Blooming Flowers, Silent Sorrow

Translator: Silvery Butterfly
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Su Yin was eighteen days older than Xiao Bao.VvxhajuclFYwYUrEhfiFfgEcfFvRHF

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It seemed that because of these eighteen days, he was destined to look after Xiao Bao for a lifetime.jlMjdMyvzDGWbRpGdbAIOhLDtIpiZK

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The chubby little fool who had been hanging around him since he could remember—his childhood memories of Xiao Bao were filled with nothing but endless annoyance. The adults were always saying, “Ah, Su Yin is eighteen days older than Xiao Bao. Su Yin is the gege; he has to play with Xiao Bao, take care of Xiao Bao, and look after Xiao Bao properly. You have to do this for Xiao Bao, and you mustn’t do that to Xiao Bao.”fCPjnXlHFhswxYCnzLqQKRErOyqMCi

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Even though going up trees to raid bird nests, going down to the river to catch fish, or sneaking vegetables like cucumbers, potatoes, and corn on his own could be a bit lonely, taking along a little piglet who couldn’t climb trees, swim, or steal vegetables, and who couldn’t get hurt, thirsty, or hungry, was much harder to bear than loneliness. So the more Xiao Bao wanted to follow him, the more Su Yin refused to let him. He often made Xiao Bao cry, and in the end, it was always him who got scolded harshly by his father. Then he would compromise. He found that having Xiao Bao as a tagalong had its perks—Xiao Bao would bring him delicious food and fun things to win his favor and was especially obedient, doing whatever Su Yin told him to without question. Xiao Bao never lied to him and didn’t dare throw any spoiled young master tantrums at him. All Su Yin had to do was be Xiao Bao’s laoda, make sure no one bullied him, and let Xiao Bao follow him around as they showed off, with Xiao Bao basking in his reflected glory.wPyhBCMdagaQWNojppFHptYOxapaoL

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As they grew older, Xiao Bao had Zhao Cai and Jin Bao, found his own hobbies, and slowly made friends of his own. He didn’t cling to Su Yin as much as he used to. Oddly enough, Su Yin felt a bit out of place with this. At that point, Uncle Jin began to say, “Ah, Su Yin is eighteen days older than Xiao Bao, so he’s more sensible and capable. He should guide Xiao Bao and teach him more.” And so, Su Yin naturally started interfering in Xiao Bao’s life again. But this time, it was Xiao Bao who grew impatient. Su Yin couldn’t tolerate that—Xiao Bao was supposed to listen to him; it was only right. After all, he was eighteen days older and Xiao Bao was so silly. No matter how impatient Xiao Bao got, Su Yin felt secure in the knowledge that Xiao Bao wouldn’t dare defy him.brEjNDrJrlTcFpIFgUFCJzRfVxDyUr

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Taking care of Xiao Bao had become a responsibility, almost like an instinct. Even if this was something ingrained over time, it was still his duty. Just like when they were kids, making sure Xiao Bao didn’t get hurt, go hungry, or feel sad or wronged was his responsibility.IvRzLNRojiYLujQsRAaUyFRZZDTAYd

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But how had their carefree, well-protected Xiao Bao ended up like this?gHlCUnCAiqsOeiyBXrYQCOZpzvmxgS

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He had only been gone a few days, yet the Xiao Bao he saw now was nothing like the spirited boy in his memory—the one with innocent, slightly mischievous eyes, a bright smile full of confidence and vitality. Now, Xiao Bao lay lifelessly on the bed, several sizes smaller, his hair disheveled, clothes dirty, his face etched with exhaustion. And that wasn’t even mentioning the nightmares lurking within him.gDAdjmVXtVjRNKlWPARshwtqnbmurB

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Su Yin gently used a cloth to wipe away the tear stains on Xiao Bao’s face. Just moments ago, Xiao Bao had clutched his clothes and cried until his voice was hoarse, a sound so heart-wrenching that it made Su Yin feel like he was suffocating. When he had made Xiao Bao cry as a child, Su Yin had always found it amusing, but he had never heard such crying before—so sorrowful, so full of despair.YzIqpNafKnCKeWXxckDXQvUYHnYNQB

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Who dared to make Xiao Bao that heartbroken, that desperate?GhFXIWmvSBuMmoOpFNpsUwlYXxLBTy

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After wiping his face, Su Yin’s long fingers gently combed through Xiao Bao’s hair. The face beneath the tousled locks was both familiar and unfamiliar. The smile Su Yin remembered couldn’t possibly merge with the sorrowful expression Xiao Bao wore now.KsBwPQeqbBaTreetSRiibFKzEycUmE

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A soft knock sounded at the door. Su Yin paused, then stood up, gently closing the door behind him as he stepped out.vWtHedCamxbqEEPjBvoYrpMFjhzQGD

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“Young Master.”oVZFcJawGnEVhCGJrVZbeNkTrcVuYt

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“What is it? Speak.”FORGjgzHzBqEqwNcOaCNuQDTegUgHY

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“Zong Zheng Huai En’s men are tracking us. If we remain here too long, they’ll find us soon.”SxHkGWluuHHHLFVCzVLeuFFnVxAaaK

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Su Yin’s eyes darkened. “Then let them come. I could use a messenger. Has Que Siming set off?”tIlywzUxfwdSIcnsiAuwfRvDYaHNaU

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“Master Que is already on the road. He should reach Dali in five or six days.”BxYBZuuhwcUhhWXvOMYLvtTxyVVREc

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“And the route for our departure, is that arranged?”GujddHlOfHwDXsEQnoHUzKQBrJzxBK

