Chapter 189: Extra (19)
He Dongting sat in the empty seat Xie Jing had vacated, pondering for a moment, then sighed and said, “The Master of the Bai family really gets along well with Jing’er. He’s always been like that—though he’s young, having been raised closely by us, spoiled rotten.”
Bai Jiu said, “He’s very good.”
He Dongting nodded. “These past years since returning to Sichuan, your uncle has spoiled him quite a bit. Jing’er is spirited, loves novelty, and I hear he’s been visiting you often these past couple of days. If he’s caused you any trouble, I apologize.”
“Uncle, you’re too polite.”
“It’s not just politeness… it’s just that Jing’er really…”
“I haven’t seen Jing’er in years, yet our bond feels as good as ever.”
He Dongting was struck silent. He couldn’t understand it—these two hadn’t seen each other for months, maybe only a month or two, yet their relationship seemed unusually close. He knew well that Xie Jing wasn’t affectionate toward everyone—his attitude toward Bai Jiu was more than friendly; calling them almost like brothers wasn’t an exaggeration.
Not far away, Xie Siquan occupied the main seat at a small table. The other side was empty, reserved for Xu Jun, the second-in-command. The tea cups and fruit plates on the table were exquisitely arranged, even the pastries were Xu Jun’s favorites, clearly beyond what others could match.
He Dongting glanced up, feeling increasingly uneasy.
He wanted to subtly test Bai Jiu, but Bai Jiu, while watching the play, managed the conversation deftly, keeping pace with He Dongting’s indirect probing.
Since both the Bai and He families were business-minded, their conversation naturally revolved around business matters.
Bai Jiu poured him tea, but He Dongting held the cup without drinking. Hearing Bai Jiu praise Xie Siquan earlier, he couldn’t help asking, “I heard you two had some business friction—some disagreements? I thought you weren’t getting along on business.”
Bai Jiu said, “I respect Mr. Xie as a person.”
“….”
He Dongting could find no opening. Bai Jiu treated him politely and respectfully, like an elder, without the slightest negligence even in private.
A servant hurried over, whispered something in Bai Jiu’s ear, then stood behind him.
Bai Jiu pondered, then said, “I have some matters to attend to.”
He Dongting immediately replied, “If you’re busy, go ahead. Just treat this as a family gathering; don’t feel constrained.”
Bai Jiu rose, bowed, and left.
He Dongting didn’t rest either. He went to find Xie Siquan, hoping to ask about Bai Jiu.
Xie Siquan asked, “What’s wrong? Did he say something to upset you?”
“No, he’s very polite,” He Dongting frowned slightly. The more polite Bai Jiu was, the more uneasy he felt.
Xie Siquan chuckled, enjoying the drama from his seat.
On the stage, the play was Chen Miaochang’s story. Just as it reached Thinking of the Mundane, the repeated line “Fire burns my eyebrows, only care for the present” made He Dongting increasingly anxious, frowning deeply. He wasn’t interested in the play, quietly questioning Xie Siquan about Bai Jiu.
Xie Siquan, snacking on pine nuts, said, “Bai Jiu? I know a bit. He’s been involved in a lot of business these past two days, seems decent enough.”
He Dongting was slightly surprised. Rarely did he hear Xie Siquan praise anyone. “Weren’t you nearly at odds at the salt field before?”
Xie Siquan waved it off: “Ah, small matter. He sent me a cart of good wine to apologize. That’s settled.”
He Dongting, frustrated, muttered, “I wonder what Jing’er sees in Bai Jiu.”
Xie Siquan lazily replied, “How should I know? Maybe he has a special skill.”
“….”
He Dongting frowned. “I don’t think it’s good.”
Xie Siquan glanced at him: “What’s the use of worrying? Jing’er is decisive—let him choose himself.”
He Dongting: “But he’s still a boy…”
Xie Siquan bristled at the remark: “What kind of attitude is that? Life’s too short for old-fashioned rules. Enjoy life while you can, don’t be so rigid!”
He Dongting, from a scholarly family, had some ingrained old notions. He didn’t mean to target Xu Jun, but his words caused a misunderstanding. Just as he wanted to explain, he saw Xu Jun and Xie Yuanyuan approaching; both fell silent.
Xie Yuanyuan, wearing a golden phoenix bracelet, smiled as she came over: “Everyone’s here, the guest has left, shouldn’t you see them off?”
Xie Siquan helped her sit and smiled: “I was talking with my brother-in-law just now. Your bracelet is beautiful—new?”
“Oh, not at all. Bai Jiu gave me this bracelet before leaving. I liked it so much, I wore it here,” Xie Yuanyuan said, showing her wrist. “See, isn’t it pretty? It’s the first time I’ve seen such excellent filigree work.”
Xie Siquan praised her: “Truly beautiful, and your wrist suits it perfectly.”
He Dongting looked conflicted, uneasy about the bracelet.
Xie Siquan glanced at him, feeling pleased. There hadn’t been major conflict with his brother-in-law; a few years ago, when Xu Jun became second-in-command, they had a minor misunderstanding. With his sister present, they never quarreled. Now, seeing his brother-in-law look embarrassed, Xie Siquan felt satisfaction, finding Bai Jiu even more appealing.
Meanwhile, at the Bai residence, Bai Jiu returned to his room and saw Xie Jing.
Xie Jing had sneaked out, still in his evening clothes, sitting on the Luohan couch with one hand propping his chin and the other flipping through a book. Seeing Bai Jiu, he asked, “How was it? I saw you talking to my father from afar—what did you say?”
Bai Jiu said, “He quizzed me on some business principles.”
He walked over, took Xie Jing onto his lap, and Xie Jing nestled in comfortably: “Did my father trouble you?”
