WBICDPH Chapter 55 Part 2

“Medicine—good for your recovery. Don’t take too much in one day, or it’ll backfire. I’ll get more tomorrow. The Sacred Jade Body heals slowly, so take care. If anything happens and Mo Yuzi proves useless, send me a message. No one’s blaming you or driving you away. You’re my disciple—and I’ll make those who hurt you pay. No one bullies my student.”

She patted his head gently before leaving with the others, closing the door behind her.

Even after the wooden door creaked shut, their voices carried through:

“I thought those rumors were just gossip—but Piaomiao Pavilion actually did something that despicable?! Feeding drugs to raise a living furnace vessel and offering him to that monster? I’ll settle this score for my disciple—I’m storming Piaomiao Pavilion tomorrow!”

“Calm down,” Mo Yuzi retorted. “If they don’t know he’s here yet, you’ll only make things worse.”

“…Fine,” Sanzong Yu said eventually. “The priority is the Twelve Guards. Nanzhi, Han Ao—rest and keep this confidential. Yunkong, come speak with me later…”

Their voices faded until silence filled the room.

Lin Jin picked up the pouch beside his pillow, emotions swelling painfully in his chest.

Beside him, Xiao Lanqi lay quietly, equally conflicted.

Even when facing enemies far stronger than himself, Lin Jin had chosen to protect him. And now, standing before the people he trusted most, he had still hidden the truth to protect himself.

Had Lin Jin never suspected his identity? Hadn’t he wondered why the Twelve Guards were so desperate for a single puppy?

Or… had he guessed everything and chosen to protect him anyway?

Xiao Lanqi lowered his ears slightly—then noticed Lin Jin’s breathing growing uneven.

He looked up and saw Lin Jin clutching the pouch with one hand while covering his eyes with the other.

He was crying.

Crying? How weak? Humans are so fragile.

Still, Xiao Lanqi stood and placed a paw on his shoulder.

That should count as comfort. Stop crying.

But Lin Jin only pulled him into a tight hug.

His voice trembled with tears. “Who are you, really? You’re not a dog, are you? Real dogs wag their tails—you never do.”

…Of course I’m not a dog!

“Or maybe you can wag your tail, you just don’t like me enough to bother.”

“….”

Annoying!

Reluctantly, Xiao Lanqi flicked his tail twice.

There—I wagged it. Happy now? Stop crying already!

It didn’t help. Lin Jin cried harder.

Gently rubbing the puppy’s head, he whispered, “You know… this is the first time anyone’s treated me like this. The first time someone has spoken to me with such kindness. So this is what it feels like to be cared about.

“Do you have a family? Do they love you?

“Do you know what it feels like to have a mother? You probably don’t understand… I never had parents. But maybe… I’ve found something even more precious here.”

What was he talking about—mothers? another world?

Xiao Lanqi didn’t understand his strange human ramblings about love and being cared for.

He didn’t need such things. Only humans obsessed over sentimental nonsense.

Yet as he lay there, breathing in Lin Jin’s faint floral scent, his thoughts grew tangled.

Then suddenly Lin Jin rubbed his face into his fur—leaving it damp with tears.

…Outrageous!!!

Who permitted you to use me as a handkerchief?!

Xiao Lanqi opened his mouth to bite his cheek—but Lin Jin murmured weakly beside his ear, “It hurts…”

“….”

He withdrew his fangs with a sigh and settled against Lin Jin’s neck, letting himself be hugged tightly.

Crying whenever you’re in pain… are you a child?

I stopped shedding tears when I was three.

Stupid human.

…So unbelievably stupid.