The rain lasted for a long time, but there were more books in the academy that had been laid out to dry. They could only move continuously through the rain, carrying the books into the corridor first.
Trip after trip, until even the corridor was full and there was nowhere to step, they had no choice but to move the books into nearby halls. It was exhausting and time-consuming, leaving everyone drained.
“This is great now. The books weren’t dried, and instead they’re all soaked beyond use!”
“The more books we tried to dry, the more got ruined. I don’t even know who to blame anymore!”
“What do you mean by that? Are you blaming our teachers? Our teachers wanted to dry the books for everyone’s sake!”
“I’m too lazy to argue. Then tell me—wasn’t this a good intention that caused bad results? If you can’t even admit that mistake, you’re unworthy as a person!”
“What nonsense are you talking about!”
“You’re the ones talking nonsense!”
The rain caused the already scattered students to become even more divided. Although they knew they were not in the right, for the sake of face, they still stubbornly defended their teachers.
As for Master Zhao and Master Chen, listening to the chaos only made them feel even more humiliated. They only dared to listen and did not dare step forward to stop it.
The rain carried cold air into their bodies, making the students even more dissatisfied and increasingly irritable.
Shi Wuxiang ignored the arguing students and calmly led his own students to work in an orderly manner. They saved as many books as they could. If they only argued and did nothing, that would be stupidity.
“The students of Class Ding have returned to the classroom,” one of his students called out.
“Yes!” the students responded in unison.
The academy was divided into A, B, C, and D classes, and D was further divided into four sections: Shi Wuxiang and the others each led Ding One, Two, Three, and Four. From this ranking, it was clear they were being marginalized in the academy.
After all, the students assigned to them were not easy-tempered to begin with. But under their teaching, although the students were still sharp, their “edge” had changed—now it only struck those on the opposing side.
Their unity made students in other classes envious. Those students only had cautious restraint in front of their teachers, never this kind of liveliness.
Returning to the classroom, Shi Wuxiang counted the students and looked at their shivering figures, feeling somewhat worried.
He said, “Can you all run back to the dorms to change clothes now? Do you all have umbrellas? I’ll tell the cafeteria to prepare some ginger soup.”
“Teacher, I have an umbrella.”
“I do too!”
“It rains a lot in summer, so we all prepared them when we came. Those without umbrellas can share one on the way.”
Shi Wuxiang nodded in satisfaction. “Then now, everyone run back to the dorms to change into dry clothes. When you return, walk slowly under umbrellas. No need to rush back for class—your health comes first.”
“Yes!”
“Woohoo~”
The adjacent academy also erupted with the same enthusiastic cheers, clearly they also had the same good news.
Shi Wuxiang naturally also had to go back to change clothes. He even carried more books than the students; books that could enter the library pavilion, even if not rare originals, were still extremely helpful for study, so scholars would often go there in their free time to borrow and read.
Now it was probably going to be ruined almost completely.
Shi Wuxiang and the others hurried back to the dormitory to change clothes. His body was already much stronger now, but he still occasionally had minor illnesses and pains. It did not matter much if he himself got sick, but if he infected Yuan Zhao at a time like this, that would be bad.
“Achoo—”
Chengduo sneezed heavily.
“Achoo!!”
Hu Lu followed right after.
Immediately after, Shi Wuxiang and Fu Ying also sneezed. The four of them looked at each other, then all looked at Shi Wuxiang, and promised: “We’ll drink two extra bowls of ginger soup later.”
Who didn’t know about the golden treasure in his family?
If the golden treasure ate one less bite, he would worry. If he caught a cold, it would truly be the end of the world.
“Very good.” Shi Wuxiang was very satisfied.
However, after that sneeze, they did not sneeze again. It was probably just that they were momentarily “infected” by sneezing.
They returned to the academy, and the students had also changed clothes and dried their hair, looking neat and proper.
“Today the weather is not good. It saves you from going out to play. Write two essays and submit them, and I will also check your memorization. The specific punishment will be discussed later.”
After Shi Wuxiang finished speaking, he held an umbrella and went to the dining hall, needing to tell the cooks to prepare ginger soup, otherwise a large group would fall ill.
After the afternoon two-hour period ended, Shi Wuxiang left home early as usual. Perhaps he was tired today; he felt utterly exhausted.
“Ah Xiang?” Yuan Zhao supported his belly with one hand and reached out with the other to help him. “What’s wrong? I’ll help you lie down. Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”
Shi Wuxiang smiled: “No, just tired from drying books and moving books today. I’ll rest one night and I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
“Good boy, can you be a little more obedient? I just want to sleep right now.” Shi Wuxiang helplessly touched his cheek. His face truly looked very pale.
