"Forget it..." Xiao Jin Yu naturally understood why the two seasoned veterans carefully selected by Wu Jiang had missed the scheduled time, and it was fortunate they had been a bit slow—otherwise, he wouldn’t even have the strength to speak now. "Did you notice if there’s a village nearby on your way here?"
"Yes, there’s a fairly large village to the east."
"Let’s ask to stay at the village chief’s house for the night."
"As you wish, sir."
As the carriage started moving again, Chu Chu looked at Xiao Jin Yu, who was leaning back on the couch with his eyes gently closed, her face full of curiosity. "Are you old acquaintances with this village’s chief?"
Xiao Jin Yu was too tired to glare at her anymore and simply shook his head lightly.
"Then why are we going to his house?"
"To become a village chief, one must either have good moral character or come from a well-off family. It’ll be more convenient to ask for lodging there..."
Chu Chu clapped her little hands excitedly, her eyes sparkling. "You know, that’s so true! The chief of Little Wang Village near our town is a really good person. He helps anyone in his village who’s in trouble, and even if it’s something outside the village, he’ll lend a hand if he comes across it. The chief of Da Zou Village is the same—every year during rice planting season, he leads people to help the elderly and widows in the village, never asking for anything in return... And then there’s the chief of Zhou Li Village. He’s not as keen on helping others, but his family is really wealthy. They’ve built seven rooms and raise eight pigs!"
Before she could start listing the names of each pig, Xiao Jin Yu replied dismissively, "Is that so..."
"Really! When we get to Chu Shui Town, I’ll take you to see for yourself. Their pigs are raised so well—they eat more than anyone else’s pigs and are so plump and white!" She added, "You should eat more too."
Even with his eyes closed, Xiao Jin Yu could practically see the exasperation lines on his forehead. Where did that "too" come from...?
Xiao Jin Yu remained silent, his face dark, for a long while. Chu Chu pursed her lips and asked another question, "Then... how will they know which house belongs to the village chief?"
They were chosen by Wu Jiang from over a hundred people—they must have an eye for such things.
Xiao Jin Yu knew better than to say it out loud. "Ask them yourself later..."
Better leave such risky tasks to his subordinates...
In less than a quarter of an hour, the carriage stopped in front of a large farmhouse. When they knocked and asked, it turned out to be the village chief’s home.
"And you are...?"
Xiao Jin Yu bowed slightly, a humble and amiable smile on his face. "I am An Qi, the proprietor of Ming Qing Tea Shop in the capital. I’ve been entrusted by several official households to procure high-quality tea in Suzhou for the New Year celebrations. I’ve fallen slightly ill on the journey, which delayed us, and we’ve missed the time to enter the city. I hope you would be so kind as to allow my servants and me to stay here for the night. I will surely repay your kindness."
Chu Chu, standing behind Xiao Jin Yu, secretly stuck out her tongue. If she didn’t know he was usually stern-faced, she would have thought he was truly a good-natured businessman. He was putting on quite the act!
The village chief was flattered by Xiao Jin Yu’s repeated use of "sir." Seeing Xiao Jin Yu’s frail, scholarly appearance—and that he was in a wheelchair—his words were calm and sincere. He also noticed Chu Chu blinking her bright, lively eyes at him, and though the two attendants were tall and sturdy, they had honest, trustworthy faces.
Hosting a big businessman from the capital would surely give him bragging rights during New Year’s drinks. The village chief happily agreed."Perfect timing! My wife took our daughter and son to visit relatives, so there's plenty of space at home. You can park the carriage in the backyard. Manager An, please come inside!"
"Thank you, sir. Sorry to trouble you."
"No trouble at all..."
After Xiao Jin Yu had his guard slip the village chief two taels of silver for food and lodging, the chief was so delighted his eyes nearly disappeared. "I'm just a rough fellow who can't cook anything fancy. Wait here, I'll call Da Cheng's wife from across the way—she's the best cook among all the wives in our village!"
"No need for the trouble. If you'd allow us to borrow your kitchen, that would suffice."
The village chief slapped his forehead. "Look at this mud-filled head of mine! You're from the capital—how could you be accustomed to village food? Actually, we have a master chef in our village who works at a city restaurant. I'll go fetch him right away!"
"That won't be necessary... I have health issues with many dietary restrictions. Let my wife make something simple instead."
Wife?
The village chief stared at Chu Chu in surprise. This girl was his wife?
How could the wife of a capital businessman look like this? She was fresh-faced and pretty, no doubt, but her attire wasn't as charming as Da Cheng's wife across the way. He had assumed she was just the businessman's personal maid.
Chu Chu's face grew warm. They had agreed she was his betrothed, not yet married—how could he call her "wife" so casually!
His voice had been deep and measured when he spoke, deliberately softening slightly at the word "wife," making it sound subtly tender. It was the first time Chu Chu realized those two syllables could be spoken so beautifully—and that they were referring to her.
Seeing Chu Chu's flushed cheeks, the village chief assumed Xiao Jin Yu's bluntness had embarrassed the young wife and quickly said, "Very well, very well! The kitchen has chicken, duck, fish, pork, ribs—everything! Cook whatever you like. If you're missing any ingredients, just tell me, and I'll find them for you."
"Thank you."
"I'll leave you to it then—I'll go prepare your rooms."
"Much obliged."
Xiao Jin Yu entered the kitchen with Chu Chu and the guards. While the two guards lit the fire to steam rice, Chu Chu rummaged through the kitchen ingredients, asking as she searched, "What would you like to eat?"
"I'm not hungry. You all go ahead and eat."
He always struggled with the jostling of carriage travel, especially during this time of year when his health was at its worst. Xiao Jin Yu had no appetite whatsoever and had only retreated here to escape the village chief's overwhelming enthusiasm.
"Then... let me make you some soup. You haven't eaten all day."
Xiao Jin Yu wanted to refuse, but when he glanced in Chu Chu's direction, he paused. The girl was watching him carefully, her expression like someone who had just mustered the courage to ask a favor—anxiously awaiting his response yet terrified he might refuse. Her eyes held undisguised worry and fear, as if she might burst into tears the moment he shook his head.
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