Chapter 211: Sleepwalking

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

In the past, Xu Youyou did not cry, did not laugh, and did not speak. Her expression was dull, and her eyes were lifeless. She was like a walking corpse.

Xu Jialu was really worried that Xu Youyou would revert to her old self.

Mo Shenbai’s eyes were filled with worry as he glanced at the young woman in the hall. At this moment, it was as though there was a huge cloud of gloom hanging above her head, and it was raining heavily down on her. He did not know when the dark clouds would disperse or when the rain would stop or when the bright smile would return to her delicate face.

“As long as I’m around, I won’t let her revert to what she used to be like,” Mo Shenbai said determinedly. He would not allow her to go back to how she was before.

Xu Jialu took a deep breath before changing the topic. “Can you let me handle the matter with the Lin family?”

Although Mo Shenbai was now Xu Youyou’s husband, and it was natural for him to help Xu Youyou vent her anger, this was ultimately the Xu family affair. As the eldest son of the Xu family, it would be useless of Xu Jialu if he let Mo Shenbai, who has half an outsider, deal with this matter.

Mo Shenbai did not hesitate and readily agreed. “I’ll inform the project department. If you need anything, just look for them.”

Since this was a matter between the Xu family and the Lin family, Mo Shenbai did not make a move. It was indeed more convenient for Xu Jialu to make a move.

“On account of my sister, I won’t be polite with you,” Xu Jialu said before he lit another cigarette.

Mo Shenbai pursed his lips and thought to himself, ‘Since when have you ever been polite to me…’

…

Old Madam Xu’s funeral would end the next morning. She would be cremated at the crematorium.

Mo Shenbai did not return to Moon Pavilion when night fell and stayed at the Xu family house instead.

There was a custom in Mo City where married daughters were not allowed to share a room with their husbands when they returned to their maiden homes. It was said that it would affect their children’s luck.

Although Xu Jianshu and Cheng Ying were a little superstitious, they did not care much about this feudal superstition. Hence, they arranged for Mo Shenbai to sleep with Xu Youyou.

Xu Jialu kept vigil for his grandmother and told the others to return to their rooms and rest.

After returning to the room and washing up, Mo Shenbai helped Xu Youyou blow dry her hair before he tucked her in. He kissed her cheek and said, “Sleep.”

After all, they had to get up early in the morning tomorrow to send Old Madam Xu off.

Xu Youyou closed her eyes. However, as soon as she sensed Mo Shenbai getting up, she quickly opened her eyes. She stared at him unblinkingly.

Mo Shenbai sat down again and held her hand. “Go sleep. I’ll stay with you. I’ll go down to see your brother after you fall asleep.”

According to custom, Xu Youyou should be keeping vigil for her grandmother as well. However, she was unsuitable to do so in her current state. Moreover, no one would allow her to do that as well. Her grandmother doted on her greatly so her grandmother definitely would not blame her. Since she could not do it, Mo Shenbai would do it on her behalf.

Xu Youyou slowly closed her eyes.

Mo Shenbai dimmed the lights.

The light cast shadows on her face. Her eyelashes covered her eyes, her lips were slightly pursed, and her eyebrows were furrowed.

Mo Shenbai reached out, intending to touch the space between her brows to ease her frown. However, when his hand was just a millimeter away from her, he stilled. After hesitating for a long time, he finally withdrew his hand. He could not bear to disturb her silent grief.

Xu Youyou only fell asleep late at night. Her breathing also gradually evened out.

After placing her hand under the blanket, Mo Shenbai tried to get off the bed with minimal movements. However, just as he took a few steps toward the door, he heard the sound of movements. He turned back and saw Xu Youyou suddenly sitting up on the bed. He quickly walked back to the bed. “Youyou? Did I wake you up?”

Xu Youyou’s eyes were unfocused. She mechanically lifted her blanket and got off the bed before walking toward the door.

