To Raise a Soul 56.2

Quick recap since it’s been a while since the last update: 

Yu Zhen’s half brother, Lin Zouwei, stole Yin Le’s mini peach wood sword. Because of that, Yu Zhen’s biological father, Zou Chengjing, showed up at Yin Le’s school. Yu Zhen showed off a bit of his cultivation power, getting his father and half brother to apologize for the theft issue.

Office hours were not yet over, but Qiu Feiqian had already rushed home. It was obvious that she had heard about Yin Le’s incident from Weng Xiping.  

“Why are you hiding? Is there any use in hiding? Show me your arm, let me see it!” Frowning, anxious and angry, Qiu Feiqian grabbed Yin Le, who had attempted to escape upstairs.

Yin Le became docile and stretched out his arm. He repeated the words he’d used to coax Yu Zhen on Qiu Feiqian.

“Honestly, I take my eye off you for one day and something happens. Sit down. Tell me exactly what happened today.” With worry in her heart, she held Yin Le’s arm at an uninjured spot. After tossing his schoolbag onto a couch, she sat down and adopted an attitude of “we’re going to have a nice, long talk”.  

Yin Le looked pitifully towards Yu Zhen, beseeching his help.

“It’s useless for you to look to other people today. You’re grown up now. You even know how to fight. Xiao Zhen, make some honey water and bring it over. I’ve asked Hu Ma to make some snacks that you like. Bring some of those too.”

Yu Zhen had opened his mouth but promptly shut it after hearing her words. He gave Yin Le a sympathetic but helpless look, then left for the kitchen.

Yin Le’s heart turned to dust. He gave up struggling for his freedom. He lowered his head and honestly explained what had happened.

Qiu Feiqian exploded in a rage. “How ridiculous! He stole your things and still dared to injure you? Zou Chengjing is it? That should be that son-in-law who married into the Lin family. He just has an adoptive father with a little bit of status. He dared to bully our family? He must consider everyone else beneath him!”

Yu Zhen’s heart was moved by her words. He set down the snacks and took his seat.

“Mom, he has already apologized. Don’t be angry.” Yin Yan brought out a new pot of chrysanthemum tea which could reduce her internal heat^[1]. “Try this, Yu Zhen made it himself.”

“How does that count as an apology? How can smashing his own jade pendant count as an apology?” The more she spoke, the angrier she became. However, she didn’t forget to take a sip from the chrysanthemum tea that Yin Yan had just brought out. She praised, “This tea tastes good. It’s more fragrant and soothing than the one I’m used to drinking.”

“What’s more fragrant and soothing?” After Yin Hexiang heard of what happened, he quickly concluded the tasks at hand and then rushed home. Spotting Yin Le, he frowned and continued, “Speak. What’s this about you getting into a fight at school today?”

Yin Le wailed in anguish and dragged a pillow to his side. He burrowed his head into it and wished he could die.    

Seeing that Yin Le was finding the situation unbearable, Yu Zhen took the initiative to welcome Yin Hexiang back and have him sit down. He took Yin Le’s place to give a full run-down of the events that had transpired. At the same time, he shifted the topic of conversation to Zou Chengjing, trying to probe for information about the man.

“Zou Chengjing.” Yin Hexiang tapped his knee and frowned. “This man is out of the country all year round. I’ve only met him a few times. A few years ago, Qiu Feixiong had thought about doing business with him and asked me to get in contact with him. But I didn’t do that. That guy looks good-natured and reliable but is too glib, so it’s not suitable to get close to him.”

At the mention of Qiu Feixiong, Qiu Feiqian’s expression turned complicated. She quickly covered it up and said, “Why didn’t I know about that? Were you hiding it from me?”

“It was mostly because your relationship with them wasn’t good at that time,” Yin Hexiang vaguely explained. Qiu Feiqian understood that the issue must’ve happened quite early on. At the time, Qiu Xiehua hadn’t yet become muddle-headed. Her relationship with her family didn’t amount to much. Yin Hexiang likely didn’t bring it up so that she wouldn’t be annoyed by it.

The mood was somewhat low when Yin Yan suddenly said, “That Zou Chengjing looks a little like Yu Zhen.” 

The whole family was stunned by his words, especially Yu Zhen who turned to look at Yin Yan. Practically forgetting the setting, Yu Zhen pressed a hand on Yin Yan’s leg and slightly shook his head.

He didn’t want the Yin family to know he had such a terrible father.

[You’re now on opposing sides with Zou Chengjing. The earlier you tell Mom and Dad about it, the earlier they can make preparations. Otherwise, Zou Chengjing might harm you later on.]

The hand on Yin Yan’s thigh trembled. With his eyes drooped, Yu Zhen retracted his hand.

