FMT 38

Chapter 38 Attack

The next day, Liandan stayed in bed until noon before getting up.

Chen Shuangning disapproved. “Tell me where the things for the trip are, I’ll pack them.”

He thought Liandan was worried about tidying things, but Liandan’s cheeks flushed. “I’m not that uncomfortable. I just can’t stay lying all morning.”

Perhaps he had gotten used to that matter a little. Unlike before, Liandan wasn’t so weak today. Seeing that he was in decent shape, Chen Shuangning said nothing more.

While the two of them were packing, Aunt and Sister Tingzi came over. They had heard that Chen Shuangning found clerical work with a wealthy household and would not return for the Spring Festival, planning to take Liandan along, so they brought things over.

Aunt Wu said, “There’s nothing good at home. I had Tingzi go to the grain shop to buy fine wheat flour mixed with cornmeal, baked some flatbreads. It’s cold now, they won’t spoil, you can eat them on the road.”

Tingzi said, “I put sugar in these flatbreads. Warm them over the fire, they’ll be delicious.”

Both Liandan and Chen Shuangning thanked them. Liandan said, “We trouble your family enough as it is. Making so many flatbreads, the cost aside, it takes time and effort. We feel too embarrassed.”

It was nearly New Year, prices were rising. Usually flour sold for eighteen wen a jin, now it must be nineteen or twenty. Those flatbreads looked to be about two jin. Even with cornmeal mixed in, it wasn’t cheap.

Aunt Wu glanced at Tingzi, who gave her an encouraging look.

Her face showed some awkwardness. “I think Chen Shuangning is a sensible man, so I dared say it. Before, I was wrong. All those excessive things your old lady did, I should have stopped her.”

Liandan shook his head, stepped forward, and held her hand. “It wasn’t your fault. And you did try to stop her, I heard it myself. Let the past stay in the past, don’t carry it in your heart.”

Tingzi leaned close, hooked an arm over Liandan’s shoulder, and turned to her mother. “See? Didn’t I say Liandan is broad-minded, he wouldn’t hold grudges?”

Aunt Wu nodded happily, then looked toward Chen Shuangning behind him. “Liandan has a good nature, he’s tolerant, and handsome too. He suffered a lot before. From now on, you must treat him well.”

Liandan lowered his head, his face red. From behind him came the young man’s hoarse voice, slowly, “Mm. I will.”

In the afternoon, Tang Hua also came, bringing some snacks divided into small portions for the road, easy to warm up.

Tang Hua was reluctant to part with Liandan, saying that without him, he would have no one to talk to. He asked when Liandan would return after the New Year.

Liandan glanced at Chen Shuangning. Last night, they agreed that after the matter with Yuanjing was resolved, he would be sent back. But when that would be was uncertain.

So he answered vaguely, “That rich household has much work. I’ll have to wait until things ease.”

Tang Hua sighed helplessly, then hugged Liandan tightly, pressing his forehead against his, rubbing affectionately. “I’ll miss you.”

At dusk, people in Kaoshan Village saw a carriage coming along the village road. The horse was tall and strong, with horseshoes fitted to all four hooves, so it could run on snowy roads without slipping, keeping up speed.

Aside from trips to town, villagers had never seen such a carriage. Though the carriage itself wasn’t luxurious, plain and old, to them it was already a rare sight. They couldn’t help but stop and watch.

The carriage halted at the Chen house. Chen Shuangning carried big bundles, Liandan held the child. Behind them, Aunt Wu’s family, Tang Hua, and Li Fu and his wife all came to see them off.

The driver, a man of about thirty, jumped down and helped arrange the luggage, securing everything onto the carriage. The goat was tied behind.

Chen Shuangning helped Liandan up, then turned, cupped his hands to the crowd, and said, “Thank you, everyone. We take our leave.”

The carriage clattered away. Liandan turned and waved to the people behind.

Aunt Wu called, “I’ll watch over your house. Don’t worry.”

Tang Hua cupped his hands into a trumpet, shouting, “Liandan, come back soon!”

The village road was rough, the carriage jolted, and the goat behind slowed them.

But inside, Liandan and the baby in his arms didn’t mind. Xiaodan’s big eyes spun around, staring everywhere, his little mouth open in curiosity.

Liandan’s mouth wasn’t open, but his expression matched the fat baby’s almost exactly. He had only been to town once. He had barely seen horses, let alone ridden in a carriage.

Soon after leaving the village, the sky turned fully dark. The driver lit a lamp and hung it at the shaft, giving some light ahead.

Chen Shuangning, sitting beside him, lifted the bundled-up child into his arms. “I’ll watch the baby. Lean and sleep a while.”

Liandan’s excitement had faded. After last night and the busy afternoon, he was exhausted. The carriage’s jolts only made him sleepier. He murmured “Mm,” leaned against the backrest, and closed his eyes.

A coat was gently draped over him. Without opening his eyes, Liandan pulled it tighter. Holding it close, he soon fell asleep.

Liandan didn’t know how much time had passed before a chubby little hand patted him awake. He opened his eyes and saw Chen Shuangning standing under the carriage, both hands holding Xiaodan up. Xiaodan was reaching out with his small hands, pawing at him non-stop.

