TATSD Chapter 119

When winter arrived, Liu Yimian had already been at the academy for three months.

Things were very different from when he first arrived and he was met with indifference from everyone.

He was young, good-looking, gentle in temperament, and generous—often sharing snacks to make friends. Over time, as people got to know him better, it became hard for anyone to dislike him.

In addition, the head instructor personally took Liu Yimian under his wing. Despite starting with a weaker foundation, Liu Yimian worked three times harder than others. After more than a month of relentless effort, he caught up with the rest of the students.

However, if catching up was his only goal, he wouldn’t stand a chance at the county-level exam.

Liu Yimian had been diving into his studies for just half a year, but his intelligence and ability to learn by analogy worked in his favor. He focused solely on preparing for the county exam every day, tirelessly studying well into the night after lectures and lessons. Within this short time, he had memorized all the material by heart.

His perseverance even left Wen Xuan, one of the most diligent students, ashamed. Wen Xuan often sighed, saying that if Liu Yimian didn’t pass the scholar exam, it would truly be an injustice.

However, perhaps because Liu Yimian was still growing or simply exhausted, he remained thin despite eating regularly. Instead of gaining weight, he only seemed to grow taller, his small face appearing even more delicate and frail.

Whenever Ji Wei found time to visit the academy, he couldn’t help but feel distressed by Liu Yimian’s thin frame. Worried that Liu Yimian was too frugal, Ji Wei left a significant amount of money with Lin Tai, instructing him to take Liu Yimian out to eat every other day and ensure he had plenty of fish and meat to nourish his body.

Lin Tai followed Ji Wei’s instructions strictly, dragging Liu Yimian out for meals frequently. But perhaps due to the changing seasons, Liu Yimian often had little appetite. He tolerated fish but found the meat too greasy and rarely ate more than a bite or two.

When Lin Tai noticed Liu Yimian’s already thin face growing even smaller, he panicked as though someone had stolen his food. He threatened Liu Yimian, saying if he didn’t eat properly, he’d call Ji Wei.

Frightened, Liu Yimian reluctantly ate everything the others served him during meals.

But the forced enthusiasm was too much for him. Halfway through one meal, his face turned pale, and he ran out of the restaurant. By the time Lin Tai and the others caught up, they found Liu Yimian leaning against a wall, doubled over. Everything he had eaten came back up, leaving him weak and unable to stand.

The sight terrified everyone. Lin Tai, reacting first, rushed over to support Liu Yimian, draping one of Liu’s arms over his shoulder. Though not very tall, Lin Tai’s sturdy build made the task manageable.

Wen Xuan moved to help, but Lin Tai snapped at him. “Are you dumb? The bill hasn’t been paid yet! Do you have any money? Take my coin pouch and settle the bill. I’ll take him to the doctor first. Catch up with me after!”

After grabbing the coin pouch, Lin Tai hoisted Liu Yimian onto his back and sprinted to the clinic at the end of the street.

It was dinnertime, and the clinic’s elderly doctor was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a young apprentice was sitting in front of a medicine cabinet, enjoying a meal, completely oblivious to their arrival.

Lin Tai bellowed, startling the apprentice so badly that he nearly spilled his food. Sheepishly setting his bowl aside, the apprentice rushed over to assist Liu Yimian.

“What happened?” the apprentice asked.

“I don’t know. He ate something and suddenly started vomiting,” Lin Tai explained, craning his neck to look for the doctor. “Where’s the doctor? Why isn’t he here?”

“He went to eat lunch. He should be back soon—”

“That’s not good enough! Go get him now! Is he out at the back? If you won’t, I’ll go myself!” Lin Tai brushed past the apprentice, pushing aside a dark blue curtain to enter the back area.

Behind the curtain was a path leading to a small kitchen. Through the open door, Lin Tai saw the elderly doctor sitting at a table, eating slowly.

“Doctor!” Lin Tai shouted as he ran toward him.

The elderly doctor, startled, choked on a grain of rice and coughed violently for several moments.

