Chapter 54: Keeping Watch Part 5

Xiao Kun had come all this way but could not help, and Xiang Xian still had to look after him, so he hurriedly said, “Tend to your duties. Don’t mind me.”

Xiang Xian sat down and said, “I haven’t eaten yet. What did you all have? I’ve been talking with the magistrate half the day.”

The steward quickly said, “I’ll instruct them right away.”

Xiang Xian replied, “No need to trouble the kitchen. Just bring a full bowl of rice.”

Xiang Xian ate lunch with a bowl of hot rice and the leftovers from Xiao Kun’s small dishes. Xie Yun also picked untouched items from her own lunchbox for him to eat. Seeing both his mother and Xiao Kun watching him, Xiang Xian explained to her, “The two of us often eat each other’s leftovers when traveling and living rough outside.”

Xiao Kun held his forehead, unsure whether to laugh or not. Xie Yun then said, “The masters at Xianglu Temple have two strings of Wrist Ropes. They were offered for you when you were six, together with your father. I’ve had someone fetch them. Don’t wait for you two for dinner.”

“Yes.” Xiang Xian finished eating, wiped his mouth simply, changed clothes, and Xiao Kun went to bathe. By mid-afternoon, the two finally left the Xiang Family home, hand in hand, heading out of the city.

“My mother didn’t say anything outrageous, did she?”

“Where’s there a way to speak of one’s own mother like that?”

“She’s always said whatever came to mind,” Xiang Xian said as he walked, casually plucking leaves from trees. His spirits had recovered, and he laughed. “If there’s anything unpleasant, just let it go.”

“She wants to matchmake for me.” Xiao Kun knew that if he didn’t tell him, Xiang Xian would pester with questions, so he simply told the truth.

“Oh.” Xiang Xian suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable and sized up Xiao Kun. “Did you stare at one of her students?”

“No,” Xiao Kun said helplessly, “What nonsense are you saying? Are you jealous?”

“Of course!” Xiang Xian admitted readily. “What? Can’t I be jealous?”

The two fell silent, the atmosphere suddenly turning strangely charged. Late spring into early summer, Kuaiji’s sunlight blazed brilliantly, tree shadows dappled on the path. They walked one behind the other out of the city. Xiang Xian did not let Xiao Kun use Dragon Control, and Xiao Kun did not ask, so they treated it as a stroll.

Vibrant flowers spilled over walls from homes on both sides. Jiangdong was prosperous and harmonious; the quiet road had a sense of seclusion, as if whatever was said or done here would go unknown. The greatest secrets were like a drop of water on the bluestone path—evaporating into smoke in an instant, returning to the dust, traceless.

“What is ‘swearing brotherhood’?” Xiao Kun suddenly asked.

Xiang Xian had plucked a flower and was dismantling the core to suck the nectar when he heard this. He spat the flower far away with a “pfft” and burst into laughter.

“Who told you?” Xiang Xian pulled at Xiao Kun. Xiao Kun tried to brush off his hand, but it was held fast.

“What?” Xiao Kun said. “It can’t be something bad. Don’t tease me.”

“I’m not teasing you, hahaha!” Xiang Xian laughed uncontrollably, his handsome face flushing red, seemingly embarrassed yet unable to stop looking at Xiao Kun. “Tell me first—who asked? My cousin?”

“Your mother.” Xiao Kun said.

Xiang Xian turned his head away, smiling. “What else did she ask?”

Xiao Kun replied, “Nothing more. It came up in the matchmaking talk. What does it mean exactly?”

Xiang Xian held his forehead, thoroughly embarrassed for a moment. Once his mood settled, Xiao Kun was starting to get annoyed. Xiang Xian’s face still held a flush as he explained, “Swearing brotherhood means becoming sworn brothers, like jie bai.”

Xiao Kun examined Xiang Xian and understood. “Isn’t that normal? Why are you blushing? Do you disdain me?”

Xiao Kun felt a bit embarrassed too at the thought of swearing brotherhood with Xiang Xian. Though they often called each other brother, this would take it a step further, forging an even closer bond. Even drawing just a little nearer meant expressing “I want to be closer to you”—something hard for him to voice.

“Are you willing?” Xiang Xian asked seriously.

Xiao Kun looked earnestly at Xiang Xian, warmth surging in his heart. He had thought their bond could go further, and becoming brothers for life would be like clasping his wrist—no, his fate. From then on, he would no longer be alone. How wonderful would that be?

Xiang Xian suddenly laughed again, leaving Xiao Kun puzzled.

“But around here, sworn brothers also…” Xiang Xian held back his laughter, licked his lips, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Sometimes it’s more than just brothers.”

“What?” Xiao Kun asked. “Worshipping at the hall and acknowledging mothers? I’d naturally be willing too.”

Xiao Kun had read in books that Jiangdong had the custom of worshipping at the hall and acknowledging mothers—treating each other’s parents as one’s own, families merging.

Xiang Xian waved it off, laughing nonstop as he searched for the right words.

“I’m getting angry,” Xiao Kun said seriously.

He truly was a bit angry. He had bared his sincere heart to Xiang Xian, only for the man to dodge and weave without a straight answer.

“Hey! Wait!” Xiang Xian saw Xiao Kun walking ahead and said, “Don’t! Getting angry just like that?”

Xiang Xian reached out to link arms with Xiao Kun. By the riverbank, he pulled him onto a ferry boat. “Taking the boat to the dock at the mountain base is faster. We can still return to the city for a good dinner tonight.”