Li Jie's upper hair was held by a silver stick hairpin, while the lower strands were left loose, trailing elegantly behind him with every move. His simple, ordinary attire gave him the appearance of a respectable civilian from a well-off family.
Feeling Bao Lin's hawk-like stare, his own behavior deviated from "Wu Haoyu" usual patterns. For starters, his taste in fashion completely different from "Wu Haoyu", whereas he like something that show his richness and high status--be it excessive burst of color and lots of gold. For as Li Jie, he likes soft color that's pleasing to the eye and minimalist in their design yet elegant and sophisticated. Less is more he should say.
Li Jie averted his gaze before Bao Lin could notice. Taking a deep breath, he adopted an authoritative aura, head high up as his sharp eyes looking down to the people below him. "We will leave for the Soaring Wind Sect tomorrow. Order all the other servants to pack our things," he commanded.
Bao Lin's smile beamed; his suspicion disappears immediately. "Really? Uh- I mean, yes! I'll order them right away, Young Master!"
Li Jie stands up, "I want to take a walk around this town while you're all working. So, bring me my money bag too." He looks out the window, it was the second floor, so it was easy to watch the townsfolk doing about their day. From the start, he would observe the town normalcy, like, what kind of food are they eating? They have a peculiarly massive meat that he can only guess is from boars, with the vegetables and fruits is no less abnormal from the meat with their color and size.
"B-but Young Master, if all the servants are working to pack our travelling supply, no one will be left to accompany you!" Bao Lin swallows his saliva, still afraid to talk his opinion.
"I don't mind walking alone." He walks to his wardrobe; all his cloth has a strong hue and overcomplicated embroidery that look over-the-top. He stretches his lips in a straight line, embarrassed by the original owner taste in cloth...
Bao Lin opens a drawer and pulls out a pouch. As he bends over, an item falls from his sleeve, making a distinct clanking sound as it hits the floor.
"What's that?" Li Jie asks.
Bao Lin was quick to hides it and nervously smile, "Nothing, it's just something I made for the new year's festival... What do you think?" Bao Lin pauses to gather his courage as he slowly pulls out his hand from his sleeves. It was a mask. He figures that he shouldn't hide it because it's not as if he has something bad.
Li Jie accepted the white fox mask from Bao Lin's hand. Its texture was coarse and uneven, and although not apparent from a distance, the eyes were mismatched in size. Bao Lin still had much to learn to improve his craft. His finger touches the painting delicately, it reminisces of a sharp flowery vine tinted with red and paired with a sophisticated gold. Perceive that the Bao Lin's vision was to render the work mysterious and intriguing; what appeared to be mistakes suddenly seemed intentional and unique.
It amazed him that this is the work of a 13-year-old boy. With dedicated practice and expert instruction, Bao Lin has the potential to become a master craftsman within a few years.
Like a kid looking at a toy he liked, for duration longer than he should, Li Jie eyes sparkle with interest and fondness as he gently touches the mask like a delicate treasure. Bao Lin didn't expect him to like it at all, a fluffy and warm feeling tingling his heart, he smiles. "Do you like it, Young Master?"
"Huh? Of course not!" Li Jie snorts, putting up his arrogant pretense. A moment of carelessness, the mask slip through his finger, fright and horror as he swiftly catches it before it hit the ground. "Here, take it back before I broke it."
Bao Lin slapped his hand over his mouth and quickly ducked his head. His master is weirdly cute!? No, that'a ridiculous thought even if it's true and he can't show it on his face or else the master will be angry. Bao Lin tries his hardest to not burst to laughter. "I see..."
Li Jie can't see Bao Lin's face and though he sees his shoulder tremble slightly like he's trying to repress a strong emotion. "..." Li Jie made him cries! Watching Bao Lin silently holding his emotion, he felt as though a hand was squeezing his heart, and the longer he looked, the tighter the squeeze became. He walks out the room, Bao Lin's innocent child-like appearance casts doubt on whether he will maintain his act and refrain from apologizing. He excuses himself to the exit door.
"Wait! Young Master turns out I really can't leave you alone." Bao Lin calls from his back, he catches his breath with his cheek's flushes with red blush. His dimple deepens as he found him, "It's too dangerous outside and all alone! Especially someone with your status!"
"Don't be stupid, if you are gone who is going to manage the other? I'll be back before midnight." Bao Lin behavior perplexed him.
Knowing he doesn't have any right to stop him, Bao Lin let him go, "I see... At least, conceal your eyes," Bao Lin hand him the mask, "An emerald eyes such as yours is rare and easily recognizable. When anyone ask your name, please give them a fake name. That way, Young Master will be safer." The mask has a see-through cloth on both of the eye should go, leaving it hard for the third party to recognize the wearer identity.
