LW chapter 30

The first of October was an auspicious day for a wedding.

Meng Qi invited every household in the village, including Aunt Sun and Chen Qing, to join the festivities. However, the two of them were too self-aware to attend on such a day.

Aunt Sun listened to the lively wedding music echoing from the village. She pulled Chen Qing, who was busy making clothes, out of the house. “There’s nothing else to do today. Let’s go offer incense to the Buddha.”

Huaiyuan Temple was on the outskirts of town, not far away. Built on a mountain, it had beautiful scenery and always had a steady stream of pilgrims, even on normal days. Today was the temple fair, which was held on the first day of the lunar month, so it was bound to be even busier. Chen Qing had only been there once since coming here. The timing and weather were good, so it was perfect for a short trip.

When they left, Zhou Yuan’s house was empty. Aunt Sun glanced in that direction, and Chen Qing said, “Meng Qi is getting married today. He probably went over to help.”

It took about an hour to walk from Luohe Village to Huaiyuan Temple. The temple was located in the mountains, and they had to climb a hillside path to reach it. Since the temple was popular, the mountain path was flat, and vendors were allowed to set up stalls on both sides of the trail.

By the time they arrived, late in the day, the stalls had all been set up. However, Chen Qing and Aunt Sun didn’t stop to look at them. They headed straight up the mountain to the temple.

At the end of the wide uphill road, a winding mountain trail was found. After walking about half an hour up the trail, they could see Huaiyuan Temple nestled among the trees.

Chen Qing helped support Aunt Sun, and the two of them bought incense at the temple gate and offered prayers under the guidance of a young monk.

After they finished, Aunt Sun wanted to listen to the abbot’s teachings, but Chen Qing wasn’t interested. He wandered around the temple on his own.

Huaiyuan Temple was large. Many relatives of high-ranking officials in the city came here to stay for extended periods of time. There were many guest rooms in the back of the temple for pilgrims.

Chen Qing wandered around the temple grounds and ended up walking down a secluded path. In the bamboo forest, he saw monks occasionally meditating and young unmarried men and women whispering quietly to each other.

Not wanting to disturb anyone, he quietly passed by, heading toward the next scenic spot.

Then, he saw a crowd gathering ahead. He normally wouldn’t go near something like that, but when he heard they were selling blessed charms, he stopped.

He hesitated for a moment, bit his lip, and stepped into the crowd. He jostled with some girls to get a charm of peace and safety.

It was the first time he had ever joined a crowd to get something. Before, even if he wanted something, he would just sigh and give up when he saw too many people.

When he finally made it out of the crowd with his prize, he looked down at the small, triangular charm in his hand. His face was flushed. He clutched it tightly.

Holding the charm made it feel like he was holding a rabbit in his chest; his heart pounded wildly. He tried to calm it down, but it didn’t work.

Thankfully, the abbot’s talk ended soon after, and he reunited with Aunt Sun. They spent a few more coins on a vegetarian meal and slowly made their way down the mountain.

The weather was just right—not too hot, but a perfect temperature. They had time to browse as they walked. Most of the stalls sold handkerchiefs and accessories since most of the incense burners were couples.

Chen Qing wasn’t interested in most things until he saw a pale, moon-white headband.

Aunt Sun followed his gaze and saw it, too. The band was moon-white and embroidered with lucky cloud patterns. It looked very nice.

“If you like it, just buy it,” she said. Aunt Sun asked the price and was ready to pay. It was rare for Chen Qing to show interest in something. Since he liked it, there was no harm in buying it.

However, when he heard the vendor say it cost ten coins, he quickly pulled his hand back. “Mom, I don’t want it. I just thought it looked nice.”

Aunt Sun frowned. They used to save every penny, hoping to provide Meng Tao with a better life when he returned. Now that it was just the two of them, though, there was no need to scrimp like that.

As the two of them quietly debated, a large hand reached out, handed over the money, took the headband from the vendor, and gave it to Chen Qing. “Here.”

Aunt Sun instantly saw the light in Chen Qing’s eyes. He was a little surprised. “How did you know we were here?”

“I asked the village kids,” Zhou Yuan replied, answering his question before greeting Aunt Sun.

Since this place was far from Luohe, and no one here knew them, Aunt Sun said, “You two go take a walk. I’ll go rest. This old woman is tired from all this mountain climbing.”

Zhou Yuan agreed right away. “Auntie, I parked the ox cart up front. You can sit and rest there.”

Aunt Sun nodded and waved at them before heading off.

Chen Qing and Zhou Yuan were left standing in the middle of the busy fair. Seeing that Chen Qing was hesitating, Zhou Yuan grabbed his hand.

Chen Qing nearly jumped, but Zhou Yuan’s grip was firm—he couldn’t shake free. All of his attention focused on their joined hands, and he felt his palm grow sweaty.

So Zhou Yuan gently pulled him along.

After a while, Chen Qing stopped being so nervous. Zhou Yuan took the opportunity to interlace their fingers. However, Chen Qing’s hand was so small that it felt as if Zhou Yuan’s hand completely wrapped around his.

“Is it crowded today?” Chen Qing asked.

Zhou Yuan nodded, looking a bit distracted. He could feel the calluses and faint scars on Chen Qing’s hand. “It’s very crowded.”

