by Spring Trees
In a slight daze, Xiao Xia asked, “Kill him?”
“Mn.” Nan Ge Er’s reply was instant.
“Can I?”
“Of course.” Nan Ge Er revealed a smile, “I’ve made such decisions too many times.” When I was in Bei Jun then, who knows how many people were executed due to an ill-considered thought of mine, the present me can do so as well.
If the existence of Guang Tian were exposed, the peacefulness now would instantly turn into bubbles, and some might even die from it.
The possibility of people, who stated their love for me, died due to my negligence…
I definitely can’t tolerate that. I don’t know if he would survive, but I can’t afford to gamble. I’m someone who doesn’t like to take chances, never doing something I have no certainty of. No matter if I’m in that palace or Guang Tian, this part of me will never change.
Hearing Nan Ge Er’s words, Xiao Xia stopped talking.
He jumped high up the sky straightaway, stepping onto the water. The cold knife in his hand was raised up, before plunging down. The guy, who began struggling, was chopped into pieces in an instant. Even his cries were cut short; the bloodied waters were the only thing left behind to be swept away by the river.
Xiao Xia kept his knife, returning from the waters, not a single trace of blood in sight.
Noticing Xiao Xia’s grave expression, Nan Ge Er laughed with a slight resignation, “Are you thinking about me being quite different from the fragile Nan Ge Er in your mind? Being rather scary?”
Xiao Xia walked towards Nan Ge Er’s side, turning his head to him. Although his clothes were clean, due to the murder committed just then, the smell of blood on him was unavoidable.
“Nope.” Xiao Xia shook his head, “I’ve done such acts quite a number of times.” Pondering for a while, he continued, “Actually, I noticed the guy was awake too; I realized he was breathing. I was planning to let someone swim in the river and intercept him.”
“You didn’t want me to see that?” Nan Ge Er smiled.
“Mn.” Xiao Xia nodded while placing his knife on to his waist, touching Nan Ge Er’s head with his hand after that, “Nan Ge Er must have met really terrible situations, and so became like us.”
Nan Ge Er was stunned.
“Only turning cruel due to the desire of protecting something, but ended up still drifting here?” Xiao Xia’s tone had a slight resignation to it.
Nan Ge Er smiled, not a single word uttered.
“Don’t do this kind of stuff next time.” Xiao Xia rubbed on Nan Ge Er’s hair as he laughed, “We will do that; you don’t have to.”
Nan Ge Er’s body shook a little, he looked at Xiao Xia, his glance had a hint of stupidity in it.
“I think, that’s what everyone hopes for too.” Xiao Xia chuckled, “Just live here peacefully, accompany Mo Shu-xiansheng, chatting and bickering with neighbors, storytelling near the government office doors during free time. All of that will be enough. You shouldn’t do this kind of stuff. You are so weak, and your body’s condition isn’t good too; such stuff isn’t suitable for you. You only have to take good care of yourself. Don’t worry about anything else; we will deal with that. We only hope Nan Ge Er can live here peacefully.”
Nan Ge Er lift his head up in a daze, looking at Xiao Xia’s youthful face. His sight slowly turned blurry.
Maybe, I was always hoping for someone to tell me that.
There’s no need to do something with all your might, do whatever you please, so long as you live freely, its fine.
“So, do whatever you like, you don’t have to care about us, because we will protect you. You can live whatever life you want. We still feel that Nan Ge Er is more suited to a normal life, smiling while greeting everyone. Mn, that’s that, so…huh? Hey! Why are you crying?! Ugh, don’t cry, I wasn’t bullying you just now, don’t cry! Oh no, oh no, Mo Shu-xiansheng will definitely get even with me! Hey, hey! Nan Ge Er, don’t cry anymore, I’m wrong. Why not next time I –erm- I will stop snatching away your food next time, alright? Uh, I- I- I heard you like fish. I’ll catch one at the river now, wait for me. Please don’t cry, Da Ye!”
“Idiot, the river was stained by a murder just now, how would I be able to stomach a fish from it?” Nan Ge Er still blacklined while having blobs of tears raining down heavily on his face.
Chapter 30
* * *
The weather was great today.