Most importantly, perhaps because he was too tired, his patience was far less than usual. He was afraid that if Yuan Zhao continued speaking, he would become unable to restrain his temper. He hated himself like that—even imagining it made him hate it.
Yuan Zhao understood his meaning and immediately became obedient. He helped him remove his shoes and socks, covered him with the quilt, and gently patted him. After he fell asleep, Yuan Zhao then reached out to touch his forehead.
Burning hot. Scalding.
He instantly withdrew his hand, followed by panic and helplessness.
“Xia Lian!” he turned his head, voice low and soft. “Go quickly find a doctor!”
“Yes!”
Xia Lian hurriedly went out with an umbrella and soon brought the doctor back.
The doctor first felt his forehead, then lifted his eyelids, and finally took his pulse. His expression grew more and more serious.
“This is cold wind invading the body, causing wind-cold illness. The entire body is burning hot; it must be cooled immediately.” the doctor said.
Wind-cold illness could be minor or severe; if not careful, it could be fatal.
Yuan Zhao’s heart was shaking violently, and he himself was unsteady. If not for Xia Lian supporting him, he would have collapsed.
“Please hurry and prescribe medicine, what else do I need to do? Should we use ice compresses?” Yuan Zhao panicked. “Xia Lian, quickly fetch water!”
“Yes!”
“Ah Zhao, calm down.” Madam Shi Zhang hurried over, also bringing a bowl of chicken soup. “Go sit aside and drink this chicken soup. With the doctor here, Ah Xiang will be fine.”
Tao Xiangyue helped him sit down. “Sister-in-law, be careful. Drink some chicken soup to steady yourself first. Big brother will be fine.”
The doctor wrote the prescription and handed it to Shi Qingyue, who immediately took it and personally went out to fetch medicine.
“First use cloth to cool him down. Wipe his limbs and neck with strong alcohol, every half-hour.” the doctor said.
“Yes, thank you, doctor.” Madam Shi Zhang said gratefully.
The doctor gently shook his head. “This is what I should do, no need for such courtesy. If by tomorrow morning the fever still does not break, come immediately to my clinic. If I am not there, go to my home.”
Madam Shi Zhang became even more grateful upon hearing this and kept thanking him: “Yes, thank you so much, thank you! I will arrange a carriage to send you back! Steward Zhou, quickly arrange it.”
“Yes!”
The doctor stroked his beard and left.
Xia Lian brought cold water. Yuan Zhao saw it and wanted to go help apply the cloth, but was stopped by Madam Shi Zhang.
“You rest. You cannot touch cold water now. If you also get sick, the whole household will be in chaos.”
Yuan Zhao knew his heart was extremely panicked right now and that he could not help at all. If he insisted on helping, he would only make things worse—and he would despise himself for it.
So he obediently sat aside, occasionally standing up to look at Shi Wuxiang’s face.
Shi Qingyue soon returned with the medicine and handed it to the servants before going inside to check the situation.
“The servants are already boiling the medicine. Sister-in-law, don’t worry. Big brother will be fine.” he said.
“I know, it’s just a minor wind-cold… I know Ah Xiang will be fine…” Yuan Zhao said, both to them and to himself.
Ah Xiang will be fine. He firmly believed this.
The medicine was boiled and only brought over when it was cool enough to drink. The bitter smell instantly spread through the air, so strong it seemed suffocating.
It was clear the medicine was extremely concentrated; Yuan Zhao only hoped the effect would be equally strong, enough to drive the illness away completely.
Even in deep sleep, when the bitter medicine was forced into his mouth, Shi Wuxiang frowned. After being fed a few mouthfuls of warm water, his brow finally relaxed slightly.
Madam Shi Zhang put down the bowl and said softly, “Alright, all of you go eat in the main hall. I’ll stay here and watch.”
“I want to stay here with him. You all go eat,” Yuan Zhao said, sitting by the bed, eyes fixed reluctantly on Shi Wuxiang.
He turned his back to everyone. Even Madam Shi Zhang could not persuade him further. Skipping one meal meant little, but forcing him now would only worsen his mood.
Xia Lian said, “Young master, you must eat. You have to think about the child in your belly. This servant will bring food here so you can eat while watching.”
This was the best solution at the moment.
Yuan Zhao ignored them completely, all his thoughts and attention fixed on Shi Wuxiang. It felt like it had been a long time since he had watched him so quietly like this—like when he first arrived at the Shi household.
