In the village under the cliff, a handsome young man moved in recently. He bought a single secluded courtyard outside of town and opened a liquor shop on the marketplace. Spending money ostentatiously, he opened up shop in a lively and noisy manner. The young man was tall and handsome, and the wine he brewed was stronger and richer in aroma than the village’s usual alcohol. Every day, the fragrance of wine drifted far into the distance and it did not take long for the shop’s name to spread far and wide.
The liquor shop was named East.
Its interior decoration had an imposing style, the prices were fixed but affordable, and business was great every day. The only odd matter was that every evening, even if the day’s alcohol was not sold out, the shop owner closed up shop and always headed home on time. In fact, today in the evening while the shop owner was closing up shop a regular came by to buy wine.
“Brother Yang, bring me a jug of wine, alright? Our family’s mouth to feed[14] got a raise in monthly silver and is beside himself with joy. I came over to buy a jug to celebrate. Since you opened shop here, he’s never drunk anyone else’s wine again.”
The shop owner was packing up and preparing to end today’s business. Hearing her speak, he could not help but smile and take the empty jug the woman handed over. He nodded, “Aunt Chen, I’ll fill this jug for you then close for the day.”
“Brother Yang, I’ve never seen a shop owner do business like you.” Aunt Cheng slapped her thighs and could not help but say, “It’s not even dark, but you’re closing. Who runs a business like you do? What’s the use of going back so early, you’re alone–”
Once the liquor shop owner heard this, the smile on his face deepened and he chuckled, “What’re you saying? At home, there is someone waiting for me to return.”
As soon as she heard him speak, Aunt Chen turned even more curious, “When you moved to our village back then, you weren’t accompanied by anyone.”
The shop owner handed the filled wine jug to Aunt Chen and smiled without saying another word.
“Brother Yang, I forgot to ask before. How old are you? This Aunty thinks you look quite pleasing to the eye. If there’s a girl who catches your eye, this Aunty can rest assured. Don’t worry, I’ll help you take care of everything. In our village there’re many girls who haven’t married yet.” Aunt Chen took the wine jug out of his hands, her smiling face blooming like a chrysanthemum,[15] she enthusiastically swayed the shop owner, “I heard that since you came to our village, many girls’ve secretly asked about you, ah!”
“Thanks, thanks Aunt Chen.” The shop owner laughed loudly and shook his head, “I’m already married.”
“Don’t you lie to this Aunty.” Aunt Chen threw him a glance, obviously not believing a word he had said. “I saw that you came alone and live alone, you don’t seem like you’re married. Alright this Aunty won’t force you, but if one day a girl does catch your eye you must remember to tell me in advance. This Aunty’ll help you out when the time comes!”
Having said all she wanted to say, Aunt Chen held the jug in her hand and swiftly hurried back. The liquor shop owner smiled as he looked at her back, he then packed up the shop’s goods and went out the door as well.
Creak–
The wooden door of the courtyard was pushed open from the outside, and the light fragrance of pine and bamboo assaulted his senses. Trees and flowers were planted in the yard, looking lush and verdant. The wine shop owner walked along the stone road until he reached a pavilion.
In the pavilion, a person in red reclined against a pillar sound asleep. His figure looked slender and graceful, his black hair was loosely draped over his shoulders, and his curved neck and white skin could be vaguely seen between the strands of fine hair. His face could not be seen, yet his beauty could still steal one’s soul.
The shop owner’s steps were light and his actions patient. He took the quilt placed aside then was about to cover the man when he saw him open his eyes and furrow his brows.
“Sleeping outside like this… what if you catch a cold?”
“Lian di, you’re back.”