Nan Ge Er was flipping through a book he randomly took while sitting in front of a table.
Springtime sunlight streamed through the window falling onto the table top. The plum trees in front of the window were growing ever more lush. They had a few leaves growing on them, cutting a few bits and pieces of the sunlight. The light rays danced around in fragments as the wind blew.
Nan Ge Er felt joyful – not only was he dressed in warm clothes, he also had just finished the delicious breakfast cooked by Mo Shu and was basking in the warm sunlight.
It was currently late spring
Mo Shu planned on visiting a village today. Since the road was quite uneven, he was worried Nan Ge Er wouldn’t be able to stand the bumpiness during the journey and so he didn’t make him come along.
Mo Shu had done the majority of the work in the government office during the early morning. Nan Ge Er only had to deal with the minuscule trivial work left, having nothing to do after that. Thus, glad to have free time for himself, he flipped through a book.
He could access Mo Shu’s study room freely but the majority of the books in it pertained to academics – something Nan Ge Er would never even wish to read in this lifetime of his. Hence, he borrowed a storybook from the neighbors to pass his time.
By the way, due to his daily storytelling, as years passed, Nan Ge Er had used up almost all tv series and novels he remembered. He had already started composing his own stories since last autumn.
It was unknown whether it was because the stories he wrote himself had a natural flow, or the easily understood language he used, that made the locals praise his stories unanimously instead…
Plus, he also fused his stories with a mix-and-match of melodramatic scenarios; which was why Nan Ge Er’s reputation in storytelling was well known in the entire district. Therefore, Nan Ge Er would find a few storybooks to read sometimes, using them as a means to replenish his ideas.
After a few moments of reading, Nan Ge Er, finding the story in the book quite uninteresting, placed the book down. He rested on the table, gazing at the plum trees outside.
Five years had passed.
Almost every day was awfully hectic, but thinking about it, he realized the routine in his daily life was just a plain and normal repetition, not a bit of difference in it. And time flew passed swiftly as such. Only after he came to his senses, did he notice that it had already been five years.
The years passed by increasingly fast.
He realized he had gradually stopped missing the former life he had in the other world.
Why exactly was there such a change?
He just couldn’t think up of a reason.
The wind blew in through the windows, causing his hair to drift onto his face. Despite the slight itch, he still felt content.
In the midst of the wind was a distinctive scent of spring. It carried the fragrance of flora, the smell of mud, and wettish air.
Sitting there for some time, he unconsciously started humming.
It wasn’t any particular tune; he just hummed as he went along. The melody was disordered, without any rhythm at all.
Nonetheless, he was satisfied.
However, after a mere few hums, he felt a slight swelling pain in his throat. His song became choppy. He stopped humming, touching his throat with a bit of hesitation. All of the sudden, he remembered. It had been a really long time since he sat down idly and hummed carefreely as so.
He always ceaselessly wanted to protect and defend something; but in the end, he didn’t even know where he lost himself…
…even forgetting such a basic self-entertainment.
In the past, when he was still a blissful student, with loving friends and family by his side, he always would sing abruptly as such.
I probably, actually, still am myself.
He said that to himself.
Mo Shu, returning due to some affairs, stood at the side of the doorstep. Looking at the clumsy and delayed expression of the young person, who sat in the midst of the sunlight, Mo Shu felt warmth engulfing his heart, while having a bit of pain in it.
He didn’t walk in and bother the person from self-entertaining, only watching him silently by the door.
Instead, Nan Ge Er was the one who, after humming and dazing around, finally noticed the presence of Mo Shu beside the door. He turned his head towards him, blinking, “Why did you come back?”
Mo Shu smiled, entering the room, “There’s some stuff to deal with, so I returned.”
Nan Ge Er nodded, before continuing to gaze out the window.
Walking to his side, Mo Shu asked him, “What are you singing?”
“I don’t know.” Nan Ge Er’s answer was practical—in truth, he was just randomly humming.
“It’s quite interesting.” Mo Shu smiled, before taking something from the cabinet behind.
“Don’t take everything away; it is your share for both today and tomorrow.” Nan Ge Er knew Mo Shu was taking the sweet snacks hidden in the cabinet without even turning back.
