Chapter 149: End of article

Fifth Brother immediately knew that Xiao Fu wouldn’t behave obediently toward him and hurried forward.

Just as they reached the doorway, before anyone else could enter, a burly figure tumbled out in a desperate scramble.

“Brother, spare me! Brother, spare me!”

The man fell onto the ground, feeling every inch of his body burning with a fierce, stinging pain. The whip lashes on his back felt like poisoned tongues biting into his flesh, blazing like wildfire—though not deadly, the pain pierced his heart.

He wanted to run, but the whip wrapped around his legs. The sharp crack of two lashes struck his skin, sapping the strength from his legs until he lost the power to flee.

Earlier, seeing the young master’s sharp gaze and agile movements, Fifth Brother thought he must have some martial skills. Inside the house, there were only two strong men and one fierce woman; it seemed unlikely they couldn’t handle a young man.

But only after a quick kick did Fifth Brother realize how formidable they really were. Before they could even get close, the three were each struck with two whip lashes, their eyes seeing stars and heads ringing with pain.

Realizing resistance was useless, the man became surprisingly compliant, covering his face and begging, “Brother, please have mercy. Spare my face—I’m not yet married!”

“You despicable scum, involved in trafficking women and yet dreaming of marriage! Sparing your face is useless; better to spare you a whole corpse!”

Xiao Fu shouted harshly.

Hearing faint noises outside, Xiao Fu thought reinforcements had come, and swung his whip again—only to see that it was Fifth Brother peeking in, so he immediately retracted the whip.

Though Fifth Brother had not been whipped, the force of the whip’s wind brushed past him, chilling his face.

The man lying on the ground was wailing miserably, and one of the strong men inside the room was groaning, unable to get up. Only the healthy woman had suffered two lashes but had not fallen and dared not advance any further.

The woman who had been coaxing the poor old wife had burrowed under the table, trembling uncontrollably, too afraid to come out.

Looking at her, the old woman even begged, “I surrender, I surrender! Brother, please don’t harm me!”

Xiao Fu hadn’t moved toward the woman—he wouldn’t easily strike an old woman. But if he whipped her, those old bones would surely shatter.

“Is anyone hurt?!”

Fifth Brother ignored the others and quickly approached Xiao Fu. Judging by his commanding and imposing demeanor, he clearly had not suffered any serious injury, but witnessing the fight scene still left him shaken.

He had gone to the martial arts school before to watch Xiao Fu spar, but those were just drills—this real fight was a different matter entirely.

“A few low-level thugs, all talk and deception. When it comes to fighting, they’re just delicate silk pillows,” Xiao Fu said.

“Bind them and send them to the authorities. Then find a good doctor for that young lady—she may have been poisoned with some harmful drug.”

Seeing the unconscious young lady, Fifth Brother furrowed his brow. “I’ve already sent someone to find a trustworthy person to come.”

With that, the two moved to tie up the criminals.

Xiao Fu untied the ropes from the young lady, then bound the two men’s hands together and tied them up in one place.

If they tried to bind the woman, they wouldn’t have enough rope. Xiao Fu held the woman back while Fifth Brother stood and searched the room.

During the search, he lifted a landscape painting hanging on the wall and discovered a hidden door behind it.

Just as he was about to tell Xiao Fu, he turned and saw the old woman huddled in a corner suddenly change from fearful to vicious, pulling a dagger from her sleeve.

“Yue You, be careful!”

Xiao Fu looked back to see Fifth Brother stand in front of him, blocking the attack.

The dagger gleamed coldly as it flashed through the air, the blade already stained with blood.

Fifth Brother’s heart tightened. He immediately kicked the old woman hard, knocking her down.

Earlier, seeing her weak and begging had made him hesitate to strike her, but the woman who seemed easiest to deal with proved the most ruthless.

The old woman fell to the ground, dropping the dagger. She tried to crawl to retrieve it for defense, but her bones felt as if they had shattered—she truly could not move.

