“Hey, hey – who are you?”
The gatekeeper of the Cheng household hurriedly stepped forward to block the door, staring at the young man who was just about to enter.
The youth was plainly dressed, a large bundle slung over his shoulder. His features weren’t bad, but a layer of dust and grit seemed to roughen them; for someone so young, he carried a fierce, intimidating air.
Before the servant could finish speaking, the young man raised his foot and kicked at the door. With a loud bang, half of it swung open, and he strode straight inside.
The doorkeeper fell backward onto the ground, both frightened and furious.
“Someone!” he shouted, but before the cry was finished, the young man, bundle and all, was already striding deep into the courtyard.
“Th-this…”
“Why aren’t you doing anything?” The gatekeeper turned to the side.
Over there stood four attendants, arms folded, chatting and laughing. They had been joking before, and they were still joking now – as if they hadn’t seen a thing happen right in front of them.
He was a man from Second Madam Cheng’s natal family, assigned by her to work at the gate – a good post, by all accounts.
Greeting guests, delivering visiting cards, handling calling notes – all decent, respectable work that also brought in a fair number of private tips and favors.
But this New Year season, visitors had been coming and going in droves, and many didn’t even bother with him. They went straight to those attendants instead, leaving him little more than decoration – and still expected to sweep the entranceway besides.
And now, someone had actually barged right in without even so much as a word to those attendants.
How could those four be standing there like they’d gone blind?
“Don’t recognize him? Better take a good look before you rush to play doorman.” One of the attendants chuckled. “That’s the young master from the Zhou family.”
The gatekeeper froze for a moment.
The Zhou family?
“Ever since Old Madam Zhou passed away,” the attendant went on with a grin, “the Zhou family never bothers to knock when they come to the Chengs – they just kick the door open.”
“Eh? Young Master Zhou! You’re back?”
The maid under the veranda heard the commotion and came out, her face lighting up with genuine surprise and joy.
That open, heartfelt smile made Zhou Liu-lang falter mid-stride, suddenly feeling awkward and ill at ease.
“I…” he began, intending to explain.
But the maid had already turned and run toward the main hall.
“My lady! Sixth Young Master has come – he’s even brought you a gift, such a big bundle!” she called out cheerfully.
Zhou Liu-lang’s face burned with embarrassment.
What nonsense! What nonsense was she shouting! Who said he’d brought a gift for her!
Ban Qin lowered her head and presented the tea. The maid beside her waved a hand, signaling that she would stay to attend. Ban Qin understood the kind intention, bowed slightly in thanks, and withdrew.
“This – this isn’t my gift,” Zhou Liu-lang blurted out.
Cheng Jiao-niang, who was just lifting her bowl of tea, turned her gaze toward him.
The maid giggled, glancing at the large bundle beside him.
“Then are you bringing it on behalf of our Fourth Young Master?” she teased.
So even an sworn brother had sent a gift – but not his own flesh and blood brother. Wouldn’t that make someone feel rather hurt?
Zhou Liu-lang’s hands, resting on his knees, clenched involuntarily.
“I brought his first – it was too much to carry. Mine… I didn’t bring it,” he said stiffly.
The maid couldn’t help but laugh again.
“Ban Qin,” Cheng Jiao-niang set down her teacup and gave the maid a glance, “why tease him?”
Zhou Liu-lang’s eyes widened in irritation, but before he could retort, the maid covered her mouth, giggling, and rose to take her leave.
“Is Brother well?” Cheng Jiao-niang asked.
Brother!
At that word, all the anger Zhou Liu-lang had felt from the maid’s teasing evaporated in an instant.
Brother – she called him brother!
His emotions shifted so quickly that his mind felt momentarily muddled.
“Good,” he replied stiffly. “And – you, are you well?”
Cheng Jiao-niang looked at him for a moment, then smiled.
“I’m very well,” she said, gesturing gracefully. “Please.”
Zhou Liu-lang gave an awkward “oh,” then lifted the tea and drained it in one gulp.
“Will you be going back again after this?” Cheng Jiao-niang asked.
“I will,” Zhou Liu-lang replied. “Half a month, maybe a month, then I’ll head out again -waiting on that, uh, thunderbolt bomb thing.”
Cheng Jiao-niang nodded, sipping her tea slowly.
Silence settled in the room. Zhou Liu-lang wanted to take his leave, yet didn’t quite want to; his eyes wandered around the surroundings.
“Are you… getting used to living here?” he blurted out.
“I am. I get used to living anywhere,” Cheng Jiao-niang answered.
Well, that was true. And what a stupid question – made it sound like he was just trying to find something to say to her.
Zhou Liu-lang mentally clawed at himself twice.
“I’ll be off, then,” he said. “If you want to send anything to him, I’ll come by again before I leave.”
Cheng Jiao-niang answered with a quiet “all right,” and rose to see him out.
“Young Master Zhou, why so eager to leave? Stay and have a meal before you go,” the maid in the courtyard called with a teasing smile.
This little minx! She’d dared to toy with him just now!
Zhou Liu-lang stomped toward her in anger.
