Chapter 14
I was itching to run or not, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Normally when I was with Chu Yingyu, he was completely flawless, and I never thought I could slip away from under his nose.
But tonight is different! My sixth sense tells me that this can work!
He seemed to have let down his guard against me. After all, I was such a weak woman with no lethality!
I move my neck slightly and turn my head to look at the person leaning against my shoulder, breathing very softly. I cautiously raise my hand to touch their eyelashes. If they wake up, I'll say I was naughty. Anyway, I have an explanation.
When my fingertips touched the eyelashes that looked like small brushes, my heart was uneasy. I waited for a while, but Chu Yingyu did not respond and his breathing did not change.
He was really fast asleep.
Normally, if I make any movement, he will be alert.
With such good skin and long eyelashes, it wouldn't be too much to steal a kiss. This playboyish thought popped up in my head for no reason. I pinched my face. I wanted to run away, not pick flowers!
My attempts became increasingly bolder, from fiddling with his eyelashes to pinching his face. Finally, when I was sure that he really wouldn't wake up, I moved him off my shoulder and tiptoed to pack my bag.
I left my coat on Chu Yingyu, closed the door, and extinguished the candles, lest he fall asleep too soundly and the wind blow them over and start a fire. I also left him some food and water. In short, I had done my best!
From this, it can be seen that Chu Yingyu must have encountered something, which is why he is sleeping so soundly tonight. But what does this have to do with me? I can't always follow a time bomb!
Goodbye!
I took my horse away, put one foot in the stirrup and sat on it, then set off with a nervous mood!
I'm free! I'm free!
I rode my horse for more than ten miles, circling in the deep mountains and old forests, my heart pounding. At first, I ran in a panic, not knowing where to go. After more than half an hour, when it was getting light, I started to choose my route.
Try to go to the main road that is easy to travel on. If you meet a woodcutter, fisherman or peddler on the way, you can ask for directions.
My request is simple, to go to a more prosperous town.
But how could Chu Yingyu not think of what I could think of, so I didn’t dare to stop in the first village I passed by. I wanted to go to a larger town.
Even in an imaginary ancient time, it would be better to go to a big city, as it has greater mobility and inclusiveness. It would not be like a small village where if someone from outside the area appeared, everyone would know about it.
I can go to a more suitable place after I have a clearer understanding. Anyway, I have to avoid the little killer for now.
My butt was numb from the ride, but I still didn't dare stop. I kept turning my head to look behind me, feeling like Chu Yingyu would appear at any moment. His ghostly movements were quite scary.
"Help me, girl!"
Suddenly, a person jumped out from the dense bushes and rushed in front of me. The horse under my crotch almost hit the person. I was so scared that I tightened the reins with both hands and forced the horse to stop.
“W-What are you doing!?”
After soothing the horse, I looked over and saw a young woman with wheat-colored skin, dressed simply, with a fresh and clean face, thick eyebrows, plump lips and big eyes. She was cool and beautiful.
You can't blame me for being obsessed with looks. It's true that when I see good-looking people, my vigilance will be lowered a little.
"Miss, to be honest, my junior brother is injured, and I would like to ask you for help."
"Where is your junior brother?"
"It's in a secret place, please follow me, girl!"
“…Goodbye!”
It sounds so weird, like the tricks of human traffickers. Even if he looks good, I won't be fooled!
I didn't even get off my horse and was ready to continue running, but I didn't expect that the young woman opposite me didn't give way, but instead took out a triangular dart from her arms.
"Girl, if you don't help, don't blame me for being rude."
"I'll help!"
Why didn't you threaten me earlier? You're a gangster, right? Why do you have to pretend to be a commoner?
Seeing my expression change so quickly, the beauty was also stunned. She didn't expect that I was so aware of the situation.
"My name is Zhang Shan, what's your name, girl?"
"Li Si." I lied seriously.
