Chapter 188: Extra (18)
Xie Yuanyuan and her husband returned to Sichuan half a month later.
He Dongting was anxious throughout the journey, worrying about the letter incident. On the way, he bought several gifts for Xie Jing to cheer him up.
Once home, he didn’t see Xie Jing in the mansion. After asking around, he learned that his son had gone to see Bai Jiu.
Xie Yuanyuan, exhausted from travel, went straight to her room to rest. He Dongting couldn’t sit still for a moment—sometimes thinking about the letter, sometimes thinking that his son was with Bai Jiu. He would pace about, then sit down again.
Xie Jing, having received the letter, returned quickly.
He Dongting was sitting in the small hall drinking tea. Seeing him, he smiled and waved him over, carefully asking, “Have you been well at home these past few days? Come here, let me see.”
Xie Jing wore a blue brocade robe, handsome and bright-eyed, looking confidently at his father. He glanced around and asked, “Father, where’s Mother?”
He Dongting replied, “She’s tired, resting inside for a while.”
Hearing this, Xie Jing was about to go to her, but He Dongting stopped him: “Jing’er, don’t go. Talk with me a bit. Your uncle said you hurt your arm hunting a few days ago. Is it better now? I brought back lots of tonics—tonight we’ll have someone cook you a nourishing soup…”
Xie Jing shook his head repeatedly: “I won’t drink it, I won’t. My uncle made me take it for several days already; the injury’s fine now.”
“You still need to be careful. You’re young and can’t be careless.”
After giving his reminder, He Dongting had the gifts they brought piled on the table for Xie Jing to choose from—vessels made from pearls, gemstones, and agate. Xie Jing used to enjoy shiny things like these, but now, his interest had waned. He only noticed a pair of small white jade lions, round and cute, and picked them up to look.
He Dongting said, “These lions would make perfect charms for a fan.”
Xie Jing pocketed them casually and ran to his mother’s room.
He Dongting shook his head with a smile and had the rest of the wooden boxes and jade cases sent to Xie Jing’s room. He wanted to accompany his wife and son, but messengers from his business were pressing him. During his brief absence, many matters had piled up waiting for his decision. He could only rush to the office without changing his clothes.
At dinner, He Dongting returned, changed, and came to eat, but didn’t see Xie Jing at the table. Surprised, he asked, “Jing’er?”
Xie Yuanyuan smiled: “He had a couple of bites and went out to play.”
He Dongting felt a pang in his heart, as if his son no longer cared for him.
Xie Yuanyuan chided: “Since when do you get like this? Jing’er is always the same. You go out early and return late every day; should he stand by you like a dutiful son all the time?”
“Wife, you exaggerate. I just missed my son,” He Dongting said, smiling. He glanced at the food on the table: “Looks like he barely ate.”
“Of course. That soup you made—he runs away when he smells the bitter medicine. Otherwise, he’d still be sitting here eating fish.”
Xie Yuanyuan sipped her own small bowl of soup leisurely. The freshly cooked pink lotus root in the broth was sweet and mellow, very delicious.
He Dongting, however, felt unsettled and ate little.
Xie Yuanyuan teased: “Why do you never eat heartily? Have you done something wrong?”
“…No.”
“Think carefully before you answer,” she said, wiping her mouth with a handkerchief after finishing her small bowl.
“It seems it was a letter from Bai Jiu. That day at the old mansion, I got drunk and forgot how I lost it.”
“That little brother, I know his nature. He’s clever outside but silly at home. When provoked, he jumps out like a hero, blocking everything. But you—what a clever idea! A letter burned, stirring the little brother into action, while you hide far away. I knew this wasn’t some important business; I just had to go along,” Xie Yuanyuan said, poking his forehead and chuckling.
He Dongting forced a smile: “Wife, forgive me. I just can’t bear it.”
Xie Yuanyuan said, “Jing’er wants to invite him to the mansion for drinks.”
“Who?”
“Who else but Bai Jiu.”
By the time Xie Jing returned, it was late.
He had received a glass carousel lantern from Bai Jiu and had it carried back to display on the table. As he was admiring it, someone knocked at the door. Opening it, he saw He Dongting bringing a bowl of chicken porridge—likely worried that Xie Jing hadn’t eaten well and would be hungry at night.
