Chapter 71

If a person is good-looking, they already have an advantage. If they also have a great presence, then they truly have a remarkable advantage. First impressions really matter, and looks are undeniably important. And to think, the “little mountain Taoist” actually looks like this? And he carries himself with such grace? The contrast was so stark that, as everyone took their seats, Ruan’s father and mother couldn’t help but feel a bit taken aback.

At the very least, they felt assured their daughter wasn’t out of her mind. Imagining being rescued by someone like this during a dangerous encounter in the mountains felt straight out of a romance novel. Even at her age, Ruan’s mother found herself… not entirely unsympathetic to the scenario.

“So, I heard Xiao Nian is…” Ruan’s father started, “raised in the mountains?”

“Yes, Nian Qi is an orphan who was adopted by an elderly master at a mountain temple. That old man was the very person my Uncle Qi went looking for years ago—the little Taoist back then…” Ruan Qing jumped in.

“Ruan Qing,” her mother gave her a look. “Let him speak.”

Nian Qi wasn’t intimidated. He knew his background probably fell short of the Ruan family’s ideal son-in-law, but he had faced life and death; as long as he wasn’t about to die, he felt safe. He answered, “It’s just as Ruan Qing described. After my grandpa passed away, I lived alone at the temple and had never left the mountains. Ruan Qing brought me down this time, and I learned a lot. She’s been teaching me many things, and I’ve been catching up by watching educational videos these past few days. Only now do I realize how different life outside really is. I’m doing my best to keep up.”

Nian Qi spoke with a slight accent—a blend of the Lao Mei Valley dialect and a budding grasp of Mandarin. It was as if someone was making an earnest effort to speak Mandarin for the first time, but his enunciation was clear and his pace steady. Unlike Uncle Qi, who spoke so fast that, to Ruan Qing’s ear, it was all a blur of syllables. Ruan’s father, Ruan Aihua, was born in the city, so he could understand the dialect slightly better than his daughter, but not by much.

Ruan Aihua noted, however, that while Nian Qi had an accent, his language was not rustic. Many of the Lao Mei Valley expressions have no equivalent in written Chinese, yet his choice of words felt refined. He commented to Ruan’s mother, “From how Xiao Nian speaks, it doesn’t seem like he’s uneducated.”

Ruan Qing replied, “He hasn’t had any modern education, but that doesn’t mean he’s uneducated. He’s received a traditional education at the temple, writes in traditional characters, and uses a calligraphy brush. Mom, I’m telling you, his handwriting is even better than Dad’s.”

People who had spent time in public service often valued penmanship, especially successful middle-aged businessmen who tended to appreciate calligraphy. Ruan’s father felt slightly competitive. “I’ve practiced for many years.”

“It’s not the same. We learned with hard pens first and only moved on to brush pens later,” Ruan Qing explained. “He’s only ever used a brush—there’s a difference.”

Even Zaojiao would admit his own handwriting wasn’t great. Nian Qi had said the same about Zaojiao’s writing, though in Ruan Qing’s opinion, Zaojiao’s writing was already pretty good. Nian Qi’s, however, was far better. After all, he was able to convincingly pose as a scholar or noble. This was quite unexpected; they had assumed he would be illiterate.

“So, living alone in the mountains, how did you manage?”

Ruan’s mother asked.

This was easy for Nian Qi to answer. He’d already explained it all to Grandpa Qi before, so it was just a matter of repeating himself. Plus, his experiences of survival in the mountains were true; they were memories from his own life in a different time and place.

The way he described it was so vivid that it was hard not to believe him. Here was such a handsome young man, who had lived such a lonely, primitive life for so many years. Both Ruan’s father and mother couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.

Ruan’s mother dabbed her eyes and said accusingly, “This is the government’s fault. Since there was always talk of a temple in the mountains, they should have sent someone to investigate long ago.” Then she added, “It’s a good thing Ruan Qing met you; it means you’re destined to be part of our family. And thanks to you, she was saved. You don’t need to worry about the future—we can help with that. While you’re still young, focus on learning what you need to, and we’ll see what kind of work you’re suited for. You’re young; there’s still time for anything.”

Her tone was soft and filled with reassurance, but her words held an unspoken edge that was clear to Nian Qi. From beginning to end, the couple never asked, “What’s going on between you and our daughter?” By not asking, they could pretend it wasn’t happening. They only treated him as Ruan Qing’s rescuer and, as repayment, they’d help him establish himself in society. They reduced their relationship to something simpler, redefining it by refusing to acknowledge any romantic involvement between him and Ruan Qing.

But Nian Qi couldn’t ignore their words either. Just as he was about to thank them, Ruan Qing spoke up. She wasn’t naive; she knew exactly what her parents were doing. They constantly pushed her to go on dates, but now that she’d brought someone home, they pretended to play dumb. She wasn’t having it.

“You don’t need to worry about him,” Ruan Qing said. “He’s with me, and I’ll make sure he learns everything he needs to back in Jiangcheng.”