Zhang Shan didn't doubt it at all. She said sorry, put away the hidden weapon in her hand, helped me off the horse, and led me to the secret place she mentioned.
She was indeed not lying. After walking down the slope and walking a few miles, they found a damp cave beside the river that was only wide enough for two people to pass through side by side because the water level had dropped.
Lying inside was a handsome man with black hair and green clothes. His hair was half tied up, his eyebrows were slanted like swords, and there was a hint of brokenness in his sharpness, probably because of the injury.
He is handsome in a different way than Chu Yingyu, not as immature.
The man was panting, his brows furrowed. He opened his eyes a little, saw me, a stranger, and made a sound of "tutting", as if complaining or acting coquettishly.
"I told you not to alarm others. This one looks stupid."
Zhang Shan: "This one looks the kindest and least like someone who's been bribed! He seems like a good kid."
Man: “That’s stupid.”
Me: “…” This little mouth was smeared with feces, right?
Zhang Shan patted my shoulder and said, "My junior brother is the real fool. Miss Li, don't worry about it."
This pair of siblings gave me a somewhat subtle feeling. They were unlike the people from Liufang Pavilion whom I met on the island before. Could it be that they were not from a legitimate sect?
"Miss Zhang, what do you want me to help you with?"
"Help me treat the wound and bandage it, then you can exchange clothes with my junior brother."
“…”
Don't ask too many questions, don't ask too many questions. Curiosity kills quickly! I told myself this internally as I silently helped. My clothes would definitely be too tight and too small for this handsome man, but he had a straight figure, so he filled out the women's clothes and had a nice figure.
I undid the hair of this handsome junior brother. Since Zhang Shan was not very good at styling hair, she asked me to do it for her. No wonder her hairstyle was also simple and she didn't even have any pearl hairpins.
I braided a centipede braid for the handsome guy and then twisted it inwards and tied it up. Although it wasn't very delicate, it was much better than Senior Sister Zhang Shan's.
Zhang Shan: "It looks nice, it will distract the viewer."
Her face was full of coldness, and she didn't even want to pay attention to her junior brother. She gritted her teeth and turned her back to us. Wearing women's clothes is not shabby, it's a must for boys.
It's just that I looked like I was wearing a tent in this men's clothing. Since we had exchanged clothes, I still asked, "Excuse me, are you two being hunted?"
Zhang Shan readily admitted, "Yes! It's quite a big problem."
"Then if I wear your junior brother's clothes, won't I be arrested because of the similarity?"
"No, you're so cute and pretty, I can tell you're not a man when I get closer."
I liked what he said, and I felt flattered for a moment. Then I put on a bitter face and said, "The clothes are exactly the same. Will I really not be questioned?"
The junior fellow spoke again venomously: "How do you look like me? You have an apple face."
I:"……"
Zhang Shan slapped my face and said to me gently, "Don't worry. You really don't look like a junior brother. The Xuanyin Sect won't arrest you casually."
Anyway, I came here to help under threat, so what else is there to say? I suddenly had an idea and thought dialectically that I could also ask them for information.
I immediately became enthusiastic and asked Zhang Shan about the nearby towns. Apart from her unfriendly attitude at the beginning when she threatened me for help, she was now very easy to talk to, even enthusiastic.
Because I helped her, she seemed less defensive towards me, and of course, also because I looked like a nice person. I guess no one except Chu Yingyu knew that I possessed peerless internal strength.
It turned out that there were several villages ahead, but if we went a little further, we would reach Baoshan City, which was a fairly prosperous town with no restrictions on population movement and no procedures required to enter the city.
Zhang Shan said I was a girl traveling alone, but it was actually quite good that I had exchanged clothes with her junior. At least my feminine features were less obvious. A girl with bright eyes and a charming face like me was the easiest target. It was hard to make a living, let alone travel the world.
Yes, so you think I’m easy to bully and you threaten me to save people!
I started to make up a story about my miserable life, not knowing who my parents were, and being displaced. But before I had finished, my sharp-tongued junior brother made fun of me.
