The Little Fox Spoils Her Blind Husband - Chapter 13

After settling Xu Yanqiu, the two friends rose and headed toward the door. Very few people were around when they arrived because it was nearly noon. The villagers of Dongxu were either eating or resting before their afternoon labor, especially with the busy farming season approaching as spring drew near.

However, a large crowd had gathered behind Wang Juaner. Some were there for the spectacle, others were attempting to mediate, and some were shouting for the authorities, fearing that a life might be lost if the situation escalated further.

“How lively! What is the argument about?” Bai Qianjing asked. Although he had stayed in Dongxu Village for two days, he spent his daylight hours nearby negotiating business and his nights sleeping. He knew little of the village’s happenings, which was why he had only recently learned of Feng Lin’s fiancé.

Li Ting pointed toward the crowd. “The woman chasing the man with a knife is Xiao Qiu’s cousin-in-law. The man being chased is likely Xiao Qiu’s cousin.”

Bai Qianjing craned his neck to see the disheveled man and then glanced back at the little blind boy sitting calmly and sipping his tea. He chuckled. “I did not expect him to have such fierce relatives. So, what exactly happened?”

Li Ting summarized the situation in a few low sentences. He kept his voice down to ensure Xu Yanqiu would not hear. Bai Qianjing listened, unsure of how to respond, before finally asking, “How do these people’s minds work? Even we demons know those rumors are nonsense.”

“These are the humans my father wanted me to get to know,” Li Ting said softly. He decided to observe for now and only intervene if absolutely necessary, as he did not want to involve or endanger Xu Yanqiu.

The cousin was chased around the restaurant twice. By the third lap, he could no longer keep up the pace. He collapsed onto the ground near the entrance, drenched in sweat despite the early spring chill. Facing his approaching wife, he had nowhere left to hide. He craned his neck defiantly. “You! Kill me if you have the guts!”

Wang Juaner stood over him, clutching the kitchen knife, her face streaked with tears. Li Ting was taken aback by her distress. Just then, Gao Cheng rushed over from the other side of the street. He caught Li Ting’s eye and gave a quick nod of greeting before jumping into the fray to wrestle the knife from Wang Juaner’s hand. Following his orders, several soldiers tied the cousin up and prepared to take him back to the yamen.

“Auntie Wang, go home and change your clothes, then wait at the yamen,” Gao Cheng instructed. “The magistrate is aware of the situation. Rest assured, we will give you justice.” After seeing Wang Juaner off, he heard a voice behind him call out, “Senior Brother.”

Bai Qianjing, who had followed, curled his lip at the title. Only another fox could elicit such politeness from Li Ting, and he suspected Li Ting had some ulterior motive.

Gao Cheng turned to see Li Ting. “Junior Brother, what brings you here today?”

“I brought my brother and a friend out for a meal.” Li Ting gestured to Bai Qianjing. Gao Cheng looked at Bai Qianjing with surprise. “I did not realize Master Bai was a friend of yours. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“A pleasure, Constable Gao,” Bai Qianjing replied. He then leaned in and whispered to Li Ting, “The magistrate of your village yamen bought a gemstone from me.”

Li Ting understood immediately. Bai Qianjing was a gemstone merchant who traveled far and wide for profit. Li Ting had once asked him what the point of accumulating so much wealth was, and Bai Qianjing had simply taken him to see his literal gold and silver nests. After that, Li Ting never asked again; sleeping on a pile of money felt quite good indeed.

Dongxu Village was an obscure little place, yet a minor magistrate could afford one of Bai Qianjing’s gems. It was clear how much corruption was happening behind the scenes. Seeing that Gao Cheng seemed unfazed by this, Li Ting gained a deeper understanding of the situation. He asked, “Senior Brother, what just happened?”

“I was actually going to find you to discuss this,” Gao Cheng sighed, sitting on the restaurant steps. “Remember how I promised to look into Auntie Wang’s matter? I have been keeping an eye on it.”

After Gao Cheng had approached the magistrate, the official had shown no interest in the old case. Gao Cheng had taken it upon himself to investigate. Whether he was sincere or simply trying to impress Li Ting, the effort was real. After two days, he had found a breakthrough with the village midwife.

“The midwife said the cousin came to see her a while back and took some medicine from her,” Gao Cheng explained. “The medicine looked like a supplement for pregnancy, but it actually causes an untraceable miscarriage.”

“Why would he do that? Was that not his own child?” Bai Qianjing asked, intrigued by the gossip. Gao Cheng nodded. “He became involved with a woman in the entertainment district and wanted to marry her. She agreed on the condition that he divorce his wife and leave no children behind. That is how all of this started.”

Li Ting patted Gao Cheng’s shoulder. “Thank you, Senior Brother.”

Li Ting knew what he was thanking him for. When Xu Yanqiu had stayed with his relatives, he had been falsely accused of causing Wang Juaner’s miscarriage. He had been driven from his father’s old house, which was then burned down, and he had endured the village’s cold shoulders, insults, and physical abuse.

Gao Cheng hesitated before adding, “Junior Brother, although the truth is out, changing everyone’s perception will not be easy.”

“Thank you for the reminder,” Li Ting smiled. “Would you like to join us for a meal?”

Gao Cheng looked inside and saw Xu Yanqiu at the table, with the shopkeeper nervously serving dishes to the blind boy. He laughed. “I cannot. I have to go back for the court session. You, Master Bai, and Xiao Xu enjoy yourselves. I will be going now.”

