Chapter 079
Chapter 79: A Jealous Journey
The carriage rolled along the market street, swaying gently, but inside the air felt tense, like a duel. Wedged between them, Xiao Man looked left at Lin Qing Xuan and right at Tuan Tuan and thought they were both unbelievably childish. A cool, noble Buddha’s Chosen and a lawless Heart Demon were now glaring at each other to “compete for favor.”
Tuan Tuan made the first move. It arched its back and growled low at Lin Qing Xuan, baring its teeth and thinking, sharp as needles: [Why can you, and I can’t!]
Lin Qing Xuan’s brows drew tight as he asked: “What?”
Seeing him play dumb, Tuan Tuan’s whiskers shook with anger as it meowed and ranted in its heart: [Keep pretending!] [Who taught Xiao Man Sutra Copying hand over hand? You did!] [Who licked her fingertip? Also you!] [And those two dreams you had, the things you did, and the way you called her “good sister.” Don’t think I didn’t hear!]
“Shut up!” cried Xiao Man as her face flamed red. She threw herself forward and clapped a hand over the chattering cat’s mouth, her ears burning. If this cat kept spilling secrets, she would die of shame. Lowering her voice in a hot panic, she warned: “If you talk nonsense again, I won’t pat your butt when we get home!”
“Meow~,” sang Tuan Tuan at once, threat fully effective. It went limp and rubbed its head against Xiao Man’s warm palm, then shot Lin Qing Xuan a smug, challenging look that clearly said he had lost.
Lin Qing Xuan’s face went dark, the air around him dropping like a storm as he said coldly: “Not allowed.”
Xiao Man, happily petting the cat, blinked in confusion and asked: “Huh? Not allowed what?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. Those usually calm eyes churned with a feeling hard to read. The tips of his ears flushed red as he forced the words out, slow and heavy, between his teeth: “No butt pats.”
“Pfft,” laughed Xiao Man, unable to help herself. His serious face, twisted with awkward jealousy, made her shoulders shake as she said: “Eldest Grandson Young Master, he’s a cat. Cats love butt pats, pets, and little fish.”
“He isn’t only a cat,” Lin Qing Xuan cut in, gaze sharp on Tuan Tuan as he said: “He is a Heart Demon.”
That set Tuan Tuan off like a spark to dry leaves as it protested in a frenzy: [Meow! Why not! Xiao Man doesn’t belong only to you!]
Lin Qing Xuan narrowed his eyes, a hint of danger in his look as he said: “She is a maid in my yard.”
The words stunned not only Tuan Tuan but also Xiao Man. Tuan Tuan rolled its eyes in its heart, the largest eye roll a cat could do, and thought: [A maid? In your dreams, you didn’t treat her like a maid!]
Xiao Man thought: […] If the cat kept yapping, she was sure Lin Qing Xuan would “purify” both her and the cat on the spot. Her survival instinct kicked in. She grabbed Tuan Tuan by the fateful scruff, stuffed him into the bamboo basket, and snapped the lid shut despite his “meow meow” protests. Peace returned.
She let out a breath, forced a thin smile at Lin Qing Xuan, and said: “Hehe… Buddha’s Chosen, the weather is so nice! Let’s talk about almond custard. Do you like it sweeter or maybe a bit tart…”
Before she could finish, the carriage braked hard. Everything inside lurched forward. Xiao Man lost her balance with a cry and fell straight ahead. In a flash, Lin Qing Xuan dropped his book and caught her around the waist, pulling her into his arms. At the same time, the basket lid banged open and a black streak shot out. Tuan Tuan twisted midair, used the momentum, and smacked a paw right across Lin Qing Xuan’s face with a triumphant “Meow!”
[Serves you right! Stop stealing Xiao Man from me!] it thought.
“Tuan Tuan!” scolded Xiao Man. Braced against Lin Qing Xuan’s chest, she had just calmed down when she saw the alarming scene. This little thing never knew how hard it was hitting. What if it scratched him? She lifted his face in her hands to check. Pale, handsome cheekbones now showed several long red marks.
[Oh no! What if his handsome face is ruined! My eye-candy Buddha’s Chosen!], she thought, fingertips brushing the lines with deep regret.
Every word of that Heart Voice slipped into Lin Qing Xuan’s ears: [Xiao Man said I’m handsome. She said I’m nice to look at.] The thought spun in his mind until nothing else remained. The sting on his cheek vanished under a wave of bright joy as he thought: [Right now, Xiao Man is still in my arms, and she’s holding my face… Happiness. This is happiness.]
“Meow, we’re here, we’re here,” called Tuan Tuan, popping his head from the basket with a dramatic flourish. Outside, Chen Shi’s voice sounded at the right time as he said: “Eldest Grandson Young Master, Miss Xiao Man, we’ve arrived at the market!”