Shi Wuxiang had also been lying there quietly and unconscious, face pale. Every time he fed him porridge, he had to check his breathing, afraid he would silently slip away.
“Ah Xiang… Ah Xiang…”
“Shi Wuxiang!”
Shi Wuxiang, who was called by name, suddenly opened his eyes. He found himself standing in a research institute conference room, yet there was another “him” there, speaking step by step in a meeting, discussing matters with colleagues and subordinates.
He heard himself speaking eloquently. He had easily become a top provincial exam scholar, entered his ideal university with satisfaction, and before even graduating, was recommended into the research institute—firmly establishing himself immediately after graduation… in all paths related to study, his life had gone smoothly and effortlessly.
For a moment, he was even somewhat immersed in this atmosphere.
Every one of his theories received support; all experiments were personally led by him. At only thirty, he had already become an indispensable figure in the research institute… no one could easily resist this feeling.
So much so that he felt as if he had forgotten something. What exactly was it?
He, momentarily lost in it, could not detect it, so he continued working on institute matters, only feeling an emptiness in his heart.
“Doctor! He still hasn’t broken the fever, what do we do? I’ve wiped him, I didn’t even dare close my eyes, why is he still not awake?”
Yuan Zhao clutched the doctor’s clothes tightly, crying uncontrollably. He wanted to grip tighter, but feared it would interfere with treatment—he could not lose Ah Xiang.
Yuan Yuan and Shi Qingran carefully supported him, both with tears in their eyes. “Brother, don’t cry. The doctor is here. Brother Ah Xiang will be fine.”
The doctor stepped forward to take his pulse.
The pulse was somewhat steadier, but the heat had not subsided, consciousness was still hazy, and he occasionally muttered in delirium, looking like he might completely collapse at any moment.
“The pulse is not bad, but the fever must be brought down quickly. I will increase the dosage. It must break today.” the doctor said solemnly.
That word “must” was, in a sense, a final judgment on Shi Wuxiang.
There was still an implied “if” after it, but the doctor, out of kindness, did not say it aloud. Yet everyone understood it clearly.
Bowl after bowl of medicine was fed down. Shi Wuxiang even swallowed unconsciously at times, occasionally murmuring as if trying to say something.
And in his dream, Shi Wuxiang was also dreaming.
He dreamed he was getting married, but could not see his partner’s face. He only knew they were wearing traditional wedding robes, their movements like people of ancient times.
He stepped closer, lifted the bridal veil—yet still could not see her face. He only heard the person calling him “Ah Xiang” again and again.
No one had ever called him so intimately before, yet it felt strangely familiar.
“…Zhao.”
“Yuan Zhao…”
His lips moved, and that unfamiliar name came out. He was surprised that he could call out the name of someone whose face he could not see, and then his hand was grasped.
His consciousness flickered into clarity. He slowly opened his eyes through a haze, and the face that had been indistinct gradually sharpened—revealing a clear, beautiful face already soaked in tears.
“Ah Xiang, I’m here. I’m here.” Yuan Zhao tightly gripped his hand. “Ah Xiang… I’m so scared…”
Shi Wuxiang smiled faintly and reached out to touch his face. His voice was hoarse beyond recognition. “It seems… I dreamed of you…”
Yuan Zhao immediately broke into uncontrollable sobbing. He turned his head and pressed against Shi Wuxiang’s palm, filled with endless attachment. “Really? You dreamed of me? That’s good… you slept for so long, you don’t know how much I missed you—Ah Xiang!”
Before he could finish speaking, Shi Wuxiang suddenly leaned over and vomited. Sour bitterness and the taste of medicine instantly spread through the room, making the already heavy atmosphere even more suffocating.
Yuan Zhao didn’t even have time to cry. He quickly supported him upright, desperately patting his back, then hurriedly brought tea for him to rinse his mouth and drink. His own face looked no better than Shi Wuxiang’s.
The others wanted to help, but Yuan Zhao’s insistence left no room for interference, so they let him take over, only watching closely in case anything went wrong.
“Doctor! What is going on?!”
“Let me see.”
The doctor quickly sat by the bedside to take his pulse. His brows furrowed deeply.
“From the pulse, there is nothing abnormal,” he said slowly. “But the persistent fever and unconsciousness—I truly cannot determine the cause. Perhaps my skills are insufficient. Madam, you should seek another expert!”
“What does that mean?”
Not only Madam Shi Zhang, but everyone was stunned.
“Seek another expert” in such a situation was not humility—it sounded like a death sentence.
The doctor sighed. “That is exactly what I mean. The pulse is stable, yet the fever does not break and he remains unconscious. I truly do not know what to do.”
