Chapter 191: Extra (21)
After Xie Yuanyuan recovered from her cold, Bai Jiu went to visit again.
Xie Jing stayed by his mother’s side, holding a box he hadn’t yet put away. When Bai Jiu looked up, he recognized it as the box of candies and preserves he had previously brought for Xie Jing. It seemed the mother and son had very similar tastes—after drinking bitter medicinal soups, they always had to eat a piece of sweet candy to cleanse the palate.
Xie Yuanyuan waved Bai Jiu over and chatted with him casually. She wasn’t much interested in business matters, and when she saw Bai Jiu, she treated him like any other family member, enjoying asking him trivial questions.
Bai Jiu answered each question carefully. When she heard him say he often read and played chess at home, she smiled: “Then you should have good tea to go with it. Coincidentally, some processed tea from the tea mountains arrived, and it tastes quite nice.” She looked at Xie Jing and said, “It pairs well with your snacks too.”
Bai Jiu said, “If Aunt Xie likes, I can send over a few more boxes of snacks.”
Xie Yuanyuan covered her mouth and laughed: “What kind of behavior is this, only receiving things from you? Jing’er, go quickly—just now the steward brought the tea cakes but hasn’t gone far. Go catch up and take half, and give some to Brother Bai so he can take some home too.”
Before Bai Jiu could decline, Xie Jing had already agreed and gone.
Xie Yuanyuan gestured for Bai Jiu to sit and drink tea, smiling: “You let him go, just sit and drink tea with me.”
Bai Jiu said politely, “Then I thank Aunt Xie for your kindness.”
She held her cup of hot tea, took a sip, and said: “Every winter, Jing’er loves drinking this. Keep some at your place as well; he goes there daily, so it saves him the trouble of going back and forth.”
“Yes.”
Xie Yuanyuan looked at him, her eyes curved in a smile: “I became head of the household early, and only my younger brother and I are here, with no elders to constrain us. So there aren’t really any strict rules at home; we always act according to our hearts. I’m afraid you might find it laughable.”
Bai Jiu quickly stood up and said it was nothing.
The steam from her tea rose as she lowered her gaze to the cup, then after a while looked up at Bai Jiu: “Jing’er told me yesterday he wants to go outside. What do you think about that?”
Bai Jiu felt a tightness in his throat; even handling multimillion-dollar businesses at the border never made him this nervous. He said earnestly: “Aunt Xie, if you trust me, let Jing’er follow me. As long as I am present, I will protect him completely—won’t let anyone hurt a single hair on his head. Wherever he wants to go, I will accompany him. Once he has seen what he wants and tires of it, I’ll bring him home. And if at that time you don’t mind, I would like to seek the permission of the elders…”
Xie Yuanyuan interrupted: “I trust you, having watched you grow up, your character is reliable. But Jing’er is still young and spirited. Today he says he wants to go to Wanzhou; in a couple of years, he might want to go to Nanyang—” She shook her head with a smile, “Still a child.”
Bai Jiu didn’t know what she truly thought, so he didn’t sit down. He quietly calculated—Bai’s family had a few factories in Nanyang and a trading guild.
Xie Yuanyuan pondered for a moment: “Since Jing’er is willing, I naturally agree. If he wants to go see the world, and you are willing, I entrust him to you. Please bear in mind, should he miss home, to send a letter so I can fetch him back to Sichuan.”
“Of course. If you don’t mind, I am willing to…”
Xie Yuanyuan smiled: “There’s plenty of time for that later. Since you don’t mind, let him accompany you on your travels first.”
Bai Jiu bowed deeply and respectfully.
Xie Jing brought back the tea cakes, but Xie Yuanyuan said she was tired and needed to rest, telling Xie Jing to escort Bai Jiu.
Xie Jing took a bamboo umbrella and walked with Bai Jiu. Continuous autumn rains had made the weather cool; the raindrops on the umbrella made a crisp sound.
Xie Jing held the tea cakes and, for some reason, suddenly reached for Bai Jiu’s hand. At the gate, seeing the Bai family carriage, he didn’t stop walking.
