Chapter 15 Another Narrow Encounter

Chapter 15: Another Narrow Encounter

Lei Ding was anxious about Wu Qiu and didn't dare venture far. The forest was dense with tall trees, and the winding paths meant someone could vanish from view after just a few steps. If something happened to Wu Qiu, he might not know in time. Although everything had seemed fine when he left, Lei Ding felt uneasy. Turning it over in his mind, he decided it would be better to wait for Wu Qiu to rest, and then they could explore the path together.

His mind unsettled, his steps quickened. The round trip took less than a quarter of an hour. Before he even emerged from the woods, he caught the faint sound of voices ahead. Straining to listen, he couldn't make out the words, but the voices definitely weren't Wu Qiu's.

Sure enough, they had company.

Lei Ding rushed forward, pushing aside the undergrowth. Wu Qiu was no longer sitting on the large rocks. He was standing near the path entrance, his back to Lei Ding, looking towards the other side of the stones. Hearing someone approach from behind, he turned his head in alarm. Upon seeing it was Lei Ding, his tightly furrowed brow instantly relaxed. His eyes filled with tears as he threw himself into Lei Ding's arms, his voice quivering as though he'd suffered a grievance. "Brother Ting—"

A man stood on the other side of the rocks. He was dressed decently, unlike the typical refugee lost in the wilds. He seemed somewhat timid and cowering, not appearing particularly fierce. But Wu Qiu was trembling, his breathing unsteady. Even when they were destitute in the Earth God Temple, Lei Ding had never seen him like this. A wave of hostility surged in Lei Ding. With one arm around Wu Qiu's waist and the other gently massaging the back of his neck in comfort, he spoke. "Don't be afraid, I'm here. Are you hurt?"

Wu Qiu shook his head in his embrace. Lei Ding felt slightly relieved and asked, "What happened?"

With tears in his eyes, Wu Qiu tugged at Lei Ding's hand. "Brother, let's go, let's leave this place, okay?"

He was avoiding the main issue, unwilling to say more. But seeing Wu Qiu's strange expression, Lei Ding knew he must have had some confrontation where he'd been bullied. Though Lei Ding was usually gentle, he couldn't tolerate anyone mistreating Wu Qiu. The man across from them, upon Lei Ding's arrival, didn't run but instead moved closer, watching him embrace Wu Qiu, which made Lei Ding even more uncomfortable. He wished he could just go up and fight him, but Wu Qiu was clutching his clothes tightly, preventing him from advancing. He could only ask coldly, "I don't know you, we have no feud or grievance. Yet you took advantage of my husband's solitude to bully him. What is your intention?"

The man's eyes widened. "You—husband? Qiu Geer, two months apart, and you've already promised yourself to someone else."

He emphasized the word "again" heavily, his tone unfriendly. Wu Qiu abruptly turned his head from Lei Ding's embrace, his voice already choked with sobs, shouting at the man, "Shut up!"

Wu Qiu usually spoke softly and never raised his voice like this. Lei Ding grew angrier, anger flashing across his face. His left arm held Wu Qiu's waist, while his right hand reached for the sword at his waist, drawing it three inches out, revealing a cold glint of steel.

Seeing this, the man hastily waved his hands and stepped back. "I didn't touch him at all, don't wrongly accuse an innocent man. I just saw a fellow villager and wanted to say a few words. Isn't that right, Qiu Geer? Well, perhaps you haven't told your new husband about our Xue Family Village. After all, we were once close. You even showed me your body, won't you put in a good word for me—"

He didn't finish his sentence because Lei Ding had already released Wu Qiu and advanced, sword in hand. The man turned and ran, only to be kicked hard in the back by Lei Ding, sending him sprawling face-first. Lei Ding then grabbed him by the collar, dragged him back, landed two solid punches on his face, and pressed the sword against his neck. The man was already scared out of his wits, unable to utter any more of his insane nonsense, only letting out pig-slaughter-like screams.

