"I like it," the girl replied shyly. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she accepted the lantern and left with her lover. The lantern riddle activity continued, with someone picking up another beautifully crafted lantern and reading the riddle aloud:
"Heaven's will and human effort are boundless, yet without fate, merit is hard to attain.
Why does chaos reign throughout the day?
Because the balance of yin and yang is uneven.
(Guess an object.)"
The crowd fell silent, everyone deep in thought as they tried to decipher the riddle. Zu Zaiya, the man dressed in blue, stood among them, his gaze fixed on the lantern as he pondered the answer. Before anyone could speak, a loud voice suddenly broke the silence: "I'll buy this lantern!"
All eyes turned to the man who had spoken. His audacity stunned the crowd—how could someone be so rude and uncultured? The store owner had clearly set up the riddle game to give away the lanterns, yet this man had the nerve to declare he would buy it outright.
Su Ran, who had been observing quietly, turned to see who had caused such a stir. It was none other than Zu Zaiya, along with his companion in purple who stood beside him. The man in purple looked visibly embarrassed, his face flushed with shame, but Zu Zaiya seemed oblivious to the disdainful glares around him. Instead, he puffed out his chest, clearly proud of his boldness.
Without waiting for a response, Zu Zaiya strode confidently toward Su Ran. Putting on an air of false modesty, he said in a soft, ingratiating tone, "I'd like to buy all the lanterns here and present them to this lady."
The crowd erupted in muffled laughter and whispers. Who was this fool, boldly flirting with a pregnant woman in public without a hint of shame? As the murmurs grew, Zu Zaiya, undeterred by Su Ran's silence, pressed on. "May I ask for your name?"
Su Ran's expression darkened. His icy gaze bore into the man, and his voice, low and menacing, cut through the air like a blade. "You're blind."
Zu Zaiya froze, his confidence faltering. The voice he heard was unmistakably male, and it sent a chill down his spine. Before he could react, Su Ran's hand shot out, striking him across the face with such force that a bright red mark bloomed on his cheek, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. The man stumbled back, too stunned to cry out, his cheek throbbing with pain.
The crowd gasped, shocked by the sudden violence. What surprised them even more was the realization that the person they had mistaken for a woman was not only a man but also someone with a terrifying temper. Su Ran stood tall, his presence so intimidating that no one dared to speak or intervene.
But Su Ran wasn't finished. He took two deliberate steps forward, closing the distance between himself and the trembling man. Leaning in slightly, his deep, piercing eyes locked onto the man's, radiating an oppressive aura that made it hard to breathe. In a low, chilling voice, he asked, "Can you see clearly now?"
The man nodded frantically, his body shaking uncontrollably. He tried to back away, but a shelf of lanterns blocked his retreat. His face pale, he stammered, "H-help..."
Just as Su Ran was about to deliver another blow, a hand gripped his arm, pulling him back. Annoyed, he turned to see Ji Chun standing beside him. Anger flared in Su Ran's eyes, and he shoved Ji Chun away, his voice cold and sharp. "Get lost!"
But Ji Chun didn't back down. He couldn't stand by and watch Su Ran kill someone in plain sight, where everyone could witness it. In a firm, steady voice, he said, "Come back with me." Grabbing Su Ran's arm again, he pulled him away from the crowd. Fortunately, Su Ran didn't resist with his full strength, allowing Ji Chun to lead him into a quiet alley.
The two stood in the dimly lit alley, the silence heavy between them. After a long pause, Ji Chun finally spoke, his voice soft but filled with concern. "Are you okay? Are you in pain?"
Su Ran remained silent for a moment, his anger gradually subsiding. Hearing Ji Chun's gentle tone and genuine concern, his tension eased slightly. He replied coldly, "It doesn't hurt."
"That's good," Ji Chun said, relieved. Though he couldn't see Su Ran's face clearly in the darkness, he could sense that Su Ran's anger had abated. "Shall we go back?"
"Mnn," Su Ran replied tersely. The two walked side by side through the alley, the moonlight casting long shadows on the ground. Neither spoke, the air between them still heavy with unspoken thoughts.
As they reached an empty street corner, Su Ran suddenly stopped. Ji Chun paused as well, unsure of what was coming next.
"My belly… is it really that big?" Su Ran's voice was quiet, tinged with confusion and a hint of unease. "Big enough that people mistake me for a woman?"
Ji Chun had always known that Su Ran struggled to accept his pregnancy. When others didn't comment on it, Su Ran could push the thought aside. But today, being mistaken for a woman and publicly humiliated had clearly shaken him.
Under the soft glow of the moonlight, Ji Chun studied Su Ran. Here was a man who had always been proud and commanding, now grappling with a reality that challenged his very identity. Su Ran's voice, usually so confident, now held a vulnerability that tugged at Ji Chun's heart.
