After Marrying Bigshot Vegetable Boss - Chapter 44

Yu Lan had been smiling, but the bluntness of Chu Wang’s words made him pause.

 

He didn’t know how to react and instinctively lowered his head, trying to avoid eye contact.

 

It was one thing to cry after many years, but crying twice in one day was too much.

 

He took a deep breath, composed himself, and looked up, changing the subject. “I thought you wouldn’t show up.”

 

“I hope what the doctor said is right,” Yu Lan said softly. “He said if things go well, you might wake up in a few days.”

 

Looking up, he saw Chu Wang seemed rather calm about possibly waking up, showing little emotional response and merely nodding.

 

“Why are you so calm about such a big thing?” Yu Lan asked him.

 

Meanwhile, Yu Lan himself was scared almost to the point of losing control, despite knowing the developments.

 

“Sorry.” Chu Wang seemed to sense Yu Lan’s thoughts and gently asked, “Did I scare you?”

 

Yu Lan immediately shook his head. “I… I didn’t mean that.”

 

“You don’t have to apologize to me,” Chu Wang said.

 

Chu Wang didn’t dwell on the matter and changed the topic. “What happened while I wasn’t awake?”

 

He asked casually, but his expression remained serious.

 

Yu Lan didn’t notice the intensity of Chu Wang’s gaze and briefly recounted the morning’s events.

 

Of course, he mainly relayed what the doctor had said, leaving out details like how Chu Wang had unconsciously held him for a long time and how Xi Jun had come over to speak frankly with him.

 

“Anyway, Auntie told me to keep you company and inform her of any changes,” Yu Lan said, glancing at Chu Wang with concern. “Mr. Chu, do you still feel very weak? Is there anything else you’re feeling?”

 

“Just weakness. Other than that… I don’t think there’s anything,” Chu Wang said, even managing a faint smile. “After all, I’m a lamp spirit now.”

 

Yu Lan didn’t know what to say. Whether Chu Wang’s attitude towards such a major issue was exceptional or if he truly didn’t care, Yu Lan couldn’t figure it out.

 

He looked at Chu Wang with wide eyes, his clear pupils blinking, and eventually said, “Never mind.”

 

He was somewhat afraid to look at Chu Wang for too long, fearing his emotions might be detected. He lowered his head shyly. “I hope the lamp spirit wakes up soon.”

 

“So, what wish would you like to make?” Chu Wang recalled his earlier words and asked. “You can state it now.”

 

Initially, Yu Lan would have unhesitatingly shared his previous wishes, such as wanting to study more, having a quiet place to himself, or hoping that the Yu family would stop bothering him.

 

But now, with Chu Wang’s question, Yu Lan realized he hadn’t thought about such things for a long time.

 

“I wish for you to wake up faster,” Yu Lan said somewhat stubbornly. “Can this wish be granted?”

 

Chu Wang seemed to smile, but his weakened soul made even his smile appear somewhat blurred.

 

“Alright,” he said. “Let me try to make an effort and aim to return to my body by tomorrow.”

 

“…” Yu Lan didn’t know how to react and awkwardly said, “That would be best.”

 

“And you’re so weak now,” Yu Lan finally voiced his concern. “What if your soul disappears and you don’t wake up? What then?”

 

Yes.

 

What then?

 

“And what if you wake up and really don’t remember me? What should I do?” Yu Lan asked, holding his breath.

 

“It won’t happen,” Chu Wang said firmly this time.

 

“How can you be so sure? No one can predict these things,” Yu Lan murmured, lowering his head.

 

He wasn’t sure why he was asking these questions, as he was the one who hadn’t given Chu Wang a response. He felt he shouldn’t even be asking.

 

Yu Lan felt somewhat out of place and silently reflected.

 

“My ‘won’t happen’ means,” Chu Wang’s voice, though weak, was still clear, “that even if there is such a possibility, I would still fall in love with you the moment I see you.”

 

Yu Lan blinked, trying hard not to blush too visibly, and replied, “Really?”

 

“Yes,” Chu Wang said, as if still pondering. After a pause, he added, “Here’s the thing.”

 

“If I wake up and truly forget you, then you should ask Zhang Yan for a banner, hang it in my office, and write ‘Chu Wang is morally corrupt, abandoning his new bride.’”