After saying their goodbyes, the two friends returned to the restaurant. The food had already been served. Bai Qianjing did not interrupt Li Ting’s thoughts; instead, he handed a pair of chopsticks to Xu Yanqiu and asked with a smile, “Do you know how to drink?”

“He does not,” Li Ting answered before Xu Yanqiu could. To his surprise, the boy whispered, “Actually, my father gave me a little to drink once.”

“What?” Both Bai Qianjing and Li Ting were stunned. Li Ting asked, “What kind of alcohol was it?”

The little blind boy thought for a moment. “Erguotou.”

Li Ting was silent. His predecessor had certainly been unconventional. He coughed and took the wine pot from Bai Qianjing, who had already poured himself a glass and was watching Li Ting’s reaction.

“Do you want to try it?” Li Ting asked, sniffing the wine. It was high-quality Bamboo Green. A little would not hurt. As he spoke, he took Xu Yanqiu’s cup.

Xu Yanqiu nodded. “I will just have one cup.”

“Alright.” Li Ting assumed the wine was not very potent, but he forgot that his definition of potent was based on a demon’s tolerance. He poured a cup for Xu Yanqiu and placed it by his hand. Then, as usual, he guided the boy’s hand to show him where each dish was on the table. Bai Qianjing watched the scene in disbelief.

Growing up with Li Ting, he had never seen him so attentive to anyone. Li Ting placed the wine cup in the boy’s hand, set his favorite dishes in front of him, whispered some instructions, and only then sat back to eat, keeping a close eye on Xu Yanqiu.

Bai Qianjing felt as though he were meeting Li Ting for the first time. He wanted to say something, but seeing the tenderness in Li Ting’s eyes, he held his tongue. Li Ting broke the silence. “Qianjing, do you remember the gift you promised me when we were young?”

“Of course. I have it ready. I intended to give it to you before you left, but I was tied up with business. When I returned, your parents told me you had been gone for over a month,” Bai Qianjing said, eating a piece of stir-fried pork. “Shall I give it to you when we return?”

“No, wait a bit longer.” Li Ting glanced at Xu Yanqiu. Bai Qianjing understood that Li Ting wanted a pair. He smiled. “No matter. The items come in a set anyway. I will give them both to you.”

“Thank you.”

“Do not mention it between brothers,” Bai Qianjing said, placing some greens in Xu Yanqiu’s bowl, noting that the boy seemed to like them. “Since I am staying at your place for a few days, just do not kick me out. Consider the gift your rent.”

“You are staying in the woodshed,” Li Ting replied. Bai Qianjing nearly jumped up in protest, but Li Ting continued, “I will give you the Phoenix Wood that He Fangchuan gave me.”

“That is more like it,” Bai Qianjing smiled. A pair of gemstones in exchange for rare Phoenix Wood was a good deal. “By the way, you only have one bedroom. Do you two sleep together at night?”

“Yes,” Xu Yanqiu replied instinctively. Bai Qianjing squinted at Li Ting, who promptly stuffed a piece of meat into his mouth to silence him.

Despite the earlier commotion, the meal was pleasant. After several cups of wine, Bai Qianjing’s expression remained unchanged; his business dealings had built a high tolerance. Li Ting was the same, having learned about wine from his aunt. His face was only slightly flushed. However, the third member of their party was not doing as well.

Xu Yanqiu still held his cup, having finished nearly all of it. He was clearly intoxicated; his gaze was unfocused, his breathing had become shallow and rapid, and his grip on the cup was loosening.

The two friends shared a look. “He is drunk?”

Li Ting poured another cup for himself. “He is drunk.”

“Xiao Qiu, are you finished eating?” Li Ting touched the boy’s shoulder. Xu Yanqiu immediately pressed his cheek against the back of Li Ting’s hand. “Brother Li, I… I lied earlier.”

The little blind boy closed his eyes. Before he could explain, Li Ting said, “I know you have never had alcohol, and certainly not Erguotou.”

Xu Yanqiu paused, sat up in a daze, and murmured, “How does Brother Li know everything?”

Bai Qianjing turned red trying to stifle his laughter. To save his friend, Li Ting stood up and pulled Xu Yanqiu to his feet. “Yes, I know everything. It is time to go home. Shall I take you back?”

The boy stood unsteadily, his head dropping onto Li Ting’s chest as he went still.

“Did he pass out?” Bai Qianjing asked.

“I do not know why he tried to show off,” Li Ting sighed, tapping the boy’s head. “He cannot even handle one cup.”

“He just did not want to feel left out,” Bai Qianjing noted, seeing the situation more clearly. “We were both drinking, so he wanted to join in. The boy has a lot of pride.”

“Be quiet,” Li Ting snapped. “Go pay the bill.”

“You are always bossing me around. I already paid,” Bai Qianjing said. He stepped forward to help Li Ting get Xu Yanqiu onto his back, knowing Li Ting would not let anyone else touch the boy. Instead, Li Ting simply swept the little blind boy up in a bridal carry.

The boy was sound asleep, surrounded by a familiar scent. Despite his small stature, Li Ting held him easily with one arm, letting the boy’s head rest on his shoulder.

Bai Qianjing gave him a thumbs-up. “If you like him this much, why not just say so?”

Li Ting walked past him without a word, stepping on his foot for good measure. Bai Qianjing winced and followed.

As they walked, Xu Yanqiu’s face brushed against Li Ting’s neck. The boy was healthy and his skin was soft. The little fox looked up at the bright sky and wondered exactly when his feelings had begun to change.