"No matter what happens, I'll be with you," Ji Chun said softly. For the first time, he reached out and took Su Ran's hand, his grip firm and reassuring. He leaned in slightly, his voice steady and sincere. "You're not alone in this."
Su Ran's hands, usually so strong, felt cold in Ji Chun's grasp. But as Ji Chun's words sank in, a faint sense of calm seemed to settle over him. For now, at least, the storm within him had quieted.
Su Ran held Ji Chun's hand tightly, his uncertain gaze gradually steadying as he regained his usual composure. He looked up into Ji Chun's eyes and said firmly, "Do as you promised." The two of them walked hand in hand until they reached the door of the drugstore, where they silently released each other's hands and entered one after the other.
By the time they returned, the old doctor had already locked up the shop and retired to the backyard for the night. It was late, and with plans to move to a new place the next day, the two men went to their room without a word and quickly fell asleep.
The next morning, a carriage was waiting outside. After a simple breakfast, the old woman handed Ji Chun a set of clothes and explained, "Young Dashi please put this on. My distant nephew has arranged everything for you in the village. Remember, you were raised in a temple as a child. When you grew up, your parents found you, and you returned to secular life, married, and started a family. After your parents passed away, you moved to a new place with your wife."
Before Ji Chun could respond, the old doctor added, "It would be inconvenient for a monk to live in the village. Besides, the Young Master will give birth in a little over five months. How would you explain the sudden appearance of a baby? That's why I suggested he wear simple, elegant clothes. There might be some gossip at first, but don't pay it any mind. Once the villagers get used to him, it'll be fine. Make sure to visit us when you come down the mountain."
"I understand. Thank you both for all your hard work and kindness. I'll never forget it," Ji Chun said, nodding gratefully. He took the old doctor's words to heart, deeply appreciative of the elders' efforts.
Su Ran, however, felt a twinge of unease upon hearing this. A monk with a wife? Doesn't that make me the wife? He frowned, glancing down at his belly, which was now impossible to hide. Though…the thought irked him, he decided not to dwell on it. After all, he had chosen to stay with Ji Chun, and these details were trivial in the grand scheme of things. Still, he shot Ji Chun a cool glance, his eyes conveying that he understood exactly what was being implied.
Ji Chun felt a flush of embarrassment under Su Ran's gaze. The old doctor and the others had always assumed they were a couple, and Ji Chun had tacitly accepted the role. Now, being caught in this charade made him feel awkward, but he said nothing.
Soon, it was time to leave. The two boarded the carriage, and Ji Chun lifted the curtain to wave goodbye to the old doctor and the old woman, who stood at the door of the drugstore, waving back. A pang of reluctance tugged at Ji Chun's heart. These elders had treated them with such sincerity, so much that he would miss their kindness.
As the carriage jolted along the road, Ji Chun sat upright, while Su Ran, lulled by the motion, began to doze off. He yawned repeatedly, his eyelids growing heavy. Finally, he raised a hand and pointed at Ji Chun, his voice drowsy but commanding. "Come here."
Ji Chun obediently shifted closer, and Su Ran promptly laid his head on Ji Chun's lap, falling asleep almost instantly. Ji Chun, tall and steady, made for a comfortable pillow, and Su Ran curled up, resting peacefully. However, the sunlight streaming through the swaying carriage curtain was bright and bothersome. Su Ran raised a hand to shield his face, nestling further into Ji Chun's lap as he drifted off.
Ji Chun didn't dare move, afraid of disturbing Su Ran's sleep. He glanced down at the man resting on his knees, listening to his even breaths. Seeing Su Ran so relaxed, his usual vigilance absent, softened Ji Chun's heart. He felt a growing desire to care for Su Ran even more.
As Su Ran shifted slightly in his sleep, adjusting to avoid putting pressure on his belly, Ji Chun's gaze lingered on the gentle curve of his abdomen. In a little over five months, the baby would be born. The thought of holding a tiny, fragile child filled Ji Chun with quiet excitement. He wondered if Su Ran had ever allowed himself to look forward to the baby's arrival. A gentle smile touched Ji Chun's lips as he watched Su Ran sleep.
The carriage continued its journey, the road growing rougher as they ventured deeper into the mountains. After about an hour of bumpy travel, they finally reached a smoother dirt road. Before long, the coachman called out, "We've entered the village. I'll take you to the village chief's house."
The loud announcement startled Su Ran awake. He frowned, rubbing his eyes as he adjusted to the light. Sitting up from Ji Chun's lap, he asked groggily, "Are we there yet?"
Ji Chun gently brushed Su Ran's hair back and replied, "We're in the village now. We'll go to the village chief's house first, and he'll take us to our new home."
"Ah," Su Ran said, stretching lazily. "That was quick."
Ji Chun smiled. Su Ran had slept for over two hours, but he simply nodded and said, "Yes, very quick."