After the Stand-in Hugged the White Moonlight's Thigh Tightly - Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Senior Brother, It’s Time for Your Medicine

He tossed Ruan Mingyu onto the bed, then quickly pressed down on him.

Ruan Mingyu’s wound throbbed with pain, and he hissed. Song Chenxi lifted his collar, saw that his wound was still oozing blood, and a hint of concern entered his voice: “Does it still hurt?”

Ruan Mingyu nodded, looking at him tearfully, hoping he would let him go.

Song Chenxi placed his hand over the wound. In a moment, the wound was completely healed.

“…” This left Ruan Mingyu with no excuse to escape. He shrank back, his back pressed against the headboard.

Suddenly, a yellow talisman ignited in front of Ruan Mingyu. Generally, no one would use this method to send him a message unless it was urgent.

Ruan Mingyu tried to sit up: “It’s a letter from Senior Sister. I’ll see what it’s about first.”

Song Chenxi held him down: “Read it like that.”

Ruan Mingyu had no choice but to read the contents of the talisman under his playful gaze.

It turned out that Silver Moon Island had opened, and the island contained many rare heavenly treasures, immortal herbs, and precious flowers. The Ice-Frost Flower, which he had asked his Senior Sister to search for, was also located there. That’s why his Senior Sister had urgently sent him a message.

“Finished reading? Then let’s continue with what we were doing.”

He pressed closer, not giving Ruan Mingyu a moment to breathe.

Ruan Mingyu said meekly: “Senior Brother, don’t force me.”

Song Chenxi leaned in, smiled, and said ambiguously: “Oh, forcing you? Isn’t this mutual affection?”

Ruan Mingyu stammered: “That’s because you are sick now. Once you’re better, you won’t have these thoughts.”

Song Chenxi: “Then I must be truly sick. I want to lock you up so you can’t go anywhere and have to stay only in front of me.”

Ruan Mingyu: “Then we should focus on curing the illness first, not thinking about other things…”

Song Chenxi looked down at him, slowly smiling: “What if I insist?”

Ruan Mingyu tensed up. If Song Chenxi insisted on doing something, he had absolutely no strength to resist.

Song Chenxi stroked his face with his fingers: “I’ve gone to this extent. Why do you keep avoiding me?”

Ruan Mingyu stared at him blankly, his mind racing, feeling an anxious tightness in his chest. This intense and direct affection made Ruan Mingyu unsure how to respond.

“I just need one answer from you,” Song Chenxi became very serious, “Do you like it?” Perhaps finding this phrasing too blunt, he changed his expression, “Or, do you care about me?”

After everything they had been through together, how could he say he didn’t care? Faced with this question that sought the obvious, Ruan Mingyu curled his fingers and mumbled a reluctant “Mmm.”

Song Chenxi didn’t hear what he said clearly.

Just as he was about to press further, Song Chenxi suddenly arched his back and coughed violently. Song Chenxi covered his mouth, but bright red blood still seeped through his fingers.

Ruan Mingyu immediately sat up, frantically feeding him medicine. Before, he was only turning foolish or manic. Why had it become so serious now?

Ruan Mingyu looked at the blood flowing from his fingers, muttering: “How could this happen?”

Dying from the ‘Delusion’ poison—wasn’t that supposed to be his ending in the book? Why was this plot point placed on Song Chenxi?

Ruan Mingyu was panicking.

Is this the punishment for not following the plot?

Even if the plot didn’t unfold exactly as in the book, the final outcome wouldn’t change. Did someone have to bear the ultimate consequence?

After a restless night, Song Chenxi’s condition finally improved a bit; at least he wasn’t spitting blood anymore. However, he only woke up on the morning of the third day. Ruan Mingyu sat by the bed, having barely slept for three days.

Song Chenxi managed to open his eyes, saw Ruan Mingyu was exhausted, wanting to sleep but daring not to. He sat up and let Ruan Mingyu lean on his shoulder.

Song Chenxi had never smiled so joyfully. He whispered in Ruan Mingyu’s ear: “I think I know your answer to me. I’m very happy. It’s the answer I wanted.”

Ruan Mingyu only felt buzzing like a mosquito near his ear: “Who’s talking?”

