Blooming Flowers, Silent Sorrow

Translator: Silvery Butterfly mkEiiVeuusvgHaeYkoARlbsnXtzECD

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Huai En had quite a hard time getting Xiao Bao out of the Jin mansion. He had You Ying and Zuo Ying distract Su Yin’s hidden guards. After leaving the mansion, they galloped for more than thirty miles before they were finally out of the Jin family’s sphere of influence.uIwfwmCdDfNklWiMeYYkpKQziJyqea

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As dawn approached, Xiao Bao, who had been awake all night, was struggling to keep his eyes open.TkzwnFtCGsLVBEPQiFZPEHdeEOYVSD

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Seeing Xiao Bao so exhausted, Huai En had no choice but to lead him off the main road and into a deep forest. They found an abandoned temple to rest in.yZDtilJasumvwPIGPaQlfYMHNdsyNH

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Xiao Bao’s face fell immediately upon seeing the dilapidated, drafty structure. “Didn’t we pass an inn on our way here? It’s only a stick of incense’s time back. Why rest in a place like this? This isn’t fit for people.”AAlMIyCreroRdsSWERVJKTpDurmFnK

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Huai En glared at him, “If you want comfort everywhere you go, you might as well go back and have Zhao Cai and Jin Bao prepare a carriage with soft beds for you. You can be as comfortable as you like.”pZLullZKbXOdYChZoCBficJwthoHXf

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Xiao Bao grumbled, “But we don’t have to stay in a place like this. It’s so eerie. Who knows if there’s anything unclean here?”CRWNNXPUNFalaYHrrjkLqXndLuqsRx

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“In that case, we can continue traveling. But we’ll still have to sleep in places like this. Otherwise, within two days, your family will definitely find us.”IXljJoQCqjMkRBQffGZfwmvxIOySqP

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Xiao Bao’s face showed utter despair. He stood helplessly in the desolate temple, looking at the broken statues and furniture around him. The floor was covered with a thick layer of dust that showed footprints with every step. The beams were draped with cobwebs, and the roof leaked wind.bBZNoMAuGPMhRnYlHOrvxXPRtDJjxD

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How was he supposed to sleep here?mDORJsQILtxlBLxqTcVgDSwWWirksC

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Having been pampered all his life, Xiao Bao had never endured such hardship. If it weren’t for Huai En being with him, he would have thrown a tantrum long ago. He dared not act spoiled in front of Huai En.AgzhmvhKVWfCsUsScBUzWYKNUwCkDO

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While Hesitating, he saw Huai En place a wooden plank on the ground, pull out two pieces of clothing from his bag to use as bedding, and lie down. Huai En even gave him a look, inviting him to join.pjkyoUwzKTQirnTsdyjvLJvzqrcwOp

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Reluctantly, Xiao Bao walked over, feeling it almost impossible to lie down in such conditions.aHscELepSimnpRZIoMUIGJBhxbPOVr

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Huai En, impatient, pulled him down roughly. The plank was quite wide, and while their legs would have to stick out, there was enough room for two people to lie down. Unfortunately, Huai En didn’t consider controlling his strength, and Xiao Bao’s knees hit the ground full of dust and gravel, causing him to cry out in pain.XkefGMbYUzFxmlsLlnbEuadMTwDgcC

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Frowning, Huai En pulled him up and made him sit on the plank, looking at his pained expression. “Why are you so useless? It’s just a minor injury, can’t you endure it?”NvSgyxHsKYNCGNxBlFPIWHchgbSxCu

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Having to stay in this dilapidated temple was already enough to make Xiao Bao angry, and now being scolded like this made him feel even more wronged. He had always been afraid of pain, and he had suffered more injuries since meeting Huai En than he had in his entire life before. But in Huai En’s world, there was probably only himself. Even if he explained that people are different, Huai En would only think he was useless and wouldn’t feel the slightest guilt for accidentally hurting him.MWdqezGHzOxyygmbQEyZZaMxGFWUkO

