Dying in the Male Lead's Arms Every Time - Chapter 6

Shi Qi was taken out this afternoon to get a haircut, followed by a shopping trip for new clothes. Afterward, he was given a bath before being sent to the small building.

Upon arriving, he felt a sense of relief. Compared to the cold and distant atmosphere of the mansion, this place felt much warmer and more inviting.

The courtyard was filled with the fragrance of flowers, and earlier, one of the young ladies had even handed him some fruit-a kindness he had never experienced in the mansion.

Shi Qi glanced at the elderly woman standing not far from him. She was smiling at him, her expression blooming like a chrysanthemum, while being supported by one of the young ladies.

Was this his… grandmother?

His emerald-green eyes fixed on her, his entire demeanor tense and cautious.

Ning Meng noticed his tightly clenched hands gripping the edge of his clothes and immediately understood. Seeing his withdrawn nature, she spoke softly, “Seventeen, call me Grandma, won’t you?”

If she ever found out that Shi Qi thought her smile resembled an old chrysanthemum, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Li Xia, standing nearby, couldn’t help but silently comment to herself that the old madam looked like a grandmother trying to coax a child into her care.

She leaned down and whispered to the boy, “The old madam’s hearing isn’t very sharp. She’s been calling you Seventeen instead of Shi Qi. Just go along with it, Young Master Qi.”

Shi Qi pressed his lips together, remaining silent for a long time.

Just when everyone thought he wouldn’t respond, his voice emerged from the living room. “Grandma.”

The sound was hoarse, lacking the soft and tender quality typical of young children.

Hearing this, Ning Meng frowned, the wrinkles on her forehead deepening.

She hadn’t realized how bad things were. This must have been caused by crying too much after his father’s death. Otherwise, how could a child’s voice become so raspy? He looked so frail, no wonder Shi Cong bullied him.

He didn’t seem at all like the future cunning and ruthless figure described in the novel.

Seeing no reaction from her, Shi Qi’s fingers twisted together slightly, his teeth biting into his lower lip as he stood there.

Ning Meng thought to herself that being able to return to life in an elderly body was like being granted extra years of life.

The old madam had passed away in a fit of rage, but Ning Meng now enjoyed the privilege of her status. Raising her grandson was something she ought to do. Initially, she had approached Shi Qi with a mindset of practicality, considering what was beneficial for herself.

But now, seeing this frail child in person, her heart softened.

Having grown up as an orphan herself, never knowing who her parents were, she could empathize with the feelings of a child who had lost both parents.

In the novel, Shi Qi had placed his hopes on Old Madam Shi, only to be met with indifference. This led to a series of events that shaped his future character. Could she really allow an innocent child to grow into the ruthless figure described in the story?

Li Chun gently reminded her, “Old madam, what are you thinking about?”

Ning Meng snapped out of her thoughts. “I’m thinking that Seventeen is far too thin. He needs nourishment.”

She reached out to pat the anxious child’s head. Despite his apparent malnourishment, his hair was incredibly soft and black, a comforting texture to touch.

It felt almost like petting a small animal, Ning Meng mused to herself.

She spoke with added emphasis, “Seventeen is too thin. He needs to eat well and grow strong.”

At the very least, he should be able to stand up to Shi Cong, that mischievous brat.

If nourishment was the goal, then it had to be substantial.

Li Xia, ever practical, suggested, “Old madam, perhaps it’s best to have the doctor examine Young Master Qi first. That way, we can create a proper meal plan based on his needs.”

“You’re absolutely right. I was oversimplifying things,” Ning Meng agreed. “The doctor should be around, shouldn’t he?”

“Yes, I’ll fetch him right away.”

With the old madam’s orders, the doctor stationed at the small building promptly arrived, bringing along various medical instruments to examine Shi Qi.

Dressed in a white coat and glasses, the doctor’s presence, along with the equipment, made Shi Qi visibly uneasy.

“Old madam, Young Master Qi appears to be suffering from malnutrition.”

“Shi Qi, lift your shirt.”

Shi Qi complied, revealing a chest that was almost skeletal, with ribs prominently visible and hardly any flesh. Even the doctor was momentarily taken aback.

When the cold instrument touched his skin, Shi Qi flinched slightly.

Thinking he was scared, Ning Meng tried to comfort him. “Be good, it’ll be over soon.”

Shi Qi nodded silently, not making a fuss.

After a series of examinations, the doctor packed up his equipment and reported, “Young Master Qi doesn’t have any major health issues. It seems he wasn’t properly nourished before, but now that he’s here, we can’t overdo it. His diet needs to be adjusted gradually. For tonight, I’d recommend something light and easy to digest, like eight treasure lotus seed soup.”

“Alright,” Ning Meng agreed. She understood that overcompensating could be harmful; it was better to take things slow.

Shi Qi listened quietly, not understanding much. He knew what lotus seeds were, but what was lotus seed soup?

He blinked, sitting there without speaking, aware that saying too much could lead to mistakes.

Ning Meng pinched his small face. It was soft, but there wasn’t much flesh.

“How about having lotus seed soup tonight?” she asked.

Shi Qi allowed her to pinch his face, obediently replying, “Okay.” His voice was soft, though still a bit hoarse.