Song Chenxi placed his hand on the back of his neck and whispered: “Sleep.”

Soon, Ruan Mingyu drifted into sleep. When he woke up, he found himself in bed. Where was Song Chenxi!?

Ruan Mingyu immediately climbed out of bed to look for Song Chenxi.

He saw him standing outside the door, all alone. Just looking at his back, Ruan Mingyu felt he looked too lonely.

In these past few days, Ruan Mingyu had come to a conclusion: Song Chenxi definitely wouldn’t last much longer. If he couldn’t refine the pill to curb the ‘Delusion’ within him, the ending might truly be death from the poison. Not just him, but Ruan Mingyu himself might not escape either. Time was of the essence. He had to make a decision quickly.

“You’re awake?” Song Chenxi turned around, his tone surprisingly gentle.

His current appearance made Ruan Mingyu feel somewhat unfamiliar, as if he had become a different person.

“Senior Brother, you haven’t taken your medicine today.” He took out a pill, pretending as usual, and asked Song Chenxi to take it.

Song Chenxi had no guard against the medicine he offered, took it, and immediately swallowed it.

Song Chenxi frowned. Today’s medicine was much bitterer than before.

Ruan Mingyu watched him take it and finally relaxed. This medicine could keep a person unconscious for over ten days, which should be enough time for him to do what he planned.

Ruan Mingyu chattered about irrelevant things to distract Song Chenxi, just to keep him from focusing on the pill he just swallowed: “Senior Brother, what do you want to do once you’re cured?”

Song Chenxi didn’t answer, instead asking: “What about you?”

Ruan Mingyu spoke fluently: “I want to go back to the sect and collect the spirit stones I’ve earned during this time.”

Song Chenxi: “You can have my share too.” He asked again: “What else?”

Ruan Mingyu: “Then I’ll go back and check on my medicinal field. I’ve been away so long, it should be ready for harvest. After a few years, when I have enough medicinal ingredients, I’ll open a clinic. But I can’t just run a clinic for a short time and quit. I also don’t like staying in the same place for too long, which is a dilemma. I haven’t thought about anything else yet.”

Song Chenxi looked at him with a scrutinizing gaze: “You’re hiding something from me.”

Ruan Mingyu’s heart tightened, but he remained outwardly calm: “There is something, but it’s nothing major. I’ll tell you after you wake up from a nap.”

Song Chenxi teased: “Are you going to say you love me? I already know that.”

Ruan Mingyu was a bit speechless, so he bluffed: “I forgot to tell you, I ate all of Ayihan’s dried milk curds by myself.”

Song Chenxi pressed his hand to his forehead, feeling dizzy. He realized something was amiss, frowning: “No, that’s not what you wanted to say.”

“Senior Brother, are you sleepy? Go to sleep if you are.” After taking the medicine, Song Chenxi felt an inexplicable drowsiness. His hand rested on Ruan Mingyu’s waist, and a moment later, his body slid down to lean on him, seemingly falling asleep.

Ruan Mingyu gently moved him to the bed and covered him with a blanket. Song Chenxi’s eyes were closed, looking so peaceful in his sleep.

Ruan Mingyu whispered: “Senior Brother, I will cure you. Wait for me to come back.” He locked the door of the house and set off alone for Silver Moon Island.

Song Chenxi’s condition was very bad. Ruan Mingyu was afraid he wouldn’t let him go if he were awake, and his deep sleep might help suppress the influence of the ‘Delusion.’ Time was crucial. He had to find the Ice-Frost Flower quickly and refine the medicine for him.

In truth, it wasn’t just for him, but for himself as well. Although Ruan Mingyu hadn’t had any attacks recently, he was still somewhat affected by the ‘Delusion.’

Ruan Mingyu traveled by sword for three days and arrived at Silver Moon Island. Just as his Senior Sister said, the island’s barrier was gone, allowing free entry.

There were many people at the entrance, but once Ruan Mingyu stepped inside, he realized the place was vast. The further he walked, the more dispersed the crowds became, and fewer people were seen. Along the way, he encountered some rare and precious immortal herbs, but Ruan Mingyu wasn’t interested in picking them. His purpose this time was to obtain the Ice-Frost Flower.