She’d already promised Nian Qi that he would meet her parents as her boyfriend. Now, seeing her parents’ tactics, her rebellious streak was provoked. Ruan Qing held Nian Qi’s hand openly and said, challenging them, “Didn’t Uncle Xiangyun tell you? Nian Qi and I are dating.”

Ruan’s mother was furious. She despised this kind of direct confrontation, but Ruan Qing had always had that no-nonsense attitude, just as she’d been raised to be. Since she’d come out and said it, Ruan Aihua and his wife couldn’t pretend not to know anymore.

Ruan’s mother could only respond, “You’ve only known each other a few days?”

“Let me think…” Ruan Qing counted on her fingers, calculating only from the day she had first gone into Lao Mei Valley. “Well, it’s been exactly a week.”

“A week of knowing each other, and now you’re dating. Is that enough?”

It wasn’t exactly unreasonable, but time wasn’t the main concern here. However, Ruan Qing had already dug her heels in. Ever since she had run off on her wedding day, Ruan Aihua and his wife had learned not to push her too hard, knowing she might actually disappear. They barely saw her now; if they pushed too far, she could very well leave again. She refused to give them her address in Jiangcheng and wouldn’t allow them to visit.

Having such a stubborn and independent daughter was enough to shorten their lives by a decade!

Ruan’s father wanted to say something, but Ruan’s mother nudged him under the table and kept her pleasant smile. “We won’t interfere in matters between you young people.”

“But, since Xiao Nian’s situation is unique, if you truly want what’s best for him, you shouldn’t act on impulse,” Ruan’s mother continued. “He’s just come down from the mountains; he needs to integrate into society and establish himself.” She added, “And you have a job—you’re busy with work. My suggestion is for him to stay here in Yan City, where your father and I can take care of things. Whether it’s studies or career, we can provide him with much better opportunities than you can.”

Initially, they hadn’t intended to interfere. They planned to pretend they knew nothing about this relationship and let it run its course. They thought that once Ruan Qing brought this young mountain monk into the city, his rustic simplicity would contrast so sharply with urban life that her fascination would fizzle out naturally. But who would have guessed that this mountain monk would turn out to be so handsome? Looks are an asset, too, and unless he suddenly gained thirty pounds, this allure wasn’t going to disappear. So, on the spot, her parents revised their strategy.

Ruan Qing retorted, “What kind of job would you ‘arrange’ for him? Have him tanning hides at the factory?”

Ruan Qing’s family was in the leather business.

Her father replied, “Look, there are many positions in the factory. He could start from the basics, and with time, he might even move up to administration or management.”

“No thanks,” Ruan Qing said curtly. “I have no intention of letting him work in a factory. You really don’t need to worry about this.”

Ruan Qing, known for her fiery temper, was especially prone to being sharp with her parents. Seeing the conversation escalating, Nian Qi squeezed her hand gently. “Ruan Qing,” he murmured.

She looked at him, then fell silent.

To Ruan’s parents’ surprise, this young monk could actually calm their strong-willed daughter! They exchanged a quick, astonished look. What they didn’t know was that Nian Qi hadn’t subdued her through force; rather, he’d treated her with consistent patience and gentleness. She could sense his warmth, and she returned it with kindness and respect. In a relationship, the act of giving and receiving is spontaneous, mutual.

Nian Qi understood the situation well. Ruan Qing’s parents disapproved of their relationship and sought a way to break them apart by putting physical distance between them.

“Uncle, Aunt,” he said, sitting up straight. Though the situation was not in his favor, he showed no trace of weakness. “Ruan Qing and I have only known each other for seven days, which is indeed brief, and I agree with you.”

The couple exchanged another glance.

“Since time has been short, I’m unprepared for this meeting. I came to you with nothing, not even the means to support myself, and currently, I rely on Ruan Qing for basic necessities,” he said candidly, not hiding his present circumstances. “But I’ve seen and learned so much in just these two or three days since coming out of the mountains. The flourishing life here in the city is beyond anything I could have imagined.”

“In these peaceful times, people live well, and as long as one has all four limbs, anyone who is diligent and willing to work can make a living.”

“I’ve thought carefully about my future and have discussed this with Ruan Qing as well. My handwriting, though clumsy, could at least pass a basic standard, but I wouldn’t presume to teach it to others. But I did hone my martial skills in the mountains—what’s now called traditional martial arts, of which not many authentic schools remain. If I may be bold, I believe I am competent enough to teach martial arts to make a living.”

“And if that doesn’t work out, I’ve seen the many delivery drivers in yellow or blue jackets around the city. They may lack specific skills, but with hard work alone, they support themselves well.”

“I have two good hands, two good feet, and though I lack experience, I am young and able to learn. I’ll find my way—I won’t starve,” he said, his eyes clear and bright, brighter than most ordinary people. “All I ask is for time.”

“Ruan Qing and I share a mutual affection, but it’s only been a short while. I know I’m in no position to ask for your daughter’s hand now. All I ask, Uncle and Aunt, is for your understanding. Please, give me time,” he finished. “Don’t dismiss the possibility of a future for Ruan Qing and me so quickly.”