 

“And you know my office password,” he added.

 

“…” Yu Lan was left speechless by Chu Wang’s words. He looked up at him incredulously and asked, “Have you really never been in a relationship?”

 

“Absolutely not,” Chu Wang nodded.

 

“But if you clearly reject me now, then that would be your first heartbreak.”

 

“…………” Yu Lan suspected Chu Wang had somehow become more straightforward after the window had been broken through.

 

Otherwise, how could he have become so direct?

 

“I…” Yu Lan’s lips moved. “You’re not concerned about when you’ll wake up, but instead asking me about this.”

 

Chu Wang seemed to give a faint laugh but didn’t respond.

 

Perhaps he didn’t dare to hold onto any hope, making him cling more to what he desired in the present.

 

He thought with self-mockery.

 

Chu Wang’s vision, now even more blurred than before, focused on Yu Lan’s moving lips. Suddenly, he called out Yu Lan’s name.

 

As expected, Yu Lan stopped mid-sentence when he heard Chu Wang’s voice, his lips slightly parted, with an innocent look.

 

Chu Wang suddenly said.

 

“I really want to hug you.”

 

He saw Chu Wang’s earlobes turn the same water-red color as his lips. For a moment, Yu Lan panicked and turned his head away. Then, feeling that Chu Wang’s words were too abrupt, he lifted his head and called out anxiously, “Chu Wang!”

 

Chu Wang seemed visibly pleased and responded affirmatively.

 

“You didn’t refuse me, did you?” Chu Wang said innocently. “Besides, I can’t actually do it right now.”

 

“Yes, but…” Yu Lan thought that since Chu Wang’s blatant confession, his words had been increasingly beyond his expectations.

 

Which book’s cold villain speaks like this?!

 

Not only does he not resemble a ruthless business tycoon, but he also sounds like a first-time romantic novice.

 

If Yu Lan were the author, he would be shocked at how far the character’s personality had collapsed.

 

However…

 

Thinking about the two main characters in the book, Yu Lan figured that a personality collapse might be normal.

 

He rubbed his flushed ears and decided to overlook Chu Wang’s impractical words for now.

 

The day was already getting dark. Yu Lan walked to the window to pull the curtains, then lay back down to adjust the projection. Suddenly, he remembered the dream he had the previous night.

 

In the dream, Chu Wang remembered the details of his life, recounting what he did at home on weekends and watching projections, which felt unnervingly real.

 

He couldn’t tell Chu Wang about this. Given Chu Wang’s current tendency to say whatever comes to mind, if he found out, he might say something even more shocking.

 

Yu Lan didn’t want to see it but had nothing else to do, so he aimlessly flipped through channels with the remote.

 

The projection screen showed a list of recent viewing records. Scrolling down, he saw the last movie he fell asleep watching, “Ghost,” and a long list of “suggested for you.”

 

Yu Lan became intrigued when he saw an animated movie among the related genres.

 

And he recognized it.

 

Yu Lan’s interest was piqued. He pointed at the projection and asked Chu Wang, “Mr. Chu, I’ve seen this before!”

 

“Do you want to watch it?” Chu Wang asked.

 

Given that no one knew when he would wake up and how long this state of weakness would last, Yu Lan could only passively wait for things to change.

 

Yu Lan shook his head. “It’s okay; we can watch something else.”

 

“But I remember what this movie was about,” he looked up and explained to Chu Wang, “It’s about a male lead who can’t touch humans, or he will disappear. So, the male and female leads can never touch each other throughout their lives. But in the end, there’s an accident, and the male lead finally hugs the female lead before disappearing, leaving only a coat…”

 

Yu Lan’s storytelling wasn’t very engaging, and he scratched his head. “Never mind, you probably wouldn’t like this kind of animated film.”

 

However, as he spoke, he noticed Chu Wang’s already faint presence became even more transparent, making him seem like a soul that could disappear at any moment. Yu Lan was momentarily stunned and mumbled to himself, “But I can still touch you; you won’t disappear.”

 

Chu Wang replied, “I’d rather be a soul who can touch you, even if it comes at such a cost.”

 

Yu Lan was startled by his words. “What are you talking about!?”