Following the map for a long time, he finally arrived outside the cave rumored to be guarded by an ancient monstrous beast.

Upon arriving, Ruan Mingyu noticed he wasn’t the only one eyeing this place. Seeing the weapons and some skeletal remains on the ground, he knew countless people had been here.

Ruan Mingyu looked from afar and saw a large black dog guarding the entrance to the cave. The object inside must be the so-called Ice-Frost Flower. It’s just a big dog, Ruan Mingyu thought happily at first, feeling the difficulty wasn’t too high. Then, a group of people tried to break in. He watched the creature crush a person to a pulp with a single paw and chew the bones before swallowing.

Ruan Mingyu started to reconsider, thinking maybe he should just go back. Even if he wanted to save Song Chenxi, he couldn’t sacrifice his own life.

Then, gritting his teeth, Ruan Mingyu thought since I’ve come this far, I must at least try.

Because someone had just intruded, the large black dog transformed into its original form—a Taotie—guarding the cave entrance so strictly that not even a fly could enter.

Darn it, what should I do in this situation?

Ruan Mingyu couldn’t fight it head-on, so he had to use strategy.

Ruan Mingyu kept still, lying in the grass, planning how to enter the cave.

After a while, another group of people arrived. They walked along, discussing amongst themselves: “Silver Moon Island has always been mysterious. Why did it open recently?”

“If it didn’t open, no one would know its name in the world.”

“People seeking medicine all go to Seven Stars Sect, a sword sect, for medicine. Their alchemists can be counted on one hand, but their business is better than this Silver Moon Island, which calls itself the Alchemy Sect.”

“Silver Moon Island is truly in decline.”

The cultivation level of these people seemed much higher than the previous group. After a moment, they went up and started fighting the Taotie.

While they were distracting the beast, Ruan Mingyu quickly slipped into the cave. He sprayed himself with flower and herb powder to mask his scent.

The cave entrance was narrow, but once inside, he found a completely different world. The cave was immensely wide, easily large enough for ten courtyard houses. Such a huge space, just to guard one small Ice-Frost Flower.

Ruan Mingyu looked and saw a lake inside the cave. The lake’s surface was completely frozen, and on the ice, a small flower radiating seven colors stood. However, the flower was encased in a thick layer of ice. To get it, he had to chisel open the ice.

Ruan Mingyu didn’t think twice and went over with his sword. While being vigilant for the possible return of the Taotie, he forcefully chiseled the thick layer of ice.

He struggled for a long time, and only a small, cracked fissure appeared on the ice. Ruan Mingyu increased his strength. He refused to believe he couldn’t break this thing.

His hands were exhausted from chiseling. Finally, only an arm-sized layer of ice remained. If he chiseled further, the roots and leaves of the Ice-Frost Flower inside would be damaged. Ruan Mingyu didn’t hesitate, immediately cradling the ice block in his arms, attempting to melt it with his body heat.

He shivered all over from the cold, praying silently faster, faster. He truly didn’t know when the Taotie would return.

However, the thing he least wanted to see finally happened. The Taotie finished off the group at the entrance and returned to the cave. Seeing Ruan Mingyu, the uninvited guest, it immediately bared its fangs and charged at him.

The returning Taotie bit Ruan Mingyu’s leg and flung him aside.

Ruan Mingyu painfully scrambled up, clutching his bleeding wound, but he didn’t intend to give up.

Running on the ground is easier than flying in the air. Ruan Mingyu gritted his teeth and jumped onto the Taotie’s back. The monster shook violently, almost making Ruan Mingyu throw up.

He gathered his momentum and took out all the pills in his possession, tossing them into the Taotie’s mouth.

After doing this, Ruan Mingyu’s strength gave out, and he was thrown off the Taotie.

The Ice-Frost Flower still stood in place. The Taotie ignored him, immediately pouring lake water onto the Ice-Frost Flower. Soon, the flower was encased in thick ice again. Everything Ruan Mingyu had just done was about to be wasted.

The Taotie was busy watering the Ice-Frost Flower, not immediately moving to eliminate Ruan Mingyu, which gave him a chance to catch his breath.