"You are so delicate and tender, who would believe you if no one takes care of you?"
I:"……"
Zhang Shan didn't look at me differently, but said tolerantly, "Actually, being kept is nothing. You probably ran away on your own."
I have to sigh, everyone has eyes and won't be fooled by me. I was supported by Chu Yingyu for a while, and although it was thrilling, it was really not that hard. I didn't have to rush for money or sleep in the open air.
Zhang Shan said that her junior fellow apprentice was called Xiao Ruoyin. It was true that the two of them were being hunted by the Xuanyin Sect, but they couldn't take me with them, lest I be dragged into it.
"Miss Li, I cannot thank you enough for your kindness. I have also confiscated your horse. If I have the chance to see it again in the future, I will definitely repay you! I will give you both money and people!"
The old grudge has turned into a new favor, right? They're forcing gratitude on me, even confiscating my horse. Their promises are like empty checks, devoid of any sense of reality.
I have saved two people along the way. The first handsome man with a broken arm also said he wanted to thank me. But now, where can I find someone in this vast sea of people to repay the favor?
Zhang Shan said that there might be peddlers, donkey carts and caravans of traveling merchants on the road. I could give them a few copper coins and get a ride to the city. If everything goes well, I could arrive before dark.
You mean let me try my luck, right?
If you have no money when you get to the city, you can still wash dishes in a restaurant, or sell yourself to be a maid, or find someone to marry... marry at the speed of light?
It would be better to wash dishes and work as a handyman!
"There's nothing to thank you for right now. I'll give you this packet of Soul-Losing Powder. This drug is very powerful, with a unique secret recipe. Even a tiny amount of powder can make a whale unconscious and paralyzed! Hundreds of years ago, people used this drug to slay dragons!"
Zhang Shan handed me a packet of illegal drug powder as if it were a red envelope given by an elder during the Chinese New Year. Then she and Xiao Ruoyin rode a horse together and ran away quickly.
Actually, if you think about it in a positive way, this horse was bought by Chu Yingyu and was ridden away by Zhang Shan, so the possibility of the other party finding me is reduced.
After delaying me for over an hour, I collected the heavily blown Lost Soul Powder and resigned myself to my fate, walking along the river. After emptying my water bag, I filled it up at the clean riverbank. On the way, I heard the sound of wheels rolling by.
I was overjoyed as I climbed uphill. I saw a donkey cart pulling hay, driven by an older man. I quickly waved my hand and asked for a ride. For just five copper coins, I got on!
I chatted with the uncle casually, wanting to know the situation in Baoshan City. It turns out that sometimes it is very important to be talkative.
The uncle said that one of his relatives runs a teahouse and they are currently in need of a short-term odd job. He doesn't want me to do any technical work like frying tea, but just some physical work that requires dirty and tiring labor.
Food and accommodation are provided, and the monthly salary is 500 wen. Although it is not as much as the pocket money Chu Yingyu gave me at once, I feel at ease!
After entering Baoshan City, the uncle took me to a relative's teahouse. The road was bustling, with donkeys carrying us through the streets and alleys. I silently observed the terrain and direction. As a person with poor direction, I could only rely on landmark buildings and characteristic plaques to remember the way.
The owner of the teahouse was an old woman. She didn't ask why I was dressed as a man and was alone. She understood my difficulties and took me in.
I didn't work in the front of house, serving tea and water. I helped out in the kitchen, cleaning and setting up the tables and chairs in the front hall at night. I had three meals a day, and I lived in a utility room in the backyard. It was clean and tidy, so I didn't have to clean up.
Although there is not much furniture, the bed is very warm and satisfactory!
On the first day, I familiarized myself with the subsequent work under the guidance of the master. It was easy to get started. As long as you are willing to work hard, it will not be difficult.