 

Who curses their own self like this!

 

“I just want to touch you,” Chu Wang’s words seemed more direct than ever, as if he wanted Yu Lan to see every thought behind them.

 

Yu Lan didn’t know how to respond to each of Chu Wang’s statements.

 

Chu Wang was different from everyone Yu Lan had met. There was nothing about him that was unkind, nor was he completely clueless about romance.

 

But Yu Lan was still scared. He was afraid when hearing Chu Wang’s confessions and, when hearing Xi Jun’s confession and respect, his first reaction was not joy but a vague sense of melancholy.

 

When he was adopted by that family, didn’t they also see him at first sight and excitedly tell the principal, “This child is definitely the most suitable for us”?

 

Yu Lan lowered his head and repeated, “Chu Wang, please don’t say such irrational things.”

 

“I’m just a soul; I’m incomplete, so it’s normal for me to lack reason,” Chu Wang said in the calmest tone, saying something his status should never say.

 

Even while speaking, Chu Wang’s soul became increasingly blurry in the air.

 

Yu Lan felt a pang of anxiety, and without thinking, he got out of bed and went to hold the hand of the man in the treatment room.

 

But this didn’t seem to make any difference to Chu Wang’s current state. He remained faint and slowly fading away.

 

Yu Lan realized that touching him no longer worked and tried to rub the bead on his wrist desperately.

 

Perhaps Chu Wang’s body was really close to waking up. It seemed the bead could only keep his soul here temporarily, and no one knew when it would completely disappear.

 

Noticing this, Yu Lan sat back down in bed, feeling dejected, his shoulders drooping and his spirit low.

 

“Mr. Chu, do you think the cinnabar from the master still works?”

 

He asked Chu Wang but had already moved to the cabinet and expertly retrieved the precious small box.

 

Chu Wang shook his head slowly and hadn’t spoken when Yu Lan said, “Let’s try it.”

 

Seeing Yu Lan’s anxiousness due to his own weakness, Chu Wang felt a bit of illusory, delayed satisfaction.

 

He watched Yu Lan, who was clearly concerned but unwilling to face it directly, showing anxiety while trying to hide it smartly.

 

But Chu Wang, being just a soul who could barely speak, truly couldn’t do anything to help.

 

So, when Yu Lan talked about the story, Chu Wang spoke as if he wasn’t calm, almost jokingly, suggesting that Yu Lan come to accuse him later.

 

Chu Wang wasn’t entirely unconcerned. If he woke up but really forgot Yu Lan, what expression would he show?

 

Would he force a smile and say trivial things, or would he simply ignore him?

 

Chu Wang realized he couldn’t calmly accept any of these outcomes.

 

He looked at Yu Lan’s expression and then glanced at his own body, seeing his right hand, motionless under the blanket.

 

There were still several packets of cinnabar powder in the box. Yu Lan, without thinking much, opened a packet and sprinkled it haphazardly on his hand.

 

“Mr. Chu, touch me,” Yu Lan said, his nose reddened with nervousness, eyebrows furrowed, extending his hand as if inviting him.

 

Chu Wang silently nodded and slowly opened his palm, trying to hold Yu Lan’s fingers as he had before, with devotion.

 

However, at the moment their fingers were about to touch—

 

Chu Wang leaned forward again, like many times before, passing through Yu Lan’s palm like a gust of wind.

 

The medium that could allow them to touch… had failed.

 

Yu Lan seemed disbelieving. His first reaction was to think he hadn’t used enough cinnabar powder, so he stubbornly poured the remaining half-pack onto the same hand and asked, “How about now?”

 

But the result was clear; he still couldn’t feel the cold touch he used to.

 

Yu Lan pursed his lips, not speaking immediately. Instead, with a stubborn expression, he opened another pack, this time not only staining his palm red but also somewhat roughly applying the cinnabar powder to his wrist and forearm. He repeatedly made Chu Wang try to touch him again and again.

 

He looked somewhat eerie, with one sleeve rolled up, his entire arm dyed a blood-red color. His eye sockets and nose tip were also a bit red. He kept anxiously asking Chu Wang, “Now? How about now?”

 

Until Chu Wang’s voice grew softer, and he called out Yu Lan’s name gently, saying, “It’s over.”

