Chapter 141: Equal Exchange

Chapter 141: Chapter 141: Equal Exchange

In the end, after Yizhou’s persuasion, the matter was settled before Sui Sui could even voice his objections. By the time he realized what was happening, he was already being taken to Yizhou’s Bamboo Courtyard to rest.

Elder Shan Li then invited a healer to examine Sui Sui. The healer sat beside the bed and placed two fingers against Sui Sui’s wrist, carefully sensing the flow of spiritual energy through his meridians.

After checking his condition, the healer confirmed that there was nothing seriously wrong. The healing pill Yizhou had given him earlier had already healed the wound on his back. The only problem should be that his spiritual energy was still somewhat chaotic.

"This is likely due to the shock and fright he experienced during the attack. Don’t worry, though. It’s nothing serious and should gradually return to normal once he gets enough rest."

After the examination, the healer packed up his things and left. Elder Shan Li followed him out, likely to discuss some things, but before leaving, he turned to Sui Sui and told him that he wouldn’t need to visit the herb garden for the next few days and could simply rest in the meantime. With that, he left alongside the healer.

Now that the others had left, only Yizhou, Bai Suichen, and Sui Sui remained. With mostly just the two brothers talking, Bai Suichen began telling Sui Sui more about what had happened in Xuánshuāng City.

"So, did brother experience anything exciting there?" Sui Sui asked curiously.

"Quite a bit, actually," Bai Suichen replied. He then explained how they had uncovered even more evidence of demonic activity, including additional corpse oil and suspicious items found during their investigation of the Yaomei Pavilion. The more they investigated, the more they realized how deeply the demons had been involved in the city.

"It’s really a pity for the victims," Bai Suichen sighed. "Thankfully, they found the culprit before the entire city was wiped out. Otherwise, who knows how many more people would have died?"

Sui Sui nodded in agreement, listening quietly as his older brother continued.

Bai Suichen also mentioned that he had encountered the Luo sisters in Xuánshuāng City. Who, by the way, was still searching for the two brothers, Tuanzi and Aotian, but apparently hadn’t found any leads.

Hearing those names, Sui Sui subtly glanced at Yizhou.

Yizhou remained quiet, showing no obvious reaction.

As they continued chatting, the conversation gradually shifted from Bai Suichen to Sui Sui.

"Hey, I just remembered. Why didn’t you tell me you started selling pills, Xiao-Sui. Are you short on spirit stones lately? Want your brother to give you pocket money?" Bai Suichen asked, looking at his younger brother with concern.

Sui Sui blinked. He had indeed forgotten to mention this part when telling Bai Suichen about his recent progress in cultivation. Well, technically, he hadn’t forgotten at all. He had deliberately left out the matter of selling pills. After all, he could already guess what his big brother would say, so he had conveniently decided to keep quiet about it.

He hadn’t expected Bai Suichen to find out about it almost as soon as he returned. With no way to avoid the topic now, Sui Sui could only explain.

"No, no need! I also want to learn to do these things on my own. Besides, I’m a grown-up now, so I should learn to look after myself, too," Sui Sui said, trying to make his case.

Bai Suichen looked at him as though he had just heard something utterly ridiculous. "Nonsense! You’ll always be the youngest in the family. What’s wrong with spoiling you a little? My little brother deserves the best in the world!"

Sui Sui stared at his big brother, momentarily at a loss for words.

Big Brother, just how exactly did you raise the original Bai Sui Sui?

With a family that doted on him this much, it was a wonder the original owner hadn’t turned into one of those arrogant young masters who threw tantrums at the slightest inconvenience and expected everyone to bow to their whims. Then again, perhaps he hadn’t been entirely innocent in that regard. The original Bai Sui Sui had certainly been willful enough in his own way.

Otherwise, how could he explain the sheer audacity of clinging to the male lead so shamelessly?

"Anyway, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask Mother, Father, or me. By the way, how are your pill sales going? Do you have a stable place to sell them? Should we buy a shop in Linfeng City for you?" Bai Suichen asked, already thinking of ways to make things easier for his little brother.

Sui Sui quickly shook his head. "There’s no need for that! I’ve actually found a permanent buyer recently, so I don’t have to sell the pills myself anymore. They’ve even agreed to provide the herbs I need, and I only have to go down the mountain once a month to deliver the pills."

"Oh? Then that’s great!" Bai Suichen seemed relieved to hear that, but next second, as if remembering something his expression soon turned serious again. "Still, remember never to go out alone, all right? It’s dangerous out there, especially these days. There’s been a lot of news about demonic factions becoming active in the Human Realm, so you must be extra careful. Understand?"

