[曦澄 | XiCheng]: The Fear Of Falling In Love [~PART 1~]

[183.] Submission.

In the next couple of days they took their time.

Zewu-Jun made it his primary task to delegate most of his responsibilities to most of the Elders of both Clans, and would spend the days and nights in the bedroom, sitting by the window and writing letters   –  one of which was sent to his brother.

Jiang Cheng was in Heaven; he could indeed see his loved one all the time, reach him any time he wanted to, go to him and touch him any time of the day, and be with him any time of the night. He often fell asleep watching Lan Xichen watch him, caress him, smile at him.

He slept a lot and ate a lot, feeling   –  to Lan Xichen's utter horror  –  the baby now kick so violently that one could see the jerks and movements even beneath the clothes oftentimes. It was mesmerizing, and it was frightening.

Often, at night, when his husband was sleeping mindlessly, exhausted, Lan Huan would pull the covers away and watch the stretched skin get stretched even more, as baby feet could be seen kicking outwards, trying to get comfortable inside the warm and safe womb.

He would smile, seeing this   –  both father and son seemed to be having a hard time finding a comfortable spot to rest in. He would smile, watching Jiang Wanyin sprawl in the soft bed, as if he was a young boy, his hair spilling over the pillows, his mouth open and breathing shallow and quick; Zewu-Jun's heart was swelling with love and tenderness just by watching him.

***

Lin Shou-Yi was spending those days in his cell, wondering whether the Masters had forgotten him indeed. Perhaps the baby was born? Perhaps Sandu Shengshou was too sick to even remember him?!  He was worrying, even now, as his mind was breeding various horror scenarios and nightmares haunted his dreams at night. Neither the soldiers, disciples, nor the servants spoke with him any more, none.  They all seemed to have taken personal offence at his actions against their Master, and only brought him food and the occasional change of clothes.

He knew that he was getting more than he deserved.

But nothing stays the same forever. 

Change came unexpectedly one early morning, when two guards came and took him to the master bedroom. Terrified, he walked with difficulty, dazed by the bright sunlight. The doors opened and the soldiers pushed him to the floor, leaving him alone with Sandu Shengshou. He fell to his knees and quickly lowered his eyes, ashamed that his Master had to see him in such a pitiful state. He had lost a lot of weight and looked awful, dirty and unkempt.

Jiang Cheng frowned a little  –   he was lying in bed, still in his night gown, breathing heavily.

- I want to use the opportunity that Zewu-Jun is too busy today, Lin Shou-Yi, and deal with you once and for all.  –   he grunted.

- Yes, Master.  –   he said coarsely; he realized he hadn't spoken with anyone for days now.

- I have thought about your... situation. A lot.  –   he huffed.  –   I know that Huan craves to cut you into small pieces and feed you to my dogs!

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