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Xiao Bao didn’t dare to talk back, fearing that Huai En might leave in a fit of anger. He lay down beside him in silence.PeKUzTZExeFfrFiypgaAAoMPbwINrm

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This was the first time Xiao Bao lay with his back to Huai En. Normally, no matter how hot it was, he would cling to him as much as possible, always trying to get close. But now, facing away from him, Huai En suddenly felt he couldn’t tolerate it, it was unbearable.AZgeOMXNNogKIVEJhcuOazATuiOslR

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He forcefully turned Xiao Bao around, wanting to question him but unable to speak. With an angry face, he lay down, pulling Xiao Bao into his arms with such force that it hurt.dgpGoCOyoqufuRRJxqrtXjjpCAhabA

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In the quiet temple, with not a sound around, Xiao Bao could hear that although Huai En had his eyes closed, his breathing was unsteady. He wanted to tell Huai En that his wrist was pressing against his spine and it hurt, but he didn’t dare, fearing Huai En would again scold him for being useless.lEerzfcXWUDNKLFVjOCyopPXmyNSHe

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So he gently moved, trying to adjust to a more comfortable position. As soon as he moved, Huai En’s eyes opened immediately, flashing with anger and warning.KAWRCdcYLOnuyPPhgaTnTXWiGnyqOX

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Xiao Bao had no idea what was wrong with him again. Huai En’s thoughts were too deep, his moods unpredictable, and Xiao Bao couldn’t figure him out.pLVlmPJKGToXSUjBDBEhZGgwvBmNoN

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He had to explain, “I’m getting some clothes to cover us…”IpSOOIcKHSEokSSxFkQiySqLgDvurG

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Only then did Huai En relax his grip. Xiao Bao sighed in relief, got up, and opened the cloth bundle, taking out all the clothes. After thinking for a moment, he carefully spread them over Huai En.ogUtlxVYEuCenEyDpdvBkCdbFVAGyR

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Huai En watched his actions. “What are you doing?”DnzNfghaNrccveLeclAvwgdanBEKeH

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“You’re so thin, you must be cold.”uifAsQXPFjenbFaVaaWWlNPebQMxLs

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Huai En’s expression softened as he pulled Xiao Bao closer, covering him with the clothes instead. “I won’t be cold.”SjfHzBWoMpYUIfMMeDdjggYuOBQaKa

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“How can you not be cold? Don’t worry about me, I have more flesh.”MhaWydpNTVXefyaTSyGAiOmRCQeKmk

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Huai En placed his hand on Xiao Bao’s back and slowly applied pressure. Xiao Bao felt a warm current rising from his spine, gradually spreading throughout his body, bringing a sense of comfort.qCUjVnbQbnbZzEeERwTBiRxLVikgOG

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Xiao Bao blinked, “This technique is amazing.”gOIVkipnOPuHUdHkIowZRmYKuNbNXk

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Huai En chuckled softly, “That’s why I’m not cold.”NyybbEOeKOMztRXUrzHkMgOUBkyEes

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He held Xiao Bao, burying his face in Xiao Bao’s shoulder, feeling both warm and comfortable.gNTAKzKtDioYYTIpxufSlnbWCfSQdZ

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He liked the scent of Xiao Bao, warm and slightly milky, which made him feel at ease.uzTUDqFYzYOvKRgYSVhMcWKfNJJQmy

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When he was very young, he had once foolishly asked his father what his mother was like. His father, who usually wouldn’t waste a single word on him, would change completely when talking about his mother. His expression would soften, and his voice would warm. He said that his mother was a very beautiful and warm woman.rTeqdFRDzBLPoHxPoMePAAMaGWplHe

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Warm. He had never understood what that meant, but now it seemed he did. Holding someone like this, someone who wouldn’t harm him, someone whose presence he didn’t mind, someone whose foolish words he could tolerate, it made him feel warm. Not just physically warm, but a warmth in his heart.UwpUlcJoMsxcFEKzsfKgDkfnGSTMOA

