The whole time I couldn't say anything to him as we came back to the road.
But finally I asked, "Seems like all of them know you and they adore you so much."
Arashi nodded, "Yes, I treat them and give them medicines. That's why."
I didn't know why my chest felt light but the more I was watching him, the more I felt he was a good man. He looked like an angry man most of the time but he was very considerate to others. I smiled.
Suddenly a person came before us in a loose shirt and loose pants which reached his knees and greeted him. "So, Mr Yuan, who could be this young lady?" His eyes sparkled as he asked.
"Mr. Wasabi, good day. She is Biyanka, My wife." After saying that Mr Wasabi was very surprised as if a big rock had hit his head and then his eyes moved between us. It seemed it took him quite a while to get those words and when his got them he almost shouted at Arashi, "You are married now?!" And mumbled to himself, "Now what will happen to my daught—"
"I see, I see. Congratulations," he immediately changed his sentence and congratulated us but his eyes never left me. His scrutinizing gaze stayed on me for a while as he once again congratulated Arashi and spun on his heels.
As soon as he came, he left immediately and it took me some time to register what happened.
"Why did he leave in a hurry?" I asked Arashi as we saw the man walking away.
"Believe it or not, he is really good at spreading news."
I looked at Arashi as he added, "Otherwise, he is a really good person."
I nodded as we resumed our walk. By now, my feet ached but I was more curious at the village where Arashi lived.
"Looks like there are many interesting people here."
"You will be meeting many soon." He said.
Soon we crossed the village houses and after it came long fields as we still walked and my feet cried. I was certain they had gotten some blisters. I wondered how far his house could be.
We crossed the long fields where farmers were working. The village was filled with various kinds of fields from both sides and the view was really pleasing. The weather was not very cold either.
"Are all these fields under this village?"
"Yes, the agriculture here is very good thus, most of the villagers have their own lands."
There was a question that kept itching me but I had no courage. Finally, I gave in to my curiosity as I asked, "Why didn't you take Mr Hiro's money? It's only fair to pay you for your work."
"Apart from some of the family, the rest are poor and all day, they work to feed their children and wives. Mr Hiro makes clay pots and goes every Tuesday and Saturday to sell those in a small market down to the village." Arashi added, "But most of his pots don't sell like before and he has to take care of his children's education as well as feed them."
Arashi looked at me and said, "Both of his sons want to start working in the fields but Mr Hiro wants them to study. For that, he is trying new carvings and patterns on his clay pots so it can attract the customers." He sighed. "Of course, with failures."
"But his pots are so beautiful," I said looking at the pot he gave us earlier.
"Yes, but nobody needs them now when modern style is appearing."
I kept silent as it was true. Our society had hit with it and with the current reoccurring of the new ways of living, we all had to move on. My heart fell at how struggling his life was. I was in my father's abode but at least I had food even though it was little. For them, if they don't work, they would not even have that and the children could not study.
My reasons for not being able to do studies were different but for them, it was money.
As we went on, I noticed we were entering the forest. Small to large, various kinds of vegetation grew around us as we went deeper. Did he live in a forest?
I was tempted to ask him but my mind was occupied by the beauty of the trees. Some of them were touching the sky and birds were flying, moving from one tree to another.
At last, we reached his home and I was awestruck by it. His house was surrounded by only green. It was a large establishment but the woods were old and it looked like he repaired it. Various kinds of algae sprouted out from the ground and decked the house in its beautiful velvety green. I could not look away from it as flowers of different kinds, hung from its roof to walls and it was very welcoming. It felt like a new kind of refreshment hit me.
He opened the door as we entered the spacious room and it was a traditional house. My heart leapt with joy and I couldn't stop my feet as I wandered around the house, inspecting every corner of it.
"Do you live here alone?" I asked curiously.
"Yes." He took down all the luggages and opened all the sliders as fresh wind welcomed me with fragrances of wilderness.
How did he manage to live here alone? This place was in the woods and the village was at a distance. But I had no complaints. I looked outside and saw the mountains out there.
He laid down on the floor and looked at me. "Make yourself at home."
I laid down beside him as my crying feet were finally able to rest. Now, I knew why he didn't want to go to the places that were far from here.
I tapped on my feet which were under my kimono and a yelp came out of my mouth which captured Arashi's attention.
"What happened?"
I shook my head. "N–nothing."
My hands were still on my feet as his eyes followed it and he demanded, "Let me take a look at your feet."
My eyes got round as my ears heated but his cold eyes said he wasn't going to back down as I slowly put my feet out. His large palm took one of my feet as my heart thumped loudly at his touch. His hold was very gentle and I lowered my gaze.
"You got blisters," he remarked and asked, "Were you walking in these all the while?"
I only managed to look at him with wide eyes. I felt anger radiating from him as he got up and went to a room while I sat there in silence with my beating heart.
He came back immediately and took my feet on his lap as he put the ointment and all my flush went out from the door as it started to burn.
I yelped and tears came out as I pulled my legs but he kept a tight told on them. "Wait! It may burn first, but it will cool off the burns later. Give it some time."
"B—but it hurts." I stuttered as I bit my lip.
"Endure it!" His voice was loud as I cowarded back and didn't move for a while.
Now, it seemed his loud voice was scarier than the burns.
"Tell me when you feel uncomfortable or not well," he looked into my eyes as his cold dark eyes bore deep holes in me but then his voice became gentle as he said, "I am your husband, after all."