Chapter 69: Awakening

Where am I? And who…… is calling me in my ear?

I was amidst layers of mist, intermittently walking, moving, drifting, lingering, one layer after another; I pushed the mist aside and watched scene after scene of sights so familiar they were extreme, yet seemed from another lifetime, feeling them deeply.

"Yun Yun, you say, how fun would it be to let your daughter watch you die in humiliation and then let her live?"

I was held aloft like a chick, eyes wide as I stared at that man, that…… man whose face I couldn't see, tearing off my mother's clothes layer by layer, slapping her again and again until her cheeks swelled red and blood streaked everywhere.

My mother's eyes showed resolve; she rushed over, grabbed the weapon called a gun, pulled the trigger, and shocked everyone.

I screamed at the top of my lungs, kicking and biting with all my strength! But…… aside from the beauty, like a white lotus, slowly fading before my eyes, only boundless fear and despair remained.

Mother bled at the end, yet shed no tears. Her gaze was sorrowful and gentle as she softly said to me, "Bing'er, sorry. Mother abandons you, yet still wants you to endure this pain. And this pain, no one but yourself can help you overcome…… sorry……"

I didn't understand, I didn't understand what Mother was saying; I only knew she closed her eyes and then never woke up……

"Bingyi…… Bingyi……" Who is it, who keeps calling me in my ear?

"Boss, I've never seen such promising material in two people. Especially this kid—if I train him, he'll surely become the top killer of Dark Black Street."

"Don't be afraid, Bing'er; older brother will surely become an outstanding killer to protect you."

"This girl has suffered extreme mental stimulation; upon entering a dream she goes mad. If this continues, she may die from excessive fatigue."

"Bingye, have you really made up your mind? If we use hypnosis to draw out your sister's dream, it will indeed let her sleep normally. But she will then never dream again, and even if she did, she'd never remember it. But these aren't the worst of it; you should know that among those of us surviving on Dark Black Street, we're constantly getting injured and losing consciousness, and upon waking we rely not only on medicine but also on personal stubborn willpower. Yet Bingyi's condition—once dreamless, her willpower isn't weak, but…… completely gone. If she truly suffers a serious injury, whether she can wake up will then truly be left to fate."

"Bingyi…… don't die……" Who is it? Who speaks in that desolate voice? Far away as if at the horizon, yet clear as if beside me……

"You must save her! You must save her, hear me?!"

"Bingye young master…… no…… it's not that we don't want to save the miss! But…… but, the miss's blood type…… Bombay blood is found in only one out of tens of thousands, and now…… at this urgent moment……"

"Then why not give my blood?! If we wait any longer, it'll be too late!"

"But young master, you…… you've lost so much blood and are so badly injured; if we draw a large amount of blood……"

"I told you to transfuse—did you hear me? Even if we drain it all, it doesn't matter; if Bing'er dies……"

"I won't allow it!" A stern voice burst in, "Compared to this useless girl, you are more important to me!"

"You can stop me from saving Bing'er!" The brother coldly stared at that man; though only sixteen, he seemed to have endured a hundred years of vicissitudes, "As long as…… you won't regret it in the future!"

"Lao Chen!" After a long silence, the man finally blurted out in a flustered panic, "Do your best to keep both of them alive!"

"Bingyi…… if you died…… if you hated me…… and this world……" Who exactly is it? Please…… stop calling my name in such despair!

In that small hut where we were cruelly trained day after day, a man wearing gold‑rimmed glasses and possessing a gentle, refined demeanor stood in the brilliant sunlight, extending a broad, warm hand to us, bruised and bloody, and said, "I am your uncle who appeared out of nowhere, for I only learned five days ago that my sister had these two children of yours."

"My financial situation isn't very affluent, but I have a group of extremely influential and loyal brothers. I believe I will someday become a millionaire. Moreover, I can cook a mean dish. If these background conditions are enough to attract you, then follow me."

"If…… you can let Bing'er never have to kill, and if you can do your best to make us happy, then we'll follow you."

