Shendu Prefecture, south.
Border marker.
A crooked-necked tree.
Past the Hour of the Monkey, Xiao Qiushui had still not seen Feng Wenshu. Hearing Xiang Yuan's increasingly impatient urging, he could not help pacing back and forth.
Seeing Xiao Feng remain silent, planted before the crooked-necked tree with the air of someone who could not even be hanged properly, Xiao Qiushui strode over irritably. "Little brother, your heart is far too big. If Feng Wenshu still doesn't come, Brother Xiang is going to get fed up. This is all your money—why aren't you getting anxious?"
Feng Wenshu had been here all along.
And I'm not the only one paying.
Xiao Feng wanted to tell the truth, but when the words reached his lips, he ultimately could not bear to part with the money. In a deep voice, he said, "Wait a little longer. Feng Wenshu is not one to break his word. If he said he'd come, he'll definitely come. I trust his character."
"Oh, little brother, did getting bullied turn you stupid? Feng Wenshu hasn't even arrived yet—he can't hear you praising him behind his back."
"I'm merely speaking the truth."
"I'm dying of laughter. Last time, right in front of me, you cursed him out so—"
"Ahem, brother, say a little less. What if Feng Wenshu comes and hears you? You'll definitely be the one spending money to apologize."
"Hehe, I'm not you. I have backbone. With Brother Xiang here today, who would dare do anything to me?" Xiao Qiushui clasped his hands toward Xiang Yuan, declaring that there was nothing left for him to fear.
"Third, what exactly is going on? Is that Feng fellow coming or not?"
Having waited for ages, Xiang Yuan stepped forward impatiently. "The sun's about to set. Your sister-in-law and I are going