by Spring Trees
Why is this so?!
I hate you, Mo Shu!
Argggg!
* * *
1 sweet-food-con: sweet-aholic/someone who loves sweets a lot
2 Money-boys: male sex workers
3 Sisters: Courtesans address their co-workers as sisters
4 Yin(silver), Liang(tael), Qian(coins) are all ancient currency. More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Chinese_coinage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tael
5 Some chinese calendars contain predictions for zodiac signs.
Chapter 18
* * *
That’s why, reputations and all, are fleeting…
During the fifth day of the lunar month, Nan Ge Er totally lost his face.
Being in such a gossip-prevalent place like Guang Tian, after that incident, Nan Ge Er’s embarrassing incident spread like wildfire through the entire district.
After getting back discretely to the government office, he’d noticed a hint of a smile in Mo Shu’s expression—Bastard! He is definitely aware of it!
Resentment burned in him.
The troubling first lunar month finally ended. On the fifteenth day of the next month, there was a display of coloured lanterns during the Lantern Festival in the district. To maintain public order, the government workers were required to patrol. Of course, as a selflessly dedicated Magistrate-Daren, Mo Shu had to bear the brunt of having the first night’s shift.
He’d forced the sweet food provider—Nan Ge Er— along on his patrol.
Actually, Nan Ge Er didn’t quite want to go, since in everyone’s eyes, the current gossip between him and Mo Shu had evolved into truth—and he didn’t want to make it real.
However, Mo Shu naturally had his own methods—threatening Nan Ge Er with a smiling face. Nan Ge Er had no choice but to go along.
They patrolled the Lantern Festival for one round. After finding nothing abnormal, they could just get back to the government office.
However, it seemed like Mo Shu wasn’t planning on going back just yet.
“Daren, where are we heading to?” Nan Ge Er asked Mo Shu in a somewhat confused tone.
This isn’t the direction to the government office.
“To fly the lanterns,”Mo Shu replied.
Please don’t give such a matter-of-fact answer to something that I couldn’t possibly know, alright? I don’t remember being told to fly the lanterns with you!
“Daren, it’s getting late.” Nan Ge Er quirked his mouth as he spoke.
“Don’t worry, I’m not afraid,” Mo Shu answered.
Oi!
That isn’t the point, alright? Can’t you hear how unwilling I am? Anyway, don’t you find it pressurizing to blurt out such an embarrassing sentence?
“Which one do you like?” Mo Shu had completely ignored Nan Ge Er’s gloomy expression as he had walked straightforward to a stall before asking him that.
“Oh, it’s Mo Shu-xiansheng… and Nan Ge Er, huh.” The stall owner grinned widely as he greeted them.
… What does that slight pause of yours mean?!
Nan Ge Er could only feel unparalleled despair.
“See if any one of them catches your interest,” Mo Shu spoke to Nan Ge Er again while taking a look as well, scrutinising the lanterns placed on the stand.
Nan Ge Er glanced at the lanterns, which looked cute although crafted intricately. The corners of his mouth twitched, “Uh, well, I do appreciate your kindness, Daren, but I’m afraid I have to decline…” You claim you will let me pick, but I’ll be the one paying in the end, right? I have no interest in getting something impractical.
“Oh, nothing to your liking here?” Mo Shu turned to look at Nan Ge Er, naturally misinterpreting his words.
Oi!
Nan Ge Er’s face turned into black lines.
“Take a look here.” Nan Ge Er had only looked away for a second, and Mo Shu had already slipped off to another stall.
… Exactly how old are you, Mo Shu-xiansheng?!
Nan Ge Er felt extremely gloomy, following along listlessly.
With that, they went window shopping from one stall to another. When Nan Ge Er came back to his senses, he realized they had already strolled down a significant portion of the streets, and were nearing the riverside.
Though it was referred to as ‘streets’, it actually was just a causeway which was constructed to go around the river. A vast number of townspeople had drifted onto the long and narrow dam, be it those selling lanterns, buying lanterns or those simply enjoying themselves.
