Chapter 05: Going to Wash the Horse Together

Very soon, Huo Qingshan’s horse was surrounded by a group of mud-covered little monkeys, leaving him unable to take a single step.

In the children’s eyes, he was just the sweet candy that Sister Fairy would give them to eat.

Huo Qingshan had no choice but to dismount, trying to keep both his expression and tone as gentle as possible. “What is all this about?”

One of the little mud monkeys replied righteously, “Waiting for candy!”

Huo Qingshan showed a trace of helplessness on his face. “I was in a hurry coming back, so I didn’t buy any candy. How about next time?”

The children shook their heads. “We don’t need you to give it, Sister Fairy will!” They were brimming with pride.

Huo Qingshan: “…”

Then he saw a commotion coming from the direction of the Educated Youth Point. Another group of mud-covered little monkeys were crowding around a slender, graceful young girl as she emerged. She wore a long-sleeved dress of pale green scattered with tiny white flowers, her slender, well-proportioned calves wrapped in long white nylon stockings, and on her feet was a pair of white leather shoes. She floated toward them like a light cloud.

As fresh and refined as an elegant little flower, she instantly lit up the dull, dreary country dirt road.

Soft morning light spilled down as the breathtakingly beautiful young girl opened a small flower-patterned parasol. With each step as if blooming lotuses beneath her feet and her skirt carrying a faint fragrance, she walked up to him. Tilting her little floral parasol slightly, she revealed a bright, clean, and beautiful face, and gave him a charming smile. “Huo Qingshan, you’re back.”

Her voice was like the melodious song of an oriole, soft and pleasant to the ear, making one’s entire ear and even the mind tingle.

The mud monkeys shouted excitedly, “Ooooh, candy time, wedding candy time!”

Lin Yingying covered her mouth and chuckled lightly, not shy in the slightest. She reached into her own small handbag and scooped out candy, three pieces for each child. Only when the bulging belly of her handbag was emptied did she stop.

She smiled sweeter than the candy itself. “I’ll make up for the story later, alright~”

The mud monkeys all pledged their loyalty. “Sister Fairy, from now on we’ll help you keep an eye on Huo Qingshan!”

Lin Yingying waved to them, then turned to face Huo Qingshan. Her expression held a touch of shyness, yet her playful gaze carried a hint of arrogance.

See? You tried to avoid me, but didn’t I still catch you?

Huo Qingshan’s face was stern, his eyes cool as he looked at her, a little uncertain if this confident and high-spirited young lady before him was the same girl who had trembled in his arms like a quail.

Lin Yingying asked, “Shall we go see your mother first, or go file the application to get the marriage certificate first?”

Huo Qingshan’s handsome eyes narrowed slightly. Yes, that blunt and bold tone was unmistakably hers.

He cleared his throat and tried to soften his voice. “Did the brigade leader explain it to you?”

Lin Yingying nodded, then said playfully, “What, you thought I’d be frightened by ignorant superstition? That’s nothing more than far-fetched nonsense without any scientific basis. You’re twenty-three now. In these twenty-three years, how many young women have died? If people arbitrarily make connections, they could link any of them to you and claim you ‘brought about’ their deaths, couldn’t they?”

Huo Qingshan’s eyes lifted slightly at her words. Naturally, he didn’t believe it himself, but he couldn’t be bothered to deal with it.

Lin Yingying pressed on. “Besides, those women who were once in marriage talks with you didn’t all die, did they? If there’s really scientific evidence for you bringing misfortune to your wife, then they’d all have to be dead for it to count, right? Don’t you think so?”

Huo Qingshan lowered his gaze to look at her and said lightly, “You’re not afraid?”

Holding her little floral parasol, Lin Yingying straightened her chest proudly. “Of course not! Other than being afraid of hardship, afraid of tiring myself out, and afraid of the sun, I, Lin Yingying, have never feared anything since I was a child!”

Look at how proud she was.

When Huo Qingshan’s gaze happened to fall on her beautifully lifted chest, it was as if he had been scalded, and he quickly looked away, his eyes seeming to burn with an inner fire.

Lin Yingying let out a delicate laugh and said playfully, “Not only am I not afraid, I’m certain someone deliberately spread those rumors. I’ll just track them down later.”

Huo Qingshan couldn’t tell whether she was naïvely innocent or willfully spoiled. He spoke slowly, “Marriage is a lifelong matter. It cannot be taken lightly. You should still report properly to your parents.”

