Luzhou Moon - Chapter 35
The flickering firelight illuminated his thin figure; he was still wearing the light gray short jacket she had mended for him that day. Yue Ruzheng asked softly, "What are you doing?"
"Let's boil some water first, and I'll make you something to eat on the road later. Otherwise, we'll leave early tomorrow morning and there won't be time to make anything," he said calmly.
Yue Ruzheng's tears rolled down her cheeks immediately, and she hurriedly wiped them away secretly, afraid that he would notice something was wrong.
Looking at the bright red flames, Tang Yanchu suddenly asked, "Ruzheng, how far is Luzhou from here?"
She feigned composure and said, "If it goes quickly, it will take seven or eight days; if it goes slowly, it might take more than ten days."
He nodded silently, and after a while said, "If your master is seriously ill, I can help you find your elder sister; she's a skilled doctor."
"No need," she blurted out, then realized it wasn't appropriate and added, "We also have renowned doctors in Luzhou, which are nearby and more convenient..."
"What would you like to eat? I'll make it and take it with me tomorrow," Tang Yanchu suddenly asked.
Yue Ruzheng wasn't interested in thinking about this question, and simply said, "Whatever, as long as I can take it with me."
Tang Yanchu thought for a moment and said, "Would you like some steamed buns?"
Yue Ruzheng asked, "Weren't those bought from down the mountain before?"
"Yes, but I've done it myself. When it's cold, the steamed buns can be stored for a few days, so I don't have to cook." He walked to the side and used his severed arm to hold a bowl to get flour.
Yue Ruzheng remembered him saying before that he sometimes didn't even cook meals often, surviving only on dry rations. Looking at the rice she had just bought, she felt as if it were all a dream. She slowly walked behind him and said, "Xiao Tang, the rice you bought will last for a while. After I leave, don't make do with cold rice and vegetables anymore."
Tang Yanchu turned around, placed the bowl on the table, looked at her feet, and whispered, "No one will eat this."
Yue Ruzheng's eyes stung, and she quickly turned her face away, saying, "Then you should do less."
Tang Yanchu lowered his head and remained silent as he went outside to fetch water. Yue Ruzheng watched him turn the well pulley with his foot, knowing that the most difficult moment would come when the bucket was hoisted up, so she went over to him. He pedaled hard on the axle, and the bucket wobbled as it was lifted to the wellhead. Yue Ruzheng quickly reached out and took it from him, helping him carry it to the kitchen.
Tang Yanchu looked at the clear water and said softly, "Ruzheng, pour some into the basin. I need to wash my feet before I can knead the dough."
Yue Ruzheng brought over the basin and poured in half a basin of water. Tang Yanchu sat on the stool, took off his shoes, and Yue Ruzheng squatted down in front of him, reaching out to wash his feet. Tang Yanchu immediately pulled away, shaking his head and saying, "No."
Yue Ruzheng hugged her knees and lowered her head, saying, "I'm leaving tomorrow."
Tang Yanchu smiled slightly and said, "Ruzheng, why do you make it sound like you're never coming back?"
Yue Ruzheng lowered her eyelids, her eyelashes trembling slightly.
"It's okay if they don't come back." Tang Yanchu added to herself in a low voice, and then stopped talking, just silently washing her feet.
He washed for a long time, and Yue Ruzheng's legs started to ache. He kept washing them repeatedly, and Yue Ruzheng couldn't bear to watch any longer, so she said, "Little Tang, you've been washing for a long time now, they're very clean."
He paused for a moment, then reached for a white cloth to wipe the water droplets from his feet. He put on his shoes and walked to the table, then suddenly lowered his head and said blankly, "Ruzheng, never mind... I still feel it's not clean... You should knead the dough. I'll teach you."
Yue Ruzheng slowly walked to his side, reached out and scooped up some water, sprinkling it into the flour. Following Tang Yanchu's instructions, she vigorously kneaded the wet flour. At first, she was clumsy, but gradually, she used the force to fiercely vent her inner pain, kneading until her arms ached. Tang Yanchu noticed her unusual behavior and asked anxiously, "Ruzheng, what's wrong with you?"
She refused to answer, and just furiously pounded the wet surface until her hands ached.
"Ruzheng!" He bent down, turned his face to look at her, and her tears fell drop by drop into the flour, which she then kneaded into powder.
"Don't cry... Why are you crying?" He was extremely anxious, but he couldn't stop her, so he could only touch her arm with his shoulder.
She still didn't speak, and Tang Yanchu grew impatient. She used her body to push against her shoulder and shoved her aside. She stood in the corner of the room, wiping away her tears with her flour-covered hands, which made her face covered in powder.
"Say something, what's wrong?" He stared blankly at her, his shoulders trembling with anxiety.
"Don't ask me anymore, Xiao Tang, please don't ask anymore!" Yue Ruzheng shook her head desperately and retreated to a corner.
He hesitated, looking sadly at her hiding in the corner crying, but there was nothing he could do.
Yue Ruzheng leaned against the wall, her mind filled with memories of the past. The first time she saw him, his deep, cool eyes gazed at her silently. The first time she saw him lift his feet to bandage her wound, his movements swift and meticulous. The first time she saw him eat at the table, his sensitive nature causing him to refuse to eat again… until later, she deliberately sat opposite him, and the two began to eat together. He often viewed everything with indifference, seemingly devoid of emotion and desire, having seen through the joys and sorrows of the world. But sometimes, he would reveal a rare smile, gentle and serene, his handsome brows arched, his eyes seemingly holding a glimmer of starlight…
She tried her best to suppress her sobs, her body trembling uncontrollably. Suddenly, she felt a warmth on her back as Tang Yanchu gently leaned against her.
Her heart trembled with the most tender part of her being, but she refrained from turning around.
Tang Yanchu turned her head to the side, touched her hair, and whispered, "Ruzheng, turn around."
Yue Ruzheng hesitated for a moment, then turned around, her eyes brimming with tears, to face him. He breathed softly, slowly raising his remaining severed arm to wipe the tears from her face. Her heart clenched; she closed her eyes, lifted her face, and let his sleeve brush against her cheek.
He seemed afraid that his severed arm would touch her, and only gently wiped away her tears with his sleeve. Yue Ruzheng opened her eyes, and his arm had already fallen to the ground. He had a reassuring smile on his face, but his eyes were full of helplessness.
Yue Ruzheng bit her lip, trying her best to suppress her grief and force a smile.
"I'm sorry, Xiao Tang, I always cry."
He whispered, "And why this time?"
Yue Ruzheng looked away and said, "I feel like I'm going to have to leave you alone again, leaving you in this desolate place."
Tang Yanchu paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "It's okay, I won't feel lonely."
"Do you ever think about the time we spent together?" Yue Ruzheng couldn't help but ask.
He gazed into her tearful eyes and nodded gently.
That evening, Tang Yanchu silently accompanied her as she packed her bags. While she was packing, she took out the sachet filled with green plum blossom petals, handed it to him, and said, "You can keep this."
Looking at the exquisitely embroidered sachet that emitted a delicate fragrance, Tang Yanchu suddenly said, "Ruzheng, are you not coming back?"
Yue Ruzheng felt a sharp pang in her heart, but a smile remained on her face. Looking at her shadow at her feet, she said, "If I have time, I'll come back to see you..."
He gazed at her intently, then turned away, seemingly looking out at the dark night.
After all the luggage was packed, Yue Ruzheng held the sachet and said, "I'll put it in your room for you."