Bai Jiu leaned close to him and whispered: “Going home with me today?”
Xie Jing shook his head and handed him the tea cakes: “I have some things to do. I’ll come later.”
Bai Jiu accepted them, lowered the umbrella, and in the corner between the umbrella and the carriage, kissed the corner of Xie Jing’s lips, smiling: “Okay, I’ll wait for you at home.”
The autumn rain poured on, growing heavier at night. The sound on the eaves formed a continuous murmur.
Several senior stewards arrived, soaked to the bone despite their raincoats. Used to snowstorms in the north, such cold rain was still rare for them. Sun Fu, the steward, had the small kitchen prepare hot ginger soup, bringing a bowl to the young master. Seeing him looking out the window, he whispered: “Young master, should I send something to the He residence?”
Bai Jiu replied calmly: “We just ran there twice today. No need.”
“But Young Master Xie hasn’t arrived yet. Should I send someone to ask?”
“The rain is too heavy tonight. He probably won’t come.”
Sun Fu hesitated but hung a couple more lanterns outside.
Midnight.
There were slight noises outside. Someone in the corridor removed their raincoat and hat, knocked on the door, and entered Bai Jiu’s bedroom.
Bai Jiu, dressed, had just lit the bedside lamp when he heard Xie Jing’s voice: “It’s so cold outside. You should get in bed.” He squeezed in, Bai Jiu felt his icy wrist and wrapped him with his coat, holding him to warm him, softly chiding: “Such heavy rain—why come out at night?”
“I brought something for you.”
Xie Jing pulled a small heater from his arms, placed Bai Jiu’s hands on it—it was warm: “You hate the cold most. I should have prepared a heater earlier. Sichuan isn’t like the north; it’s damp and cold, especially in winter. Life is harsher… I went to the salt fields this afternoon, spoke with Second Master, his men are skilled. I thought about making something like the northern foot-warmer, so you won’t be cold.”
Bai Jiu placed his hands on the heater, remembering years ago.
Back then, Xie Jing was a small child. After a leg fracture, he recovered in early winter. In the cold north, little Xie Jing ran around in his small robe, diligently helping Bai Jiu. When he faltered, small Jing’er would stand on tiptoe to wipe his sweat. At night, if snow fell and his leg ached, the child would cry first.
Bai Jiu laughed softly, brushing Jing’er’s face: “Why are you crying?”
“Brother, it hurts.”
“It doesn’t hurt.”
Not very painful, but seeing the child cry, Bai Jiu’s own remaining pain vanished.
He, the young master of the Bai family, rarely showed emotions. But having this small child around, smiling and crying for him—it felt different. Usually, he protected everyone, but now, Xie Jing wanted to protect him.
…
Lost in thought, a hand waved before him. He looked up to see Xie Jing pouting: “Brother, I’m talking to you!”
“Hm?”
“I said, you’ve been running around in my dreams these past few days. I can’t sleep at all!”
Bai Jiu laughed, took his hand, kissed his forehead, cheeks, and lips: “Then stay tonight. I’ll watch over you as you sleep.”
He thought, he must be old—he couldn’t resist such sweet words. He wanted to hold the child, cherish him, pamper him endlessly.
Xie Jing’s ears reddened, yet he did not shy away, climbing on Bai Jiu and kissing him, copying something he had seen in picture books.
Clumsy, but joyful.
Someone knocked outside—Sun Fu asking—but Bai Jiu’s hoarse voice replied: “No entry!”
Xie Jing’s ears twitched. Tilting his head, he looked at the door: “Someone’s outside… and my coat is wet, left in the corridor…”
Bai Jiu kissed the corner of his eyes, soothing: “It’s okay. Your new clothes are here. The ones you left last time are too.”
Xie Jing’s last hesitation vanished. He focused entirely on enjoying the moment.
Though he only knew a little from picture books, he insisted on climbing onto Bai Jiu. Bai Jiu narrowed his eyes, holding him gently, lightly pinching the nape of his neck, then letting him lean close, kissing him with tenderness and indulgent love.
Xie Jing touched his stomach.
Bai Jiu held his hand, voice slightly husky: “Where did you learn that?”