Similarly, there were lantern stalls across the river as well. In the midst of the night, a variety of them were scattered on every corner of the streets, vibrantly coloured.
Children, teenagers, elderly; all of them were crossing the bustling streets. Some were laughing and playing, some popped their head around to view the lanterns, some carrying a variety of lanterns.
The other side of the river, filled with bustling streams of people and splendidly coloured with eye catching rays, could be seen from Nan Ge Er’s side.
The glistening waves of the river weren’t quite clear, but their vividly bright colours had fallen deep into the water instead. The rays on the surface of the water were like threads, the streams of people on the dyke seemed as though they were weaved together, making it an interestingly fine contrast; the whole scene gave off an appearance of an unnaturally beautiful scroll painting.
Nan Ge Er unconsciously stopped in his tracks. He stood upright on the dyke, viewing the scenery on the other side of the river.
Mo Shu followed suit, stopping his tracks as well and standing beside him.
“… It just feels… marvellous.” Nan Ge Er quietly commented in the midst of the cacophonous noise and boisterous crowd.
He didn’t need an audience; the words were just for himself. Thus, he, in such a joyous environment, had merely muttered softly.
He never thought that he could see such a sight in this lifetime, such an…
Exuberant, yet dreamy sight.
However, Mo Shu did hear what Nan Ge Er had said. He smiled lightly, watching the opposite riverside together with Nan Ge Er.
In the chilly air, every breath breathed out was white. Everyone was chatting mirthfully with people beside them while complaining about the cold weather.
Little brats were chasing one another around in the streets, occasionally being yelled at by the people they had bumped into. Without a single care for those shouts, the little ones laughed loudly as they ran away.
The young ladies had dressed themselves well, yet they were acting indifferent as they praised others’ attires. On the other hand, a small group of young guys had malicious intentions, as they had all grabbed a lantern. They would intentionally bump into the ladies, provoking them to chase and beat them.
The elderly were strolling carefully in less crowded places while jovially viewing the lanterns, the river and the people.
Similar to Mo Shu and Nan Ge Er, there were others who stood on the opposite riverbank with their hands behind their back, smiling as they watched the scenery on Nan Ge Er’s side.
This is a bustling, living world.
And I am currently standing there.
Such is what Nan Ge Er suddenly thought.
Something rigid and stone-cold seemed to be slowly melting in his heart.
Perhaps I kind of understand why I would remain here instead of dying away depressingly.
“Oh, isn’t that Xiao Nan?” a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
Nan Ge Er came back to his senses.
Advisor Zhu Xi had a crowd of police officers and yamen runners around him as he walked towards them, he even had a lantern in his hand.
The lantern was citrus red, with the shape of a cat squatting on its heels. Every single hair of its fur was drawn on; the cat lantern looked extremely adorable.
However, such an adorable lantern was carried by the valiant-looking Zhu Xi…
This made the whole scene
looked incredibly disharmonious.
Actually, in his heart, Nan Ge Er had a feeling Mo Shu and Zhu Xi totally had their roles reversed.
Zhu Xi had a righteous and stately appearance, looking more like a magistrate, while Mo Shu had elegant beauty and grace, looking more like a knowledgeable and learned advisor.
However, the tragic part is that, Advisor Zhu Xi is competent in his future-less and laborious job as an advisor, while Mo Shu, though appearing meticulous and graceful… is just a total idiot!
How can someone’s appearance differ so much from his inner self?!
Nan Ge Er dissed in his heart miserably.
“What are you guys doing?” After getting the others around him to patrol in all directions, Advisor Zhu Xi had come up to them himself, standing on the riverbank as well, as he asked them.
“Strolling,” Mo Shu stated plainly, with an otherworldly, transcendent look.
Zhu Xi knew Mo Shu quite a bit, obviously. He looked Mo Shu up and down suspiciously, before asking Nan Ge Er instead, “Xiao Nan, you’re viewing the show of lanterns?”
“Mn…” Nan Ge Er jerked the corners of his lips, “Daren kept insisting to buy me a lantern.” And even wants me to foot for it.