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“Please rest assured, Young Master. Everything has been arranged. However, Master Jin is still unconscious and cannot leave at the moment.”wYYmxMIafdDjOZPuwlrFKfMROHeqkm

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“Once Master Jin is well enough, we’ll set off immediately. There can be no delays.”nLRPHJZTztNxiuuFTpUrNHFunzeibF

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“Yes, Young Master.”XsOaDHHtNaAgiuCsouMmIFNSGQRUHq

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Su Yin sighed and turned back into the room.NpafYDRIqhfivOjAqNdOmwypSxevgO

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When he entered, he saw that Xiao Bao had already sat up, staring blankly out the window.DewgDiKSlotlQNKVDcpSOhDIJlcpXd

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Su Yin’s heart tightened, and he quickly approached, cautiously calling out, “Xiao Bao?”jELHPwbWvpzPlUsPrrUJlYzAriUjED

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Xiao Bao turned his head and stared at him in a daze.GrpBJUcHNbnUlkRwpmRKginXTkGfDi

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Su Yin’s heart pounded as he asked softly, “Xiao Bao? You’re awake? Not sleeping anymore? Are you hungry?”sQPZtJexJUnblKuCOvXszEyyxIhbvT

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Xiao Bao blinked, then suddenly smiled. “Of course I’m hungry. I couldn’t sleep because I was too hungry. What took you so long to come and save me?”oMwbvfGsAAkPgjSDUHINxNWKBeHSYS

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Su Yin was taken aback. “Are you alright?”tnwYKkHeAbvAIbZkKywdVvkPYWipLp

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Xiao Bao shrugged casually, then suddenly asked, “Where are my father and mother?”SgMxAVhtmfUwsnagEfLMhISwLeZwKy

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“Uncle Jin is still unconscious, but the doctor said he’s fine. Auntie is exhausted; she’s been asleep for a whole day and hasn’t woken up yet.”TpyGcdYlvODbVTANNEPUdbcTrYgZnS

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Xiao Bao nodded, lifted the blanket, and dangled his little legs over the edge of the bed, swinging them back and forth. He stared at his feet for a while before raising his head to look at Su Yin, speaking with utmost seriousness, “Su Yin, I won’t cry anymore. Just now was the last time I cried.”BqIfGRWxvyBWaKTfJZcUePCnLvAKUC

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Su Yin looked at him in silence.JRQtjuIcEizYbUMXqQZIJuFEblbowR

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“You see… my family is in such a state… I was deceived… lost all face. Now I’m pretty much half a cripple… There’s less and less I can do. This body… I told you… it won’t last more than a few years. I haven’t even been filial to my parents. Zhao Cai Jin Bao has followed me for so many years, and I haven’t found wives for them yet. And Xiao Yu, I need to find her. Crying is useless now. After all, I am a man. I didn’t understand this before, but now it’s not my turn to throw tantrums. Don’t you think? I won’t cry anymore.”xhAVplnuJpZljYdUXgaBxxsguomIkC

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Su Yin patted his head, his hand trembling slightly, “You have me.”cXovOoQRUVcapwPrAYOFcKgcRyqmxb

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Xiao Bao gave a somewhat forced smile, “You’ve been really good to me. At least we don’t have to be executed. You don’t know, just thinking about getting beheaded scared me to death. When I was in the dungeon, I kept thinking, what if one stroke doesn’t kill me? How much would that hurt? I couldn’t sleep at all thinking about it.” He couldn’t help but laugh, “Actually, all those times you scolded me, I understood. I was pretty useless. I thought I could be rich forever, always be the young master. But… but I didn’t think I was stupid, just didn’t want to put in the effort. Turns out you were right, I’m hopelessly dumb. I won’t be foolish anymore.”DxgATGOqXNCDLHZIuQJyoXKwqxWhtS

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Seeing Xiao Bao’s stiff smile, Su Yin felt his whole being swell with emotions. The accumulated grief and guilt over the days burned into a growing violent rage. The Xiao Bao who had been forced to mature, the Xiao Bao who had no choice but to be sensible, the Xiao Bao who could never return to the past, almost suffocated him. He just wanted to tear Zong Zheng Huai En to shreds!RRqhDcUPhFgAitBWtkAPEyVjbncIcc

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Su Yin sat beside Xiao Bao, casually putting an arm around his shoulders like brothers, and said calmly, “You don’t need to worry about anything. With me here, I will make sure you live as happily as before. I will heal your body, and I will avenge you.”wDNtTLuvppDbApXNBqqjCJperrUUMS

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Xiao Bao’s body visibly stiffened. He instinctively touched his chest, but the small wooden box given to him by Lord Shen was gone. Perhaps it had fallen in the dungeon, in Suzhou City, or on the main road. He didn’t care anymore. Losing it was good—anything related to that person was a burden.oAuedBdfaAPXYUeZrGqdPJWPRjRkFd

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Xiao Bao said softly, “In the future, I don’t want to know anything about him. Jin Xiao Bao died with the Jin family. I won’t have any more connections with him.”rTFXYKcuBfWUjvAsMHLSxXcQAKGjdp

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Su Yin patted his shoulder and said solemnly, “You won’t have any more connections.”CqNDklPPQaXUteUbCdHqmuzRZnZvXZ

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Xiao Bao nodded, jumping off the bed, “I’m going to see my father.”VuTCCkqtUPgrHTAhiySITQmjpIEMyR

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“No rush, Uncle Jin hasn’t woken up yet. You should take a bath first, then eat something. When Uncle Jin wakes up, I will take you all to Dali.”ctJnhkGcNlnbYmKfEyYRBHOrfoyHoG

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