Things were far more difficult than Su Xiaopei imagined.
Some situations just can’t be overcome with professional knowledge and psychological fitness alone.
Take trekking through this mountain trail for example.
Su Xiaopei was sure that the soles of her feet were already injured from chafing; every step she took was agonizingly painful. Not only were the bottom of her feet hurting, but her legs were about to die. She never knew mountain trails were this difficult to navigate and there seemed to be no end in sight. She was gasping for breath as she dragged her legs onwards, barely managing to lift them up, and gritted her teeth while trying to keep up with Ran Feize’s pace.
Ran Feize was walking ahead of them. He was carrying a massive bag the size of a large suitcase behind his back and it was only due to his height and large build that the baggage didn’t crush him. Just looking at the bulky baggage made Su Xiaopei feel weak.
But Ran Feize was walking with much ease. He didn’t even have breakfast. He had split the last piece of flatbread between Su Xiaopei and Miss Tang as well as gave them water to drink from his water pouch.
To be honest, Su Xiaopei found the flatbread very horrid to eat, didn’t know what the water pouch was made from, and how many others drank from it either. But she knew that she couldn’t be picky at times like this and so, she ate the bread and drank the water while Ran Feize led the two frail women down the mountain on an empty stomach.
Su Xiaopei was initially able to match their pace. But as time passed, her feet began to hurt and her legs began to feel heavy, and she gradually fell to the back. Meanwhile, although Miss Tang did not have a long stride, she was able to walk fast.
Only Su Xiaopei was dragging her legs along.
Ran Feize didn’t complain, only stopping once in a while to wait for her. On the contrary, Miss Tang was quite anxious. Well, of course, for she had just escaped from the proverbial tiger’s jaw and now aimed to return home with the swiftness of an arrow. She hadn’t anticipated being dragged down by Su Xiaopei.
Su Xiaopei didn’t say a word, for she knew that as a modern person who was sedentary more than she walked and usually traveled by car, she never had a chance to travel such long distances on foot. She stubbornly refused to cry from exhaustion or bemoan her pain, nor did she ask to stop and rest but made effort to keep up with everyone.
And so they walked in this fashion from the early morning hours till the sun was directly above their heads. Su Xiaopei wasn’t sure how long they traveled for. Her legs were in too much agony and she continued until it simply made her lose all sensation later on.
Right when she thought she would perish from walking, Ran Feize announced their arrival at Shi’tou Town.
Although Shi’tou Town’s name meant ‘stone’, it was not a town built with stone. Standing at the head of the town were several earthen homes.
When Su Xiaopei saw the buildings, she finally felt the exhilaration of traveling from a desolate mountain into civilization. But she didn’t dare relax. Knowing her current condition, if she unwound even slightly, then she would truly be unable to walk anymore.
Miss Tang showed apparent excitement the moment she arrived and finally couldn’t suppress her emotions as the rim of her eyes reddened. Yet, her steps became even slower than Su Xiaopei’s. Su Xiaopei understood her emotional state and wanted to offer a few comforting words but her aching legs tortured her into losing all energy for words.
At last, the three entered town and Miss Tang led Ran Feize and Su Xiaopei to pivot right here, make a left turn there down several streets until they finally arrived before a door.
A woman was standing in front of that entrance holding an earthen jar and was about to enter when she saw them. Her jaw dropped in surprise as the earthen jar in her hands fell to the floor with a crash but the person herself didn’t care and rushed towards Miss Tang.
“Lian’er!”
“Mother!”
Mother and daughter held each other and wept. This scene made Su Xiaopei feel really happy for them. It also made her a little envious because given her current situation, she wasn’t sure how the future would unfold. Even without thinking that far ahead but rather the present instead, her feet and legs hurt so much that she was fast unable to remain standing. She was thirsty, hungry and also feeling faint.
The sound of their weeping attracted a crowd of other people and when they saw that the Tang family’s eldest daughter had come back, they all rushed over talking at once. Su Xiaopei couldn’t differentiate between each individual, only hearing them say that Miss Tang was truly lucky for managing to escape with her life after being abducted by mountain bandits, blah blah blah.
At the mention of this, Tang Lian dipped her head and spoke not a word for it wasn’t a meritorious thing. She knew she had been abducted by the mountain bandits for quite a few days and she wasn’t sure what kind of rumours may have spread among her fellow townspeople. She feared her reputation was mostly likely ruined and now that there were various people around talking, she kept her head low, not daring to speak more.
Mother Tang also had similar thoughts. Her heart was of course, filled with joy at seeing her daughter miraculously returning alive. However, she had heard all sorts of scathing rumours and became quite vigilant during this period in time. And so she hurriedly diverted the topic at this time and asked who Ran Feize and Su Xiaopei were.
