Chapter 81

Chang'an was plowing the field at home with a grumbling mule, while Old Gu Six walked along the coastline for five or six days before finding a small fishing village.

After asking the villagers for directions, he walked for two more days before reaching the town.

The town mostly sold seafood products. He found a stove and charcoal at a general store.

Since he had come all this way, he decided to buy more things to take back. He also bought some clothes and six pairs of shoes for Chang'an.

"Shopkeeper, do you have that red cloak in a size for a ten-year-old child?" he asked.

"No, but you can look at other items. Our shop also has red jackets and skirts," replied the shopkeeper.

"Thank you, that won't be necessary. Just wrap up this cloak for me," he said. He'd buy it now, and his daughter could wear it when she grew bigger.

As he left the clothing shop, he thought he heard someone calling him.

Looking back, it turned out to be Wan Ke.

"How is it that I see you everywhere?" Old Gu Six asked.

Wan Ke rolled his eyes dramatically. Wasn't that what he should be saying?

"Are you lost again? Where's your daughter? Did you lose her while fleeing from famine?" Wan Ke inquired.

"You might get lost, but I'd never lose my daughter," Old Gu Six retorted.

Seeing him carrying a load of goods on a shoulder pole and a basket on his back, Wan Ke suggested, "Want to sit for a while at the teahouse up ahead?"

"No, I don't have time," Old Gu Six declined. He had been away for many days, and his daughter was alone at home.

"I have time. Where are you living now? I'll come visit," Wan Ke persisted, following Old Gu Six with a determination that suggested he wouldn't give up until he achieved his goal.

Old Gu Six put down his load and said impatiently, "Stop following me. My home is very far and not suitable for visitors."

"A bit of distance is no problem. Take me to see your place. If it's suitable, we could be neighbors," Wan Ke replied, his expression serious and not seeming to be joking.

Seeing his earnest demeanor, Old Gu Six asked, "You're not working as an escort anymore?"

"No, I've quit," Wan Ke answered, without explaining why. However, Old Gu Six had his suspicions.

The outside world was too chaotic, and with those in power behaving badly, strong young men like escorts were prime candidates for the battlefield.

"My place only has room for me and my daughter. You'll have to find somewhere else," Old Gu Six said. That small valley couldn't accommodate too many people.

Old Gu Six handed over the prepared silver.

Old Uncle Fang didn't refuse. He still had two grandsons to raise and couldn't afford to turn down the offer.

He weighed the pouch, quite satisfied with its heft.

"Alright, come with me," he said.

He didn't make things difficult for Old Gu Six. He took him into the room and, pointing at the kang, explained in detail, covering all the important points to note.

With Old Uncle Fang's instruction, Old Gu Six suddenly understood, immediately visualizing the structural framework of the kang in his mind.

When leaving, Old Gu Six gave Old Uncle Fang an extra two taels of silver, then returned to Wan's house where the whole family was waiting for them to eat.

The Wan family's living conditions were quite good, so the lunch was quite sumptuous: a pot of old hen soup, a bowl of stir-fried meat slices, a plate of steamed cured pork, and a plate of braised fish chunks.

The staple foods were rice and steamed white wheat buns.

Old Gu Six only ate until he was half full, then stopped. If he ate his fill, the Wan family wouldn't have enough to eat.

"Little Gu, eat more. Don't be shy. Treat this as your own home," Wan Old Lady said, seeing him put down his chopsticks. Worried he hadn't eaten enough, she quickly stood up to get him another bowl of rice.

Fortunately, Old Gu Six was quick enough to stop her. "Madam, don't worry. I wouldn't stand on ceremony with you. I'm truly full."

After lunch, Old Gu Six stayed a while longer and gave half of the pastries he had bought for Chang'an to the Wan family.

It felt awkward to come empty-handed and still eat a meal.

Wan Ke saw him out of the village, noting the direction he took, thinking of finding a time to visit Old Six's home as well.

This time, Old Gu Six didn't get lost. He followed the coastline all the way back home.

Then he saw his daughter covered in mud, with the mule grumbling beside her. He didn't know what it was cursing about.

He felt the mule's curses must be quite dirty, and wondered if it would be appropriate for him to laugh now.

Chang'an's face was covered in mud. Seeing Old Gu Six return, she grinned foolishly, "Dad, you're back!"

Old Gu Six coughed lightly, suppressing the urge to burst out laughing. "Daughter, do you want to go back and wash up and change your clothes first?"

Chang'an nodded and ran back home, entering her special space. Old Gu Six put down his things and led the mule to the small river to help it bathe.

The small river had widened considerably, and the land had all been plowed. It must have been his daughter's handiwork.

It would be perfect for planting wheat in the spring, though he wasn't sure if the soil here was suitable for growing grain.