Twisting his ear didn’t provoke Jiang Ci’s anger. Instead, he felt the soft, almost cotton-like give of Su Yue’s skin. A strange thought surfaced: perhaps her usual delicate nature was understandable after all. Her body, so different from a man’s, so soft, clearly needed a gentle touch.
As the sun began its descent, its harsh afternoon glare softened into a warm, gentle glow that bathed their forms. Su Yue lay on Jiang Ci’s back, looking up at him. The orange-red sunset painted a soft halo around his dark, short hair. She smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Jiang Ci, carry me carefully. Don’t drop me.”
“As long as you’re not blind and watch where you’re going, I won’t ever fall,” Jiang Ci scoffed.
This man should just keep quiet, Su Yue thought, a playful annoyance bubbling within her.
Jiang Ci’s long legs took large, steady strides. Even with Su Yue on his back, his breathing remained even, his body unswaying. It wasn’t long before they reached the alley entrance. “Jiang Ci, turn left. We’re at the alley, almost home,” Su Yue directed.
As they neared their door, the neighboring house’s door opened. Fang Qi emerged, carrying a bag of fruit. His eyes lit up when he saw Su Yue. He hadn’t expected to run into her. He hurried forward, the bag in hand. Fang Qi had deliberately changed his clothes, now wearing a light blue striped shirt and slacks, looking gentle, handsome, and youthful. He was, undeniably, good-looking, which explained his many girlfriends and why so many village girls “accidentally” crossed his path.
“Hello, I’m Fang Qi. We’ve met a few times. Do you remember me?” Fang Qi said, smiling softly at Su Yue, who was still on Jiang Ci’s back. His eyes drifted to Jiang Ci, and as he got closer, he clearly saw the disfigured left side of the man’s face.
“You’re from the house next door…” Su Yue began awkwardly, struggling to place him.
“Li Yanmei is my mother. I ate the dumplings you brought this morning, they were delicious. We have a lot of fruit at home, so I wanted to bring some for you and Grandma Fang,” Fang Qi explained politely. His handsome face was indeed the type many girls found appealing.
“Oh, you’re too kind,” Su Yue said, smiling as she tried to decline.
Even though Su Yue had removed her straw hat, her mask remained. Fang Qi couldn’t see her full face, which was a pity, but her skin was as white as milk, and her eyes seemed to shimmer as if steeped in water, leaving him spellbound. And her voice! It was so lovely, low and soft. He imagined her calling out in bed, a cute, sweet sound that would melt a man’s bones. The more he thought, the brighter Fang Qi’s eyes shone as he looked at Su Yue.
“Miss Su, please don’t mind. These fruits aren’t worth much. My mother loved the dumplings and insisted I bring these over. She said your old man’s heart is also unwell, so don’t put it off,” Fang Qi insisted, trying to press the fruit bag into her hand.
“Auntie Li is too polite,” Su Yue said. Seeing the neighbor’s genuine sincerity, she had no choice but to take the bag. “Thank you.”
Fang Qi beamed, his eyes falling on Su Yue’s slender, pale ankle. He noticed it was slightly red and swollen. “Does your foot hurt?”
Su Yue, feeling a little embarrassed to be carried by Jiang Ci in front of a stranger, just wanted to get inside. “Yes, I twisted it on the mountain.”
“I have some medicinal wine at home for bruises and sprains. I’ll go get it for you. It’s very effective,” Fang Qi offered enthusiastically.
“No need, we have…”
“There are so many words,” Jiang Ci cut in, his voice tinged with impatience.
“Thank you for the fruit, we’re going in,” Su Yue quickly said, worried Jiang Ci would say something rude. She hugged Jiang Ci and coaxed softly, “Okay, let’s go inside. There’s a step ahead, lift your foot…”
Fang Qi watched them enter the house. Once the door closed, he returned home.
“Son, did you deliver the fruit?” Li Yanmei asked, sitting at the table, happily eating the cherries her son had bought. He’d bought two boxes of the expensive fruit, intending to give both to the neighbors, but she had insisted he keep one.
“How was it? Did Granny Fang’s granddaughter’s eyes light up when she saw you?” Li Yanmei spit out a cherry pit, asking curiously. She wasn’t being arrogant; her son truly was handsome. Every girl in the village seemed to adore him.
“I saw her, she was with her husband,” Fang Qi said, walking over and sitting down. “I thought the man she chose would be ugly, but I didn’t realize he was blind.”
“Pffft!” Li Yanmei almost choked, spitting out her cherries. “Who’s blind? You mean Granny Fang’s granddaughter married a blind man?”
“That’s right.” He had looked at the man’s eyes and found them strange. Hearing Su Yue’s reminder to the man, he remembered how the blind old man at the village head looked: no light in his eyes, no life, nothing seeing.
“No way, their family is so rich, they even paid for the road in the village. They wouldn’t marry her to a blind man!” Li Yanmei exclaimed, surprised.