Yang Lianting helplessly looked at Dongfang Bubai who had fallen asleep in the pavilion. Because he woke up a moment ago, Dongfang Bubai looked a little lazy and languid. Taking hold of Yang Lianting’s hand, he pulled him towards himself and softly leaned against the man’s chest. Closing his eyes slightly, he first yawned then leisurely said, “Since taking Ping Yizhi’s medicine, I’ve been feeling sleepy–”
“Taking that medicine is a must.” Yang Lianting lowered his head and kissed Dongfang Bubai’s forehead, then reached out to fully cover him with the quilt. “Since cultivating the Sunflower Manual, potent cold poison had been accumulated in your whole body. Now that Ping Yizhi finally came up with a treatment, you must take your medicine.”
“I know.” Dongfang Bubai raised his head and looked at him with a clear and light smile. “What about today’s business in the liquor shop, did it go well?”
“Everything went smoothly.” Yang Lianting softly kissed his eyelids and asked, “If you’re hungry, I’ll cook anything you like to eat for dinner.”
“I’ll listen to Lian di.” Dongfang Bubai was still as lazy and languid as before. Enjoying their tender intimacy very much, he leaned against Yang Lianting and snuggled up to him. Reluctant to leave his warmth. “Lian di, how long have we been here?”
“Over half a month.” Yang Lianting looked at the deep black shadows under Dongfang Bubai’s closed eyelids, the look in his eyes softened and he quietly said, “When I’m together with you, I always think that time passes in the blink of an eye.”
“Today, Aunt Chen came by to buy wine again, she asked me why I close up shop early every day. I told her there’s someone waiting for me at home, but she didn’t believe me.”
Dongfang Bubai raised his head and looked at Yang Lianting, his fair neck gracefully curving as he kissed Yang Lianting’s lips with a beautiful smile “Yes, you must remember that I’m waiting for you at home.”
“Did you feel bored staying here the entire day?”
“I felt dizzy after drinking that medicine, but I wasn’t bored.” Dongfang Bubai smiled, “Besides, I used to stay in a cavern for months when I went into seclusion on the back of the cliff…”
Gazing at Yang Lianting, he said after a pause, “Waiting for you to return home feels nice, I like it very much.”
In the evening.
Dongfang Bubai preferred light and lean dishes, so the meals Yang Lianting prepared always suited his taste. This evening, he cooked freshly caught crucian carp together with tofu over a low fire until it turned into a thick white fish soup, prepared a green bamboo shoot salad and two stir-fried side dishes. Both of them were eating the tasty dishes, when they suddenly heard someone call for Yang Lianting outside.
Dongfang Bubai looked at Yang Lianting with knit eyebrows then doubtfully glanced outside, yet Yang Lianting continued to ladle a bowl of soup. He removed the oil floating on the surface of the soup and lightly blew on it to cool down, before he served it to Dongfang Bubai. Only after he handed him the bowl did he stand up. “I’ll go out and take a look.”
Outside the courtyard’s door stood a shy girl. Surnamed Li, she often accompanied her father to the liquor shop to have a cup or two to drink. Yang Lianting had met her several times. Seeing her standing outside, Yang Lianting opened the door but did not let her past himself. The smile on his face was measured, neither close nor distant. He politely asked in a low voice, “Miss Li, did something happen?”
“Ah…” The girl blushed instantly and stretched out her hand tightly holding a basket to Yang Lianting. “My dad said he likes drinking your wine. Today we dug up some fresh bamboo shoots and mushrooms in the mountains. I was asked to bring them over to you. Brother Yang, have a taste and see if they’re delicious–”
Noticing the girl’s red cheeks and her eyes that didn’t dare to look directly at him, Yang Lianting lightly coughed and thought about his reply. Before he could speak up, he noticed Dongfang Bubai walk out the house and reach out to take the woven basket Miss Li was handing over.
Miss Li was surprised by his sudden appearance. She opened her mouth slightly and stared at Dongfang Bubai.
Dongfang was very good-looking, he had always sat in a high position and his character and appearance were regal. Even if his indifference, which kept everyone at a distance of a thousand li, had faded faintly after being together with Yang Lianting, he still possessed the presence of a banished immortal, a presence which rural folks had never faced.