Even after repeated strong medicines, the heat did not subside. Even if the pulse seemed normal, there might be some hidden cause he could not detect.
He did not dare claim certainty, so he could only ask them to seek other physicians. In truth, there were even more severe possibilities he did not voice; if spoken aloud, the sky might collapse.
“He will not die. Go and fetch more doctors!” Yuan Zhao said hoarsely, his expression more serious than ever before. “Hurry! Everyone go immediately!”
No one dared disobey him. Servants scattered at once, rushing out to summon every physician in the city, as if trying to bring them all back.
Madam Shi Zhang’s eyes were red as she gently patted his back. “Zhao’er, don’t cry like this. Go rest in the side room. We will call you once the doctors are done. If you keep not eating or drinking, Ah Xiang would worry too.”
“If he really worried about me,” Yuan Zhao said through tears, “he should have woken up by now.”
Stories in books were all lies—someone unconscious would not wake just because they heard their spouse’s voice. Otherwise, Shi Wuxiang would have already recovered.
Madam Shi Zhang’s eyes filled with tears at his words. No one here did not wish for him to wake, but Yuan Zhao was undoubtedly bearing the heaviest burden, carrying grief for two people at once.
Yuan Yuan was also crying beside them. His heart ached so much for his brother that it felt like being cut by a blade.
True crying spreads easily; soon the entire room was filled with sobbing.
“Xiangyue,” Madam Shi Zhang said with a frown, “take the younger ones back to your rooms. Don’t crowd here.”
“Yes.” Tao Xiangyue quickly gathered them. Fortunately, no one disobeyed at such a moment.
Soon, only Yuan Zhao, Madam Shi Zhang, and Shi Qingyue remained in the room.
Madam Shi Zhang’s eyes were red. Her son… why was he suffering like this again?
It was only a simple wind-cold illness after being caught in rain—how had it become so severe?
It reminded her of when Shi Wuxiang had once been unconscious as a child. A master had once said he was born weak and ill-fated. They had given him the name “Wuxiang” to strengthen his fate, yet illness had still come repeatedly. What would happen in the future?
Wait—the master!
If that person could be found, perhaps Ah Xiang could be saved!
“I… I need to go out.”
“Shortly after Ah Xiang was born, a master came to our house. He said Ah Xiang was born weak and destined for illness. The name ‘Wuxiang’ was given to strengthen his fate. If we can find that master, he can definitely save him!”
At first Yuan Zhao was hopeful, but soon his blood turned cold. He wiped his tears and gave a bitter smile. “But where are we supposed to find him?”
A sharp question.
Where would one find a wandering master who appears without trace?
“I will go.” Shi Qingyue said as he stood. “Even if I have to kowtow step by step, I will bring him here.”
He had always been protected by his elder brother. Now, it was his turn to do something for him.
He meant it. As soon as he left the main room, he began kowtowing step by step. No one dared stop him. He continued until his forehead split and bled, reaching the main gate.
“Amitabha. I have arrived late.”
That single phrase—Amitabha—felt like it saved the entire Shi household.
Shi Qingyue looked up in a daze. The monk in robes before him looked like a divine being descending from heaven, and he immediately burst into loud sobs.
“Master, please save him! My elder brother—”
“This humble monk understands. Lead the way.”
Shi Qingyue scrambled up, bowed again, and quickly led him inside.
“Mother! Sister-in-law! The master is here!” he cried and laughed at once, almost like a madman.
In an instant, everyone rushed out. Yuan Zhao also came out despite his pregnancy, his thin shoulders trembling as he sobbed uncontrollably.
The monk walked directly to the bedside. One look at Shi Wuxiang’s complexion and his lips moving in delirium told him everything.
Madam Shi Zhang said anxiously, “Master, when my son was five you said he was born weak. You named him ‘Wuxiang’ to strengthen his fate. Please save him!”
“He is fine.” The monk’s voice was calm like water falling into a valley, inexplicably soothing.
“If one sees all forms as non-form, one sees the Tathāgata.”
“Wuxiang means transcending illusory forms to reach true reality.”
Self, others, sentient beings—all are illusion, not ultimate reality. That is “Wuxiang.”
Shi Wuxiang’s condition was not ordinary illness. A fragment of his soul from another world was involved in forming his current self.
That fragment had been nourished in another world and merged deeply, even suppressed for a long time. Only after his previous head injury did it fully emerge and begin to integrate.
The process of recalling everything was painful. These sufferings were the cost of that soul fragment’s existence in another world. Only through this could he become whole and healthy in the future.
