RMCF: Chapter 60

 

Chapter 60

They took turns staying at the tea stall as decided. Tonight, Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He were going home to sleep. After dinner at the stall, they prepared some of the dishes for the next day, then Xu He got on the cart with Zhang Fangyuan and headed back. 

The moonlight was clear. Xu He leaned against the cart as it swayed gently back and forth. He felt a bit queasy and wanted to vomit. Turning slightly, he glanced at the man beside him driving the cart. Zhang Fangyuan's lips were curled up slightly, seemingly lost in thought.

Xu He hadn't planned to ask much about where he'd gone or what he'd done in town. No one liked being watched too closely. Besides, he felt Zhang Fangyuan wouldn't do anything like that. Rationally, that was true, but not asking left him feeling a dull ache inside. What if it was true? What if he brought back some woman from the pleasure house? 

The more he thought about it, the worse it got. His heart began to race with an inexplicable panic.

He reached out and touched the back of the man's hand. Before he could speak, his hand was caught. “Cold from the wind on the night cart?”

Without waiting for Xu He to say whether he was cold or not, Zhang Fangyuan's arm, with its faintly bulging veins, pulled him forward, making him lean against his chest.

Xu He caught a faint fragrance on the man—like the scent of flowers carried on the wind. Such a smell seemed out of place on a rough, fierce man, but it was pleasant nonetheless, lending him a touch of tenderness.

The tightness in Xu He's heart eased a little. He didn't struggle but simply leaned into Zhang Fangyuan as guided. 

A gentle night breeze blew. The moon was bright, the stars sparse. It was already August. The days were still hot, and the villagers were busy husking corn cobs. Another round of the farming season had arrived. 

Sow in spring, harvest in autumn—year after year.

Zhang Fangyuan drove the cart with one hand. The person in his arms was so docile that he couldn't help glancing down.

Xu He's lashes were lowered. His face was pale and smooth in the moonlight, his shoulders relaxed, nestled against him like a small cat.

Usually, Xu He was aloof and capable, rarely speaking softly. In the early days of their marriage, they had been quite clingy, holding hands and cuddling when they had nothing to do. Later, they got busy with the tea stall and seldom went to town together. Amidst the hustle, they weren't as close as before.

But just because they weren't being lovey-dovey didn't mean Zhang Fangyuan didn't want to be. The thing was, Xu He was so focused on work that if Zhang Fangyuan idled around and clung to him, he'd look like a good-for-nothing loafer. So he figured he needed to find something to do.

Once he got busy, they were both occupied.

“I think I am a little cold.”

Zhang Fangyuan paused at these words, then pulled him closer. “You seemed a bit listless at dinner. Are you tired or feeling unwell?” 

“Not tired.” In past years during the autumn harvest, he had worked from dawn to dusk, everyone rushing to bring the ripe crops in from the fields. They'd husk the corn, haul it home, spread it in the yard to dry, then shell the kernels, dry them again, and finally store them.

There was no rest. As soon as this was done, it was time to harvest the rice, just as busy as the corn. If you didn't hurry, the overripe crops would fall, and a spell of bad weather with continuous rain would leave the grain unable to dry or prone to mold.

Then when the government officials came to collect the land tax, it would be a total headache. 

This year, they had no crops to speak of. They had switched to running a business instead. Although they still worked from dawn til dusk, busy with customers during the day and preparing dishes for the next day at night, at least they didn't have to be out in the sun until their skin cracked.

Life had already improved a lot. Still, he felt a dull discomfort that had been with him for some days. At first, he'd worried that the tea stall might lose money. Then he thought it might be the heat and a touch of heatstroke. But today... truly, people shouldn't have too much idle time.

Zhang Fangyuan heard a hint of lethargy in his voice, even though he denied being tired. Just as he was about to pinch Xu He's soft cheek in the moonlight, Xu He shifted his gaze. “Have you had enough money lately?”

“Of course. You gave me so much.”

“Mm.” Xu He thought for a moment. “Have you bought anything recently?” 

Zhang Fangyuan thought carefully. It seemed that Xu He had often reminded him, and he'd gotten used to not spending money casually. Even when he had money in his pocket, he instinctively felt he had none. 

