could barely recognize it himself.
His chest heaved as he uttered two words: "A-Shu."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he was pulled into an embrace.
The person holding him held him very tightly, making his already palpitating heart feel slightly breathless. But he didn't push him away, because he could feel the person holding him was trembling.
"Xiao Taozi is awake, Xiao Taozi is awake!"
A cry of surprise, followed by a commotion in the room as many people came in one after another.
Only then did Ji Taoyu gently push Huo Shu.
The person holding him loosened his grip slightly but still didn't let go completely.
Huo Shu's eyes were bloodshot, dark circles hung heavily beneath them, and his unshaven face was rough with stubble. His lips were chapped and peeling from neglect.
He looked more than weary—he appeared on the verge of complete breakdown.
Yet he did not speak a word, only cradled Ji Taoyu’s face as though holding the most fragile treasure, his gaze intense and careful.
Ji Taoyu's brows couldn't help but furrow deeply.
He gently touched Huo Shu's cheek: "How did it become like this."
"You've been unconscious for two days. A-Shu has been guarding here without leaving for a single moment."
Huang Manjing said, then covered her mouth and began to weep softly.
"Not a drop of water has passed his lips, and he wouldn't listen to any urging or persuasion."
Ji Taoyu looked at the family members gathered around the bed, their eyes either red or glistening with tears. Even Huang Yinsheng, who was normally so composed, released a heavy, weary sigh.
He patted Ji Taoyu's hand and said, "If anything serious had happened to you, your grandfather wouldn't have known how to face your parents, or how to go on himself."
Yuan Huiru, Wu Lianhe, even Zhao Pan, and everyone from the main courtyard who had rushed over upon hearing the news all wore expressions of extreme worry and exhaustion.
Ji Wenliang, Ji Xinzhe, Jin Kelu, they would also run over here seven or eight times a day, and had just left not long ago.
"Thank goodness you're awake, thank goodness. Now that you're conscious, there's nothing more to worry about. Everything will be fine now."
"I'll go warm some porridge. A-Shu hasn't eaten anything at all these past few days. You should both have something to eat soon, Tao ger."
"Of course, of course. Let the two of them have some time alone to talk. We've all been sick with worry. I'll go inform the others that the good news."
Huang Manjing and Yuan Huiru wiped their eyes, ushering everyone out.
Everyone breathed a long sigh of relief, their anxious hearts finally settling down. They agreed to go out first, leaving some space for the two.
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