“Fan Jing, are you home? I’m Zhang Shili, get me some water to drink!”
Hearing the knock, Kang He initially thought it was someone from Fan Jing’s family, but the voice outside was unfamiliar.
The courtyard gate wasn’t locked, yet despite the loud voice, the person didn’t push the door open.
Instead, they announced themselves from outside.
Kang He figured this must be someone with manners and opened the door.
Standing outside was a burly man with a full beard, dressed as a hunter.
A large bow hung over his shoulder, a quiver of arrows strapped to his back, and a sharp machete tucked at his waist.
His fierce appearance was far more intimidating than Fan Jing’s.
Zhang Shili, parched and practically foaming at the mouth, had waited a long time for the door to open.
When it finally did, out came a young man wearing a skirt, leaving him momentarily stunned.
Zhang Shili took a step back, looked up at the wooden house, and said, “Did I come to the wrong place? When did someone else move in here? Where’s Fan Jing? He’s not hunting in the mountains anymore?”
Hearing the man’s words, Kang He assumed he was an acquaintance of Fan Jing’s.
With a tone that suggested he was the man of the house, he replied, “He’s out patrolling the mountains. He’ll be back soon. What’s your business with him, brother?”
“I’m not here for him. I’m passing through on my way back to the mountains, ran out of water, and came to ask for a drink.” Zhang Shili shook his empty water pouch.
In the mountains, meeting another person was rare, and though hunters didn’t interact often, asking for a drink of water was common enough.
Kang He invited Zhang Shili inside to sit and rest.
Since it was a man in the house, Zhang Shili didn’t refuse and followed Kang He inside with big strides.
He noticed steam rising from the stove, the aroma of cooking rice wafting out, a clay bowl of taro and tofu on the counter, and chopped ginger and garlic on the cutting board.
It was the atmosphere of a lived-in home, common in the village but rare in the mountains.
“Is mountain bitter tea alright with you, brother?” Kang He grabbed a bowl to pour tea for Zhang Shili, the tea being leftovers from Fan Jing’s water pouch that morning.
“Mountain folk aren’t picky about what they drink.” Zhang Shili tossed his water pouch to Kang He.
“Fill it halfway. A bowl of rice soup will do.”
Kang He scooped him a bowl of rice soup and refilled his pouch with tea.
Zhang Shili downed two bowls of rice soup, quenching his thirst.
Looking at the handsome man before him, he asked, “Who are you to Fan Jing? Why are you here?”
Kang He chuckled, “Who else could I be? I’m Fan Jing’s husband.”
Zhang Shili’s eyes widened in surprise.
“You’ve got some guts, kid. He dared to take you?” Then he asked, “Does he let you sleep with him at night?!”
Kang He found the question offensive.
“What kind of talk is that? He’s not some wild beast from the deep mountains. We’re a proper married couple.”
Zhang Shili shook his head.
“He’s fiercer than any beast in these mountains. Few hunters dare take on a bear, and most would steer clear, but him? He’s reckless enough to hunt one down. Isn’t that tougher than a beast? Every hunter in these woods respects him.”
Kang He’s heart jolted, recalling the bear pelt in Fan Jing’s house.
He knew a bit about its origins, but Fan Jing had spoken of it so casually that, while Kang He felt sympathy, it hit differently hearing it from a man who seemed even more imposing than Fan Jing.
It left a bitter taste in his heart.
Seeing Kang He fall silent with a grim expression, Zhang Shili thought he was scared and laughed, “But you, little brother, with your fine looks, even a tough guy like Fan Jing wouldn’t bear to trouble you.”
He slapped his thigh and stood.
“Thanks for the tea. If you pass by my place someday, come in for a drink.”
Kang He snapped back, saying, “Dinner’s ready. Why don’t you eat before you go, brother?”
Zhang Shili, a straightforward man, replied, “Looks like you’re making taro and tofu tonight. I like that flavor. But it’s getting late, and I’ve got a ways to go up the mountain. If I eat here, it’ll be dark by the time I head back, and the forest paths aren’t safe at night.”
Kang He nodded, understanding that safety in the mountains came first.
He wrapped a portion of taro and tofu in taro leaves.
“Since that’s the case, I won’t keep you. This taro and tofu is homemade, not worth much, but since you like it, take some home.”
Zhang Shili was surprised to hear it was homemade.