He is true. Looking around no one in the crowd has an emerald or green eyes, almost everyone has a brown or black eyes. They looked completely like a background character that was made as boring as possible, if he squints all the people blend together. Now that Li Jie notice that detail it baffled him a little.
Li Jie hesitant to take the mask Bao Lin work so hard for, but he shoves the guilt to the back of his throat. "Thanks." he whisper underneath his breath, not intending for the other person to hear it.
Looking at Li Jie back, Bao Lin quite stunned for what he just heard. His master said just now is a sincere thank you. His hand covers his mouth, which is smiling unconsciously, "Your welcome, Young Master."
.....
He does want to walk around and inspect his surrounding, but he overestimated his tolerance in loudness and physical touch. It's unpleasant for Li Jie who's never walk outside for 60 years after being paralyzed, it overstimulate him and he started to feel dizzy after only 5 minutes stepping out of the residence. He considers bolt back to the inn, but Bao Lin is still standing in front of the door, it'll be embarrassing for him to backpaddle on simple task.
Li Jie slithering in the crowd, searching for an empty space to take a breath. After a minute, he found a largely empty space in-between two houses. He should wait at least half an hour before going back.
"You piece of trash!" A voice roared followed by a loud thud and motion of kicking and punching from multiple people behind his back.
What kind of luck he does he have to bump into a bunch of thugs as soon as he steps outside! He turns to see four kids around the age of 10 to 11, are aggressively kicking a smaller figure curled up in a protective ball while lying on the ground.
Li Jie frown, "Hey! What you kid's doing?!" He screams.
The boy who wore expensive cloth with gold embroidery turn to him with an angry expression, "Who are you?! You dare to bother me? I'm trying to teach this criminal some manners!" The three behind him nod their head in agreement like a minion.
"A criminal...huh. What did he do then?" Li Jie crossed his arm and raised a brow.
The kids are taken aback, for a second, they didn't know what to reply. "Well... Well, he-he steals our prize for shooting the monkey-thing! Whatever it actually named!" One of the unremarkable minions said.
"How exactly did he steal?" Li Jie sigh. He rubs his temple. He didn't feel nausea anymore though it's replaced with a headache. A case of bullying because of egotistic pride not wanting to admit defeat.
"It doesn't matter! What? Do you want to join him?" The four direct their attention to him, making a malicious expression intended to scare him.
Li Jie smug and cracked his finger like a gangster getting ready for a fight, "Oh please, I eat you kids for breakfast."
The kids got pissed off being underestimated, one vs four, even a kid could see the clear advantage and are eager to wipe the smug off Li Jie's face.
No one anticipate it, a small figure appear in front of Li Jie. "Wait!" His voice though small and weak, it echoes with courage and fire. His hair was unkempt with sand tangled in it; his body was skinny to the point where bones protruded from his skin. His appearance was truly disheartening, and he feared that a mere gust of wind could carry him away. "It's the prize you wanted right? I'll give it to you. Leave this guy alone."
The four guys seem surprised by his response, later they combust to laughter so loud it rings in Li Jie ears unpleasantly. "Now give it to me."
"Not until you give me your word that you will let us go after I gave you. You search my cloths before, you didn't find the elixir. Only I know where I put it. So do we have a deal?" Despite being beaten up to a pulp, the boy keeps his composure back straight and his voice give no sign of hesitation and fear, like from the start he is the one who's in control of the situation. It irritates the four kids; though they can't pinpoint what they're annoyed at.
To Li Jie, he has a mixed bag about the kid he intended to rescue. The boy voice ring calm and his back stand straight as if the injuries on his body was just an illusion. Proven himself to be mentally well above his age.
Somehow Li Jie missed a lot on their conversation, the boy grabs his hand and run. The four kids immediately chase after them.
Li Jie brainless daydream come to fruition, he runs into the crowd and butting shoulder with the bystander. The bullies tailing behind them, that injured boy has little energy left to run the bullies are going to catch up on them. With no choice, Li Jie sweeps him off his feet, he barely weight anything in his arms and didn't reduce Li Jie speed at all. The boy on the other hand seem shock and at first asked to be put down, but he eventually except it.
Few minutes of running, Li Jie found a carriage and hide behinds it. The bullies lost their eyes on them, scatter to cover more ground to find them.
"You couldn't got hurt. You should've just let me be. I know how to deal with them." The boy stated.
"Aren't you a cute little hero." Li Jie smile, his voice sound playful and yet with a breath of helplessness.
The boy cheek turns red, "You are ridiculous!"
"I'm just teasing you." Li Jie takes his time to breath in some air, Wu Haoyu, the boy that his soul embodies, seem to be agile and fit to fighting. That's been the most movement he ever do in decades! It was thrilling. "Still, beating them will be more fun."
