Chapter 27 – New Clothes

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While Fang Tinglan was upstairs talking with the old knight, Hai Lian was downstairs helping the cook… kill a chicken.

He deftly used a cleaver to slit the bird’s throat, let the blood drain out, defeathered the chicken in boiling water, lined the blade up with the chicken’s abdomen, then swiftly removed the internal organs. The cleaned bird was placed on the cutting board. Hai Lian’s wrists rose and fell a dozen or so more times and the bird was reduced to even chunks.

Off to the side, the plump kitchen hand watched in amazement. She asked if Hai Lian had apprenticed in a tavern when he was younger. Hai Lian shook his head.

“The idea is the same1.” Hai Lian said out of the blue, and didn’t explain further. Coincidentally, Lady Yener called his name from the living room. Hai Lian set down the cleaver and walked out.

“You’re a rare guest, yet you’re helping out in the kitchen. It really is embarrassing.” She said apologetically.

“No worries, it’s no problem.” Hai Lian walked into the living room, then continued their previous conversation. “Is Little Yu well?”

“She’s well,” Yener’s wife nodded.”The last time she came home, she was saying that Her Majesty the queen especially enjoyes her presence. The other ladies-in-waiting at Chuizhi Pavilion all treat her very well. There’s only one thing she’s dissatisfied with.”

Hai Lian was startled.

“What is it?” He quickly asked.

The old lady extended her index finger and pointed straight to Hai Lian.

“The only thing she’s dissatisfied with is that her older brother never visits her.” The woman moved closer to Hai Lian. “You’re quite the strange older brother. You clearly ask about Little Yu every time you visit, deathly afraid that she will meet any misfortune. Yet why are you so unwilling to see her?”

Why?

Hai Lian lowered his head. When he butchered the chicken earlier, a couple drops of blood had splashed onto his finger. Even though it had been washed, there were still faint crimson traces. He clenched his bloodstained hands.

“She’s the daughter of a knight now, why bother with a brother from the slums? It’s bad for her reputation.”

“Lying again.” The old wife sighed.

Hai Lian was silent.

“I’ve said so, and the old man has said so too, but even though you only asked us to adopt Hai Yu that year, we would have gladly adopted you and created a new identity for you too.” She looked levelly at Hai Lian’s lowered gaze. “You know very clearly that in these last three years, the old man has treated you as his own son.”

“Forget it. I’m just a bandit. What sort of a joke would it be for an old knight and a scholar to have a thug as a son?” Hai Lian laughed and turned his head. The bubbling sounds of a pot simmering floated over from the kitchen next door. If it weren’t for the fragrant flowers on the table, the house would have smelled like food.

“We’ve never thought of you as a bandit.” Yener’s wife shook her head. “A bandit wouldn’t have helped kidnapped people and wouldn’t have saved that wagon full of children about to be sold into slavery —”

“That was only an exchange!” Hai Lian interjected. “I saved you two only because your son died and I couldn’t raise Little Yu! Don’t think so highly of me!.”

His shout rang through the house; even the cook next door stuck her head out.

“Lady?”

“We’re fine, don’t worry about us.” Yener’s wife waved her hand to send the cook back to the kitchen. She then frowned and turned to the boy.

“Hai Lian…”

“Lady Yener, I’ve already enjoyed enough pleasant days when I was young. I had a father and a mother. I didn’t need to worry about food or clothing. My father lifted me on his shoulders to see the sea of flowers at the outskirts of Taiyan City and my mother made fermented rice2 for me before. But Little Yu had nothing. She lost her mother at birth, and lost her father soon after arriving in Tisu. We only had each other. But with me, she survived only by digging through the trash, and even, even… ” His eyes burned, but Hai Lian grit his teeth and refused to cry. “I want her to live well, and she deserves to live well more than I did. I already turned out this way, and I don’t want Little Yu to follow me down this path. You two happened to be there, that’s all.”

After this speech, the young man’s chest rose and fell several times before he calmed himself.

“I know what you want to say, but I’m not worth it. I’m fine on my own.” Hai Lian said emphatically.

“Since you two won’t keep the money I brought earlier, please keep it for Little Yu as part of her future dowry.” Hai Lian sniffed forcefully then stood up. “Now that she has you and the old man, and will have a good husband in the future, she won’t need a brother like me anymore.”

So saying, he turned to leave.

“If you don’t acknowledge her as your sister anymore, then who should I give the new clothes she made to?” Lady Yener hurriedly grabbed Hai Lian’s wrist.

“…What clothes?” Hai Lian stood dumbly.

“Little Yu visited last month. Since you kept avoiding her, she could only leave the shirt she’d made for you at home.” She stood up too. “You should take it even if you’re leaving. It’s not like an old man like the master3 can wear clothes made for you young people.” She smiled, pat Hai Lian’s hand, then left for the inner room.

Moments later, she returned with a milky white silk shirt, handing it to Hai Lian.

