In front of the stall stood a handsome, steady man who was a foot taller than those around him. Was it Xiao Baoshan, his nephew? The woman next to him looked somewhat familiar. Xiao Tieshu felt as if he had met her somewhere before. She fancied the vase made in Jingdezhen city, which was famous for its ceramics, and had the man ask about its price.
The man was just like a servant carrying quite a few things bought from the market. But that didn’t dim his remarkable temperament. He didn’t pay attention to Xiao Tieshu because he was talking to Jia Zhenbo. Feeling somebody staring, he finally looked at Xiao Tieshu, but his eyes were calm and composed as if he didn’t know the man in front of him. Was it Xiao Baoshan? Could there be two such similar men in this world?
Jia Zhenbo quoted the price, “Two taels. Do you want it?”
Xiao Baoshan turned to Jin Xiaoyu who immediately said, “Yes.” So he bought the vase.
Xiao Tieshu wrapped the vase with thick paper to prevent it from breaking. Taking the vase, Xiao Baoshan said thank you politely.
When he turned around, Xiao Tieshu asked hastily, “Baoshan? Are you Xiao Baoshan?”
But it was too crowded and noisy. Perhaps the man hadn’t heard, or perhaps he wasn’t Xiao Baoshan. Either way, he gave no response.
Hearing what Xiao Tieshu said, Jia Zhenbo was surprised.
“You mean that man is your nephew? The general who… gave his life?”
Xiao Tieshu was still in shock. “I don’t know. If it were him, he would recognize me. But as you saw, he didn’t know me at all.”
Jia Zhenbo had little impression of Xiao Baoshan, but he remembered Jin Xiaoyu. “The woman next to him looks familiar. She seems to be the owner of Longmen Inn where we once lived.”
“Ah, really?” Xiao Tieshu also felt that she was familiar, but he didn’t remember where he had met her.
Jia Zhenbo replied, “I’m sure she is, because I’ve never seen such a coquettish woman as her. Her voice is so sweet and titillating that it can make you feel weak at the knees.”
Xiao Tieshu laughed. “Don’t let Qianqian hear that.”
“I certainly won’t. I’ve just thought about that woman for some time and have never expressed my affection for her. She can only live in a man’s heart, not his life.”
Xiao Tieshu still felt that the man was Xiao Baoshan, and that he might have lost his memory from some head injury.
“You stay here. I’ll catch up with him to have a look.” he said.
…
Xiao Baoshan and Jin Xiaoyu were walking slowly as they went shopping. Xiao Tieshu soon caught up with them and followed them from a distance. He saw that they were intimate with each other. Jin Xiaoyu was holding Xiao Baoshan’s arm and he didn’t refuse it. He also noticed that all the things they bought were items for a wedding like red paper decorations, wedding clothes and some gold and silver jewelry. Were they going to get married?
Xiao Tieshu couldn’t help thinking, “Has Baoshan swapped his love for Little Ye with that innkeeper? Did he pretend not to know me because he wants to abandon Little Ye? If so, should I tell Little Ye about this after I go back? Will she be sad about this?”
Xiao Tieshu was so anxious that he decided to stop selling goods and go back to the tribe right away.
…
However, after returning to the tribe, Xiao Tieshu hesitated again.
What if Baoshan really likes that innkeeper and wants to abandon Little Ye? If I tell Little Ye about this, she will feel heartbroken and Baoshan will also be angry. I don’t want to hurt either of them.
Xiao Tieshu didn’t tell Ye Xiaoxian right away. Instead, he discussed it with Wong Mudan first.
The night he got back, the others were enjoying their dinner. Without saying a word, he beckoned Wong Mudan over with a wave. Confused, the others asked what was wrong, but he just cast a silent glance at Ye Xiaoxian.
Wong Mudan seldom saw such a serious expression on his face. She thought something must have gone wrong and followed him out of the yurt.
“We’re having dinner. Can’t we talk about that later?” she complained.
Xiao Tieshu said, “Dinner? There’s something more important for you to worry about. Do you know who I met in town?”
“Who did you meet?”
Xiao Tieshu then told her about Xiao Baoshan. After learning this, she got very angry. “Why can’t we tell Little Ye about this? She’s suffered so much! First she was divorced first and then she escaped with us to this tribe. How hard our journey was! We were treated slightly better just because Baoshan was a general. Now, Little Ye leads us in getting work and earning money, while Baoshan is a ‘hero’ holding some coquette every day. How cozy his life is! Although he’s one of the Xiaos, Little Ye is the real blessing to all of us. She has a right to know about this!”
Xiao Tieshu said, “But they’re going to marry. What can Little Ye do after hearing about this? You want her to get Baoshan back from Longmen Inn? What if he insists on staying with that woman? Little Ye would be so upset!”
“She needs to know the truth. She’s unwilling to remarry because she misses Baoshan. If she knew he was with another woman, she’d then get over him. We should consider her future life.”
Xiao Tieshu felt a headache coming on. “But I still feel it improper to do so.”
“Whatever. Just do as I say! If a woman wants a better life, she must forget the asshole first!”
Xiao Tieshu felt her assertion was arbitrary, but he didn’t know how to refute it.
“Hurry up! Tell Little Ye about this!” She dragged him back right away.
But just then, they saw Ye Xiaoxian in front of them. Seeing Xiao Tieshu’s serious and anxious expression, Ye Xiaoxian had thought there was some problem with the goods. Worried that he would go to extremes, she had followed them out secretly, so she heard the whole conversation.
“Well, Little Ye…” Xiao Tieshu scratched his hair, not knowing what to say.
“Uncle Tieshu, did you really see Baoshan?”
Xiao Tieshu could only reply, “Yes, I saw him. He was with a woman. Zhenbo said she’s the owner of Longmen Inn who we once met. I also saw that they had bought many things for a wedding, so I guess they’re going to get married.”
“Did you greet him?” Ye Xiaoxian looked relatively calm.
“Yes, but he didn’t recognize me, like he’d lost his memory. I couldn’t tell whether he was pretending or not.” After saying that, he looked at Ye Xiaoxian. She remained composed.
“Little Ye…” Wong Mudan wanted to know what Ye Xiaoxian was thinking about.
Ye Xiaoxian said, “Uncle Tieshu, you know which inn he’s living in, right? I want to go to town tomorrow. If he’s not there, then I’ll go to Longmen Inn.”