Chapter 23: Spoiling Her
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
During a lucid moment, Lu Yan Shu recalled an intriguing remark made by Chao Chao earlier in his weakened state.
“You’ll be safe from even the fearsome King of Hell once you’ve drunk my blood,” she declared, her tone a mix of seriousness and jest.
Restless like a typical child, Lu Chao Chao clumsily climbed onto her older brother’s stomach, seeking comfort. Settling down, she felt reassured by the warmth of his embrace.
However, she sensed something amiss and subtly adjusted his hand to tighten his hold on her, seeking a more secure embrace. Due to his frail state, his arms soon weakened and dropped away.
This displeased her visibly, and she pouted so deeply it seemed she could hang an oil lamp from her lower lip.
With a gentle tap on her brother’s finger and a warm breath, she performed a mysterious act that seemed to gradually restore strength to his frail body.
Lu Yan Shu was taken aback by the warmth spreading through him, feeling as if his parched body was absorbing essential moisture.
Persistently, Lu Chao Chao grabbed his arm again, ensuring it embraced her tightly. This time, their hands locked firmly, and his arm remained in place, showing a noticeable improvement in his strength.
Despite this modest sign of recovery, tears welled up in Lu Yan Shu’s eyes as he embraced Chao Chao, holding onto his beloved little sister as if she were his entire world.
“Chao Chao, you’re going to crush Big Brother at this rate!” exclaimed Lu Yuan Xiao, who had just arrived with a wheelchair, causing her to startle. “Big Brother, our sister didn’t mean any harm. She’s only a few months old and doesn’t understand.”
Surprisingly, Lu Yan Shu responded with gentleness, as if he were cautious not to frighten the infant in his arms. “It’s alright,” he assured softly.
Lu Yuan Xiao was puzzled by the sudden shift in their once distant brother, who was now exceedingly protective of Chao Chao.
After Lu Yan Shu was settled into the wheelchair, Lu Yuan Xiao wheeled him around the garden. Their frail brother, his clothes fluttering in the breeze, held Lu Chao Chao snugly in his arms, presenting a heartwarming sight.
[Big brother is too skinny; hugging him feels uncomfortable. He needs to eat more; he’s just skin and bones…] thought Lu Chao Chao, her drool betraying her innocent concern for her brother’s health.
The garden was unusually quiet, missing its typical vibrancy.
As Lu Chao Chao nestled in her brother’s arms, she pondered further, [Wow, such a large pond, it would be wonderful to have fish and turtles in it…]
[Why aren’t the flowers blooming?] she mumbled internally, filled with the curiosity of youth.
Reinvigorated by her lively spirit, Lu Yan Shu looked up at the sky for the first time in ages, his mind opening to the beauty and possibilities of the world beyond his illness.
[Big Brother smiled. Wow, Big Brother’s smile is so handsome!] Lu Chao Chao’s eyes sparkled with delight upon seeing her brother’s rare smile.
Lu Yuan Xiao noticed their older brother’s profound affection for his sister. Given her undeniable charm, it was evident that she could easily captivate anyone’s heart.
He then contemplated taking his little sister to school with him. School days were generally mundane, but her presence would surely brighten every moment.
While they enjoyed their time together, Yuanbao, Lu Yan Shu’s devoted servant, approached them hurriedly, gasping for breath. “Young Master, Young Master…”
Yuanbao, appearing disheveled with red marks on his face from an encounter with a servant from the Jiang family, was relieved to see Lu Yan Shu safely seated in his wheelchair.
The sight of his young master enjoying the outdoors deeply moved him, bringing tears of joy to his eyes.
“Young Master, I’ve brought lunch. Shall we eat in the pavilion?” Yuanbao suggested, remembering the young master’s strict diet of simple porridge and vegetables. This diet was designed to limit his meat intake, reducing the need for frequent bathroom visits and preserving his dignity.
[Meat! Today is special. I want to eat roasted meat! Otherwise, I’ll throw a tantrum!] Lu Chao Chao’s expression turned serious, her eyes fixed on her beloved brother, her tiny hands clenched, ready to make a fuss.
Lu Yan Shu chuckled softly in response, a sound that had become increasingly rare over the years.
