Separation

When Zhuang Zhuang heard Xiaoguo’s words, he came over and sat on Jiang Danhe’s lap to take a look.

“How is it?”

Jiang Danhe went to buy them this morning. It was his first time buying such stuff, so he was quite clueless. Based on the recommendations of the stop staff, he bought a bit of everything.

Xiaoguo nodded. “They are not bad, but you didn’t have to buy so much.”

As she spoke, she took out a bundle of shoe soles, together with a large pile of fabrics, thread and needles.

“I’ll only wear the shoes you make from now on.”

Jiang Danhe had not planned to get so much materials, but after hearing the shop staff’s recommendation, he couldn’t control himself and ended up buying so much.

Hearing Jiang Danhe’s words, Xiaoguo didn’t know if she should thank him or not. Was he intending to work her to death? There were so many pairs of soles. How long would it take for her to finish all these if she were to sew continuously?

Seeing the dumbfounded expression on Xiaoguo’s face, Jiang Danhe forced himself to pull out half the number of soles from the stack. Looking at Xiaoguo’s face again, he reluctantly pulled out a few more from the bundle. “Why don’t you make me a few pairs for a start?”

Although it was much less than he had planned, he could wear them sparingly. They should last him till next year. “All these remaining ones, I’ll keep them for next year.”

“How thoughtful of you.”

Xiaoguo said sarcastically. So he really meant it when he said that he will only wear the shoes she made. He wasn’t just being polite!

“It’s no big deal. It’s my pleasure.”

Jiang Danhe couldn’t detect Xiaoguo’s sarcasm. He scratched his head shyly. “Guo’er just praised me. How nice.”

“She said that I was considerate just because I asked her to make shoes for me. Would she love me more if I asked her to sew all my clothes for me?”

Xiaoguo had Jiang Danhe to thank for this. From then on, she started to sew shoes wherever she went—in the carriage, during her breaks, after dinner and before bed.

Since Xiaoguo was spending so much time sewing the shoes, Jiang Danhe had to take care of Zhuang Zhuang to ensure that he was clothed and fed.

Jiang Danhe finally understood what Xiaoguo was saying when she talked about how curious Zhuang Zhuang was and how he had to get to the bottom of things…

For example, it was another sunny day in the morning. The carriage had just left the inn and was making its way out of the city. On the way, it passed by a brothel. Some men who had stayed overnight were coming out of the brothel with downcast looks. When Zhuang Zhuang saw them, he pointed at the men who had lipstick stains on their faces and asked Jiang Danhe why they were leaving the place looking like this. What was that place? What were those red stains on their faces and necks? Why weren’t they dressed properly…

Jiang Danhe was dumbfounded by these questions. In the end, he forced a reply out of himself. “Go ask your mother.”

Xiaoguo, who was eavesdropping, was speechless. Zhuang Zhuang did not continue asking. Neither he nor his father would dare to provoke Xiaoguo when she was preoccupied with her work.

From then on, whenever Zhuang Zhuang asked any awkward questions, Jiang Danhe would say, “Ask your mother.”

These words were fail-proof. Zhuang Zhuang would stop asking more questions and Jiang Danhe did not have to think of tactful replies anymore.

Just like that, Jiang Danhe and Xiaoguo thought that the boy had forgotten about his questions and the matter had come to a close. No one expected that Zhuang Zhuang would give Xiaoguo a sudden blow to the head soon after.

Zhuang Zhuang was young, but he had a good memory. He memorized all the questions which no one gave him any answers to. When Xiaoguo has the time, he will ask her everything.

The little Zhuang Zhuang looked at his father, then at his mother, and then at his tall father again. At this moment, he understood another truth. His father is ignorant, and his mother knows everything.

–

Time passed by quickly. After five days of bumpy travels, the group arrived at Feng City.

This meant that Jiang Danhe had to part with the two of them for the time being.

“Father, are you leaving right now?”

Zhuang Zhuang lowered the curtain and looked at Jiang Danhe, who had his eyes on Xiaoguo.

