The Villainous Classmate is My Lucky Star Chapter 249
Translated by Pure
Chapter 249 The Source of the Epidemic
Following the downpour, the air was saturated with moisture, yet in Yibei, the sky appeared remarkably pristine, as though cleansed by the rain. Stretching endlessly, a vibrant expanse of blue met the eye, punctuated by the occasional drift of white clouds veiling the brilliant sun.
Mu Yang drew in a deep breath, relishing the fresh air. "Being cooped up indoors for days was suffocating," he remarked with a sigh.
Wen Yantong inquired, "Have you visited Little Marquis yet?"
Mu Yang shook his head. "The servants mentioned that Brother Xi didn't rest until dawn, so I didn't want to disturb him."
"It's understandable," Wen Yantong conceded.
Chi Jingxi had been preoccupied with Mu Yang's condition, neglecting his own rest in the process. Consequently, he appeared increasingly fatigued and worn-out with each passing day.
Despite the lingering presence of red patches on Mu Yang's body, his vitality continued to improve steadily, a testament to the efficacy of the medicine in halting the progression of the disease.
The plague, concocted by malicious individuals, could be subdued with a simple remedy.
However, Wen Yantong couldn't comprehend why the plague, which was originally documented to have occurred in Chang'an in the book, had surfaced in Yibei at this juncture.
As Mu Yang and Wen Yantong engaged in conversation, Mu Yang suddenly recalled something and retrieved a doll from his sleeve.
Upon laying eyes on the doll, Wen Yantong immediately recognized it as a local Wishing Doll from Yibei. However, unlike most Wishing Dolls in the region, which were typically woven from linen and adorned with attire reflecting local customs, this particular doll stood out. Its apricot-yellow brocade dress lent it an air of elegance, yet upon closer inspection, numerous imperfections marred its appearance.
"Where did you buy this?" Wen Yantong inquired, curiosity piqued as she examined the doll.
The attire of this doll bears a striking resemblance to that of what most civilians in Chaoge wear. It's quite unusual to encounter such a style here in Yibei.
Mu Yang scratched his head sheepishly. "I crafted it myself."
Wen Yantong's surprise was palpable. "You made it?" She scrutinized the doll once more, noting the haphazard stitching and numerous tangled threads. It was indeed the handiwork of a novice.
"Why did you decide to make it?" Wen Yantong inquired, regarding him with a puzzled expression.
It was difficult for her to fathom Mu Yang sitting down with a needle and thread to painstakingly craft a small doll. How could he possess such patience?
Mu Yang explained, "I noticed many young girls in Yibei City wearing similar dolls at their waists, so I wanted to make one for you. Every time we passed by the doll stall, you would pause to admire them but never make a purchase. I thought perhaps you didn't fancy the styles available here, so I decided to sew a Chaoge doll for you."
Wen Yantong chuckled appreciatively. Despite Mu Yang's boisterous and somewhat naive demeanor, his thoughtfulness never ceased to surprise her.
"When did you sew this?" she inquired.
"It was during my illness, when I had plenty of idle time," Mu Yang replied with a smile.
Upon hearing Mu Yang's explanation, Wen Yantong realized that he had taken the time to prepare these items for them, likely under the assumption that his life was in jeopardy. She surmised that it wasn't just her; Chi Jingxi and Fu Zixian likely had similar tokens as well.
She offered her praise. "It’s amazing."
She then proceeded to fasten the Wishing Doll around her waist.
Mu Yang's grin widened, revealing his gleaming teeth. "I haven't practiced archery in a while. You should join me!"
Wen Yantong didn't hesitate, seeing it as a welcome distraction from the solemn atmosphere in the house. Plus, they couldn't disturb Chi Jingxi.
With a smile, she readily accepted his invitation.
The pair made their way to the backyard, where several trees with archery targets awaited them.
A small bell adorned the archery target, ready to chime with each successful hit.
Wen Yantong's aim faltered after days of inactivity. Her initial shots missed their mark, prompting a chuckle from Mu Yang. However, he refrained from teasing her as he might have done in the past.
