MFBOWSBTMT Chapter 39

After buying the fabric, they returned to the East Market and waited for quite a while before Qiao Ruifeng finished work. He was pushing the cart and chatting with Qin Yu as they walked behind, while Qiao Suiman and Lu Dongqing walked side by side in front.

 

“Thanks for your help today. You’ve been busy helping us for hours.” Qiao Suiman turned to glance at Lu Dongqing, the corners of his lips lifting in a slight smile. It was clear he was in a good mood.

 

“You don’t need to thank me.”

 

Lu Dongqing grinned. Today, all the hairpins and toys he brought were sold out, as were the bamboo tubes he made for Qiao Suiman. He spent the entire day by his side, talking for hours, even accompanying him on a stroll through the market. His heart was so full it could burst.

 

“Man-ge’r,” Lu Dongqing lowered his head, smiling shyly as he gazed hopefully into Qiao Suiman’s eyes. “Can I… call you Xiao Man?”

 

Lu Dongqing was tall and broad-shouldered, with thick brows and large eyes; yet at this moment, he looked like a shy little wife, eagerly awaiting Qiao Suiman’s reply. The contrast made Qiao Suiman burst into laughter. “Of course! Then can I call you… Dongqing?”

 

“Mn!” Lu Dongqing broke into a wide grin. “Xiao Man.”

 

Qiao Suiman couldn’t stop laughing, his gaze shifting from Lu Dongqing to the dirt road ahead. “Dongqing, how did you get this name? Isn’t it the name of a tree?”

 

Lu Dongqing was infected by Qiao Suiman’s cheerful expression and answered softly, “My father wasn’t in good health. His only wish for me and my brother was to grow up strong and healthy, so he named us after two evergreen trees: Dongqing[mfn]冬青 Dōngqīng – Holly or Wintergreen plant[/mfn] and Xuesong[mfn]雪松 Xuěsōng – (lit. “snow pine”) Cedar[/mfn]. They stay green all year round.”

 

Mentioning his late father, Lu Dongqing’s tone carried a hint of melancholy. Qiao Suiman didn’t know about this connection and froze for a moment before quickly comforting him, “He’s watching over you from above. Seeing how strong you’ve both become, he must be so happy.”

 

“Mn. Before he passed, he told us not to grieve. He said that in this life, he had dear friends, a beloved, and the two of us as his children. He was content. He wanted us to live on well, carrying his share too.”

 

Qiao Suiman’s eyes grew slightly moist. “Your parents are truly good people.”

 

Lu Dongqing knew about the Qiao family’s hardships and worried that Qiao Suiman would feel sad recalling them. He stepped closer and said, “They’ll be good to you too. From now on, more and more people will protect you.”

 

Especially me.

 

Qiao Suiman sniffled and nodded. “Mn, I believe you.”

 

I believe you’ll treat me well. I believe you’ll cherish me, love me, and protect me.

 

Lu Dongqing then shared amusing stories to cheer him up. Qiao Suiman could hardly imagine that this man once led others to steal bird eggs and when Miao Lianhua tried to spank him, would dart behind his father for protection.

 

Just picturing it made Qiao Suiman burst into laughter. His laugh drifted back to Qiao Ruifeng and Qin Yu, who heard it and started chuckling too.

 

The four of them slowly made their way back to the village. The setting sun cast long shadows over them. Accompanied by the murmuring voices of other passersby, bird calls, and the wind rustling through the trees, the moment felt peaceful and beautiful.

 

—

 

Early Sixth Month

 

Qiao Suiman was drying perilla leaves in the courtyard when the wide-open gate was suddenly knocked. He looked up to see Lu Dongqing standing there.

 

Qiao Suiman set down what he was holding and got up to greet him with a smile. “You’re here.”

 

Lately, Lu Dongqing had been leaving for town before dawn and returning only as the sun dipped below the horizon. Despite his busy schedule, he still found time to bring Qiao Suiman rare treats from town. If he finished work early on market days, he would wait for them so they could return to the village together. They ended up seeing each other nearly every few days.

 

Heijin, who was sprawled on the ground, immediately ran over and circled around Lu Dongqing’s legs, barking excitedly and acting overly affectionate.

 

Qiao Suiman chuckled helplessly. This fickle dog! Ever since Lu Dongqing made it two bamboo-woven balls to play with, it had been all over him like he was its father, leaping all over him at every opportunity.

 

“Heijin is just like this. It sticks to whoever treats it well,” Qiao Suiman explained.

 

A warm glint flickered in Lu Dongqing’s eyes as he bent down to pat Heijin’s head. “That’s good. Loyal and protective.”

 

He was still holding something in his hands, so Qiao Suiman pulled Heijin away to keep it from darting around. “Is the work at Mei-ge’r’s in-laws’ place done?” he asked.

 

“Mn,” Lu Dongqing nodded, unable to suppress his grin. “It took thirty-three days in total. Also made them two bamboo beds and some bamboo tables and chairs. Altogether, they paid seven taels and one mace.”

