23

Chuyu walked up to the hall with a depressed mood. As he approached the door, he heard his father Zhou Huai'an voice:

"Well, my ma'am, what do you think of Nie Huanzhang?"

"That kid is quite good. He's polite, well-mannered, greets everyone as he comes and goes here, not excluding the servants. He always greets us whether he leaves early or comes back late. He's generous too. Every time he buys some food for dinner. I heard from our daughter-in-law that he bought a lot of toys for Dun'er. He's also good to Chuyu. He is a nice kid."

"Yes, I think that kid is good too. I didn't know more about him before but this time he basically handled those two embroidery rooms himself. He was afraid I'd get tired so he followed those craftsmen in and out, asking about things he didn't understand, coming up with ideas on his own. To be honest, I quite like this kid. Ma'am, I have a thought to discuss with you."

"What? Do you want to introduce this boy to Xiang?"

Zhou Huai'an chuckled and embraced his wife, saying:

"My dear, we truly understand each other! Yes, that's exactly what I have in mind. What do you think? Or do you have a suitable young man in mind to Xiang?"

After a while, Mrs Zhou spoke:

"No, I don't have yet. Huanzhang is indeed good but his family background is too thin. He's an orphan without family."

"I think it is great. Back when we arranged the engagement for Zheng, you always lamented that she wasn't by your side, marrying so far away. If Huanzhang ends up with Xiang, let him buy a house in Yucheng town, which is closer to you. We do business together. I heard from Feng Yuan that Huanzhang maybe has the special friends in Liangzhou who can help him go in and out Huichun freely and he has some agents in Huichun. All of them can help us to expand our market."

Mrs Zhou laughed and remarked:

"My master, you're indeed a businessman. Even when you finds a boy for your daughter, you consider the business benefit. Well, I may not understand much about your business but I genuinely like this young man and believe he is a right boy for Xiang. Xiang is your daughter so the decision is ultimately yours. Let's learn more about his intentions regarding marriage during dinner tonight. We can have Caifeng, Xiang and daughter-in-law dine together in Caifeng's room."

Zhou Chuyu stood outside, feeling weak, listening to his parents' conversation with tears in his eyes. He went to school directly without having breakfast.

It wasn't a surprised for Zhou Chuyu that they had dinner with Nie Huanzhang. When Nie Huanzhang saw Zhou Chuyu at the table, he called him softly:

"Wangshi."

Chuyu said indifferently:

"Please, please call me Chuyu."

Mrs. Zhou said:

"My boy, no matter which name Mr. Nie calls you, it is always you. Wangshi is your zi. Weren't you always complaining that no one called you by zi? Now that Mr. Nie has called you by your zi, you're not willing. Huanzhang, don't mind him. He looks always like this. Discourteous!"

Nie Huanzhang continued to gaze indulgently at Zhou Chuyu, who could feel his eyes on him and couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy. Zhou Chuyu kept his head down, focusing on his meal. Nie Huanzhang then spoke:

"Actually I envy Wangshi's carefree personality. I wish I could be so carefree myself, but unfortunately, I don't have this personality."

Zhou Huai'an inquired:

"I think you are also steady and have a good personality. Any thoughts about marriage?"

Nie Huanzhang was momentarily startled, glanced at Zhou Chuyu. He smiled wryly, saying:

"I'm afraid I won't be considering that in this lifetime."

Mr. And Mrs. Zhou exchanged surprised looks. Mrs Zhou then said:

"My child, how can you say such things at such a young age? There's a saying: 'Three acts of filial impiety, with having no descendants being the greatest.' Don't tell me you're not considering this aspect at all."

"Mrs. Zhou, I'm afraid it's something I can't consider. I remember the first time I came here. Miss Zhou Xiang asked me whether I had ever killed someone or not. At that time I didn't answer this question but now I can tell you. Yes, I did it. I have killed people, not just one. Since I'm capable of taking a life, one day I might face the same fate. If like this, why should I let a girl burden to live in fear with me in the future? No, I don't want to destroy her life."

