To Raise a Soul 52.1

Qiu Feiqian visited Yu Zhen to show him the packaging designs for the perfumes. During the New Year’s celebrations, when she had said that she wanted to start a perfume line with Yu Zhen, she hadn’t been joking. Although there were delays due to the Qiu family matters, preparations were underway.  

“There are three proposals, pick the one you prefer. You can bring up any requests. We can keep making changes.”

The three booklets were placed on the coffee table, arranged in a neat line. The booklet covers only had numbers on them, their simplicity made it easy to differentiate between them.

As Qiu Feiqian spoke, she took out a project plan and placed it on the table. “The detailed plans are here. Have a look through it later. Originally, this was supposed to be shown to you after the three samples were made. After all, it would be easier to observe the object rather than to look at these pictures. But I figured that if you didn’t like these proposals, or if you had other ideas, it would’ve been pointless to make the samples. So I came to see you first.”

Yu Zhen nodded. He picked up a booklet and flipped through it, attempting to use formal business to distract himself from the stimulating thoughts of that morning and the previous night.

Because he’d needed a cold shower after Yin Yan’s confession, and because he had rushed out, he’d emerged from the room with a casual image. His hair was still half wet and he was still in his pajamas. 

He didn’t notice anything off about himself, especially since he’d worn pajamas in front of Qiu Feiqian while staying at the family villa. However, Qiu Feiqian had sharp eyes and noticed the zoned-out look in his eyes. As soon as Yu Zhen bowed his head, she immediately saw the hickeys on his neck and collarbone. 

Getting up late, showering immediately after getting up, hickeys… Her gaze shifted to her eldest son who was serving up breakfast.

He appeared relaxed and full of spirit. The breakfast in his hand was a sweet congee which was non-greasy and easily digestible.

Last night… seems to have been quite intense.

Sure enough, having a personal space for a couple helps to cultivate feelings.

This old mom is satisfied. After throwing a pleased look in Yin Yan’s direction, she looked around at the apartment once again. 

As she was usually busy, she had only been to the apartment twice. Once, to familiarize herself with the location, and the second time, to find them after losing contact with them. Both times, she had been in a rush and left quickly, meaning she hadn’t gotten a good look at the place.

The apartment was spacious. The decorations were not particularly good, but the furniture was cozy and carefully arranged. There was a long-haired rug under where she sat, and a few cushions were scattered around on the carpet. A few potted plants were placed in front of the French window, and it was framed with subdued yellow curtains along with white window sheers. In the sunlight, it appeared warm and comfortable.

A thin blanket was draped over a sofa armrest, and partially dried flowers sat atop the coffee table alongside books related to flowers and plants. Meanwhile, the laptop which Yin Yan normally used for office work sat quietly on an armchair.

The warm and comfortable atmosphere of the couple’s home filled Qiu Feiqian’s senses. Her mind conjured up the image of her son sitting in the armchair as he worked on his laptop. At the same time, Yu Zhen would sit to one side, immersed in his task of drying flowers. Sweeping her gaze back to Yu Zhen, she smiled and her expression softened. 

Staying with a gentle person means his days will be calm and warm. I can be at ease about my eldest son.

As Yu Zhen finished reading the booklets, he looked up and met Qiu Feiqian’s gaze. Startled, a sense of embarrassment rose up in him. He picked up the second booklet and pushed it over. “Mom, I think this flower-shaped package is very beautiful.”

Qiu Feiqian recovered her senses and saw that Yu Zhen had looked away by lowering his head. Understanding that he was shy, she shifted her gaze and accepted the proffered booklet. Nodding, she replied, “Then we’ll go with this one. I’ll get them to quickly make a sample. Anything you want to change? Don’t hesitate if you have any suggestions. This is your product. It’s all up to you.”

“I don’t have any suggestions. This design is already very good. You found a really good designer, Mom.”

“You have a sweet mouth. You know just how to make Mom happy. Alright, let’s eat breakfast. The congee will be cold soon.” Qiu Feiqian gathered the documents and stored them securely. When she looked back, she saw Yin Yan approach with a towel. Glancing at Yu Zhen’s still-wet hair, her smile deepened. Tactfully, she left for the dining area before the couple. 

 As Yu Zhen stood up, he saw Yin Yan approaching and froze up for a moment. Thinking that he would catch up with Qiu Feiqian, he only managed to take one big step away before Yin Yan’s spiritual energy coiled around him, rooting him to his spot.

“Don’t move.” Yin Yan leaned in closer and placed the towel on his head. As he helped Yu Zhen wipe his hair, he continued, “I’ll go to the plant nursery with you today.” 