The so-called “illness” was simply the process of integration and recovery of memory; pain accompanied it inevitably.
“This trial can only be endured by him alone. As long as the pulse is stable, all illness will eventually dissipate once he awakens. Everything now is merely appearance. Wait patiently for the outcome.”
“And if he doesn’t wake?” Yuan Zhao asked the worst possibility.
The monk glanced at Yuan Zhao’s belly. “You are the person he cares for most. He will awaken.”
That fragment had no attachments in the other world, but this world contained everything tied to him.
Especially the child.
Yuan Zhao still could not decide whether to believe it. The fever was so severe—how could it be nothing?
“Master… but his fever continues like this…” Madam Shi Zhang asked.
“You have already tried everything. This is not something medicine can cure. At this point, you can only let nature take its course.”
The monk could say no more. From more than ten years ago until now, this fate had been borrowed time.
Altering destiny was already an act of revealing heavenly secrets. This was all he could do.
The Shi family had no choice but to accept it.
Strangely, Yuan Zhao calmed down at this moment.
“Please stay at our home for a few days. If you need anything, we will fulfill it.” His tone was firm and unquestionable.
It sounded like distrust, but in truth he was not willing to do nothing. He would still continue cooling, still continue caring.
If the monk was right, that would be ideal. If not, they would have done everything they could.
The monk merely nodded.
Before he left, the returning servants brought back doctors.
One after another, they examined Shi Wuxiang. Their conclusions were all the same.
Pulse stable. Fever unbroken. Unconscious. No remedy.
Yuan Zhao had completely given up hope, or rather, he believed even more in the Master’s words. He also believed in karma. Since the Master had once bestowed the name on A Xiang, that meant he had interfered with his cause. There was a karmic connection between them, and thus one had to bear its result.
“Thank you for the trouble today, doctors. Please do not speak of this,” Yuan Zhao reminded them. He did not say what followed, but if any rumors were to spread, he would be very displeased.
The doctors fell silent in fear; none dared to speak further.
Yuan Zhao gave them more silver than the consultation fee as a sign for them to keep their mouths shut, then had servants escort them out.
He then said again: “Xia Lian, go tidy up a room for the Master to stay in. Vegetarian meals and tea snacks must be prepared fully. If the Master has any needs, do everything possible to satisfy them.”
“Yes, this servant will go at once.”
The Master slightly nodded and followed Xia Lian out.
Only the three of them remained in the room.
Madam Shi Zhang stepped forward to support Yuan Zhao and softly comforted him: “Zhao-ge’er, you haven’t rested properly these past two days. Since the Master has already said this, go and rest well. I and A Yue will stay here.”
“Mother, don’t send me away at a time like this,” Yuan Zhao said hoarsely, his eyes already red. He could not stop looking at Shi Wuxiang’s face, even though the other’s eyes were tightly shut.
As long as he still had breath, then he could keep guarding him. How could he possibly give up on him?
Madam Shi Zhang’s brows suddenly furrowed, and her eyes also turned red in an instant. She even did not dare look at him, nor say any more words of persuasion.
Shi Qingyue said: “The Master said that what Big Brother cares about most right now is sister-in-law and the child. Since sister-in-law is unwilling to leave, then let him stay here to accompany Big Brother and talk to him. But sister-in-law must eat properly, otherwise the child will also feel unwell.”
“I know, I will,” Yuan Zhao said firmly. As long as there was even a thread of hope for A Xiang, he would not give up easily.
Shi Qingyue nodded heavily. “Then I’ll go bring the food. You can eat while staying by Big Brother.”
Madam Shi Zhang did not say anything more, only silently stayed by his side. It was her child, and her heart ached the most. Her tears were nearly dried up, but she still had to force herself to stay strong. This family still needed her to hold it up.
Shi Qingyue quickly brought the meal over, placed it on the table by the bedside, and softly called: “Sister-in-law, come eat. Nian-niang and I will watch over Big Brother for you.”
Yuan Zhao did not refuse. He could not ignore the child in his belly.
He sat by the bed and began eating. Although he had little appetite, he still carefully chewed each bite. He had to be well; he had to wait well for A Xiang to wake up.
Afterward, Yuan Zhao continued to eat and rest as usual. Only at night, when it was just the two of them, he would stay awake all night, sitting by the bedside and looking at Shi Wuxiang.
There were some words he only wanted to say to A Xiang in the quiet of the night.
He held Shi Wuxiang’s warm palm and softly said: “I already knew you were weak and often ill, but I didn’t expect it to be like this. You really are someone born to be taken care of. But it’s fine, I have a lot, a lot of patience. My body is also very good, very good. I can take care of you for a very long time, until I die…”
“Most importantly, I love you very, very much, just as you love me.”