“No.”

“Then… have you gone anywhere for fun?”

Zhang Fangyuan laughed. “I'm not a child. What silly questions are you asking? Besides, I'm minding the stall. Where would I go for fun?”

Xu He looked at him for a long moment. Never mind. He trusted him.

“I see.”

Zhang Fangyuan felt Xu He was acting a bit strange, but he couldn't pinpoint what was off. So he teased him, leaning in to kiss the bridge of his nose.

Xu He didn't resist. The kiss on his nose was very gentle, a little ticklish. He just looked at the man with his clear black-and-white eyes, which made Zhang Fangyuan feel somewhat embarrassed.

Zhang Fangyuan withdrew his hand and scratched the back of his head. Just then, they reached the turnoff from the official road to the village, which eased his awkwardness.

“What's wrong?”

“Hm?” Zhang Fangyuan glanced back at Xu He. “What do you mean, what's wrong?”

Xu He didn't answer. It was already quite late. Even the villagers who usually worked overtime into the night to bring in the harvest would had gone home by now. 

The two fell into silence, surrounded by the familiar chirping of insects and croaking of frogs that had filled the summer nights for half the season.

There was no one around. “Why didn't you kiss my mouth?”

Xu He was lost in thought. After a long moment, he suddenly felt Zhang Fangyuan staring intently at him. His eyes widened, and his face flushed fiercely.

He instinctively tried to turn away, but the man's hand blocked him. Soon he was enveloped in a heavy, warm presence, and his lips felt a gentle, eager excitement... 

Zhang Fangyuan held the waist of the person beside him. Aside from in bed, he rarely kissed Xu He. His own lips were cool, but his mouth was warm. The feeling was no less intense than being in bed together, even though kissing was much simpler. He always felt that such good fortune couldn't happen just anytime.

So most of the time, when he was genuinely happy or fond of Xu He, he would just hold his hand or give him a hug. At most, a kiss on the cheek.

But thinking back, it seemed that whenever Xu He told him not to do such things in public because it made him look like a lecher, he only said it afterward. When it was actually happening, Xu He never resisted.

Perhaps, he actually liked being close like this.

Zhang Fangyuan didn't let go until the person in his arms was breathless. Then he lingered, gently kissing Xu He's reddened lips. Xu He's legs, which had been dangling off the cart, had long since gone weak. Now he leaned against Zhang Fangyuan's broad shoulders and arms like a small, vulnerable animal.

He felt sure he must look like a sun-softened cowpea—limp yet pliable, perfectly happy to be wrapped around an arm.

Lost in this fancy, he suddenly laughed, his face buried in Zhang Fangyuan's chest.

“What are you laughing at?”

Zhang Fangyuan pulled the trembling figure out of his embrace. In the early days of their marriage, he hadn't been very confident about certain things, and now this reaction was rather discouraging.

“Am I no good?”

“You're good.” Xu He blushed.

“Then why are you laughing?”

“I'm laughing at myself.” Xu He pursed his lips, the corners of his eyes curving. Those eyes were large, even when he smiled broadly, they didn't squint shut, just bloomed like flowers. “My legs went weak.”

Zhang Fangyuan was suddenly pleased. A crooked grin spread across his face. 

Little Black pulled the cart into the yard. Zhang Fangyuan didn't wait for Xu He to climb down. Today, Brother Zhang was in an especially good mood, and Xiao He was treated accordingly—not slung over his shoulder, but carried horizontally into the house. 

The next day, Xu He woke to find that Zhang Fangyuan had already left for town to set up his stall. A morning breeze brushed his face. The discomfort from yesterday was gone, and he felt full of energy again. After a simple breakfast at home, he went to the tea stall. 

In the morning, many people passed by on the official road, most of them looking to stock up on dry rations. 

When Xu He arrived, he saw a crowd of villagers gathered in the open space beside the tea stall. Some had spread out two banana leaves on the ground, others a piece of cloth. They had set up little stalls selling fruits, vegetables, and some handmade household items—back baskets, ropes, chicken coops, winnowing baskets, and so on. All things used in a farming household.