Zhou Chuyu looked at Nie Huanzhang in astonishment. He had never heard Nie Huanzhang speaking such words before and couldn't help but stare at him. Nie Huanzhang took out a paper bag from his pocket and revealed its contents, including money and the contract he signed and a piece of paper. He opened the paper and handed it to Zhou Huai'an. Zhou Huai'an, after reading it, exclaimed in surprised:

"A will with an official seal? You've left all your property to Chuyu."

Zhou Chuyu stood up abruptly, looking at Nie Huanzhang in astonishment. Mrs Zhou also couldn't believe her ears, gazing at her husband. Zhou Huai'an handed the will to her. He didn't know what to say, just saying:

"Why do you..."

"You must find it is strange. Why would I leave all my property to a boy who I have known for one year? He is my redeemer. Since I've know Wangshi, he has given me trust, warmth and even the feeling of having a family. Throughout my life, I've never felt the sense of having a relative. For me this means it is a family. Yes, I have a master who raised me up but he himself didn't have a family so how could he give me the feeling of a home, a family? But Wangshi provided that for me, introduced me to you and your family, made me understand what a family is and what a home looks like. During this time I've been selfishly enjoying this to the extent that I don't want to leave." He smiled wryly, "You may thank me for bringing Wangshi to Xin'an town but what I'm more thankful for is that I met Wangshi. I consider him a brother, a relative and a family. So why can't I leave my property to my brother and my relative? This will have two copies of this will, one is left to my master along with all of my belongings and another to Feng Yuan, two persons who I trust the most. Wangshi, if I'm no longer in this world, my master or Feng Yuan will come to you and hand over everything to you."

Zhou Chuyu shouted:

"I don't want your property."

Then he cried and ran away. Mrs Zhou glanced at her husband and Zhou Huai'an nodded. She quickly followed Zhou Chuyu outside.

Zhou Huai'an said:

"Come on, boy, let's have a chat. What such a pessimistic child you are! I don't know how you got into doing business outside the borders. Of course I don't want to ask you but isn't there still a risk to your current business?"

"As long as your run business outside the borders, there will always be such risk. That's why Feng Yuan doesn't like going to the west. He has a family to take care of but I don't have. In addition, I've heard and learned everything about this business since I was a child. My father died in Huichun and my master spent his whole life in this line. I started following my master at 12 years old, ventured outside the border at 14 and went there solo at 17. I've grown accustomed to this life. Whether it's dangerous or not, I no longer consider and care about."

Zhou Huai'an suggested:

"If you settle down and start a family, you'll find stability. Everyone goes through a phase of youthful recklessness. But as you grow older, you'll consider these things."

Nie Huanzhang smiled and replied:

"I don't know what settling down would look like for me. I've never thought about it. Maybe I'll end up like my father, dying in some place or like my master, spending all of my property, living a life of disillusionment, chanting and praying the way."

"How about your mother?"

"I don't know and I have never seen her. My master rarely mentions her. He just says she's still alive but has never disclosed her whereabouts. To be honest, I don't want to know where she is. Just let it be."

Zhou Huai'an understood that Nie Huanzhang currently had no plans for marriage so he didn't bring up the topic again. They chatted about various things for a long time before returning to their respective rooms. 

When Nie Huanzhang entered his room, he noticed a money bag containing many Ping'an Fu on his bed. He took it and went to Zhou Chuyu's room, knocked on the door, said:

"Wangshi, please open the door. We need to have a proper talk."

Zhou Chuyu said through tears in his room:

"Huanzhang, don't say anything. It's my fault. Please forgive me. Rest assured, I won't disturb you anymore. I don't want your money either. I just wish for your safety. No matter whether we can meet often in the future or not, I want to be your brother and your relative. That's all."

However, the door remained closed. Nie Huanzhang heard Zhou Chuyu's crying. He sighed deeply and his departing footsteps echoed. Zhou Chuyu murmured:

"I will never be at ease from now on."