10

Zhou Chuyu sighed and said:

"Ge, if I ask you to join my eldest brother in the business, would you think I'm too selfish?" Before Nie Huanzhang could respond, he continued, "I know that if you really do it, you wouldn't be the Nie Huanzhang I know. You are a person who enjoys taking risks and has great ambitions. My family's small business would limit your potential, even insult you. Although you would do it for me to put my mind at ease, it would stifle your future. It's truly selfish of me, but I don't want you to face any danger or harm. Ge, I don't know what to do but I'm just scared."

"Don't be afraid, baby, don't be afraid. Trust that I will have ability to take care of myself for you and also for me. Okay?"

"Promise me. You have to promise me. Please, Ge!"

"I do." Nie Huanzhang thought for a moment and said, "How about this? If you always worry about this, I won't agree to be a spy for His Highness and I won't actively seek out any information in Huichun Tribe. But if I happen to come across something, I'll inform His Highness. Is that acceptable?"

"Is it dangerous?"

"The danger would be much smaller, at the very least, there won't be a threat to my life."

"Okay, just make sure to take care of yourself."

"Rest assured, I have a relative worrying about me, don't I?"

"Yes, worried a lot."

Nie Huanzhang held Zhou Chuyu tightly and kissed him on the forehead gently before saying:

"It is only fair to reciprocate. Let me give you a kiss too."

Zhou Chuyu blushed and giggled in Nie Huanzhang's arms, prompting him to laugh as well. He kissed Zhou Chuyu's forehead once again.

"Ge, why do you call me baby?"

"Baby is the finest of two treasures, one is Suihou Pearl and the other is He Shibi. You know I have no relative and you are my only relative and family. Naturally you are my finest treasure, my baby."

(The term "Baby", there are three means in Chinese. Firstly it refers to a child; secondly it denotes a loved one or sweetheart; and thirdly it signifies a national treasure.)

Zhou Chuyu squirmed happily in Nie Huanzhang's arms.

The original distance to Xin'an town was just over ten days' ride on a fast horse. However, due to various circumstances, it took the two of them more than twenty days to arrive. Once settled in the inn, Nie Huanzhang looked at the gloomy Zhou Chuyu sitting on the side and asked:

"What's wrong? Feeling unhappy?"

"Once we find my elder brother, are you going to leave me?"

Nie Huanzhang asked him with a touch of melancholy:

"Would I be reluctant to let me leave?"

Zhou Chuyu replied

"Yeah, I would. I enjoy being with you."

Nie Huanzhang asked:

"Do you understand the meaning behind this statement?"

Chuyu was momentarily confused, looking at Nie Huanzhang with a puzzled expression. Nie Huanzhang sighed and smiled wryly, saying:

"Alright, let me rephrase it. Why do you get shy when you kiss me?"

Zhou Chuyu replied:

"I…I have never kissed anyone, so I feel embarrassed."

Nie Huanzhang sighed, shook his head and said:

"Alright, I see. What I wanted to tell you is that I also enjoy being with you for..."

Just like he couldn't say "I like you." back then, he still couldn't bring himself to say the word "forever".

Zhou Chuyu asked, pressing for an answer:

"For what?"

Nie Huanzhag replied in frustration:

"Nothing."

After a moment, he pulled out a red string hanging on his neck under his clothes. Hanging from it was a small fish-shaped jade pendant. He took it off his neck and placed it around Zhou Chuyu's neck, saying:

"This pendant is my personal belonging. It is hung around my neck since I can remember. I've never taken it off except to change the string. It's a cherished item of mine and now I'm giving it to you. Don't forget me and remember that you have a Ge who cares about you."

"Alright, I will wear it always and never take it off unless I die. But, Ge, I'm sorry I don't have anything valuable to give you. I don't like wearing accessories or sachets, but I have this money bag which my little mom made for me and it's my first one. If you don't mind, I'd like to give it to you."

Nie Huanzhang said:

"Okay, I like it. Whatever you give me, I'll like it."

Zhou Chuyu smiled and tucked the pendant into collar. His skin felt the warmth from Nie Huanzhang on the pendant and he caught the scent of Nie Huanzhang, a fragrance he liked. 

"Oh, You're looking for Mr. Sun Zuo. He is at the Qishan Tang Drugstore. Just keep heading south along this street." the innkeeper said, " By the way, would you tell me you are Mr. Zhou or not?"

Nie Huanzhang and Zhou Chuyu were both surprised and exchanged glances. Nie Huanzhang quickly asked:

"Why do you ask this?"

The innkeeper explained:

"Oh, there is a gentleman who comes to inquire about guests whose surname is Zhou every other day. He tells me that if there is a young man whose surname is Zhou, he should be directed to Qishan Tang because his elder brother is studying medicine there."

The two of them walked out of the inn. Nie Huanzhang observed Zhou Chuyu's subdued mood, says:

"Your elder brother is looking for you."

"I know."

"Don't be so dispirited. You should be happy now that you've found your elder brother, right?"

"I am happy but you're about to leave. And I really can't bear it and I don't know when we will meet each other again."

After a moment of contemplation, Nie Huanzhang suggested:

"Well, I will come here to visit you once I return from Liangzhou city. When will you attend the Imperial Examination?"