Only then did Liandan realize he had somehow lain sideways on the seat cushion. He quickly sat up, took the child into his arms, and said, “I slept too heavily. Where are we now?”

Chen Shuangning lowered his hands, looked toward the road ahead of the carriage, and said, “We’ve crossed out of Miaoyun Town’s territory. Ahead is Miaolin Town’s jurisdiction. We’ll change to another carriage here and continue on.”

Liandan leaned out in the direction he was looking. Not far away, a two-horse carriage was stopped. In the faint glow of the carriage lantern, the corners of its body gleamed faintly gold, as though inlaid with gold threads. It was much larger than the one they had been riding in.

Helped down from the carriage, Liandan saw their belongings already transferred onto the new one. The driver held up a lantern, bowed toward Chen Shuangning at his side, then turned and bowed toward him as well.

Liandan had never experienced this before. He let out a small “ah” and looked at Chen Shuangning in confusion.

Chen Shuangning gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “This is Leng Shan. He’s handling our travel along the way.”

Leng Shan lifted the lantern to his face so Liandan could remember his features.

His smiling eyes had deep wrinkles at the corners. Only then did Liandan realize this man wasn’t so young. He was at least forty.

Leng Shan said, “If anything happens on the road, just tell me.”

Liandan turned to glance at Chen Shuangning. Though he felt a little intimidated by this stranger, the man’s constant smile seemed kind. He bent his knees, gave a bow, and said, “Then I’ll trouble you, Brother Leng.”

After changing carriages, the old one didn’t leave. Liandan saw two burly men in black load the goat onto that carriage, which then followed behind. Their pace immediately quickened.

The new carriage was much steadier and more spacious. Xiaodan could lie on the cushions and sleep well, and Liandan himself could curl up comfortably to rest.

Chen Shuangning took a thick soft blanket from the back, covered them, and said quietly, “This area may not be safe. Tonight we’ll stay in the carriage. Tomorrow evening when we reach the county city, we’ll find an inn.”

Liandan nodded, closed his eyes, and soon fell asleep.

….

The next morning, they stopped in a barren field. Leng Shan and the other two chopped firewood, lit a fire, and set a pot to steam the freshly drawn goat’s milk.

After Liandan finished feeding Xiaodan, the noodles in the pot were cooked, and everyone sat down to eat.

As they sat around the pot, Liandan noticed Leng Shan and the others kept their positions slightly behind, compared to him and Chen Shuangning. While eating, Leng Shan often glanced around. Whenever a sound of some animal came from afar, he immediately looked that way.

The two burly men barely spoke, just kept their heads down eating.

Chen Shuangning was also quiet, only replying when Leng Shan mentioned the next part of the journey.

After breakfast, once back in the carriage, Liandan had just settled in with Xiaodan in his arms when Chen Shuangning said quietly, his expression unreadable, “Someone is following.”

Startled, Liandan looked up at him. Chen Shuangning raised a finger to his lips. “Shh.”

The carriage jolted as it rolled on. Liandan didn’t dare make a sound. Even Xiaodan seemed to understand, his big eyes rolling silently, without a peep. Then, suddenly, the wheels screeched to a halt.

Almost instantly, the clash of blades rang outside. There was the sickening sound of steel cutting flesh, followed by muffled, short screams.

For a moment, something seemed to almost pierce through the curtain. Liandan even saw the soft fabric whip upward from the force of the air.

But immediately, whatever it was was struck down. With a clang, it hit the carriage wall, then dropped heavily to the ground.

Liandan’s shoulders trembled. Xiaodan tried to look outside curiously, but he held him tightly, pulling him away from the dangerous window.

It felt like only a moment, or perhaps a long time, before all the noise outside stopped at once.

The stench of blood began to seep into the carriage. He heard dragging sounds and footsteps retreating into the distance.

After a while, Leng Shan’s voice came from outside. “All cleared.”

Chen Shuangning leaned back against the seat. “Keep moving.”

The carriage swayed again. Hoofbeats rang out as they continued forward.

Chen Shuangning looked at Liandan, whose face was pale as he pressed a hand to his mouth. “Don’t worry. It’s fine.”

Liandan’s eyes shifted slowly, meeting his.

“Frightened?” the young man asked in a low voice.

Liandan’s eyes turned red, but he didn’t cry. Chen Shuangning studied him for a moment, then sighed softly and opened his arms.

As he did, Liandan, holding Xiaodan, leaned toward him, falling into his embrace.

Holding both the big and the small, Chen Shuangning felt Xiaodan squirm between them. He loosened his grip slightly. Liandan, thinking he was about to let go, clung even tighter around his neck. Chen Shuangning had to lower his body, his cheek pressing against the boy’s forehead.

Liandan’s body trembled faintly. Lowering his eyes, Chen Shuangning adjusted Xiaodan to a more comfortable position between them, then wrapped one arm around Liandan’s thin back, while his other hand gently stroked the back of his neck.

His hoarse voice murmured, “I’m here, don’t be afraid.”