Running Errands

Chang Liuyun rummaged in the space bag filled with different fruits, vegetables and spices but mostly rice and flour, trying his best to fit a few more jugs of oil and vinegar inside. Everything combined was enough to last them for at least at least two weeks, despite their journey only being planned to take one week.

Their destination was still the same Sprouting Lily Town.

Initially, he had chosen it because it was one of the few towns he knew Huo Dong had never gone to in all the 13 years he had traveled with the other. So Huo Dong probably didn't have any connections or customers there that could rat them out, which was even more important now that their group had grown.

Or at least he hoped he didn't.

In truth, he couldn't be sure, he had no idea how Huo Dong even got customers in the first place or how he knew where to find his 'merchandise', he just seemed to know.

But there had to be someone or something behind him, something that Chang Liuyun had absolutely no clue about and it made his stomach sink with anxiety just thinking about it.

Gently shaking his head to dispel the fear he felt, Chang Liuyun only now noticed that he had stopped sorting their supplies at some unknown point in time.

Quietly sighing, Chang Liuyun closed the bag and looked up at the energeticly haggling Jing Hai.

The elderly man was still trying his best to nitpick the crude but practical horses and carriage combo they had chosen earlier, so they would get it for cheaper after finally succeeding in wearing out the merchant.

But Jing Hai's opponent was very tenaciously arguing back and Chang Liuyun had the growing suspicions that this would still take quite a while, despite them already going at it for 5 minutes.

It made Chang Liuyun wonder, just why was Jing Hai putting so much effort into helping them?

Everything they had bought on their shopping trip until now was paid for by the Jing Family's savings, Jing Hai didn't even bother asking Chang Liuyun to contribute beyond the physical labor of carrying the heavier bags.

In fact, every time Chang Liuyun pulled out the bag of money he and Lei Mingxing had saved up over the last few weeks, although most of it was thanks to Lei Mingxing, Jing Hai pushed it away, telling him to keep it for emergencies.

So, Chang Liuyun had no choice but to put it away again, feeling conflicted and suspicious of Jing Hai's, in his eyes, overly generous behavior.

After all, he and Lei Mingxing weren't part of the Jing Family.

Also, both Jing Hai and Jing Jiang were under the impression that they were an eloping couple. A couple running from a noble and most likely influential family to boot, at least that's what they thought, but that part was probably pretty accurate in Lei Mingxing's case.

Sure, Lei Mingxing was Jing Jiang's apprentice and he also felt threatened by Suan Bi, but that couldn't be all.

Why would anyone decide to abandon their entire livelihood in the span of just a night because their apprentice of a month had encountered troubles?

It was a question he couldn't answer no matter how hard he thought about it.

So, he was left to observe Jing Hai and try his best to figure out what the other was planning.

The reason he didn't contemplate this much about Jing Jiang's intentions was because he wholeheartedly believed that the other was just that trusting and frankly, emotional, to be swayed by his desire to protect his apprentice from harm.

But Jing Hai wasn't the same, beneath all his teasing and joking, Chang Liuyun sensed a crafty and thoughtful personality.

Just as Chang Liuyun thought this, Jing Hai finally turned around with a triumphant smile while the merchant walked away grumbling, a bitter expression on his face as he started putting the harnesses on the horses.

"There, now we only have to get the carriage back to the forge and load in the rest of our luggage," Jing Hai said walking with Chang Liuyun to the carriage so he could put the bags with food and medical supplies inside.

Chang Liuyun nodded and quickly began sorting the different-sized bags, so they wouldn't fall over while traveling, when suddenly a familiar voice sounded behind him.

"What are you doing here, Jing Hai? Aren't Xiao Jiang and his apprentice competing at the moment?"

Turning his head, Chang Liuyun found that the one who had spoken to Jing Hai was none other than the old shoe store owner in the tiny store in the middle of the slums.

And judging from his tone, they had to be pretty well acquainted.

"Hey, Feng Guang!", Jing Hai's voice at that moment sounded similar to a child being spotted by its mother while sneaking sweets. In other words, he sounded pretty guilty, something Chang Liuyun didn't think was even possible because of the other's perpetual hin of smugness.

The shoe store owner, Feng Guang, seemed to think the same thing, raising his eyebrow slightly while eyeing Jing Hai.

Jing Hai coughed awkwardly to regain his composure.

"Ahem, well, we were just doing some errands... What about you, shouldn't you be at the competition?"

He said trying his best to turn the tables and take attention off himself.

Obviously, Feng Guang didn't fall for it.

"And with errands you mean purchasing a carriage and horses?", he continued cooly, staring intensely at Jing Hai.

"Hahaha, it's just one of those days, you know? Anyway, this is Chang Liuyun, he is the spouse of Jiang'er's apprentice," laughing awkwardly, Jing Hai grabbed Chang Liuyun and hurriedly moved him between himself and Feng Guang.

Despite knowing that this was just another distraction Jing Hai came up with, Feng Guang still moved his sharp gaze over to the silent Chang Liuyun.

Although they had met several times before over the years, there was not a hint of recognition in Feng Guang's gaze, which was to be expected, Chang Liuyun had changed a lot since then.

From a seemingly feral child covered in mud and dirt to a clean and handsome youth with smooth black hair and robes that actually fit his frame, frankly, his change was akin to a pheasant turning into a phoenix.

"...nice to meet you," Chang Liuyun was the first to open his mouth, greeting the other.

Feng Guang nodded in response, soon shifting his gaze again in disinterest.

"So, what is it that you are doing?"

Jing Hai, who had gone to quietly climb onto the carriage, flinched when Feng Guang focused on him once more.

"Haha, we have to bring the carriage back to forge, don't you think? Which means you will have to excuse us, goodbye!"

Saying this, Jing Hai discreetly motioned for Chang Liuyun to get into the carriage but Feng Guang wouldn't let them go just like this.

"You're going back to the forge? In that case, I will join you, we are going in the same direction after all."

Jing Hai had no way of refuting Feng Guang's words because the latter didn't even give him a chance to, directly climbing into the carriage. 

So, left with no other choice, Jing Hai set the carriage in motion with a dagger-staring Feng Guang in tow.

Small Theater:

Chang Liuyun when anyone is kind or generous towards him: What could they be planning?! What is their purpose?!

Chang Liuyun and Lei Mingxing after knowing each other for literal days: Do you want to live with me? Do you want to sleep with me (in the same bed)? Do you want me to risk my life for you (several times)?