[Must-read notes for this chapter: these are fictional characters, so don't project this onto reality. Also, this chapter may contain content some people find extreme! Lots of interaction with a corpse! If that bothers you, run!!! Run!!! Skip this chapter! Also, he comes back to life in the very next chapter, so don't panic. And if you insult my characters, I'll insult you back and mute you. What kind of fucking piece of shit are you, daring to insult my sons?]
The Manor was very quiet at night, with only the sound of wind softly rustling the leaves outside the window.
Fu Xiuyuan gently stroked the stray hairs of the boy in his arms, washing the blood from his body little by little.
Soon, the entire tub of water was stained red.
But the man's expression remained unchanged as he drained it.
He filled it with fresh warm water and wiped the boy's body over and over.
After a long while, Fu Xiuyuan suddenly paused. He gently lifted the boy's wrist and carefully stroked the scar on it.
He brought it to his lips, kissing it again and again.
Without his noticing.
Tears fell onto the wrist, mingling with the citrus-scented body wash and suddenly lending the kiss a hint of bitterness.
Fu Xiuyuan held him tightly against his chest.
"You still left me..."
Moonlight spilled into the room, slowly illuminating the dim bedroom.
Fu Xiuyuan took a pair of nail clippers from the bedside table. Holding Gu Nian'an in his arms, he carefully lifted his fingers.
He trimmed the boy's nails with practiced ease.
"Clip, clip, clip."
Soon, all ten fingernails were neatly trimmed. As the man put the clippers away, the boy's body also tilted involuntarily to one side.
Without a change in expression, Fu Xiuyuan gathered him