Yuanbao was astonished. It had been eight years since he last saw the young master smile. Working closely with him daily, Yuanbao was acutely aware of the young master’s deep sorrow and his numerous attempts to end his own life. Each time, it was Yuanbao who had pleaded with him to hold on a little longer.
“Let’s have a barbecue in the pavilion,” Lu Yan Shu proposed, his voice reflecting a newfound zest for life. “And prepare some meat porridge for me,” he added, recognizing his need to gain weight, especially after Chao Chao had remarked on how his thinness made hugging him uncomfortable.
“Yes, yes, yes!” Yuanbao exclaimed, overwhelmed with joy as he hurried to the kitchen to prepare everything.
Soon, the pavilion was set up with a small stove, perfect for a barbecue without making the day overly hot. A clean iron plate was ready on the stove, surrounded by thinly sliced meats and assorted sauces, while a pot of meat porridge simmered slowly beside it, its enticing aroma spreading through the cool breeze.
Having been active since morning, Lu Yuan Xiao’s hunger intensified as he surveyed the table laden with various meats, his eyes gleaming with a hint of envy as Yuanbao worked diligently to bring over the last of the dishes.
Finally, unable to resist, Lu Yuan Xiao grabbed a piece of meat as thin as a cicada’s wing and placed it on the hot plate. The meat sizzled on contact, its aroma filling the air. After sprinkling some cumin on it, the smell became even more tantalizing, enveloping them in its delicious scent.
“Wow, this meat is so tender and flavorful. Ssss…” Lu Yuan Xiao exclaimed, biting into it too hastily and getting burnt, yet he stubbornly refused to spit it out.
Seeing this, Lu Chao Chao took a deep breath, her mouth watering at the sight.
“Chao Chao, here’s your milk,” Lu Yuan Xiao offered, remembering to bring her milk along.
But Lu Chao Chao gave a fierce look, her tiny finger wavering between the meat and her milk, her face full of silent protest.
This caused both brothers to burst into laughter, their spirits lifted by her evident displeasure.
“Little one, you don’t have teeth to eat meat yet. You’re only five months old. But, you can still enjoy the smell! Isn’t your brother considerate? I eat, and you get the aroma,” Lu Yuan Xiao teased her playfully.
Lu Chao Chao’s eyes brimmed with frustration, clearly not amused.
Watching their playful interaction, Lu Yan Shu felt an unusual uplift in his spirits, a welcome change from his usual sadness.
“Yuanbao, could you get a banana, please?” he requested, recalling that the Xu family often sent fresh fruit.
Yuanbao quickly returned with a ripe banana, which Lu Yan Shu suggested mashing into a puree for Chao Chao, reflecting on his days of caring for his younger siblings before he became paralyzed.
Lu Yuan Xiao scooped up some of the banana puree with a spoon, and Lu Chao Chao eagerly accepted it, her smile wide.
[Wahhh, I’m alive again.]
[So sweet, so delightful, I love you, Big Brother. You’re my favorite.]
[Though Third Brother might be a bit goofy, I love him dearly too.]
After feeding her a few spoonfuls, Lu Yuan Xiao cautioned, “Let’s not eat too much today; we don’t want to upset your stomach. We’ll increase the amount gradually.”
Then, he expertly roasted a chicken leg, removed the meat, and offered the bone to Lu Chao Chao for her to enjoy.
Taking the bone, Lu Chao Chao quickly kissed him before settling down in her big brother’s lap to happily chew on her new toy.
With a content sigh, she thought, [Ah, life is truly wonderful…]
Both brothers couldn’t help but laugh at her genuine satisfaction.
Lu Yan Shu, who normally managed only a few spoonfuls of plain porridge, showed a new interest in eating today, finishing an entire bowl of meat porridge. The spark in his eyes was a sign of returning vitality, a small step towards recovery.
They remained in the garden until the afternoon, but as Lu Yan Shu began to tire, Lu Yuan Xiao realized it was time to leave.
“Big Brother, should I call a doctor for you?” he inquired, concerned yet promising confidentiality. “I won’t tell anyone. It can be our secret, okay?” His concern stemmed from the disturbing scar on his brother’s wrist, a stark reminder of past struggles.
However, Lu Yan Shu displayed signs of improvement, flexing his fingers with newfound ease. This modest but meaningful progress, he silently acknowledged, was largely due to Chao Chao’s uplifting presence.