Wu Qiu was also terrified. He wasn't afraid Lei Ding would be at a disadvantage, but he feared Lei Ding might actually injure someone. If there were others in the woods who saw and word got back, causing trouble, wouldn't Lei Ding's future be ruined? So he hurriedly tried to run over and stop him. Anxious, his vision blurred by tears, and the ground littered with stones and dry branches, he accidentally tripped, crying out "Aiyo!" as he fell to the ground.

Hearing the sound, Lei Ding quickly turned to look, his grip loosening. The man, desperate to save his life, saw Lei Ding distracted, grabbed the sword blade with his hand and pushed it away. Ignoring the deep cut on his hand, he rolled on the ground and plunged headfirst into the woods.

If the man hadn't said anything more outrageous and had apologized to Wu Qiu, Lei Ding hadn't intended to take his life, only to hand him over to the authorities for a reprimand. Seeing him escape now, Lei Ding considered giving chase, but he was ultimately more worried about Wu Qiu. He turned and ran to Wu Qiu, helping him up from the ground and examining him carefully. "Are you hurt?"

Wu Qiu's clothes were dirty, his hair somewhat disheveled, and he looked utterly dejected. He didn't cry, just tugged at the corner of Lei Ding's clothes and whispered, "Forget it, forget it, brother."

Wu Qiu remained silent, only shaking his head when Lei Ding first spoke. Then he reached up, untied his hair ribbon, and re-tied his hair.

His most unwanted past, in the most undignified manner, had been revealed by the culprit Xue Hu, who had appeared for some unknown reason, to the person he most wanted to spend his life with. The tears that had nearly spilled from panic moments ago were gone, replaced by a heart-wrenching despair.

What could he say? If he told Lei Ding everything, would Lei Ding think like the villagers of the past? Would he also think it was his fault? Would he grow to despise him?

Lei Ding took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from Wu Qiu's face, asking softly, "Qiu Er, do you know that man?"

Wu Qiu remained silent for a long time before finally nodding, looking at Lei Ding with sorrow. "What he said isn't true, don't believe it. I'll explain it to you, okay?"

Those eyes looked heartbreaking. Lei Ding patted his head. "I don't know him at all, how could I casually believe a few words from a stranger? But I know Qiu Er is the best, so of course I'll listen to you."

Wu Qiu rubbed his eyes and stood up. "But we've delayed long enough. Let's keep going."

Lei Ding turned around, presenting his back. "I'll carry you down the mountain. Get on."

They both still carried their packs and bamboo baskets. Besides, Wu Qiu hadn't fallen heavily and hadn't injured his legs or feet, so he refused, insisting on carrying his own luggage. Lei Ding still firmly held his hand and stepped onto the path he had just explored. Since Wu Qiu wasn't speaking, Lei Ding didn't initiate questions either, only reminding Wu Qiu to watch his step as usual, walking slightly ahead.

As for the man's words, apart from hating him for daring to speak disrespectfully to Wu Qiu and tarnishing his reputation, Lei Ding didn't really care about the rest. But seeing Wu Qiu so upset made him anxious too. For a young man to be slandered like this was no small matter. Lei Ding feared Wu Qiu would become depressed and ill, and secretly blamed himself for being too careless, failing to notice someone lurking in the shadows earlier. Regret and heartache intertwined, leaving him speechless. And so, the two descended the mountain in silence. As they neared the flat road at the mountain's base, Lei Ding thought Wu Qiu might not speak again. But just then, Wu Qiu suddenly spoke.

Wu Qiu's voice was very low, tinged with timidity. "That man just now is named Xue Hu. He was a fellow villager from my time in Xue Family Village."

He started from the day he went to the river to wash clothes, talking about how Xue Hu later stopped him to talk, how Xue Hu wanted him to submit, and about countless nights of fear and sleeplessness, pouring everything out like beans from a bamboo tube.

