" Xiao Yan, it's time to go for a medical checkup."
Si Mingde returned to his study, but did not see Si Yong, nor did he ask anything.
Si Yan also tacitly agreed not to mention anything about this person in front of her grandfather, and followed the doctor in charge of the examination from the association downstairs.
"Child, would you like to know about Xiao Yan's past?"
Jiang Nuo leaned back lazily in the soft chair, pondered for a moment after hearing this, and then looked back at Si Mingde, "You said."
"When Xiao Yan's parents were still alive, he hadn't suffered so much bullying. It was just that Si Yong was such a scoundrel. Xiao Yan's father didn't want his younger brother to go astray, and after several attempts to dissuade him, he was ultimately defeated by Si Yong..."
Recalling the past, Si Mingde still remembers the sorrow of a parent outliving their child.
He sighed deeply, took a sip of strong tea, and spoke again, his voice slightly hoarse.
"He was trapped by Si Yong and the Wa Country, and died in the formation. Not long after the news of his death reached the country... Xiao Yan's mother was so heartbroken that she also passed away."
"It just so happened that the Dragon Vein began to show signs of damage for the first time at that time. My colleagues and I traveled all over the world to find a way to repair the Dragon Vein. Who would have thought that as soon as we returned to the country... as soon as we returned to the country, we would have to personally send off the remains of our eldest son."
Si Mingde choked up, wiping away his tears with his thumb and forefinger, his voice repeatedly distorted as he struggled to speak.
"That little bastard Si Yong didn't even leave his brother a trace of his soul! We can't even get him back from the Underworld!"
Jiang Nuo pursed her lips and awkwardly handed Si Mingde a tissue, unsure how to comfort her elder.
Jiang Nuo also had some doubts about this heartbreaking truth.
Did Si Yong's personality change overnight?
Si Mingde was silent for a moment, wiped away his tears, and sighed deeply, "Grandpa knows what you're going to say."
"Later, the association investigated him repeatedly, but they couldn't find any evidence of possession. It's not entirely true that it happened overnight; perhaps the child was raised incorrectly from a young age."
"If I could do it all over again, I would truly wish I only had Xiao Yan's father as my son."
Jiang Nuo held her teacup, silently contemplating Si Yong's changes. She blew on the steam, then poured a cup for Si Mingde as well. "Actually... there's no need to go into such detail."
He muttered to himself, "But since you've already mentioned Si Yan's past, I'll tell you mine too."
"I used to be so boring; I was a stupid kid who lost my soul."
Remembering that Jiang Nuo had mentioned growing up in an orphanage, Si Mingde couldn't help but ask, "And your family...?"
"Oh, I didn't have a family back then," Jiang Nuo said calmly, having never experienced family affection.
"Since I was a child, my only family member has been the headmistress."
"After the headmistress died, there was no one else."
thump thump thump--
Their conversation was interrupted again by a knock on the door.
"President... uh, the young master said he's feeling unwell and needs God Nuo to stay with him, otherwise he won't get the acupuncture."
Those who reported this found it strange.
Si Mingde: "..."
What are you saying?
I've been getting physical checkups since I was a few years old, for over twenty years now. Could it be that I'm feeling unwell today?
This is truly the first time.
"Where are you? Lead the way!"
Jiang Nuo finished the last sip of tea, followed the member who had reported the news out the door, and muttered to himself as he went.
" Si Yan is in pain, it's definitely not fake."
As the door closed, Si Mingde froze, his hand, which was reaching for a teacup, hanging in mid-air.
Is Xiao Yan afraid of pain?
As the biological grandfather, Si Mingde found himself unable to answer the question.
During many of his episodes, Si Yan would have to comfort him, repeatedly emphasizing that he didn't feel unwell or in pain.
After a long while, a long sigh echoed in the study.
--
" Nuonuo..."
Si Yan curled up in the corner of the bed. Hearing the door open, she instinctively called out softly, even as her vision began to blur. She was simply calling out on instinct.