He was shy, but when it came to love, he was bold. He deeply understood that he needed a lot of love and care, and also knew that no one did not need love and care.
So, when he sensed Shi Wuxiang’s entire love and care, he also boldly returned it.
Shi Wuxiang, who was immersed in dreams, suddenly felt someone calling him while he was doing research. Strange sounds lingered in his ears. He asked everyone around him, but only he could hear that strange voice.
Because of this, he even went to the hospital for a check-up, but the results showed nothing wrong. He understood the principle that medicine is three parts poison, and since there was no problem, he refused medication.
Even though some doctors wanted to treat him as mentally ill.
“Ah Xiang… you and the child are waiting for you.”
“Who?! Who is speaking?” Shi Wuxiang suddenly stood up from the sofa, staring into empty space and looking around continuously.
That voice was sorrowful, yet carried intense love. When it whispered, it was like lovers confessing tender feelings, and he even felt strangely drawn to it.
He even wanted to hear that voice again.
It was strange—he actually became captivated by a voice that did not exist. He even wanted to see that face, to kiss the lips that softly spoke love.
“I must be insane,” Shi Wuxiang suddenly snapped back to clarity. He really must have a mental illness. How could he think such things?
He faintly felt a strange intuition that he might have truly loved someone before, otherwise that voice would not feel so sorrowful.
Shi Wuxiang went to the hospital again and eventually had to admit that he might indeed have a mental condition, as the hallucinations were getting worse and affecting his mood.
“You mean you are hallucinating someone you love? That voice makes you happy when it is happy, and makes you sad when it is sad?” the psychologist asked softly to confirm.
Shi Wuxiang nodded somewhat brokenly. “Yes, exactly like that. What is this… am I mentally ill?”
The psychologist gently reassured him: “Mr. Shi, please do not be so pessimistic. Mental illnesses can be treated. As long as you actively take medication and cooperate with treatment, everything is possible.”
“Alright… then what exactly is this?” Shi Wuxiang gave a faint laugh, filled with helplessness and bitterness.
“The diagnosis is severe schizophrenia. Auditory hallucinations are one of the most common psychotic symptoms. As long as you take medication and cooperate with treatment, you will improve,” the psychologist said gently. “Otherwise, your daily life will be affected.”
Shi Wuxiang fell silent in thought. He appeared calm, but inside he was astonished that he had developed such an illness without realizing it.
But he was a mature and steady adult. He knew what he should do was best for himself.
He knew it.
“If I take medication and cooperate with treatment, the hallucinations will disappear, and the person in my hallucination will also disappear, right?”
The psychologist seemed unprepared for this question and hesitated. Normally, patients tried everything to recover as quickly as possible; no one would become attached to people or things in hallucinations. Even if they seemed real, once they knew they were sick, they would want relief.
But Shi Wuxiang was the first to ask this.
Perhaps the brains of researchers were different from ordinary people.
“Yes,” the psychologist said clearly. “Mr. Shi, you must understand that hallucinations and illusions are not real. They do not exist, so you do not need to suffer because of them.”
“I need to consider it. I will give you an answer in three days,” Shi Wuxiang said as he stood up to leave, but the doctor behind him stopped him.
The psychologist took off his white coat and looked at him calmly: “As your friend, I must remind you—you are currently not clear-headed or rational. You only need to take medicine and eliminate the hallucinations as soon as possible. After you recover, you will not be sad about this anymore.”
“I also thought so, but unfortunately, just hearing you say that, I already feel sad,” Shi Wuxiang sighed slightly. “For now, let it be. I will give you an answer in three days. If I do not come at ten in the morning, then there is no need to wait for me.”
“You must come. You must come,” the psychologist insisted firmly. “You cannot treat the interference of hallucinations as real people or things!”
Shi Wuxiang knew there was no point in arguing further, and he also needed time alone to think.
In truth, even he himself was surprised.
He was not an irrational person. On the contrary, he was excessively rational. Over many years, very few people or things could make him lose reason to this extent. Just the fear of that voice disappearing made him so sad he did not want treatment anymore.
In fact, aside from hallucinations and occasional visions, he had no other problems. He could still eat and work normally. The hallucinations did not affect anything else, but they left ripples in his heart, making him unable to calm down for a long time.
So he could not give up this hallucination that stirred his heart. Such a rare and precious thing—he could not refuse it.
He was willing to remain conscious while sinking.
“I also… love you.”
He heard himself say this with deep affection.
