The landlady set the dishes she'd cooked on the table one by one. As she untied her apron, she said:
"I never would've guessed. That young man looked so fair and refined, so mild-mannered. I didn't think he'd become a martial artist."
"Mom, you've said that several times already." Zhou Xue served the rice and handed it to her mother. At this, she couldn't help speaking up.
"You little rascal, he's a martial artist! Before now, I'd only ever seen one on TV."
"So what? What does that have to do with us?" Zhou Xue said.
The landlady picked up her chopsticks. "What do you mean, what does it have to do with us? We're neighbors, after all. Another connection means another road to walk. Who knows, we might need him to look out for us someday. You'd better be polite from now on. When you see Chen Shouyi, call him Big Brother. Understand?"
Zhou Xue pursed her lips. "I'm not calling him that. Better to rely on yourself than on others. Mom, don't worry. I'll become a martial artist too."
"You stubborn little thing. With a temper like yours, how are you ever going to get married?"
"I don't want to get married. I'll live with you forever, Mom." Zhou Xue gave a cold snort.
The landlady felt both comforted and heartsore. She smiled and said, "You're still young, so of course you think that way. Just wait until you're an old maid—you'll start worrying then."
After dinner, Chen Shouyi returned to his bedroom.
The candle's weak flame flickered endlessly, occasionally spitting out a spark and leaving the room alternately bright and dim.
Coming back here from Hedong felt almost like leaving civilization and returning to the wilderness.
He took the sword from the man in black and gently