He suddenly remembered that on every seventh day of the month, villagers from nearby villages would come here to set up stalls, selling small items or bartering.

Xu He thought he should have come earlier. Every seventh day was lively. Ever since Zhang Fangyuan started bringing back sauces, wines, and various supplies to stock at the stall, their tea stall had become like a general store where you could eat, drink, and buy things. On market days, their business was best.

Going inside, he was surprised to find five or six people eating and resting. In the kitchen, Zhang Shiyue and Xiao'e were busy preparing flatbreads and other provisions.

“You're here?”

Xu He said, “There are so many customers this morning. Their faces are unfamiliar—probably not from the nearby villages.” 

Zhang Shiyue smiled. “I heard they're traveling merchants bringing goods from Suzhou. When we first opened, some merchants ate here and bought dry rations. They said our prices were fair and we gave generous portions, so now they all come here." 

Xu He smiled faintly. Honest business would always be remembered. Who said a roadside tea stall couldn't have repeat customers?

“I'll take over. Second Aunt, go out and attend to the customers.”

"All right." Zhang Shiyue went out to greet customers and fetch things from the stall—one person wanted some wine, another some soy sauce, yet another some candles. 

Occasionally, someone came in asking for a free bowl of water. Xu He was fine with that. As long as it wasn't  tea meant for sale, a little water was no problem. 

The morning passed in a flurry of activity. It wasn't until well past noon that things quieted down. 

“Sister-in-law, busy?”

After lunch, only two or three customers lingered at the stall, drinking tea and resting. The afternoon sun made everyone drowsy. Xu He had just finished eating and was wiping down tables when he heard this unfamiliar form of address.

He straightened up and looked. It was Ao Er from the village. This fellow spent most of his time in town and rarely appeared in the village. If he hadn't come to the tea stall for wine that one time and Zhang Fangyuan mentioned him, Xu He wouldn't have remembered him well. 

“Mm. Are you here for a meal or some wine?”

Ao Er plopped down on a bench under the awning outside. The breeze swirled around. He'd worked up a sweat walking over, but now it was much cooler. He looked around. Zhang Fangyuan wasn't here, so he relaxed even more. This was the busy farming season, and he didn't want to work in the fields, so he was finding excuses to laze about outside.

“Sister-in-law, stir-fry me a dish. I'll have a couple of ounces of wine.”

“Alright.”

Xu He wasn't afraid of this small-time thug. With Zhang Fangyuan, the big thug, around, would he dare cause trouble?

Ao Er watched Xu He go inside, then rested his head on the table, dranking tea. He felt this place was really no worse than town. The food was good, it was cool and comfortable—he could stay all afternoon. That way, when he got home and his father wanted to hit him, he'd have an excuse: he hadn't gone to town. 

Soon, Xu He brought out a plate of young celery stir-fried with pork. Ao Er ate ravenously outside.

Xu He picked vegetables nearby. He glanced at Ao Er a couple of times, then went inside and brought out a small dish of sunflower seeds, placing it on the table.

Ao Er looked up at Xu He, his hand reaching for the seeds.

“Let's chat.” Xu He pushed the seeds forward. “For you.”

Ao Er swallowed a mouthful of food. “Sister-in-law, it's not that I won't tell you. I really don't know anything about Brother Zhang's business.” 

Xu He had never studied, but he had heard the saying about the ‘three hundred taels of silver buried here’. Right now, Ao Er's manner was the perfect illustration of that phrase. 

“I haven't even opened my mouth, and you're already saying that. Are you afraid people won't know he's done something wrong?” 

Ao Er coughed dryly.

“I'm definitely not going to ask about his affairs.” Xu He sat down across Ao Er. “You can rest easy.” 

Ao Er looked at Xu He. Though they were from the same village, they hadn't interacted much. Looking closely now, he realized Xu He was quite handsome—big eyes, a high nose bridge, a good figure. He really was Xu Shaochun's younger brother. They were both good-looking. No wonder Zhang Fangyuan married him. 

Talking to an attractive person was easier on the eyes. “Alright then. I wouldn't dare gossip about Brother Zhang.”

