Don't Know Him

Early the next morning, Ye An shouldered his pack and pushed open the courtyard gate.

Ye Shouzhuo stood in the courtyard holding a bowl of hot porridge. Steam curled above its rim.

When he saw Ye An come out, the bowl paused in his hands. "Leaving already?"

"Mm."

Ye Shouzhuo did not try to keep him. He knew Ye An had things to do. "Send word when you get there. Let us know you're safe."

Ye An nodded. "I will."

Ye Ping came over from the doorway. "Don't worry about things at home. Just take care of yourself out there."

The moment Ye An stepped out, Ye Ning went inside. Just as Ye An was about to leave,

Ye Ning emerged from the inner room with a bulging shoulder bag in his hand.

He walked up to Ye An, thrust the bag into his arms, then made a fist and thumped him on the chest.

"Go make your way. I've got things covered at home."

Ye An held the shoulder bag Ye Ning had given him. The cloth had been washed clean, and the opening was tied tight. He did not need to look inside to know it was full of food for the road.

That was Ye Ning. He said little, but he was thoughtful enough to have prepared for Ye An's return journey long ago.

Ye An said nothing sentimental. He slung the bag over his shoulder and smiled at the three of them. "Dad, Eldest Brother, Second Brother. I'm off. Send word if anything happens, and I'll come back."

Ye An left Willow Alley and soon reached the post station south of Anping County.

Several merchant caravan wagons stood in the open ground out front, their sides bearing cloth flags marked "Qiu Trading House." The drivers were