Chapter 175: Extra (5)
Xie Jing stayed at the Bai residence as a young study companion.
That was, in truth, just a polite excuse. Young Lord Bai Jiu was well-read and well-mannered, and he never kept anyone by his side to study with him. The Bai family was simply giving the Xies a reason to let the boy stay — and along the way, they would provide him some early education.
A favor returned in kind — the Bai family was fair and proper in all dealings. Since the Xies had come from so far away, they were treated with courtesy.
He Dongting bought a new house here, and he and his wife decided to settle down as well. They had just separated from the family not long ago and needed to reestablish a household. By coincidence, He Dongting received a business assignment in Shanghai, working as a shipping broker. Skilled in trade and with high demand for northern goods like furs and deer antlers, he quickly found his business profitable. With the Bai family’s help, it seemed likely that within half a year, he would have accumulated as much property as he had before the family split.
That day, He Dongting and his wife dressed their son neatly in new clothes, bringing plenty of food and daily necessities — large and small bundles — as they escorted him to the Bai residence.
He Dongting was reluctant to part with his son, but he knew this was the best arrangement. The Bai family hadn’t insisted on keeping Xie Jing forever; they only mentioned three years of tutelage and had even invited the renowned scholar, Mr. Huang Mingyou, as the boy’s teacher — a man not easily approached by anyone.
Xie Yuanyuan knelt to speak softly to her son, “This will be another home for you. Once you’ve stayed here a while, you’ll get used to it. Mama will come to fetch you in a few days, all right?”
“Like Uncle’s house?”
“Yes, just like Uncle’s house.”
Xie Jing thought for a moment, then whispered, “Mama, don’t forget to come for me.”
Xie Yuanyuan almost burst into tears. Forcing a smile, she said, “How could I forget? Mama’s only two streets away — we even walked here together. Don’t you still remember the way?”
“Mm!”
Holding someone’s hand, little Xie Jing walked forward, looking back every few steps.
He Dongting’s eyes reddened. He thought, If my boy so much as called out to me once, I’d grab him and never let go. But Xie Jing was far more obedient than he imagined. The tiny figure soon passed through the gate and vanished into the inner courtyard.
When Bai Jiu returned home from business that evening, the lamps were already lit.
He ate a few bites of dinner, then suddenly asked, “Has that child from the Xie family arrived today?”
The servant quickly replied, “Yes, yes! Young Master, he’s staying in a corner of our courtyard — the west wing room.”
“How is he?”
“The old master sent two wet nurses to check on him. Everyone there can’t stop praising him — they say they’ve never seen such a beautiful child…”
Bai Jiu’s face darkened. “Nonsense. And they dare gossip about that?” He put down his chopsticks, had a lantern lit, and personally went to check. The servant hurried after him, answering every question in a whisper, not daring to conceal a thing.
West Wing.
The room was furnished much like Bai Jiu’s quarters — part of the eastern courtyard, complete with heated flooring and a fur rug. It was comfortably warm.
Bai Jiu still walked with a limp, moving slowly. When he reached the bed and lifted the curtain, he saw a small lump under the blanket. He called softly, but there was no response. Pulling the quilt aside, he found the little boy curled up asleep, eyes red from crying.
The child had seen too many strangers that day and couldn’t help but cry at night from homesickness.
Bai Jiu had never comforted anyone before. After thinking a bit, he imitated what Xie Jing had done when they first met — he took the boy’s tiny hand and brought it to his nose, sniffing lightly. “Jing’er took a bath? Smells nice.”
“I washed myself,” the boy sniffled between tears, still trying to boast a little. His big wet eyes looked up pitifully.
Bai Jiu smiled slightly. “Good boy.”
Recognizing him, Xie Jing hugged him tightly and whispered, “Brother, sleep with me.”
“All right.”
That night, Jing held tightly onto the corner of Bai Jiu’s robe. “When Mama puts me to sleep, she tells me stories,” he said softly.
“Then I’ll tell you one too.”
Bai Jiu agreed easily. Though his school days had little amusement, he was well-read and well-traveled. He told the child stories about foreigners — about tall Western buildings, fountains, and colorful stained glass in cathedrals. He described all kinds of interesting things.
Little Xie Jing listened, wide-eyed, and soon began asking questions about the things that caught his attention:
“Does beet soup taste good?”
“Wow, such a big loaf of bread — can Jing’er hug it to eat?”
“Brother, can we eat stewed meat tomorrow?”
Bai Jiu laughed softly, pressing him into his arms. “Yes. Sleep first — when you wake up, you can have it.”
Only when little Xie Jing finally fell asleep did Bai Jiu rise and summon the servants.
They came in trembling. Steward Sun Fu spoke first: “The young master’s still little, and new to the household — it’s normal for him to cry…”
Bai Jiu frowned. “Why didn’t the Xie family’s nurse come with him?”
“Originally they meant to, but Mr. Huang had a rule — no servants or caretakers are to accompany pupils, lest they grow lazy.”
“He’s just a child. That rule doesn’t apply.”
“But, Young Master, back then you also—”
“Tomorrow morning, send for Xie Jing’s nurse from the Xie residence.”
Sun Fu didn’t dare argue further and quickly obeyed. In the eastern courtyard, he only took orders from the young master — what Bai Jiu said was law.
The next morning, the breakfast table was covered with dishes Xie Jing liked — exactly like those at home. Barefoot, he sat in Bai Jiu’s lap rubbing his eyes. When he saw his beloved old nurse, Granny Kou, standing by, his face lit up instantly.
