Chapter 48
Pieces of memory, sharp as broken glass, pricked at Tang Yunxian's brain, causing it to ache.
The palace, the throne, the flames, the sacrifice, the young boy in white...
Various images chaotically stormed into his mind, as if some truth was on the brink of being revealed, but then vanished in an instant.
Panting, Tang Yunxian breathed heavily. He laboriously asked the young man, "Where am I? Why do I feel so uneasy?"
Cheng Xuyuan walked closer to him and softly responded, "You're in your own dream. You're feeling uncomfortable because memories from your past life have resurfaced."
"I feel so awful..." Tang Yunxian sat kneeling on the ground, large beads of sweat trickled down his forehead, his face turned pale and said, "Am I about to die?"
"Yes," Cheng Xuyuan said, looking at him with pity. "You were only destined to live 25 years. Today should be the day you leave this world."
The corner of Tang Yunxian's lips lifted in a bitter smile. His eyes were filled with sadness. He slowly raised his head to look at the young man, his voice shaking slightly, "So, it's just as the fortune teller said, isn't it?"
After speaking, he closed his eyes, his expression a mix of calm and despair.
"It's not necessarily so," the young man squatted down, looking him in the eye. His face was so close to Tang Yunxian's that it made his breath hitch. "If you're willing to pay the price, I can help you continue to live."
It took Tang Yunxian a while before he asked, "…A price?"
"Yes," Cheng Xuyuan quoted a line from the original work, "As you can see me, you can sign a contract with me. And, the price of that contract is that you can never have the one you love most."
In the original work, "Tai Sui," Tang Yunxian signed a contract with Tai Sui and was granted a new life. However, he could not be with anyone else, or he would cause their death. Later in the novel, Tang Yunxian's sincerity moved Tai Sui, who eventually split in half. One half combined with the heroine, and they were able to be together forever.
It could be said that Tai Sui genuinely acted as a matchmaker for the two.
"The person I cherish the most..."
Hearing these four words, more fragments flashed through Tang Yunxian's mind, but he didn't have time to think. He felt pain creeping into his heart as his life seemed to be slipping away.
Unable to weigh his options, he gritted his teeth and said, "I—I agree... I agree to sign the contract."
The young man looked at him with pity and slowly extended his right hand, with his slender fingers pointing towards Tang Yunxian's heart.
Following that, a golden thread emerged from the young man's fingertip, creeping over Tang Yunxian's chest and then spread out in all directions, rapidly enveloping his entire body.
These golden threads, like veins, were suffused with a golden essence that flowed into every cell in his body, mingling and counterbalancing with the regal aura within him.
The spiritual force of Tai Sui, which had spanned three millennia, and the regal aura of the youth, soon reflected off each other, illuminating Tang Yunxian's body.
The darkness in his dream was dispelled, and the golden chains shattered into ash.
In an instant, Tang Yunxian could feel endless power surging within him. The sensation of being reborn was so overwhelming that he was on the verge of tears.
He found himself floating mid-air, his eyes open. He saw the young man's hand resting against his chest, and a faint smile on his handsome face.
"Who are you?" Tang Yunxian asked desperately. "Why are you saving me?"
"Me?" the young man blinked, his black eyes shining brilliantly. "I am Tai Sui."
With that, his body transformed into transparent form and then dissipated into the dream.
Tang Yunxian looked around, shouting out loud, "Tai Sui, I am in your debt!"
Tai Sui's voice echoed in his mind, "Silly boy, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."
Tang Yunxian wanted to say something more, but suddenly, the dream broke into pieces, and everything around him disappeared. Bright light appeared in front of his eyes.
He could hear the joyful cry of Tang Long next to him.
"Xian'er!" Tang Long looked at the person on the bed with excitement, "You've woken up?! Nurse, nurse, call the nurse quickly—"
Li Heng kindly reminded him, "Sir, you can just ring the bell on the bedside."
Tang Long hastily rang the bell multiple times. With tears streaming down his eyes, he looked at Tang Yunxian, saying in a choked voice, "I thought that you…”
"Dad, stop talking nonsense.” Tang Yunxian looked considerably better, "I'll be fine."
"As long as you're okay, that's all that matters..." Tang Long rubbed the tears from the corner of his eyes, "Thanks to that Lingzhi mushroom..."
Tang Yunxian quickly raised his head to ask, "Lingzhi mushroom?"
"Yes, the one that Li Heng bought a while ago."
As he said this, Tang Long gestured for Li Heng to open the sandalwood box in his hand.
