Chapter 90: The Moon-Tear Lily
The next day, the morning air was crisp and revitalizing. Bai Qingyue exhaled softly, her breath creating a faint mist. Her delicate hands rested firmly on the rims of her wheelchair as she gently pushed herself forward along the pathways of the central courtyard.
It had been exactly five days since they arrived at this estate.
Five days of starting new.
To Bai Qingyue, the transition still felt like a beautiful, fragile dream she might wake up from at any moment. She then wheeled herself closer to the massive koi pond, her eyes tracing the vibrant green shoots pushing through the rich soil of the raised garden beds. Bai Chen had transformed it into an organized nursery of rare, glowing flora.
But it was not just the grand estate or the beautiful gardens that had brought the radiant, healthy color to her cheeks; it was the man who owned it.
Over these past five days, Lin Yuan had been a pillar of overwhelming kindness. He, a Nascent Soul expert whose mere gaze can subjugate clans, treated her with the absolute care.
He cooked for her every single day. He spent hours in the kitchen, brewing those spirit-nourishing meals that flooded her with gentle warmth. He would then sit by her side on the lounger, patiently blowing on each spoonful of the food, feeding her meticulously until she was full and her strength had returned.
In the evenings, when the phantom pains flared up and threatened to steal her sleep, he would sit on the bed behind her. Pressing his palms against her back to massage her. He even took the time to brush her long hair, his fingers moving through the strands with a breathtaking gentleness that made her heart physically ache with love.
Then, for Lin Yuan, every act of care yielded a return. When he fed her, his physical vitality would subtly surge, further strengthening his beast-forged bones. When he patiently massaged her legs, his Dao Intent would visibly sharpen, as though even the simplest act of tenderness contained profound benefits.
His boundless care for Bai Qingyue was mysteriously and continuously rewarded, creating a beautiful and unbreakable cycle of devotion. The more sincerely he cared for her, the greater the returns he received, and the more powerful he became, making it impossible for him not to cherish these seemingly ordinary moments.
Even so, Lin Yuan was deeply grateful to have her by his side. In this new life, there was something profoundly comforting about having someone who would remain with him through the years, just as he had once experienced in his previous life.
Qingyue then brought her wheelchair to a halt at the very edge of a specially raised flowerbed, designed with the exact height required so she could reach the soil comfortably without having to strain or leave her seat.
Resting delicately on her lap was a small wooden box. Inside lay a single seed—a Moon-Tear Lily. It was an incredibly rare, notoriously fragile flower that only fully bloomed under the direct light of a full moon. In ancient lore, it was said to symbolize eternal loyalty and the absolute purity of a reborn soul.
With a soft, and determined exhale, Qingyue reached her hands into the soil. Her fingers, though currently lacking their robust strength, were still highly dexterous. She dug a small, shallow trench in the fragrant earth. She wanted to do this herself. Bai Chen had planted the Azure Cloud-Bells and the Moonlight Orchids perfectly, but this specific lily held a profound, personal meaning for her. It represented her own rebirth from the previous life, and to start new with Lin Yuan.
Before she could retrieve the seed from the wooden box on her lap, a familiar, and deeply comforting warmth settled over her shoulders. The faint, crisp scent of the atmosphere washed over her senses, instantly calming her racing heart.
"I thought you had already instructed Bai Chen to handle the landscaping, Qingyue," a calm voice spoke from just behind her.
Qingyue smiled, not startled in the slightest. She turned her head slightly to see Lin Yuan stepping up beside her wheelchair. He was dressed in a casual, flowing grey tunic this morning, his deep purple eyes looking down at the dark dirt smudged on her pristine fingers with mild, affectionate amusement.
"I did," Qingyue replied, her voice soft. She picked up the seed, holding it delicately between her thumb and forefinger to show him. "He has been absolutely wonderful, planting everything exactly where I would have wanted it. But... this specific flower is one I really wished to plant myself."
She looked at the seed, then back up at her husband, her eyes shining with a profound, unspoken emotional depth.
"It is a Moon-Tear Lily," she explained softly. "My absolute favorite flower in all the Nine Provinces. It requires a very gentle touch and a highly patient heart to take root properly. I wanted to be the one to lay its foundation in our new home."
Lin Yuan looked at the small seed, and then at the fingers of his wife.
Then, Lin Yuan knelt down in the dirt right beside her wheelchair, completely unbothered by the damp soil staining the knees of his tunic.
"Then we shall lay its foundation together," Lin Yuan said smoothly.
He reached out, placing his warm hands directly over hers. His fingers enveloped her delicate hands with absolute tenderness.
Together, guided by his grip, they moved toward the small trench. Qingyue’s breath hitched, a beautiful blush rapidly spreading across her cheeks as the overwhelming intimacy of the simple act washed over her entirely. She could feel his steady heartbeat echoing through his palms, syncing perfectly with the rhythm of her own. Slowly, their joined hands pressed the seed deep into the soil.
Together, they swept the loose soil over the top of the seed, packing it down gently but firmly to ensure it was secure, safe, and perfectly ready to sprout.
At that exact moment....
[Ding!]
[Spent time gardening with Dao Companion. Profound emotional resonance achieved. Cultivating the Dao of Life and Harmony.]
[Triggering 1000X Investment Return...]
[Reward generated: ’Spring Rain Nectar’ (High-Tier Elixir) – Enhances the natural growth of spirit flora and passively purifies the surrounding ambient qi.]
Lin Yuan remained kneeling in the dirt, keeping his hands gently wrapped around hers. He looked up into her eyes, the morning sun casting around her hair.
And as they both looked down at the freshly patted patch of soil, they understood that they were not merely burying a simple flower seed, but were planting something far more precious.
They were planting their future together!