Chapter 225
The sky darkened, and the wind picked up, rattling the door panels against the wall. Shen Yan used her foot to push the stone doorstop into place, wedging the door between the stone and the wall, silencing the noise.
Lu Gu was taking stock of the items in the shop. Only one rabbit remained, and there were three chickens and ducks in the cage. With the recent warmer weather, the hens and ducks had started laying eggs again, but they hadn’t accumulated many. The egg basket had been sold out today.
Finally, he looked up at Shen Yan and said, “There’s so little left. It looks like it might rain soon, why don’t we just close up and go home? We’ve got one duck left, let’s take it back, kill it, and make duck soup. Didn’t you say the other day that old duck noodle soup was delicious? We can make the noodles ourselves.”
A gust of wind blew in, carrying dust and debris into the shop. It got into their eyes, and Shen Yan quickly turned away, rubbing hers.
Once her eyes felt better, she said, “Alright. We probably won’t sell much in the next little while anyway. We can reopen tomorrow when Brother Daqing brings more rabbits from home.”
Since they were nearly out of rabbits, chickens, and ducks, Shen Yaoqing had left early that morning with the mule cart to fetch more from their hometown. Lu Gu and Shen Yan stayed behind to tend the shop, expecting him back the next day.
The old duck noodle soup was something they’d had at the noodle shop next door. Shen Yan had ordered a bowl and liked it so much she’d mentioned it a couple of times since.
The remaining rabbits, chickens, and ducks were all alive, and there was nothing on the wooden racks or meat counter, so tidying up was quick.
The two of them carried the long table from the front back inside and leaned it against the wall. Shen Yan went to the back to put out the fires in the stove and clay brazier, then grabbed a broom to sweep the floor. Once everything was clean, it’d save them effort when they returned tomorrow.
Lu Gu tidied up the front. Since no one lived in the shop, they had to take the chickens, ducks, and rabbit back with them. Fortunately, there weren’t many left, so they could just carry the bamboo cages home later.
He was bent over, wiping the knife and meat-cutting board, when the wind outside grew stronger. Pedestrians hurried past with their heads down, and an ox cart clattered by, the animal’s hooves tapping loudly.
Little Lingjun rubbed his eyes and whined, “Amu, my eyes hurt.”
The child’s small voice was tinged with grievance. Lu Gu quickly set down his work, crouched, and gently pried open the child’s eyes to check—just a bit of sand had gotten in. The child didn’t know how to explain, so he just said it hurt.
“It’s alright, it’s alright. Amu will close half the door. Stand behind it, and the wind won’t blow on you.”
After saying this, he stood up to close the door. Unexpectedly, someone reined in a horse right outside the shop. He’d heard the noise earlier but assumed it was just a passerby.
Guaizi let out a low growl, then barked twice. Dogs had a natural instinct to guard their homes, and even though most people who came to the shop were just buying meat, he always barked a warning. But when the person at the door dismounted, the dog suddenly stopped and ran to Shen Xuanqing’s side, whimpering softly.
Lu Gu looked up—and froze in place, unable to move.
Shen Xuanqing stood in the doorway, tall and broad-shouldered, the horsewhip in his hand trembling slightly as if he didn’t know what to do with it. His lips parted, then hesitated before he finally choked out, “Guzi.”
The man before him had clearly lost weight. His stubble was unshaven, and there were a few half-healed scars on his face. Exhaustion lingered in his eyes, but gradually, tears welled up in those star-like eyes.
Only after hearing his name a second time did Lu Gu belatedly realize—this wasn’t a dream.
Shen Xuanqing had really come back.
The moment he took a step forward, the other man strode over and pulled him into a tight embrace.
The tears he’d held back for six months burst forth instantly. He opened his mouth but couldn’t speak a single word, crushed against Shen Xuanqing’s chest, reduced to nothing but sobs.
Shen Xuanqing’s shirt was soon soaked through. He was crying too.
The two of them held each other and wept for a while, accompanied by Guaizi’s whimpers as the dog circled them excitedly, wagging his tail.
The child stood nearby, bewildered, his eyes wide and round, his expression clearly confused. Little Lingjun was afraid of this stranger who had suddenly appeared. Small as he was, even Lu Gu and Shen Yan seemed tall to him, so it was only natural he’d be scared now.
“Second Brother?”
Shen Yan had been sweeping the backyard when she caught sight of someone at the shop’s entrance out of the corner of her eye. When she looked up, the figure resembled Shen Xuanqing. She froze for a moment, then dropped the broom and ran forward without thinking.
Hearing her voice, Lu Gu pushed Shen Xuanqing away, suddenly remembering the child.
“Lingjun, come here. This is your father. Don’t you recognize him?” He called Lingjun over.
The little shuang'er hesitated, then looked up at the stranger as prompted.
“Come here, let your father hold you.” Shen Xuanqing took a step forward, wanting to embrace his little shuang'er.
But Lingjun immediately darted behind Lu Gu, hiding and not even daring to look at him, whispering fearfully, “Amu.”
A child just over two years old didn’t remember things well. Six months was far too long. In the first two months after Shen Xuanqing left, Lu Gu had talked to him about his father almost every day. But as time passed, he’d started avoiding the subject.
“Amu’s here, don’t be scared. This is your father. Didn’t I tell you about him?” Lu Gu coaxed. “Your father’s back. He wants to hold you, he’s not a stranger.”
The child was timid and didn’t remember him. Shen Xuanqing’s heart ached, but he didn’t force Lingjun to come out.
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