Chapter 22: I Don’t Want to Leave

The two of them returned to Hemiao’s house together. 

The little girl went to grab a bowl for rice, while the man used a rag to wipe the water off the wet stool. Noticing that the rough surface of the stool was still damp, he went back inside to fetch a cushion to place on it, separating the coolness and moisture. 

Hemiao turned around, carrying the bowl, and when she saw Ah Xun’s thoughtful preparation, she was momentarily taken aback, saying, “Why is it that I have a cushion and you don’t?” 

The man took the bowl from her hand and set it on the table, replying, “I’m a man; it doesn’t matter.” 

There were only two cushions in Hemiao’s house, and the stool was wet. Using a cushion might absorb the moisture, which made Ah Xun think that as a man, it wasn’t necessary for him to use one. 

“Then that won’t do.” Hemiao turned back to her room and brought out another cushion, placing it behind Ah Xun on the damp stool. With a hint of displeasure, she scolded him gently, saying, “You’re still recovering from a serious injury, and you got wet last night in the rain. You should pay more attention to your health, especially since I saved your life! I already told you this yesterday; why haven’t you learned your lesson?” 

Seeing the little girl puffing her cheeks with a serious expression, her skin so fair and smooth, looking all innocent, stirred something in the man’s heart. He almost reached out to pinch her cheek. 

However, he ultimately held back, smiling and shaking his head. “Alright, I’ll listen to you. I’ll take better care of myself from now on and will definitely not let down your kindness, little girl Miao.” 

“That’s more like it!” Hemiao’s face brightened, breaking into a smile at last. 

But as she recalled yesterday’s events, her heart trembled, causing her some discomfort. She shot him a glare and said, “Eat quickly. You should eat more at this time, since it’s already nearly noon, and I don’t want to cook again for lunch.” 

In reality, if it weren’t for Ah Xun needing to recover and eat multiple meals, most households in the village only prepared two meals a day. 

The man said softly, “If you don’t want to cook, then I’ll cook.” 

“Huh?” Hemiao blinked her big eyes in disbelief while she was spooning porridge into her mouth. “Just by looking at you, I can guess that you’ve probably never cooked before, and now you surely won’t know how!” 

“No one is born knowing everything. If you don’t know how, you can teach me, and I’ll cook for you in the future.” 

Although he spoke earnestly, Hemiao found it hard to believe. Moreover, if he found his family, he would leave… 

Thinking this way, Hemiao felt a bit sad. “Maybe it’s better not to. Cooking isn’t easy to learn, and besides, you might leave soon. What’s the point of learning?” 

Ah Xun furrowed his brows slightly, then fell silent for a long time. The atmosphere turned heavy, only the sounds of chirping birds and the rustling leaves in the wind could be heard. 

As they were finishing their meal, the man finally spoke his heart out after much thought. “Miao, I don’t want to leave.” 

He knew that Hemiao had her own bottom line. He understood that he shouldn’t say such things while his identity was still uncertain. He had previously upset her, but he couldn’t help but voice his feelings. 

He always reminded himself that Hemiao was young, had her marriage annulled, and wasn’t very bold when it came to emotions. He knew he shouldn’t put too much pressure on her or push her too hard. 

Whenever he was alone, he could think clearly. But once he saw Hemiao smile or heard her speak, the desire to hold her tightly by his side would become impossible to suppress. 

Hemiao nervously gripped her chopsticks but ignored the man’s words, silently getting up to clear the bowls, only to have them taken from her by the man. 

“I’ll wash the dishes; you go rest in your room.” 

Hemiao paused for a moment without saying anything before turning back to her bedroom. 

Ah Xun’s multiple straightforward or indirect confessions left her with mixed feelings: both joy and worry, sweetness and bitterness.

Now, however, concern outweighed joy, and bitterness outweighed sweetness. 

On the day they were set to depart for Pingzhou, before dawn, Hemiao woke up to make pancakes that would keep for several days without spoiling. 

Their trip to Pingzhou would take about five days in total. Prices in the city would be somewhat higher, so it was important to save money for crucial expenses and to try to be frugal with food. 

Ah Xun also got up before dawn to help Hemiao prepare the pancakes. 

The fragrant pancakes came out of the pan, and before they could leave, Ah Xun had already eaten a couple with some pickles, which were truly crispy and delicious. 

Hemiao had a small appetite, and since the pancakes were large, she only cut half to eat. 

After letting the pancakes cool, she wrapped them in clean cloths and also packed a jar of pickled vegetables along with the other prepared luggage to gather at He Shun’s house. 

Zhang Guihua had also made some fried radish dumplings to take with them on the road. When they arrived, He Shun was not at home, and from what Xiang Xiang said, he had gone to the village head’s house to borrow an ox cart. 

The journey from Xixi Village to Pingzhou would take five or six hours by cart. With two young girls in their group, they would need the ox cart for the return journey and couldn’t just rely on walking. 

Therefore, He Shun had informed the village head two days in advance that they would be renting an ox cart today. 

They waited in He Shun’s courtyard for a short while when they heard the jingling of the cowbell outside. Everyone grabbed their bags to head out and saw Bai Shu sitting in the ox cart. 

“You, you’re here as well?” When Hecang Xiang saw her, she felt a bit displeased. Could she be going to Pingzhou too? As soon as she thought of that, her excitement faded by three points. 

Hecang Xiang didn’t particularly like Bai Shu. Although the two of them had little interaction and no conflicts, she felt an inexplicable dislike for her, sensing that Bai Shu wasn’t sincere enough and was a bit fake. 

Hemiao gently tugged on Hecang Xiang’s sleeve as if to comfort her. She then asked, “Sister Shu, are you joining us to Pingzhou?” 

She knew that Xiang Xiang didn’t like Bai Shu, but they still had to maintain a cordial face. 

“Little sisters Miao and Xiang, I’m going back to Donghu County. Since you’re going to Pingzhou, I thought I’d ask for a ride with you. Would you mind?” 

“Of course not. Sister Shu’s ox cart definitely has room for you to sit,” Hemiao replied with a smile. 

“Ah, ah, that’s true. My father has already rented the cart these past few days. Sister Shu, do you need to pay for the ride?” 

According to the rules, villagers who ride on someone else’s cart indeed had to pay a corresponding fee based on the distance traveled. 

“…” Bai Shu felt a bit embarrassed, mumbling and not knowing what to say, “Well, this, this…” 

“Stop arguing so much and hurry up and load the cart. Don’t waste any more time,” He Shun said to his daughter. 

Actually, He Shun knew this morning when he went to pick up the ox cart that Bai Shu intended to hitch a ride back to Donghu County. 

It wasn’t a big deal, but it simply added another person to the cart, and he was worried that it would slow down the speed of the ox cart. He aimed to rush out as soon as possible to reach Pingzhou before nightfall. 

After loading all the luggage onto the cart, everyone gradually climbed aboard. Ah Xun took the initiative to drive the cart while the others sat in the back. 

As the ox cart advanced, Xixi Village gradually disappeared behind them. The journey was long, which made it inevitably dull, so the few of them sitting in the cart began to chat.