Xu Wanzhi was watching the monkey performance when suddenly she felt a chill.
Her wrist tightened, and turning her head, she saw Qu Xiaojue staring directly at her, with a gaze that seemed to contain anger and grievance she might have misunderstood. Well, her eyesight wasn’t great.
Raising an eyebrow and looking at her questioningly, Qu Xiaojue gripped her hand and spoke somewhat awkwardly: “A’wan, you—”
She almost wanted to ask if he was planning to abandon her, but her pride prevented her from saying such words, so she could only grip his hand tightly.
What a heavy and complex gaze! Xu Wanzhi twisted her hand and couldn’t help but say: “Nonsensical.” She pulled him forward: “Don’t always speak in half-sentences. I’m not always patient enough to listen.”
This half-joking, half-serious remark further confirmed Qu Xiaojue’s thoughts, feeling a sudden ache in her heart, and she blurted out domineering words: “I don’t care if you listen or not, I just want you to be there every time I speak to you.”
Fortune Telling
Qu Xiaojue followed a few steps, grabbing his wrist again: “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
She had no time to understand! Looking at her speechlessly, she shook her head: “Master Qu, another rule: don’t always say things I don’t understand.”
Such perfunctory and evasive attitude, yet still seeming righteous.
Not hearing a definitive answer, Qu Xiaojue stared persistently, watching her husband turn away casually, completely on a different wavelength. As a wife-master, she was thoroughly ignored.
Finally escaping her clutches, Xu Wanzhi slightly quickened her pace to maintain distance, but with the crowded street, she accidentally nearly collided with a large woman, losing balance and falling!
Fortunately, she tried to cushion her fall and didn’t make too much noise.
“Husband!” Qu Xiaojue, having just let go, immediately appeared flustered. Her voice suddenly rang out, Qu Yao and Qu Fan immediately moved to separate the crowd. She rushed over, but he slowly got up, nonchalantly straightening his clothes, stepping away from her extended hand. Only in the subtlest moments could one detect the tension in his brow as if anger had nowhere to go, rhythmically tapping his fingers in his sleeve, until his steps gradually slowed and his face returned to the recent cold indifference.
“I’m fine,” after walking over ten meters, perhaps feeling the suppressed atmosphere of the person beside her, he stopped and said.
“Mm.”
Qu Xiaojue gave a slight smile, this time responding coldly, signaling Qu Fan and Qu Yao with a glance. They immediately and appropriately followed Xu Wanzhi, keeping a distance from her, walking ahead, all falling silent.
So this is how money is spent.
Passing through An Ming Street, they gradually entered a small alley with scattered small vendors. Xu Wanzhi glanced inside, pulling a silver piece from Qu Fan’s hand and throwing it in front of an obviously fortune-telling elderly woman, asking only one question: “Is my fate reasonable?”
The old woman glanced at the shining silver, revealing a toothy grin: “Young master is clearly a person of good fortune, no need for fortune-telling.” She reached out to take the money.
“Nonsense!” Xu Wanzhi immediately withdrew his hand, neatly moving a few steps to place the silver in front of a nearby beggar child, casting a glance at the old woman’s regretful eyes: “At least they truly need it.”
Then he didn’t linger, immediately moving forward.
Looking at the distant, determined back, the old woman clicked her tongue: “If you don’t believe, why come here?”
Ah!” The little boy called out, hastily lifting the dirty hem of his clothes. His somewhat dull expression gradually became lively, and he nodded gratefully to the old woman before running away quickly.
The boy had long since disappeared, and whether he would buy a steamed bun was another matter entirely.
Gazing at the flowing sunlight in the sky and the surrounding life, Xu Wanzhi closed his eyes for a moment and walked silently.
What was he angry about? Was it Qu Xiaojue, the old woman, the child beggar, or perhaps himself?
Qu Xiaojue was unsure why he had suddenly asked, “Is there reason in fate?” Even if one were to say that men believe in fate, she didn’t think her husband believed in it. Pausing for a moment, she saw him suddenly slump, his face filled with melancholy, and a faint sadness swept across her heart. She spoke to comfort him, “Isn’t it good to say you have a good fate?”
Xu Wanzhi pursed his lips in a smile, saying nothing.
Qu Xiaojue suddenly felt a strange sensation. She would have preferred him to say something that would make her uncomfortable, rather than see him smile like this. She stared at him, slowly forming a smile, no longer pursuing the matter. Instead, she reached out and grabbed his hand, with a hint of indulgence: “Xiao Jiang Lou ahead makes the freshest fish. Since we’re here, let’s go try it.”
Xiao Jiang Lou was bustling with customers, lively and noisy.
Many women would enter and immediately slap the table, shouting, “Waiter, bring a spicy fresh fish dish and a pot of spirits!” Immediately, a young waitress would swing her sweat towel and respond loudly, “Coming!” then rush to serve the dishes as everyone busied themselves.
Seeing such a fresh and vibrant scene, Xu Wanzhi’s mood softened, and he unconsciously raised his eyebrows. Qu Xiaojue thought he, as a man who loved peace, was not used to such liveliness, so she led him upstairs, explaining, “Although Xiao Jiang Lou is full of common people, many wealthy families also enjoy this lively atmosphere and come to savor it carefully. Don’t worry, it’s very clean.”
“It’s good here,” came his crisp, refreshing voice. He tugged at her and turned into a quiet table by the window, sitting directly down. Qu Xiaojue looked surprised: “Husband, you’re not—”
“I’m saving you some silver,” Xu Wanzhi tapped the table, interrupting her, joking with her for the first time. He glanced around, already having made up his mind, and instructed the person opposite: “Just ask them to bring the signature dishes here. That fish looks delicious.” Qu Xiaojue nodded and ordered according to his request.
The two, dressed in fine clothing, were eye-catching even in the common hall.
Sitting alone in a corner and chatting softly while waiting for their food, they still attracted attention. Several keen-eyed merchants who had previously sold goods to the Qu family and had the fortune of meeting the Qu family master were particularly intrigued. The women here were straightforward, and seeing the Qu family master accompanied by a beautiful companion, they were quite surprised. Observing Xu Wanzhi’s indifferent seated posture, they seemed to understand something. They wanted to approach and pay respects, but the waitress served the food first. After a quick glance at the dishes, they lowered their eyes and began to eat.
Xu Wanzhi preferred mild flavors. Though fish could be prepared in countless ways, she especially loved her mother’s sour pickled fish, both for its deliciousness and sentimental reasons. The fish before her was spicy and fragrant. She picked up her chopsticks, chose the most tender fish belly, and ate slowly, smiling and praising, “Very delicious.”
When the food was served, Qu Xiaojue had noticed something in his gaze and worried he might not like it. Hearing his genuine praise, she smiled slightly and began eating leisurely.
After a while, she suddenly put down her chopsticks, her gaze sweeping sharply around the other guests: “Everyone, is my dish somehow inferior to yours?”
Though her husband didn’t seem to notice, she was aware that these people had been staring at them eating, not even bothering to hide it.
