Extra 2

"What? You don't want to marry me?" Su Ran asked, glancing sideways at Ji Chun with deliberate nonchalance, watching for the monk's reaction.

"Don't speak nonsense," Ji Chun replied, unfazed by the teasing. "You and I have long been more than mere spouses." His expression turned serious. "But tell me - what were you whispering about with Xue Shenyi? The two of you can barely tolerate each other normally, yet today you seemed intent on keeping them here."

"Want to know?" Su Ran settled at the table with the baby in one arm, pouring tea with his free hand. He took a leisurely sip before continuing mysteriously, "What will you give me in return, Dashi?"

Ji Chun chuckled and moved to sit beside him. Noticing Roudan drifting to sleep and seeing Su Ran's deliberately provoking air, he conceded with an indulgent smile. "If the Sect Leader desires anything within my power to give, is yours."

"I want... a certain great monk named Ji Chun. Will you give him to me?" Su Ran's eyes curved with amusement as he leaned comfortably against Ji Chun, their banter light and familiar.

"It is as you wish," Ji Chun murmured, gently stroking Su Ran's hair before turning his attention to Roudan's tiny curled fist.

"Good," Su Ran nodded in satisfaction before growing serious. "I decided to marry you the moment I first saw you after waking. I hadn't planned to rush, but when I heard Xue Yao and Mu Miefeng were leaving..." He flashed a sly smile. "Since they helped us, I thought to return the favor by keeping them here for a while."

Ji Chun frowned at the man resting against his shoulder. "What help could they possibly need?" He pondered in vain - what troubles could two renowned physicians have?

"You dense man," Su Ran whispered as the baby finally slept. "Do you know who Xue Yao loves?"

Ji Chun's confusion deepened. After long consideration, his expression darkened. "...You?" he asked heavily. Everyone knew Su Ran's striking beauty - Ji Chun had witnessed firsthand how men and women alike fell for that flawless face. If Xue Yao had developed feelings... His thoughts spiraled as he recalled their own rocky beginnings.

Su Ran burst into laughter at Ji Chun's sudden conclusion.

"Shh, you'll wake Ze'er," Ji Chun muttered, embarrassed.

Controlling his mirth, Su Ran rose to tuck the sleeping child into his cradle. Returning, he smiled at Ji Chun. "Let's rest." He moved to the inner side of their bed, removing his shoes.

As they settled, Ji Chun pulled Su Ran close, nuzzling his forehead. "Explain properly," he insisted.

"Xue Yao is in love with his Shixiong, Mu Miefeng," Su Ran confessed, relaxing completely in his monk's embrace, all daytime pretenses discarded.

"They're like us?" Ji Chun asked, astonished.

"Not quite. It's one-sided - Xue Yao pines while Mu Miefeng remains oblivious." Su Ran smiled, remembering Xue Yao's envious questions about their relationship during their carriage ride together.

Reflecting on his journey, Su Ran considered himself remarkably fortunate. He had once believed he would reach the pinnacle of power only to live out his days in solitude, yet here he was - the first among his peers to find true happiness.

"So this help you mentioned..." Ji Chun began curiously.

"Just wait and see," Su Ran replied with a mischievous chuckle, his smile secretive.

Ji Chun recognized that scheming expression but trusted Su Ran's judgment enough not to press further. However, another matter weighed on his mind. "Su Ran," he called softly, taking his lover's hand. After several mental rehearsals, he finally voiced the news: "Before you woke... the physicians told me you're... expecting again."

Su Ran jerked upright in shock, their foreheads colliding painfully. As both groaned, Ji Chun's immediate concern was soothing Su Ran's injury, his large hand cradling the smaller man's head with tender care.

"You're…joking?" Su Ran searched Ji Chun's face suspiciously, though he already knew the earnest monk would never fabricate such news.

"It's true," Ji Chun confirmed with a heavy sigh. While the prospect of another child brought joy, the memory of Su Ran's previous difficult pregnancy filled him with dread. The thought of his beloved enduring that agony again was unbearable.

Su Ran frowned deeply, his reaction starkly different from his first pregnancy announcement. He recalled Ji Chun's adoring gaze when holding little Roudan, remembered all his monk's heartfelt words about family... Against his expectations, he found himself wavering. The idea of going through childbirth again as a man terrified him, yet with Ji Chun by his side...

A sudden realization struck - this child would bring Ji Chun immeasurable happiness. And raising another baby might indeed brighten their sometimes monotonous days. Just as he prepared to request time to consider, Ji Chun spoke first.

"Su Ran," he said solemnly, his deep eyes brimming with tenderness, "I think... we should forgo this child." Every word carried both apology and anguish.

Su Ran's expression darkened instantly. He pulled away from Ji Chun's embrace, putting deliberate distance between them on the bed. "Explain yourself," he demanded coldly, his piercing gaze demanding honesty.

Recognizing his misunderstanding, Ji Chun quickly clarified, "Don't be angry. I only fear putting you through that pain again." He pressed Su Ran's hand to his own chest. "The thought of losing you... of seeing you suffer..." His voice broke. "It would destroy me."

Su Ran's initial fury softened at this heartfelt confession. While Ji Chun's concern moved him, his own resolve had quietly solidified - though now wasn't the time for that discussion. "I overreacted," he conceded, leaning in to kiss Ji Chun's cheek. "Let's put this matter aside until after the wedding."

Pulling Ji Chun tightly into his arms, Su Ran murmured against his lips, "How do you tolerate my temper?"

Ji Chun returned the kiss, his teasing reply warm with affection: "I can only blame the Sect Leader for stealing this poor monk's heart."

A soft "hmph" escaped Su Ran as he suppressed a smile. With a flick of his wrist, a gust extinguished the candles, plunging the room into darkness.

Moonlight silvered the floor as Su Ran pinned Ji Chun beneath him, loose strands of hair brushing against the monk's neck. "Who taught you such sweet words in my absence?" he pretended to growl, nipping at Ji Chun's chin.

"No one," Ji Chun rasped, his restraint evident as his hands settled warningly on Su Ran's waist. "You should rest. You've only just recovered, and... Ze'er is right here."

"That little nuisance," Su Ran grumbled, though his gaze softened toward their sleeping child. After one last punishing bite to Ji Chun's chin, he reluctantly rolled away.

As Ji Chun rubbed the tingling spot more tantalizing than painful, he glanced at the crib where their son slept peacefully. Determined to behave, he turned to embrace Su Ran, and soon both drifted into contented slumber.

Author's Notes: Thank you everyone. (*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ*.ﾟ

Translator's Notes: Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this story please go and show the author some love by either commenting or dropping gifts on their story. Link to official story here —>https://wap.hanwujinian.com/book/6771