“You know how to make this? You’re a clever one. There’s plenty of taro on my mountain, but it’s not worth much in town. If you can make it, come by sometime and process it for sale. It won’t earn as much as Fan Jing, but it’s still some coin.”
Kang He was thrilled at the idea, not holding back.
“I’ve scouted some spots around here. If I could dig up some taro on your mountain, that’d be perfect.”
Later, when Fan Jing returned, Kang He shared the news.
Fan Jing explained, “He’s a hunter from the next village, been at it for years, a skilled one.”
Knowing Kang He would be staying here long-term, he added, “He’s often in the mountains, not always home. His husband caught him with someone once, caused a big scene. The husband, humiliated, drowned himself. The other man didn’t die but was ruined. Zhang Shili paid a hefty price and spent years in jail. He’s only been out a couple of years.”
People in nearby villages knew of him and were wary.
When other hunters tried to encroach on Fan Jing’s territory, Zhang Shili never did.
Fan Jing judged him by his actions, not rumors, and said, “He’s not a bad sort. If he’s offered to show you around, it’s fine.”
Kang He felt sympathy for Zhang Shili’s rough past but didn’t dwell on it.
With Fan Jing’s approval, the next day, he went to sell mountain goods, rested half a day, and headed to Zhang Shili’s mountain before dawn.
When he arrived, Zhang Shili was eating porridge.
Seeing the couple, he frowned slightly, glancing at Fan Jing. “Digging a few taros, and you both come along? Are you here for taro or to check out my hunting grounds?”
Zhang Shili said it with a smile, but Kang He caught the undertone.
Hunters were territorial, and though Zhang Shili was joking, he didn’t invite them in.
Kang He quickly explained, “Don’t laugh, brother. I’m a bit clumsy. Last time I nearly fell into a ravine. Fan Jing was worried I’d get lost and cause trouble, so he escorted me. I told him I could find the house myself, but he insisted on bringing me to your door before heading off. It’s also a chance to say hello.”
His words were sincere, subtly assuring Zhang Shili that if Fan Jing wanted to hunt on his land, he wouldn’t show up openly—he’d sneak in.
Zhang Shili, no fool, understood and relaxed, inviting them inside.
Zhang Shili’s house looked bigger from the outside than Fan Jing’s, but inside, it felt smaller due to the mess.
Clothes were strewn about, unwashed dishes piled on the counter.
Yet, his gear—machetes, spears, traps—was plentiful, suggesting he was better off than Fan Jing, who supported a family while Zhang Shili lived alone.
Zhang Shili didn’t mind the mess, offering them stools and asking if they’d eaten breakfast.
Kang He and Fan Jing politely declined, saying they had.
Zhang Shili finished his porridge, amused by the couple’s dynamic.
“Fan Jing, you keep such a close eye on him, escorting him for a trip?”
Fan Jing, holding his bow, replied dryly, “If he gets lost, I’ll come to you.”
His deadpan delivery made Zhang Shili laugh harder than any deliberate joke.
Patting Kang He’s shoulder, he said, “See, Kang, didn’t I tell you he’s overbearing? You didn’t believe me. Regret marrying him yet? I’ve got a gentle, pretty sister I could introduce you to.”
Kang He waved it off.
“I like overbearing types. Took me ages to find this one. Don’t make me lose him.”
Zhang Shili shook his head, looking at Fan Jing.
“You’ve got him wrapped around your finger. Go do your work.”
Fan Jing glanced at Kang He, who said, “Be careful heading back. I’ve got the path memorized and can get home later. No need to pick me up.” Fan Jing nodded and left.
Once Fan Jing was gone, Zhang Shili eyed Kang He, teasing, “You sure you’re not interested? My sister’s really something. With your looks, she’d take a shine to you.”
Kang He laughed.
“Stop joking, brother. There are plenty of good people out there, but I only want one. I worked hard to win this one over. No one else will do.”
Zhang Shili, testing Kang He’s loyalty, pressed, “What’s so great about him? He’s so domineering, you’ll always be under his thumb. Can that be good?”
Kang He’s patience wore thin.
“I respect you, brother, but don’t say that again. I don’t find him domineering, and I don’t mind him leading. In a marriage, I don’t care who’s above or below.”
Zhang Shili fell silent, then smiled.
This guy wasn’t fickle.
“Fan Jing seems to care for you. The Qin family’s sixth son tried to court him, but he brushed him off. You’re not shortchanged with him. When did you two tie the knot? I’ve been in the mountains and missed the news.”
Kang He relaxed.
