“Wh-what’s going on? Why so serious?”
“It’s not like I… I just accidentally stepped through your roof and accidentally… hit your little brother.”
‘Is it really that…?’
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zhao Yi’an leaning against the steps with a pale face, and the mess on the ground that hadn’t been cleared yet. Her inner mutterings of luck grew smaller and smaller.
‘…Okay, it really is that serious.’
Ma Debiao stood there like a wall, his gaze so heavy it could squeeze out water.
Zhao Yi’an sat on the courtyard steps, looking at Liu Yao with confusion. His earlier questioning had been interrupted by the arrival of Ma Debiao and his wife. Now was the perfect time to hear her explanation.
“Big brother Ma.”
Zhao Yi’an straightened his body slightly, one hand still pressing against the dull ache at the back of his head. He turned his gaze to Ma Debiao and spoke softly.
“There’s no need to be so tense… I recognize this young lady.”
Ma Debiao looked at Zhao Yi’an, then at Liu Yao. He didn’t speak, but the vigilance in his eyes faded slightly.
“So… Lady Yao, what exactly happened here?”
Two gazes fell on her — one sharp and heavy, the other quiet.
Faced with their questioning, Liu Yao took a deep breath to steady herself. Just as she was about to speak, a voice rang out.
“What are you all doing? Why so serious?”
Ma Sao came in from the courtyard gate, an old cotton coat tucked under her arm and a heavy wooden stool in her hand.
She set the stool down next to Zhao Yi’an with a *thud*, shook out the coat, and naturally draped it over his shoulders. Then she stood up, looked at the silent Ma Debiao and Liu Yao, and showed a look of surprise.
“What’s going on here?”
Ma Sao’s interruption allowed the guilty and nervous Liu Yao to breathe a sigh of relief. She exhaled quietly, her gaze steadying as she spoke.
“You two might have misunderstood. I actually stumbled upon this place by accident. There’s a reason I’m here.” Liu Yao cupped her hands in a respectful gesture, her tone full of apology.
“It’s a bit embarrassing to say,” Liu Yao rubbed her face, her cheeks heating up as she glanced toward the house. “Actually… I was just passing over your roof when I… I slipped on a broken tile and fell through!”
After saying this, she took a half-step back and bowed deeply to Ma Debiao and his wife.
“I-I am truly sorry for making such a mess! And even more so for causing Young Master Zhao to be injured… I’m so sorry!”
Hearing the string of apologies from the strange girl, the other three looked at each other.
‘So that’s how it was. I was wondering why everything changed the moment I lay down to rest after applying my medicine.’
‘It seems that misfortune of mine is acting up again. Truly, misfortune falls from the sky while one is just sitting at home…’
‘Still, this girl is quite unlucky too, falling right into my pit of bad luck just by passing by.’
Zhao Yi’an twitched the corner of his mouth, his heart full of helplessness. Looking at Liu Yao, he actually began to feel a bit of sympathy for her.
‘Say something!’
Liu Yao remained bent over, not daring to stand up. Her ears were bright red as she waited for a sentence or forgiveness. She couldn’t help but mutter in her mind.
‘Whether you want to hit me or scold me, just give it to me straight! Leaving me hanging like this… is absolute torture…’
The girl felt like crying.
Ma Debiao stared at her bent back, then turned to look at the weak Zhao Yi’an under the eaves, and finally at the jagged hole in the roof. He said nothing.
After a long while, he let out a frustrated sigh.
“Lady Yao… I can call you that, right?”
“Y-Yes!” Liu Yao replied immediately, sounding nervous.
Ma Debiao rubbed his palms together and stepped toward Liu Yao, speaking with a hint of helpless reproach.
“Young lady… it’s not that I want to nag you. It’s just that the commotion from you ‘passing by’ was quite large.”
“Look at this house — tiles shattered, beams broken… fixing this won’t be a matter of just two or three copper coins.” He pointed at the mess inside and then turned to Zhao Yi’an.