Lei Ding listened, feeling breathless.

He thought, how could he have let Xue Hu escape alive from under his nose? As a man, unable to protect the one he loved, what face did he have to ask for Wu Qiu's hand?

That sword thrust earlier should have been more decisive, directly...

Just then, they were about to step out of the forest and onto the dirt road at the mountain's foot. Wu Qiu stopped, looking at Lei Ding. "I never intentionally seduced him. I despise his character. A young man from my neighbor's family told me that flies don't land on a seamless egg. But that day by the river, I truly didn't mean anything. I just didn't want to get my sleeves wet. I didn't expect it to cause such trouble."

The corners of his mouth turned down uncontrollably, his brows slightly furrowed, choking back sobs several times. "No one can testify for me, but I really didn't behave improperly, nor was I ever involved with him."

He often heard the village elders talk about a family at the east end of the village. That family had a young man with big eyes who loved to smile at everyone, and everyone liked him. Later, this young man got engaged, and his family even held a banquet, inviting some relatives and neighbors to celebrate. But a cousin got drunk. While the whole family was eating outside, he stumbled into the young man's room. By the time the family heard the shouts and rushed in, the cousin was already passed out drunk on the bed, unconscious. The young man kept crying. Everyone said they saw a few scratches on his neck, so he must have been defiled.

After sobering up, the cousin was punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall for two or three days and was probably beaten too. But the man originally engaged to the young man still broke off the engagement. Rumors spread in the village again, saying there must be more to the story, perhaps the young man himself had done something disgraceful. Others said, what young man doesn't crave a drink when happy? Drunken fooling around wasn't a big deal. Some even advised the young man's parents to just marry him off to the cousin to cover up the scandal.

That young man later drowned himself in the river.

Wu Qiu had almost lost the courage to continue, but he forced himself to keep his eyes wide open, staring intently at Lei Ding's expression. Summoning all his strength, he finally spoke, but only a whisper escaped. "So... are you still willing to marry me?"

Lei Ding stepped forward, gently lifting Wu Qiu's chin with his fingers, making him look up. Meeting those gradually widening eyes, he leaned down and softly kissed his lips. He didn't deepen it, nor did he dare to be too forceful, just a brief touch. But Wu Qiu's body went limp as if a great weight had been lifted. If Lei Ding hadn't been quick to catch him in his arms, he might have knelt on the ground.

Lei Ding gently patted Wu Qiu's cheek. "Slow down, catch your breath, take it easy."

Wu Qiu blinked, following the instruction to take two deep breaths, finally able to stand steadily. Just as Lei Ding was about to speak, Wu Qiu suddenly reached out, wrapped his arms around Lei Ding's neck, pressed himself close, stood on tiptoe, and bit Lei Ding's lip. He was too eager, his movements a bit rough. Lei Ding only raised an eyebrow in slight surprise but didn't push him away. Instead, he held him tighter, meeting the frantic movements of Wu Qiu's lips and tongue, guiding him to slow down, to be gentler, transforming the urgent impatience into lingering tenderness.

Wu Qiu closed his eyes, his cheeks and ears completely flushed red, yet tears seeped from the corners of his eyes, gathering and rolling down.

When they finally separated, Lei Ding saw Wu Qiu's flushed face, his chest heaving rapidly, tear stains still wet on his cheeks. An endless wave of tenderness washed over him, and he couldn't help but lean down to kiss the corner of his mouth again. "Of course I'll marry you. That you suffered such wrongs is my lack of capability. That Qiu Er is still willing to marry me despite this is my good fortune."

Wu Qiu's tears had long stopped. Only now did he belatedly recall the taste of their kiss, too shy to look up. He pushed at Lei Ding's shoulder. "You've learned to be glib-tongued too."

Although they were delayed on the road, they had set out early in the morning. By the time they retrieved their carriage from the earlier hired hand, they could still make it back before the city gates closed for the night. After checking the horse and carriage, Lei Ding was about to drive when he saw Wu Qiu had already seated himself in the rear compartment.

