Chapter 36:

Shang Jing didn’t expect to see Chunfu here. He quickly concealed his surprise and said with a light smile, “I didn’t expect to see Miss Chunfu here as well.”

Chunfu nodded slightly and smiled, stepping aside to make room.

Shang Jing had tasted those pastries a couple of days ago. Seeing the shattered pieces on the ground now, they looked oddly familiar. It wasn’t until he saw Miss Chunfu that it clicked. “Our young master found the taste excellent and would like Miss Chunfu to make more and deliver them to our residence tomorrow.”

Before Chunfu could respond, Jin Liu’er, standing nearby, coolly refused, “I heard that Young Master Pei intends to feed perfectly good pastries to his dog. Forgive me, but I can’t condone such waste. Seeing people who go hungry pains me—call it meddling if you will, but no matter how precious, it’s still just an animal. If we were to send them, wouldn’t that make us shameless?”

Jin Liu’er had been spoiled since childhood and wasn’t intimidated by the other party’s high status. Chunfu pursed her lips and said softly, “Miss Jin is the proprietor. She has the final say.”

Shang Jing sighed. His young master had a knack for stirring trouble. Though his tone was apologetic, his posture remained upright, showing no trace of humility. “My master is merely stubborn with his words. Please don’t take it to heart, miss. To outsiders, Runiang may be just a dog, but the young master treats her like family. All these years, he’s doted on her because of her loyalty and intelligence. It’s unfair to judge based on hearsay. The Pei family holds no disrespect.”

Jin Liu’er pursed her lips, her earlier displeasure easing slightly. “Tomorrow won’t be possible. If he wants them, he’ll have to wait. The pastry shop opens in five days. Manager Shang can return then, and as the proprietor, I won’t pry into what the Pei family intends to do with them.”

Shang Jing wasn’t one to argue with a young lady. His master’s whim might fade in a few days anyway. With a smile at Chunfu, he took his leave.

Once Shang Jing was out of earshot, Jin Liu’er laughed. “With this kind of demand, we won’t have trouble selling. Though the presentation could be more appealing compared to other shops. If you can improve it, how about a sixty-forty split on monthly profits? Lucky for you, I’m no ruthless merchant, or else…”

Chunfu joined in the laughter, her voice light and cheerful. “That sounds perfect. But Miss Jin should know that once I set my mind on this venture, I won’t back down no matter how tough it gets. With your support, many hurdles are already smoothed. I’ll be counting on you from now on.”

Jin Liu’er pondered for a moment. “Why not move to town? It’d save you the daily commute.”

Chunfu considered the convenience but hesitated. Finding lodging would be difficult, and her family’s finances were tight. She also couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Zhang Yan without someone to talk to. Better to wait until they’d saved more before making such decisions.

The garden’s blooming flowers held no allure for Chunfu. Her thoughts had already flown to Jicheng. She wanted to share the good news and check if he’d been taking care of himself—or if he’d been cutting corners again when she wasn’t looking. But Jin Liu’er showed no sign of wrapping up, and with the sun high in the sky, Jicheng would soon be off work.

Noticing Chunfu’s frequent glances upward, Jin Liu’er suddenly understood and chuckled. “No need to force yourself to stay. Go find your husband.”

With a smile, Chunfu dashed through the flower beds. Unbeknownst to her, Pei Qian, passing by with Runiang, caught sight of her fleeting figure—like a vibrant butterfly disappearing in the blink of an eye. A drop of water rippled across the calm surface of his heart, leaving no trace behind.

Assuming Zhou Jing was clever enough to manage on his own, Chunfu headed straight to where she’d last seen Jicheng. Spotting him sitting in the shade, gnawing on a steamed bun, her anger flared. She knew it! This stubborn man never took her words to heart, agreeing to her face only to do the opposite behind her back. He was banking on her being too far away to see! He clutched a teacup, likely washing down the dry bun, his exposed forearm still bearing a half-healed scar. The sight… twisted her heart with sorrow.

Jicheng had waited a while after work, but when Chunfu didn’t show, he assumed Jin Liu’er had kept her. Relieved, he bought two cheap, warm buns. Just as he was about to bite into the second one, he spotted Chunfu standing behind him. His lips parted, then closed. After a moment of silence, he forced a smile, tucked the bun back into its wrapper, and walked over. “What brings you here? It’s too hot for you to be running around. I just grabbed something nearby. Have you eaten?”