Zhao Yi’an shook his head helplessly.
Ma Debiao’s tone shifted. “However, this can’t be entirely blamed on you. Seeing as you have a good attitude and no lives were lost… and Xiao Zhao knows you…”
He looked back at the silent Zhao Yi’an. “Then this… will be considered a genuine ‘accident.'”
Liu Yao’s ears perked up. When she heard the word “accident,” the tension in her shoulders relaxed slightly.
“However — “
“You have to be the one to fix the hole in the roof. Do you have any objections?”
‘Whew.’
‘What a relief. I thought I’d have to pay money.’
‘Thank goodness, thank goodness…’
While Liu Yao was secretly celebrating, Ma Sao, who had finally understood the situation, chimed in immediately after Ma Debiao finished.
“Lady Yao, you must also take responsibility for looking after Xiao Zhao’s injuries!”
Ma Debiao blinked, then nodded heavily.
“That’s right. Since Xiao Zhao’s injuries are also your responsibility, Lady Yao, you will take care of him until he is fully recovered. That should… not be too much to ask, right?”
Liu Yao looked at Zhao Yi’an, then at the serious couple.
Fixing the roof…
‘Sigh… I guess I have another reason to stay in this town for a while longer…’
The girl subconsciously straightened her back and nodded quickly.
“No problem! I’ll fix the roof, and I’ll take good care of Young Master Zhao… until he’s better!”
Her tone was decisive, carrying the weight of a martial artist’s promise.
Zhao Yi’an sat on the steps, listening to their conversation.
He pursed his lips as he watched the girl’s determined expression, then glanced at the house that was now uninhabitable. In the end, he said nothing, silently accepting the couple’s decision.
‘Fine.’
‘Misfortune is unavoidable anyway. Having someone to look after things… might not be a bad thing.’
“And I happen to have important business to handle in Xiang’an town, but…” Liu Yao’s tone shifted, becoming hesitant.
“I might have to come back tomorrow. My luggage is still at the inn. Can I go back tonight to prepare and come here first thing tomorrow morning?”
Her fingers subconsciously fiddled with her sleeve as she looked at the couple.
Ma Debiao didn’t answer immediately; instead, he turned to Zhao Yi’an for his opinion.
Meeting their gazes, Zhao Yi’an nodded slightly, granting her request.
“Little girl,” Ma Sao said with a smile. She had been watching the interaction, and her eyes darted between Liu Yao and Zhao Yi’an with an unhidden teasing curve to her lips.
“Since Xiao Zhao hasn’t said anything, you go on back. A friend of our Xiao Zhao… wouldn’t break her word, right?”
“Cough,” Ma Debiao cleared his throat, his tone softening. “It is indeed getting late. Everyone should settle in. We can discuss the details tomorrow.”
“Thank you all… I was too reckless today.”
Liu Yao felt like she had been granted a grand pardon. She hurriedly cupped her hands in a salute. When she looked up, a bright, sincere smile finally bloomed on her face.
She cast one last quick glance at Zhao Yi’an leaning on the steps and then turned around, walking toward the alleyway with hurried steps. Her figure soon vanished into the deep night.
“Phew — that’s settled. Come on, wife, let’s get back to our own business, hehe.”
Ma Debiao let out a sigh of relief. He put his arm around Ma Sao and prepared to leave, a smile plastered on his face.
“Hey! You’re annoying!” Ma Sao laughed and gave him a light playful punch, but she let him hold her. The two turned away together, their laughter and chatter fading into the distance.
In the courtyard, Zhao Yi’an was left alone, his eyes wide as he watched the two leave. He tried to speak, but he could only make raspy sounds.
‘Hey!’
‘Big brother Ma! Ma Sao!’
‘Don’t leave!’
‘You forgot about me!’
The night wind swept through the empty courtyard, blowing his thin clothes against his skin and sending a wave of chill through him.