"I certainly know that, but what does it have to do with me?" Zhou Xianming hesitated for a long time and cautiously asked.
He was only a frail scholar, what did the chaos of the Jianghu have to do with him?
"You, ah."
Han Wenxin shook his head, "Lately, I've been getting close to Chief Inspector Hong. He's a member of the Xuanyi Guard and knows a lot of information. It's said that the Demon Sect, after recuperating for decades, might make a comeback soon. I suspect the recent disturbances could be related to the Demon Sect."
"Think about it. If the Demon Sect wants to reestablish control over Great Yan, they need to gather some intelligence. And you, Zhou Xianming, often discuss Jianghu affairs. Aren't you quite knowledgeable and skilled in these matters?"
The Demon Sect!?
Zhou Xianming was taken aback and said, "I mostly hear things secondhand and then fabricate them. They can't be taken seriously."
"Damn!"
An Jing, hearing this, felt he had foolishly treated Zhou's words as a guidebook for navigating Jianghu and an encyclopedia.
"You may say it's false, but some people believe it," Han Wenxin said, shaking his head.
Han Wenxin's words made Zhou Xianming even more uneasy.
"But these are just my suspicions. You don't have to take them to heart."
Seeing Zhou Xianming like this, Han Wenxin tried to console him.
An Jing also chimed in, "That's right. Think about it. The Demon Sect is such a massive force. How could they possibly target a small, ordinary person like you?"
Zhou Xianming nodded, a hint of fear appearing in his eyes. He said, "Demon Sect members are ruthless and bloodthirsty. They kill indiscriminately. They shouldn't be focusing on me..."
Han Wenxin put down his wine cup and said indignantly, "They are not just ruthless and bloodthirsty. They are utterly insane and commit all kinds of evil deeds."
"When I master the Qiankun Blade in my hand, I'll make those small fries from the Demon Sect taste my wrath."
An Jing watched the two men chattering incessantly. It felt like a story of one lucky guy and two unlucky ones, making him feel isolated by them.
Zhou Xianming retained some sanity, "You can't. The Demon Sect members are all extremely vicious experts."
Han Wenxin patted the long sword at his waist and laughed, "Don't worry. I won't seek out these vermin until my Qiankun Blade matures."
"Just a few dishes, and you've drunk this much?" Zhao Qingmei chuckled, thinking to herself.
"You two little rascals, if our Demon Sect really makes a comeback, I'll use you two little bastards as a sacrifice to the heavens first," Tan Yun snorted softly, silently taking out her beloved little black book and jotting down their names.
"Why does it feel a bit chilly?" Zhou Xianming touched his arm.
"Me too. Could it be that this wine is fake?" Han Wenxin glared at An Jing.
"This is fine wine, the top-quality brew from Wuyang Tavern," An Jing said irritably.
"Miss Tan, what are you doing?" Han Wenxin turned to see Tan Yun writing something.
"Nothing, just keeping track of accounts. You guys continue drinking, don't mind me," Tan Yun said casually.
Zhao Qingmei's eyes carried a hint of a smile as she said, "Mr. Zhou, Brother Han, don't just drink. Have some food. Does the food not suit your taste?"
"Not at all."
"Yes, these dishes are even better than those of the chefs at Tianyun Pavilion."
"You're too kind, little sister-in-law."
"Yes, not only are your culinary skills great, but you have a kind heart too."
The two men said with a smile.
"Exactly, let's have a drink. This is good wine..."
An Jing raised his cup and finally joined the conversation.
There was a brief silence at the dinner table.
"Mr. Zhou, where were you just now?"
"Tan Yun, go pour some wine for Brother Han and Mr. Zhou."
.......
After the meal, it was already late. Han Wenxin and Zhou Xianming left.
"Tan Yun, where's madam?"
After seeing them off, An Jing returned to see Tan Yun cleaning up the dishes.
"I don't know," Tan Yun replied without looking back.
An Jing thought for a moment, then took a ladder from the yard and climbed up.
Sure enough, Zhao Qingmei was sitting on the roof.
In the twilight, a crescent moon was rising.
The faint moonlight bathed her as if she had emerged from a painting, like a fairy of the Dao.
Such a gentle and virtuous wife, and you don't cherish her.
An Jing cursed himself silently, then walked over to Zhao Qingmei: "Are you still mad?"