Chunfu let him pull her down beside him, her tone flat. “No.”

Jicheng immediately panicked, gathering his things and tugging her along. “I gave you money, didn’t I? What if you starve?”

Unable to resist his strength, Chunfu followed, her expression sullen. “Didn’t you promise you’d eat properly at noon? Didn’t you say someone would join you? Jicheng, how much of what you tell me is true? Don’t dismiss these as small things. Big problems start with little neglect. Can you endure it now only to suffer later? I don’t want regrets when my time comes. Do you understand? Having faced death once, that feeling—”

Jicheng seized on her words, frowning. “What do you mean, ‘faced death once’?”

Realizing her slip, Chunfu quickly backtracked. “When I was too ill to move, it felt like dying. Just listen to me—don’t shortchange yourself. Miss Jin agreed to open the shop. We’ll have another income stream soon, so you won’t need to work so hard. If I can come up with some appealing designs, maybe you won’t have to do manual labor anymore.”

Jicheng laughed at her naive words. “Nonsense! What kind of man would let his wife support him? I’d be the laughingstock! Besides, I can’t sit idle. Don’t worry—more savings never hurt. I’ll listen to you and stop skimping. Let’s go get noodles.”

Chunfu knew changing his frugal habits would take time. But wasn’t his practicality part of why she’d fallen for him? She sighed. “Fine, do as you please. Just don’t wreck your health.”

Warmth flooded Jicheng’s chest, his lips curving into an irrepressible smile. “My life’s in your hands. How can you not care? Alright, my mistake. For your sake, I’ll take better care of myself.”

Chunfu’s smile returned as she studied his sun-darkened face. “I’ll talk to Miss Jin later. Even if wealthy patrons favor us, we mustn’t get complacent. This business needs to last so we can both ease up.”

Jicheng nodded, then thought of Zhou Jing. “Did Zhou Jing meet Miss An? Stubborn as an ox, he keeps chasing her despite knowing she’s cold to him. He’ll come back miserable again.”

Chunfu tugged his sleeve, smiling. “He’s clever. If he didn’t have some hope, why wait so long? Maybe fate hasn’t awakened Miss An yet. Meeting someone so devoted might be her blessing.”

Under the blazing sun, the streets were nearly empty save for weary vendors. Jicheng slowed his pace for Chunfu, chuckling. “Zhou Jing’s ambitions are sky-high. Once he sets his mind on something, he’ll stop at nothing. He acts carefree, but I only learned yesterday that besides building by day, he guards an orchard at night. With harvest nearing, thieves are a constant threat. It’s not easy.”

Chunfu teased, “Why fuss over him? He’s ambitious and hardworking—fate won’t shortchange him. I just hope we can save enough for a comfortable life. Would you want to move to town?” If they prospered, relocating would be practical, though part of her resisted. The mountains behind their village held untold treasures, and uncovering them slowly had its own charm.

“No. Too much unhappiness happened there, yet I can’t let go. Chunfu, roots stay where they’re planted unless torn away by necessity. I’d rather stay in East Slope Village. Do you want to move?”

Chunfu shook her head. “Just asking. Wherever you are is home.”

Jicheng ordered a bowl of beef noodles—his most extravagant lunch in weeks. Chunfu worried it wouldn’t fill him and offered to share, but he stroked her hair. “I already had a bun. I’m fine. You eat.”

The memory of their first trip to town surfaced—sharing a single bowl, him giving her the lone braised egg. This time, she pushed half her noodles toward him. “Manual labor demands more fuel. I’ll make you mung bean soup to bring. It won’t take much extra time.”

Jicheng caressed her hair, sighing. “You’re so good, so understanding. It pains me that I can’t give you better.”

Chunfu shot him a look. “Eat up. Work starts soon—don’t be late.”

After parting with Chunfu, Zhou Jing didn’t approach Yu Ning immediately. Instead, he watched from a distance as the breeze lifted her gauzy sleeves, revealing slender wrists like polished jade. Their glow under the sunlight mesmerized him.

Once her companions left, passing by his rough-clad figure without a glance, he moved to approach—only for another to intercept her. He recognized the man: Young Master Yao, from a family equal to the Ans in status. Handsome and refined on the outside, but a hollow shell within. Yu Ning, unaware, had once been charmed by him. Zhou Jing’s fury simmered, his handsome face darkening.

