Huo Shu's rough fingertips brushed against smooth skin, making Ji Taoyu’s ears flush red. He quickly released his grip on the small jar and protested, “How could you have used it all up in just ten to fifteen days?”
Huo Shu tucked the small jar into the front of his robe. “Don’t be so stingy.”
Then he curled his fingers into his palm, deliberately avoiding Ji Taoyu’s gaze. “Leaving.”
His hurried steps halted abruptly at the foot of the wall. He turned back to look at the ger by the window.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to teach You Lingxiao a lesson?”
Ji Taoyu froze, realizing Huo Shu was trying to protect him. Touched, he said softly, “This is my family’s matter. My parents will decide what to do.”
“And what’s your decision?”
Ji Taoyu lowered his eyes at the question.
His mind was a mess. Truthfully, he didn’t know what to do. After all, they had grown up together. Without a clear answer from You Lingxiao, he couldn’t make a firm decision.
Huo Shu understood the ger’s hesitation and didn’t press further. Without another word, he stepped onto the nearby peach tree, vaulted over the wall, and disappeared.
Ji Taoyu snapped out of his daze, watching Huo Shu vanish like a martial arts hero from a storybook, effortlessly scaling walls. He took a deep breath.
Better not make Huo Shu angry in the future.
____
The next day, the rain that had lasted two days finally stopped.
Huo Shu got up, packed his things, and prepared to head to the city, but Yuan Huiru stopped him to eat breakfast.
By the time he finished, the sky was fully bright.
Huo Shu mounted his horse in the courtyard. “Is there anything the family needs me to bring back?”
Yuan Huiru said, “I went to the city just a couple of days ago. We don’t need anything. Just come back early after your business.”
Huo Shu nodded at her and rode off.
Today was the seventh, and it was a market day. The city’s streets were busier than usual, with more vendors and shoppers.
At the village entrance, Huo Shu saw three ox carts waiting to transport people into the city, surrounded by villagers.
Only on market days did families with livestock hitch their animals to carts to earn some spare change, making two trips with four or five passengers each.
Huo Shu’s tall horse passed them slowly, drawing envious looks.
The horse hadn’t run in a while and itched to gallop on the open road. Huo Shu was about to let it when he heard a familiar voice from the village path: “Wait, driver!”
Huo Shu turned and saw Ji Taoyu wrapped in a cloak, panting as he ran over.
“Tao-ger, you’re going to the city today too?”
“Mhm, almost missed the cart.”
“You’re just in time. We’re full now and can leave.”
Ji Taoyu responded and climbed onto the back of the cart, where an aunt helped pull him up. “Are you going to buy medicine for the villagers or just shopping today?”
“It’s autumn, peak season for medicinal herbs. My grandfather’s clinic stocks up a lot this time of year. It’s the busiest season, and since there’s nothing urgent at home, my father asked me to help sort the herbs at the clinic.”
“Tao ger is so capable, understanding medicine and helping the family with work.”
Ji Taoyu smiled politely, settled in, and wrapped his cloak tighter around himself.
Catching his breath, he looked up and was startled to see Huo Shu’s sturdy black horse nearby. His eyes widened.
The man on horseback met his gaze, but neither spoke, maintaining an unspoken understanding.
Huo Shu flicked the reins, letting the horse trot a few steps before slowing it down, keeping a distance where the ger on the cart could still see him.
“That’s Yuan Huiru’s adopted son, right? I saw him at the You family’s banquet yesterday, such a robust young man.”
“I heard he’s unmarried. Zhang Fu, why not take him as your son-in-law? He seems capable.”
The moment the words were spoken, a few married women and men chuckled softly.
Ji Taoyu had been feeling listless, having slept poorly the night before. His father had woken him early, telling him to go to the city and help his grandfather with the herbs.
He knew his parents' intention, worried he’d mope at home, they wanted him to get some fresh air.
Out of gratitude for their concern, he forced himself to go despite his fatigue.
Now, hearing the group discuss Huo Shu, his drowsiness lifted slightly, his ears perking up with curiosity.
Sitting in the middle, he didn’t understand why this was amusing. Was being capable a bad thing?
“He does stand out, but he doesn’t seem to have much savings. A northerner from who-knows-where, settling here so far from home, and the Zhao family’s situation is well-known.”
“True, no one’s heard what he does for a living. A man needs skills to provide, or life will be hard.”
Ji Taoyu hid his face in his cloak, eyes darting as he memorized the women’s words.
These were families with marriageable children. Knowing their criteria gave insight into what it took to win a spouse.
Not that he needed it himself, he was just gathering information out of goodwill.
Huo Shu rarely smiled and barely spoke to anyone. Aside from him, it was unlikely he’d exchanged more than a few words with any other girls or gers in the village.
Being an outsider without local roots made it harder. Even if he wasn’t good at charming others, if his character was decent, matchmakers might help.
By listening now, he could later advise Huo Shu on how to impress potential in-laws.
The autumn wind blew fiercely. Ji Taoyu shifted between eavesdropping and stealing glances at the tall figure on horseback ahead, and his mood unwittingly lifted.
Thank you so much for the update!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking that Huo Shu has money because his friend also was able to save up quite a bit.
ReplyDelete