Chapter 6

Chapter 6

"Why are you here? Didn't I say to stay home?" Lu Wanxiao walked over as if nothing had happened, reaching out to support Song Changting, but halfway through, she pulled back.

Song Changting got around fine on his crutches now; besides, though they hadn't known each other long, she could tell he had his own pride and dignity. She shouldn't treat him like a cripple.

Still, his crutch was too rough, clearly uncomfortable. When she had money, she'd find a carpenter to make him a better one.

Lost in thought, Lu Wanxiao didn't notice the fleeting strange look in Song Changting's eyes.

Song Changting didn't answer. He turned and silently walked home.

Only when they reached the doorstep did he say, "Gossip Liu holds grudges, and her son is even more of a thug. Be careful when you go out from now on."

Hearing this, Lu Wanxiao knew he must have seen what happened by the river.

Thinking of how rough she'd been with Gossip Liu, a flicker of embarrassment crossed Lu Wanxiao's face, but it vanished quickly.

"I understand. Don't worry, I'll be fine." Lu Wanxiao nodded to show she understood.

Gossip Liu's son was more than just a thug; he was a real scumbag—wild outside and even worse at home. Whenever he was displeased, he would beat his wife, Li Shi, with fists and feet, while Gossip Liu chimed in.

The pair bullied her nonstop, knowing she dared not resist or go back to her parents' home to complain.

But they'd better not mess with her, or she wouldn't mind giving them a beating they wouldn't forget.

Seeing that she didn't seem to take it seriously, Song Changting wanted to say more, but then remembered how she had effortlessly brought him down the mountain in the blink of an eye, so he swallowed his words.

Lu Wanxiao let it go. She went to the kitchen, cut off the fat from the chicken to render oil for stir-frying vegetables, then chopped up the rest of the chicken and put it in a pot to stew.

While the chicken was stewing, she stir-fried two wild greens and used the last of the flour to make two pancakes. Their linner was finally ready.

The chicken soup smelled so good her mouth watered. She grabbed bowls and filled them with soup.

"Song Changting, where can I buy things around here?" Lu Wanxiao handed him a bowl of soup and used a pair of unused chopsticks to pick a chicken leg for him.

After she used up the last bit of flour in the house, the only edible food left was the coarse rice, which would last at most three days.

She needed to buy some rice and flour quickly, or they'd end up eating dirt.

"In town," Song Changting said, blowing on the soup. After a pause, he added, "You can take an ox cart from the village entrance. It costs one copper coin per ride."

"Isn't there anywhere else? Like a small market in the village?"

"No."

Lu Wanxiao made an "Oh" sound, swallowed what was in her mouth, and asked instinctively, "Is town far?"

"Not too bad. One shichen is half an hour, so about an hour by ox cart," Song Changting replied, his tone slow and easy, like his eating, which contrasted sharply with Lu Wanxiao's voracious appetite.

Hearing this, Lu Wanxiao frowned. "That long? No horse cart?"

An ox cart moved slowly; an hour's journey wasn't too far, but the roads here were rough. Bumping along would waste time, and her butt would be sore.

"No."

Lu Wanxiao was a bit disappointed but said nothing more. No use complaining.

Seeing this, Song Changting paused his chopsticks. "If you think it's too slow, you could go another way if you know the route."

Before Lu Wanxiao could reply, he added, "But keep it secret."

Lu Wanxiao knew what he meant, but after considering it briefly, she shook her head. "Forget it. I'll take the ox cart." She'd just go with it.

When she had gone up the mountain to catch the pheasant, she had asked Hua Hua. The Netherworld Space had been dormant too long, and many functions were sealed; Hua Hua's abilities were still recovering and couldn't take her far yet.

She wasn't sure of the exact distance from Taoxi Village to town. What if Hua Hua flaked?

Besides, she needed to get to know the area since she'd be living there for a while.

Seeing she'd already decided, Song Changting said nothing more and quietly continued eating. Lu Wanxiao, lost in thought, didn't bring up any other topics.

After the meal, Lu Wanxiao offered to do the dishes. Watching her hustle around, Song Changting felt a little lost in thought. He added wood to the fire and went to his room.

Lu Wanxiao didn't mind him. After washing the dishes, she cleaned up the small storage room next to the kitchen, drew some hot water for a quick wash, then boiled a few herbs for his foot bath.

"Song Changting, come out and soak your feet." Lu Wanxiao brought the basin of water into the yard, called out to his room, then took a winnowing basket to sort the herbs she had gathered today.

Song Changting came out and looked at the basin of water infused with medicinal herbs, then at Lu Wanxiao busy sorting the herbs. His eyes flickered. "Thank you," he said before sitting down to remove his shoes and socks and put his feet into the basin.

His voice was still calm, but Lu Wanxiao could hear the sincerity in his thanks. "No problem," she said casually.

Glancing at him, who seemed lost in thought, she felt sorry for him.

Song Changting was actually good-looking—tall, lean, with sharp features. Perhaps because he'd been a bookworm, he had a scholarly air about him.

Though he seemed a bit aloof, that was understandable given the major upheavals in his life and how his wife had treated him.

He kept his cool even then, like when she used the space to bring him down yesterday—not a hint of panic, and even curiosity was fleeting.

Besides, he managed his emotions well.

Someone like him was clearly destined for greatness. If it weren't for his broken leg, he'd have stood out anywhere.

His life should have been remarkable.

But fate played a cruel trick, making him a pitiful figure to everyone.

She wondered how he had survived those two years.

In the prime of his youth, his leg broken, his wife indifferent and caused endless drama, his mother dead from illness, his younger brother sold off. He had suffered physically and mentally.

Anyone else would've lost it or become bitter.

But not him. There was no sign of defeatism in him. He still got on with life the best he could, trying not to burden others.

He deserved better.

With that thought, Lu Wanxiao stopped sorting the herbs and looked at him. "Hey, Song Changting, is there anything you need or want? I can bring it back for you tomorrow."

Seeming surprised by the question, Song Changting paused in wiping his feet.

At her bright smile, his usually calm eyes flickered. After a moment, he said softly, "No thanks."

Predictably, Lu Wanxiao shrugged, set the sorted herbs aside, washed her hands, went back to her room, and threw herself onto the bed.

It had been ages since she'd been this busy and tired. It didn't feel that way at first, but now that she was lying down, Lu Wanxiao ached all over. Before long, sleepiness came over her and she fell into a deep sleep.

When she woke up, the sky was already bright and the sun was out.

"Good morning," Lu Wanxiao stretched and greeted Song Changting, who was sitting under the peach tree in the yard reading a book.

Song Changting looked up and nodded. "Breakfast is in the pot."

"Such a hard worker," Lu Wanxiao smiled and praised him, then went to wash up and eat breakfast.

Such a good man; the original owner must have been completely airheaded.

After eating quickly, she glanced at the basket that was almost falling apart from the fall yesterday. Lu Wanxiao pulled out a vegetable basket from the storeroom next to the kitchen and prepared to go out.

Remembering that yesterday at noon Song Changting had insisted on waiting for her to return before cooking, she added, "I'm leaving. Make sure you cook yourself lunch, okay?"

Song Changting nodded and took out a somewhat faded pouch from his sleeve and handed it to her.

"What is this?"