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He had never experienced this before, didn’t know how to describe it, but it was a warmth from inside out, a warmth that made him not want to let go. Perhaps this was what his father had meant.fyuTNAybAUjalslQgUdvCzyYClHGXR

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So, was his feeling for Xiao Bao the same as his father’s feeling for his mother?ZTgOpBkrKpjtIAjulItYUSQUDcDzHM

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Huai En was confused.MVdKahHmIJjuYmyuWTOuOUWITtYSPh

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What was his father’s feeling for his mother?KLvwhKgFGAZidsgdWtLbiHydicimNM

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If Xiao Bao died, would he spend his life avenging him?VgKXHUgcFgKnVlpeXclpqXuGrkabcN

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Probably, since he had nothing else to do.dmvJadrCCtVLWUpxDJyhKiLHdGKaJR

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Would he remember him for a lifetime and secretly cry?UIFzsHObqMhzpwFfZcJsJLzrWCkNYT

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Probably not. There was no one he cared enough about to make him understand heartbreak.PUGZZKiTRNZSEXFFPgRjMvsfLZGjwx

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Huai En really didn’t understand what Xiao Bao meant to him. If Xiao Bao was just a useful tool, he shouldn’t be hesitating. If he felt for Xiao Bao as his father did for his mother, he didn’t know what that should be like. That was what people called a couple, right?gNlBnMZyagvedwoRTzNZtYuTszCdaE

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He held Xiao Bao tightly. All he knew was that he didn’t want to let go. Maybe he should ask Xiao Bao. If Xiao Bao wanted him to treat him as his father treated his mother, he might agree.HNFOtVJAGwzIFwAogdjmzNmqMYbEyV

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He didn’t have much concept of emotions, but his father’s deep, unwavering love for his mother, although he found it foolish, had affected him. His own desires were minimal, and his feelings towards people were as shallow as water. Since he and Xiao Bao had already been intimate, it seemed they should spend their lives together.eUdunurfWOPFCHRTDKqiVxvZWuUgAZ

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He always thought that once he repaid his father’s debt for raising him, with no more obligations, he could roam the world freely, not needing anyone’s company. But the pleasure of intimacy, the comfort of being cared for, made having someone by his side not so unbearable. Since there was already such a person, then let it be this person.yXpZirOklxzhWdwuUgFSRIBfSeUZev

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His whole life, he didn’t know what he wanted or what he wanted to do. Even if he left Tong Sect one day, he wouldn’t know where to go. If there was such a person, making him his responsibility would at least keep him from having nothing to do.fbPRwuenRDuSrezMdRQTtTvKuhpApM

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So if Xiao Bao remained obedient and beseeched him, once he accomplished his task, he might consider agreeing.kLxuEFjuhfHOQzcaClVNeofxIaLyTs

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If he were to treat Xiao Bao as his father treated his mother, then Xiao Bao would have to treat him as his mother treated his father.wfKtlaAYDViZpWutuELNcaQNLSToZJ

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Huai En was confused again. How did his mother treat his father? What did Xiao Bao think?ItKOdkQgipvNhpmbYLmIgIpquYkmVb

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These things seemed to be more perplexing than any life-and-death situations he had faced. No one had ever taught him, and his pride wouldn’t allow him to ask such foolish questions. He even felt that after all this thinking, he didn’t know how to treat Xiao Bao.OluYIafiXbVyaiCmVvvAetOBstrmnh

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He looked at the person in his arms, who had already fallen asleep from exhaustion, with long eyelashes casting shadows over dark circles under his eyes. His breathing was steady, and he slept soundly.TlYxIMKupbTKGsvzELvzPxNbpmotAm

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Huai En, however, couldn’t fall asleep no matter what.jDRGaXTEoIzwoCGNCAuknWzDmPuexf

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SB’s Note: Thank you, Sedirea Japonica, for your generous support on Ko-fi! The next “extra” chapter is dedicated to you—enjoy!💕💕kSKDPWoIoteURrqOBmzHGwLciYWHuT

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