"All right, deal! The condition is…… you must call me dad. I'm only twenty‑eight, yet I have a seventeen‑year‑old handsome son and an eleven‑year‑old lovely daughter—saying that would surely make them jealous……"

"Dad." Older brother called out.

I followed suit, calling: "Dad."

The sound of a jaw dropping, "No way? I'm just joking—look, you two don't even know what a joke is, I'm just having fun! Goodness, I'm only twenty‑eight; if people found out I have a seventeen‑year‑old son and an eleven‑year‑old daughter, how could I go on? Which girl would dare to date me?"

"Bingyi…… I'll just destroy this world and myself together……" Why does such deep sorrow pierce my heart? Why does each call make my heart cry along?

"Didn't you promise not to kill again? Didn't you say you wanted to live an ordinary life?"

"This person killed Mother." The brother stared stubbornly at the father, who was his same height, and said coldly.

"Then you could call the police—or tell me! You're only eighteen, yet you can kill someone without blinking an eye! Do you even consider me your father?"

"All I know is, when I see him, I want him dead!"

"You……"

"Bing'er! What are you doing?!" Father and older brother simultaneously turned their heads in shock to look at me.

A dagger as thin as a cicada's wing slid from my sleeve, and I stabbed the lifeless corpse again and again. Blood spattered onto my face and clothes; I felt nothing, merely calmly complaining, "Older brother, why won't you let Bing'er give him the final stab? Although Bing'er has never killed anyone and doesn't like killing, this person…… Bing'er really wants to kill him!"

"Smack——" Father slammed me to the ground with a hard slap, blood slowly seeping from the corner of my mouth.

"You——Bing'er, you're only twelve, twelve, not twenty‑two! You haven't been in psychological therapy all this time, have you? You didn't…… promise to strive for an ordinary person's life, did you? And what are you doing now? Look at your expression—what does it resemble?! You two, get out—get the hell out of here!!"

"Bingyi…… Bingyi…… Bingyi……" My chest aches; who is it? Who…… it doesn't matter. I don't want him to call me with that sorrowful voice again; I truly wish to tell him, please don't be so upset—I——won't die!

"Older brother, we've been out for a week. I miss father……"

Older brother picked me up, resting my head on his shoulder: "Father has already kicked us out. No, we…… have no father anymore."

"But I clearly saw father's eyes saying: don't leave! Really."

"Bing'er." Older brother held me tightly and whispered, "Can we really live an ordinary person's life?"

I took older brother's hand and walked into that familiar house. The inside was empty, covered in dust. We searched for a long, long time, and finally found father in a sofa submerged in liquor bottles.

His handsome gold‑rimmed glasses were broken, one lens dangling from his face. His hair was disheveled, stubble grew thick, and he reeked of strong, foul alcohol. Though his eyes were shut and he uttered not a word, the whole house seemed to echo with his sobbing.

I am so lonely, I am so lonely, I am…… so lonely……

"Dad! Dad!" I kept shaking him, shouting, crying and calling, "Bing'er won't kill anymore, Bing'er will be an ordinary person, dad, don't reject older brother and Bing'er!"

Father slowly opened his eyes; upon seeing me and older brother, his face filled with disbelief. His eye sockets gradually reddened, and after a while he uttered: "You two heartless brats, for all the food, clothing, and shelter I've provided, and the meals I personally cook every day…… I never expected you to leave without even blinking! Listen, when I someday strike it rich, you'll regret it too late!"

"Dad…" Older brother softly called, cutting him off.

Father's whole body jolted; he suddenly reached out and tightly embraced us, his voice choking as he swore: "Just coming back is fine! Otherwise, I'll die here, with no one to see me off!"

"Bingyi……"

Blood…… so much blood…… whose blood is it…… all that scarlet, spreading like a flood…… no! Don't come over!

"Bingyi! Wake up! You must wake up!"

Fine rain drifts, the wind sways, relying on deep affection like longing.

Vast snow falls on the murky Yellow River, leaving him to his heartless sorrow.

……

"Bingyi! You said you wanted me to be happy, didn't you? Tell me, how can I be happy if you die? How can I be happy?!"

"Qiran! It's Qiran!"

The one who has been calling me all along is not someone else! It's Qiran!