He Dongting assumed that his son had no appetite because of the tonic, unaware that Xie Jing had eaten well outside.
At that age, when a boy’s stomach isn’t full, the smell of food is enough to make him eat another bowl of porridge.
Seeing him eat happily, He Dongting’s face softened, and he sat beside him, speaking: “Jing’er, Daddy was wrong. Starting tomorrow, we won’t have nourishing soup. Don’t be mad; I apologize. And about the household matters—I’ll do as you wish. Last time, you said you wanted to make a half-human-high bagua kite. Tomorrow I’ll go with you to the shop to order it, alright? Anything else you want, just ask.”
Having been away a few days, he couldn’t resist pampering his son.
Xie Jing had forgotten about the kite. He casually agreed, then suddenly remembered something, scratching his cheek, ears red: “Father, I want to invite Bai Jiu to the mansion. Is that alright? He helps me a lot, so you host him.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll do as you say.”
Xie Jing happily continued eating his porridge.
Seeing his son eat heartily, He Dongting’s heart softened. He sighed inwardly, already thinking about how to prepare the feast.
The Xie residence was the liveliest place in Sichuan. He Dongting borrowed an empty garden from the old mansion, tidied it, set up a stage, and prepared to entertain distinguished guests.
He initially worried that Xie Jing would follow him around, asking about the letter, but Xie Jing no longer cared about it. Having Bai Jiu, he was inseparable from him, leaving no thought for the letter. Bai Jiu’s words were far more moving than any written letter.
With the feast prepared, Bai Jiu arrived as promised.
He Dongting originally planned to invite Bai Jiu to the main seat, but Bai Jiu bowed, saying he was young and a junior. He sat beside Xie Jing, maintaining proper junior etiquette toward He Dongting and Xie Yuanyuan, showing great respect.
Xie Yuanyuan had always had a good impression of him, and in the years Bai Jiu spent in Beidi, he had personally delivered festival gifts to her, calling her Aunt Xie. Hearing it again, she smiled warmly in response.
He Dongting felt slightly awkward, but followed suit out of politeness.
Bai Jiu remained very proper. During the family dinner, fewer people toasted him, but when He Dongting gestured, Bai Jiu immediately raised his cup and drank without hesitation, showing none of the aloof pride rumored of the Beidi young master.
He Dongting was surprised. In Beidi, their interactions had been polite but limited. Today, Bai Jiu’s demeanor was clearly different.
As He Dongting pondered this, he saw Xie Jing stand and lead Bai Jiu to the back garden to drink tea and watch the play.
Xie Jing frowned: “Mother, Father drank so much today. Let’s go to the garden for tea, or you’ll have a headache again.”
Xie Yuanyuan smiled: “Jing’er is right. You’ve had enough. Since we’re family, there’s no need for the formalities used outside. Let’s go enjoy tea and wake up a bit.”
She helped smooth things over, and everyone went to the prepared garden. Four types of fruit plates, four types of pastries, and this year’s new tea were set out. Everyone sat to drink tea and watch the play comfortably.
Xie Jing leaned close to Bai Jiu, whispering.
He didn’t watch the play, only chatted with Bai Jiu, occasionally laughing without concern, speaking his mind freely.
He Dongting’s attention also drifted from the play. Occasionally, using the motion of sipping tea as cover, he glanced toward Xie Jing. The drums and gongs were loud; he couldn’t hear their words clearly, only seeing the two leaning close, very intimate. Xie Jing seemed proud of something he was talking about, speaking happily.
He Dongting saw them growing closer and couldn’t sit still.
He stood, walked over, and smiled: “Jing’er, I see Bai Jiu is new here. I was worried he couldn’t handle Sichuan’s strong liquor. The small kitchen prepared some rock sugar bird’s nest. Go fetch a bowl, drink it warm—it’ll be easier on your stomach.”
Xie Jing, trusting him, agreed and went.
Bai Jiu looked up at him but showed no surprise.
This scene was familiar—just like when Xie Siquan hosted a banquet and discreetly kept Xie Jing occupied.