"Even if you do manage to defeat them, it's only temporary... They are the son of the influential family in this town. Better to avoid getting in trouble with them."
Li Jie blink, he actually finds the little boy's word quite reasonable. Though with flaw, the kid's mind set are strong and sharp. "Although, doing nothing just made them think you're an easy victim, ultimately nothing will change."
His words got through the boy tick skull; he pauses but he soon shakes it off. "It doesn't matter, Ah Cheng always gets hurt, and can endure it just fine. I can tell Big Brother thinks I'm an idiot for not fighting back, I tried fighting back once... " His face sadden, and he pause for a bit, "... Forget it, I don't know why I mention it. Ah Cheng feels like Big Brother is really a nice person. I don't want you to think of me less. But know that I can take care of myself usually, today is just a special occurrence."
It leaves him momentarily speechless, worry heavy on his brows. It's been hanging in his head since the first time he saw him. "Are you alright, kid?"
That pure concern from Li Jie seem foreign to him, he's surprised at first, then smile, cute dimples shown on his cheeks Li Jie hold the urge to pinch it. "Ah Cheng can handle it! One day, I'll grow up and protect everyone I love. No one will look down on me." Determination ring clear in his voice, his demeaner and passion made Li Jie believe that he will achieve it.
Strong and pure smile, it wanted to put him at ease and calm, that kind look on his face remind him of his head-strong sister.
It has just been two years since they lost their parents, Li Jie is still too young back then, but he vividly remembers they were being abuse by their relative and his sister arguing with them because of it. It didn't always end well though. Sometimes, she would get slap and beaten, and he can only cry like an idiot.
She was strong though; she gently caresses his back when he cries– like he was the one who's hurt even though his sister is the primary scape goat. But she always told him with a stupid gentle smile. "It's just a scratch! You're such a crybaby." Butting her head hit to mine, she sincerely whisper, "One day, I'll grow up and we'll leave this place. Then, I can protect my ugly yet lovely little brother." Li Jie pout at the last sentence, but he's understand the sentiment feel protected and loved. He feel like he can never be alone.
Ah Cheng blink seemingly confused, even his face was underneath the fox mask he could see that the stranger he just met make a sorrowful and sad expression. A single drop of tears fell down from underneath the white mask, it was follow by a steady stream of tears.
Ah Cheng stunned. "Why are you crying? Are you hurt? What do I—what can I do? Please, don't cry." Ah Cheng never seen anyone cry other than his baby sister, much less a boy older than him. He clumsily tries to calm him down by petting his back, at this point his mind is blank.
Tears fall down from Li Jie eye sockets like a waterfall as he let out a muffle sound of frustration, he is a sobbing mess. Up till now, he always vaguely remembers his past life and keenly avoid touching on certain memory.
The sadness that's been dwelling in his heart poured out like a combust balloon. He misses his sister. He doesn't like this place. In this crowded town and vast world, he is utterly and absolutely alone because he doesn't belong here and don't have anyone to rely to.
"Uh- How about, about we, I-! Tell you a funny story? One time that four boys' from before, the boy's that was beating me, Gui Yin, Gui Lan, Zhao-- The point is!" Li Jie sniffs, and he look up, focusing on Ah Cheng talking. The edge of Ah Cheng's lips lifts up a little, seeing the Big Brother paying attention to him.
His story turns out, not funny at all. He talks about the boy's and their family background like they're investigating them, he forgodsaken talks about their yearly-income and industrial busness like it was his job to write an article about it. Obvious that up till now, he never had a friendly chattering with anyone.
What stops him from stopping the boy's tale was the fact the boy is trying to distract him, even if it made him looked like a fool that talking about something that he didn't understand – It is charming and adorable, just from looking at his eyes looking back at his attentively, Li Jie feels better.
He didn't pay attention to it before because the boy's hair covered his eyes, but he realizes the boy own a pair of unordinary eyes, even compared to his own green eyes it's still extraordinary. The strands of hair covering his eyes was blown over by wind and reveal under it a pair of mesmerizing blue eyes, it was beautiful. Like he's looking at real gem... And it's as if it was a —"a deep ocean and you can't look away. " The description appear on his mind, but he can't quite connect the dot and dismissed it.
That's how his evening plays out, listening to boring story while trying to be engage. Only when Ah Cheng accidently hit his elbow did his wound reactivate its aching pain, Li Jie decides to bring him to get medical attention.
For some reason, the whole trip there, the two of them keep on laughing. Doesn't know what about, vaguely remember something about both of their stomach growl and the timing of it makes them burst to laughter. For a moment, Li Jie doesn't mind living in this world. As long as this boy is accompanying him...