Two unexpected visitors arrived at North Watching Pass a few days before the New Year.
"Where is this?" Xue Niang asked, looking at the low, misshapen city walls before her, then turning to Xue Qiming.
Xue Qiming looked up at the weathered characters on the wall, rubbed his nose, and said, "North Watching Pass."
"The person you’re looking for lives here?" Xue Niang adjusted her skirt which was a bit large for her because it was something that Xue Qiming had borrowed along the way.
"Yeah... something like that." Xue Qiming paused, then took Xue Niang’s tiny hand. "Come on, let’s get you something to eat first. I have a friend here... He’s a good cook and his wine isn’t bad either."
Xue Niang’s eyes lit up.
Only two sleepy guards were at the city gate, leaning against the wall and dozing off. Xue Qiming led Xue Niang right past them without waking them, entering the city directly.
It was near noon, and smoke from cooking rose from every household, filling the town with the enticing aroma of food.
Xue Niang couldn’t help but gulp.
Xue Qiming noticed her reaction. "Hungry?"
Xue Niang nodded, but she didn’t complain.
Xue Qiming smiled at her. "We’re almost there."
After winding through a few streets in the city, they stopped in front of a house.
It was an ordinary house that was no different from the others on the street. Smoke curled from the chimney, suggesting that someone inside was cooking.
"We’re here." Xue Qiming ruffled Xue Niang’s hair and knocked on the door.
"Who’s there?" a man asked from inside.
"Coming, coming! Hold on!"
The door opened to reveal a man who looked to be in his forties or fifties, with a beard and wrinkles etched by a life filled with hardship. "Quit banging on the door! Hm?"
When he saw Xue Qiming, the man’s face first showed confusion, then surprise and joy.
"You... Brother Xue! Is it really you!" The man flung the door wide open, stepping out to grab onto Xue Qiming’s hand. "What an unexpected guest! Come in, come in. How long has it been? Nearly four years?"
Xue Qiming led Xue Niang inside, smiling as he replied, "It has been more than four years, Brother Qi."
"Yes, yes, my memory’s gone!" Commander Qi slapped his forehead and suddenly noticed the girl beside Xue Qiming. A bit surprised, he asked, "Since when did you have a daughter? She's grown so much too! How come you never mentioned her before?"
"Huh?" Xue Qiming was startled and quickly waved his hand. "You're misunderstanding things, Brother Qi. She’s not my daughter. I’m not even married, so where could I get a daughter from? This is... this is my..."
He stammered, his mouth open but not knowing how to introduce Xue Niang... could he really say she was a girl he had orphaned then picked up along the way?
"Child bride." A clear, innocent voice came from below.
"Say what?" The man surnamed Qi was stunned, and so was Xue Qiming.
"I’m a child bride he bought from a human trafficker," Xue Niang added helpfully.
Xue Qiming’s neck stiffened as he looked down. He saw Xue Niang looking up at him, her large eyes full of innocent sincerity, as if she was saying, See how understanding I am?
Xue Qiming’s mouth twitched as he looked up at Brother Qi, who was also glancing back awkwardly.
"Ha... haha..." Xue Qiming forced a laugh, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into.
"Heh... heh... Brother Xue... haha... I never thought you had that kind of taste... haha..." Brother Qi awkwardly tried to smooth things over, as he inwardly cursed himself for asking such nosy questions.
The two of them just stared at each other, unable to think of anything else to say, they laughed awkwardly.
A cold wind blew, lifting scattered leaves from the ground. Xue Qiming felt like the desert wind had never been as bleak as this.
"Oh, right!" Brother Qi finally realized that it was up to him to play the host. "Come in, come in. What are we doing standing out here? Let’s talk inside, come on, come on!"
With that, he led the way inside.
Taking advantage of Brother Qi’s turning around, Xue Qiming bent down, glaring at Xue Niang and poking her forehead. In a low voice, he scolded her, "What nonsense are you saying! You threw my reputation to the ground and stomped all over it! Don’t say things you don’t understand!"
Xue Niang blinked. "Oh."
"Brother Xue, come on in already," Brother Qi called from the doorway, seeing that Xue Qiming hadn’t followed.
"Coming, coming!" Xue Qiming responded. He shot Xue Niang another glare before stepping inside, with Xue Niang following behind.
Brother Qi set the food on the table, and just as they sat down, he suddenly slapped his forehead. "Oh! My memory is failing me! I almost forgot you can't enjoy a meal without wine, Brother Xue. Just wait, I’ll dig out a few jars of good wine. Today we’ll indulge ourselves properly!"
"That’d be great." Xue Qiming’s eyes crinkled in a smile. "I’ve been waiting for you to say that, Brother Qi!"
Soon, Brother Qi returned with two wine jars and handed one to Xue Qiming.
"You wouldn’t know, but I buried these on the day you left four years ago. It's all my own brew. You’ve got a picky taste, so I made it just the way you like. I figured I’d save it in case you ever came back so I could treat you properly. All these years, I held back from drinking even a drop myself... look, the seal is still fresh."
Xue Qiming was stunned, rubbing his thumb over the jar’s seal, loosening a small chunk of clay. He pressed it gently, and it crumbled into dust in his hand.
"Ah... Th-thank you." Xue Qiming’s voice was soft.
"Bah!" Brother Qi waved his hand. "No need for thanks between us! Brothers don’t need those words! Come on! Let’s drink!"
"Alright, let’s drink." Xue Qiming smiled, broke the clay seal, and poured himself a bowl. The rich aroma of wine immediately filled the air.
Just as Xue Qiming was about to raise his bowl, Xue Niang tugged his sleeve.
He looked down to see Xue Niang gazing up at him with her wide, expressive eyes. Seeing him look her way, Xue Niang pointed at her own bowl.
Xue Qiming pursed his lips but poured her a bowl as well, making Xue Niang smile, her eyes narrowing into happy slits.