Chapter Four: Walking on Thin Ice
Xiao Shi came downstairs and finally spotted Cheng Jiu. She rushed over and called out, “Jiu-ge, you’re back?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she noticed Xin Gan behind Cheng Jiu. Xin Gan was wrapped in a down jacket, and only as she approached did Xiao Shi recognize her. “Miss Xin, you’re here too? Did you run into Jiu-ge?”
Xin Gan nodded in response.
Cheng Jiu gave a brief acknowledgement. “Tell the kitchen to make a bowl of pork and preserved egg congee.”
Xiao Shi asked, “Who wants congee? It’s so late.”
“Just go,” he ordered.
Once Xiao Shi had left, Cheng Jiu fixed his gaze on Xin Gan. “I’ll take you back to your room.”
They walked in silence. Before entering her room, Xin Gan, a bit nervous, glanced at him furtively. Before she could speak, she heard him ask with a teasing note, “What’s wrong, are you afraid of me?”
“N-no,” she stammered.
It wasn’t exactly fear—just a gnawing unease.
Perhaps from nerves, she covered her mouth and began to cough, her complexion so pale it drew out a sense of pity.
Cheng Jiu took her arm and pulled her inside—not gently, but with his usual brusqueness.
She hadn’t even had time to take off her coat before she was lying on the bed.
Standing over her, Cheng Jiu said, “The highland climate here changes quickly. It’s normal you’re not used to it yet. Stay in the inn for the next few days, don’t go anywhere until you’ve adjusted.”
Xin Gan wanted to reply that she hadn’t been anywhere to begin with, but seeing the calm in his eyes, she stayed silent.
“In a bit, Xiao Shi will bring you some congee. Eat first, then take your medicine and get some sleep.”
She nodded politely and said, “Thank you.”
“No need. It’s my duty.”
The words sounded familiar—she’d just told him earlier that things should be kept clear.
After Cheng Jiu left, she got up, took off her coat, and burrowed back under the covers.
…
In the kitchen, Xiao Shi was instructing the cook to prepare the congee. Hungry herself, she gnawed on an apple and chatted idly with the chef.
The chef, tending the fire, asked, “The girl who arrived a few days ago—who is she to Old Nine? I just saw him take her out, and now he’s having this congee made for her?”
Xiao Shi replied, “I don’t know either. Jiu-ge said she’s a relative from back home, but I have no idea what sort of relative.”
When Cheng Jiu had told her to pick someone up at the airport, he’d said it was a little sister from the family, just staying for a while and sightseeing.
Cheng Jiu entered the kitchen, and Xiao Shi immediately noticed him. “Jiu-ge.”
Cheng Jiu’s presence was commanding—the kind that couldn’t be ignored just by standing there. He looked stern, unapproachable. Xiao Shi sensed it at once. She stopped eating her apple and quickly hid it behind her back.
She thought she’d done something wrong and braced herself for a scolding. But after a moment, Cheng Jiu said nothing. She ventured a cautious glance and saw him watching her.
“Jiu-ge…”
“When you picked her up, did she say anything to you?”
Xiao Shi was caught off guard, not realizing at first who he meant. A few seconds later, she understood. “No, she didn’t say much.”
Didn’t say much—
Cheng Jiu turned and left.
Xiao Shi scratched the back of her head. “What else would she have said?”
Cheng Jiu left the kitchen, half-expecting that Xin Gan would have introduced herself to Xiao Shi as his fiancée or something of the sort—but she hadn’t said a word.
…
Xiao Shi brought the congee upstairs. Hearing the knock, Xin Gan got up, put on her coat, and opened the door. Seeing Xiao Shi, she felt an unexpected relief. That man made her nervous, always on edge around him.