 

“That much?! All those early mornings and late nights were worth it, then. Sit down; I’ll get you something to drink.” Qiao Suiman happily headed to the kitchen. There was still a bit of peach syrup left, so he scooped it all out to make Immortal Peach Drink. Returning to the stone table in the courtyard, he placed the bowl in front of Lu Dongqing and smiled. “There’s not much else at home, but we’ve got plenty of drinks.”

 

“This is perfect,” Lu Dongqing said, setting down the items he brought. “These are preserved fruits the household gave out. They said they were brought from Jiangnan. We kept some at home, and I brought these for you to try.”

 

Preserved fruits from Jiangnan must be very expensive.

 

Qiao Suiman hastily waved his hands. “These are too… too much.”

 

But Lu Dongqing insisted. “There’s plenty at home, and we can’t finish them all. They gave each of us three packets. You, Ruifeng-ge, and Qin Yu-ge should try them too. After all, we’ll soon be…” He paused, as if slightly embarrassed, “one family.”

 

Qiao Suiman’s face instantly turned red. Over the past month, Lu Dongqing had occasionally brought him little surprises, and he, not knowing how to express gratitude, would prepare food and slip it to him before dawn at the fork in the road. Bit by bit, their bond had grown stronger.

 

Some nosy people had seen it and muttered that they were being too sticky without having been married yet, saying it wasn’t proper. But he didn’t care. They’re not doing anything. Just giving each other some food and drink.

 

“I understand. I’ll accept them, then,” Qiao Suiman replied.

 

“As the weather gets hotter, I plan to make more bamboo beds. Each one sells for over a mace,” Lu Dongqing said, his gaze intense and unwavering. “And I won’t neglect the bamboo tubes either. Don’t worry. This month, I’ll definitely come to propose marriage!”

 

Qiao Suiman grinned widely. How could he not be moved by such sincerity? He nodded. “Mn, I know.”

 

After holding eye contact for too long, Qiao Suiman couldn’t bear the way Lu Dongqing looked at him. It’s as though he wanted to pull him into his very bones. Flustered, he quickly looked away, cheeks flushed. “Don’t tire yourself too much. You can earn money slowly.”

 

Hearing Qiao Suiman’s soft, concerned words, Lu Dongqing felt his heart swell until it might burst. He wanted nothing more than to pull him into a tight hug. It was then that he truly understood what the books meant by being unable to resist one’s feelings[mfn]情不自禁 qíng bù zì jīn – a Chinese idiom that means being so emotionally excited that one cannot control oneself. It emphasizes being completely dominated by a certain emotion. It came from the poem “七夕穿针” (Threading a Needle on the Qixi Festival) by Liu Zun. (Baidu)[/mfn]. So this was what it truly meant.

 

But he still needed to earn more. Whether it was new clothes, delicious food, or anything else, whatever others had, he would make sure Qiao Suiman have it too.

 

“For the bamboo tubes, we’ll carve the Meeting at the Magpie Bridge[mfn]鵲橋相望 Quèqiáo xiāng wàng – a legendary bridge formed by magpies sent by the Bird Deity, who was moved by the sincere love between the Cowherd and Weaver Girl. According to legend, the lovers were separated by the heaven and only permitted to meet on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month each year. To facilitate their reunion, magpies from all over would gather and press their bodies together to form this bridge—hence called the Magpie Bridge—where the two lovers would meet. (Baidu)[/mfn], Threading the Needle[mfn]穿针乞巧 Chuānzhēn Qǐqiǎo – On the night of the Qixi Festival, women would hold five-colored silk threads and a series of nine-hole needles (or five-hole needles or seven-hole needles ) and thread the needles in the moonlight. Those who can thread all the needles quickly are said to be “skillful” (Baidu)[/mfn], and Worshiping the Weaver Girl[mfn]拜織女 Bài zhīnǚ – a Qixi Festival tradition where women pray to Zhīnǚ, the celestial weaver and patron of textiles, love, and crafts. Celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, it involves offerings for skill in needlework and blessings for a happy marriage, reflecting ancient ideals of love and artistry. (Baidu)[/mfn] designs, right?” Lu Dongqing asked casually, grasping for a topic to prolong their time together.

 

They had already settled this matter before, so Qiao Suiman knew full well he was just making conversation to stay a little longer. But he was happy to indulge him, replying sweetly, “That’s right. Make as many as you can, but don’t exhaust yourself.”

 

“Mn, I know!”

 

Lu Dongqing added, “After we sell everything that day, let’s stroll around together?”

 

“Okay.”

 

Once Lu Dongqing finished his drink, there was no excuse to linger. Though both families tacitly acknowledged their impending union, they weren’t officially married yet. It wasn’t proper for him, an outsider, to stay too long at the Qiao home.

 

So he stood to leave. Qiao Ruifeng and Qin Yu would likely return from the fields soon, and he didn’t want to delay Qiao Suiman from preparing their meal.

 

Qiao Suiman saw him off to the gate but didn’t follow further. Watching him walk away, he suddenly turned back as if sensing his gaze. Their eyes met, and they smiled simultaneously. A wordless understanding passing between them.

 

—

 

 

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