The Withered Tree Always Welcomes Spring chapter 44

Even amidst the noisy crowd, even though Shen Jixue deliberately avoided Chen Xian’s gaze, Chen Xian’s peripheral vision caught the tears in Shen Jixue’s eyes.

Shen Jixue must have been terrified in this situation, but he had a strong sense of pride and didn’t want to cry in front of others. Chen Xian stretched out his arms and embraced him, without asking anything or saying anything. His large hand gently patted Shen Jixue’s back, feeling his tremors with his palm.

It wasn’t clear how long it had passed before the sobbing on his shoulder quieted down. The dampness seeping into his shoulder had also stopped. Shen Jixue seemed to have stopped crying. He lifted his head, still unwilling to face Chen Xian, but rested his chin on Chen Xian’s shoulder.

Chen Xian didn’t force him. He kept his current posture and spoke to him, “Xiao Shen, did you try calling me?”

When they parted ways before, he had told Shen Jixue to contact him when he settled at the massage parlor, but things changed unexpectedly. Many things happened in between, and he never received Shen Jixue’s call.

“Um…” Shen Jixue’s voice still carried a trace of tears. “I couldn’t get through. I tried calling the home phone, your phone… none of them went through…”

Chen Xian’s large hand moved from Shen Jixue’s back to the back of his head, lightly pressing down, and explained, “Ah, I went back and immediately set sail. I didn’t expect it to rain heavily the entire time. Our ship was stranded on the river for a long time, and the signal there wasn’t good. Later, we received news to return, and that’s when I found out that your area was flooded too.”

Shen Jixue never believed that Chen Xian deliberately ignored his calls. But hearing Chen Xian’s explanation, he felt relieved.

“I tried contacting your uncle. As soon as he saw it was my call, he hung up. Later, Wu Bie gave him a good talk, and only then did he tell me the address of the massage parlor.” Chen Xian took a deep breath. “When I found your massage parlor, the street was already flooded. I was afraid…”

Chen Xian didn’t finish the ominous words. He rubbed Shen Jixue’s head and confirmed that the person was unharmed before putting his heart back in place.

“Thank goodness you’re okay.”

Did Chen Xian come specifically to find him? Shen Jixue felt like something heavy was pressing on his chest. He couldn’t catch his breath, feeling choked up. Chen Xian was worried about him.

He had made Chen Xian worry again. He felt guilty and blamed himself.

Why did he have to come? Why did he have to find him? He was relieved, but after the relief, he felt an emptiness in his heart.

Chen Xian’s kindness and goodness were also a burden to him. He had finally gotten used to not having Chen Xian’s care, but now he silently barged back into his life, seeing him in his most pitiful state. He had never had any dignity in front of Chen Xian.

Shen Jixue felt a pang of bitterness in his heart. He tightly grasped the fabric at Chen Xian’s waist. He knew Chen Xian would leave. After ensuring that he was safe, he would definitely leave again. Just this moment was enough; he wanted to spend a little more time with him.

It turned out he was so greedy. Seeing him wasn’t enough; deep down, he still wanted to keep him and find a way to leave with him.

Shen Jixue couldn’t bring himself to shamelessly beg Chen Xian to take him along. Instead, he asked when Chen Xian would leave, not wanting to make things difficult for him.

“I’m fine… When are you leaving?”

Chen Xian was unsure of the situation now. The landslide was severe, and he wasn’t sure if they could leave. “I don’t know if we can leave. Many roads collapsed when we came. If the rain continues, the landslide might get worse.”

Really?

Shen Jixue felt a bit relieved. Chen Xian might stay a little longer, but he felt worthless for thinking that way.

Lost in the joy of their reunion, Chen Xian finally noticed that Shen Jixue’s clothes were soaked and cold. He looked around for Wu Bie to get Shen Jixue a change of clothes and saw Wu Bie smoking and chatting with the massage parlor owner.

“Wu Bie.”

At this moment, he still couldn’t resist flirting with women.

Wu Bie flicked the ash off his cigarette, his smile faltering. He looked up, his tone sarcastic, “Finally remembered me?”