"No."
Zhao Qingmei looked at the moonlight overhead.
"Dear, I was wrong." An Jing lowered his head.
"What did you do wrong?" Zhao Qingmei, with her back turned, had a slight smile on her lips.
"I..." An Jing didn't know what to say for a moment.
"Zhou Xianming," Zhao Qingmei reminded him.
There's a bad person among the crowd!
An Jing was stunned. How did Zhao Qingmei know about the pleasure boat visit with Zhou Xianming? Could it be that Zhou Xianming complained first?
He's so underhanded!
"I shouldn't have gone to the pleasure boat with Zhou Xianming. I was completely bewitched, but I remained faithful to you and did nothing. I swear to the heavens."
An Jing raised three fingers: "If I, An Jing..."
"No, don't swear." Zhao Qingmei turned around and grabbed An Jing's hand.
"My dear!" An Jing was deeply moved.
"What if it comes true?" Zhao Qingmei said coquettishly.
"Dear, I really did nothing. If you don't believe me, you can test it. My descendants are still around."
"Pfft!"
Zhao Qingmei couldn't help but laugh and then glared at An Jing, "You're such a bad person!"
"Hehehe."
An Jing gently squeezed Zhao Qingmei's hand, knowing he had passed this hurdle, feeling as if a weight had finally been lifted, "Dear, let me take you somewhere."
Zhao Qingmei asked curiously, "Where?"
"Husband, madam, where are you going?" Tan Yun came out after washing the dishes and saw An Jing and Zhao Qingmei heading toward the door.
"Going out to have fun without me."
Tan Yun wiped her wet hands, complaining.
An Jing led Zhao Qingmei to a dock by the Yu State River, boarded a small black boat, and said to the boatman:
"Old Li, I need to use this boat."
The small black boat swayed with the river, slowly drifting toward the center of the Yu State River.
"Back then, I loved to wander along the Yu State River at night, holding a bamboo pole."
An Jing maneuvered the bamboo pole, the scenery on both sides rapidly retreating.
"I know...," Zhao Qingmei said softly, gazing at the man she loved deeply.
An Jing smiled, "At that time, I thought about bringing her to walk along the Yu State River, rowing the boat myself while she stood at the back, drifting in the night."
"Now, that wish is fulfilled."
Zhao Qingmei said nothing, but her heart was sweet like honey, feeling like her heart was going to jump out.
The sky was clean after the rain, with stars sparkling brilliantly above.
"Husband, do you remember the story of the footless bird I told you?" Zhao Qingmei looked at the sky and asked.
"Why?"
"I feel like I'm that footless bird. Do you know what that means?"
"I know. It means you will never leave me in this life."
An Jing laughed foolishly.
What more could a husband ask for?
"Yes, we will never part," Zhao Qingmei said, "In Zhao Qingmei's life, there's no separation, only bereavement."
An Jing's smile gradually froze.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
At that moment, fireworks shot into the sky.
The once-quiet night sky instantly lit up like a garden of splendid flowers, colorful fireworks filling the dark night.
Near the Yu State River corner.
"Why are we helping that scoundrel?" Han Wenxin said angrily, taking out box after box of fireworks.
"I don't know about you, but he gave me two taels of silver," Zhou Xianming lit the fireworks cheerfully, "It's quite a lot."
"Where did he get the silver?"
"He's a doctor. How could he not have money?"
"Jishi Hall's consultation fees are cheap, and the medicine isn't expensive either."
"Small profits but quick returns, Brother Han. Don't mind these things. How about we go listen to some music in the pleasure house?"
"No! I'll never go there again."
......
On the Yu State River, fireworks illuminated the entire night sky.
"These fireworks are beautiful, aren't they?"
An Jing smiled.
"Beautiful." Zhao Qingmei murmured, gazing at the fireworks above.
"I think they're beautiful too," An Jing said softly, looking at Zhao Qingmei's delicate, fair face.
Vast mountains and rivers, the human world's fireworks, all are you, and none are not you.
"You idiot, I wasn't even angry in the first place.""Husband!"
"Hmm?"
"Promise to love only me."
"I promise to love only you."
"For a lifetime."
"Of course, for a lifetime!"
....
The small black boat floated along the river, and the sky above was filled with splendid fireworks.