“I moved into his family not long ago. We’ll hold the ceremony by year’s end. If you’re free, come for a drink.”
Zhang Shili was surprised Kang He was the one who married in, given Fan Jing’s modest circumstances.
He thought, maybe there are still genuine people in this world.
“Alright, if I’m free, I’ll come for that drink.”
Kang He opened a food box.
“Hunting keeps you busy, and I’m troubling you by coming here. I feel bad. You said you like taro and tofu, so I brought a bowl of taro and tofu fish I cooked. It’s nothing fancy, but my family says it’s decent. Try it, and don’t mind the simplicity.”
The dish, a half-pound fish stewed to perfection, smelled as good as anything in town.
Zhang Shili, a bachelor used to plain food, was tempted.
The dish looked freshly made, not from the night before.
Feeling guilty for doubting the couple’s intentions and testing Kang He, he said, “Why go to all this trouble? Mountain folk like me don’t deserve this.”
“It’s just a dish, no trouble at all. I’m the one troubling you,” Kang He replied.
Moved, Zhang Shili accepted the fish, tidied up, and led Kang He to dig taro.
He’d planned to hunt but switched to setting traps instead.
He didn’t bother with low-value mountain goods, but Kang He gathered over a dozen taros, filling his basket.
He also found ferns and vines, asking Zhang Shili if he wanted any.
Zhang Shili waved it off, saying he’d rather fish than fuss with delicate work.
Kang He, delighted, promised to share some processed goods later.
By late afternoon, worried about traveling after dark, he bid Zhang Shili farewell, who gave him a smoked wild boar leg.
Kang He tried to refuse, but Zhang Shili insisted, so he accepted.
Loaded with goods, Kang He reached the edge of their mountain as evening fell.
He spotted a familiar figure sitting on the faint path, resting or perhaps waiting.
Smiling, Kang He wiped his sweat and hurried over.
Fan Jing had been lingering for hours, ready to search if Kang He didn’t show.
Seeing the haul, he offered to carry it, but Kang He only handed him the lighter items.
By the time they got home, it was dark. Kang He reheated fish soup and made noodles.
Fan Jing produced four wild duck eggs; Kang He saved two and cooked two with the noodles.
They ate together.
“When are you processing all this taro to sell?” Fan Jing asked.
“It keeps well, so I’ll store it for now,” Kang He replied.
“I’ll take it home when we go down the mountain. In winter, when things are quiet, I’ll process it for town. Tomorrow, I’ll head back to Zhang Shili’s to dig some roots. They look better than ours.”
Fan Jing nodded, trusting Kang He’s plans.
He’d had good luck hunting, earning nearly a string of cash from yesterday’s sales, enough for their ceremony.
Kang He’s taro sales covered daily necessities, leaving Fan Jing’s earnings to save.
Seeing Fan Jing enjoy the meal, Kang He gave him some of his portion.
“When we’re back down the mountain with the family, I’ll make you sweet-and-sour pork.”
Fan Jing grunted in approval.
That night, exhausted, Kang He went to bed early.
The bed was warmed with a hot water bottle, and he felt sleepy the moment he lay down.
Fan Jing, not tired, noticed Kang He’s unusually quiet sleep.
Turning over noisily, he felt Kang He’s arm wrap around his waist.
Half-asleep, Kang He mumbled, “If you sleep with your back to me, I’ll just hold you like this.” Fan Jing, amused by the clinginess, turned back around.
Kang He, barely opening his eyes, loosened his grip and drifted off.
Fan Jing studied Kang He’s handsome features, noting his genuine exhaustion.
Curious, he slipped a hand under Kang He’s shirt, feeling the warm, smooth skin and steady heartbeat.
The touch startled Kang He awake, his mind racing with possibilities.
Was Fan Jing… initiating something?
Excited but nervous, Kang He thought about his stamina after a long day.
Normally, he could manage a few rounds, but today, maybe only two or three.
If he underperformed, would Fan Jing tease him?
He’d planned for their wedding night to be the big moment, but now…
“Your skin’s smooth. No scars,” Fan Jing said suddenly.
Kang He blinked.
“Yeah, so?”
“Nothing. Sleep.”
“?” Kang He, confused, asked, “Just sleep?”
“What else do you do in bed?” Fan Jing frowned, opening his eyes.
“Didn’t you say you like me holding you to sleep?”
Kang He was speechless.
Fan Jing was right, but still… “Fine, sleep.”