"Here you are."
Jiang Nuo strode in and saw Si Yan lying on the bed with silver needles in many acupoints. Feeling sorry for her, she squatted down at the corner of the bed and stroked Si Yan's face, which was not pricked by needles.
"I'm here Si Yan. It hurts a lot, doesn't it..."
At this moment Si Yan is far more vulnerable than ever before.
The acupuncture needles sealed his Spiritual Power, and he was completely immobilized. If he were attacked, he would surely die.
Therefore, during the treatment phase, Si Yan never allows anyone other than a doctor to enter.
But Jiang Nuo has always been an exception.
He gently rubbed Jiang Nuo's palm, tilted his head to kiss her fingers, then looked up at Jiang Nuo, not daring to make any big movements.
" Nuonuo, hold me."
Jiang Nuo was somewhat perplexed, and glanced again at the body covered in silver needles. "I don't know where to begin either."
He kissed Si Yan's lips. "Be a good girl, I'll hold you after all the needles are removed."
Just as she was about to break free from the kiss, Si Yan lifted her neck to meet and hold her back, kissing her even more deeply.
The kiss was especially tender, Si Yan's phoenix eyes shimmered with spring water, clear and bright, and finally a hint of a smile appeared on them.
"It doesn't hurt anymore."
Jiang Nuo, her lips swollen, bit his lip. "Fine, now it's my turn to be in pain."
Jiang Nuo found a chair and sat down, casually stroking Si Yan's chest to comfort him, while watching the doctor treat and examine him.
"Has the young master recently had some extraordinary encounter?"
The doctor suddenly asked a question, recorded all the data, but didn't say whether the current condition was good or bad.
Si Yan thought of the purple clouds she saw yesterday, and exchanged a glance with Jiang Nuo. "Yes, the Spiritual Power has changed."
Without going into details, the doctor nodded to indicate that he understood, "I'll remove the injection now, you should rest well."
Compared to the past when treatment would often take all night, today's treatment was remarkably quick, taking less than an hour.
Si Yan vaguely guessed what was going on, and her expression relaxed considerably. After the needles were removed, she shrank into the blankets and was surprised to find that her body hadn't gotten cold after the acupuncture; it was still warm.
Even so, she still craved the warmth emanating from Jiang Nuo's body.
He carefully lifted half of the blanket, " Nuonuo..."
A handsome man can be a source of trouble; it's hard to refuse him.
Jiang Nuo secretly pondered this, took off her coat, and lay down inside. As she lay flat, she noticed the brocade pouch hanging from the lamp.
What is that?
Si Yan looked over, pulled the person into his arms to absorb their warmth, and casually replied, "It's a lucky bag from Grandpa, meant to bring peace and safety."
"A lucky bag."
Jiang Nuo suddenly burst out laughing, "No wonder you're Little Lucky Star."
Si Yan was already immune to the strange nicknames that Jiang Nuo always used.
So he followed suit, hugging his lover and calling her "wife."
This was no ordinary title; it sent chills down Jiang Nuo's spine, giving him goosebumps all over.
Jiang Nuo covered Si Yan's mouth, almost flipping him over onto his waist, and said fiercely, "If you shout again, I'll beat you up."
"Wife."
Si Yan called out again, his voice low and soft, and he touched Jiang Nuo's lower back with practiced ease. With just a few gentle strokes, Jiang Nuo's waist went limp, and she obediently nestled in his arms.
"Fine, that's going too far."
Jiang Nuo pinched Si Yan's cheek and pulled it away impatiently, "I don't see any discomfort on your part."
"It's so uncomfortable," Si Yan said softly, stroking Jiang Nuo's back, her eyes lowered. "Before I met you, every treatment was so painful."
Jiang Nuo couldn't stand hearing Little Lucky Star say such coquettish things.
"Great, today's test results will be very good. Your health is much better than before."