I was quite cautious during the first few days of work. I was afraid of meeting Chu Yingyu when I went out to buy things. But as time went by, I didn't see him or hear any rumors about him, and my uneasy heart gradually calmed down.
I was so tired I didn't have time to think about anything. I fell into a deep sleep the moment I hit the bed. After getting used to this high-intensity physical work, I found that my strength had increased. I could even lift a full bucket of water with one hand.
I don’t know if it was the internal strength that I sometimes didn’t have at that time, or if it was because I had built up my muscles.
Late at night, after the teahouse closed, I returned to my room, lantern in hand, after finishing my night patrol. After washing up and lying in bed, I began to think about the future and, by the way, a little worried about Chu Yingyu.
He wouldn't be carried off by wild animals in the mountains, would he? It's been so long, he must have gone on other missions. I should think about what I'll do in the future. Will I never be able to go home and stay here forever?
I have to make my life better. Although this unique inner strength is like a stove that cannot be ignited, it is my reliance and will always shine.
I don't want to be invincible, I just want to be able to protect myself and live a comfortable life.
Ever since I started working as a handyman, I have been dressed like a servant. I don’t even have a girl’s makeup box or rouge and powder. I just fetch water to wipe my face every day, comb my hair with my hands and put it into a bun, and then wear a simple cloth hat.
As the New Year was approaching, the teahouse settled a lot of bills, and I received my wages for the first time, which was one hundred wen more than the original five hundred wen. The boss lady said it was for me to use to go home for the New Year.
I said that I would not leave work or take a holiday, and I would dedicate my working heart to the teahouse. I worked so hard that I lost weight back to 90 kilograms!
The boss lady understood my implication. I had nowhere to go for the Spring Festival, and since the teahouse was open during the Spring Festival, she let me stay and paid me daily for those few days. After the Spring Festival, when the teahouse had enough staff and no longer needed me, she would find me another job.
The boss lady is such a nice person!
For the past month or so, I've been living frugally, filling my wallet to the brim. It's mainly because my current status is difficult to resolve, and I can't buy a house or land. If I were in the underworld, I'd definitely have ways to get these things done.
No matter what, I will save some money first, and when I get more familiar with the surroundings, I will ask someone how to make my identity legal.
Oh, people are really different.
A lone brave old man traveled through time and became the best in the martial arts world. I inherited his legacy, but now I work here. In the early days, I had to worry about my life, and now I have to think about solving the problem of household registration.
The atmosphere of the New Year was getting stronger and stronger. I followed the tea artist to buy New Year's goods. She asked me if I wanted to buy some new cloth to make new clothes, so that the New Year would be more joyful.
I waved my hands and said no, although I also have the image of an idol, but considering the current situation, I am not qualified to squander.
After buying things for the teahouse, I don’t have anything to do today. It’s almost the New Year, so there are fewer people and business is slow, so I’m not busy.
With a little money in my pocket, I went for a stroll on the street, thinking about having a snack tonight and buying some things that I usually don't want to eat to savor slowly.
When I saw a pastry shop, I was in a trance for a moment. I went in and took a walk around. Every bakery looked good and the prices were also good.
If Chu Yingyu were here, I might buy all of them, but now I am alone. After much deliberation and hesitation, I felt that the price-performance ratio was not good enough, so I bought an osmanthus cake.
I bought half a roast chicken and ordered a few pancakes. I passed by a peddler's stall carrying a lot of bags.
"Miss, these are rouge and powder shipped from the famous Flower City. And look at these hairpins and pearls. They are all made by skilled craftsmen. They are cheap!"
The peddler tried to sell me something enthusiastically. After looking around, I finally chose a larger and sturdier dark blue purse, as the previous one couldn't hold my small coins anymore.
I picked up my purse and bargained with the peddler. I was still holding food in my hand and just wanted to buy some to eat.
I was arguing with the peddler over five cents when suddenly I felt a pat on my shoulder.
I threw away the oil-paper bag in my hand and yelled, "Ah, help!"
“…”
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