Chapter 77
Two days later, Ji Chun was dressing the child when he heard a soft groan. Startled, he turned to see Su Ran frowning on the bed, his eyes fluttering open as he slowly roused from unconsciousness. Ji Chun's heart leaped—equal parts excitement and nervousness tightening his chest. Without thinking, he set the half-dressed baby down and reached for Su Ran's hand, his voice barely above a whisper.
"You're awake?"
Su Ran blinked until his vision cleared. The first thing he noticed was the monk's unshaven chin, the stubble rough and untidy. He tried to lift his arm, but the movement tugged at his stomach wound. A sharp hiss escaped him as he dropped his arm back to the bed.
"Does it still hurt?" Ji Chun fretted, hovering helplessly. He yearned to touch him, to soothe, but feared causing more pain. His brow furrowed as he studied Su Ran's face.
"It's fine," Su Ran muttered, though his jaw was tight. "Just… uncomfortable."
Ji Chun exhaled in relief—but before he could speak again, the naked baby on the bed began kicking, his lips puckering ominously. A wail threatened.
"Is that the little thing?" Su Ran tilted his head toward the sound, curiosity flickering beneath his feigned indifference. After all, this creature had come from his own body. With deliberate nonchalance, he said, "Pick him up. Let me see him."
Ji Chun chuckled, swiftly bundling the child in a cotton blanket before presenting him to Su Ran. Propped on a high pillow, Su Ran stared at the squalling infant. Oddly, as the baby caught sight of him, his cries faltered. He sniffled, blinking wet eyes, then fell silent.
The blanket, loosely wrapped, soon slipped as the child wriggled. Ji Chun made no move to retighten it, simply cradling the baby's shoulders as tiny legs bicycled the air. Grape-dark eyes fixed on Su Ran, the baby suddenly grinned, drool glistening down his chin. The room was warm enough; Ji Chun let him stay uncovered.
Su Ran's initial intrigue curdled into disdain. This—this drooling, gummy imbecile—was his son? He curled his lip.
Seizing the moment, Ji Chun nudged closer. "We should name him."
Su Ran cocked his head, studying the child. His gaze drifted—down plump thighs, over dimpled knees—that lingered justbetween the baby's legs. A sly smirk crept over his face.
"
Ji Chun suppressed a sigh at the name—Roudan'er, really?—but he'd never contradict Su Ran. Instead, he watched, warmth swelling in his chest, as man and child grinned at each other. Perhaps "Roudan'er" was fitting, in its own absurd way.
Soon, the newly christened Roudan'er tired himself out. Mouth agape, he flopped onto the bed and slept. Ji Chun transferred him to the waiting cradle, tucked him in, then returned to Su Ran's side.
"I'll make you some food," he murmured. "Rest first."
Su Ran's lip twitched. Sometimes he reveled in Ji Chun's attentiveness; other times, it chafed like an overzealous nursemaid's fussing. This was decidedly the latter. He waved a dismissive hand. "Go."
In the courtyard, Ji Chun found Xue Yao and Mu Miefeng at the stone table, with a letter between them. At his approach, Mu Miefeng set it down.
"Another faction from the underworld is heading to Xilongzhou," he said. "Is Sect Leader Su awake?"
The news doused Ji Chun's earlier joy. This wasn't a matter to burden Su Ran with—not now, weak as he was. He forced a nod.
"He just woke. I'm preparing his meal." Hesitating, he voiced the worry gnawing at him: "How long until he recovers? When will his wounds heal?"
"Don't worry, Ji Chun," Mu Miefeng reassured him. "The medicine I gave him will accelerate his healing. Within seven days, he'll be able to leave his bed. However, the birth has drained his vitality—his internal strength will need time to recover. A month's rest would be ideal."
As Mu Miefeng spoke, Xue Yao retrieved a jade medicine bottle from the east room and handed it to Ji Chun. Accepting it with some puzzlement, Ji Chun studied the two men, waiting for further explanation.
"In two days, the wound on his abdomen will be mostly healed," Mu Miefeng continued. "You can remove the gauze then. This ointment is extremely precious—apply only a small amount each time. Within half a month, the scar will fade completely and the pain will subside."
Having finished his instructions about the medicine, Mu Miefeng exchanged a glance with Xue Yao before adding, "Now that Sect Leader Su has awakened, it's no longer appropriate for us to remain here. We'll depart for Xilongzhou today."
Ji Chun blinked in surprise. "But—you've helped us so much, and yet you're leaving without proper rest these past few days. I feel... truly indebted."
Mu Miefeng chuckled, clapping Ji Chun's shoulder. "No need for such formalities between friends. Don't we consider each other brothers?"
Brothers. The word struck Ji Chun deeply. Though he had returned to secular life after joining with Su Ran, he'd still presented himself as a Shaolin disciple to outsiders. Now, he realized with sudden clarity how completely he'd embraced his new identity. How long had it been since he'd even thought of himself as "this poor monk"?
"Well then, I won't detain you further," Ji Chun conceded. "But at least stay for lunch before you go?" Knowing Mu Meifeng and Xue Yao were accustomed to wandering freely, he understood how confining village life must feel for them.
As noon approached, Ji Chun prepared an elaborate farewell meal. Su Ran, still recovering, remained in his room. Before their departure, Mu Miefeng and Xue Yao decided to pay their respects personally—a courtesy they felt obliged to extend, if not for Su Ran's sake, then for Ji Chun's.
When Ji Chun ushered them into the chamber, they found Su Ran propped up in bed with a book. He looked up, eyebrows lifting in mild surprise at their entrance.
"Sect Leader Su," Mu Miefeng began with a respectful bow, "we came to take our leave."
Su Ran's expression sobered immediately. Setting the book aside, he carefully pushed himself upright. Ji Chun rushed to steady him, but Su Ran stood firmly on his own feet before returning the bow with equal gravity.
"You have my deepest gratitude for your assistance," Su Ran said. "May your journey be safe." He made no attempt to persuade them to stay—their relationship didn't warrant such familiarity. Yet his effort to rise and bid farewell personally spoke volumes; he understood the weight of their kindness, though mere days had passed since the birth.
When the time came, Ji Chun alone escorted them to the village gates before returning home, leaving Su Ran to rest.