Lei Ding tapped the empty seat beside him with the horsewhip. "Why not come over here?"

Wu Qiu was wiping his face with a handkerchief. Hearing this, he looked up and said softly, "People will see..."

When they came, they were leaving the city, and it was very early with few people. Now they were entering the city, and it was evening with more people. Wu Qiu really wanted to be with Lei Ding, but he feared people seeing and gossiping, so he went to the back himself. Lei Ding saw half his face buried in the handkerchief, only a pair of shy, timid eyes visible, their gaze affectionate. The handkerchief was still the moss-green one he had used before. An itch rose in Lei Ding's heart, and he insisted, "It's fine. We won't run into many people on the road anyway. You can go back when we reach the city gate, okay?"

Wu Qiu then stepped out of the compartment and sat down next to Lei Ding.

Lei Ding watched the road ahead, occasionally glancing at Wu Qiu. Wu Qiu rested his face against Lei Ding's arm, hiding from his view. "Big brother isn't concentrating on driving, always looking at me."

Lei Ding smiled. "Now you're calling me 'big brother'? How about changing it?"

Wu Qiu clung to Lei Ding's arm, straightening up to rest his chin on his shoulder, whining coquettishly in his ear. "What, even 'big brother' isn't allowed? What do you want me to call you? Sir? Liang Ye? Brother Ting?"

Lei Ding, seeing no one around, untied the folding fan hanging from his waist, flicked it open with a rustle to shield the outside, and quickly chased Wu Qiu's lips for two more kisses.

After all, they were still outside. The two soon sat back properly. Lei Ding kept his eyes on the road ahead. Wu Qiu, feeling a bit tired, leaned against him and closed his eyes to rest. Thinking he wanted a nap, Lei Ding slowed the carriage slightly to avoid too much jolting. But Wu Qiu suddenly murmured, "I must have been tricked by you. You used to be the most steady and proper."

Lei Ding gave a soft laugh, not arguing, just humming in agreement.

Wu Qiu bit his lip again. "Then—what we agreed on before, you weren't tricking me, right?"

Lei Ding freed one hand to pinch Wu Qiu's earlobe. "I'm not tricking you. I will definitely marry you as my husband. When we get back today, I'll speak with my father and my dad. You talk to your mother too. If everything is settled, I'll prepare the betrothal letter and gifts. Also, my family has some connections with a few reputable matchmakers in Yongning City. We'll find one to check our birthdates for compatibility, and then we can get married."

Wu Qiu knew he was rushing to arrange things to prevent his own anxiety from dragging on. He hurriedly said, "I know you're serious, that's enough. Right now, the epidemic is just starting. The clinic is busy treating patients every day. People's lives are the most important. We have a long future ahead, no need to rush. With your word, I won't be afraid anymore. Don't you rush either."

Lei Ding looked down at Wu Qiu. "Alright. After this disaster passes, we can handle things more leisurely and even invite more guests."

The sky was already showing the colors of sunset and the outline of Yongning City, accompanied by a gentle evening breeze. Lei Ding gazed at the crimson horizon and sighed softly, "What happened today was all because I wasn't careful enough, and I put you through this. Qiu Er, I only believe what you say, and you've never done anything wrong. Even if you hadn't rolled up your sleeves that day, those with ill intentions would have found other excuses to bully you. Over all these years, you've managed to protect yourself and never gave up. Qiu Er, you're the most remarkable lad I've ever met. You're wonderful, so please don't take those idle and malicious words to heart anymore."

Wu Qiu froze, the threat of tears pricking at his eyes again. But he held back, refusing to let them fall. He lifted his face and tried his best to smile at Lei Ding.

Author's Note:

----------------------

Wuwu, my heart breaks for you, Qiu Bao—and Lei Ding, needless to say, is already completely wrecked (

The villains won't get away so easily!