“My fault! My fault! Are you okay?” Lin Tai patted the doctor’s back in a panic, glancing anxiously toward the apprentice who was peering through the curtain.

Once the doctor recovered, he scowled and swatted Lin Tai’s hand away. “What’s the rush? Young people should be more composed.”

“It’s not me—it’s my friend. He was fine while eating but suddenly started vomiting. Now he’s pale and can’t stand. I’m worried he’s sick,” Lin Tai explained, hurrying to support the doctor as he rose. “He’s been eating poorly lately and has lost weight. Could it be an illness?”

“Is your friend male or female?” the doctor asked.

“Male.” Lin Tai paused, then smacked his forehead. “Oh, right! He’s a ger!”

Although Lin Tai rarely interacted with gers, he knew their physiology was different. Worried about missing any crucial details, he quickly added this information.

The doctor halted briefly, then gave Lin Tai a knowing look that made his heart skip a beat.

What’s with that strange look?

The elderly doctor, still steady on his feet, waved off Lin Tai’s assistance and strode into the clinic.

Liu Yimian had been in pain before vomiting, feeling as if his stomach was being twisted. Now, sitting in a chair, his pale face showed a hint of color, and he no longer looked as frightening as before.

“Doctor,” Liu Yimian began, attempting to rise, but the doctor gestured for him to stay seated.

“Extend your hand,” the doctor instructed, stroking his short beard with one hand while taking Liu Yimian’s pulse with the other. After a moment, he switched to Liu’s other wrist.

Lin Tai watched anxiously. “Doctor, how is he?”

The elderly doctor’s expression remained enigmatic as he glanced at Lin Tai, making the young man’s nerves fray even more.

Just then, Wen Xuan rushed in after settling the bill. “How is he? Is Mianmian okay?” Wen Xuan, having grown closer to Liu Yimian, now affectionately called him by his nickname.

“I was just about to ask!” Lin Tai snapped, glaring at him.

The doctor’s gaze shifted between Lin Tai and Wen Xuan before he spoke, his tone slow and deliberate. “Which one of you should I congratulate?”

“Congratulate? For what?” Wen Xuan asked, confused. “Isn’t he sick? What’s there to congratulate?”

“Congratulations, he’s been pregnant for nearly two months,” the old doctor announced.

Lin Tai let out an involuntary shout, Wen Xuan stood frozen with his mouth agape, and Liu Yimian stared blankly at the doctor, his lips slightly parted, his mind an utter blank.

When he finally processed the words, his instincts kicked in, and he grabbed the doctor’s arm, leaning forward as if drawn by some unseen force. His voice was barely above a whisper, trembling with disbelief. “What… did you just say?”

“You’re two months pregnant,” the doctor repeated calmly. “At this stage, it’s normal to experience poor appetite, nausea, and dizziness. There’s no need to panic. However, your constitution is weak, and you’ll need proper nourishment.”

The doctor paused. Liu Yimian quickly let go of his arm and sat upright, his hands folded neatly in his lap.

“For someone like you, it’s exceedingly difficult to conceive, let alone carry a child to term. Giving birth is akin to walking through the gates of death—snatching life from the clutches of the underworld. If your body remains too frail…” The old doctor trailed off, shaking his head, but the implication was clear.

Liu Yimian didn’t need it spelled out.

—Two lives lost.

As a ge’er, he didn’t need anyone to explain the risks. People like him rarely conceived, and even fewer survived childbirth. Many never made it through.

Before, when the thought of having a child crossed his mind, he’d resolved that even if it cost him his life, he’d bear it for Brother Ji.

But now that it was real, everything had changed.

He couldn’t bear to leave Brother Ji behind—or the child.

He wanted to watch their child grow, to grow old alongside Ji Wei. For that, he couldn’t let his body waste away.

The steward of Chang’an Street burst into the bakery on North Street just as Ji Wei was meticulously spreading cream on a freshly baked cake. Surprised by the intrusion, Ji Wei looked up, his brow furrowing. “What’s going on? Is something wrong at the shop?”