What did he say? He said…… don't let me die! Don't let me leave!

No! I finally…… don't want to die, and even less want to leave! I want to stay by your side, I want to hold you and cry for this year's pain, I want to tell you personally…… sorry, for making you sad until now……

……

What in this life binds us to continue our affection in the next, to vow life and death?

With you by my side, I envy neither mandarin ducks nor immortals.

"Young Master, these are the investigation results." Wen Ruobin tossed the stack of densely written papers in his hand to Qiran with a casual flick, smiling coolly, "This Qin Ning Empress is truly not simple—she wounded the Yao State's crown prince Fu Junmo and even managed to take Xin Luo from his hands; she cured the nearly fatal 'pox'; at the empress's coronation ceremony she grandly discussed military strategy and mocked the heroes. Hehe! Indeed she is an interesting person."

Qiran quickly scanned the materials at a glance of ten lines, his thin lips pressed tight; his expression was indiscernible behind the mask, only a faint blue glow stood out especially in the dim candlelight of the night.

It's clear that the Qi King dotes on her immensely. From the speed with which he conquered Ting State, you can tell he had meticulous plans laid out long ago—there was no need for a marriage alliance, yet he insisted on marrying Lan Yingruo. Sparing Fu Junmo, delaying the wedding, and indulging her at the empress's coronation ceremony—he has done everything an emperor could possibly do. The most extravagant part is that he actually allowed Bu Sha to follow her closely…… Young Master…… are you alright?

Qiran leaned against the desk edge and sat down, shaking his head indifferently, but his lip color was deathly pale, without a trace of blood.

Wen Ruobin wiped the faint smile from his face, frowned, and said, "Qiran, it's not me saying this, but even if you really wanted to save Xiao Ruo, you wouldn't have to go to such extremes! Yes, you're an immortal, but not eating, drinking, or sleeping for five whole days would make even an immortal ascend, wouldn't it? Look at you now—you look worse than she does……"

Why did she suddenly leave the palace, and how did she leave? Can't you find out? Qiran seemed not to hear his words, and replied lightly.

Wen Ruobin shrugged helplessly and said, "The Qi King kept a low profile from start to finish, not even officially releasing any news of a manhunt. If she weren't here right now, I really wouldn't have guessed that someone would dare to wander around using the title of an empress of a state. But Qiran, these…… you'll know everything once Bu Sha returns and you ask him, won't you?"

Qiran's hand gripping the paper tightened slightly, crumpling it, and after a moment he said, "I don't want to wait any longer, and I will absolutely not remain passive……"

Qiran, I don't even want to ask about Xiao Ruo's identity. But have you really thought this through? Wen Ruobin stared straight at Qiran's face, his eyes flashing with sharp light, "You really…… don't mind that she's already married someone?"

Qiran suddenly stood up, walked out, then abruptly turned back and said, "I am very clear about what is most important to me."

Wen Ruobin stood there dazed for a long time, until Qiran's receding back disappeared from his view, then he finally came to his senses. The corner of his mouth twitched into a bitter, helpless smile, "Please, when you say such things, don't look like you want to kill someone! Ah! Xiao Ruo, Xiao Ruo, I also hope you wake up soon, lest the Young Master goes mad, and lest that silly girl spends her days listless, shedding tears of sorrow……" Qiran walked on, suddenly his steps halted, and after a moment a figure appeared out of thin air, bowing and saying, "Young Master, what you asked for has been found."

Qiran gave a faint nod, took the item from his hand, waved his hand, and continued on his way.

The door creaked open with a "squeak," and Qiran stepped inside slowly. His blue eyes, devoid of any warmth, fell upon the white-clad man who had already sensed his arrival and was smiling as he looked at him.

Qiran sat opposite the man, his gaze sweeping over him indifferently, and said in a cold voice, "Was it you who tricked her into entering the Pear Orchard?"

