Chapter 98: Ninety-eight, Thoughts Chapter 98: Ninety-eight, Thoughts The setting sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow that painted the entire landscape a uniform shade of crimson.
By the creek, the women sang folk songs as they washed their clothes. They labored in the fields during the day and only found time to wash their clothes by the creek in the mornings and evenings.
“Alan!” After finishing her laundry, Ah Fang looked towards her best friend, Alan. There were no secrets between them.
Alan didn’t hear Ah Fang calling her, her gaze fixed on the babbling creek, lost in her thoughts. She had heard that a young woman of great beauty had arrived at Zhang Dahai’s home, and she was genuinely worried about the relationship between this woman and Dahai. Alan had harbored affection for Dahai for a very long time, yet never dared to confess her feelings. She wondered, what should she do to avoid missing her chance with him?
Feeling a few cool droplets on her face, Alan snapped back to reality and turned to see Ah Fang grinning at her mischievously, “Why are you splashing water at me?” Alan said as she bent down, reached into the creek, and playfully splashed water back at Ah Fang.
Ah Fang laughed and dashed away, “I’ve been calling you for ages, and you’ve just ignored me. Could it be you’re daydreaming about your lover?”
Alan’s face instantly flushed a deep red. She glanced around to make sure everyone had gone home after washing their clothes before letting out a sigh of relief and chasing after Ah Fang, “You’re terrible, keep spouting nonsense, and I’ll stop talking to you.” The matter of her affection for Dahai was a secret she had only shared with Ah Fang, not even her family knew.
While running, Ah Fang made faces at Alan, “Hahaha… If you like him so much, why don’t you take the initiative? Maybe he likes you too?” She genuinely felt anxious for Alan at times—liking someone was just that, tell them outright! She was even tempted to confess to Dahai on Alan’s behalf.
Alan stopped in her tracks, “I’m too scared to speak up; I fear his rejection.” She had encountered Dahai several times and wanted to reveal her feelings to him, but each time the words reached the tip of her tongue, she couldn’t speak out. Besides, Dahai was a respected wizard, and she felt unworthy of him.
“Well, I do have a way to help you be with him, but it’s a bit risky,” Ah Fang whispered near Alan’s side.
“What way?” Alan asked eagerly, looking at Ah Fang. She was willing to do anything to be with Dahai.
Ah Fang looked around cautiously and whispered into Alan’s ear, “We could use a love potion.”
“No way!” Alan immediately rejected the idea without a second thought. She liked Dahai, but she couldn’t resort to such despicable means; he would surely hate her for it.
Ah Fang shrugged helplessly, “You won’t confess your feelings, you don’t want to use a love potion; so, are you willing to watch Dahai be with another woman? I’ve heard that a very pretty young lady has come to the Zhang family.”
“I’ll think it over,” Alan said with a hint of hesitation on her face.
Ah Fang reached out and took Alan’s hand, “Happiness is in your own hands. If you do nothing now, you’ll definitely regret it later. It’s getting late; let’s go back.”
“Okay,” Alan nodded. What should she do? Should she confess her feelings? Or?
Ah Fang walked back to the edge of the creek, picked up the wooden basin, and shook her head upon seeing Alan still lost in her daydreams.
Zhang Dahai had dinner ready and called Liu Qingshan and the others to sit down, “Please, everyone, take your seats!”
Liu Qingshan made himself comfortable at the table without any hesitation.
Song Yan Ning and Qin Yushen also sat down.
“Xiang, you should sit down too.” Seeing that Xiang was just standing beside Song Yan Ning without any intention to sit, Zhang Dahai pointed to an empty seat nearby.
Xiang didn’t pay attention to Zhang Dahai. It had been a very long time since she had last eaten human food.
Zhang Dahai shook his head somewhat speechlessly and looked toward Song Yan Ning, “Xiao Ning, let Xiang sit down with us.” After all, this wasn’t the Song Family, and there weren’t so many rules here.
Song Yan Ning glanced at Xiang, “She doesn’t like to eat with others. Xiang, you may leave.” Xiang was a mystical creature; she only ate souls.
“Yes!” Xiang responded and stepped towards the outside. She was so hungry, so longing to devour souls.
Zhang Dahai withdrew his gaze, sat down at the table, lifted his cup, and toasted everyone, “This drink’s to you guys. I wish you a smooth journey tomorrow.” He wasn’t one to meddle in others’ affairs—whatever they wanted to do was up to them.
“Thank you!” Liu Qingshan, Song Yan Ning, and Qin Yushen lifted their cups. Out of the three, only Liu Qingshan had alcohol in his cup; Song Yan Ning and Qin Yushen had tea. They were still kids, so naturally, they couldn’t drink alcohol.
Zhang Dahai and Liu Qingshan downed their drinks in one gulp and laughed heartily.
“I thought we could have a good gathering this time, I didn’t expect you to leave so soon.” Zhang Dahai picked up the wine pitcher and filled both his and Liu Qingshan’s cups. It had been five or six years since he last saw Qingshan.
Liu Qingshan patted Zhang Dahai on the shoulder, “There will be other chances in the future. When you have time, come visit the Liu family, and we’ll have a proper get-together then.” He also didn’t want to leave so soon, but since Song Yan Ning and Qin Yushen were returning to Beijing, he had to accompany them. His duty was to safely deliver them into the hands of the Song and Qin Families.
“Alright! Drink up; tonight we don’t stop until we’re drunk!” Zhang Dahai laughed and raised his cup, clinking it with Liu Qingshan’s.
“To not returning sober!” Liu Qingshan laughed and drained his cup in one go.
Alan stood outside the door, listening to the laughter and jovial talk inside, and couldn’t help but curl up the corners of her mouth. This was the first time she had heard Dahai laugh so freely.
When she saw a figure coming out of the house, Alan quickly hid to one side.
Xiang stood by the door, glanced in the direction where Alan had hidden, swallowed, and looked up at the sky. She was so hungry! But she could only look and not eat right now—when would she be able to feast to her heart’s content?
Alan watched Xiang standing motionless by the door. Was that the woman everyone talked about? So beautiful! Compared to her, she felt like an ugly duckling.
She sighed deeply and turned to walk away. It was better to keep this affection in her heart; she couldn’t do anything to hurt Dahai.
“Can I ask you something?” Liu Qingshan put down his cup and hooked his arm around Zhang Dahai’s neck. The alcohol from the Miao Border was strong; he felt a bit dizzy after only a few cups.
“Just ask whatever you want; why the formalities between brothers?” Zhang Dahai laughed heartily and gave Liu Qingshan a pat on the shoulder.
“Are you seeing anyone you like? You’re not getting any younger,” Liu Qingshan said with a mischievous smile.
A pretty figure flashed through Zhang Dahai’s mind, and he shook his head, laughing as he punched Liu Qingshan on the shoulder, “What girls? Let’s drink.” He did have someone he liked, a woman who was kind and gentle, but every time she saw him, she would deliberately avoid him. Could it be that she was avoiding him out of fear? He needed to find a time to ask her.