Lin Yingying’s peach blossom eyes lit up, her long, curled lashes fluttering as she said slyly, “Oh, so you also want to marry me, don’t you?”

Huo Qingshan: “…” When had he ever said he wanted to marry her?

Lin Yingying continued, “If you don’t want to marry me, just say so directly. Do you want me to report properly to my parents because you’re afraid they’ll get angry with me? Don’t worry. Marriage freedom is being promoted now. My parents are very open-minded. They never interfere in my brothers’ marriages, so naturally they won’t interfere in mine. Whoever I like, they’ll like too. And since you saved me, they’ll only like you even more.”

As she spoke, she leaned a little closer to him. Catching the fresh, pleasant scent on his body, her mood grew even brighter.

Her hidden ailment now had hope of being cured—worthy of song and tears—time to drink three big bowls in celebration!

The veins at Huo Qingshan’s temple bulged as he gave her a direct answer. “I don’t want to marry you.”

He didn’t mount his horse again, but simply led it home on foot.

Lin Yingying followed after him.

His stride was long, each of his steps equal to three of hers, and before long she was panting from trying to keep up.

Seeing the distance between them growing, Miss Lin simply resorted to acting spoiled and willful. “Brother Qingshan~~ my heart says it was scared to death yesterday, and it’s still twitching even now. It says it only feels better when it sees you. How can you bully it like this?”

She squatted there rubbing her ankle, tilting her head up and pouting in complaint at him. In her bright, peach blossom eyes—whether naturally moist or brimming with tears—it was impossible to tell, but they carried an indescribable mix of coyness and charm, beautiful and captivating.

She was a proud peacock, and within that pride was a softness and playfulness. She was not the overbearing, unreasonable type, and could easily stir up a deep desire in others to protect her.

Huo Qingshan turned back and only gave her a glance before tightening his grip on the reins. He was about to turn and leave without mercy, yet in her eyes he caught a glimmer of moisture. A teardrop, as large as a bean, slipped from her curled lashes. She looked so fragile and pitiful that it was as if something had nailed his feet to the ground.

He took a deep breath and said coolly, “You’re so delicate. I’m not suitable for you.”

Lin Yingying bit her lip lightly. He hadn’t said “you’re delicate and not suitable for me,” but rather “you’re delicate, I’m not suitable for you.” See? The man she had chosen was such a good one, so considerate!

She stood up, her little leather shoes tapping briskly as she ran to stand in front of him. With a proud, stubborn air, she said, “You’re being sexist, and that’s making a mistake. The Great Leader said that women hold up half the sky. We cannot divide revolutionary spirit by gender, nor can we distinguish it by physical strength. We must look beyond the appearance to see the essence.”

Huo Qingshan frowned. “Which speech was that from?”

Lin Yingying straightened her chest, lifting her delicate, beautiful face in challenge to him. “He said it, all right! Who’s read more books, you or me? Are you trying to show off your learning to me? Want me to start from Das Kapital^[1]Das Kapital (Capital: Critique of Political Economy) is a foundational work of political economy written by Karl Marx in the 19th century. It analyzes the capitalist system, focusing on the … Continue reading?”

Huo Qingshan shut his mouth, turned, and silently walked ahead. Instead of going through the entire village to get home, he headed to the quieter riverside to brush down his horse.

Best to make things clear with her as soon as possible so she wouldn’t keep pestering him.

Lin Yingying walked beside him like a victorious general, her steps light and cheerful. Her stride was small and her strength slight, so she walked slowly. While he wouldn’t shorten his stride to match hers, he would take two steps and then stop for a moment, allowing her to catch up.

She was laughing inwardly—this man looked cold and unyielding, his gaze sharp enough to intimidate, yet his heart was soft.

Heh heh.

She jogged two steps to catch up to him, even lifting her little floral parasol high to try to bring him into its shade. But he was so tall—probably a full meter ninety in shoes—that even when she stood on tiptoe, the parasol could only bump against his head.

It almost seemed like she was deliberately trying to hit him.

Huo Qingshan: “…”

He immediately sidestepped a little, but she refused to give up and kept trying to shade him with the parasol. As long as he didn’t run far and stayed within her range, she was determined to pester him.

She was so soft and delicate that he simply couldn’t bring himself to be harsh with her. He let out an almost imperceptible sigh and, as if accepting his fate, reached out to take her little floral parasol and hold it over her himself.