Bai Shengyi smiled without answering, picked up the teapot and cup beside him, brewed a cup, and said enthusiastically, "Ran, this is the 'Snow Fragrant Jade Grass' you used to love most—it was just delivered today……"

Bai Shengyi's words finally came to a halt under Qiran's icy gaze, the corner of his mouth lifting into a bewitching cold smile as he said, "You said that anyone who enters the Pear Orchard shall be killed without pardon, didn't you? You said that besides Bu Sha, you couldn't care less about anyone's life, didn't you? You said…… that after that woman died you stopped treating people, didn't you? Not only did you not kill her, you went mad and brought her out of the prison, caring for her day and night." A deep-seated hatred and killing intent gradually gathered in Bai Shengyi's eyes, and he enunciated each word, "Just who is this person?"

You want to know? Qiran slowly withdrew his gaze from the Snow Fragrant Jade Grass and looked at him, the masked face revealing an extremely cold and resolute smile, his crystal-clear, slender fingers suddenly lashing out at Bai Shengyi……

Bai Shengyi climbed up with a deathly pale face, looked at the expressionless, tall Qiran standing upright, frowned, and said, "What did you just plant inside my body?"

Qiran gave him a cold glance, turned, and walked out.

"Ran, wait a moment…… ah——" Bai Shengyi clutched his chest, went limp on the ground, his face turning even paler, a bluish tint, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He suddenly exclaimed, "Love gu?!"

Qiran stopped, turned his head to look at him without emotion, and said coldly, "Bai Shengyi, do you still remember what you said when you asked to follow me that day?"

Bai Shengyi panted for a long time, finally regaining some color on his face. He struggled to sit up but dared not lift his head, giving a bitter smile, "Unconditionally follow the Young Master, harbor no…… delusions, never betray!"

"Back then, when you used love gu to force Xue'er to her death, I clearly told you I would not discriminate against your feelings, would not take revenge, but would also never respond. Now I want to take back those words."

Suddenly, a killing intent filled the air, expanding like a tangible substance, pressing Bai Shengyi so that his whole body trembled and he could not breathe.

If you dare to have any designs on her and Bu Sha again, I will make you unable to live, unable to die! You had better always remember that there is…… a love gu planted inside your body!

Bai Shengyi clutched his still-painfully aching chest, his face twisted ferally, then suddenly burst into laughter, howling madly, "She has long been someone else's wife, an empress—what exactly are you still obsessing over?"

Qiran's eyes narrowed, his tone ice-cold as he struggled to suppress it, "My affairs—you need not remind me!"

"If the person she married……" Bai Shengyi's lips suddenly trickled with blood, the smile on his face growing more eerily enchanting, his voice lingering yet trembling as he said, "Wei Lingfeng—is he your elder brother, Xiao Qixuan?"

My head hurts…… my chest hurts…… my whole body feels awful. I'm so tired, I don't want to wake up, nor do I want to face all this pain and sorrow, but……

I forced my eyes open, light stabbing into my long-darkened pupils, dry and aching. I reflexively closed them, then opened them again, and when my vision finally returned, I couldn't help but be startled by the sight before me.

"Miss!! You're awake?!" The girl, whose eyes were swollen like walnuts, lunged forward and hugged me, wailing, "Miss, you've finally awakened. Ugh…… you scared me to death!"

"Xin…… Xin Hui?" I called out weakly, the wound tearing painfully as it was pulled, and I couldn't help but furrow my brows tightly, letting out a moan.

Xin Hui hurriedly released me, anxiously asking, "Miss, sorry, are you…… all right?"

I forced a reassuring smile and asked, "How many days have I slept?"

Xin Hui carefully laid me flat and covered me with a blanket while wiping away her tears, her voice choking, "It's been a full six days, longer than the last time you were rescued from the river. Miss, I truly feared you wouldn't wake up."

Six days? Has it really been that long? Strange…… I was clearly lying in the prison cell, so how did I wake up to find myself sleeping on a brocade bed?

Miss, what's your relationship with the Young Master? Xin Hui relaxed, though her eyes were still red and swollen, her face began to break into a lighthearted smile, actually teasing me in tone.

You don't know, that day the Young Master, like he'd gone mad, hauled you out of the prison. The dungeon almost collapsed from the shock, and it even startled everyone in the imperial palace.