“Just make more tomorrow~” Mo Shu was unconcerned.
“You will get a toothache if you eat too much sweets, and will get fat too.” Nan Ge Er displayed an it’s-all-for-your-own-good tone.
“No worries, I’m not afraid.” Mo Shu replied calmly.
“…I was burnt by hot water yesterday.” Nan Ge Er was calm too when he threw out a trump card. So I can’t provide any sweets for the elderly you.
As expected, Mo Shu turned over at once, rushing towards him, “Why are you so careless? Your hand.”
Nan Ge Er took his hand out. His forefinger had a burn wound on it. The blister developed was picked away by Nan Ge Er with a needle. The wound wasn’t quite serious, just that it looked rather horrifying.
Mo Shu furrowed his brows, “How did it happen? Didn’t I tell you not to enter the kitchen casually?” A little worried, he looked at it again and again, “Your body’s condition isn’t good; so why are you still so absent-minded? Have you applied medicine? What did the doctor say?”
Nan Ge Er got ill again before the new year, moreover, it had no cause at all; the fever arrived all of the sudden. He vomited, and had no appetite. The illness was as serious as the one he had in the beginning. All of the fat gained painstakingly ended up fading away. His entire new year was spent in bed. The doctor said that if Nan Ge Er wasn’t in Guang Tian; if the one treating Nan Ge Er wasn’t him, he would have already died. Mo Shu was so frightened, he didn’t dare to let Nan Ge Er move around by himself anymore. He only wished he could place Nan Ge Er in a shrine, offering to him, so he would have no need to do anything.
“It isn’t that serious, right?” Nan Ge Er didn’t quite know if he should laugh or cry. It is just a small burn, why are you acting as if I’ve fractured something?
“It isn’t an exaggeration, don’t you understand your own body’s condition?!” Mo Shu shot a rare stern glare at Nan Ge Er, before continuing to survey his wound.
Nan Ge Er didn’t reply back.
Sunlight scattered on Mo Shu’s face, causing his fair skin to appear translucent. His roaming brows and eyes had a certain otherworldly look to it. His lips, usually having a light smile worn on them, were slightly pursed up now. It was as if he was the one scalded.
“…Say, Mo Shu, will I suddenly die tomorrow?” Even though no one discussed it, he himself knew, his body’s condition was hung by a thin thread, completely reliant on Guang Tian’s highly skilled doctor. Although unaware what exactly were the contents in the medicine usually prescribed, he was aware that conventional medicine had no effect on his body.
No one would be breathless after a five minutes’ walk, nor would anyone wear a thick fur coat during spring nights. Even more so, not a single person would have indigestion after eating half a bowl of rice, and feel the urge to puke it out.
His entire body was in a constant state of utter exhaustion; unable to sleep well, yet unable to have full night’s sleep. He even suspected that he might shut his eyes forever any day.
“You won’t.” Mo Shu replied decisively.
“Obviously I was able to survive under the previous terrible circumstances, but I ended up turning whiny now.” Nan Ge Er sighed with a bit of resignation.
Does every human do that? Having no problems surviving in a horrible life; but once the days get cozy, every single illness would begin sprouting out.
On the contrary, Mo Shu started chuckling, “This is a good thing.”
“Falling sick is good?” Nan Ge Er shot a glance at him.
“A person will be in a completely anxious state when situated in a terrible living environment, only able to survive due to the adjustments by instincts, switching body functions into a survival mode. However, if a limit is breached, the body will instantly collapse, becoming irreparable.” After confirming the wound on Nan Ge Er’s hand was just a simple burn and had no danger, Mo Shu finally calmed down. He softened his grip on Nan Ge Er’s hand, explaining, “You are currently relaxed due to your present environment, so your bodily functions are recovering slowly. Even if you get sick, you can still nurse your health back. You won’t die easily.”
“But if I’m not in Guang Tian, I would have definitely died a long time ago.” Nan Ge Er stated straight away. He wasn’t so easily deceived.
Mo Shu paused a little before replying, “Mn.”
“Actually, I don’t think there is anything wrong with dying.” Nan Ge Er muttered.