The morning sunlight was perfectly pleasant, yet she insisted on carrying an umbrella. Too delicate to hold it for long, she tired herself out, and he couldn’t understand what she was getting out of it.

Seeing how attentive he was, Lin Yingying became even more delighted. She cupped her face in her hands, smiling so widely her shoulders shook, then slowly leaned her shoulder over to nudge him.

She missed him once, and again the next time. Huo Qingshan kept a steady distance of a foot and a half between them.

Lin Yingying shot him a reproachful glance. Wooden block! Hmph, forget it—sooner or later, you’ll be mine anyway!

From childhood to now, anything or anyone Miss Lin set her eyes on had never slipped through her fingers. If she didn’t want it, that was one thing, but if she wanted it, there was nothing she couldn’t get. That was how bold she was!

She breathed in the fresh, clean scent on him and felt refreshed and delighted, while Huo Qingshan, catching the unique fragrance coming from her, tensed all over, every nerve on edge.

By the time they reached the riverside, the sun had climbed to the treetops, casting a glittering light across the rippling water. The willows swayed gracefully, geese and ducks gathered in flocks, and the water plants along the bank were fresh and vividly green, a scene that made one’s heart feel clear and at ease.

Lin Yingying took a deep breath of the fresh, moist air. “I like this kind of beautiful pastoral scenery.”

Huo Qingshan said, “You should be out cutting wheat.”

The corners of Lin Yingying’s lips lifted. How could this man be so adorable? He had no way of dealing with her, yet still didn’t dare be harsh, only able to quietly spar with her in words.

Seeing Huo Qingshan removing the saddle from the black stallion, she walked over to continue their verbal sparring. “I admit I’m not strong, I’m afraid of the sun, and I can’t cut wheat. But people’s value isn’t the same. Some are good at cutting wheat, and some are good at doing other things.”

Huo Qingshan glanced at her and, wisely, didn’t respond. After all, he could never win an argument with her. If she felt she was in the right, she might just start shedding tears while accusing him. Still, in his heart he muttered: you’re good at bullying people.

Lin Yingying tilted her head and eyed him. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Is it because you think I make a lot of sense?”

Huo Qingshan silently nodded. Sense is afraid of you too.

Seeing him being so obedient, Lin Yingying said with a smile, “I’ll help you brush the horse, so you can see that even a delicate woman can have a capable side.”

She lifted her foot and kicked off her shoes, then gathered up her skirt to begin taking off her stockings.

Beside her, Huo Qingshan quickly turned his back, afraid he might catch sight of something he shouldn’t.

After taking off her stockings, Lin Yingying hitched her skirt higher, lifting the hem to her knees and tying it in place with the skirt’s sash, revealing a pair of snow-white, slender legs.

Huo Qingshan didn’t dare let his gaze drop any lower, as if something there might sting his eyes. Even his breathing grew as heavy as the black horse’s. He quickly set the saddle aside, removed the side bags and satchel and placed them down as well, then pulled a brush from the side bag. Giving the horse’s hindquarters a pat, he guided it into the water and followed to brush its back.

Feeling spirited, Lin Yingying tossed aside her little floral parasol and splashed into the water with a kick-kick of her feet. “Ah—this water is so cold!” The moment she stepped in, she jumped in surprise, shivering involuntarily.

Although it was already close to the Dragon Boat Festival and the daytime temperature was high, the ground’s warmth had not built up that quickly. It was still morning, so the river water was naturally colder.

Huo Qingshan didn’t dare look toward the section of the river where she was, and said evenly, “The water is cold in the morning. You should get out.”

Lin Yingying lifted her chin. “No, I’m going to help you brush the horse!”

She slowly made her way toward him. In the shallows, the riverbed was covered with smooth pebbles that were slippery underfoot and pressed uncomfortably against the soles. She accidentally stepped on one with a sharp edge, and the stab of pain made her cry out, “Ow, ow, ow, that hurts!” Tears nearly sprang to her eyes.

She couldn’t help but give a little jump, wanting to lift her foot to rub it.

Huo Qingshan’s expression changed. “Don’t move!”

Before he could finish speaking, Lin Yingying had already lost her balance, her body pitching forward into the water.

Huo Qingshan slid a step to the side and swiftly reached out his arm to block her.

When the girl’s soft chest collided with his forearm, a loud buzz went off in Huo Qingshan’s head. He had originally intended to ease his strength and steady her, but now he froze completely, not daring to move at all.