Besides, the Young Master's medical skill is superb—I've never seen anyone needle at such speed that we onlookers couldn't even follow. Miss, his medical skill seems even better than yours! These days you've been unconscious, and the Young Master has been caring for you around the clock, not eating, drinking, or sleeping……

What did you say?!" I tried to prop myself up, but the pain made me collapse again, gritting my teeth, "You said he doesn't eat, drink, or sleep?!" This bastard, is he trying to ruin his stomach again?

My chest…… hurts so much, why after six days the wound still hasn't healed, and the pain keeps getting worse—isn't Xiao Yin there?

Xin Hui said Qiran went crazy and dragged me out of the prison. He wouldn't already know I'm Shui Bingyi, would he?

Outside, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded, the door burst open with a 'bang—', Qiran's stance somewhat unsteady as he stumbled into the room, rushed to the bedside, and set down what he was holding.

Even with his mask on, it was clear his face had slimmed noticeably, looking gaunt. There was hardly any color on his lips, stubble grew messy on his chin, and his body swayed weakly, as if he might collapse at any second.

He stared at me, unwilling to look away even for a moment, his deep emotion and ecstatic gaze as if fearing I might vanish the next second.

My eye sockets gradually moistened, and I silently uttered two words: "Qiran."

Those two words, however, in a dazed instant broke through all emotional barriers. Qiran lunged forward, enfolding me in his arms, holding me tight as if he would never let go for eternity.

I was in so much pain I grimaced, yet I couldn't help but smile in Qiran's embrace.

This scene feels so familiar…… it was just like that at the beginning. Though covered in wounds, being held in his arms made me seem to glimpse happiness—like a winged angel hovering above my head.

Back then, I said to him with a hoarse voice from crying, "We're still friends, right?"

Now, I summoned all my strength to stretch out my arms and tightly embrace him back, whispering word by word in his embrace, silently over and over: "We…… will never be apart again."

When Qiran finally released me, I was in so much pain I had only the strength to gasp. How painful—what kind of divine weapon is that Cold Blood Sword, its wound horrifyingly freezing over, and even now it hurts so much I feel like I might faint. Why didn't you let Xiao Yin lick it better sooner?

Those wounded by the Cold Blood Sword retain a chill within their bodies; before that chill is completely cleared, not only can the wound not heal, but it must be artificially torn open…… Qiran removed his mask, helped me sit up, and gently encircled me from behind, his voice soft yet trembling, clearly using all his strength to suppress boundless regret, "So that's why you're in such pain now."

Qiran

He gave a soft reply.

I rested my head on his shoulder and continued to call, "Qi Ran."

"How are you? Does the wound hurt?" His hand on my body became even gentler and more careful, his tone full of anxiety and heartache.

I shook my head, tears shaking loose, over and over I called: "Qi Ran! Qi Ran! Qi Ran……"

His whole body shuddered violently, then he suddenly held me tight, and in my ear, with a trembling voice, he softly called: "Bing Yi."

"It's me!" I nodded fiercely, gripping tightly the hand he had around my waist, voice choking: "I'm here, by your side! From now on… forever and ever I'll be. As long as you call me, I will answer. You needn't worry that no one will answer your calls, you needn't suffer alone in despair, you needn't keep a silent vigil in the Pear Garden, weeping……"

How many times, when thinking of him made my heart ache, I called his name in my heart, yet no one answered. How many times, closing my eyes I could see his face, hear his voice, but opening my eyes there was nothing.

If… I am in this much pain, what about him who watched me die with his own eyes? Him who returns to me in midnight dreams? Wouldn't he be startled awake time and again, calling out time and again, falling into despair time and again?

Qi Ran buried his head deep in my hair, his scorching, moist breath enveloping my whole body, the hand holding me so tight it seemed to want to melt me into him. After a long while, he spoke in a hoarse, low voice, pressed against my ear, trembling: "I almost… killed you with my own hands… As long as you return to my side, I would not hesitate to destroy the world… my most beloved."

Time drifted slowly in the air; we just leaned against each other, motionless, silent, as if being together meant even sitting until the world's end, or staying silent until the seas ran dry and rocks rotted, would matter nothing……

Of course——that's impossible.