After their intimate night, Yu Zhen was very sensitive to Yin Yan’s energy. Although Yin Yan had removed his spiritual energy, Yu Zhen didn’t know what to do with himself or where to place his arms. He lowered his head to let the towel hide his expression and questioned, “But the construction site…?”

“Yesterday, I dealt with all the things which needed to be dealt with. I don’t need to go today. If they have any problems, they’ll call me.” As he helped Yu Zhen towel his hair, Yin Yan also used spiritual energy to help it dry. It wasn’t until Yu Zhen’s hair was almost dry that Yin Yan stopped using his spiritual energy. Shifting aside the towel, he pinched Yu Zhen’s red face and teased, “Feeling shy?”

“I’m not!” Yu Zhen’s denial was immediate, but he turned his head away, not daring to look at Yin Yan. 

With the swift movement of his hands, Yin Yan hooked the towel around Yu Zhen’s neck and pulled him closer. Lowering his head, he dropped a light kiss on Yu Zhen’s lips. 

“Your mouth says one thing, but your heart says otherwise.”

Yin Yan removed the towel and flicked Yu Zhen’s forehead. Then he held Yu Zhen’s hand in his and headed for the dining area. 

Yu Zhen touched his lips and finally looked at Yin Yan. One..  two… three seconds later, Yu Zhen couldn’t help but rush forward and hug Yin Yan’s waist. He glanced up and then impulsively bit down on Yin Yan’s neck. The bite was neither light nor harsh. Quickly, he let go and scrambled away, running for the safety of the dining room.

Yin Yan stood still. He touched the back of his neck and then, after watching the entrance to the dining room for a few seconds, he continued to walk there.

Qiu Feiqian left after breakfast. They escorted her to the elevator before returning to change their clothes. They brought the hua gao with them and headed to the hospital where Tian Xiaojie, the plant nursery owner’s son, was staying.

On the way to the hospital, Yu Zhen’s embarrassment finally subsided. He explained his findings from the previous days in as much detail as he could. 

Yin Yan listened quietly to the explanation. He glanced at Yu Zhen and asked, “What do you think is under the wild herbs?” 

“There are many ways that evil energy can appear. This is a remote mountainside that few people visit. There are no cemeteries nearby, and I didn’t feel any souls nearby, so I think something with evil energy was buried nearby.” With no response from Yin Yan, Yu Zhen asked, “Do you think my guess was right?”

“It sounds reasonable,” Yin Yan replied. He stopped the car inat the hospital’s parking lot and continued, “But your train of thought is too narrow. Think about it some more.”

Seems like I didn’t get it right.

Understanding Yin Yan’s words, he immersed himself in his thoughts and tried to approach it from different angles. 

Yin Yan leaned over and removed Yu Zhen’s seat belt. He stepped out of the car and walked around the front, over to Yu Zhen’s side. Finally, he opened the door and helped the lost-in-thought Yu Zhen out of the car.

The plant nursery’s owner wanted to return to his hometown, meaning his son would return with him and stay at their local hospital. When Yu Zhen and Yin Yan arrived at the hospital room, the family was packing up in preparation for the final discharge procedures.

As soon as Yu Zhen entered the room, he was smacked in the face with evil energy. Immediately, he looked for the source and frowned intensely.

Tian Xiaojie’s condition was far worse than he had expected. The amount of the wild herb thats he had eaten was unimaginable. The evil energy on his body was dense and could almost rival that of an evil cultivator’s. Although he seemed alert and focused, his cheeks were sunken in and his own energy was weak. He seemed ready to meet his end at any moment.

If we don’t do something for Tian Xiaojie, it’s very likely he might die on the train ride home.

His mood iswas quite low. Tian Xiaojie’s condition is too dangerous. A mild treatment like this hua gao is probably not enough.  

[It will be alright.]

His hand was pinched and a familiar spiritual energy surrounded him, protecting him from the evil energy in the hospital ward.

Yu Zhen snapped out of his gloomy thoughts and looked at Yin Yan.

“Don’t worry,” Yin Yan whispered. With small movements from his fingers, the evil energy in the room immediately dissipated. The evil energy on Tian Xiaojie’s body also visibly lessened. “There’s too much evil energy in his body. Find a chance to feed him a lotus seed. It won’t have any side effects.”

They stood very close to each other. Yin Yan had lowered his head when he spoke, causing his warm breath to brush against Yu Zhen’s skin. Remembering their closeness the previous night, Yu Zhen shivered. He brushed away Yin Yan’s hand and rushed into the hospital room.

R-Really. He can talk without leaning in so closely.

Yin Yan felt the emotion within Yu Zhen’s heart. He looked at his hand and rubbed his fingers together.

Tian Yuan was pleasantly surprised by Yu Zhen’s visit. He enthusiastically called him over to sit down, but when he learned that the man behind Yu Zhen was his partner, Tian Yuan noticeably paused.

