The Withered Tree Always Welcomes Spring chapter 49
Footsteps echoed down the corridor. Soon, the iron gate creaked open. Chen Xian returned from shopping, seeing Shen Jixue still standing there. His gaze flickered between Shen Jixue and Wu Bie.
“Why are you standing here?”
Wu Bie couldn’t stand Chen Xian’s questioning look. Did he think he had wronged Shen Jixue?
“Why are you looking at me? It’s not like I made him stand here. He chose to. Whose fault is that?”
Following Chen Xian’s voice, Shen Jixue stepped forward and hugged his arm. “I just wanted to wait for you to come back.”
“It’s just groceries. I’m back already.” Chen Xian switched the groceries to his other hand and, without noticing Wu Bie’s annoyed expression, pulled Shen Jixue into the kitchen.
Chen Xian had no problem cooking for three people. After a busy couple of hours, everything was finally done.
“Cold dishes, want a drink?” Chen Xian placed the braised dishes in front of Wu Bie, specially thanking him for coming all this way. He opened a beer bottle with chopsticks, the cap flying off, and placed the opened beer in front of Wu Bie. “Beer.”
Wu Bie had a quick temper, but it also faded quickly. He was easy to appease and since Shen Jixue had already been brought back, there was no point in arguing with them. It was better to eat well.
Learning from last time, Chen Xian bought soda specifically for Shen Jixue. Opening the bottle, it fizzed. “Xiao Shen, you drink this.”
Before Shen Jixue could reach for it, Wu Bie snatched it away and drank most of the bottle in one go, casting a slightly resentful glance at both of them.
Chen Xian treated Shen Jixue like a child, which wasn’t what Shen Jixue thought at all. Who knew what he was planning? It wasn’t just about money; Shen Jixue clearly had other ideas about Chen Xian.
“What are you doing?” Chen Xian became a bit frustrated.
Wu Bie couldn’t stand Chen Xian’s overprotective attitude, he was helping him, but Chen Xian didn’t appreciate it. “What am I doing? He can drink but I can’t?”
Of course he could drink, but Chen Xian hadn’t expected Wu Bie to grab Shen Jixue’s soda too. If he had known, he would have bought two bottles. “You’re not drinking beer anymore?”
“I am! Why wouldn’t I? I want to!” he exclaimed.
Shen Jixue wasn’t bothered and turned to Chen Xian. “Forget it, Chen Xian, I don’t really want to drink.”
The meal was quite lively. Chen Xian took care of Shen Jixue at the dinner table, putting food in his bowl. But every time he did, Wu Bie would push his bowl over with a resentful look, forcing Chen Xian to give him some too.
Not only did Wu Bie argue with Shen Jixue over the food, he also kept pulling Chen Xian to drink with him. Chen Xian didn’t mind, but Wu Bie was soon tipsy. Dinner wasn’t finished yet, and he had already passed out on the sofa.
With the loudest one silent, the living room suddenly grew quiet, and Shen Jixue was uncomfortable. He blinked. “What’s wrong with Wu Bie?”
“Asleep,” Chen Xian said, barely able to suppress a laugh. “Wu Bie is outspoken, but don’t take it to heart. He’s actually a good guy.”
Shen Jixue didn’t care and set down his bowl and chopsticks. “I’ll help you clean up. I’m done eating.”
Chen Xian originally wanted to refuse, but Shen Jixue seemed to sense his thoughts. “I want to see if, after all these days away, I remember how to get around your house.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Xian didn’t stop him. “Then help me put these in the kitchen.”
The furnishings at home had hardly changed. Shen Jixue knew Chen Xian was busy and hadn’t had time to rearrange things. Even though it wasn’t for his sake, he was genuinely pleased.
For others, these steps would be easy, but for Shen Jixue, they weren’t so simple. When Chen Xian saw him find his own way into the kitchen, his smile was uncontrollable.
“You haven’t forgotten,” Chen Xian said, putting down the dishes and happily patting Shen Jixue’s shoulder. “Go wash up in the bathroom.”
Shen Jixue shook his head. Going by memory, he found a small stool in the corner and sat by the kitchen door. “I want to wait until you finish washing the dishes.”
Chen Xian didn’t object. “Sure. You can sit here and chat with me.”
The clinking of dishes, the rushing water, the TV volume turned down low, and the slight snoring of Wu Bie created a peaceful atmosphere that reassured Shen Jixue immensely.
“Chen Xian,” he called out.
Chen Xian didn’t turn around. “Hmm?”
Shen Jixue pursed his lips, hesitated for a moment, then slowly spoke up. “I’ve made up my mind. Could you talk to my former boss for me? I want to go back to work at the shop.”
The sound of water suddenly stopped, and Chen Xian turned back with some surprise.
“I’ve told you before, I won’t be going out to sea anytime soon.”
Initially finding work for Shen Jixue was because he spent so much time away from home. To keep him from feeling lonely and overthinking, earning money was secondary. But now that he was staying home, Shen Jixue didn’t need to work.
“I know, but I can’t keep spending your money. Whether my eyes get better or not, I need to save up for myself.”
With concerns for his well-being, Shen Jixue resolved to live well regardless of his vision loss.
“I have many things I want to do. Besides getting my eyes treated, I want to go back to school. All of this requires money,” Shen Jixue explained his plans.
Chen Xian sighed deeply. He couldn’t find a reason to object. He couldn’t just assume that Shen Jixue, because of his blindness, should be treated as useless and cared for. Shen Jixue deserved his own life and plans.
Seeing Chen Xian remain silent, Shen Jixue raised his voice a few notches and asked, “I’ve told you my plans. What about yours?”
“Huh? Me? I’ve said it before, I want to start my own business.”
Shen Jixue wasn’t asking just about work; he was also interested in Chen Xian’s personal matters. “And after you start your own business, do you have plans to get married?”
“Huh?” Chen Xian was momentarily stunned, then laughed. “Why are you asking about that? I don’t have time to think about getting married now…”
He paused midway, observing Shen Jixue’s expression. Was Shen Jixue worried that if he got married, he’d have nowhere to live?
“Don’t worry about it. I haven’t thought about remarriage for now. Just focus on yourself,” Chen Xian reassured him.
Chen Xian misunderstood, but Shen Jixue had no intention of clarifying. In any case, the outcome was what he wanted—if Chen Xian didn’t marry, they could still stay together.