After the Stand-in Hugged the White Moonlight's Thigh Tightly - Chapter 39

Chapter 39: “The Only Thing I Care About Is You”…

Unconsciously, they had already stayed here for a year.

As time went by, Ruan Mingyu couldn’t quite tell if Song Chenxi’s condition was improving or worsening. He would sometimes be lucid, sometimes confused, switching between being an idiot, a madman, and a normal person.

When he was acting like an idiot, Song Chenxi would hold him before sleep and talk about a jumble of random things. For example, how many pieces of candy he ate today, how many times he made the neighbor’s brat cry. When he was in a mad state, he would pin Ruan Mingyu down on the bed, burying his head in his shoulder, and licking him like a dog.

In his normal state, Song Chenxi would say a few serious words, then tell Ruan Mingyu: “Did I ask you for candy again today? Don’t give it to me next time. I don’t like candy.”

Even though there were many rooms in the house, he insisted on squeezing into Ruan Mingyu’s bed. Ruan Mingyu initially refused, but after being climbed over a few times, he gave up and let him hold him to sleep.

Lying in bed, Song Chenxi liked to hold Ruan Mingyu from the back and said: “Ayihan’s belly is so big. I heard the kids say she’s pregnant with a baby.”

Ruan Mingyu immediately became vigilant. Why would he suddenly bring this up? In the next second, he heard Song Chenxi say: “Mingyu, can you give me a baby too?”

Ruan Mingyu was used to it. When talking to an idiot, one couldn’t use normal logic. Anyway, whatever he said, Song Chenxi would forget the next day. Ruan Mingyu was desperately sleepy and humored him: “Sure, eight babies in one go. You can hold whichever one you want to play with.”

Song Chenxi giggled: “Ruan Mingyu, you are so nice.”

Ruan Mingyu fell asleep as soon as he finished speaking. Song Chenxi looked at his serene sleeping face and also drifted happily into dreamland.

The next morning, Ruan Mingyu habitually reached out to touch the side of the bed. It was empty. He abruptly opened his eyes. Usually, the idiot would still be sleeping at this hour.

Ruan Mingyu dressed and went out, seeing Song Chenxi practicing his sword in the courtyard.

“Senior Brother?” Song Chenxi’s lucid moments were rare. Ruan Mingyu hadn’t seen him like this in a long time and was so moved he felt tears well up.

Song Chenxi put his sword away and turned to look at Ruan Mingyu. Even though they saw each other every day, that look carried a deep affection.

“Did you wake up?”

Ruan Mingyu nodded.

“You’ve lost weight.”

How could he not lose weight when he’s refining pills every day?

Ruan Mingyu had so much he wanted to say, but the moment he saw him, he suddenly felt a lump in his throat and couldn’t utter a word.

How must a proud and unrestrained person like Senior Brother feel about turning into an idiot?

“Don’t refine pills today. Come with me to the street,” Song Chenxi said.

Ruan Mingyu gladly agreed.

Ruan Mingyu rarely took the confused Song Chenxi out for a stroll. Now they walked on the street, and he wasn’t afraid of him running off.

Their luck was good today; it was market day. Ruan Mingyu asked him: “Is there anything you like, Senior Brother? I’ll pay. It’s only for today; the offer expires after this.”

Song Chenxi: “It’s rare for Mingyu to be so thoughtful. I must be very selective and buy something good later.”

The two wandered the street. A passionate and bold young woman from the border region directly slipped her purse into Ruan Mingyu’s pocket.

Song Chenxi’s face showed no emotion, but his words were sour.

“Didn’t you say you’d give me eight babies? How can you turn around and accept a token of love from another girl?”

Ruan Mingyu’s face flushed. He actually remembered what he said yesterday.

“I was joking. Don’t take it seriously.”

Song Chenxi smiled knowingly: “I’m a very serious person.”

Ruan Mingyu: “It doesn’t matter if you’re serious. I can’t give birth anyway.”

Song Chenxi said meaningfully: “There are ways if you want to.”

Ruan Mingyu was startled. After all, this is the cultivation world, and there might be strange pills: “I don’t want to give birth. Senior Brother, don’t scare me.”