All kinds of things made it clear that Zou Chengjing was not a good person. Yu Zhen had used cultivator techniques against the man, so judging by his nature and way of doing things, he truly might retaliate against the Yin family.  

That’s something I never want to see happen. I was mistaken and should have told them sooner. 

Sensing his acceptance, Yin Yan took hold of his hand and gently squeezed it. Looking at Qiu Feiqian, Yin Yan continued, “From some angles, Zou Chengjing’s son, Lin Zouwei, looks similar to Yu Zhen.”

The hint was too obvious. Qiu Feiqian frowned and looked at Yu Zhen who, with his head hanging low, appeared to be dispirited. A not-so-wonderful conjecture formed in her mind. Qiu Feiqian hesitantly asked, “Xiao Yan, what do you mean by that?”

Yin Le blurted, “How are they similar? Yu Ge is so handsome and the Lin-Zou father and son pair are so ugly. Da Ge your eyesight is too bad.”

Yin Yan glared at him, causing Yin Le to choke up. However, he was unwilling to stay silent. Glancing at Yu Zhen with worry, Yin Le whispered, “They really aren’t alike. Yu Ge is so good looking…”

“Dad, Mom.” Yu Zhen had sorted out his mood. He looked at the two of them and his grip on Yin Yan’s hand tightened. “My parents actually didn’t pass away early. I was actually abandoned by my parents. My father’s name is Yu Jincheng. It’s… very similar to Zou Chengjing ^[2].”

Jincheng. Chengjing. Isn’t that basically just switching the words around? The clue is too obvious.

Yin Le was shocked while Qiu Feiqian and Yin Hexiang quickly realized the seriousness of the issue.

Zou Chengjing had married into the Lin family. If Yu Zhen really was a secret child…

The couple frowned and looked at each other. Qiu Feiqian muttered to herself for a few seconds, then she said, “Xiao Zhen, don’t think about this too much. Your dad and I will investigate Zou Chengjing first. Don’t worry, it doesn’t matter whose child you are or what you have experienced in life. It doesn’t change that you are a person of our Yin family. Don’t feel burdened, do you understand?” 

One of the reasons that Yu Zhen was afraid to tell Yin Hexiang and Qiu Feiqian about Zou Chengjing was because he was afraid of becoming estranged from them for having such a father. 

It wasn’t that he doubted the moral standing of Yin Hexiang and Qiu Feiqian, but he cared about the issue too much and so he worried over the gains and losses.

Qiu Feiqian did not question him closely but instead considerately helped him. She took on a consoling attitude which calmed his unsteady heart. Yu Zhen couldn’t help but to move closer and gently hug Qiu Feiqian. With a hoarse voice, he said, “Mom, thank you.”

“It’s nothing. We’re a family, there’s no need to say thanks. Don’t worry, Mom is here. There won’t be a problem.” It was the first time that Qiu Feiqian had seen him like that. She hugged him and patted him on the back as her heart almost melted. 

Qiu Feiqian had two sons. Before the car accident, the eldest stubbornly argued with the family for the sake of a woman. Meanwhile, the second child was like a monkey and wasn’t considerate at all. It was a pity, but it was only after her two sons had grown up that she had felt the touching warmth of a mother-son connection with Yu Zhen.

Yin Le remained shocked. I don’t understand how me getting into a fight got Yu Zhen involved.

He peeked at Yin Yan, eyes filled with curiosity and his wish to appease. He hoped he could help smooth things out.  

“Talk less, study more, and go rest.” Yin Yan calmly tossed out those seven words, which were barely enough to be considered proper speech.

Yin Le: “…”

What kind of crappy brother is this? Can I trade him in for an exchange?

Before going to bed, Yu Zhen washed his face and brushed his teeth as usual. As soon as he left the bathroom, Yin Yan pulled him into a hug and swiftly kissed him on the forehead.

“Sorry, I didn’t consult you before telling Mom and Dad about your personal matter.”

“It’s nothing. I know you were doing it for my own good. That really was the best time to talk about it.” He returned the hug and leaned most of his weight on Yin Yan.

At the time, Qiu Feiqian and Yin Hexiang’s dissatisfaction with Zou Chengjing could almost break through the limits of the sky. Yin Yan had hinted at the issue with his vague words. It gave Qiu Feiqian and Yin Hexiang enough for them to fill in the blanks. It naturally set up Yu Zhen on the opposing side against Zou Chengjing, and quickly had Qiu Feiqian drawing him into a protected circle. 

If Yu Zhen’s thoughts hadn’t been disturbed by Zou Chengjing’s appearance, and if he’d been thinking with a cool head, he would have decided to speak out about the issue. 

Yin Yan firmly hugged Yu Zhen and gently touched his hair, silently giving him comfort. 

Yu Zhen rubbed his head against Yin Yan’s shoulder, then raised his head and kissed him on the chin.