Ning Meng couldn’t resist pinching him again.

This child was so well-behaved, it made her heart ache. Now that she was his grandmother, she had to take good care of him.

Li Chun and Li Xia had been trained before coming here, and while their culinary skills weren’t top-tier, they were competent enough.

With the old madam’s instructions, preparations for the lotus seed soup began immediately.

Eight treasure lotus seed soup, as its name suggests, required eight main ingredients, each packed with nutrients and perfect for promoting health.

It was summer, and lotus seeds were readily available. The mansion quickly sent over fresh lotus seeds along with other necessary ingredients. They even included a freshly bloomed lotus flower, placed in a transparent vase, its water shimmering.

“Oh,” Ning Meng exclaimed in surprise.

In a city dominated by skyscrapers, it was rare to see lotus flowers. They could only be found in cultivated areas.

To see vast fields of lotus flowers, one would have to visit scenic spots in the Jiangnan region. However, the crowds of tourists often dampened the experience. Even if one managed to see the flowers, touching or picking them was strictly prohibited.

This particular lotus flower had clearly been freshly picked, its fragrance subtle and refreshing, exuding a sense of beauty.

Ning Meng placed it on the wooden table by the window, where it swayed gently in the breeze.

Shi Qi stood beside her, following her wherever she went.

From the window, he could see the vegetable patches outside. The stark contrast between the small building and the grand Shi Family mansion left him momentarily stunned.

Ning Meng patted his head. “Isn’t the lotus flower beautiful?”

Noticing his gaze lingering on the vegetable patches, she guessed he might be reminiscing about something. “If you want to eat anything, just pick it from the garden and give it to the two sisters to prepare.”

Shi Qi hesitated briefly before softly replying, “Okay.”

The old madam had long grown accustomed to her new routine.

Ning Meng had come to terms with her limited mobility and occasional blurry vision, focusing instead on the advantages of her situation.

In truth, she had gained more than she lost.

Ning Meng squinted contentedly, slowly leading Shi Qi outside. The summer evening breeze brought a refreshing coolness to the air.

A large hand held a small one as the two walked side by side under the eaves, accompanied by the sound of chirping insects.

Shi Qi stole a few glances at the elderly woman, his heart swelling with warmth. Aside from his father, no one had ever cared for him like this.

He silently vowed to repay her kindness in the future.

Under the eaves, lanterns cast a soft glow. Ning Meng used the light to carefully study the child for the first time.

They say beauty lies in the bone, not the skin, and this child was no exception. His features were delicate, his face finely sculpted, his nose high and straight. His emerald-green eyes were as clear as the night sky seen in a planetarium, and his thin lips carried a hint of coldness.

Despite this, he evoked no malice, only a deep sense of pity.

His complexion, however, was far too pale.

Ning Meng’s resolve deepened-he needed nourishment.

From today onward, she would live the life of an elderly woman raising a child. It sounded leisurely enough, and wasn’t farming a dream for many people?

After wandering around the garden for a while, Ning Meng showed Shi Qi various parts of the small building. Eventually, they returned indoors at Li Chun’s call.

Li Xia had gone to the mansion, leaving Li Chun to carefully set the table for dinner. The lotus seed soup was served.

Ning Meng led Shi Qi to the table. His small frame looked even tinier against the large dining table. She pushed the bowl toward him. “Tonight, this is all you’ll eat.”

The small bowl was transparent, filled with a lotus-colored soup mixed with red, yellow, and black beans, honey dates, and plums. The combination of textures and colors made it visually appealing, instantly whetting the appetite.

Steam rose from the bowl, carrying a rich aroma that reminded Shi Qi of home.

From as far back as he could remember, he had never seen his mother. It had always been just him and his father.

The two of them lived in a chaotic, impoverished neighborhood, where fights and shouting were daily occurrences. Peace was a foreign concept.

Half a month ago, his father, his sole companion, suddenly told him he wouldn’t make it.

Shi Qi listened in a daze as his father gave him instructions from his sickbed. Before he knew it, he had arrived at the Shi Family’s grand estate.

He had never seen such a beautiful house before. It was like something out of a TV drama. The people inside wore fine clothes, spoke softly, and treated each other with courtesy.

When he entered the mansion, he saw two children around his age, dressed even better than the wealthiest families he had known. They were clean and well-groomed, making him feel out of place.

But no one paid him any attention. Many people acted as if he didn’t exist, leaving Shi Qi silent and withdrawn.

It wasn’t until he came to the small building that he felt warmth and comfort.

This grandmother was truly kind to him, Shi Qi thought.

Meanwhile, Ning Meng was conversing with the system. “Is there a way for me to stay alive and still activate his yin-yang eyes?”

The system hesitated. “…You could approach your eldest son. The pen fairy incident provides a good opportunity, and it doesn’t necessarily require bloodshed. The key is the intensity.”

Ning Meng’s eyes lit up with understanding.

According to the system, the pen fairy was a fierce ghost, and the intensity should be sufficient.

She had already worried herself sick over Shi Qi. Now, she truly felt like a kind and caring grandmother.

……

My grandma is so good to me.

I’ll repay her someday.

-From “The Little Diary Shi Qi Hid Away in Secret”