Once the ice layer was complete, the Taotie bared its fangs, ready to deal with Ruan Mingyu.

Ruan Mingyu’s leg was almost pierced by the Taotie’s sharp teeth. How could a human’s speed compare to a monster’s? He didn’t move from his spot. He didn’t want to waste effort. He was gambling.

Gambling on whether the medicine he threw into the Taotie’s mouth would take effect.

The Taotie’s paw was already upon him. If this strike landed, he would surely die.

Ruan Mingyu instinctively closed his eyes. When faced with something he feared, he couldn’t stop this innate reaction.

Fortunately, he won the gamble.

The Taotie swayed twice, then collapsed like a falling mountain, crashing onto the ground.

Ruan Mingyu’s leg hurt so much that he couldn’t walk upright anymore. He laboriously crawled over, repeating the previous process of chiseling the ice, melting the frost with body heat, and taking out the Ice-Frost Flower.

He was so frozen that he felt numb all over, even the wound was numbed and didn’t hurt. Finally, a perfectly intact Ice-Frost Flower was retrieved. He couldn’t help but smile. Song Chenxi was saved now.

Just as he was about to tuck the item into his robes, a pair of pristine white boots suddenly appeared before his eyes. Then, in front of him, the person pried open his hands and snatched the Ice-Frost Flower away.

Ruan Mingyu immediately reached out and grabbed the person’s robe hem. He almost begged:

“That’s mine. Give it back to me.”

Shen Yanyuan lifted his chin with his foot, his eyes filled with deep obsession: “Ruoyue, I didn’t expect to meet you here.

We are truly destined.”

Shen Yanyuan squatted in front of him: “Let me guess. Are you taking this medicine for yourself, or for him?”

“What does that have to do with you?”

“If it’s for yourself, of course, I’ll give it to you. If it’s for him, then not necessarily.”

“Give it back.”

“So it is for him.” Shen Yanyuan’s ice-cold face showed a twisted smile, thinking of something: “I can give you this item, but you must promise me one condition.”

“What condition?”

“I want you to become my Dao Companion.”

Ruan Mingyu’s pupils suddenly contracted: “You’re insane!”

Shen Yanyuan’s expression was slightly deranged: “You were mine to begin with. His taking you away was tearing us apart. Now I am putting everything back on track. This is our true ending.”

Ruan Mingyu trembled uncontrollably. Right now, no matter what Shen Yanyuan said, Ruan Mingyu would agree. Song Chenxi was waiting for the medicine.

He lowered his eyes: “Fine.”

Words don’t always have to be followed through. Once I get the Ice-Frost Flower back, I’ll just run, won’t I?

Shen Yanyuan picked him up, carrying him horizontally: “I knew it. You care about me in your heart. I will never mistreat you from now on.”

Ruan Mingyu felt a chill. How unlucky he was to encounter this plague god while collecting medicine.

Shen Yanyuan took him back to the sect. He was staying in the same place he had lived before, and it was kept exactly as it was when he left, without any change.

Shen Yanyuan massaged his injured leg, treating his wound, but he didn’t intend to heal it completely. If his leg healed, he might run away.

Ruan Mingyu originally planned to run away as soon as he got the medicine, but things far exceeded his expectations.

“I have announced to the entire sect that our wedding is set for the day after tomorrow. Everyone will know you and I are becoming Dao Companions, Ruoyue. Are you happy?” Shen Yanyuan told him.

The day after tomorrow?!

So fast! Is he rushing to be reborn or something?

“Give me back the medicine,” Ruan Mingyu stared at him coldly.

Shen Yanyuan: “I’ll give it to you the day you become my Dao Companion.”

“This is the marriage contract,” he handed Ruan Mingyu a piece of paper, “Write your name on it, and you can’t go back on your word.”

Ruan Mingyu had no moral compass or integrity. Let alone signing a piece of paper, even if he got the certificate, he could still run.

He took the paper and scribbled the messy characters for “Ruoyue.”

Shen Yanyuan was happy and reached out to embrace him. Ruan Mingyu immediately dodged to the side.

Ruan Mingyu completely ignored his impending fury: “We’re not that close, are we?”