Quietly, Xie Jing said: “I found a picture book…” Looking up at Bai Jiu, a bit defiant: “How do you know so much? How many books have you read?”
Bai Jiu smiled, pressing his hand: “Many. Feel for yourself.”
“Does it include the ones Uncle didn’t want me to read?” His eyes brightened.
Bai Jiu calmly asked: “Which books? Be specific, maybe I’ll remember.”
“Water Margin, heroes going up Liangshan?”
“….”
Bai Jiu bit his earlobe, inhaling gently: “Nothing interesting. I’ll tell you a new story.”
He told Xie Jing a tale of a scholar and a demon. The demon tempted people nightly, unknown to them. The scholar focused on study but was repeatedly disturbed, eventually obsessed and falling in. Bai Jiu stopped before the demon battle part.
“Why?” Xie Jing, enthralled, asked.
“After that, the demons fight.”
“Fierce?”
“…Very fierce.”
Xie Jing clung to him. Bai Jiu, setting an example, finally told a complete story. By the time it ended, the sky was lightening.
Xie Jing’s hair tangled with his, roots sweaty, fingers and toes tingling. Half-lying, still savoring, he held Bai Jiu’s hand, playfully squeezing it: “Brother, next time you travel far, will you take me with you?”
Bai Jiu said: “If you want, I will.”
Xie Jing squeezed his hand: “What if I don’t want to?”
Bai Jiu rolled over, pinning him lightly, hoarse: “Then I’ll stay a few more years.”
Xie Jing hooked his legs around him, giggling: “Even bad stories you tell me?”
Bai Jiu told one carefully, thoroughly this time, not hurried like the previous night. The taste was extraordinary.
When Xie Jing climaxed, he bit Bai Jiu’s shoulder, muttering: “I told Mother I like you, I want to be with you.”
Bai Jiu didn’t squeeze too hard, afraid of hurting him. His supporting arm’s veins slightly stood out.
—
The marriage between the Bai and Xie families was near.
Bai Jiu prepared the formal betrothal gifts. He Dongting, following his wife, only claimed it was too early and postponed for a few years, but left some as acknowledgment of the prospective son-in-law.
He Dongting’s attitude was awkward, Xie Siquan reluctant, only Xie Yuanyuan remained as before—though now she occasionally joked. There was no obstruction.
Xie Jing, playful and clingy, begged to travel. Xie Yuanyuan laughed: “If you like, go with Bai Jiu! I’ve always thought Sichuan is too small; it’s stifling. A young man should explore the world—it’s fine to go out.”
With permission granted, Xie Jing became even happier. Every day with Bai Jiu, planning trips, he only needed to mention a place and Bai Jiu could list its merits, always indulging him.
Spring in Sichuan, flowers blooming.
One day, Xie Siquan hurried over to ask his sister for someone: “Sister! The residence was robbed—today I returned and Jing’er’s courtyard gate was wide open. Many things missing, searched the whole house—no one saw Jing’er! I went to Second Master too, can’t find him…”
Xie Yuanyuan, fanning herself calmly, said: “Jing’er went out.”
“Where?”
“Where else but out exploring? He’s grown up; let him have some adventure.”
Xie Siquan didn’t dare oppose. He hesitated, then asked: “And Second Master?”
Xie Yuanyuan said: “I gave him leave; there’s a salt convoy along the way, let him return to his Jinzhong home.”
Xie Siquan was truly anxious: “Sister, that’s not okay!”
“What’s not okay?” Her tone matched his, louder as he did. Seeing him about to speak again, she raised her brows: “You need to change that habit—can’t keep all good things near you, never let anyone go explore? Where’s your fairness? Xu Jun hasn’t visited home in three years—you should let him reunite with family too.”
Xie Siquan was frustrated. After hesitation, he rode off to follow Second Master.
Xie Yuanyuan smiled after hearing the news: “I knew it.”
Her brother went to Jinzhong. Despite years of business dealings with the Xu family, their personal relations were lacking. This trip would correct some laziness and neglect.
At dusk, He Dongting returned home, stunned to hear his son had run off.