Xiao Man snapped back to herself, cheeks burning as she slipped from Lin Qing Xuan’s arms, smoothed her clothes, and hopped down first. The lively market air rushed in. People flowed past, carts rumbled, hawkers shouted, and laughter and chatter mixed into a warm, busy hum.
Her eyes locked on a sesame cake stall not far away. Golden cakes sizzled on the griddle, and the strong sesame smell made her mouth water. She waved briskly and said: “Boss, four please.” She paid, wrapped the hot cakes in oiled paper, handed one to the Driver and one to Chen Shi, and then offered one to Lin Qing Xuan with shining eyes as she said: “Eldest Grandson Young Master, this smells amazing. Try it.”
He looked at her proud, happy face, and his gaze softened as he took the cake. Just then Chen Shi edged closer, staring at Lin Qing Xuan’s cheek as he said in alarm: “Eldest Grandson Young Master, your face—those red marks…”
Lin Qing Xuan raised the cake, took a bite, and said mildly: “It’s nothing. Where is the general store?”
The Driver pointed deeper into the market and said: “Eldest Grandson Young Master, it should be further in. There are many people. Maybe let Shi Tou and Miss Xiao Man go, and you can wait in the carriage?”
Lin Qing Xuan acted as if he hadn’t heard. He took Xiao Man’s hand and said simply: “Come,” then walked straight into the crowd.
Xiao Man, busy nibbling her sesame cake, squinted with pleasure at the crunch and didn’t pull away. Behind them, Chen Shi stared at the two figures, especially their joined hands, and gaped as he thought: [The Eldest Grandson Young Master is so bold. Broad daylight and all these people. No way. I must tell my parents when we get back!]
Still chewing, Xiao Man spotted a sign at the corner that read “Chen’s General Store,” and her eyes lit up. Only then did she notice her hand was still in Lin Qing Xuan’s. Face warming, she slipped free and went in first. Lin Qing Xuan looked at his empty palm. The soft feeling seemed still there, and his heart felt oddly empty.
The Shopkeeper came forward with a smile and asked: “Miss, what would you like to buy?”
With the last half of her sesame cake stuffed in her mouth, Xiao Man spoke around it and rattled off: “Sweet almonds, sesame, honey, malt syrup, ghee, red dates, plus glutinous rice and flour.” She leaned over the counter to be sure and added: “Boss, make sure you heard me. I want sweet almonds. Don’t give me bitter ones.”
“Got it, don’t worry,” called the Shopkeeper as he started weighing. The Shop Hand tied up each bundle in oiled paper with twine. Sharp-eyed, he saw the tall, refined man beside Xiao Man and, without thinking, shoved the parcels into Lin Qing Xuan’s arms as he said: “Hold these.”
From behind the counter, the Shopkeeper waved and called to Xiao Man: “Miss, have your husband hold everything, and come over here to settle the bill.”
Lin Qing Xuan froze. In his head, everything went silent. Sweet almonds, payment, the noisy market, all faded until only two words echoed over and over as he thought: [Husband!] [Husband!] [He called me her husband?] [I… am Xiao Man’s husband?!] Sheer joy surged to the sky. Hugging a few plain paper bags, his hands shook, and his grin almost reached his ears.
Seeing him loaded down, Chen Shi rushed over and said: “Eldest Grandson Young Master, those are heavy. Let me carry them.” But Lin Qing Xuan twisted away like he was guarding a priceless treasure and shot him a warning look. These were things his “wife” had bought. He had to carry them himself. The Shop Hand, not knowing any of this, saw Lin Qing Xuan already full and cheerfully dumped the last sack of flour into Chen Shi’s arms.
The shopping done, the three left the store. Both Lin Qing Xuan and Chen Shi carried big, heavy bundles. One was light-footed and glowing with joy; the other hugged the flour and questioned life. Only Xiao Man walked empty-handed and carefree. She craned her neck, scanning the crowd for a seller of preserved plums, mumbling in her heart: [Why is there no one selling preserved plums today? They’re sweet and sour. I’m really craving them.] [What a pity. It’s rare for me to come out, and I didn’t get any…]
Lin Qing Xuan’s steps slowed. He turned to Chen Shi and asked out of the blue: “What are preserved plums?”
“Huh?” said Chen Shi, startled. He thought, then answered: “Eldest Grandson Young Master, they’re honeyed plums. Sweet and sour, good for appetite. My mother makes a few jars every year.”
“Then tomorrow,” said Lin Qing Xuan, his tone brooking no refusal, “tell Granny Chen to make a few jars. Xiao Man wants to eat them.”
Chen Shi answered “yes,” waves crashing inside as he thought: [Goodness! The Eldest Grandson Young Master is so thoughtful!] [Miss Xiao Man just said it in passing, and he arranged it right away. He’s holding her on the tip of his heart!]