“Why are you here?” Chen Qing clearly didn’t want to shop anymore. His heart raced. He could feel people looking their way and wanted to hide instinctively.

He tried to pull his hand back, but Zhou Yuan held it tight.

“No one here knows us. Don’t be afraid,” Zhou Yuan said.

Chen Qing could only let himself be pulled along. Even his breathing slowed.

“Is there anything you like?” Zhou Yuan asked.

Chen Qing shook his head. “I don’t really want anything.”

Zhou Yuan didn’t respond, just continued to lead him around. Every time they passed a stall, the vendors greeted them enthusiastically.

“These hairpins are carved from the finest jade. Buy one for your husband?” One vendor smiled brightly.

Zhou Yuan’s eyes fell on a hairpin carved with a cloud pattern that matched the headband he had just bought.

“How much is it?” Perhaps it was the vendor addressing Chen Qing as his “husband” that pleased Zhou Yuan, or maybe the hairpin simply suited Chen Qing well.

“It’s not expensive, just a tael or two of silver.”

Zhou Yuan was about to pay when Chen Qing quickly stopped him. “I don’t want it.”

“It’s really pretty,” Zhou Yuan said. He was a rough man, but he could tell that the hairpin would look good on Chen Qing.

Chen Qing tugged him away. “I really don’t want it. You just bought me a headband.”

“But how much did that cost?” Zhou Yuan looked confused. “The hairpin is really nice.”

“Compared to that, I’d rather you make me one.” Chen Qing said that just to save money.

“All right, I’ll make one for you.” Zhou Yuan already had a design forming in his head.

They walked around the entire market. In the end, Zhou Yuan insisted on buying Chen Qing a skewer of hawthorn candy. Chen Qing couldn’t turn him down. As they ate the sugar-coated fruit, Chen Qing said, “The mountain hawthorns are just starting to ripen now. If you want some, just go pick them. Why waste money on this?”

Zhou Yuan suddenly remembered what Aunt Sun had said about Chen Qing’s knack for ruining the mood. Now, he truly understood. Still, Chen Qing was just too cute.

Zhou Yuan stared at him and held out his hand. Chen Qing was still chewing his candy. When he noticed Zhou Yuan’s gaze, he looked at the skewer in his hand and hesitated before handing it over.

Zhou Yuan took it and bit into the same spot where Chen Qing had just bitten.

Chen Qing’s heart trembled. He had just bitten that piece—it still had his saliva on it. Zhou Yuan ate it without hesitation.

Zhou Yuan handed the skewer back. Seeing his flushed cheeks, he teased him again. “What? You don’t like what I eat? I wouldn’t mind if it were from your mouth.”

Chen Qing wished he could bury his head in the ground. He didn’t want to speak to Zhou Yuan for the rest of the day.

The sky was starting to dim. After they finished shopping, they reunited with Aunt Sun. Zhou Yuan drove the oxcart, and Aunt Sun and Chen Qing sat in the back. They slowly made their way back to the village.

Aunt Sun looked at Chen Qing, then gently patted his shoulder. He looked at her.

“You sit in front.”

So, he moved to sit beside Zhou Yuan.

Aunt Sun sat in the back and looked at the two figures—one tall and one short—before sighing and wiping away a tear.

“If you’re sleepy, you can sleep on my shoulder,” said Zhou Yuan. “I’ll wake you when we’re almost back.”

He remembered how Chen Qing had slept on Aunt Sun’s shoulder on the way back last time.

Chen Qing shook his head. “I’m not sleepy.”

Zhou Yuan didn’t push. No one spoke on the way back. The sun wasn’t too hot. It was peaceful and quiet.

In the end, Chen Qing fell asleep on Zhou Yuan’s shoulder.

Seeing this, Aunt Sun asked Zhou Yuan, “Have you picked a date yet?”

“I don’t really know how that works. I thought the sooner, the better,” Zhou Yuan replied softly. “But the mourning period hasn’t been a year yet. I want to wait until it’s over before we discuss it.”

Aunt Sun shook her head. “Then we’ll have to wait until April of next year. That’s too long.

Too much could change in that time. She didn’t want Chen Qing’s life to change again.

“Auntie, we can’t skip the proper rites.” Zhou Yuan said, “I respect Meng Tao. He gave his life for the country. If I don’t honor him, it won’t feel right.”

Aunt Sun choked up. “You’re a good boy.”

Zhou Yuan smiled. “In the future, I’ll call you ‘mother’ too. He already sees you as his mother. You’ll be my mother, too, and Meng Tao will be my brother.”

“What kind of mother am I?” Aunt Sun wiped her tears away, but she smiled. “Just live a good life.”

“Actually,” she continued, “Taozi’s mourning period should have long passed. He’s been gone for years. If you want to mourn him, just wait until New Year’s. He won’t blame you.”

“Auntie, it’s been less than a year. I can wait,” Zhou Yuan reassured her. “I don’t want people talking behind his back.”

Aunt Sun nodded. “It’s fine. More time just means more time to prepare.”

As they approached Luohe Village, Zhou Yuan woke Chen Qing. He slowly opened his eyes. Still drowsy, his eyes were watery and hazy.

When he met Zhou Yuan’s gaze, Zhou Yuan shifted slightly, letting Chen Qing’s head slide off his shoulder.

Back in the village, they had to keep their distance.

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