He had been cared for by her since birth; seeing her here made his homesickness fade away. His appetite also returned — he ate two bowls of porridge, plus half a bowl of wontons while Bai Jiu kept him company.
On the small table sat a bowl of beet soup and a basket of soft, fluffy bread so big it truly needed both of little Xie Jing’s little arms to hold.
The steward watched with a smile — clearly, the young master from the Xie family had settled in well.
Living in another’s home meant learning all their rules anew.
In the eastern courtyard, things were relaxed. Bai Jiu let him play freely, but every few days little Xie Jing had to dine in the main hall with the old master. There, the etiquette was strict, and little Xie Jing kept his head down, eating quietly.
Usually, only the grandfather and grandson dined together — now, with a child joining, the table seemed livelier.
After meals, they often played chess. Little Xie Jing would sit by, watching intently.
Bai Jiu discovered that the boy had a natural gift for the game, quick to grasp every move. But soon he noticed a problem — the child secretly passed pieces to his grandfather.
“…”
Rubbing his temples, Bai Jiu said, “Grandfather, he’s still young — please don’t teach him bad habits.”
The old master coughed and awkwardly put the piece back. “You play too fiercely — can’t you let your grandfather win once? I’ve lost so many rounds today.”
Bai Jiu replied calmly, “Even if you won like that, it wouldn’t be an honorable victory.”
The old man was about to retort when he saw Bai Jiu pinch Xie Jing’s little nose, scolding him seriously.
Unable to help it, the old master chuckled quietly. It had been a long time since he’d seen his grandson so relaxed — ever since little Xie Jing arrived, something in the household had changed.
That night, as they walked back, a servant carried a lantern ahead. Little Xie Jing held Bai Jiu’s hand, hopping along happily.
With his slight limp, Bai Jiu walked slowly. “Why did you steal chess pieces today?” he asked.
“Grandpa said if I help him win, he’ll give me a big gold ingot.”
“Just for that?”
“Mm! Jing’er wants money — then I can hire a doctor for Brother and fix your leg!”
Bai Jiu stopped walking, silent for a few seconds, then laughed softly. “All right.”
That winter, two major things happened in the Bai residence.
First, every single persimmon on the estate’s trees mysteriously disappeared overnight — all delivered to the eastern courtyard. Second, the family spent a fortune hiring a foreign-trained physician to perform surgery on Bai Jiu’s leg — the treatment was a success.
Confined to bed for the whole winter, Bai Jiu couldn’t walk. Little Xie Jing stayed faithfully by his side, even delaying his studies.
When medicine was applied and the bandages lifted, Little Xie Jing burst into tears, hiccuping, “Brother, does it hurt?”
Though it didn’t hurt much, Bai Jiu beckoned him over and stroked his head.
That entire winter, little Xie Jing refused to leave him. When Bai Jiu dozed, the child would nap nearby; when the days were long, he’d fall asleep right there. Slowly, more of the boy’s belongings filled the room — toys, snacks, even his small pillow. They lived, ate, and slept together, growing inseparable.
At nap time, Little Xie Jing would sometimes sit up and rub his eyes, having barely slept. Over time, Bai Jiu realized the boy always held onto his sleeve — afraid he might disappear.
He had never been this close to anyone before. But with Xie Jing’s parents far away, the boy relied wholly on him — as if pouring all the affection meant for family into this one “Brother Bai.”
Bai Jiu was neither mother nor uncle — but far gentler than both.
The little one adored him wholeheartedly.
Bai Jiu learned from Xie Siquan how to raise a child — teasing, pinching little Xie Jing’s nose, kissing his cheeks until laughter burst out.
Little Xie Jing laughed every time.
When Bai Jiu began walking again, little Xie Jing became his little crutch, always by his side, helping him take each step. Youth healed fast — soon Bai Jiu’s gait steadied completely.
As spring arrived, talk of Xie Jing’s formal schooling resumed.
On the day of the ceremony, not only did the Xie family attend, but Bai Jiu also sent a personal gift of thanks to the teacher and cleared his schedule to accompany little Xie Jing.
Mr. Huang was a kindly-faced, plump middle-aged man with a mustache and a habit of puffing out his belly when he talked.
Xie Jing bowed seriously, more obedient than ever. He deeply respected his teacher — because his mother had warned him: If you don’t obey your teacher, I’ll chase you with a stick — just like I used to with your uncle.
Having witnessed his uncle’s beatings firsthand, little Xie Jing behaved impeccably. He praised his teacher at every chance, fetched items for him, and studied earnestly to avoid any complaint being sent home.
During lessons, he listened intently, practiced his characters diligently, and memorized each passage. By the next day, he could always recite perfectly.
Mr. Huang was delighted and especially fond of this polite little pupil — even more so when he discovered little Xie Jing could play chess.
He hadn’t met a real opponent in years. His skill was unmatched by his other students and even Bai Senior hesitated over each move.
But this child — so young and yet so talented — was a joy to play with.
As they played, Mr. Huang asked, “Jing’er, do you know the rules of this school? You’ll study here for half a month, then visit home for three days. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Little Xie Jing answered crisply.
Smiling, Mr. Huang teased, “And do you know why you come here?”
“To learn words and books — and learn well… so I don’t get spanked.”
Mr. Huang froze for a second, then laughed heartily. “Well said! If we study well, we won’t get spanked indeed!”
