Chapter Twelve: A Visit

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“Liuxian, is your hand alright?”

Coming out of her shock, Aba immediately asked about Chen Jianchen’s hand, afraid he might have hurt himself from hitting someone.

Chen Jianchen smiled, “It’s fine.”

He was now strong and robust; slapping Asan was no harder than swatting a fly, using only a fraction of his strength. If his opponent dared resist, he wouldn’t hold back.

—A scholar isn’t merely a man of words and debates. At least Chen Jianchen isn’t; when the moment calls for action, he never hesitates.

Aba murmured an “oh,” her thoughts a jumble. Today, Chen Jianchen felt intensely unfamiliar to her, yet deep within, she found herself inexplicably drawn to this unfamiliarity.

“Aba, move into my home,” Chen Jianchen said.

Aba was taken aback. “How can that be?”

“If I say it can, it can. Pack your things right now—we’re going home,” Chen Jianchen replied, his tone resolute and brooking no argument.

Aba gaped once more, but facing Chen Jianchen’s unwavering gaze, she found herself unable to protest. She turned back into the temple and quickly gathered her belongings.

Thus, the two retraced their steps home.

Aba habitually walked half a step behind Chen Jianchen, following closely. Her bright eyes lingered on his suddenly taller figure, her heart full of delight. Years of longing had abruptly become reality, leaving her with a dreamlike sense of unreality—she only hoped she could follow behind Chen Jianchen like this for a lifetime.

When they returned home, Chen Jianchen explained the situation. After a brief moment of surprise, Mo San Niang voiced no objections, kindly taking Aba’s hand, saying she would treat her as her own daughter from now on.

Aba’s eyes reddened instantly, large tears streaming down her face.

The Chen family’s circumstances were in fact quite straitened, with only two rooms—one for Chen Jianchen, and one for Aba and Mo San Niang.

As it was already late, everyone settled in for the night.

Chen Jianchen lay on his bed, unable to sleep for a long time, repeatedly pondering how to use the bell talisman to subdue demons. After much deliberation, he finally conceived a safe and practical plan, and only then did he rest easy.

He slept soundly until dawn, when the roosters crowed from all directions.

Diligent Aba was up early, doing chores and preparing breakfast.

Perhaps, having found a solid pillar in her life, the girl’s face was bright with joy and satisfaction.

After breakfast, while Aba cleared the dishes, Mo San Niang quietly called Chen Jianchen aside and got straight to the point: “Liuxian, do you fancy her?”

Chen Jianchen was caught between laughter and tears. “Mother, what are you thinking? Of course not.”

Mo San Niang replied, “That’s good… Aba’s a fine girl, but…”

She left the sentence unfinished, but Chen Jianchen understood his mother’s meaning. In a time when social status mattered, he and Aba belonged to two worlds. Of course, he himself didn’t care about such things. Yet, given his age and circumstances, Chen Jianchen had no desire to get involved in romantic matters too early, nor did he have the time.

He had Aba move in simply because he felt it was the right thing to do.

Moreover, Aba was diligent and sweet-natured. With such a girl as companion, he believed his mother would be much happier—it was a win-win situation. After all, come spring, Chen Jianchen would leave for Jiangzhou to study, and leaving his mother alone worried him. As for the burden of daily life, another mouth to feed was nothing; Chen Jianchen was confident he could handle it.

After a bit of preparation, Chen Jianchen set out to visit Wang Fu.

Wang Fu lived in Shuyang Village, five li from Jingyang Village. Riding his little donkey, Chen Jianchen made good time. Upon arrival, he asked for directions and found Wang Fu’s home.

The Wang family belonged to the landlord class, with high walls and spacious courtyards, surrounded by servants—a display of wealth.

After being announced by a house servant, Master Wang, the head of the family, came out smiling broadly. He was a fat man, rotund and ruddy-faced, always with a genial expression. As a local gentry, his manners were impeccable.

After settling in as guest and host and enjoying some tea and snacks, Chen Jianchen inquired after Wang Fu. Master Wang replied, “My son is still in Jiangzhou city and hasn’t returned.”

Chen Jianchen quickly guessed the situation. Wang Fu must have gone straight to the Jiangzhou villa to see Peach Blossom after leaving yesterday, so enamored he had forgotten to return.

He inwardly gritted his teeth and said, “Uncle Wang, could you send someone to Jiangzhou to call Brother Futai back? I have urgent business with him.”

Master Wang responded, “Very well… Ashui, hurry and ride to Jiangzhou. Tell the young master to return at once, and say Liuxian is here.”

The servant named Ashui promptly obeyed.

Master Wang kept Chen Jianchen company, chatting about inconsequential topics. After a while, he suddenly said, “Liuxian, you are a talented youth, your fame spreads throughout Jiangzhou. May I ask, are you married?”

Chen Jianchen hedged, “My family is poor; what girl would look favorably upon me?”

Master Wang’s eyes lit up. “I have a daughter, fifteen years old, in the bloom of youth, as yet unmarried. If you don’t mind, why not let me match her to you?”

Chen Jianchen was startled and hastily declined. “Such a matter is weighty and should be decided by my mother. I cannot make the call myself.”

—In fact, since he passed the scholar’s exam, a dozen matchmakers had come knocking over several months, nearly wearing out the Chen family threshold, but none were suitable, so Mo San Niang had not agreed. Unexpectedly, this visit to the Wang family had brought on a new proposition.

Master Wang chuckled, “No matter. Why don’t I ask my daughter to come out and meet you? If you both feel a connection, we can report to your elders later.”

Without waiting for a reply, he ordered the maid to invite the young lady out.

The matter was settled, and Chen Jianchen couldn’t very well object; after all, a mere look wouldn’t hurt.

Soon, the sound of ornaments and a waft of fragrance approached. Chen Jianchen looked up—and nearly spat out his mouthful of fragrant tea.

He cursed inwardly: Is this a transmigration version of Lady Feng possessed… But even that’s not right; with this face and this waist, how much food must one eat daily to cultivate such layers of fat?

Thinking it would be harmless to have a glance, he never expected such a glance would bring disaster. Especially as the young lady entered, her watery eyes fixed on him like nails, shining brightly, and her plump lips even drooled…

For a moment, Chen Jianchen nearly bolted for the door.

Master Wang stroked his beard and smiled, “Liuxian, though my daughter may not claim peerless beauty, she is dignified and well-endowed. An astrologer once said she is a great blessing to her future husband.”

Chen Jianchen broke out in a cold sweat. At least two hundred pounds of “endowment”—who could bear such fortune? For all his wit, he was at a loss for words.

Fortunately, in the midst of this awkwardness, the servant Ashui returned just in time.

Ashui went to Master Wang’s side and whispered a few words in his ear. Master Wang’s face changed abruptly, slapping the table. “What? He’s refusing to come back!”

Seeing this, Chen Jianchen felt a jolt—things might have taken a turn!