Hearing the worry of his brother, Sui Sui could only obediently nodded. Seeing his little brother’s agreement, Bai Suichen finally turned to Yizhou. "By the way, Junior Brother Yizhou, would it be too much trouble to ask you to look after my brother while I’m away? You don’t have to watch over him all the time, but if he ever needs to go down the mountain, could I trouble you to accompany him?"

Hearing this, Sui Sui wanted to protest that there was no need to trouble Yizhou over such a small matter. After all, if only his big brother knew, the most dangerous demon was already right beside him, ah!

Unfortunately, before Sui Sui could say anything, Yizhou was already one step ahead of him, replying with all smiles. "Of course. Don’t worry, Senior Brother. I’ll take good care of Junior Brother Sui Sui, so you can enter seclusion at ease."

Sui Sui turned to look at his senior brother, silently swallowing the words that had almost left his mouth.

Take care? more like eat up

Bai Suichen, unaware of the thoughts running through his little brother’s head, was naturally grateful for Yizhou’s reassurance.

Soon after this conversation, since it was getting late, Bai Suichen decided that it was now time to leave. He reminded Sui Sui to rest well before departing the bamboo courtyard.

With Bai Suichen gone, only Sui Sui and Yizhou remained in the room.

Sui Sui looked at Yizhou who still hasn’t left "So, um... Is there anything else Senior Brother needs from me?" Sui Sui asked tentatively.

"Hm? Has Junior Brother already forgotten our agreement?" Yizhou raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. "I’ve been craving it ever since earlier, you know."

Only then did Sui Sui remember.

Ah! Their agreement!

Well, you couldn’t really blame him, could you? After everything that had happened today, from his injuries to losing blood and then dealing with his big brother, it was only natural that something would slip his mind!

Before Sui Sui could come up with an excuse, Yizhou had already leisurely made his way over and sat down beside him on the bed. He tilted his head, studying the little fellow’s suddenly guilty expression with amusement.

"Why? Don’t want to do it?" Yizhou asked, moving closer and whispering teasingly into Sui Sui’s ear. ℓ.

Seeing Yizhou’s handsome face drawing closer, Sui Sui instinctively leaned back. Unfortunately, there was only so much room on the bed, and before he could retreat any farther, Yizhou had already closed the distance, leaving him with nowhere to escape.

Feeling the other’s breath so close, Sui Sui’s ears gradually turned red. He hurriedly turned his head away, pretending to be calm as he rubbed the tips of his ears.

"N-No, that’s not what I meant! But, um... shouldn’t you show a little consideration for a sick person? Hehe." Sui Sui gave him an awkward smile, hoping to appeal to his senior brother’s conscience.

Deep down, however, Sui Sui couldn’t help grumbling.

Just a moment ago, Senior Brother was still promising Big Brother that he would take good care of me. And now that Big Brother has left, he’s already asking to drink my blood! What a two-faced person!

But jokes aside, Sui Sui really wasn’t in the mood for this today. His back was still aching from his earlier injuries, and he had lost quite a bit of blood as well. Although he had taken a medicinal pill to help him recover, he was far from being back to his usual self and still felt rather exhausted.

"You’ve already been on a break for nearly two months. I haven’t even come to collect your payment, and you’re still asking for sick leave?" Yizhou asked, raising an eyebrow.

Sui Sui blinked at him. "So, is that a no?"

"Hmm...It’s not as though it’s impossible." Yizhou raised a hand to his chin, rubbing it thoughtfully as if he were genuinely considering the request.

Sui Sui’s eyes brightened a little. It seemed there was still room for negotiation! However, his excitement lasted only a moment before he remembered who he was dealing with. Yizhou rarely agreed to anything without getting something in return. If he was being this accommodating, there was bound to be a catch.

"But if I’m going to agree to your request, shouldn’t there be an equivalent exchange?" Yizhou said, the corner of his mouth curling upward.

See? Just as expected.

Sui Sui looked at him with the weary suspicion of someone who had already guessed the answer but still needed to hear it for himself. "So? What catch would there be?"

"I want to dual cultivate."

"Dual cultivation?" Sui Sui repeated, blinking in surprise.

He had expected Yizhou to come up with some unreasonable demand, but this didn’t sound too bad. After all, dual cultivation was simply an exchange of spiritual power. It might even help stabilize his chaotic energy, which would make the arrangement beneficial to him as well. The more Sui Sui thought about it, the more reasonable the request seemed.

At worst, Yizhou would probably try to extend the duration of their sessions, right? What could possibly go wrong.