That evening, Fifth Brother went to instruct the men he had sent, and as they entered the room in sequence, they were shocked by the scene and quickly subdued the bandits.

Xiao Fu had no time to care for others. He hurried to help Fifth Brother, who had been slashed by a knife.

Though not seriously injured, Fifth Brother’s palm was cut open, a wound nearly the width of his thumb, blood steadily seeping out and spreading across his white clothes.

“It’s nothing, no need to worry.”

Fifth Brother pressed his palm shut, not letting Xiao Fu look at the wound.

Xiao Fu furrowed his brows tightly and helped him up, urging, “Hurry, get a good doctor.”

The situation turned chaotic. They had come to visit happily but unexpectedly caused so much trouble.

Back in the city, Fifth Brother first returned to the Xu family to see the doctor. There was no skilled physician near Monkey Mountain, only simple bandaging and stopping of bleeding. A good doctor was needed to apply medicine and stitch the wound.

Xiao Fu wanted to accompany him, but the thieves caught at the temple still had to be taken to the county government to record statements.

After a busy day, when Xiao Fu went to visit Fifth Brother at the Xu family, the sky was already darkening.

“Look at you rushing here, sweat all over your forehead. Has everything been handled?”

For Fifth Brother’s injury, Xiao Fu had already sent someone to inquire.

“Yes, I have carefully explained everything. The county takes the matter seriously and has already imprisoned a group of criminals, who will be interrogated the next day. The unconscious young lady has also been treated and educated and was safely sent back home.”

Xiao Fu quickly added, “What about your wound? What did the doctor say? Is it serious? Will it affect your writing in the future?”

The county magistrate had heard of Fifth Brother’s injury and was even more concerned, asking detailed questions for quite some time.

Seeing all the questions, Fifth Brother maintained a calm expression but was secretly delighted. “Look at you, so anxious, asking so many things. I don’t even know where to start answering.”

“My wound is deep but hasn’t hit tendons or bones. It will heal in three or four months.”

“You’re such a stubborn fool. That old woman was just one kick from me. Why did you have to recklessly block the knife? Have you thought that if you were seriously injured, your future would be ruined here?”

Fifth Brother sighed.

“I know your body is good, but I can’t help worrying.”

He looked at the young master before him and said, “When you were little, you first learned to ride horses but accidentally fell off. You rested at home for half a month. I visited you by day and couldn’t sleep at night from worry.”

“If you get hurt in front of me again, how am I supposed to feel at ease? Even if you’re badly wounded today and lose your future, I won’t regret it.”

Hearing Fifth Brother’s heartfelt words, Xiao Fu’s heart trembled. Except for his family, there was likely no one else who would do this for him.

He was momentarily speechless, then said, “I’m going to get your…”

Fifth Brother grabbed Xiao Fu’s hand and stopped him. “Don’t go! Can you listen to me finish? I know you always avoid me when I talk about these things, but now… I can’t hide it anymore.”

Considering his injury, Xiao Fu dared not move too much. “I’m listening. You’re hurt, don’t move recklessly.”

He sat down beside Fifth Brother, though he already understood what Fifth Brother wanted him to do today at Monkey Mountain.

For two years, hiding and running, avoidance was no longer an option.

It was time for them to reach a conclusion between them.

Fifth Brother held onto Xiao Fu’s hand, reluctant to let go, but knew he could no longer delay.

He gently relaxed his grip and spoke earnestly: “I’ve always liked you. When we were young, I liked you as a cute and lively little brother. As I grew older, my feelings didn’t diminish. I know clearly that it’s a love that wants to be with you for life.”

“I wanted to tell you earlier, but you never let me say these things. I thought maybe when we’re older I could, but now if I don’t say it, there might not be another chance.”

He looked at Xiao Fu. “I often feel you have me in your heart and treat me differently from others; but sometimes, I think you might only see me as a brother. I don’t even know how you really feel. You always avoid me, and I don’t dare ask. Now that things are like this, can you tell me your thoughts?”