The worn out old shirt Hai Lian was currently wearing was several years old. Not only were there holes on the shoulders and elbows, but the yellow gray stains from his fight the other day were practically etched into the rough linen. But the shirt in his hands was as soft and tender as a baby’s skin. Under the evening lights, the white silk seemed to glow — even the rich young masters of Bainiao District couldn’t own this sort of fabric.

“Little Yu said that Her Majesty the queen rewarded her with a bolt of Dongzhou silk for her excellent secretarial work. It was her first time making clothes, so the needlework isn’t too good; one of the older girls in Chuizhi Pavilion helped her with the collar. Because she knew that she wouldn’t be able to see you wear it, she reminded me many times to help her check that the fit was alright. Will you give it a try?” The woman smiled.

“I…” The young man stuttered. “I can’t…”

“Try it.” She said warmly. “You’re already blessed with good looks, so it’ll definitely look good on you.”

“That’s right, it’ll look good.” The kitchen hand came out, wiping her hands on her apron and patting Hai Lian on the back. “If I had the money and a son like you, I’d make you wear clothes like this every day! Isn’t that right, Lady?”

Lady Yener nodded happily.

When Hai Lian brought his sister to Lady Yener, Hai Yu was twelve and only came up to his chest, her demeanor like a small kitten. Because he felt guilty, he’d avoided her for three years and would rather Hai Yu forget a brother like him. But the girl never forgot him — from the shirt’s shoulders to length, Hai Lian didn’t even need to try to know that it would fit perfectly.

The hand of the young boy who had traveled land and sea had held swords, rope, steering wheels, and dead men’s arms without trembling. Yet, at this moment, his hand could barely hold up this feather light shirt.