Unbeknownst to them, the archery targets were positioned directly outside Chi Jingxi's back window. Startled from his slumber, Chi Jingxi was roused by the tinkling bells. Blinking away sleep, his handsome features bore traces of exhaustion.
Slowly rising from his bed, he initially dismissed the noise as a figment of his imagination. Yet, the distinct chime persisted, accompanied by Wen Yantong's laughter. "Mu Xingyi, your aim is hardly any better. Who are you to mock me?"
Chi Jingxi blinked, his senses sharpening as he listened intently once more.
At that moment, Mu Yang's voice reached his ears. "At least I hit the target, unlike your arrows that end up on the ground."
Chi Jingxi swiftly summoned his servant. "Who is practicing archery in the backyard?"
The servant responded quickly, "Responding to Commander-in-Chief, it's Miss Wen and Young Master Mu. Is it a disturbance? This servant will inform them immediately."
Chi Jingxi halted him, "Hold on. Yang'er's condition…?"
The servant reported, "Young Master Mu's condition has improved significantly. When he woke up this morning, the red patches had faded considerably, and he even had the strength to rise from the bed on his own."
Before Chi Jingxi could finish listening, he swiftly rose to his feet, instructing others to assist him in dressing and freshening up.
As he made his way to the backyard, he found Wen Yantong and Mu Yang engrossed in discussing optimal positions to mitigate the wind's influence.
Chi Jingxi lingered at the periphery, unwilling to disrupt the serene and harmonious atmosphere.
A few days prior, during Chi Jingxi's visit to Mu Yang, he found him lying in bed, his speech slowed by the torment of the illness, and his eyes carried the weight of impending death.
Mu Yang resembled a man on the brink of death, his eyes fraught with the dread of mortality. He clutched Chi Jingxi's hand firmly, his voice quivering with tears as he asked, "Brother Xi, is there no cure for this illness?"
In that moment, Chi Jingxi was consumed by a sense of despair unlike any he had ever experienced before.
He refused to acknowledge it, but the truth remained undeniable. Despite summoning countless doctors, poring over volumes of medical records throughout sleepless nights, and scouring for medicinal remedies, Chi Jingxi couldn't halt Mu Yang's gradual decline.
Day by day, he witnessed Mu Yang grow weaker and more emaciated, powerless to intervene, his heart gripped by a sense of dread.
Later, Wen Yantong presented a bowl of medicine, claiming it could save Mu Yang's life. Now, witnessing Mu Yang's unrestrained laughter on this sunny day as the heavy rain subsided, Chi Jingxi couldn't help but feel that the true dawn of Yibei City wasn't the sun in the blue sky, but rather Wen Yantong herself.
Chi Jingxi's gaze lingered on Wen Yantong, her smile reflected in his eyes as their gazes unexpectedly met.
"Ah, Little Marquis!" Wen Yantong exclaimed in surprise.
Mu Yang turned his head at the sound, and both he and Wen Yantong looked at Chi Jingxi simultaneously.
Chi Jingxi smiled and walked toward them.
Mu Yang began happily, "Brother Xi, when did you wake up? Have you rested enough..."
Before he could finish speaking, Chi Jingxi swiftly brushed past him, closing the distance to Wen Yantong in a few strides. He opened his arms, enveloping her in an embrace and lifting her up.
Wen Yantong yelped and gripped Chi Jingxi's arms with both hands. "Little Marquis, what are you doing?!"
Chi Jingxi held her close and spun her around twice before gently setting her down. He kept her in his embrace and whispered in her ear, "Truly the best surprise."
Mu Yang interjected with a shout, "I'm still a patient! Don't ignore me!"
Chi Jingxi released Wen Yantong from his embrace and turned to Mu Yang with a smile. "Quite loud. It seems you're almost back to your old self."
Mu Yang dashed toward him eagerly. "Brother Xi, I want to be lifted up too..."
Chi Jingxi playfully pushed him aside. "Scram."
Wen Yantong rubbed her flushed cheeks, unable to contain her laughter.
