Chapter 23: I refuse

“Brother Zhao! Are you in?” The voice arrived before the person did.

Before Zhao Yi’an could even look up, a burly figure swayed into the courtyard.

The young man recognized him instantly—it was a member of the horse gang surnamed He, who was usually responsible for driving carts and possessed a voice loud enough to scare off wild dogs across 3 streets.

“Hey, you really are here!”

Brother He spotted Zhao Yi’an sitting blankly on a stone stool, strode over in 2 or 3 steps, and slapped him on the shoulder.

“Easy, Brother He, I’m still injured…”

Zhao Yi’an was sent reeling by the slap, the tea bowl in his hand wobbling, though he thankfully managed not to spill it.

“Don’t give me that. Who in the gang doesn’t know you’ve got a hide of steel? Bad luck follows you every 3 days, yet you’re the only one who can take it.”

Brother He looked at Zhao Yi’an with annoyance, plopped himself down on the adjacent stone stool without ceremony, snatched the tea bowl from his hand, and tilted his head back to gulp it down until it was bone dry.

“Hey—that’s mine…”

Zhao Yi’an reached out, then pulled his hand back, watching helplessly as his tea bowl was emptied down to the last drop.

Brother He wiped his mouth and shoved the empty bowl back into his arms.

Seeing Brother He’s behavior, Zhao Yi’an could only helplessly pick up the teapot from the side and pour himself another cup.

“I was dying of thirst. By the way, do you know?”

“Know what? Did Ma Sao start cooking again? Hmm, it’s a bit early for that.”

“Bah, that’s not it. We’re going to eat well today, brothers!”

As he spoke, he snatched the tea Zhao Yi’an had just poured, muttering, “Didn’t our brothers go out a few days ago? They went to work moving things for that wealthy landowner in the west end. Man, the grand display was something else.”

Zhao Yi’an’s expression stiffened for a moment, and he lowered his head without responding.

Wealthy Wang…

It must be Miss Wang’s wedding…

Brother He didn’t notice the youth’s reaction and continued rambling.

“Wealthy Wang’s daughter is getting married today. That girl, the one… eh! Anyway, the landowner invited all the brothers of the horse gang to the banquet, just to show some support for the occasion.”

“I’ve notified everyone else, you’re the only one left!”

“Me?” Zhao Yi’an froze. “I’m going too?”

“Nonsense, the gang leader said everyone is to go.” Brother He stood up and patted the dust off his pants. “Hurry up, don’t drag your feet. If you go late, there won’t be any seats left.”

He leaned in closer while speaking, sizing Zhao Yi’an up and down, and lowered his voice.

“On another note, how did you even get that injury? I heard you were crushed by a roof? Why were you climbing on a roof for no reason?”

Zhao Yi’an opened his mouth, thought of Liu Yao’s face, and swallowed his words back down.

“…It was just an accident, Brother He. You know how I am, it’s just one of those things.”

“An accident?” Brother He shot him a suspicious look and handed back the tea bowl he had drained again. “You have accidents every 3 days. There really is no one else like you.”

Perhaps remembering Zhao Yi’an’s previous “illustrious record,” Brother He pursed his lips, deciding not to bring it up.

He shook his head and walked toward the gate, but after 2 steps, he turned back to look at Zhao Yi’an.

“Why are you just sitting there? Let’s go!”

Zhao Yi’an looked down at the empty tea bowl in his hand, then at Brother He’s back, hesitated, and finally shook his head.

“Brother He, I won’t go.”

Brother He stopped in his tracks, turning around with a look of astonishment.

“Why? There’s free food, are you stupid?”

“I’m still injured… I’d just be a burden if I went. I’ll make something for myself here at the gang, just tell the leader for me.” Zhao Yi’an tugged at the corner of his mouth and pointed to himself.

Brother He scanned him from head to toe, and seeing his firm attitude, he didn’t push him further. He waved his hand.

“Fine, fine, suit yourself. Just take it easy and don’t get into any more trouble.”

“I’m starving, so I won’t sit here and keep you company.”

With that, he turned and strode away.

For a moment, the courtyard fell silent.

Only Zhao Yi’an remained, sitting by the stone table, clutching the empty tea bowl without putting it down. He stared at it, making no sound.

Actually, Zhao Yi’an had known for a long time that this unrequited love was destined for no conclusion.

But regardless, Miss Wang had once reached out to help him. Whether it was just a casual gesture or unintentional, he would always remember that kindness.

Unrequited love remains unrequited in the end.

Things left unsaid can only fester in one’s heart, leaving behind nothing but regret.

Miss Wang is getting married today…

Isn’t that a good thing?

Zhao Yi’an smiled and put down the empty tea bowl.

After a long while, he suddenly looked up and called out to the roof.

“Master, how much longer are you going to stay up there?”

Silence.

Then, a head poked out from the edge of the eaves, which had been empty a moment before.

Liu Yao was chewing on a blade of grass, bits of broken tile stuck in her hair, clearly having been lying up there for some time.

The young girl’s face was pressed against her arm, making her already chubby cheeks appear even rounder.

She glanced down lazily.

“It’s all because of this broken roof of yours. If I don’t fix it, it’s just a waste of so much of my time.”

“That’s why I said you didn’t have to worry about it, I could have fixed it later…”

“How could I do that!” Hearing Zhao Yi’an’s words, Liu Yao pushed herself up, looked at him, and said with a serious expression, “I was the one who broke this roof. As your Master, I must set an example and fix it for you!”

“Actually, this doesn’t really count as setting an example…”

The youth muttered to himself secretly.

“Anyway,” Liu Yao pouted, flipped off the edge of the eaves, landed lightly in the courtyard, brushed the dust off her hands, and sat on the stone stool with her legs crossed.

“Hmph! Tell me, someone invited you to a feast, why aren’t you going?”

She tilted her head to look at Zhao Yi’an, her eyes filled with playfulness.

Zhao Yi’an was stunned. He opened his mouth, but could only force out one sentence.

“I just… didn’t want to go.”

“Didn’t want to?” Liu Yao raised an eyebrow. “I suspect it’s because of that Miss Wang, right?”

Zhao Yi’an didn’t speak and lowered his head.

Seeing him like this, Liu Yao felt a flare of irritation and reached out to pat his head.

“Grow some backbone.”

“I’ve spent so long trying to guide you, why are you still so stubborn? Just like a donkey…”

The youth remained silent.

Liu Yao retracted her hand, looking at the sky beyond the wall, her tone casual.

“But it’s better if you don’t go. You’d just be watching other people have all the fun anyway.”

Zhao Yi’an looked up, gazing at her in a daze.

“Master… aren’t you going to scold me?”

“Scold you?” The girl turned her head, a smile hanging on her lips, clearly amused by the youth’s words.

“Why would I scold you for not attending someone else’s wedding? Just because you’re afraid of being seen looking pathetic? Forget it!”

As she spoke, Liu Yao reached out to Zhao Yi’an and gently pinched his cheeks, a proud smile spreading across her face.

“Besides, you’re my disciple, and I won’t allow anyone else to see you looking so hopeless.”

“After all, I am your Master.”

“Hmm… if you really can’t handle it,” she added, reaching out her other hand to cup both his cheeks, “don’t look at her, look at me instead.”

Zhao Yi’an froze, his cheeks held in her hands, unable to move or speak.

He looked at the girl’s earnest face and felt as if something inside his heart had just shattered…

How blindingly bright…