Qi Ran picked up the bowl of medicine he had just set on the table, brought it to my lips, and said, "If you don't drink now it'll get cold."

I frowned in extreme disgust, yet helplessly swallowed it mouthful by mouthful. Sigh! Ancient medicine is truly not for humans—it's hundreds of times more terrifying than modern herbal concoctions, and who knows what they put in; a dash of something refreshing would be nice.

"Really?" I watched Qi Ran set down the bowl I'd finished, then bring over another, feeling utterly vexed enough to bang my head against a wall, "Another bowl?! Qi Ran, you might as well just let me heal naturally!"

Qi Ran's lips twitched into a faint smile, unable to hold back, "I went to all this trouble; if you truly won't eat, then forget it."

Mmm, so fragrant! I lifted my eyes and couldn't help but smile—turns out it's not medicine, but flower-steamed brew, and Qi Ran made it himself. Oh—how moving, I haven't tasted the world's best food in ages.

Qi Ran's smile never faded; from behind he slipped his arms over my shoulders, and with a maneuver of extreme difficulty, yet elegantly and leisurely, he fed me the flower-steamed brew bite by bite.

When I was about seventy percent full, I finally realized, my expression changed, and I snapped: "I heard you haven't eaten, drunk, or slept these past few days?"

Qi Ran startled, a flash of deep lingering fear crossed his eyes, but in an instant he regained composure, set down the bowl, and spoke softly: "Just wait a moment—I'll go eat something, drink water, and… come back to sleep, okay?"

I nodded, satisfied, continued to lean into his embrace, and sighed helplessly: "Aren't you the best doctor around? How did you end up with a stomach ailment?"

Qi Ran again wrapped his arms around my waist, held me in his embrace, and quietly listened to my nagging: "Treating a stomach illness with medicine alone is useless; you must properly nurture yourself. From now on, you must keep a relaxed, happy mood every day; watch your schedule, avoid overwork and excessive worry; don't overeat, and certainly don't skip meals; also, you must avoid spicy, stimulating, and raw-cold foods…"

"No one has ever reminded me of these." Qi Ran tightened his grip, suddenly cut me off, and said wistfully, "When you're not here, no one will remind me… my stomach aches every day. So from now on, you must tell me these things every day. You're not allowed to slip away from my side, not allowed to abandon me, and certainly not allowed to… embrace another."

I started, suddenly recalling that Qi Ran already knew I was the Queen of Qi Kingdom; my heart fluttered, I couldn't even mind the wound's pain, and I hurriedly turned to say: "Qi Ran, I and Wei Lingfeng actually…… uh……"

My words were swallowed by Qi Ran's domineering kiss; though it was only a brief moment before we parted, it was extraordinarily scorching and overbearing, as if asserting his claim, and as if exerting all his strength to fortify our hearts.

"As long as you… are by my side, that's enough!" he growled into my ear, clenched his grip tight, then gently released.

He carefully laid me on the bed, covered me with the blankets, then rose, smiling faintly: "I'm going to eat, properly nurture my stomach. You rest first."

I nodded obediently, then couldn't help adding, "You haven't eaten for days, so you can't binge or eat hard-to-digest foods. Hmm! It's best to have something like millet porridge. Although you're the Young Master, saying you want millet porridge might be a bit embarrassing, but for your stomach… well… anyway, you're quite the cook…"

Qi Ran couldn't help but gently, painfully rub his fair, slender fingers across his forehead; the soft, indulgent affection in his eyes, brows, and mouth remained unchanged as he lightly patted my forehead, smiling: "Got it, I'll make it myself! After being apart so long, you're still……"

He suddenly paused, a faint lingering sorrow in his eyes, yet his expression grew ever gentler and more pitying; he bent down and lightly pressed a kiss to my forehead, then turned and walked out of the room.

"It's been a long time since we've been apart!" I lifted my hand and gently caressed my forehead, still tingling with his tender touch; my heart felt a sour ache mixed with warm moisture, and I couldn't help but curl my lips into a soft, happy smile.

(End of chapter)