"In October. Once I find my elder brother, I will write to my father to register this examination."

"Will you go home immediately?"

Zhou Chuyu asked:

"I don't know, probably not. Maybe I will stay here for a while. It isn't easy for me to come out like this. When will you be able to come back?"

Nie Huanzhang suggested:

"About three or four months. Well, no matter when I come back, I'll come here to see you. If you're still here, that's great. If you've gone home, I will find you in Yucheng. What do you think?"

Zhou Chuyu's expression immediately brightened and said:

"Really? You promise me?"

"I promise with your jade pendant and my money bag as guarantees. Oh, one more thing, it is about our encounter with His Highness..."

Zhou Chuyu assured:

"Ge, I see. I won't tell anyone. I also won't disclose what you do."

Nie Huanzhang said:

"How come? Afraid of alarming your family? My matters don't matter."

Zhou Chuyu explained:

"No, it's not about scaring my family. I just don't want to tell others. When I follow my mother to offer incense, I pray to Buddhas to bless you with peace. It gives me peace of mind."

At this moment a voice came from behind:

"Master Chuyu! Master Chuyu!"

They turned around to see a middle-aged man running towards them. When he reached them, he said:

"It is indeed my youngest master. The innkeeper told me you have just left the inn." then turning to Nie Huanzhang, he clasped his fists and said, "This must be Mr. Nie. My second young master has received your letter."

Zhou Chuyu said:

"This is Uncle Zhao who has been accompanying my eldest brother on trading trips. Is my elder brother doing well?"

"He's fine. Come and let's go to find him now." Uncle Zhao said, leading them towards the Qishan Tang. 

Upon seeing Zhou Chuqi, Zhou Chuyu's elder brother, Nie Huanzhang dared not to say anything. Zhou Chuqi just glared at Zhou Chuyu with resentment. Nie Huanzhang also observed the two brothers. He was worried Zhou Chuqi might physically harm Zhou Chuyu. However, as he watched, Zhou Chuqi's gaze was filled more with hatred and tenderness than anger. Zhou Chuyu kept his head down, not daring to look at his elder brother. Interestingly, he inched a bit towards behind Nie Huanzhang. Seeing this, Nie Huanzhang smiled and quickly bowed to Zhou Chuqi, saying:

"Mr. Zhou, it is all my fault. I took Chuyu around for sightseeing and delayed his journey so he comes here too late."

Zhou Chuyu said softly with his head lowered:

"No, it was not his fault. It was me who asked Nie Huanzhang to take me around. Don't blame him. "

Zhou Chuqi sighed and said:

"Thank you a lot, Mr. Nie. I know more about what kind of personality my youngest brother is. It's really making you go through trouble. I apologize for the inconvenience."

Nie Huanzhang replied:

"Don't say that. Wangshi(Chuyu's zi) is quite good. Mr. Zhou, please don't blame him anymore."

Zhou Chuqi said, bowing respectfully:

"Please call me Chuqi or Xuanhui, either if fine. Xuanhui is my zi. If Mr. Nie doesn't have any urgent matters, please stay at the humble abode I've rented for a few days. Let me show some hospitality and express my gratitude to you on behalf of my father and my eldest brother."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chuyu immediately grabbed Nie Huanzhang and said:

"Okay? Please stay with me for a few days."

Nie Huanzhang looked at Zhou Chuyu's hopeful eyes, smiled and nodded. He then turned to Zhou Chuqi and returned the courtesy, saying:

"Then forgive me to bother you for a few days, Chuqi."

Chuqi instructed to Uncle Zhao:

"Uncle Zhao, please go to the inn and bring their belongings to home."

After spending two more days in Xin'an town, Nie Huanzhang knew that it was time for him to leave. Early that morning, he rode Step Snow out of the city. The night before, he had bid farewell to the Zhou brothers, especially having a lengthy conversation with Zhou Chuyu. Zhou Chuyu had clung to him, crying for half the night. However, on this morning, only Zhou Chuqi was there to see him off and Zhou Chuyu was nowhere to be found, leaving Nie Huanzhang feeling a bit disheartened. 

As he rode forward, Nie Huanzhang suddenly spotted a boy standing by the roadside up ahead, looking in his direction. That boy's breathing was not yet steady. Nie Huanzhang's mood brightened and he smiled, riding up to him and said:

"Here so early to see me off."

Zhou Chuyu replied:

"Yeah, I have something to give you."

Nie Huanzhang dismounted and asked:

"What is it? Why didn't you give it to me yesterday?"

Zhou Chuyu said, extending his hand, revealing a small Ping'an Fu in his palm:

"I prayed it from the temple early this morning, ran all the way here to wait for you."

(In China, it is very often for the people going to the temple for blessing everything, for example marriage, children, security and so on so the people get the paper which is called "Fu". Ping'an means the peace. Here Zhou Chuyu prays Ping'an Fu for blessing security for Nie Huanzhang.)

Nie Huanzhang immediately pulled Zhou Chuyu into a hug, tears welling up in his eyes, rendering him speechless. 

Zhou Chuyu cried out and said:

"You're safe and my heart will be at ease."