Busy and bustling, the end of the month arrived quickly, and then, Minor New Year arrived as well.
Hearing Shopkeeper Yang say there would be performances that night, Fang Zichen wanted to take Zhao Ger and the two children out to stroll around.
Guaizai was overjoyed, so much so that he couldn't sleep at night.
As the year-end approached, various bosses were competing to host banquets, and the restaurant was extremely busy. Fang Zichen couldn't get time off, so he had to ask Zhao Ger to bring the children to find him in the evening.
Zhao Ger took out the clothes Fang Zichen had brought him from Yuanzhou last time. He had always been reluctant to wear them while working before, afraid of getting them dirty and unable to wash out the stains, but now he could wear them.
He also tied on the hair ribbon.
Although there was no sunlight today, the wind was strong, and it was still a bit cold, it was much better than rain. At least the roads weren't muddy; otherwise, it would be hard to take the two children out.
Guaizai and Xiao Feng were dressed thickly, now also wearing hats trimmed with a circle of white rabbit fur around the brim and collar, looking very warm.
The two children were noisy and playful. Guaizai had practically been raised under Xiao Feng's watch, their bond was special. They were close before, and now living together, they were like sworn brothers.
Without the constant scolding and beatings, Xiao Feng had grown much more lively. Now, as he and Guaizai ran and played together, their happy laughter could be heard from a distance. Zhao Ger walked behind them, a gentle smile lighting up his eyes.
Along the roadside, patches of wild chrysanthemums bloomed among the short grass. They dotted the green landscape in scattered clusters, lasting through all seasons without fading—unlike other plants that withered as soon as winter arrived.
Zhao Ger picked two flowers to play with, but no matter how he looked, he felt they weren't as pretty as the ones Fang Zichen gave him.
Before, when getting off work early, Fang Zichen would always pick a bunch of flowers for him on his way back. They were common ones from the fields, nothing rare, but Zhao Ger loved them. He even specially bought a vase and placed it by the small window in their room. The flowers would wilt after a couple of days, and Fang Zichen would always bring a fresh bunch back before they withered. Fang Zichen said this was called romance.
Looking at the flowers, Zhao Ger couldn't help but think of Fang Zichen, the corners of his mouth lifting uncontrollably.
He wore a set of elegant light blue clothes. Having recuperated through a deep autumn and winter, his skin had become much fairer. Plus, eating well and living well, his complexion was rosy and radiant.
The gloomy, worn-out look he once wore was gone. Now, from head to toe, he radiated a bright and lively energy.
Ma Wen stood frozen, staring at Zhao Ger.
He was witnessing yet another side of Zhao Ger he had never seen before, and in that moment, he finally grasped just what kind of life Zhao Ger had endured in the past—and why he had hated him so deeply.
Back when he traveled by boat for trade with a town merchant, earning silver, his family treated him warmly and respectfully.
Now that he had fallen into the mire in one go, his family began to change their attitude.
Back then, he wasn't blind to Zhao Ger being beaten and scolded, but he always advised him to endure it. Zhao Ger had also said he didn't like him, and this was one of the reasons.
But back then, since he had never gone through it himself, he thought it wasn't a big deal—just a few beatings and a few harsh words, it wouldn't make him lose a piece of flesh.
Now, after personally enduring the veiled sarcasm and open mockery from Li-shi and Sun-shi, he finally understood: while harsh words don’t strip flesh from your bones, they can still cut like a blunt knife—stabbing again and again in the same tender spot. Over time, you either grow a thick skin, or you bleed until you’re raw.
He only suffered from one aspect and already felt depressed and disgusted, feeling he couldn't breathe if he stayed home a moment longer. If his own family could act like this, how much worse must it have been for Zhao Ger!
Back when he confessed his feelings to Zhao Ger, Zhao Ger did not accept him. Even if Ma Wen tried to approach just a little, Zhao Ger would frown with clear disgust. Young and impulsive at the time, it wasn’t that Ma Wen hadn’t considered forcing the matter—but Zhao Ger was always guarded and kept his distance.
Before, even though he never won Zhao Ger over, they still lived in the same courtyard, seeing each other day in and day out. That gave his heart some comfort; he told himself there was still time, no need to rush. But now…
The gaze was too intense. Zhao Ger turned his head, then immediately frowned and turned back away.
As if unwilling to spare another glance.
Ma Wen smiled bitterly and bent down to continue cutting pig grass.
Zhao Ger hated the Ma family, hated him. It was understandable.
The town enforced a nightly curfew. With the exception of the entertainment districts, ordinary shops needed to close by youshi (5-7 PM). Except for the main street where pedestrians were allowed, one could not roam freely on the east, west, south, or north streets.
To avoid trouble, apart from those seeking pleasure, most common people usually stayed home after around youshi and didn't go out.
Today was Minor New Year, so the curfew didn't apply.
Fang Zichen was busy, so Zhao Ger took the two children to wait at the shop. Because of the festival, the shop hadn't opened in the afternoon. Zhou Ger had already gone back. Zhao Ger originally wanted to invite him along, but Zhou Ger had two elderly people at home. He had been kept busy in town lately, returning each evening only to wash up and collapse into bed, leaving little time for his family. Now that he had time and it was a festival, he wanted to be with his family and have a good chat, so he politely declined.
Li Da came by today to ask Li Yanmei to return home for a meal. However, having sold herself into servitude, Li Yanmei dared not go back without her master’s permission. Besides, now that she was a servant, Sister‑in‑law Li looked down on her family. Going home would only invite sarcastic comments, so Li Yanmei chose not to go.
All the roasted ducks had sold out that day. As for the duck intestines and gizzards, although Zhao Ger had set them out in the shop, customers hardly bought any—most considered them dirty and unappetizing. After thinking it over, Zhao Ger came up with a plan.
No comments:
Post a Comment