Section 7

Xie Ling burst into another fit of laughter

Just wash it

Hello, are you hungry

After finishing the fish, Xie Ling returned home with the umbrella boy. He had been staying in someone else's woodshed these past few days. Although it provided shelter from the wind and rain, it was ultimately not a long-term solution

The umbrella seller continues to sell umbrellas in the town

In the evening, Xie Ling came to find him, holding strong liquor and medicine, "Help me change the medicine."

Xie Ling's eyes were filled with murderous intent, as if making a promise, "You cannot defeat me!"

With a seemingly mindless remark, Xie Ling understood what he was asking. The Chisong Kingdom is known for its fervent and combative nature, while the Liucang Kingdom is home to many cultured scholars and gentlemen. If it were not for the mountainous terrain serving as a natural barrier, the town of Jiushi Jiuqiao would have long been reduced to a military camp for the Chisong army during these years of war

I do not eat fish

I cannot pick fish bones

The terrain of Jiujiu Bridge Town is situated deep within the mountains, characterized by year-round persistent rainfall

The umbrella seller graciously accepted, and seeing that Xie Ling's mother found him neither servile nor arrogant, with complete courtesy, and considered him a good child, she no longer worried excessively.

Xie Ling swiftly removed her pants, revealing a fresh wound on her thigh, with blood seeping through the gauze.

Xie Ling asked: "Do you want to eat fish?"

The umbrella seller said: "Have you washed your hands after killing?"

Xie Ling's heart raced for a long time, and she felt that her eyes could no longer move away from that face, everything felt wrong.

The umbrella seller said: "I am hungry"

Xie Ling could not help but say: "Do you know how many people these hands of mine have killed? You dare to eat the fish I have chosen."

Xie Ling rarely returns home, and when she does, she brings a friend with her, who is a traveling vendor selling umbrellas

The town remains peaceful, and the mountain path leading into the town is narrow and winding, allowing only a single donkey cart to pass through. If one were to truly reach the town, it would mean that there was no way out.

The umbrella seller suddenly asked: "You can't fight back, can you?"

The umbrella seller immediately fell silent; yesterday, when all was quiet, I faintly heard the sound of war drums coming from the other side of the mountain

The umbrella seller bandaged the wound, looking up at him. His gaze finally showed a difference, and with a slight smile, his pair of brows and eyes resembled the serene reflection of the bright moon in still lake water, only to be disturbed by the ripples caused by a dragonfly landing on the surface.

Dislike fishy smell

Xie Ling explained: "Last night, the people from Chisong launched a surprise attack... I cannot let my mother know, otherwise I will be unable to eat or sleep."

In the end, they went to eat fish, which was fat, tender, and delicious in Jiujiu Bridge Town. Xie Ling helped him remove the bones, and he seemed quite at ease, picking a piece to eat while remaining calm, almost as if he were accustomed to being served.

How many days has it been without improvement

... ...

The umbrella vendor's umbrella features hand-painted seasonal flowers for the twelve months, with a copper bell hanging from the handle. It is exquisitely elegant, and the price is reasonable, so there is no worry about sales.

Xie Ling looked for half a day again, and was almost dying of laughter at his jokes, feeling that this young man was truly a rare gem, one in a million

Xie Ling sat on the couch, while the umbrella seller knelt silently on the mat below, changing the dressing. The light cast a hazy golden hue over his brows and eyes. Xie Ling looked down at him, and for a moment, it felt as if a string in his heart had been plucked, causing his heart to race. This umbrella seller was as delicate as a woman, disturbing his peace of mind. Xie Ling hurriedly cleared his throat and turned his face to the side

The Xie family in Jiujiu Bridge Town is a scholarly family. In the generation of Xie Ling, the world is not peaceful, and both he and his elder brother joined the military. Xie Ling's father stood resolutely in the court for a lifetime and, upon returning to his hometown, continued to bless the local community. However, scholars inherently consider themselves superior and look down upon those engaged in commerce. When his son brought home such a friend, although displeased, he did not drive him away. Xie Ling's mother, on the other hand, did not mind this; she arranged for the guest to stay and personally delivered clean clothes and bedding.

... ...

The next day, Xie Ling returned to the military camp

After the crowd dispersed, the umbrella seller began to pack up his things in preparation for a meal. When he looked up, he saw Xie Ling sitting across the bridge in military attire, chewing on a blade of grass, seemingly observing him for quite some time.

In recent years, he has been burdened with heavy thoughts, and he has not smiled as much in total as he has in these few days

A few days later, Xie Ling returned home from the army and passed by an arch bridge. He saw a person sitting cross-legged on the bridge, spreading bamboo paper all over the ground, and making umbrellas. A crowd had gathered around, watching him. When someone raised a question, he would answer. He explained how to select bamboo, how to make the umbrella ribs, how to apply oil to the umbrella surface, and how to sun-dry it. He spoke without reservation, as if he could teach the craft hand in hand. By the end, it was the passersby who felt embarrassed, as they all took out money to buy umbrellas.