.
Every day, Yuan Zhao would wipe Shi Wuxiang’s body and apply cold compresses to his forehead. Although he knew it was useless, he still did everything he could and should do.
The Master also came daily to the main house to see him. He could see the flow of “qi” within Shi Wuxiang’s body; the qi was merging, and Shi Wuxiang would soon awaken.
“Is it true, Master?” Yuan Zhao asked joyfully.
“Rest assured, benefactor,” the Master nodded slightly.
During this time, what he heard most were questions, but this was human nature, and he felt no displeasure.
Life was precious; it was only right to confirm again and again.
Moreover, this was his final task before entering nirvana. He had to complete it perfectly, without resentment.
People like them believed in fate and karma. They had to resolve their karmic ties before death, otherwise reincarnation would be entangled and not end well.
It could only be said to be treating a dead horse as if it were alive.
Previously, those doctors had all come to see him but found nothing. Since they all said so, they could only believe this Master.
He had given Shi Wuxiang his name before, so he should care about him.
Yuan Zhao stayed by his side day after day. Even Chengdu and the others noticed something was wrong with Shi Wuxiang not coming to the academy. After thinking it over, they decided to come see him.
But what they saw was only Shi Wuxiang lying on the sickbed, showing no sign of life.
In the past, he had been spirited and radiant, but now he looked like…
Cheng Du frowned deeply and asked in a low voice to Shi Qingran, “What exactly is going on? Where are the doctors? If it really comes to it, we’ll go to Shengjing to invite an imperial physician!”
But those words could only be used to comfort himself. The roads were long and difficult; even if they knelt in petition, they would never be able to summon an imperial physician here.
Shi Qingran shook her head with red-rimmed eyes. “We’ve already invited all the imperial physicians in the city. Every single one said the pulse is normal, that there is no illness, but the person remains unconscious. The Master said that Big Brother still needs to remain unconscious for some time. We only need to wait.”
She had come to believe the Master’s words as well.
After all, during this entire period, aside from remaining unconscious and occasionally feeling a bit feverish, her eldest brother truly showed no other signs of illness.
Every three days, doctors were invited to take his pulse, and all of them said it was normal. This clearly exceeded what they could understand. Perhaps there were things only the Master could comprehend.
After all, it had been the Master who once saved her brother’s life and foretold his entire fate.
Cheng Du and the others fell silent for a moment, not knowing what to say.
Words of comfort were no longer needed. What they needed most now was for Shi Wuxiang to wake up quickly—but on this matter, they were equally powerless.
“He will wake up,” Fu Ying said steadily, his voice firm, more mature than three years ago.
He had always been like this—quietly standing behind everyone.
“Yes, Senior Brother has a strong will. The people he cares about most are all of you. He will definitely wake up,” Hu Lu added.
Shi Qingran thanked them one by one, her expression easing slightly. Even though she knew her brother cared about his family, they still needed constant reassurance that he would wake up.
Fu Ying’s gaze shifted slightly. He asked softly, “Sorry for the intrusion, but I didn’t seem to see Yuan-ge’er?”
Shi Qingran sighed. “Yuan-ge’er has had a lot of internal heat these past few days. His mouth is covered in blisters. He can barely drink plain porridge without pain, so he’s taking medicine in the side room.”
“May I go see him?” Fu Ying asked—perhaps the most presumptuous request he had ever made.
“Of course. Let a servant guide you. I need to stay here and keep watch over sister-in-law,” Shi Qingran replied with a faint smile.
Suffering forces growth.
She was the same.
Cheng Du and Hu Lu simply went to the courtyard instead; the scene inside the room was too painful to look at.
Yuan Zhao seemed unaware of their arrival. He only tightly held Shi Wuxiang’s hand, trying to feel every faint movement of his unconscious body, afraid that even a moment of distraction would make him miss something.
“A Xiang, wake up soon. Me and the child are waiting for you. As long as you still have one breath left, I will wait for you…”
“Can you feel the baby moving? He’s very healthy, but I’m not doing well at all. I feel terrible. If you don’t wake up soon, I don’t think I can wait anymore…”
“Please… pity me, okay?”
“Please, A Xiang.”
Yuan Zhao’s tears fell endlessly. With every sentence, they surged out again. He was in so much pain that he didn’t know what to do anymore, so he could only let the tears flow.
.
When Shi Wuxiang finally awoke, his heart felt strangely hollow.
He sat up in a daze and subconsciously wiped his face, only to find it damp. Shock flickered through him.
These… were tears?
He had actually cried because of a dream that felt unreal.