The steward, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath, barely had time to wipe his brow as he blurted out, “Young Master Liu is pregnant!”

Ji Wei froze, blinking as if the words didn’t compute. “Young Master Liu? Which Liu?”

“The one at the county academy!”

Crash!

Ji Wei’s arm jerked, sending the cake flying to the floor, where it landed with a splat, scattering cream everywhere.

But Ji Wei didn’t care.

He pinched his cheek hard, the sharp sting and rising redness confirming he wasn’t dreaming. With a whoop, he darted forward, grabbing the steward by the shoulders and shaking him. “You mean Mianmian? Is he pregnant?”

“Yes! I heard it directly from him today. I rushed here as soon as I could!”

Ji Wei’s face split into an uncontrollable grin as he paced back and forth, muttering excitedly. After a moment, he threw his hands in the air and shouted, “Everyone, share in my joy! Wages for the day are doubled! That cake? Forget it! If the customer complains, I’ll deal with it later. I’m leaving!”

He sprinted toward the door, only to realize he was heading the wrong way. Pivoting, he dashed back, grabbed his donkey from under the tree, and mounted it in one swift motion. Without a glance back, he galloped off toward Daxi Town, leaving the stunned steward in his dust.

By the time Ji Wei arrived, the sky had darkened, and his hands and feet were chilled to the bone. The lantern at the county academy gate glowed softly, casting warm golden light into the frosty air.

The gatekeeper, recognizing Ji Wei, opened his mouth to make a cheeky remark, but Ji Wei brushed past him, his urgency palpable. He didn’t even bother to stable the donkey, heading straight for the dormitory. Reaching the small building, he dismounted, hopped the fence, and hurriedly knocked on the door.

Inside, Wen Xuan’s voice called out before the door opened. Seeing Ji Wei, Wen Xuan yelped in surprise but was promptly pushed aside. Stumbling backward, he watched Ji Wei rush straight to the bedside.

“Are you feeling unwell?” Ji Wei asked anxiously. He grasped Liu Yimian’s wrist, pressing it to his cheek, while his other hand slipped under the covers to gently touch Liu’s stomach.

The flat expanse of Liu’s belly betrayed no sign of the life within, yet Ji Wei’s touch was reverent.

“I’m fine,” Liu Yimian answered softly.

By the door, Lin Tai quietly grabbed Wen Xuan by the wrist and dragged him outside, shutting the door behind them.

“Come back with me,” Ji Wei said, his gaze fixed on Liu Yimian. Leaning down, he placed a tender kiss on the boy’s hand. “I’ll take care of you.”

Ji Wei didn’t see the flicker of determination in Liu Yimian’s eyes as he replied, “No, Brother Ji.”

Sitting up, Liu Yimian wrapped his arms around Ji Wei, resting his head on his shoulder. He brushed a feather-light kiss against Ji Wei’s jawline before saying, “You have your ambitions, and I have my determination. I’ve come so far already; I can’t give up now.”

Burying his face in Ji Wei’s neck, Liu inhaled his familiar scent deeply. The silence stretched on, and his heart began to race with unease.

But then Ji Wei’s strong hand trailed up his back, stopping to cradle the nape of his neck. A gentle squeeze was followed by a soft laugh. “You’ve made up your mind, and I won’t stand in your way. But if you’re staying, promise me one thing.”

“What is it?” Liu Yimian asked eagerly, his dark eyes bright with curiosity.

Ji Wei pulled him into a long, passionate kiss, leaving Liu’s face flushed and his breath shaky. His voice was husky as he whispered into Liu’s ear, “Next time I see you, you’d better have put on some weight.”

Still dazed, Liu Yimian slumped against Ji Wei’s chest, utterly unable to respond. Ji Wei chuckled and pressed, “Well? Do you promise?”

Muffled against Ji Wei’s chest, Liu finally managed a soft “Mm.”

“Mianmian, I have a child now.”

“Mm.”

“I, Ji Wei, have a child!”

Liu Yimian said nothing, simply tightening his arms around Ji Wei as outside, the first snow of the year began to fall.