“No.”
“Liar! He deliberately sent me away—he must have bullied you.”
Bai Jiu smiled. “How do you know he did it on purpose?”
“The small kitchen never cooked the bird’s nest,” Xie Jing muttered. “I even had someone send you a message to leave quickly. Why did it take so long for you to come home?”
Bai Jiu’s heart warmed at the words. He kissed Xie Jing’s forehead: “My fault. I delivered some things to Aunt Xie, got delayed. I’ll come back earlier next time.”
Xie Jing whispered: “Mother—does she treat you well?”
Bai Jiu nodded, making Xie Jing smile: “I knew Mother was the best.”
Bai Jiu hugged him, recounting the banquet, praising He Dongting as usual, comforting the boy in his arms. Though Xie Jing hesitated slightly, he nodded: “Alright. If anyone bullies you, you tell me.”
Bai Jiu chuckled softly and agreed. Then he noticed the book Xie Jing held and asked, “What are you reading? Seems interesting.”
Xie Jing: “The miscellany you got me last time. The stories are good, much better than the play tonight—it was boring.”
Bai Jiu said: “Back then, I feared you going to the theater.”
Xie Jing asked, puzzled: “Why?”
“You loved all the commotion as a child, but you’d always quarrel with Bai Er. Festivals were the hardest for me,” Bai Jiu said, holding Xie Jing, wrapping him warmly, speaking gently.
“Did I bully Bai Mingyu? I don’t remember.”
“More than that.”
In the north, festival customs were many, especially the year-end ones, crucial in business associations. Every year, accounts had to be settled to welcome the new year, ensuring prosperity. Not only homes, but books and records had to be neatly arranged. Guests came and went, all under Bai Jiu’s careful attention. He wasn’t afraid of business or entertainment, only of the occasional complainant—most often Bai Mingyu from Qinghe.
The Bai family invited a troupe for New Year, along with many guests. Bai Mingyu accompanied his elders to deliver gifts. Each time, he’d inevitably bicker with Xie Jing—not real fighting, just boisterous competition, each refusing to yield.
Bai Mingyu was small but fiercely competitive, trying to outdo Xie Jing in everything—from glass marbles, Russian enamelware, to delicate eggshell carriages inlaid with gold and silver. He carefully brought them to the provincial capital, confident Xie Jing had nothing like it.
But he forgot—the Qinghe Bai family’s treasures existed elsewhere. Bai Jiu’s possessions were always available for Xie Jing to play with. If something was precious, a gentle call to “brother” sufficed.
This time, Bai Mingyu’s eggshell carriage still couldn’t compete. Xie Jing had a full set, handled freely.
Xie Jing, a few years old, delicate and fair, wore a golden qilin around his neck, palm-sized, scales and whiskers clear, clutching a jade ball. Bai Mingyu, envious, abandoned his own carriage.
The golden qilin was a gift from Bai Jiu. Xie Jing cherished it, not letting Bai Mingyu touch it: “It’s mine!”
“I just want to touch it!”
“No!”
Bai Mingyu fumed. Bai Mingzhe, his elder brother, restrained him, while Bai Mingyu protested: “I want the same as Xie Jing! Why does he call ‘Lord Bai Jiu’ by brother and I don’t?”
Bai Mingzhe covered his mouth: “Nonsense! You call Lord Bai Jiu elder by rank, not randomly!”
Bai Mingyu cried in frustration, believing Xie Jing was cheating.
That night at the theater, Xie Jing hadn’t forgotten the lost bet. Sitting on Bai Jiu’s lap, he giggled, pointing at Bai Mingyu: “Brother, I don’t want to watch the play—make him sing to me!”
“What to sing?”
“Following my father into the army!”
Bai Jiu pinched his nose lightly: “Naughty, don’t imitate the rough words outside. That play isn’t even here.”
Bai Mingyu finally realized the spoiled boy wanted him to call “Father” and jumped angrily, wanting to fight Xie Jing. The theater downstairs was livelier than the stage. People tried to intervene, protect the children, and prevent them from disturbing Lord Bai Jiu. Even Sun Fu, usually calm, turned pale.
Bai Jiu remembered it all clearly, recounting it in detail.
Xie Jing scratched his cheek: “So that’s how it was. I just remember having the best time playing with him.”
Bai Jiu smiled: “Bai Er doesn’t feel that way. Every year, he cried from frustration before going home. When I came, he wanted to follow, saying he learned a new skill. You probably only knew how to hunt birds and ride horses in Sichuan—couldn’t compare.”
Xie Jing felt a bit embarrassed; he had indeed been playful these years.
He whispered: “But I still have the golden qilin. When Bai Er comes, I’ll let him touch it. I love that qilin; I didn’t even wear it when riding.”
Bai Jiu looked at him, softening his gaze.
Having just arrived in Sichuan, Bai Jiu had recognized Xie Jing. He was more beautiful and delicate than before, with clear, bright eyes, a bit spoiled and difficult to handle.
Xie Jing mumbled: “I’ll be nicer to Bai Er in the future.”
“Hm?”
“Our identities differ. I’m the elder.”
Bai Jiu chuckled. Xie Jing, slightly annoyed, tried to get down, but Bai Jiu held him, whispering coaxingly: “You were spoiled before, always sitting on my lap watching plays. Next time, when no one’s around, you can try again.”
Xie Jing’s face flushed.
Author’s Note:
Xie Jing: “Bai Er, do you remember me?”
Bai Mingyu: “How could I forget? We competed so many times, and you cheated every time!”
Xie Jing: “Nonsense, I won every time.”
Bai Mingyu, fuming: “That’s only because Lord Bai Jiu took your side!”