Song Chenxi curled his lips into a smile: “Silly Sparrow, I was just teasing you.”

Ruan Mingyu: “…” At this point, he wished Song Chenxi would just remain foolish. He causes trouble as soon as he becomes smart.

The two browsed, and Song Chenxi took a liking to a hand-woven blanket. The exquisite patterns clearly indicated it was a high-quality item, sure to cost a significant amount.

Ruan Mingyu saw a bird embroidered on it and asked: “What kind of bird is this? I’ve never seen it.”

The shop owner said: “This is called the Bird of Paradise. Its feathers are colorful. It’s a mythical bird, completely different from the bad birds in the desert—one is in heaven, and the other is underground.”

Ruan Mingyu: “A bad bird in the desert? What is that?”

The shop owner: “Have you been to the west side of the city?”

Ruan Mingyu nodded. Isn’t that where they live now?

“That place is uninhabitable. People go missing every few years,” the shop owner lowered his voice and said, “Do you want to know why?”

Ruan Mingyu hated it when people played coy.

“I don’t want to know.”

Shop owner: “Aiya, guest, don’t you have any curiosity?”

Ruan Mingyu: “Give me a discount on this blanket.”

Shop owner: “Alright, alright, you listen to what I have to say first.”

Ruan Mingyu put on a look of attentive listening.

“Deep in the desert, there’s a strange bird. The great bird lays one egg every three years, and when it’s time to hatch, it flies into the city to snatch people to store as food,” the shop owner described vividly.

Ruan Mingyu had no reaction after hearing his little story. After all, he had heard of more absurd things: “Can you give me a fifty percent discount on this blanket?”

Shop owner: “Oh my, this is the first time I’ve seen such haggling!”

After much effort, Ruan Mingyu finally negotiated the price down. He gave the blanket to Song Chenxi: “How is it? I kept my word, right?”

While he was haggling, Song Chenxi stood the entire time, only watching him.

Song Chenxi nodded: “As expected of the Little Sparrow. I accept the item you gave me.”

Ruan Mingyu was in a good mood: “What else do you want to buy? I’m covering everything today.”

Song Chenxi: “No more buying. You say that, but I’m afraid you’ll cry pearls of distress tonight. I can’t bear to see you cry.”

Ruan Mingyu: “…”

Was Song Chenxi’s mouth laced with poison? He really wanted to poison him dumb.

Ruan Mingyu silently noted it down in his mental ledger.

…

The two walked around and were ready to return home.

Before reaching their door, they saw Ayihan’s new husband crying heartbrokenly. He slapped himself: “I should have stayed to accompany her.”

Ruan Mingyu quickly asked what happened.

“Ayihan was snatched away by a strange bird!”

Remembering what the shop owner said, Ruan Mingyu’s face changed.

If it was true, Ayihan was in grave danger.

He asked: “Did you see where the bird went?”

Ayihan’s family pointed towards the southeast of the desert: “The monster flew in that direction.”

Ruan Mingyu didn’t think much and took his sword, rushing towards the desert depths. Song Chenxi didn’t stop Ruan Mingyu, silently following beside him.

Ruan Mingyu glanced at Song Chenxi out of the corner of his eye. Fortunately, Song Chenxi had returned to normal now and could help him.

The two headed deep into the desert.

Yellow sand covered everything, and it was hard to see even a dead tree. It was easy to get lost here.

They wandered aimlessly like headless flies. Ruan Mingyu thought for a moment and suggested to Song Chenxi that they split up.

Having learned his lesson from last time, Song Chenxi vehemently disagreed.

Ruan Mingyu said anxiously: “The later we find Ayihan, the greater her danger.”

Song Chenxi grabbed Ruan Mingyu’s hand, stopping him from leaving, and said sternly: “I don’t care at all if she lives or dies, Ruan Mingyu. The only thing I care about is you. Helping her is a favor, and accompanying you is my duty. If you want to be a great savior, fine, but I must guarantee your safety.”

Ruan Mingyu was speechless: “I…”

Song Chenxi: “You don’t need to answer me. I will not separate from you. If you insist on having your own way, I will just knock you out and carry you back.”

His finger gently stroked Ruan Mingyu’s face: “I mean what I say.”