Chapter 184: Extra (14)
Xie Jing took Bai Jiu to a separate courtyard. The courtyard was spacious, dominated by an ancient loquat tree with a trunk thick enough to wrap both arms around. Its dense canopy rustled in the night breeze—a hundred-year-old loquat tree.
Xie Jing asked Bai Jiu to wait in the study while he climbed the tree to pick fresh loquats, cradling them in his clothing. The study was dark, and just a few steps in, he was suddenly silenced and pulled aside behind a nearby drapery. Bai Jiu whispered, “Someone’s here.”
Through the moonlight, Xie Jing could make out two figures who seemed to be arguing. Their voices came in broken fragments. It was Xie Siquan and Xu Jun.
Xu Jun had overturned a stack of account books on the desk. Xie Siquan, equally irritable, lit a candle intending to set the papers on fire. Xu Jun, enraged, scolded him: “I’ve never seen anyone so blind to right and wrong, so unreasonable!”
Xie Siquan set the candlestick aside, chest heaving, sneering: “I’ve never seen anyone so jealous either. If you could tell right from wrong, you’d have asked first. Since you started managing the household, when have I ever slept outside? Even Jing’er knows that if I return late, you’d light a lamp to look for me. I’ve already changed so much for you—don’t be ungrateful.”
Xu Jun shouted, “You—”
“What about me? I have a clear conscience. I wanted witnesses, but you wouldn’t allow it. What’s the point of digging through these old accounts?”
“You didn’t reconcile your own books. Some entries are confused—does that mean you’re wrong?”
“You’re not discussing accounts with me—you’re just looking for trouble.”
Xu Jun, still bearing dark circles under his eyes, was clearly visible even in the dim candlelight. His expression was grim, lips pressed tight as he stared at Xie Siquan. He had come to the feast to work, not just for pleasure. Since being recruited by Xie Siquan, he’d been extremely busy. Even with the saltfield demanding much attention, he had made time for the grand banquet. Both men were proud and stubborn. After a tense pause, Xu Jun sneered coldly: “It really isn’t about the accounts. I misjudged you. I came to manage household finances but ended up meddling. I apologize, Master.”
Xie Siquan frowned. “Speak properly.”
Xu Jun replied coldly: “I only tolerated your family out of courtesy. I misunderstood. I’ll move out tomorrow and return to the Jin merchant guildhouse.”
Xie Siquan rubbed his temples, coaxing: “Alright, alright, it’s my fault. Can you forgive me? Don’t be mad.”
“Master, what fault do you have?”
“Everywhere. I shouldn’t have spoken harshly. I feel guilty—don’t you believe me?”
“…Xie Siquan, you shameless!”
“My heart’s yours. See for yourself.”
A rustle of clothing sounded. Xie Siquan lowered his voice with a soft laugh, seemingly pleased. Xu Jun stiffened, gasping, struggling to speak through choked breaths: “Xie Siquan, you just want me to work for you—shameless!”
Xie Siquan kissed him, softly coaxing: “Nonsense. I like you. Who else would dare touch even a finger of mine? I missed you, that’s why I called you back from the saltfield.”
Xu Jun slightly avoided him, fingers gripping the desk edge, teeth clenched: “You called me back to deal with someone.”
Xie Siquan tutted: “I just can’t stand that person—everything about him is fake morality. People like that are often sly behind closed doors. Even if he does big business in Mohe, it’s thanks to his ancestry. I heard he’s ruthless and scheming in business.”
Behind the drapery, Bai Jiu hid, secretly observing Xie Jing, who was still curiously listening.
Xie Jing whispered: “Who are they talking about?”
Bai Jiu: “Me.”
Xie Jing: “??”
They stood pressed together behind the curtain. Xie Jing held the loquats, trying to breathe quietly. He nearly knocked over a half-height vase, but Bai Jiu caught it swiftly. They were forced to stand tightly together, listening.
From the desk came the faint rustle of clothing. Embarrassed, Xie Jing tilted his head to Bai Jiu, ears flushed.
After a moment, he hissed softly: “You can’t look either!”
Bai Jiu’s Adam’s apple moved. “Okay.” Then quietly asked: “Where can I look?”
“…At me. Just don’t look at my uncle!”
Bai Jiu lowered his eyes to Xie Jing. The boy, about ten, stood chest-high to him, not very tall—like the tenderest early-morning branches at the treetop.
Xie Jing’s cheek pressed against him, hearing Bai Jiu’s heartbeat thumping in the narrow space, almost at his ear. Whispering: “Your heart’s beating so fast.”
Bai Jiu, ignoring the comment, muttered hoarsely: “I’m very healthy.”
“Huh?”
“I’m very healthy. Don’t worry.”
Xie Jing looked at him, not understanding fully. They stood pressed close, appearing almost to embrace. The heat made Xie Jing sweat; Bai Jiu was cooler, but his scent made Xie Jing dizzy. Sensitive to smells since childhood, he couldn’t resist looking up. Bai Jiu met his gaze, steady, eyes fixed, breaths mingling.
Xu Jun, shy, carried someone further inside. Outside, only two outer garments lay discarded.
The study went quiet. Bai Jiu hadn’t moved, when Xie Jing pressed a dagger against his neck, flushed and glaring: “This is my uncle’s secret. Don’t tell anyone.”
The jeweled dagger touched the skin coldly. Bai Jiu didn’t flinch, simply nodding.
Xie Jing noticed Bai Jiu’s breathing was slightly uneven, not as steady as usual. Thinking it was fear, he softened, withdrew the dagger, murmuring: “Anyway, not a word to anyone.”
Bai Jiu pulled him close, whispering by his ear: “Okay. This is our secret.”
They left the study and courtyard in silence. Walking, Xie Jing remembered the loquats he picked—some crushed—so he picked a few good ones for Bai Jiu.
Bai Jiu chuckled: “You climbed the tree just for me?”
“Yes. Only this loquat tree bears sweet fruit. Eating loquats stops your cough.”
Bai Jiu, unconcerned with appearances, imitated Xie Jing, gathering the fruit. “Good, I’ll eat them at home.”
After a few steps, he glanced at Xie Jing, asking cautiously: “You usually get along with the Second Master. You knew about him and your uncle, right?”
“Yes.”
“What do you think of them?”
Xie Jing, puzzled, said: “What do you mean? If they like each other, that’s enough. Men and women, aren’t they just people who like each other?”
Bai Jiu paused, then smiled. Jing’er was even more perceptive than he thought. He felt pleased.
Author’s Note:
Xie Siquan: “I called you not just to work, but also for… hmm?”
Xu Jun (blushing furiously): “Stop talking!”