Shen Jixue and Chen Xian had hugged so tightly earlier, anyone would feel left out. The others were blind and couldn’t see, but Wu Bie and Boss Wang had perfect vision and couldn’t help but notice.

Chen Xian ignored Wu Bie’s sarcastic tone, “Find a place to get Xiao Shen some clothes; he’s soaked.”

Who’s not soaked? Wu Bie thought, frustrated. He had traveled all this way, getting drenched himself. Why didn’t Chen Xian care about him?

“Where am I supposed to get clothes?” Wu Bie snapped. He thought Shen Jixue was trouble. “He’s not the only one wet. Boss Wang is soaked too. Why don’t you take care of a lady first?”

Seeing Boss Wang drenched from taking care of the employees made Chen Xian’s face flush. He awkwardly said, “I’m sorry.”

Boss Wang laughed at his words, “No need to apologize.”

They couldn’t find dry clothes, only towels distributed by the community. Chen Xian dried Shen Jixue’s hair and then took care of himself.

Wu Bie, now too tired to complain about Chen Xian, said calmly, “I asked around. The road we came on is blocked. We can’t go back now.”

Shen Jixue’s ears perked up, his earlobes turning red. Chen Xian would stay a few more days.

The ship had gone to help with the flood relief, so they had nothing to do even if they returned. Staying a day or two longer wouldn’t be a problem.

Chen Xian put his arm around Shen Jixue’s shoulder, “We’ll have to stay a few more days. We’ll leave when the road is clear.”

Shen Jixue was confused. Was this “we” directed at Wu Bie or him? What did this “we” mean?

“We can help Boss Wang out. She’s taking care of so many blind people by herself; it must be hard,” Chen Xian said, wanting to thank Boss Wang for bringing Shen Jixue to safety.

“We…” Shen Jixue hesitated, uncertain.

Wu Bie scoffed at his hesitation, “Yeah, you think we came all this way just to see you?”

Wu Bie knew Chen Xian well. No matter what, Chen Xian would take Shen Jixue back. He couldn’t be bothered to interfere anymore.

It was strange how Shen Jixue always seemed to haunt them. Even being so far away, Chen Xian still found him. Did he cast a spell on Chen Xian?

“Don’t you understand?” Wu Bie said impatiently, “We came to take you back. We’ll leave once the road is clear.”

Wu Bie’s voice buzzed in Shen Jixue’s ears. Such a simple statement, yet Shen Jixue couldn’t grasp it. Rather than not understanding, he couldn’t believe it.

“Chen Xian… really?”

Hearing the moisture in Shen Jixue’s voice, Chen Xian felt a pang of sadness, “Yes, I’m here to take you back.”

“But…” Shen Jixue felt hypocritical. He desperately wanted to leave with Chen Xian, but he had to pretend to be reserved, “It would trouble you.”

Before Chen Xian could respond, Wu Bie mocked, “You think you’re not troubling him by staying here? Your deadbeat uncle doesn’t care about you. No matter where you go, Chen Xian won’t be at ease.”

Why speak so harshly to the kid? Chen Xian signaled Wu Bie to stop. Wu Bie rolled his eyes and turned away in frustration.

“It’s no trouble.” Chen Xian knew Shen Jixue hesitated on leaving with him because he didn’t want to be a burden. “Can you take care of yourself?”

“But…” Shen Jixue couldn’t find the words.

Rather than being a burden and annoying Chen Xian, Shen Jixue feared being apart from him. Life had been dull, and he would have lost hope if not for the thought of repaying Chen Xian’s loan. Now, Chen Xian gave him hope again.

“Enough.” Seeing Shen Jixue’s eyes welling up, Chen Xian interrupted, “Don’t overthink it. We came specifically to get you…”

Wu Bie cut in, “Not me, though. He came specifically to get you.”

Chen Xian smiled helplessly, ignoring Wu Bie. “Come back with me. We’ll figure things out together.”

How could Chen Xian be so good to him? How could there be someone like Chen Xian?