Chapter 064: Rest in Peace, O Departed; The Living Must Be Strong

“Cough, cough.” Chen Fang, freshly bathed, coughed twice on the wave-shaped bed, her eyes somewhat vacant and her expression haggard.

Creak—the door opened.

Le Xiaotian, who had gone out to fetch his instrument, hurried back.

Not hearing the familiar call, he scanned the room, then spotted Chen Fang lying on the bed. “Are you really sick?”

He walked to the bedside and placed his hand on her forehead—hot, burning. He compared it by touching his own.

“You have a fever. Let me help you sweat it out.”

After saying this, he took off his damp bathrobe.

Seeing his action, Chen Fang, confused and drowsy, asked, “What... what are you doing?”

Lifting the quilt, Le Xiaotian crawled into bed, his demeanor solemn and natural.

Startled, Chen Fang cried out, “Xiaotian, get off me!”

Unbothered, Le Xiaotian rolled out from under the covers and placed his hands on either side of Chen Fang’s shoulders, facing her directly.

While doing push-ups above her, he declared, “You’re in the early stages of a cold; sweating helps. No need for physical cooling just yet. My charming method is quite effective for treating illness.”

His strong physique, the rich masculine aura, the peculiar rhythm of his breathing—after just a dozen push-ups, Chen Fang felt her whole body breaking into sweat.

And this burning sensation flared within her like a volcanic eruption, growing ever more intense.

Observing her, Le Xiaotian, at the fifteenth push-up, drew near her reddened lips. “There’s real benefit in exchanging saliva—it can boost your immunity. Shall we try?”

As a renowned doctor, Chen Fang knew he was bluffing.

Yet, thinking of their relationship, she asked shyly, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll infect you?”

Le Xiaotian put on a heroic expression. “For you, I’d take two stabs from a brother. No, I’d stab myself twice. With our relationship, is there any need for such worries?”

In her frail, feverish state, Chen Fang was easily moved. Having long harbored feelings for Le Xiaotian, she yielded.

After a bout of entanglement, Le Xiaotian began conversing with Xiao Jiu in his mind. “Come out, help me run a water purity test for Chen Fang. I want to elevate our souls together.”

Soon, Xiao Jiu replied, “Chen Fang: mortal, water purity seventy-eight, pure and upright, noble character—a rare and fine woman.”

Le Xiaotian was surprised. “What? Didn’t she date before? Actually, even if she’s not a virgin, I wouldn’t mind.”

After checking, Xiao Jiu responded, “Her previous relationship was Platonic. Her boyfriend never even held her hand. Plus, Chen Fang comes from a privileged background, is well-educated, and is practically a novice when it comes to love.”

Le Xiaotian nodded in realization. “Makes sense. Take me, for example—I haven’t studied much, so I’m always thinking about sleeping around. Wait, am I really that kind of person?”

After his slip of the tongue, he sighed. “Looks like my plan to elevate our souls together will have to wait.”

Meanwhile, flushed with emotion, Chen Fang lifted her quilt and whispered, voice as soft as a mosquito, “Xiaotian, help me... help me bring down my fever.”

I wish I could!

Silently grumbling to himself, Le Xiaotian got up from the bed.

After a long pause, Chen Fang noticed Le Xiaotian heading for the bathroom, and a wave of disappointment washed over her.

Not only that, being rejected when she’d taken the initiative left her embarrassed, shy, and aggrieved.

She quietly tucked her face back under the covers.

Before entering the shower, Le Xiaotian said, “Fang, we’re adults now. Some things aren’t to be done lightly.”

Whoosh!

A pillow flew across the room.

Catching it, he asked, “Sleeping after sweating might worsen your condition. Come, let me help you bathe.”

No answer—her silence was absolute.

He let out a long breath and headed into the bathroom to shower.

As the warm water flowed down his head, he began sorting his thoughts.

Living with Chen Fang was pure happenstance.

Now, if he slept with her, he’d face the same dilemma as with Su Yun and Sun Yuzhen.

Because she was neither manipulative nor scheming, not a green tea girl nor a temptress, but a good woman—no, a good girl.

Without the ability to protect himself, this predicament was maddening.

He was no longer the old Le Xiaotian; too many troubles plagued him now. Never mind the constant threat from Xiao Jiu, just handling Su Yun and Yuzhen was enough to sour his heart.

And then there were the eighty-eight star soul musicians to find. The key was that they couldn’t be chosen at random—they had to be selected from millions, tens of millions, even hundreds of billions. The future seemed impossibly distant.

With these thoughts, Le Xiaotian finished his shower, his mind clear and composed.

His beard was clean-shaven, his spirit fully restored, and with a white shirt and black fish-patterned suit, he looked strikingly handsome.

While combing his hair, he addressed Chen Fang on the bed, “Fang, honestly, you should go shower first.”

Before long, Chen Fang got up, though she avoided looking at him.

Le Xiaotian smiled wryly and reminded her, “Fang, I’m about to record a video. When you’re out of the shower, be careful.”

No response, but their conversation was pleasant enough.

He took out his computer and activated high-tech holographic imaging—not projection, but photography.

Immediately, four floating screens rose around him, giving the room an impressive air.

He grabbed a bottle of mineral water and drank it, then lit a cigarette.

After making final adjustments, he began to speak. “Good evening to all my friends at the network terminals. I am Le Xiaotian. On this stormy night, I am on Blue Moon Island, about to improvise a performance. This piece is dedicated to a strong woman. As for its name, it’s meaningless. Let’s simply offer her a sincere blessing.”

After this, he continued, “I’ve received all your messages of longing. The serialization and broadcast of ‘Journey to the West’ will be delayed. And as for those who want me to star in the movie ‘Big Muscle King,’ let’s talk less about that. That way, we’ll remain good friends.”

He picked up the shakuhachi, adjusted his posture and expression, and, as he gathered his emotions, said, “Rest for the departed, strength for the living. Please enjoy this pure music piece, ‘Requiem.’”

With that, he began to play ‘Requiem’ (composed by Mori Hideharu, one of the background pieces from Hyakki Yagyo Sho) with heartfelt sincerity.