Chapter 55: Three Years and Another Thre - I Forged Them in Darkness, and They Buried Me in It

**Chapter 55: Three Years and Another Three** Autumn follows autumn. Some are seen again, while others disappear forever. Dragging his half-crippled body, Chen An has barely managed to survive another three years. This marks the sixth year since Luo Cong An left. It's laughable to think about, but even Chen An doesn't quite understand why he keeps trying. Everything was predetermined; he had prepared himself long ago and advised himself not to get too emotionally involved. Yet when the day finally arrived, Chen An couldn’t help but harbor some anticipation. One evening, a sudden premonition urged him to send a message to Ma City Lord. He wanted Ma City Lord to do him a favor. He asked for someone reliable to be selected to assist him in the future. It's best to prepare for the unexpected. Ma City Lord didn’t ask many questions and simply complied. He wasn't well-acquainted with Chen An's current life, only knowing that he lived reclusively, perhaps too shaken by past traumas, thus preferring a quiet and undisturbed existence now. Ma City Lord followed Chen An’s requests faithfully, respecting him greatly — not only due to his admiration for Chen An's character but also because of Li Ye, who thrived in the capital. Ma City Lord was a wise person and knew better than to neglect Chen An. Thus, Chen An’s quaint and old courtyard welcomed a new addition—a bookish young servant. The servant was about twelve or thirteen, smart and quick-witted, named Xiao Yu. Chen An was quite satisfied with her. Despite her young age, Xiao Yu was diligent and very capable. With her presence, the courtyard was spotless and brimming with life. Whether she was informed by Ma City Lord or given some instructions, Xiao Yu often looked at Chen An with great curiosity. Of course, her curiosity was piqued most by Chen An's craftsmanship. He spent his days idly, lounging in a bamboo chair or carving wood. Nothing else, just wooden sculptures. And he only carved strange figures. Big-headed, neckless, with short limbs. This was Xiao Yu's sole impression of Mr. Chen's wooden sculptures. Yet this did not diminish her admiration for him. Because those carvings were so intricate, lifelike in detail, causing anyone who saw them to marvel in awe. One ordinary morning. Xiao Yu awoke from her side room upon hearing Mr. Chen’s calm call. “Coming, sir!” Xiao Yu sprang up, stepping towards his room. One of the things she loved about being around Mr. Chen was his lack of restrictions on her movements, unlike past employers with all sorts of temper. Mr. Chen was undoubtedly a very good person. He had the gentlest demeanor she had ever encountered, making her wish to stay close. Xiao Yu often thought, if she could serve Mr. Chen for a lifetime, perhaps that wouldn't be so bad? It could be said, most people are truly captivated by appearances. Xiao Yu pushed the door open, finding Mr. Chen half-leaning on his bed, quietly gazing out the window. Upon hearing her, he turned and smiled. “Xiao Yu, I may trouble you a bit more in the future.” Xiao Yu was puzzled but stepped closer, saying, “Sir, what are you saying? I’m here to serve you, after all.” She bashfully scratched her head and continued, “Honestly, I haven’t been much help recently, which makes me quite uneasy.” Finishing, she looked up to meet the man's eyes. There wasn’t much emotion, just a bit of indescribable sentiment. She heard Mr. Chen speak serenely, “From now on, I’ll have to use a wheelchair…” In that year, Chen An lost the ability to walk. ... The truth couldn't be hidden forever. Ma City Lord learned about Chen An's severe condition, his complete disability. He was greatly shocked and saddened, visiting multiple times with lavish gifts that Chen An couldn't even use. Upon seeing the wood carvings Chen An left casually by the bedside, Ma City Lord was astounded, wanting to commission a wooden figure of his wife, offering a hefty sum. Chen An politely declined, and Ma City Lord didn't press further, just lamented with regret. After some formalities, Ma City Lord left. As the city's governor, he still had numerous official duties demanding his attention. Chen An chose to gift all these presents to Xiao Yu. In the room, seeing the heap of silks and gifts, Xiao Yu was overwhelmed. She hurriedly knelt down, “Sir, I can’t possibly accept…” Chen An chuckled. “Of course, it's not for free. Stand up first.” He pulled out a pre-drawn blueprint and pondered, “I need you to find a skilled craftsman in the city to make a wheelchair based on this design. You can advance the payment from me.” He gestured to the gifts, “Consider these as your payment, alright?” Hearing this, Xiao Yu still looked troubled. Yet, with Chen An's insistence, she reluctantly agreed. In July of the same year, Li Ye learned of Chen An’s circumstances and sent a letter. In it, Li Ye expressed sympathy and great regret for Chen An, saying he'd visit with his children the following month. But as the month passed, Chen An only received another letter. Li Ye excused himself, citing busy official duties, and was apologetic throughout. ... For the subsequent three years, Chen An sat in his wheelchair. He preferred daydreaming under the great locust tree in the courtyard. In spring, he’d watch tender green buds sprouting from its thick branches and observe weeds sprouting throughout the yard. Summer shaded him under the large canopy, listening to the chorus of cicadas and birds. In autumn, he’d catch falling leaves, feeling the recurring seasonal change. Only in winter did Chen An retreat indoors, covering himself with thick quilts. The courtyard turned frigid in winter, often dusted with silver frost. Chen An, increasingly frail, couldn’t withstand the cold. Yet his carving skills became even more refined. Chen An mused that if the system could display levels, his carving skill would certainly stand at level 99 by now. Over the years, he slowed down his carving pace. From several a day to several days for one. While the storeroom space remained unchanged, his carving efficiency was something he could personally adjust. Xiao Yu often accompanied him, sometimes in shared silence, sometimes in casual conversation. When the weather was fine, she’d wheel him out for a stroll. Guangping City was small; it didn’t take long for them to tour it. Such a mundane life, Chen An might have grown used to, but Xiao Yu visibly languished, often bored into sleep. One noon, Xiao Yu, holding a pile of small wooden figures, pushed open the storeroom door. She placed the figures and returned to Chen An’s side. Casually, she remarked, "Sir, it’s almost full…” In the hall, Chen An tightened the quilt around him.