“Wait, I still… ” Hai Lian didn’t have the chance to say anything else before the cook pushed him into another room to change. Through the door, he could hear the cook and the lady setting the table. Hai Lian sighed.

~~~

By the time Hai Lian finished changing, Yener had come downstairs.

At first, the old man didn’t even realize that they had another guest over. He squinted at the boy, trying to figure out who he was.

“You’re… Hai Lian?” Yener said in surprise once he realized.

“Yes, sir.” Hai Lian smiled embarrassedly. He greeted the man and his originally awkward expression immediately frose.

Unsurprisingly, he saw the other guest that had followed Yener downstairs. Fang Tinglan.

The other’s face was also filled with surprise. Although, rather than surprise, it might be more appropriate to describe it as a complex mixture of many indistinguishable emotions.

“Good evening, Hai Lian.” Fang Tinglan greeted Hai Lian with a smile.

“You two know each other?” Yener was surprised.

“Yes, he’s my neighbor.” Hai Lian said quickly in order to keep Fang Tinglan from spouting nonsense.

“En, I live just below Hai Lian.” Fang Tinglan played along with Hai Lian. “In the short time I’ve been in Jiumeng City, Hai Lian has helped me a lot. To think I’d meet him here today; what a coincidence.”

“A coincidence indeed.” Hai Lian grit his teeth.

Unfortunately Lady Yener noticed neither Hai Lian’s expression nor his tone; her face was filled with joy, as if a mother rejoicing that her lonely little boy had finally made some friends.

“Then, dear guest, you really should stay for dinner. I’ll arrange a carriage for the both of you afterwards. Oh right, remember how I said that Little Yu definitely knew her brother the best? Look, look how well it fits.”

“Not bad, not bad.” The old knight walked over and carefully looked it over.

“It fits him, gives off the right feeling too.” He gave his assessment while stroking his beard. “Stand a little straighter.”

Hai Lian’s lips moved soundlessly. He had no choice but to accept the man’s goodwill and do as the man asked. In the end, he helplessly stood a little straighter, nodded, and accepted their invitation to stay for dinner. Hai Lian’s posture screamed uneasiness as he purposefully avoided looking at the burning gaze beside him.

“I’ve finished trying it on, can I change out of it now? The shirt’s so precious, it’d be bad if I got it dirty while eating.” He asked, turning to Lady Yener.

“Go ahead.” Lady Yener’s eyes glowed with satisfaction. Watching Hai Lian’s back, she lamented softly, “Speaking of which, I still have some shirts from CLIO. You can take them home.”

“No, no, no. People who dress well in the Mud District are more likely to be robbed.” Hai Lian hurriedly refused. “Go ahead and go to the dining room first. I’ll be right there after changing.”

He returned to the side room. When he passed by Fang Tinglan, Hai Lian suddenly reached out and grabbed his arm.

“Come with me,” he said.

Fang Tinglan was caught off guard and stumbled after Hai Lian. Just as he regained his balance, Hai Lian shut the door.

“What are you doing here?” He asked directly.

“Business.”

Hai Lian clearly didn’t believe him.

“I’m here on business, really. The old knight has a lead on the person I want you to kill, so I came to find out more,” Fang Tinglan explained, “I didn’t expect you to be here too.”

“Really?”

“Really. I’ll tell you the details after dinner.” Fang Tinglan smiled innocently.

Hai Lian raised a brow; Fang Tinglan spoke without thinking too often.

“For now, I’ll assume you haven’t lied to me.” He said, still only half believing him. “You can leave now, I need to change.”

“It’s you that lied to me, Hai Lian.”

“How did I lie to you?”

“You said that your family had all passed away. But if I didn’t hear wrong just now…” Fang Tinglan pointed to the shirt Hai Lian was wearing. “Little Yu should be your younger sister?”

Hai Lian’s expression changed, then hardened under the lamp light.

“I don’t have a sister. That’s the couple’s daughter; she has no relation to me.” He said harshly.

“Is that so?” Fang Tinglan didn’t bother exposing his lies.

“To be able to make you such a form fitting shirt, that little girl must like you a lot,” he said instead.

“…I guess so.” Hai Lian dropped his gaze, the pale scar at the corner of his eye quivering ever so slightly.

He gave up chasing the other out, and proceeded to calmly take off his shirt. Just as he was about to set it to the side, Fang Tinglan took it from his hands.

“You clearly care about it quite a bit, why bother pretending you don’t when I’m here? I’ll help you fold it.” He said warmly.

Hai Lian choked, an unidentifiable feeling filling his heart. He simply chose not to speak and turned to get his old shirt. Just as he put his hands through the sleeves, the fox of a Dongzhou man beside him spoke up again.

“You’ve been hostile to me from the start. Was it because I killed Hui Sha?”

Hai Lian paused. He fixed his cuffs and straightened his clothes before speaking.

“No.”

As soon as Hai Lian finished speaking, Fang Tinglan felt a sudden pressure on his chest — the boy had suddenly turned and pinned him to the wall. At the same time, something beneath his feet tripped Fang Tinglan. Unable to keep his balance, he fell into a lounge chair behind him. The old wooden supports creaked loudly under the sudden pressure.

“Fang Tinglan, what is your problem? If it weren’t for the fact that the old couple doesn’t like seeing me with blades, today I would —”

“Shh. Quiet.”

These two words immediately suppressed Hai Lian’s fiery outburst.

Fang Tinglan leaned back and looked up at Hai Lian — if it weren’t for the other’s piercing cold gaze, then this truly would have been an ambiguous position. He only raised a brow.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I said it wasn’t because of Hui Sha,” Hai Lian said.

“Then what’s the reason?”

“Your smile disgusts me.”

“My smile?”

“I don’t like how you smile at me, at Ahbri An, at Mercury, or at anyone. Whether it’s someone you’re familiar with or a stranger, you treat them all the same. Only actors in a theater smile like that. Mercury already told me that you have issues, and I already knew that you have complex reasons for coming to Tisu. So, I don’t poke my nose in your business and you shouldn’t put your nose in mine. Just,” Hai Lian’s gaze dropped to the corner of Fang Tinglan’s lips, then moved back to his dark eyes, “Don’t expect me to play friends with you.”

“You’re the first to say something like this to me.” Fang Tinglan was surprised by the other’s intuition. “For others, even if they realize my personality, they’re still willing to stay my friend.”

“Others are others, I am me,” Hai Lian said.

The two were close enough to feel each other’s breath. When Hai Lian talked, Fang Tinglan could almost hear his lips and teeth against each other. He stared at the backlit little pirate, a thought suddenly surfacing.

Even though the new clothes looked very good, this sort of casual shirt fit Hai Lian much better.

Hai Lian noticed the other’s distracted expression.

“Do you understand?” Anger made Hai Lian’s voice rise.

“Understood.” Fang Tinglan nodded and purposefully sighed. “Then what should I do so that His Excellency Jiumeng City’s number one assassin and pirate won’t be so hostile to me?”

“What should you do?” Hai Lian sneered.

A second later, Hai Lian moved his head back, then suddenly leaned forward. Fang Tinglan was shocked. Just before their lips could meet, his vision turned black. It was his forehead that suddenly throbbed.

“Hiss —”

Having put quite some force behind this move, Hai Lian’s forehead was also red. He finally loosened his grip on Fang Tinglan, stepped back, and, for the first time, smiled a cheeky and gloating smile.

“You were more tolerable when you were drunk,” he said.

 

A/N: They haven’t even started dating, but he’s already greeted the parents. This sort of forced blind date cliche is also my cute point! (It’s not)

1

same: same as cutting people ;;

2

fermented rice: it has relatively low alcohol content (low enough for children to eat) and is usually very sweet. I’ve had this a lot as a child – until my dad decided to worry about the alcohol.

3

master: I debated about translating it like this, however, I think it’s more historically accurate this way. In the past (read: pre 1940s), women referred to their husbands not by name, but as 老爷, which (iirc) is basically master in other contexts. It reflects their status as inherently below the husband. However, it’s not like women had no status. Most notably, the lady of the house manages their money.