Soon, their argument erupted. Though hushed, Yao’s harsh tone and bulging eyes were unmistakable. Yu Ning, usually expressive, remained eerily calm.

Zhou Jing’s sharp ears caught her words: “I don’t want to see you again.”

Yao stormed off, pausing on the steps to sneer at Zhou Jing. “With your taste, this vulgar brute is all you deserve. An Yu Ning, you’ll regret this.”

Zhou Jing’s fists clenched. Were it not for the woman who’d brought him here, he wouldn’t have held back.

“Are you just going to stand there? That empty-headed fool isn’t worth your time.”

Zhou Jing strode forward, posture rigid yet feigning nonchalance. “What happened? Weren’t you two close? Almost made me think I’d lost my chance.”

Hearing his voice dip, Yu Ning smiled. “Zhou Jing, I heard you promised my father to retrieve stones from Cangwu Mountain? That he’d betroth me if you succeeded? What if I refuse? Would you force me?”

His face darkened at her resistance. All his life, she’d been the one to infuriate him beyond measure, yet he could never stay angry. Baring his teeth, he said, “Parents’ orders… I know you don’t believe in them, but you can’t ignore them entirely.”

Their dynamic never changed. Every rare meeting revolved around her reluctance and his persistence. Yet, foolishly, he’d staked his heart on An Yu Ning, scars and all.

Yu Ning twirled an embroidered handkerchief between her fingers, laughing—a sound like clear springs and birdsong. “Zhou Jing, you’re such a fool. An amusing one, though. Fine, since Father agreed, I won’t fight it. Just… make sure you come back alive.”

Zhou Jing was stunned. When had she become so agreeable? Bewildered, he stared at her flower-like face. Others assumed he coveted the An family’s wealth or her beauty. Let them. Only he knew it was her hidden depths that captivated him.

He scoffed. “Afraid I’ll die?”

Yu Ning shook her head. “It’d be a waste if you did. If you can best the mountain’s beasts, being with you wouldn’t be so bad. But know this—greater dangers await. Don’t disappoint me. No need to sneak visits anymore. Meet me on the Bronze Bridge every fifteenth of the month.”

He wasn’t some simpleton easily swayed by crumbs. Her sudden shift baffled him. The mountain’s beasts didn’t scare him—he’d braced for every outcome when he accepted her father’s challenge. But her cryptic words eluded him.

Seeing his confusion, Yu Ning rose, gazing at the shimmering lake. “I’ve never doubted your feelings. But Zhou Jing, you’re too weak now. How can I rely on you? You understand me, yet how do I explain…?”

Zhou Jing bowed his head. He was weak—unable to stand proudly before her. But so what? He’d never considered himself inferior. He’d prove to everyone that Zhou Jing wasn’t meant for mediocrity.

“How do you know I’m unworthy? No matter. I never expected your regard anyway. Here—a trinket I thought you’d like. Keep it or toss it.”

Turning to leave, he added bitterly, “An Yu Ning, you must see me as a delusional fool. Everything I do is true to myself. Whether you’re sincere or not, I’ll fulfill my promise. If you… Never mind. Farewell.” He couldn’t bring himself to sever their fragile thread. If she still refused him after Cangwu, perhaps he’d finally let go.

Even he had limits. If risking his life couldn’t win her heart, then fate had spoken. All his dreams would vanish like river currents, never to return.

“What a dull flower-viewing party. What’s the use of beauty if not devoted to one? No different from courtesans. Better unseen.”

Yu Ning tore her gaze from his retreating figure, plucking a vibrant bloom only to discard it with a scoff. Picking up the flower-shaped stone Zhou Jing had left, she pocketed it with a faint smile and walked away.

Would she finally voice her unspoken thoughts when he returned? Would her sorrows then find solace? He didn’t know—she’d never scorned his status. She’d refused him only because their love was doomed.

By all logic, they were mismatched. Society’s eyes, even her own heart, agreed. Yet she never imagined that when chance finally smiled, she’d turn away. Years later, drowning in regret, she’d realize too late that the man who’d waited so faithfully was gone forever.

One page, two endings: joy for one, sorrow for the other. When they met again years later, her beauty faded slightly, but he was no longer the man she’d known.