Chapter Eighty-Two: Miss Qin, Fierce as a Flood or Beast

The proposal put forth by Liu Qin at the academy—to hold lessons for five days and rest for one—was approved. Thus, on their day of rest, Liu Qin and the others generally stayed at the shop. Liu Qin, Jiang Li, and Xiao Wu kept out of sight, remaining in the private room, while the others helped out in the store. Fang Nuo had no complaints about Liu Qin or Jiang Li, but his grievances against Xiao Wu were considerable. At last, unable to hold back, he pulled Liu Qin aside to whisper his discontent.

“Young Master, why does Xiao Wu get away with doing nothing, and we still have to call him Second Young Master? What makes him worthy of that title?” Fang Nuo grumbled, “He does nothing all day except wear that cold expression. What else can he do?”

Was this an internal conflict arising from an uneven division of labor? Liu Qin blinked; she suspected Fang Nuo was not alone in his discontent. Though Xiao Wu had changed somewhat, it was only apparent to Liu Qin. Fang Nuo and the others had never warmed to Xiao Wu; with a temperament like his, the mere absence of violence was already a peaceful coexistence. There was no hope for any further intimacy, nor did Fang Nuo and the others have the inclination to curry favor with someone so cold.

Liu Qin had anticipated this. Like soothing a child, she patted Fang Nuo’s shoulder and offered the words she had prepared long before. “It's only out of respect for our master. After all, Xiao Wu is still our senior, Jiang Li’s and mine. We ought to look after him a little. You're kindhearted, Ah Nuo; don't let it trouble you. It’s only an empty title and means nothing. I know you've been working the hardest lately—because you’re so capable. Even if Xiao Wu wanted to help, he wouldn't be able to do much.”

Soothed by Liu Qin’s words, especially her praise of his hard work and ability, Fang Nuo’s heart bloomed like a flower, sweetness filling his thoughts. Squinting and grinning, his usually sly features softened into a rather simple smile. He nodded, “I’ll do as you say, Young Master. I’ll get back to work, then.”

With a spring in his step, Fang Nuo returned to the main hall, more eager than ever to serve Liu Qin.

Suppressing a laugh behind her hand, Liu Qin stole a glance at the door curtain, which rose and fell again, letting in a cool breeze—and carrying her mischievous smile into the corner of someone's sight.

Standing by the window, Xiao Wu, who appeared to be watching the courtyard, couldn't help but crack a smile. Liu Qin and Fang Nuo thought their whispers were discreet, but not a word escaped his ears. After years of martial training, both his sight and hearing far surpassed ordinary people. In such a small room, he could easily hear even the buzz of a mosquito, let alone human speech.

Though Liu Qin’s words had not particularly defended him, Xiao Wu could sense her intentions. That little girl was always mindful of his feelings, always trying to draw him into her circle, never letting him feel alone.

Second Young Master—the title meant nothing to him. Whether they called him Xiao Wu or anything else made no difference. Yet, from her lips, the title seemed to carry greater weight, as though it brought him closer to her, as though he held a place in her heart.

If this were how his life was to be from now on, perhaps it was not so bad after all.

A sudden thought startled Xiao Wu, making him alert. When had he grown so lax? Had he forgotten that searing, unforgettable hatred?

No, he must not forget. How could he forget the moment his mother, hands stained with blood, desperately pushed him away? How could he forget his father's anguished howl as he died? How could he forget the home of his childhood, awash in blood and flames, burning for three days before a torrential rain extinguished it, as he knelt in the mire, swearing a solemn oath, tears and rain indistinguishable on his face?

At this, Xiao Wu clenched his fists and pressed his lips together, his face and eyes once more taking on that forbidding, icy hardness.

Liu Qin had no idea that, in but a fleeting instant, Xiao Wu had closed himself off again, casting aside all her days of effort as one would discard a worn shoe. In fact, he now regarded her as a threat, resolved to ignore her completely.

Meanwhile, Liu Qin had already kicked off her shoes and climbed onto the couch, stretching languidly beside Jiang Li. Leaning against the armrest, Jiang Li smiled at her over his book, then returned his gaze to the page.

Liu Qin narrowed her eyes in contentment, rolled twice on the couch, and, remembering Xiao Wu, waved toward the window. “Brother Xiao Wu, don’t just stand there—it’s tiring. Come rest on the couch for a while.”

No reply came; nor did she hear footsteps. Raising her head, Liu Qin saw Xiao Wu still standing motionless by the window, his back to her, an aura of chill emanating from him just as it had when they first met. What was going on? Liu Qin rubbed her eyes, puzzled as to how she had offended him again.

Never mind him, she thought, flopping back onto the couch. Xiao Wu’s hot-and-cold moods were nothing new to her—more cold than warm, in fact—so she had long since ceased to be surprised.

She had scarcely lain down when Fang Nuo, who had just left, returned, entering the room full of grievances. “What kind of person does he think he is? Just a servant, yet he acts like a lord! If not for the fact that he’s from the Liu family, who would bother with him?”

Liu Qin sat up, blinking in confusion at Fang Nuo’s indignation, while Jiang Li set aside his book, straightening to regard Fang Nuo with calm eyes.

Before Liu Qin could ask, Chang Sheng, who had followed Fang Nuo in, explained, “Young Master, Sir, he’s from the Fifth Master’s household—he came to the shop to order wine for the Fourth Master’s wedding banquet.”

He curled his lip in disdain. “Who knows how the Fifth Master’s house raises their servants? This one puts on more airs than the masters of other families! You should have heard him—always going on about his master and the Fang family, acting as if his master were about to be appointed to serve at the emperor’s side. He even threatened that if us commoners didn’t serve him properly, he’d have our shop closed down with a single word.”

At this, Liu Qin recalled that her fifth great-uncle’s family was soon to celebrate a wedding. She remembered vaguely that the event was set for the end of the month and that preparations in their household must be well underway. By now, ordering wine seemed a bit last-minute—likely a decision made upon hearing of the shop’s good reputation.

Hearing of the servant’s insolence, Liu Qin felt a surge of anger. Thinking further of her fifth great-uncle’s family clinging to the Fang family, putting on airs as though their newfound fortune elevated even their servants, she couldn’t help but shake her head. Such a family, she thought, had thoroughly squandered the Liu family’s good name. Did they realize, she wondered, how fleeting such borrowed glory could be?

Noticing Liu Qin’s expression, Chang Sheng asked cautiously, “Young Master, shall we sell to them or not?”

“No. Who cares who they are, we just won’t sell. Let’s see what they can do about it,” Fang Nuo declared hotly, still fuming from the servant’s words.

Looking at Fang Nuo’s puffed-up anger, Liu Qin had to admit he looked rather comely. If dressed in women’s clothes and styled with a girl’s hair, he would probably be quite pretty. The thought made her smile crookedly, dispelling the last traces of annoyance from her heart.