A hint of suspicion flashed in Mo Shenbai’s eyes. He did not say anything. Instead, he quickly walked in front of her and blocked her path. His keen eyes studied her face as he waved his hand in front of her face.

Xu Youyou did not react at all. She did not even blink her eyes. She only stood motionlessly for a minute before she turned around and climbed back into bed, lying down.

However, before Mo Shenbai could heave a sigh of relief, she suddenly sat up again. Just like before, she lifted the blanket and got off the bed before walking toward the door.

Mo Shenbai’s breathing hitched before realization dawned on him; she was sleepwalking. This time, he watched and followed her as she opened the door and went down the spiral staircase. His gaze was trained on her feet as though each step she took was a step on his heart.

When Xu Jialu, who was keeping vigil in the mourning hall, heard the sound of movements, he raised his head and saw Xu Youyou. He put down the offerings in his hands immediately and rose to his feet. “Why aren’t you asleep? Don’t worry. I’ll keep vigil for Grandma. Hurry up and…”

Before Xu Jialu finished speaking, Mo Shenbai appeared and made a shushing gesture.

Xu Jialu fell silent and looked at Mo Shenbai in confusion.

Mo Shenbai shook his head and did not explain anything.

Xu Youyou went to the kitchen. She brought an apple out of the refrigerator before she walked to the knife holder.

Mo Shenbai realized what she was going to do and he quickly moved the knives away.

When Xu Youyou could not find the knife, she turned around and put the apple back into the refrigerator. After closing the refrigerator door, she opened the refrigerator door again to bring the apple out.

Xu Jialu’s expression was gloomy as he asked Mo Shenbai in a low voice, “What’s going on? Is she possessed?”

Mo Shenbai frowned and replied curtly, “Sleepwalking.”

Xu Jialu inhaled sharply. No wonder his sister acted as though she could not see him.

Mo Shenbai rolled his eyes and said, “Hurry up and help her peel the apple.”

Xu Jialu frowned. “I don’t know how.”

Mo Shenbai looked at him skeptically and disdainfully.

“Why would I know how to peel an apple?” Xu Jialu said righteously.

Mo Shenbai quickly took a knife and walked to the trash can before he began to peel the apple.

At the same time, Xu Youyou was repeating the same thing over and over again; she would bring an apple out and search for a knife. When she could not find a knife, she would return the apple to the refrigerator before doing it all over again.

Xu Jialu held the knife holder in his arms as he stared at Xu Youyou with his phoenix-like eyes. His eyes stung as he watched her.

Mo Shenbai, who was peeling the apple, would glance at Xu Youyou worriedly from time to time, afraid that she would hurt herself. After a moment, he asked, “Has she ever sleepwalked before?”

Xu Jialu returned to his senses and shook his head.

At this time, Mo Shenbai hurriedly walked to the refrigerator. When Xu Youyou opened the refrigerator again to bring the apple out, he quickly placed the peeled apple in her hand.

Xu Youyou froze for a long time.

Xu Jialu asked worriedly, “Will this method work?”

Mo Shenbai was not sure as well, but he did not show it on his face. No matter what, he would not let her touch the knife in this state.

Fortunately, it did not take long before Xu Youyou walked out of the kitchen with the peeled apple in hand, no longer looking for a knife.

Xu Jialu and Mo Shenbai heaved a sigh of relief at the same time.

“Put the knives away. Lock the kitchen as well, just in case.”

Xu Jialu nodded. “I know.”

Xu Youyou walked up the stairs, but she did not return to her room. Instead, halfway up the stairs, she turned around and sat down. Then, she lowered her head and began to eat the apple.

It was said that sleepwalkers should not be woken up. It was best to let them naturally return to the bed.

Mo Shenbai did not dare to get close to her. He stood a short distance away from her and watched her. He felt powerless. Although he had wealth, there was nothing he could do to ease the pain of losing a loved one.

Xu Jialu walked over and leaned against the railings. After bringing a cigarette out and lighting it, he inhaled deeply. Then, he looked at Mo Shenbai and asked, “Do you want one?”