It was clear that Zhu Xi was one of the rare few in Guang Tian who knew Mo Shu’s true colors; he knew the message behind Nan Ge Er’s words. He twitched his lips unwittingly as well, “Then, ahem…” After letting out a dry cough, he went silent.
“What is this?” Mo Shu wasn’t concerned at all, and didn’t feel any awareness being looked down upon by Nan Ge Er and Zhu Xi. He threw his attention to Zhu Xi swiftly.
“Ah…” Zhu Xi seemed to have forgotten about the lantern himself, only remembering after being prompted by Nan Ge Er. He lowered his head and looked at the moe cat lantern, slightly twitching his mouth again, “It’s for you, Xiao Nan.”
“Me?” Nan Ge Er widened his eyes. He just couldn’t think who else, other than Mo Shu, would be senseless enough to give a lantern to him as a gift.
“But I guess, when I tell you the reason, you probably wouldn’t want to have it.”
“Huh?” Nan Ge Er looked at Zhu Xi, baffled.
“Ahem…” Zhu Xi murmured, “Well, Chun Jiao… specially…”
After that, he looked at Nan Ge Er’s face. It was blackening up, appearing rather ghastly against the red cat lantern.
Nan Ge Er jerked for quite a while, his lips trembling as he stated, “I think you should just help me return it.” He began remembering the tragic memory…
Zhu Xi laughed drily.
Women are really scary.
Guang Tian’s women are the scariest!
“It is really cute.” Mo Shu, who had stood wordlessly at the side, suddenly reached his hand out, snatching the cat lantern from Zhu Xi’s hands. He even lifted it up, illuminating Nan Ge Er’s face. “Isn’t this – really similar to you?”
Nan Ge Er looked at him, speechless—
He really wanted to reach out and push that idiot down off the dyke now. He felt that even if he could tolerate it now, sooner or later, he would turn these impulses into reality.
Similar, your arse!
What similarities do I have with a cat? And I’m just being made fun of by Chun Jiao, you bastard!
In the end, Nan Ge Er could only watch in defeat as Mo Shu carried the totally stupid cat lantern while walking to the government office.
The most depressing thing was, when everyone noticed the cat lantern in Mo Shu’s hands, all of them simultaneously shot ambiguous glances at them.
…
I’ve already said, that thing really isn’t mine!
Nan Ge Er felt the impulse to bash a certain someone again.
When they were about to reach the government office, Mo Shu stopped in his tracks all of the sudden.
As Nan Ge Er was then speaking ill of him with all of the might in his heart, he momentarily lost focus and almost bumped against Mo Shu. He raised his head, a little perplexed as to what was going on.
Why did you suddenly stop?
He suddenly felt nervous again –don’t tell me that fellow has hatched some wicked idea again?!
“Sky lanterns.” Mo Shu gazed at the night sky, as he spoke softly.
Nan Ge Er instinctively followed Mo Shu’s line of sight.
Over the river dyke, there were faintly yellow sky lanterns. They were swaying while gradually rising up, gently adorning the dark sky.
“Make a wish,” Mo Shu spoke seriously all of a sudden. “It is said that wishes made under the sky lanterns will come true.”
… You don’t even bother about praying to ancestors, but you will make a wish under the sky lanterns?!
Nan Ge Er’s face turned into black lines again—he really couldn’t understand the inner workings of Mo Shu’s brain.
Glancing over, he found that Mo Shu, who was under the eaves at the roadside with the lantern in his hand, really did close his eyes. He looked pious and solemn, both of his hands were clasped together—he really is making a wish!
Nan Ge Er was speechless.
After Mo Shu had concluded his solemn earnest wish, the two continued walking.
Nan Ge Er got a little curious, “Even you have wishes?” To be precise, he thought that the desires of a typical person, like wishes, weren’t really suitable for Mo Shu…
Mo Shu smiled, “Of course, I do.” At that moment, under the pale yellow lanterns by the roadside, Mo Shu’s face seemed rather blurry, appearing to be quite serious.