“Young Master, I was only thinking for your sake!” the maid said quickly, laughing as she backed away a few steps. “I was afraid you wouldn’t know what to say, so I just helped you start talking.”
Still talking!
Zhou Liu-lang shot her a fierce glare.
“Mind your own business,” he snapped, tossing out the warning before striding off toward the gate.
As Zhou Liu-lang rode out through the Cheng family’s gate and mounted his horse, he couldn’t help grinning to himself.
Brother…
Then he pursed his lips.
No, wait – that wasn’t right.
His expression froze mid-thought.
Brother? She hadn’t meant him, had she? She’d been asking about Xu Sigen!
A rush of heat flooded Zhou Liu-lang’s face; it burned so fiercely it almost hurt.
And he’d answered so quickly, too!
How humiliating! He’d never come to see her again – never!
With a sharp flick of his whip, Zhou Liu-lang spurred his horse and galloped off at full speed.
When Zhou Liu-lang returned home, his expression was still dark. He kept his head down, heading straight for his own courtyard – but a servant came to summon him on Madam Zhou’s orders.
“Where have you been off to again?” Madam Zhou frowned, though her voice soon softened with worry. “Just look at your face – it’s all chapped from the cold…”
“Mother,” Zhou Liu-lang said, touching his own cheek, “my face isn’t frozen. I’ve been using ointment – my hands are fine too.”
As he spoke, he held out his hands for her to see – and glanced down at them himself.
That ointment was from her, after all.
Even if it hadn’t been meant for him specifically.
How annoying – she was everywhere.
Zhou Liu-lang rubbed his hands together hard, as if trying to get rid of the thought.
“…Liu-lang!”
Zhou Liu-lang snapped out of his thoughts and looked up at his mother.
“Since you’re back this time,” Madam Zhou said with a smiling face, “why not settle your marriage? Then when you return next time, you can have the wedding right away.”
Zhou Liu-lang’s expression immediately darkened.
“I’m still young – what marriage?” he said, standing up to leave.
“Young? You’re already nineteen!” Madam Zhou exclaimed anxiously.
“Even twenty-nine wouldn’t be too late,” Zhou Liu-lang shot back, turning on his heel and walking out.
Master Zhou was just coming in from outside when he stopped him.
“I was looking for you just now – where did you go?” he asked.
“I went to deliver something for someone,” Zhou Liu-lang replied.
Master Zhou didn’t think much of it and just grunted in acknowledgment. Spotting Madam Zhou coming out to greet him, he quickly strode over to her.
“You were right after all – those two really did take over Jiao Jiao’s property,” he said urgently.
Zhou Liu-lang, who had been about to leave, froze mid-step.
What?
“I told you so! That Second Madam Cheng just couldn’t resist showing off. I may not attend those gatherings, but I can picture perfectly how smug she looked,” Madam Zhou sniffed.
“Truly foolish beyond saving,” Master Zhou said with a chuckle, stroking his beard.
“Father.”
Zhou Liu-lang interrupted them, his tone sharp. “What did you just say?”
“Liu-lang, that fool Second Master Cheng actually seized all of Jiao Jiao’s property and even changed the ownership to his new wife’s name – can you believe it?” Master Zhou laughed aloud.
“Father, you can still laugh at that?” Zhou Liu-lang stared wide-eyed. “Why didn’t you go stop him?”
“What need is there for us to meddle?” Madam Zhou replied. “She’s more than capable of handling it herself.”
Back then, even while she lay unconscious, they’d barely managed to snatch any of her assets – and nearly paid for it with their lives. Now that she’s perfectly well and renowned far and wide, those two dare to rob her openly? If that isn’t courting death, what is?
“She may be capable of handling things,” Zhou Liu-lang said, “but she’s clearly in trouble right now, isn’t she? Why aren’t we even checking on her?”
Checking on her?
That immortal’s disciple – someone even the Ghost Judge would flee from – did she really need their concern?
Master Zhou and Madam Zhou were both stunned by his outburst, staring as Zhou Liu-lang turned on his heel to leave.
“Hey, where are you going?” Master Zhou called.
“I’m going to settle this with them!” Zhou Liu-lang shot back.
“Stop right there!” Master Zhou barked, striding forward to grab him. “What account are you settling? That’s their family business! And what would you accuse them of – ‘stealing’ your cousin’s property? Nonsense! A daughter’s property belongs to her father to begin with – how is that stealing? If anything, not giving it back would be her fault! Right now everyone’s trying to keep things quiet; if you stir up trouble, the first one to suffer will be Jiao-jiao herself.”
“Exactly, exactly,” Madam Zhou hurriedly added. “Their household matters are none of ours – and we couldn’t meddle even if we wanted to.”
Zhou Liu-lang’s fists clenched tight, then he stomped his foot and marched off anyway.
Master Zhou called after him several times, but the boy didn’t stop.
“What a cursed fate!” Madam Zhou pressed a hand to her chest, her face full of distress.
Just look at him – utterly bewitched, completely obsessed. Was he really going to bring that demon girl home as his wife?