Xu He lowered his head and continued picking vegetables, chatting idly. “Have you ever been to a pleasure house?”

Ao Er was a bit taken aback, but then thought since he was just asking, it was no big deal.

“Pfft.” Speaking of this, he perked up immediately, gave himself a thumbs-up, and boasted shamelessly, “Regular customer. Just recently I drank there all night. The next day, the staff even offered me water and saw me out.” 

“What's so great about drinking all day?” Xu He neither confirmed nor denied. He asked, “So all you men love going there so much?” 

“Definitely. Who wouldn't want to go? The ladies and ger are beautiful, there's endless good wine and food, songs and dances all night long. Any man would... what's that word... linger and forget to leave.”

Ao Er beamed. “In this world, there are only two kinds of men: those who've never been to a pleasure house, and those who've been countless times. The ones who haven't been, eight out of ten, don't have the money. Those who've been all want to go again.” 

Xu He was married, so he wasn't naive enough to think it was just about eating and drinking.

“It's that good? It must cost a lot of money, doesn't it?”

“No kidding!” Ao Er counted on his fingers. “Drinking costs money, eating costs money, watching performances costs money, calling for ladies or ger costs money. Just stepping through the door costs money! Ordinary people can't afford it. You go in at Xu hour (7–9 p.m.), and by Hai hour (9–11 p.m.), you've lost.” 

At this, Xu He frowned and laughed. 

“Sister-in-law doesn't believe me?”

“I believe you.” Xu He then asked, “Have you ever seen a top courtesan?”

“How could I not? Their beauty is like snow, their figures bewitching. Even standing at a distance is intoxicating.” Ao Er swallowed unconsciously at the thought of Yin Jiuniang.

“And if you wanted a top courtesan to accompany you, how much would that cost?”

“This, depends on the situation. Top courtesans aren't something just anyone can see. An ordinary rich man might want her company, but she might not oblige. It has to be someone she likes. Of course, if you pay enough—say, a hundred teals or so, like the local bigwigs do—then she might make an exception.”

“They're that exclusive?”

“You bet.”

Hearing this, Xu He felt even more reassured. So then, he had no reason not to trust Zhang Fangyuan. As he'd thought, trusting him was the right choice.

“Alright. Drink your wine. I'm going back to work.”

“Don't go, Sister-in-law.” Ao Er was just getting into the swing of the conversation. It would be boring if Xu He stopped listening. He wanted to keep the man chatting a little longer, so he pointed at Zhang Fangyuan and boasted, “There are exceptions to everything. Someone like Brother Zhang—those women throw themselves at him. They don't even charge.”

Hearing this, Xu He sat back down.

Ao Er thought his flattery had hit the mark. “Really. Those ladies and ger in the pleasure houses aren't like respectable women. They've seen all kinds of men. And what sort of men come spending money? Rich old men, pampered young masters raised in silver spoon nests with soft bones as weak as scholars. How could they possibly satisfy them?” 

Ao Er grinned slyly. “They like men like Brother Zhang—young, strong, and clearly not to be messed with.”

Xu He remembered Zhang Fangyuan mentioning something like this before, but he'd dismissed it as boasting, not taking it to heart.

Now, only three words echoed in his mind: Miscalculation,

He suddenly felt a little angry.

Ao Er didn't understand why, but he seemed to catch on. He quickly covered his mouth. Xu He stood up without a word, his expression turning as cold and distant as the villagers always said it was. Ao Er was about to say something to make amends when Xu He turned back.

“Sister-in-law, I knew you wouldn't take it to heart…”

Xu He took away the plate of sunflower seeds he'd given. 

“Hey! Hey!”

Ao Er slapped his thigh in frustration.

Ao Er didn't leave that afternoon. He sat outside in the shade, drowsy, until a couple other men joined him, waiting for someone. They gathered around a table and played dice all afternoon, wagering very small amounts, knowing Zhang Fangyuan wouldn't tolerate gambling here. The wins and losses were trivial. 

After the men left, Ao Er didn't see Xu He come out to chat again. He didn't dare pester him either; if Xu He complained to Zhang Fangyuan, Ao Er would be the one to suffer. But now, if Xu He made a fuss with Zhang Fangyuan over the pleasure house business and Zhang Fangyuan found out who'd let it slip, Ao Er would still be in trouble. 