“Oh.” Nan Ge Er didn’t continue asking, he felt that he wasn’t entitled to be curious.
“I wished that we can have dinner together tomorrow, and that you will cook honeyed beans for me.” Honeyed beans were the sweet beans which Mo Shu favoured a lot.
… Nan Ge Er’s face turned into black lines.
This wish, isn’t it a bit too…?!
Noticing Nan Ge Er’s speechless expression, Mo Shu laughed out suddenly, “Mn, seems rather silly, doesn’t it?”
You know that too, Da Ye?!
Nan Ge Er couldn’t but roll his eyes at him.
“But, future is built by each and every tomorrow.” Mo Shu laughed, reaching out to stroke Nan Ge Er’s head.
Nan Ge Er was stunned for a moment.
What does Mo Shu mean?
“Tomorrow, we will eat together here.” Mo Shu chuckled, “It will still be the same the day after tomorrow.”
“…What a cunning wish!” Nan Ge Er got a little embarrassed, as he murmured softly. The causes and consequences of the future are all determined by tomorrows!
“A specific wish will make the process of achieving it more motivating.” Mo Shu smiled, stroking Nan Ge Er’s hair.
“It’s still cunning.”
To tell the truth, Nan Ge Er didn’t know how to describe his current feelings. He just wanted to continue the conversation in a casual way, to make himself feel a bit more natural.
“So, will you be cooking that tomorrow?” As always, Mo Shu used a gentle tone, but the question he asked gave Nan Ge Er a sudden urge to destroy him.
Nan Ge Er didn’t take a single breath, almost suffocating to death at the door from Mo Shu’s words.
After a while, he finally raised his head, looking at Mo Shu, “Actually, you only made that so-called wish to have me grant it, right?” Even if I didn’t bring it up, this fellow would probably still find a way to let me know.
“A good wish is attainable.” Mo Shu grinned as he stroked Nan Ge Er’s head, “Rather than making a request to the gods who may or may not exist, making a request to my Nan Ge Er is much more reliable.” He clearly didn’t know how infuriating his words were.
… I knew it!
Violent im-pul-ses raged on in his heart again.
Chapter 19
* * *
After the bustling Lantern festival was over, the New Year had finally arrived.
Everyone in the district began busying around.
In Guang
Tian, the busiest season could be said to be the spring.
Mo Shu had stayed in the office obediently for the whole winter season. Seemingly restless now, he kept thinking of ways to get out for a walk every day.
Of course, under the restraints of the wise and magnificent Advisor Zhu Xi, the chances of it succeeding were very low.
Zhu Xi had stated that Mo Shu had to stay in the office for two seasons each year at least. If he did so, he wouldn’t force him to stay at other times.
Nan Ge Er was busy as well. Recently, he had been planting seedlings in the ‘vegetable garden’ every morning, and even learned how to water and care for the vegetation from the experienced. After completing that, he had to take a look at the animals he reared in the backyard as well. When he got back after finally finishing his rounds, it was already almost noon.
He had finished his meals before storytelling at the doors of the office. Under everyone’s reluctant gazes, he went back to eat something casual to fill his stomach together with Mo Shu. The night arrived after that.
The poor Mo Shu-xiansheng would use the night time to tidy the house, sweeping it, while also washing clothes if needed.
Nan Ge Er assisted and helped him out.
After the candle was burned for some time, the two of them had washed their hands and feet, blew the candle out and went to bed—saving the oil.
Compared to those affluent people, the two poor children had no choice but to turn their lights out early.
Of course, as compared to the miserable Nan Ge Er, Mo Shu-xiansheng was obviously much more refreshed.
“What legends did you talk about today?” Mo Shu slept on one side while asking Nan Ge Er, who, after hustling the whole day, was currently sleepy and tired to the bone.
Nan Ge Er was in excruciating pain.
He was just a weak, normal human being; completely incomparable to Mo Shu, who had monster-like vitality. After toiling all day, he could only feel his brain getting muddled. How could he find any energy to repeat the story he said today?