In the dream, someone kept calling him A Xiang. That voice seemed in great pain, and the suffering strangely resonated with his own heart, making him feel as if he too were being torn apart.
He could not heal it.
So he chose to give up.
Yet there was always a voice in his mind telling him not to.
“If I don’t stop the treatment, I will forget you. If you truly love me, you shouldn’t make me forget you,” he said coldly into empty space, pretending indifference.
The only response was muffled sobbing.
That faint, distant crying felt like a dull, rusted blade slowly cutting through his heart, dragging out fragments of pain again and again.
The lingering ache made his eyes sting.
“Ah Zhao, I won’t give up…”
He called out that name again—the name tied to both love and pain.
He could not stop loving this person, nor ignore his tears. That overwhelming emotion filled his chest so completely that even he found it unbelievable.
So he would listen.
He did not want those tears to be because of him—or for them to be shed for anyone else.
Even if it hurt, he wanted happiness.
Then his vision began to split into colored fragments, fading like washed-out ink until it disappeared completely.
At that moment, Shi Wuxiang felt nothing.
Only faint fragments of memory returned.
He had once saved Yuan Zhao in the streets.
He had spoken with the Master.
He had known that part of his soul had been placed in another world to be nurtured.
He also remembered the Master once telling him he would meet a destined person in this life—the only one who could accompany him through his uneven fate.
He even recalled telling the county magistrate that he was waiting for someone, which was why the magistrate had once tried to arrange matches.
What he had forgotten were only scattered fragments—but each fragment was tied to Yuan Zhao.
His awareness was still slightly empty. He did not know what to do, only closed his eyes and waited.
“Benefactor, are you still not awake?”
A steady voice sounded, like a solemn bell ringing in his ears, clearing his mind.
He made the motion of opening his eyes—and they truly opened.
Light was blinding; he squinted slightly. A hand blocked the glare for him, and behind it was a face he finally saw clearly.
“Husband,” he rasped.
His voice was hoarse, rough like sand scraping his throat.
Yuan Zhao stared at him in a daze. Tears came before words did. He grabbed Shi Wuxiang’s hand and pressed it to his own cheek, trying to hide his embarrassment while also afraid of losing sight of him.
Their intertwined hands slipped into Shi Wuxiang’s sleeve.
Yuan Zhao did not know how long he had been unconscious—only that every day had felt like a year.
“Why… why are you only waking up now…”
“I called your name every day. I told you every day how hard it was for me. Why don’t you feel sorry for me…”
“I was so, so sad… why don’t you feel sorry for me?”
All his exhaustion and pain condensed into a single line:
Why don’t you feel sorry for me?
He could not even properly blame him.
Only grievance remained.
“It’s my fault. Come here, let me hold you, okay?” Shi Wuxiang’s voice was hoarse as he coughed lightly. A bit of color returned to his face.
Yuan Zhao carefully leaned into his arms, resting against his chest and hearing his steady heartbeat.
Thump. Thump.
“Do you hear it?” Shi Wuxiang asked softly.
“What?” Yuan Zhao gently patted his chest, still dazed from relief.
“My heart,” Shi Wuxiang said with a faint smile. “It beats for you.”
He rarely said such cheesy words, but at this moment he wanted to say them all.
Yuan Zhao smiled, eyes curved. “I hear it. It sounds nice.”
His every whisper had already been heard by him too.
Every “Ah Zhao.”
The room was quiet. No one came to disturb them.
Shi Wuxiang gently comforted the still-crying Yuan Zhao, thinking how strange and mysterious fate could be.
Perhaps they would never understand how soul-nourishing such a bond could be—but it had already formed the complete him.
His memories were clearer now.
All the forgotten fragments had become Yuan Zhao’s outline—and the complete person was already in his arms.
“That time I first woke up, the first thing I saw was you too,” Shi Wuxiang said softly, stroking his back.
“I’ve always been by your side. I was then, and I still am now.”
He kissed away Yuan Zhao’s tears.
“Yuan Zhao.”
“I’m here,” he replied, hand resting on his belly. The child moved, and the voice beside him spoke.
Shi Wuxiang’s voice was very soft. “I love you.”
Yuan Zhao burst into tears again, smiling brightly and proudly.
“I know you love me. I’ve always known!”
He had never doubted it.
And so time passed swiftly.
The person Shi Wuxiang first saw upon waking was still right in front of him.
All memories returned.
He had already loved this person for a very long time.
So easily, he overturned his worldview, broke through his boundaries, and rewrote his principles.
Even if everything was rebuilt from the ground up, he would still choose to love him.
—Main story end.