Xiao Fu lowered his gaze slightly. “I understand Fifth Brother’s feelings. It’s my selfishness and hesitation.”

“I like you, but I also like opening new escort routes and establishing more martial arts schools… I don’t want to be confined to home life, living a leisurely and pampered existence—that kind of life, I just can’t bear the thought of.”

He had always pretended ignorance about their domestic matters. In his heart, he cared deeply for Fifth Brother and didn’t want to lose him, but he also didn’t want a life of a dutiful husband and father.

Caught between two desires, he had only run away.

But as Fifth Brother said, he was no longer young, and it was time to think about settling down. Continuing to run away was useless and would only hold Fifth Brother back.

Many things ultimately require choices.

Fifth Brother’s brow moved slightly upon hearing this. He hadn’t known what Xiao Fu was worrying about and felt guilty.

“I thought since Brother Fu was a government official, he’d return home after passing the imperial exams to marry into the Wu family’s sonship—and you would like that too.”

“But from childhood, you were not like ordinary young men. I should have realized long ago that the life many desire isn’t the one you crave.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Everyone has their likes and dislikes. Your preferences don’t mean you’re betraying me.”

Fifth Brother nervously gripped Xiao Fu’s hand, fearing he would say they should each find someone else. “How we live in the future can be discussed in advance. I only ask that you don’t sever everything completely.”

“You can keep doing what you love after we marry. I won’t interfere. If family objects, I’ll persuade them to make sure you’re happy.”

Xiao Fu frowned. “If you’re an official and like martial arts outside, wouldn’t that make things difficult for you?”

“You’ve liked martial arts since childhood. I knew that before and didn’t mind. If you became an official and didn’t like it, wouldn’t that be pointless?”

Fifth Brother sincerely said, “If you’re not at ease about marriage and still have reservations, how about we compromise? We can get engaged now, then marry a few years later. That way, you can do what you want for a few more years.”

“And in those early years of your official career, I’ll also need time to adapt to this new life.”

Seeing Fifth Brother willing to yield and respect his wishes, Xiao Fu couldn’t help but be moved.

This dilemma no longer forced him to make a harsh choice, but rather inspired him to find a way to accommodate both sides, enlightening him after long struggle.

He cared deeply for Fifth Brother too; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so conflicted. Since Fifth Brother was willing to compromise, he was willing as well.

Xiao Fu, usually quick-witted, didn’t know how to say this seriously. Under Fifth Brother’s eager gaze, he lowered his head and took out a small cloth bag.

“You like those clay dolls. They say they come in pairs, so from now on, each of us will have one.”

Fifth Brother looked at the pair of clay dolls they had seen on the stall earlier but hadn’t had a chance to buy. “When did you buy them?”

“When we left, the vendor hadn’t packed up or sold the pair. So I bought them.”

Xiao Fu gently touched Fifth Brother’s arm. “I thought you’d be in pain from your injury, so I bought them to cheer you up.”

Fifth Brother felt both sweet and touched, disregarding his bandaged hand, he pulled Xiao Fu into a hug.

His chin rested near Xiao Fu’s ear. “Yue You, no matter what, I’ll take that as your answer.”

Xiao Fu tilted his head, rubbing his face against Fifth Brother’s. He liked to be held.

“If you think I haven’t answered properly, then I’ll say it clearly: I agree.”

Fifth Brother heard this and tightened his grip.

…

Both families were delighted when they heard the engagement was set.

They had some reservations about waiting years to marry but couldn’t argue much and had to accept it.

Xiao Fu returned home after five years.

Fifth Brother was promoted to the prefecture. Xiao Fu opened three new escort routes and six martial arts schools in various towns. The families pressed them repeatedly, and Xiao Fu even had to go speak to officials twice.

Remembering the Xu family’s long line of single heirs, Xiao Fu went home once and the two arranged their marriage.

After marriage, although Xiao Fu no longer traveled outside, the couple worked together in their official duties.

They lived harmoniously and became an exemplary couple unlike any other in the world…

— The End.