Sidekick Fights Back (Married The Protagonist’s Mother)
82. Past and Present

Su Jinhai returned to the courtyard with Su Chen and Dong Yue, his expression having softened from grimness to a quiet sorrow. He saw his son, Su Liang, kneeling beside Su Ting and patiently helping him write on a piece of paper. A faint, sad smile touched Su Jinhai's lips as he walked over to them.

"So, Su Ting also wants to make a wish for the Spirit Lantern Festival," he said, his voice gentle. He glanced down at the paper. In neat, slightly shaky characters, it read: ‘All people shall live happily, and bad people should be punished.’ He let out a soft chuckle, though it was tinged with melancholy. "Our little Ting'er is truly kind, isn't he?"

"Yes, Father. He's obedient and exceptional as well," Su Liang added quickly, reinforcing the protective narrative. "I have never seen such a good and thoughtful kid as Cousin Ting."

"Then let the entire clan celebrate it," Su Jinhai declared, his voice gaining a touch of warmth as he made a decision. "This year, the Su clan will observe the Spirit Lantern Festival. Su Liang, you will oversee the preparations."

"Of course, Father. Leave it to me." Su Liang bowed, accepting the duty with a somber smile.

Su Chen and Dong Yue watched the scene, their own weary smiles gracing their lips as they saw the wish written on the paper in Su Ting's small hands. The Spirit Lantern Festival was a mortal tradition. It was a night where people wrote their deepest wishes on paper lanterns and sent them soaring into the sky, hoping the heavens would hear their pleas.

Then, Dong Yue’s gaze fell upon Su Kang. She saw the faint redness rimming his eyes. He must have been deeply affected by something, her heart clenched at the thought.

"Kang'er, come here," she said softly. He walked over, and she bent down slightly to meet his gaze, her hand rising to gently caress his hair. “What happened?"

"Nothing happened, Mother. I'm fine," he said in a low voice, avoiding her gaze.

She smiled faintly, a profound maternal love shining in her eyes. "Everything will be alright," she whispered, kissing his forehead. With the soft edge of her sleeve, she carefully wiped away the faint, lingering traces of his tears.

"Su Chen, take the children and let them rest. We will all dine together tonight," Su Jinhai said, looking at them. He then turned to Su Liang and nodded. Together, father and son left the courtyard.

Su Liang followed his father silently, his mind churning with unsettling questions. He managed to contain himself until they were out of the courtyard, the quiet rustle of their robes the only sound between them. Finally, unable to suppress his worry any longer, he spoke. "Father, what happened to Su Ting? How did he become like this?"

Su Jinhai let out a heavy sigh that seemed to carry the burden of years, recounting the painful conversation he’d just had with Su Chen. As Su Liang listened, a dawning horror settled over him, chilling him to the bone. "A curse?" he murmured, the word feeling alien on his tongue. "But who could be behind it?"

Su Jinhai did not answer immediately, his gaze distant. He was lost in his own thoughts, the same question echoing in his mind, but he knew he could not voice suspicions without proof. After a long moment, he spoke, his voice heavy with responsibility. "In a few days, your uncle and aunt will have to leave with Su Ting. Su Kang will remain here in the manor. You will take care of him."

"Don't worry, Father," Su Liang replied, his own voice firm with resolve as he met his father's gaze and nodded. "I will."

His father left, leaving him alone with the duty of preparing for a festival.

…

Lin Shuyin sat in her room, her hands resting in her lap as she absorbed the story her husband had just recounted. Her expression was complicated—a mixture of shock, sorrow, and dawning understanding. “Then, when Uncle and Aunt returned from their journey, was Su Ting better?" she asked softly.

"Yes, he was a little better. But it took him a long time to return to even a little of his usual self," Su Liang sighed deeply. He looked out the window, where children’s laughter drifted up from the garden. A faint, tired smile tugged at his lips. “Uncle and Aunt were given advice to shower him with attention. The entire clan has followed that advice ever since.”

