A Loss

Chapter 27: A Loss "Brother Yi!"

Before anyone appeared, their voice rang out.

A clear, lilting voice sounded.

Lin Yi looked up toward the doorway.

A lively, pretty young woman in a pale-yellow dress hurried into the room.

"Yan'er." Lin Yi recognized her, a faint smile appearing on his face.

The newcomer was Wang Yan'er, whose father was the blacksmith in the alley.

Wang Yan'er and Lin Yi had grown up together in the village; they could be called childhood sweethearts.

Xiao Dong was following behind Wang Yan'er, looking a little ill at ease.

But seeing Wang Yan'er's eyes brighten at the sight of Lin Yi, her brows curving into a smile,

Xiao Dong couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.

It always seemed to be this way. From childhood to now, everyone's attention had always been focused on him...

"Brother Lin Yi, I was coming to the inner city today to buy some cloth, so Uncle Lin asked me to bring you a few things while I was at it." As she spoke, Wang Yan'er handed Lin Yi a bundle.

Lin Yi took it and asked, "Is everything all right at home?"

Wang Yan'er smiled. "Everything's fine. Uncle Lin also said to remind you not to slack off lately, Brother Lin Yi."

Lin Yi smiled. "That's good."

The two chatted about home for a while.

During their conversation, Wang Yan'er blushed and asked, "Brother Lin Yi, you're sixteen this year, right? Besides practicing martial arts, have you made any other plans?"

Great Yan had suffered one war after another in recent years. To address the need for more people, the authorities often pushed people to marry through taxes and official matchmaking.

Ordinary men could marry after their fifteenth birthday, once they had come of age.

Those who remained unmarried by sixteen could be added to the military service rolls.

Those who married could delay service until they came of age at twenty.

Lin Yi understood what she was hinting at, but pretended not to. Keeping his expression unchanged, he replied,

"For now, practicing martial arts comes first. I haven't considered anything else..."

A trace of disappointment was plain on Wang Yan'er's face.

Knock, knock, knock!

Just then, someone rapped on the wooden door.

A handsome young man's head appeared at the entrance, fair-faced beneath a veiled hat, dressed in white. He peered into the room, looking around.

"Brother Lin, do you live here...?"

The three people in the room all turned to look at the doorway.

Xiao Dong felt ashamed of his own appearance. He was ordinary-looking, at best a little handsome, and usually didn't pay much attention to his looks. But standing before these two dazzling figures, he felt like a toad beside a swan.

Wang Yan'er's eyes also flashed with admiration. This man seemed even more beautiful than a woman.

When Yu Qinglian spotted Lin Yi,

her eyes lit up. With a few light steps, she came to sit beside him.

She introduced herself openly. "My surname is Ning, and my name is Ning Jin. What should I call you two?"

Seeing Yu Qinglian's fine clothes, Xiao Dong could tell the fabric was extremely expensive—perhaps worth a month's household expenses. Already insecure, he felt even more so.

In a timid, quiet voice, he said, "My name is Xiao Dong."

Yu Qinglian nodded, acknowledging the introduction.

Wang Yan'er had lost the easy cheerfulness she'd brought with her and seemed more like a shy girl meeting a stranger. "Wang Yan'er..."

Yu Qinglian leaned closer.

Her handsome face came so near that it almost touched Wang Yan'er's. Her phoenix eyes narrowed, lending her a rather roguish air.

Wang Yan'er was startled and instinctively leaned back a little.

"Yan'er... What a lovely name. And you, little Yan'er, are so pretty. You really are as graceful as the mist over the Jiangnan waters..." Yu Qinglian's smile was half a smile, and her eyes held a hint of flirtation.

"M-Master Ning, you flatter me..." Wang Yan'er's face turned scarlet, and she stumbled over her words.

Wang Yan'er had yet to marry and had met few men. Most of those she knew were neighbors from Black Water Alley.

She had never had anyone lean so close and praise her to her face—and the person praising her was so beautiful, so dazzling...

For a moment, Wang Yan'er felt her face burning.

Xiao Dong's face reddened, too.

But his cheeks were flushed with anger, and his fists clenched tight.

Afraid Yu Qinglian might take the teasing too far, Lin Yi quickly reached out, put an arm around her neck, and pulled her close against his side.

Yu Qinglian's ears burned a little. She glanced back at Lin Yi and, where the others couldn't see, gave him a coy, annoyed look, silently protesting, I haven't had enough fun yet.

Lin Yi could only smile helplessly.

Most of the time, Yu Qinglian was considerate, gentle, and generous; it was just that sometimes she could be a little childish.

"Brother Ning, you came to see me for something, didn't you?" Lin Yi asked.

Yu Qinglian pouted and reproached him. "Brother Lin, you've been so busy practicing martial arts lately that you've lost track of the days. The peach blossom wine I brewed the other day is ready. We agreed you'd come to my place today for a few drinks..."

Then Yu Qinglian looked at the two in front of her. "I wonder if little Yan'er and Brother Xiao Dong would like to come to my place for a couple of drinks, too."

Xiao Dong lowered his head and shook it. "N-no, thank you."

Wang Yan'er stood up, her face red.

"N-no, thank you. It's noon, and I have to go home and help my mother make lunch..."

"Bye, Brother Yi..."

With that, she fled the courtyard.

Head bowed, she hurried away, muttering as she went, "Brother Yi... Master Ning... They really are the finest people in the world..."

Lin Yi left with Yu Qinglian.

Before going, he turned to Xiao Dong and added, "I have something to take care of tonight, so I won't be sleeping in the communal room."

Xiao Dong nodded, but still reminded him, "Brother Yi, the hall master will be back tomorrow."

Back at Yu Qinglian's house,

Yu Qinglian steeped flower tea in the room, humming a tune with one leg crossed over the other, her lower leg swinging to and fro.

"You certainly had fun," Lin Yi said helplessly.

Yu Qinglian gave Lin Yi a sidelong glance.

"Hmph. I heard it when I arrived—little Yan'er has feelings for you. You're old enough, too. It's about time you got married."

"So, with a pretty girl practically spelling it out for you, you still weren't tempted?"

Lin Yi raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. "So, my dear Sister Yu, are you not confident in your own charms?"

Yu Qinglian answered matter-of-factly,

"I know my own charms, of course. But I'm five years older than you... I'm surely no match for your little Yan'er. You two probably have more in common."

"Still, the way your little Yan'er kept looking back at Master Ning before she left—she sneaked more than one glance. It seems Master Ning has stolen her heart."

As she spoke, a sly glint flashed in Yu Qinglian's eyes.

Lin Yi stood up with an exaggeratedly regretful look. "That Master Ning really is despicable. He's gone and ruined a match meant for me..."

Then he stepped forward and scooped Yu Qinglian up in his arms.

"Ah! What are you doing?!"

"Master Ning ruined my chance at a match, so he naturally has to make it up to me. I'll have to take you, big sister, as compensation..." Lin Yi said, as if it were only right.

"Lin Yi! It's broad daylight!"

"It's all the same..."