The Withered Tree Always Welcomes Spring chapter 10

Something deep inside Shen Jixue felt unsettled. He couldn’t quite describe the sensation, but it was uncomfortable. He couldn’t understand why someone like Chen Xian would be so fixated on someone like Jiang Ying, even knowing she had betrayed him. Even in his dreams, he called out her name.

What was this feeling? Was it love? Chen Xian loved his wife; that was why he was disappointed and heartbroken, unable to make a decisive, rational decision immediately.

Shen Jixue tried to pry Chen Xian’s fingers open, but they were surprisingly strong, clinging to him as if afraid he would leave.

“I’m not Ah Ying,” he sighed helplessly, trying to explain, but a drunken person wouldn’t listen. Instead of letting go, Chen Xian held on tighter.

Feeling inexplicably conflicted, Shen Jixue gave up on wiping Chen Xian down, setting aside the towel and quietly sitting by the bed.

In the summer heat, sweat soon formed on Shen Jixue’s wrist where Chen Xian’s hand rested, uncomfortable and sticky. Yet the warmth transferred so distinctly that he couldn’t help but be aware of Chen Xian’s presence.

The alarm clock ticked away on the bedside table, and the electric fan mechanically swiveled its head. Chen Xian’s breathing mingled with Shen Jixue’s heartbeat, various sounds intertwining. Before he could find an opportunity to loosen Chen Xian’s grip, drowsiness overtook him. His eyelids drooped, and he settled on the floor next to the bed, finding a comfortable spot and lying down.

Just a short nap. Once Chen Xian was asleep, he could free himself and sleep in the living room. Mentally reassuring himself, Shen Jixue soon drifted off to sleep.

“Beep!” A deafening horn sounded, accompanied by the driver’s curses. “Are you in a rush to reincarnate? Trying to die so early in the morning!”

Chen Xian’s temples throbbed painfully, his head spinning. His eyes felt sore, sensitive to the sunlight. He squinted and instinctively raised his arm to shield his eyes, only to realize he was holding onto something warm and soft.

His arm?

Chen Xian lowered his head and followed his arm down to find the owner of it in a strange posture, sleeping beside the bed.

Just looking at him made Chen Xian’s shoulders ache. He quickly let go of Shen Jixue, wanting to help him get onto the bed more comfortably, but as soon as he touched Shen Jixue’s hand, he woke up.

“Ugh…” Shen Jixue’s forehead against the edge of the bed, looking pained. He must have held that position for a long time, causing his entire arm to go numb.

“Awake? Is your arm sore?” Chen Xian’s voice startled Shen Jixue, who jerked back, almost tipping over. Quick to react, Chen Xian stretched out his arm and caught his head.

With his support, Shen Jixue didn’t topple over. With Chen Xian’s help, he sat back on the bed.

“Why were you sleeping on the floor?” Chen Xian asked, recalling waking up holding Shen Jixue’s hand. “How did I end up in your room? Did I go crazy from drinking?”

Chen Xian’s memory was fragmented. He remembered going out to drink with Wu Bie for some reason, but why were they drinking? Right! He received a call from Jiang Ying, saying she was pregnant and wanted a divorce. That’s why he went out drinking with Wu Bie. As for what happened after getting drunk, what he did, what he said, Chen Xian couldn’t remember at all.

Shen Jixue didn’t expect a drunk to remember anything. He shrugged and calmly replied, “It’s okay.”

He didn’t dare tell Chen Xian that he had mistaken him for Jiang Ying and stubbornly refused to let go.

Seeing that Shen Jixue didn’t want to talk about it, Chen Xian didn’t press further. He squeezed Shen Jixue’s arm and started massaging it. His hands were strong, obviously accustomed to physical labor, quickly relieving the stiffness in Shen Jixue’s arm and shoulder. When his arm felt better, he spoke slowly.

“It was your friend who brought you back. You drank too much, and he put you in my room. I couldn’t move you to the next room, so I let you sleep here.”

Shen Jixue found it awkward for someone like him who couldn’t see, to look after a drunken man. 

Chen Xian apologized, but Shen Jixue felt there was nothing to apologize for since it was his own home. He was just too easygoing, which was why Jiang Ying…

Thinking about all this, Shen Jixue felt sour. He seemed to forget that he was also someone who took advantage of Chen Xian, which was why he stubbornly insisted on staying at his place.

Seeing Shen Jixue’s changing expressions, Chen Xian cautiously asked, “Did I do something excessive last night?”

Shen Jixue hesitated, not saying a word. Chen Xian started to feel anxious. Afraid he had been too reckless due to drinking, he asked, “Xiao Shen?”

“Chen Xian?” Shen Jixue solemnly called out Chen Xian’s name. Chen Xian held his breath, concentrating on what he was about to say. 

“Do you really love Jiang Ying? Your wife?”

Maybe because he had just woken up, or perhaps his nerves were strained, Chen Xian couldn’t immediately respond to Shen Jixue’s question. He hesitantly uttered, “Um.”

“Why are you asking this?”

Shen Jixue was unfamiliar with affairs of the heart. He had just started his second year at university and was entirely focused on his studies. If it weren’t for his eye problems, he would still be diligently attending classes on campus.