With the loving look in Yu Zhen’s eyes when he had mentioned his spouse, he’d exuded the distinct feeling of being a “wife’s slave”. Tian Yuan had then assumed that Yu Zhen’s spouse was a cute and lovely young woman. But as it turned out, Yin Yan…

Seeing her husband stare impolitely at Yin Yan, Fang Yun pinched him. Then she greeted Yin Yan and also told him to take a seat.

After a round of greetings, Yu Zhen’s gaze moved to the bed where Tian Xiaojie lay, and he said a few caring and cordial words. 

Tian Xiaojie was somewhat shy and introverted. His response to Yu Zhen’s concerned words was short but polite.

He’s a good boy.

Yu Zhen had a good impression of the boy. Next, Yu Zhen brought out the box of hua gao. As he opened it and offered it to the boy, Yu Zhen said, “I heard that your appetite hasn’t been good since you fell ill. I made these hua gao. The taste is quite good, give it a try.”

As soon as the box was opened, a captivatingly sweet scent drifted into the air, but Tian Xiaojie frowned as if he smelled something foul. 

Tian Yuan and Fang Yun were embarrassed at the sight. They promptly thanked Yu Zhen on behalf of their son and, at the same time, nudged their son, hinting that he should be more respectful. 

Yu Zhen waved his hand and said, “It’s alright, Xiaojie has been taking medicine. Maybe the mix of the smell from the flower and the medicine smell isn’t very pleasant. I was inconsiderate.” Unbothered by Tian Xiaojie’s reaction, he put down the hua gao and fished out a lotus seed, passing it to Tian Xiaojie. “Here, try this. It’s slightly bitter but will help clear out the medicine’s aftertaste.”

The bodhi lotus seed was able to perfectly suppress the evil energy present. Tian Xiaojie’s five senses immediately returned to normal. An impatience overflowed in him as he smelled the fragrance of the lotus seed, and he reached out for it. Quite impolitely, he grabbed the lotus seed and shoved it into his mouth without even peeling the skin. After only a couple of chews, he swallowed it.

His actions made Tian Yuan and Fang Yun feel more embarrassed. Fang Yun patted her son’s shoulder and quietly admonished, “Why are you in such a rush? That was very rude.”

It was only after the lotus seed had settled in his stomach that his actions registered in his mind. Face red, he quickly apologized to Yu Zhen. 

Yu Zhen watched as the evil energy within the boy quickly faded and the energy within him returned to normal. At the same time, his cheeks turned a little rosier. Relieved, Yu Zhen smiled and expressed that it was alright. He reached into a pocket and had Xu Wu place a normal lotus seed there. Then he brought it out and gave it to Tian Xiaojie.

Although it was a normal lotus seed, it had matured in Xu Wu so it carried a trace of spiritual energy. Tian Xiaojie was immediately attracted to the lotus seed and immersed himself in eating it, giving the impression that he had quite a good appetite.

Fang Yun was both elated and embarrassed. Since the start of her son’s illness, his appetite had been rather poor. He wouldn’t eat anything besides the wild herb dumplings. Then, the doctors said he needed to avoid certain foods, so he couldn’t eat the dumplings either. In the end, he became thinner as time went on.

Her son suddenly had a big appetite. Being able to eat was a blessing. Being able to eat likely meant his health was recovering.

Looking at Yu Zhen, she considered him as her family’s lucky star. From the moment they’d met him, their family’s struggles were no longer struggles, and they could have hope again.

This is our benefactor. When we get back home, I have to set up a longevity memorial tablet ^[1] for him.

A small sliver of white light, something different from spiritual energy, flowed from Fang Yun into Yu Zhen’s body. However, Yu Zhen was unaware of it. His attention was fixed on making Tian Yuan eat the hua gao without being obvious about it. He wanted to drive away the blood disaster which would be drawn to him by the evil energy within him.

Seeing the scene before him, Yin Yan gently moved his fingers.

It was a light of faith, something that those who practiced cultivation for a long life would yearn for. Surprisingly, Yu Zhen met a stroke of good luck in a time where faith is lacking.

He is worthy of being my disciple.

He reached out and tousled Yu Zhen’s hair.

Startled, Yu Zhen looked back at him. The gaze that met his own held what appeared to be pride for him. His heart skipped a few beats as Yin Yan smiled at him and gently held his hand.

Tian Xiaojie had finished eating the lotus seed and looked up, seeing the sweet scene unfold. He stared and looked between the two men. He pulled his phone out from under his pillow and stealthily took a picture of that moment.

As someone who hadn’t yet come of age, he didn’t understand love. Thus,the picture he’d had the good luck to take formed his first impression of love.