After a pause, Yin Yan bowed his head and responded to the kiss. The action was gentler than it had been in the past, and it brought a sense of comfort. 

They soon fell on the bed. Yu Zhen stripped off his shirt and grinded against Yin Yan.

However, Yin Yan’s actions were restrained. His hands remained at Yu Zhen’s shoulders, not moving downwards the slightest bit.

“Yin Yan…” Yu Zhen quietly called out.

Reason was on the verge of collapse. Yin Yan observed Yu Zhen’s low mood and need to be comforted. His brows pulled together as he pressed down against Yu Zhen. 

Once he decided to be intimate, Yin Yan’s overbearing passion immediately sprang forth. Yu Zhen quickly became limp on the bed and his low mood disappeared. His cheeks turned rosy and tears gathered in his eyes. 

Yin Yan touched Yu Zhen, starting from his face and tracing a path down to his belly button. He hooked his fingers on Yu Zhen pants, then pulled them off. 

As per usual, he let Yu Zhen vent once first. Although Yu Zhen appeared so tired he couldn’t move, his hands roamed over Yin Yan’s body. Yin Yan grabbed a roving hand, gently kissed it, then reached out his own hand in preparation for enjoying his own happiness. 

However, Yu Zhen turned away unexpectedly and stuffed something in his own mouth. Then, as quick as lightning, he kissed Yin Yan and fed him the item which was pressed between his lips.

The medicinal fragrance began to spread, the excited body quickly turned cold, and the hint of an immortal’s aura reappeared.

“Although I understand that you did it for me, that doesn’t mean I’m not angry. Punishment is still needed.” Yu Zhen backed away from Yin Yan. Finding a lofty reason for his teasing, he didn’t bother putting on his clothes and simply laid on the bed completely bare. He pulled up a blanket, turned around and yawned. “It’s late, let’s sleep. Goodnight.”

Yin Yan: “…”

With no reverence for the master, nor respect for reason, he kicked Yin Yan. “Turn off the light. It’s too bright.” An arm and a leg were left exposed outside of the blankets, making him more alluring than if he had been completely exposed. 

Yin Yan’s gaze darkened.

Pulled by spiritual energy, a pill floated over.

“You have to pay attention to your Taoist heart.” Yu Zhen shut his eyes and “considerately” reminded him. 

Yin Yan looked down at the back of Yu Zhen’s head.

One, two, three… In three seconds, the pill fell onto the blankets. Yu Zhen’s body was relaxed and he fell asleep.

“…”

Yin Yan picked up the pill on the blanket and pinched it. Unable to bear it, he reached out for the exposed leg, thinking that he would give it a pinch as punishment. In the end, he touched it gently and moved the leg under the blanket.

The sound of steady breathing reached his ears. Stretching his awareness, Yin Yan leaned down and listened to Yu Zhen’s steady heartbeats. He lowered his head and kissed Yu Zhen’s exposed shoulders. 

“…… Evil disciple.”

In the middle of the might, Yu Zhen became restless. The sprout in Yu Zhen’s dantian swayed slightly as if it had been disturbed.

Yin Yan’s eyes opened. He sat up and watched Yu Zhen sleep uneasily. He coldly looked in a certain direction in the dim light. Waving a hand, he covered Yu Zhen’s body with spiritual energy, cutting off an external pull on Yu Zhen’s dantian. Then, Yu Zhen’s dantian settled back to normal.

“Xu Wu.”

A white dango ^[3] appeared, and following the rules, it lay down beside the bed.

“Go and have a look.”

Xu Wu meowed. It turned around and, in the blink of an eye, disappeared into thin air.

After watching it leave, Yin Yan leaned down and pulled Yu Zhen into his arms and gave in to the urge to pat him. “Unexpectedly, you used the spare seeds which were for practicing cultivation. Do you want to be eaten in return?”

Yu Zhen had been half-awakened by the disturbances. After being patted, he completely woke up. He blearily opened his eyes and looked blankly at Yin Yan’s face, which was close to his own. Then he turned his head and glanced at the hand placed at the small of his back. His expression seemed to say that a belief of his had just collapsed.

It’s the middle of the night and Yin Yan actually secretly got up to… spank me?

The air stilled and Yu Zhen bowed his head. Quietly, he shuffled out of Yin Yan’s arms. He buried himself further into the blankets, leaving only his buttocks exposed. Red-faced, he warbled in a quiet voice, “You… If you want to… spank, spank away. I can take it. You don’t need to be sneaky… I will be accepting of you.”

Yin Yan: “…”

“I won’t laugh at you! Really! Having a slightly special urge is normal! You-you can bring it on!” Yu Zhen turned his head and shut his eyes, assuming the position of a fearless sacrifice.

Yin Yan: “…”

Evil disciple! Evil disciple! Evil disciple!