 

Chu Wang seemed to sense it himself, his tone changing as he spoke, “I’m indeed… becoming lighter.”

 

Yu Lan felt as if he had been pressed with a pause button. He sat on the floor dejectedly, his gaze empty.

 

He looked at Chu Wang’s presence in mid-air, which, due to being stored in the bead, was sometimes so blurry that he couldn’t even see his expression.

 

But Chu Wang, seemingly afraid of Yu Lan’s sadness, still spoke in a somewhat strained voice to comfort him, saying it was okay, that he was weak and it must be because he was about to wake up.

 

Yu Lan even thought, somewhat confused, that if he hadn’t used the bead, maybe he wouldn’t be going through this situation. He still wanted to talk to Chu Wang, to hug him and “wake him up,” take him to the flower room, to the company, ask him about things he didn’t understand…

 

Instead of watching him fade away bit by bit.

 

He didn’t know Chu Wang’s final moments would be like this.

 

Always talking to him, yet disappearing bit by bit.

 

He couldn’t grasp the soul as faint as a cloud, but Chu Wang’s voice remained gentle.

 

He said it was okay, not to be afraid, not to worry.

 

Yu Lan couldn’t even determine when Chu Wang’s soul had disappeared.

 

By midnight, the projector in the room was still on, but the light no longer penetrated Chu Wang—he had become almost transparent, sometimes barely visible, only occasionally hearing a few words.

 

Yu Lan wanted to call out to him but was afraid of being too loud, worried that people downstairs might come up and interrupt his farewell with Chu Wang.

 

He knew this was a farewell too.

 

But he didn’t know farewells could be like this.

 

He wasn’t a deity; he was just briefly stored and awakened by the bead.

 

It seemed that even souls had their moments of flickering light.

 

Chu Wang said, “You didn’t reject me, so I’m not quite heartbroken.”

 

Chu Wang said, “The story you mentioned earlier, that’s exactly how I felt.”

 

Chu Wang said, “You used to believe I could wake up, so why do you still look like this now?”

 

Yu Lan remembered every word Chu Wang said. He even felt he should smile and send Chu Wang’s soul off happily—after all, he knew the original content, and not only was Chu Wang able to see him before, but now he might even wake up earlier, which would be the perfect outcome.

 

But Yu Lan couldn’t control himself.

 

He still had uncontrollable worries, unspeakable fears. He couldn’t believe he should be lucky, that the story should develop as he hoped, rather than heading in an unpredictable direction.

 

After an indeterminate amount of time, the room seemed completely silent.

 

He looked at the spot where Chu Wang had been, but now there was nothing to be seen, no trace of his presence—

 

What traces could an intangible soul leave?

 

Yu Lan called out his name to the empty air, just as he had when he first realized Chu Wang had disappeared.

 

Even though only a day had passed, it felt as if everything had changed drastically.

 

Only when the cold, impersonal atmosphere of the room reflected back at him did Yu Lan slowly accept the reality of Chu Wang’s soul’s disappearance.

 

No wonder he had spoken so bluntly tonight; it seemed even as a soul, he had such intuition.

 

Yu Lan’s knees weakened. He barely managed to stand up, looking at the red powder scattered on the floor.

 

It seemed these things were of no use now.

 

He calmly thought about it and, with a calm demeanor, went to the bathroom to get some tissues and began to wipe away the red traces.

 

As he was about to fall asleep, he noticed the last packet of cinnabar in the box.

 

Driven by some inexplicable impulse, he went over and, with a “since it can be wasted” mentality, opened it.

 

He then slowly applied it to his lips.

 

He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt a brief moment of coldness.

 

However, he quickly came to his senses, self-mockingly smiled, and wiped away the substance from his lips.

 

There will be a second update!!!! It’s being written!!!!!

 

I’m also very anxious, but this is how it was initially set up!!! Everyone knows it’s just a process!!! (I’m pounding the keyboard) (Smashing the keyboard) (Going crazy at the computer) (Beating my chest)

 

PS: Although it’s rambling, I’ll explain! Cinnabar reacts to high temperatures!!! But in small amounts and quickly wiped off!!! It won’t have an effect!!! (sliding kneel)