Tang Lian didn’t go into details, merely explaining that Ran Feize had saved her while she lost her way in the mountain woods and brought her back here.
Mother Tang hurried over to Ran Feize upon hearing this and repeatedly thanked him, calling him their great benefactor and savior while the man himself responded politely with a remark or two. Su Xiaopei, who stood to the side, couldn’t brace herself any longer. She knew she currently looked both strange and embarrassing, and she also saw the way other people were looking at her in bewilderment. But she had to do something, even if it meant standing out all the more.
“Um, the Big Sis there.” Should she be called ‘Big Sis’? Although the woman may seem a little up there in age, she didn’t appear that old; Su Xiaopei estimated her to be no older than forty. So calling her ‘Big Sis’ shouldn’t be too much, right?
[TL/N: In modern times, this is usually how older women are addressed to indirectly compliment them for looking young despite actual age. Erm, needless to say, that’s not how it worked back then…]
But the moment she called out ‘Big Sis’, every single person’s gaze swerved over to her in unison and even Ran Feize gave her a sidelong glance.
Su Xiaopei didn’t know where she went wrong but she pretended not to notice, cleared her throat, and summoned the courage to continue speaking. “The benefactor has not drank a drop of water nor eaten a morsel of food up until now.”
She was accompanying Ran Feize so if these people gave him water to drink and food to eat, then they wouldn’t just leave her behind, won’t they?
Ran Feize gave her a look but Su Xiaopei kept her gaze steadily forward and continued pretending not to notice.
Mother Tang finally reacted and hurriedly spoke, “I have shown such lack of courtesy, may the benefactor not find blame. Please quickly come in, I will go prepare tea and start the cooking fire.”
Mother Tang said this, then turned around to give a few greetings to her neighbors and the crowd reluctantly dispersed. Only then, did the Tang family mother and daughter invite Su Xiaopei and Ran Feize into their abode.
Ran Feize didn’t remain reserved and entered with his enormous baggage on his back. Su Xiaopei endured her pain and limped along in a hurry to keep up.
The two sat down within the Tang family’s main room. Su Xiaopei observed that the house was actually quite big and the furniture was simple but clean. She wasn’t sure what the home environment and dynamics should be like here so she couldn’t determine how the Tang family’s situation was faring.
Mother Tang nimbly served Ran Feize and Su Xiaopei some tea, and after some polite remarks, brought her daughter into the inner rooms; it was clear the mother and daughter had much to speak of.
Su Xiaopei drank two cups in one sitting and finally soothed her unbearably parched throat.
“Big Sis?” Ran Feize spoke up at this time.
Su Xiaopei turned her head to meet his smiling eyes, thinking he was referring to her but finally reacted when she saw his expression. Seeing as there was no one around, she wasn’t afraid of being ashamed and simply asked, “Then what should she be called?”
“How ought she be addressed”, Ran Feize said.
Su Xiaopei stared blankly; was he correcting her way of speech?
Su Xiaopei became sullen but readily followed his advice and changed her wording, “Many thanks to Warrior’s guidance. Then Miss Tang’s mother, how ought she be addressed?”
“One ought to address her as Madame.”
“Aren’t only rich folks addressed as Madam?”
Ran Feize gave her a look again and Su Xiaopei was able to tell that expression in his eyes meant she was being rude. He asked, “Who taught you this way?”
Su Xiaopei touched her nose with a guilty conscience. Well then, not only was she clothed strangely, even her way of speech was impolite. But it wasn’t her fault. Go blame the ‘nunnery’.
“I don’t remember, I remember nothing at all.”
Ran Feize observed her without saying anything.
Su Xiaopei thought for a while and continued to seek guidance, “Warrior, then why does she not refer to herself as ‘this humble one’?”
The look in his eyes as Ran Feize gazed at her became doubly strange, but he still left her with two words, “Older age.”
“Oh oh.” Su Xiaopei understood; so elders needn’t address themselves modestly before juniors? She actually had many more questions but didn’t dare ask further.
But it was Ran Feize who spoke up, “Have Miss any plans?”
That question came once again. Su Xiaopei drank another mouthful of tea and made an effort to remain calm and unperturbed. “Isn’t Warrior lacking in money? Let us drink and eat our fill before deliberating long-term plans.”
Ran Feize lifted an eyebrow; who needed to deliberate long-term plans with who?
Su Xiaopei met his gaze, knowing Ran Feize had already said he couldn’t take her along and so she must find a way to arrange a place for herself. But she was friendless and helpless, what else could she do? Of course, she would have to deliberate long-term plans together with him who was both capable and kind.
Sometimes, being shameless shouldn’t be considered a flaw.