Fang Qi leaned back in his chair, a dismissive look on his face. “Mom, she used to be so dark and fat. What kind of man would marry her? Only a blind one.” Knowing the man was blind, Fang Qi felt even more confident about winning Su Yue over. Anyone with sense would know who to choose between them.
“It’s not too late,” Fang Qi narrowed his eyes.
Kitchen Duties
Later, Grandma Fang watched Jiang Ci carry Su Yue back, rushing forward. “What’s wrong? Why are you carrying her?”
“It’s nothing, I just stepped on a stone and twisted it,” Su Yue said, nudging Jiang Ci. “Jiang Ci, you can put me down now.”
“Twisted?” Grandma Fang looked anxious. “Let me see if it’s serious. Do you need to go to the hospital?”
“It’s nothing, just a little red and swollen. Is there any medicinal wine at home?” Su Yue moved her sprained foot; it still ached.
“Yes, I’ll get it now. Oh dear, your grandfather broke his leg, and now you sprained your foot going up the mountain. No, I’ll light some incense later and pray to the Bodhisattva.” Grandma Fang went inside and returned with a bottle of medicinal wine. “It only works if you rub it in hard.”
“Okay, I know. Grandma, where’s Haohao?” She hadn’t seen the little boy.
“The child is tired from playing with the chickens in the backyard. He’s sleeping in his room. I’ll wake him for dinner later . You should quickly rub the medicine, otherwise it will swell, and you’ll suffer.”
Su Yue took the medicinal wine and asked Jiang Ci to help her upstairs. She was going to apply it.
“The medicinal wine smells awful.” Su Yue unscrewed the cap, sniffed, and couldn’t help but frown. After a moment’s hesitation, she poured some onto her palm and gently rubbed her reddish ankle. “Ow!” She took a deep breath.
“If you don’t press hard, you’ll be limping tomorrow,” Jiang Ci said lazily from the side, a sneer in his voice when he heard Su Yue’s gasp.
“It hurts so much, how can I force it?” Su Yue couldn’t bring herself to rub it hard; she was afraid of pain.
“Now you know pain? Why didn’t you watch where you were going?” Jiang Ci’s lips twitched, mocking her.
Su Yue glared at him. “I’m in pain now, and you’re lecturing me? Jiang Ci, you have no sympathy!”
Jiang Ci’s lips curled. Sympathy? What was that?
“Put out your foot and give me the medicinal wine.” He rolled up his sleeves, revealing his strong, muscular arms.
“What are you going to do?”
“Rub your foot for you. Don’t you think you won’t be able to walk tomorrow?” He remembered the pleasant feeling of carrying her. “However, it’s not impossible if you want me to keep carrying you.”
“You’ll rub the medicinal wine for me?” Su Yue looked at him in surprise.
“Foot, stretch out,” Jiang Ci said, clearly not wanting to waste words.
Su Yue knew she couldn’t be harsh with herself, and it was better to let Jiang Ci help. She carefully extended her foot, rolling her eyes. “Thank you, Jiang Ci.”
Jiang Ci reached out and touched Su Yue’s foot. He grasped her ankle with his large hand, placed her foot on his thigh, and pinched her ankle with his fingertips. “Here?”
“Hey, take it easy.”
The ankle in his hand was slender and thin, as if he could break it if he squeezed too hard. He snorted and let go. “The medicinal wine, pour it into my hand.” Su Yue quickly poured a generous amount onto Jiang Ci’s palm.
The next second, his large palm began to push and rub on her ankle. Su Yue tried to endure it, but he was clearly applying force, and a burning pain flared. She struggled, whimpering, “Take it easy, Do it lightly.” The medicinal wine itself was warming as he rubbed, and his hands, covered with thin calluses, rubbed against her skin, making Su Yue tense with pain.
“It hurts too much, I won’t rub it anymore!” Su Yue tried to pull her foot away after a couple more strokes.
Jiang Ci clamped down on her disobedient foot. To his surprise, Su Yue’s foot was so small, his palm seemed to encompass it. He squeezed it; it was soft. No wonder she fell. Such feet had no strength. How could they stand firm?
“If you don’t take the medicine, you’ll walk with a limp tomorrow,” Jiang Ci continued rubbing, adding casually, “So delicate? Can’t stand it for a moment?”
“Really… it really hurts. I won’t rub it anymore,” she insisted. She didn’t know if it was because her skin had become more delicate, or if the pain was simply more obvious, but she truly couldn’t bear it.
Jiang Ci’s face hardened. “It’s already half done. If you want to give up halfway, then the pain you’ve already suffered will be for nothing.” He released her foot. “Tomorrow, you can walk on crutches.”
Su Yue knew Jiang Ci was right. She had endured so much pain already; it couldn’t be for nothing. After a long moment, she bit her pale lips and whispered, “You continue… continue.”
Jiang Ci raised his eyebrows, a lazy smile on his lips. “I won’t rub it. You’ll just struggle and kick me again, and I’ll end up being blamed. Anyway, you’re already so ugly, even if you limp, it won’t make you any uglier.”