He turned to look at her, his eyes serious. “Yin'er, our clan wouldn't collapse if some members didn't take on responsibilities," he said softly, a direct but gentle answer to her earlier concerns.

“I understand," she whispered, her previous judgment melting away into sympathy. But her brow knitted together again with a new question. "Why did Uncle and Auntie stay in Qingyun City even after something so terrible happened? Moreover, Su Kang grew up in the Qingyun Sect as a core disciple. Weren't they worried for his safety at all?” She couldn't comprehend it. Dong Yue had remained there for four more years, and even when they eventually left, Su Kang stayed behind.

“Father said Aunt's master took Cousin Su Kang under her personal protection, vowing to keep him safe. I think Su Ting's curse was most likely unrelated to any conflict within the Qingyun Sect. Perhaps it was an outside enemy. I don't know the full details either," Su Liang admitted. "But Cousin Kang is fine, so I suppose that guess is correct."

"Hmm, that could be true as well," she said thoughtfully. Su Kang grew up under an elder of the Qingyun Sect. In the future, even if he could not become a sect elder, he could still gain an important position in the sect, she thought.

Su Liang’s gaze drifted back to his documents. "We should start to limit Su Ren's play time. We can't let him waste those precious pills Su Kang gave him.”

"I agree," Lin Shuyin said, her tone firming with maternal resolve. “He has played enough now. I will increase his practice schedule starting tomorrow.”

…

Su Ting sat across from Yue Mei, a porcelain teacup cradled in his hands. Yue Mei had just finished giving him some pointers on his Qi cultivation, and he had asked several insightful questions. Now, as they drank their tea, a comfortable silence settled between them.

Yue Mei’s gaze, however, was distant. Should I invite him to the Xuantian Empire with me? she thought, her brow furrowed. When Aunt Zhu returns, most likely I will leave with her. But will it be too dangerous for him? I should consult with Aunt Zhu before asking anything.

As if sensing her thoughts, Su Ting looked at her, his fists clenching slightly at his sides. “Do you think I could go to ….the Xuantian Empire?" he asked, his voice steady at first but growing quieter towards the end. "I mean, the Xuantian Empire is far richer in resources. If I train there, wouldn't it be more beneficial?”

She was slightly shocked by his words and didn't have an easy answer. She wanted to nod, but none of them had the power to decide this. “Su Ting, you know the danger involved," she said gently. "And ultimately, Su Kang would decide for you. After that, my aunt would make the final decision.” She sighed softly at the end, shaking her head.

He sighed in return, his shoulders slumping slightly. “I understand."

…

Time passed peacefully within the Su Manor.

Beneath a sky still dark enough for stars, Su Kang sat cross-legged in his courtyard. He drew a slow, deliberate breath. With his will as a guide, invisible threads of Astral Qi sank into his Astral Meridian. He could now endure the strain of more than two hundred and fifty threads at once—a significant improvement, yet it still felt insufficient.

The eastern horizon began to bleed with faint orange light. The stars, like brilliant jewels scattered across the sky, started to fade, swallowed by the encroaching dawn.

He opened his eyes, a quiet frustration clouding his features. "It's too slow," he murmured, his breath misting in the cool morning air. "At this rate, when will I ever be able to absorb true Solar Qi?"

"You have no other choice," Fate's metallic voice echoed in his mind. “To elevate your current spiritual body, you need external rare resources. Finding them will be difficult. Continue your practice. This is already the best possible scenario for your current condition.”

Su Kang let out a long sigh. His thoughts inevitably drifted towards his former friend. Li Fang must be on his way to Hai State by now, he mused. Without my presence this time... will his growth be affected?

“No, I should probably worry about my wife instead of my stepson," he muttered to himself, a wry smile touching his lips. "How long will I need to sleep alone?"

He shook his head at the thought, stood, and pulled on a white and blue robe. Then he left for the training ground.