Chapter 19: I Like You

Miao Miao and the others didn’t quite understand, but He Shun, being a doctor and having traveled and seen the world, did. He noticed how Ah Xun sat upright, held his chopsticks with care, and ate his food deliberately. Each bite of food carefully measured, he chewed with his lips closed, making no sounds. He didn’t let his chopsticks collide with the bowls and dishes, and he only picked the dishes right in front of him, not choosing his favorites.

Moreover, there was his attire, its fabric and style, and his skills in catching mountain chickens and fishing. There was no way he could have such skillful and precise movements without some background or a master’s training.

He Shun was sure that this person was not ordinary; it would not be surprising if he came from a prestigious family.

When everyone had nearly finished eating, He Shun put down his chopsticks and tapped the table with his fingers. “Are we all done eating? I have something to say.”

Xiangxiang swallowed a large mouthful of food and said, “Dad, I—I haven’t finished yet…”

“Eat after you speak,” He Shun replied.

“Oh…”

Miao Miao set down her chopsticks and asked, “Uncle, what is it?”

He Shun first asked, “Ah Xun, now that your injury has healed, do you feel any discomfort?”

Ah Xun shook his head. “No, thank you, Uncle Shun, for your care.”

“Do you remember anything from before?”

Ah Xun again shook his head. “No.”

He Shun continued, “Miao Miao, prepare yourself. In three days, I plan to take Ah Xun to Pingzhou City and ask a friend at the government office to help find out about his identity.”

Miao Miao’s heart seemed to skip a beat, but she had already anticipated this day and had been preparing for it. “Uncle, I want to go with you.”

“Alright, that works.”

“Dad, Dad, I also want to go!” Xiangxiang chimed in.

He Shun agreed. It was a rare opportunity to go to Pingzhou City, and it would be good for the two girls to see the world.

After all, with no clues to go on, they couldn’t make the trip worthless. This village was not close to Pingzhou, requiring a five or six-hour journey by carriage, and they hadn’t gone even once in years. Most villagers, in fact, had never gone in their lives.

Xiangxiang was excited at the prospect of finally going out to see something. She clutched Miao Miao’s hand, nearly bursting with excitement. “Miao Miao, this is great! We can finally go out to play!”

“Yes! We can take those embroidery pieces to sell in Pingzhou, and maybe we can get enough silver to buy lots of food!”

*Cough cough cough.* He Shun reminded them, “The most important purpose of this trip is not for play but to help Ah Xun find out about his background.”

Xiangxiang and Miao Miao momentarily calmed their excitement.

“I won’t go,” Ah Xun said seriously, his voice flat.

“What?” He Shun expressed surprise, but he wasn’t really shocked. “We’re helping you find your identity; how can you not go?”

Ah Xun lowered his head, moving his lips a couple of times, but didn’t say anything.

He Shun analyzed, “You’re not from our village; you’ve been here for almost a month. Aren’t you worried about your family at home? Ah Xun, I know you don’t want to go because you’re concerned about Miao Miao. Even if Miao Miao is willing, without knowing your identity clearly, I can’t let her marry someone whose background is unknown!”

With those words, the atmosphere suddenly fell silent; it was as if a needle could be heard dropping.

Seeing the tense and awkward atmosphere, Xiangxiang tried to lighten the mood. “That’s great! Silly big guy, once you find your family, you can marry Miao Miao!”

“Xiangxiang, you can’t say that…” Miao Miao’s face turned beet red as she explained, “Uncle, Xiangxiang, I never thought about getting married. Right now, the most important thing is helping Ah Xun find his family…”

He Shun nodded in agreement. “Marriage is something to talk about after the family is found!”

He Shun thought about whether Ah Xun was married or if he had concubines and realized he still had no idea. He would rather have Miao Miao marry a simple man from the mountains and live an ordinary life than let her become a concubine.

Thus, their trip to Pingzhou was set for three days later.

After leaving He Shun’s house, both girls seemed a little downcast.

Ah Xun noticed her mood carefully, realizing it was because his feelings of wanting to marry her had just been revealed at the dining table.

Not long ago, he had expressed his feelings once but, fearing to upset her, he had vaguely brushed it aside then. 

Now, with the upcoming trip to Pingzhou and Ah Xun feeling that the truth about his identity might finally be revealed, he wanted to catch Miao Miao and clearly express his feelings to her.

“Miao Miao.” When he reached the gate of Miao Miao’s yard, he stopped and softly called her.

“Huh?” Miao Miao halted too, her hands fiddling nervously with the edge of her clothing.

Ah Xun stepped in front of her, took a deep breath to gather his thoughts and courage, and finally blurted out the words from his heart. 

“Miao Miao, I like you.”

“Ah?!” Miao Miao looked up at him, her eyes filled with surprise and disbelief. “What… what did you say?”

He repeated, “Miao Miao, I like you. I want to marry you and spend my life with you.”

Looking at him, her eyelashes fluttered, her lips parted slightly, and tears began to well up in her eyes. It was as if the chaotic feelings she had been grappling with the past few days suddenly became clear with his confession. 

She realized why she always liked being with him. 

Why she found herself measuring their differences when silently watching him wear his clothes and cap. 

Why she felt a tightness in her heart despite having hope of helping him find his family. 

Why, whenever she relaxed, she couldn’t help but wonder if he had already started a family of his own…

Miao Miao understood; it was because she had fallen in love, and her feelings were hard to contain.

Seeing her silent and her expression hard to read, Ah Xun felt a rush of urgency, as if waiting