What a worry~

Later, as the sun was setting, Zhang Fangyuan came back with the cart.

Ao Er had been waiting for him most of the day. He eagerly rushed over. 

Zhang Fangyuan jumped off the cart, carrying a heavy bundle, and was about to cheerfully call out for Xu He when he saw Ao Er running toward him. His displeasure was obvious. “What are you brat doing here again?”

“Just having a little wine.”

Zhang Fangyuan was in a good mood. He didn't want to deal with Ao Er, so he brushed past him and headed inside.

“Brother, brother! I need to tell you something.”

Zhang Fangyuan was impatient. “What could you and I possibly have to talk about?”

Ao Er lowered his voice. “About your visits to the brothels.”

Zhang Fangyuan stopped dead in his tracks. He glared at Ao Er with a heavy warning. “Think very carefully before you speak.”

Sweating, Ao Er pulled Zhang Fangyuan aside. “When I left home today, I passed through the village. I heard those long-tongued women gossiping about you visiting brothels. They probably wouldn't dare say it to your face, but who knows if Sister-in-law has heard? I specifically waited here to tell you, so you wouldn't mistakenly think it was me who spread the word.” 

Zhang Fangyuan frowned. “Who the hell is meddling again?”

“Who knows? People come and go in town. Someone saw you and came back to gossip. I definitely wouldn't dare say anything—if I did, my father would know I've been there too.”

Zhang Fangyuan snorted angrily, then waved his hand. “Finet. I understand.”

Ao Er quickly acknowledged, immediately relieved. “Brother, I'll be going then.”

Zhang Fangyuan carried the money bundle inside the stall. He originally planned to collect the money tomorrow, but Yin Jiuniang had sent word today that the money was ready. Not wanting to wait, he'd made an extra trip, riding over to deliver the perfume and then coming back.

Now he wasn't in a hurry to have Xu He count the money. He was thinking.

He had sensed something off about Xu He yesterday. So it wasn't just his imagination—there really were bastards who couldn't stand to see others do well. 

Xu He must have found out. But... why hadn't he asked? 

Zhang Fangyuan's heart was in turmoil. He strode into the kitchen, grabbed Xu He's wrist, and pulled him into the back room, slamming the door bolt shut. 

“Wh-what are you doing!”

Zhang Fangyuan looked at him. “I know.”

“Know what?”

Zhang Fangyuan said, “Those gossiping in the village, making up stories about me going to the brothel.”

Xu He looked up at him. He seemed a bit angry. Xu He nodded. “Mm.”

“I did go. But I didn't do anything improper.”

Xu He didn't answer, but the small discontent he'd been feeling immediately dissipated at this defense. He nodded again. “Mm.” 

“So you knew, but you didn't ask me?” 

“I wanted to. But... I trust you.” Xu He felt this was getting overly sentimental, and it made him uncomfortable, so he added, “You've been there before anyway. To buy things.” 

“But I wasn't buying anything this time.”

Xu He paused. “That's fine too.”

Hearing this, Zhang Fangyuan suddenly smiled. He rubbed the back of Xu He's hand. He was very happy that Xu He trusted him—his reputation had been so terrible in the past. 

But in his happiness, he thought again. “How can that be fine? You just believe everything without a bit of displeasure?”

“You want me to be displeased?”

Zhang Fangyuan said ingratiatingly, “You should at least be a little displeased, right?”

“Maybe a little.” Actually, it was only a little. He hadn't taken it too seriously, just did a little indirect probing with that unreliable thug.

Zhang Fangyuan was even happier. He wrapped his arms around Xu He's waist, easily lifting him, making Xu He feel he wasn't actually that tall or heavy, just like any ordinary ger.

“I wasn't there to buy anything. I was there to sell.”

Zhang Fangyuan put Xu He down and brought over the bundle from the side. He untied it, revealing several large lumps of silver—a full twelve jin in weight.

“Where did all this silver come from!”

***

T/N 

why so cute ah ~ 

 

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