Su Yue imagined herself hobbling on crutches, hopping on one foot. She sniffled and said softly, “Rub it. I won’t struggle anymore, and I won’t blame you.”
Jiang Ci snorted coldly, then continued to grasp Su Yue’s ankle with his big hand, pushing and kneading. Su Yue clenched her hands tightly in pain, tears welling in her dark eyes, the corners of her eyes reddening. After a while, Su Yue felt numb. Jiang Ci finally stopped. “Okay.”
The torment finally ended. Su Yue glanced down at her feet; the skin was rubbed red. She took a deep breath, her soft voice hoarse as she whispered, “Thank you.”
“Crying?” Jiang Ci laughed, mocking. “Su Yue, can you be more determined?” You can cry even when your feet are rubbed.
Su Yue didn’t want to talk to him; she was still aching. Jiang Ci’s lips twitched. “It really hurts?” He extended his arms, his face serious. “Come here, a hug will make it stop hurting.”
Su Yue was stunned for a moment, her voice muffled by the mask. “Jiang Ci, you’re not good at comforting people at all.” Yet, she leaned in, letting him hold her. He had carried her today and helped her with the medicine; he truly deserved a reward. She remembered her former agent, who was a pro at coaching men. She’d once said that many times, a man’s mind was like a child’s; he needed praise and encouragement to be happy and willing to work in the future.
In the following days, Fang Qi regularly visited the neighbor’s house, bringing either medicinal wine or food. Each time, Grandma Fang opened the door. He was always well-mannered and polite, leaving a good impression on Grandma Fang, who had watched him grow up.
“You’re very thoughtful. Go back and thank Yanmei for me. You don’t need to send any more medicinal wine; Yueyue’s feet are almost healed,” Grandma Su said, smiling kindly.
“Are her feet okay? Then I’ll take the medicinal wine back. This pork trotters and ribs soup has been simmering for a long time to help her recover. Su Yue’s feet are just right for this. It’s a good drink. Grandma Fang, don’t be polite,” Fang Qi said. He wore a white shirt today, tall and thin, looking increasingly gentle and handsome.
“Okay, , I’ll take it to her ,” Grandma Fang said, taking the thermos with the soup. “I’ll send the thermos back to you later.”
“Grandma Fang, no need to rush,” Fang Qi replied politely.
Fang Qi wasn’t in a hurry with the thermos, but he didn’t know how long Su Yue would stay in the village. He needed to act fast and tell her how he felt.
Su Yue’s foot was now completely healed. The sprain hadn’t been too serious, and Jiang Ci’s consistent help with the medicine, though painful, had been truly effective. To thank him, she had even promised to make him a mango cake when they returned home.
“Grandma, there’s no soy sauce,” Su Yue announced. She was cooking today, wanting to prepare a delicious meal for her grandparents. Grandpa Fang and Grandma Fang were surprised to see her in the kitchen, moving with such skill. Their granddaughter had always been pampered, never lifting a finger in the kitchen; she used to want to be spoon-fed! In the end, Grandma Fang sighed, concluding that marriage truly changed a person.
“No soy sauce? I’ll go buy it,” Grandma Fang offered. Her granddaughter’s foot still wasn’t suitable for too much walking.
“I’ll go.” Jiang Ci, who had been lazily leaning against the back of his chair, spoke up.
“You’re going?” Grandma Fang asked in surprise.
“Mm.”
Xiao Haohao obediently came over and took his father’s hand. “Haohao will lead the way for my father.” The little boy’s small face, chubby and earnest, was full of responsibility.
“Okay, just go straight out of the alley. There’s a supermarket at the end of the small slope,” Grandma Su instructed.
Xiao Haohao blinked. “Haohao got it.”
There was only one “supermarket” in the village, more of a large general store than a true supermarket. At the tables and chairs outside the entrance, young men often gathered to drink soda, smoke, and chat.
“Brother Qi, Li Lian asked me to tell you, when will you meet her again?” a young man laughed.
“Tell her to wait. I don’t have time recently,” Fang Qi said dismissively. He was too busy figuring out how to get close to Su Yue.
“No way, didn’t you say before that Li Lian was a very proper girl? Are you tired of her so soon?” The young man looked at Fang Qi’s handsome face, envious. To be like Fang Qi, he thought, must mean endless girls.
Fang Qi took a puff of his cigarette. “I’ve been busy chasing a rich girl recently. When I succeed, I’ll bring you good things in the future. Forget one Li Lian, you can have a hundred Li Lians.”
“Brother, is what you said true?” The young man was overjoyed. “If you need my help in any way, just ask. How about I give you a trick? How about a hero saving the beauty? Don’t those rich girls love that?”
Fang Qi patted his own face and sneered. “Have you been poisoned by TV dramas? Do I need to use tricks? I just hook my finger, and the other party comes running.”
“Brother, you’re right,” the young man agreed, having witnessed how women chased after Fang Qi.
Suddenly, Fang Qi narrowed his eyes, looking at the tall figure appearing at the entrance of the supermarket. He threw his cigarette butt to the ground, crushing it under his toe.
Hey, here comes the blind man.