“You were calling out for Jiang Ying last night, clinging to my arm.”

Chen Xian’s mind buzzed with embarrassment. He hadn’t expected to unload his emotions onto someone like Shen Jixue.

“I…”

Shen Jixue continued, “She clearly deceived you and ran away with someone else, taking all your money. Is someone like that still worth remembering?”

A sense of unbearable embarrassment overwhelmed Chen Xian, making it hard for him to breathe. He was somewhat relieved that Shen Jixue couldn’t see how awful he looked at that moment.

After a moment’s silence, he realized that Shen Jixue wasn’t mocking him but sincerely waiting for his answer. He then set aside his so-called pride.

He knew Jiang Ying had deceived him, but they had been married for so many years, and at least the initial times were real. The emotions he invested were genuine, as was Jiang Ying’s affection for him. They just drifted apart over time.

Emotions, once invested, weren’t easy to cleanly withdraw. It wasn’t as clear-cut as with others.

Chen Xian released his grip on Shen Jixue’s shoulder. “You’re young. You don’t understand these things.”

Indeed, Shen Jixue didn’t understand, but he understood Chen Xian’s response. Avoidance showed concern. Chen Xian indeed still had feelings for Jiang Ying. Even though he was deceived, such feelings couldn’t disappear instantly.

“So what are you going to do?” Shen Jixue felt it wasn’t Chen Xian’s fault; Chen Xian didn’t need to be so passive. “Even if you can’t salvage the relationship, what about your money? Are you just going to let it go? Without money, how will you live in the future?”

Chen Xian naturally understood such simple reasoning. If he couldn’t keep the person, at least he had to keep the money. But coming from Shen Jixue’s mouth, it was hard for a just-turned-adult to teach him what to do. He still felt a bit ashamed.

He needed some time to accept reality.

Taking a deep breath, he said, “Don’t worry about my affairs. I know what to do.”

Just then, an untimely knock interrupted their conversation, accompanied by Wu Bie’s impatient voice, “Chen Xian! Open up!”

Chen Xian hurried out of the bedroom. As he opened the wooden door, he saw Wu Bie panting.

“Why are you here so early?”

Wu Bie entered the room, poured himself a glass of water, and drank it down before catching his breath. Then he gestured for Chen Xian to sit with him.

“I found it.”

Chen Xian looked bewildered, not understanding Wu Bie’s meaning. “Found what?”

Upon hearing Wu Bie’s voice, Shen Jixue also came out of the room. He guessed that Wu Bie must have found the location of the phone booth, but judging from Chen Xian’s reaction just now, he wanted to tell Wu Bie to find another opportunity to talk to Chen Xian again. But he couldn’t stop Wu Bie’s impulsive nature.

“The phone booth where Jiang Ying called you!” Wu Bie patted Chen Xian’s shoulder. “You’ve been keeping this to yourself. What’s the use of sulking and drinking? We need to find this woman.”

Chen Xian blurted out, sounding somewhat urgent, “Who told you?”

Without waiting for Wu Bie’s answer, Chen Xian looked up at Shen Jixue standing at the door.

The burning gaze made Shen Jixue feel uncomfortable. He knew Chen Xian was looking at him, and he shouldn’t have said too much. He had embarrassed Chen Xian.

Wu Bie didn’t notice the tension between the two. He pointed at Shen Jixue. “If he hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known. What’s with keeping things to yourself? You should meet her now and get your money back to minimize your losses.”

Something seemed to weigh heavily on Chen Xian’s heart. He didn’t explode in anger but remained silent, not saying a word.

“Don’t dawdle. Change your clothes, wash your face, and let’s go find her.”

Under Wu Bie’s urging, Chen Xian mechanically went to the bathroom to freshen up. When he came out, the living room door was wide open, and Wu Bie was standing at the doorway smoking. He didn’t see Shen Jixue anywhere in the house. After searching the rooms, he found him in the second bedroom.

As soon as he heard the voice, Shen Jixue hurriedly stood up. His reaction undoubtedly indicated to Chen Xian that he was waiting for him.

Chen Xian knew he shouldn’t vent his anger on Shen Jixue. Shen Jixue had only stated facts. Perhaps everyone wanted to help him, but his worthless pride was sensitive and fragile.

He said nothing, bypassed Shen Jixue, and retrieved clean clothes from the wardrobe to change into.

“Chen Xian, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told anyone about your situation.”

Chen Xian angrily tore off his sweaty and alcohol-scented t-shirt, his tense muscles gradually turning red. He casually threw the dirty clothes onto the table, breathing heavily but still not saying a word.

His breathing was low and deep. Shen Jixue knew Chen Xian was still angry. He explained, “I didn’t mean to embarrass you. If you want to meet Jiang Ying and talk to her, this is the only way to find her.”

Perhaps the name “Jiang Ying” triggered something in Chen Xian. He slammed the wardrobe door shut forcefully, making a loud “clang”. “My affairs are none of your business. They won’t delay finding your father’s whereabouts. You can rest assured.”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Shen Jixue wanted to explain, but before he could, a gust of wind passed by, and soon he heard the sound of the door closing.

Through the closed door, Chen Xian spoke in a deep voice to Wu Bie, “Let’s go.”