“That’s right.” Jiang Danhe retracted his gaze and pretended to be cool about it. “When Zhuang Zhuang goes to school next year, Father will be back.”

“Really?”

Zhuang Zhuang was a little excited when he heard the timeline, but he still asked doubtfully.

“Of course!”

Jiang Danhe rubbed Zhuang Zhuang’s head in amusement. “Would I lie to you?”

“No, You won’t.” Zhuang Zhuang shook his head. Jiang Danhe really wouldn’t lie to him.

“There you have it.”

Jiang Danhe patted Zhuang Zhuang on the head and turned to look at Xiaoguo.

Xiaoguo had not spoken much after finding out that their next destination was Feng City.

“I’ll be getting off at the intersection in a while.”

Jiang Danhe pretended to be calm. Even though he was trembling with dread in his heart, he could not show it.

Xiaoguo’s hands paused for a moment, and she continued wrapping up Jiang Danhe’s shoes. Putting on a brave front, she nodded. “How time flies. Be careful when you’re there.”

Xiaoguo was trying to speak as little as possible. She was afraid that he would hear her trembling voice.

She really hated farewells.

“… Yeah.”

After a while, Jiang Danhe nodded.

There was so much he wanted to say, but he didn’t know where to start.

Although he didn’t wish to part with them, time does not stop for anyone.

“Have you packed?”

Xiaoguo looked at Jiang Danhe, who had picked up his bag.

“Yes, yes. I have everything.”

Jiang Danhe was carrying quite a heavy bag on his shoulder. Now, the bag has become heavier because of Xiaoguo.

Over the past few days, Xiaoguo had made six pairs of shoes—three pairs for cold weather, and three pairs for warm weather.

To Jiang Danhe, the shoes were a token of Xiaoguo’s love. A bag filled with love is bound to be heavy.

“Father…”

“Zhuang Zhuang, do you remember our agreement? You have to carry it out properly when you go back. I will go back when you have done everything.”

Jiang Danhe spoke in a secretive manner to Zhuang Zhuang, leaving Xiaoguo all confused.

“Alright! Let’s go! When that person arrives, I will be delayed again.”

Xiaoguo knew who Jiang Danhe was talking about and couldn’t help but laugh. She nodded and said, “Go ahead.”

Jiang Danhe nodded and looked at Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang seriously, as if he was trying to etch them into his heart.

He mounted his horse and looked at the two of them again. The emotions surging in his eyes almost moved Xiaoguo to tears.

Jiang Danhe took one last serious look at Xiaoguo and nodded at her. Then he nudged his horse’s belly and said, “Let’s go!”

The group of horses galloped away, leaving behind a cloud of dust.

Xiaoguo blushed slightly. “Indeed, men on horses look so suave.”

“Why, General, General!”

Magistrate Liu had missed running into Jiang Danhe. He was panting heavily.

Every inch of his body was trembling with each breath, Xiaoguo was worried about him falling dead in front of her.

“Has the general left already? I was intending to send him to the entrance of Feng City.” County Magistrate Liu slapped his thigh and said regretfully, “I still have a lot to say to him. Sigh…”

When Xiaoguo heard this, she almost laughed out loud. He had many things to say to him? Fortunately, Jiang Danhe had the foresight to part with them at the intersection. Otherwise, he would have problems leaving on time.

But Xiaoguo couldn’t say that to him. Hence, she changed the topic and said, “He didn’t want to trouble you, Magistrate Liu. It’ll save you the hassle of making a detour to Feng city and traveling back here again. We can just set off directly from here. It’ll save us a lot of time.”

Hearing Xiaoguo’s words, Magistrate Liu shook his head and looked very touched. “General, you are really wise. You have such foresight and are so kind to me!”

Although what he said was far from the truth, Xiaoguo still nodded and agreed with him.

The two groups of people parted at the intersection—with one headed for the west and the other for the east.

Xiaoguo lifted the curtain and looked worriedly in the direction where Jiang Danhe had disappeared into the distance. She prayed that everything would go smoothly for him and wished for him to be safe and sound.