Li Heng approached the bed, opened the box, and then widened his eyes in surprise.
"The Lingzhi...it's gone?!"
Tang Long also incredulously looked at the sandalwood box, speechless for a moment.
After a while, Li Heng stuttered, "It was... it was certainly... in the box just now…"
Tang Yunxian stared thoughtfully at the box. In his mind, the young man's words emerged again. He said solemnly, "It was Tai Sui."
"Tai Sui?" Tang Long looked at him questioningly, "What do you mean?"
Tang Yunxian wasn't sure how to explain it to them, so he simply said, "You're right, it was that lingzhi mushroom that saved me." Not only did it save him, but it also rejuvenated his body.
Regardless, Tang Yunxian's awakening was a joyous event for the Tang family. Tang Long was in high spirits and decided to pick a date to host a banquet for guests in celebration.
After being discharged, Tang Yunxian returned home and took a bath.
As he stood in front of the full-length mirror, he suddenly widened his eyes in surprise.
On his chest, exactly where his heart is, appeared a bloody red pattern. It was like a tattoo that could neither be erased nor washed off. The pattern was in the shape of the Tai Sui.
The pattern looked as if its root was attached to his heart, with the tendrils spread across the heart's core. It looked like blood vessels growing from his chest, a sight to chill one's heart.
Tang Yunxian gently ran his fingers over the pattern of the Tai Sui, whispering, "Thank you."
Cheng Xuyuan, residing in the pattern, wished he could immediately cover his eyes. With the leading man standing stark naked in front of a full-length mirror, he wished he could find a hole to hide in.
The Tai Sui's voice echoed in Tang Yunxian's head, "Stop looking."
Upon hearing the young man's voice, Tang Yunxian was startled. He hurriedly grabbed a bath towel from a high shelf, covering all his key parts. Blushing, he coughed twice and stammered, "You... how... how can you still see me?”
"I am in your chest," the voice of the Tai Sui was slightly awkward, "The flower pattern is a mark of our contract."
Pretending as if nothing happened, Tang Yunxian forced a smile saying, "It's fine, we're both men. Taking more than a few glances is no big deal."
The Tai Sui did not speak anymore.
The atmosphere in the bathroom turned awkward, and Tang Yunxian decided to wrap a bath towel around his chest. Otherwise, it would feel as if two people were taking a bath together.
A couple's bath... The thought struck Tang Yunxian and he inadvertently pictured the face of the young man.
Consequently, Tang Yunxian further tightened his hold on the bath towel.
If the contract with the Tai Sui only affected him during his bath time, Tang Yunxian wouldn't mind at all.
However, it was obvious that his life had been completely overturned.
Firstly, Tang Yunxian's physical strength was slowly increasing and was gradually surpassing that of healthy young men his age. He felt full of energy, so much that he felt restless without a day of exercise. Secondly, Tang Yunxian's vision became extremely sharp, and he could even see things ordinary people couldn't, which greatly affected his life.
"What the heck is that!" Tang Yunxian exclaimed in shock at the fleeting shadow in his room.
The Tai Sui said languidly, "Just a rat demon that's been stealing food. It's even more cowardly than you."
"What on earth is that hanging there!" Tang Yunxian exclaimed upon seeing a figure hanging outside his window, and nearly fainted.
The Grand Duke Jupiter calmly said, "It's just a bat spirit passing by, borrowing a sip of our wine."
Such frightening scenes were taking place daily, and while Tang Yunxian's body was growing stronger, his mind was on the verge of collapse.
Naturally, Tang Long was extremely delighted at the changes in his son. Ever since drinking the soup made from lingzhi, not only did his son recover from the coma, but also started working out every day. His physique was getting stronger and in just a month, he had even developed abs and chest muscles. It was indeed an inspiring transformation.
Hence, the joyous Tang Long ordered Li Heng to transfer several million yuan to Zhao Xintong's account as a token of gratitude.
Upon learning of this, Yu Xinya initially thought Tang Long was trying to cheer her up. But during a video call when she saw her son swimming in the pool, she was so shocked that her mouth couldn't close. She bought a flight ticket from America that same night, rushed back home, and held Tang Yunxian and cried for the entire night.
Everyone in the Tang family thought it was a blessing from heaven and Tang parents' despair had turned into joy.
Only Tang Yunxian knew that this was a mercy from the Tai Sui.
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On the Mid-Autumn Festival, Tang Long sent invitations to many local businessmen, to celebrate Tang Yunxian's recovery.