“Thank you.” Dongfang Bubai glanced at the bamboo shoots and mushrooms in the basket, then looked at the girl and blankly asked her, “We’re eating dinner, do you want to come in and eat together with us?”
“No, no need…” The girl returned to her senses in an instant, her face flushed bright red and she waved her hands as she shyly glanced at Dongfang Bubai. Lastly, her line of sight fell on Yang Lianting and, as if she were afraid Dongfang Bubai would hear, the girl hesitated for ages while twisting her fingers then opened her mouth to quietly and bashfully say, “Brother Yang, you must remember to eat them soon. These’re fresh mountain vegetables that won’t taste as good after a few days.”
“If… if you don’t know how to cook them, I’ll tell you when I come by the liquor shop tomorrow to buy wine.”
“Fine, fine… I… I’m going back…”
The girl quickly turned and ran away without looking back.
Looking at her back, Yang Lianting laughed involuntarily.
Dongfang Bubai still held onto the basket filled with bamboo shoots and mushrooms from the mountain, he quietly glanced at Yang Lianting then at the things in the basket and pursed his lips. Placing the basket down, he turned to walk back into the house.
“Dongfang, Dongfang–”
Yang Lianting followed behind him, while calling out to him several times, but Dongfang Bubai pretended not to hear a word he said. Once Yang Lianting could not bear it any longer, he took hold of the person’s hand and grabbed his shoulder with his other hand to force him to turn around.
“What’s wrong?” Yang Lianting softly smiled, the look in his eyes gentle and honest. “Upset?”
Dongfang Bubai glanced at him, then frowned, “The smell of powder and rouge on that girl is too heavy, I dislike it.” Pausing for a moment, he continued, “I dislike the way she looks at you.”
Seeing his tense expression, Yang Lianting’s heart softened. The look in his eyes turned gentler and he lightly laughed, before he opened his mouth to say, “That girl often comes to the liquor shop with her dad to buy wine, I only know that she’s surnamed Li.” Lips curving upward, he asked, “Jealous?”
Yang Lianting’s smile deepened, “If you’re upset because of that basket with mountain vegetables–”
“I was about to refuse, of course.”
“It’d be a waste not to eat this token of appreciation for you.” Dongfang Bubai snorted lightly and threw him a glance. Staying silent for a long time, he finally opened his mouth to softly state, “In truth I know you won’t like another, I also know you’d reject that girl.”
“Today, Aunt Chen told me she’d take care of my wedding.” Yang Lianting chuckled and, holding onto Dongfang’s hand, he pulled him toward himself. “Then, I refused and said that I am already married.”
“If in the past–” Dongfang Bubai halted, “another even dared to look at you with such eyes, I’d long have–”
Halfway through speaking, Dongfang Bubai started laughing at himself. Shaking his head lightly he pursed his lips and looked at Yang Lianting, “Lian di, it’s normal for another to like you.”
“The Holy Cult’s affairs are well-managed by you, there’s no lack of people, from the highest to the lowest, who submit to you Chief Steward Yang sincerely and willingly, and there’s been no renewed conflict between us and those famed righteous sects.”
“You helped Ping Yizhi develop a medicine against my cold poison.” Gold flowed through and filled Dongfang Bubai’s eyes, he gently leaned against Yang Lianting’s chest and softly smiled a content and happy smile. His light breath lingered against the side of Yang Lianting’s ear like a quietly sung song. “Truthfully, my Lian di is so outstanding, it’s only normal for another to like you.”
Yang Lianting smiled, lowered his head, and tenderly stroked Dongfang Bubai’s hair. “It’s a pity, but I have only eyes for one person in this life.”
Listening to him, Dongfang Bubai suddenly lifted his head to meet Yang Lianting’s eyes. “Lian di, that Miss Li, did you think she looked nice in that dress?”
Looked nice? Yang Lianting frowned, what had Miss Li worn just now? He had not paid this any attention, but she might have worn a cotton skirt.