Mo Shu grasped Nan Ge Er’s hand a little forcefully. The slight pain from the clutch reminded Nan Ge Er his hand was currently still in the hands of a certain someone. Thus, he added tactfully, “But, presently, I think it is quite a pity to die.”
Mo Shu didn’t utter a word.
Nan Ge Er raised his head, smiling as he looked at Mo Shu, “So, I don’t want to die.”
Mo Shu only loosened his grasp after looking at Nan Ge Er’s smile.
“And,” With his free hand, Nan Ge Er pointed at his other hand, which was held by Mo Shu, “It hurts.”
After a momentary daze, Mo Shu beamed with joy, “Isn’t it great to be able to feel pain?”
Nan Ge Er pondered, before smiling as well.
I keep feeling that- alright- yup, the current Mo Shu isn’t quite as infuriating as before, huh?
Maybe I’ve got used to the idiocy of Mo Shu?
What a tragic flexibility!
Chapter 31
* * *
During a day in the nearing summer, Miss Chun Jiao requested the yamen runners to send a letter all of a sudden, asking for Nan Ge Er to come over. Since Mo Shu visited the red-light district frequently, thus Nan Ge Er was rather familiar with the people there. After tidying up the stuff in the government office, he went over at the invitation of Chun Jiao.
Miss Chun Jiao did not have any guests today. She sat beside the table while embroidering something.
Noticing Nan Ge Er’s arrival, she waved with a smile, “Nan Ge Er, look at the mandarin ducks I sow.”1
Once Nan Ge Er turned his head over for a look, he went silent in an instant.
“Does it look good?” Chun Jiao looked at him, her eyes filled with expectation.
“Uhh- yes, it looks good.” Nan Ge Er replied ironically. Truly sorry-he couldn’t find any mandarin ducks in the embroidery at all; the only thing he saw was a lump of brightly colored strings…
“Well, I’m going to get married.” Chun Jiao chirped with a hint of shyness.
“Huh?!” Nan Ge Er widened his eyes.
“You know him too; Ah Fang-Ge from the cloth store
in the north street.” Chun Jiao chuckled, “Just now, he asked Aunty Zhu to come over here for the proposal of marriage.2
Aunty Zhu was Zhu Xi’s mother, and was also the most famous matchmaker in the district. The couples she match-made together were rumored to be in the hundreds, if not, thousands. Nonetheless, it wasn’t the main point. Instead, the focus was, Chun Jiao mentioned ‘proposal’!
If I’m not wrong, Chun Jiao worked at the red-light district. The term used when people in the red-light district wanted to leave shouldn’t be ‘proposal’. What is the term…
“Erm, Chun Jiao-Jie, has Ah Fang-Ge bought your freedom?” Nan Ge Er recalled carefully, before asking.
Chun Jiao froze.
Huh? Nan Ge Er froze as well. Oh no, don’t tell me he didn’t?!
“Well – umm – I mean, uhh…” What in the world is going on?! Nan Ge Er didn’t know what to say.
“Pfft…” Chun Jiao buried her head down abruptly, as she laughed out.
“Huh?” Nan Ge Er’s eyes almost bulged out. Don’t tell me she gone mad from the blow?
“Silly Nan Ge Er-ahahahaha!”Chun Jiao lifted her head and cracked up, patting hard on his shoulder as she did so.
“Huh?” Nan Ge Er guessed he probably got something wrong again. His widened eyes got even rounder.
“Goodness, why is there a child like you?!” Chun Jiao guffawed. Tears almost shot out from her laugh.
Although feeling a bad premonition in his heart, he still summoned his courage, asking, “Did I get something wrong?”
Chun Jiao laughed uncontrollably, while still smacking Nan Ge Er’s shoulders violently, “Well, do you really think that us ladies in Chun Lou3 sell both our skills and bodies?”
“Ah?” Hey, isn’t that the red-light district’s nature of work?
Alright, I finally understand why, although every brothel in Guang Tian opens its doors wide for business, and that there is a high amount of body contact, no R18 scenes or sounds could be seen. It is because they don’t do such stuff at all!
Chun Jiao’s mad laughter finally stopped. She beamed while pinching on Nan Ge Er’s cheeks, “Even if we are, you still didn’t look down us, right?”