Xie Yuanyuan, tactically retreating, sighed: “It’s my fault… when Jing’er was born, I was injured, all these years…”
He Dongting’s eyes reddened: “Don’t say that. Your life is Heaven’s greatest gift. My fault for not protecting you and Jing’er.” He hugged his wife tightly: “I’ve realized—he’s grown. I can’t keep him by me forever. You scold me, even hit me if you like.”
Xie Yuanyuan laughed: “Fool, why hit you? I can’t bear it. But he’s grown—he must be let out to live freely.”
“I’ll listen to you. If Jing’er agrees, anyone’s fine; anywhere’s fine.”
She leaned on him: “Do you really agree?”
He nodded softly: “Yes. Jing’er is grown; I’ll stay in Sichuan with you.”
He had already received so much from Heaven; he dared not ask for more.
He continued: “Last year, buying the ship, it wasn’t all to trick you to come out. Do you remember Yunyang Mountain? A geomancer said it’s a treasure spot; I bought it. It’s a good place. I want us buried there a hundred years later.”
“Stop talking nonsense.”
“I’m serious. I want to live one more year than you, no more. I’ll personally arrange everything for you. Wait for me there—don’t cross the bridge, sit by the stone pillar. Once done, I’ll come find you. I heard Sichuan doesn’t wear white for funerals—that’s good. I’ll wear what I first met you in; you’ll know me immediately.”
Xie Yuanyuan smiled: “Good.”
Meanwhile, Xie Jing and Bai Jiu’s first stop wasn’t far: the Sichuan horse-racing meadow.
Last year, Xie Jing didn’t win first place, only reached top five. This year, spring races attracted many young riders in bright new clothes. Sichuan girls, as pretty as flowers, laughed like silver bells—joy filled the field.
Xie Jing, surprised, asked: “How did you know there’d be horse races today?”
Bai Jiu: “I asked Uncle earlier; he told me.”
Sichuan was not far; Bai Jiu remembered Xie Jing’s words and deliberately slowed, letting him enjoy familiar scenery, fearing he might miss home.
Xie Jing rode Bai Shisi, a tall white horse, slightly slow on the grass, half a horse-length behind. Concerned, he avoided shallow grass. Another chestnut horse rushed out—the one Xie Jing usually rode in Sichuan races. Its rider in plain clothes, cold and distant—Bai Jiu.
Bai Jiu completed the course first, winning the riding-and-shooting event.
Xie Jing’s heart raced; during the finals, Bai Jiu repeatedly scored “Piercing Gourd”—not luck, but skill. He took first place.
Seeing Bai Jiu surrounded by people, even pursued by colorful girls, he didn’t stop—he rode straight to Xie Jing. Wearing a beast-head mask, Bai Jiu extended his hand.
Xie Jing’s eyes brightened, reached out, and was lifted onto the horse!
Bai Jiu, close to him, whispered: “I won a horse, and a box of gems. All yours.”
Xie Jing laughed: “Good!”
Bai Jiu continued: “You kept asking why I came to Sichuan. Now that I’ve won, I can tell you.”
Xie Jing’s ears burned: “Why did you really come to Sichuan?”
“You really don’t know?”
“No.”
Bai Jiu chuckled, leaning down as if to kiss: “I came to propose.”
Xie Jing’s ears turned red.
“The letters couldn’t reach you, so I came myself,” Bai Jiu said on horseback, holding him closely: “I’ll show you the vast world, the sun, moon, and rivers. Once my heart is clear, I ask only for you. If you agree, half the city shall be the betrothal… we shall marry, loving each other without doubt.”
He lifted the mask, leaning to kiss the boy—receiving equal passion in return.
Their hearts, clear as the bright moon.
After traversing a thousand mountains.
I walk toward you alone.
Author’s note:
The story of little Xie and Young Lord Bai Jiu ends here. Thank you for almost a year of companionship. Bow! Including the extras, the past, present, and next life are complete.
Perhaps a hundred years isn’t enough, so I give little Xie three hundred years (laughs). Wherever they are, they will reunite, everything they wish for comes true.
Wishing all readers happiness. Love you all!