In this city, many people had assumed that Tang Yunxian wouldn't live past the age of 25. And without him, the wealthy Tang family would struggle to find a rightful heir. However, in the blink of an eye, Tang Yunxian had not only miraculously recuperated but also became physically strong. This naturally aroused people's curiosity to learn about this magic pill.
So, many people, with the intention of seeking a cure, visited the Tang family.
At the Mid-Autumn banquet, Tang Long did not hesitate to book the most luxurious hotel in the entire city. Everything was arranged properly, surpassing the grandeur of many successful businessmen's birthday banquets.
Tang Yunxian, impeccably dressed, made his appearance in the hall with an upright posture, attracting gazes from everyone.
Many people came forward to toast and seize the opportunity for small talk. Their purposes were never simple — some wanted to ask about the miraculous medicine that had cured young Master Tang; some took the advantage to find a good match for their daughters; others were keen to probe into the business secrets of the Tang Group.
All these were experiences Tang Yunxian hadn't encountered before. But as a reincarnated emperor, he handled them all skillfully, leaving Tang Long, watching from the side, in awe.
Yu Xinya, filled with emotion, said to Tang Long, “It feels like our son has grown up overnight.”
“Yes,” Tang Long sighed, “we should thank that Lingzhi.”
Yu Xinya wasn’t originally a person steeped in superstition, but after hearing this, she decided to devote herself to Buddhism. "Perhaps we should visit a temple, burn incense, and pray for our child's marital fortune," she suggested to Tang Long.
Tang Long nodded, “Good idea. There’s a popular temple in the west of the city.”
If someone else heard their conversation, they would be very surprised. This couple, who had always advocated science, were now practicing superstitious beliefs!
At that moment, a middle-aged man approached.
It was Chen Yiyun, Tang Long's old friend and business partner. However, their interactions had waned in recent years.
Chen Yiyun said with a smile, “Brother Tang, Sister-in-law Tang, congratulations! Now that your son has fully recovered, even greater success is in store for the Tang family.”
Tang Long hurriedly smiled and replied, "Thanks for your kind words. But the Chen family also has a bright future ahead. It's surely going to be your world someday."
Chen Yiyun waved off the compliment, then sighed almost inaudibly, a shadow of worry flickering in his eyes.
Yu Xinya noticed Chen Yiyun's helplessness and kindly asked, "Brother Chen, how have you been recently?"
"Ah, not too well," Chen Yiyun finished the liquor in his glass. "My wife and son have both fallen ill, and nothing seems to cure them. Although they don't have serious diseases, their conditions have turned our home upside down. Frankly, I came here to ask you and your spouse about the miracle medicine that cured your son so suddenly. What did he take?"
Yu Xinya and Tang Long exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.
At that moment, Tang Yunxian approached and politely greeted Chen Yiyun.
Suddenly, he noticed an unusual black aura around Chen Yiyun's forehead.
Seeing that the couple did not want to answer, Chen Yiyun sighed and said helplessly, "Well, if you don't want to talk about it, forget it. I'll think of other ways."
Before Tang Long could say anything polite, Tang Yunxian suddenly spoke up.
"Uncle Chen, did you consult a Feng Shui master recently and have someone rearrange your furniture at home?"
At these words, Chen Yiyun's steps suddenly stopped. He looked back at the young man in surprise and asked incredulously, "How did you know?!"
Tang Yunxian chuckled and continued, "Are your wife and son often short of breath, sweating at night, having bad dreams, and unusually irritable?"
"How did you know all these?!" Chen Yiyun hurried in front of Tang Yunxian, gripping his hand. "I've never mentioned these problems to anyone!"
Tang Yunxian cryptically said, "If it's okay with you, I'd like to come to your house and investigate."
"Really?!" Chen Yiyun was overjoyed, but somewhat hesitant. "But I've never heard that you're skilled in Feng Shui. When did you become a master?"
Tang Long and Yu Xinya were also utterly confused.
"What master." Tang Yunxian smirked, his tone serious. "Uncle Chen, we are adults in the 21st century. We can't follow those superstitions. We must believe in science."
Chen Yiyun paused. He asked hesitantly, "So, what you mean is..."
Tang Yunxian finally revealed his true thoughts, "A disease is sure to have its causes. However, when you seek medical help..."
"You have to pay."
Tang Yunxian, who had always dreamed of becoming a successful businessman, finally took the first step towards making his first fortune.
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Author's Note:
The solution to any worry is to be wealthy.
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