64 Being Brothers for Life and the Two Bowls of Noodles with Fried Eggs (2/2)

”My brother was named Zhuo Er. He was a spy. The Military Ministry sent him to check on me and to investigate whether I conspired with the Yuelun Kingdom. In fact, it was only an excuse for them to kill the people from Spring Breeze Pavilion. To achieve the goal, they even might frame me.”

”But my brother didn't want to do this. He told me all the things behind it. He didn't investigate me for the Military Ministry and he wouldn't frame me according to his boss's order. But he was a soldier after all. He can't betray his country and his army. So, he suffered a lot in those days.”

Chao Xiaoshu closed his eyes. He said, ”Looking back now, I should have told him the whole truth. Maybe he would have still died, but at least he wouldn't have felt so desperate.”

Ning Que said, ”You haven't mentioned how he died yet.”

”Being a spy is a very dangerous job. If he didn't work for either of the two parties, he might die at any time. If he decided to work for one party, then it's highly possible that he's going to die. That day, when he finally decided to tell me everything, the Military Ministry found out what he did and killed him. He died right here, across the street.”

Chao Xiaoshu looked at the direction of the wooden door of the shop. He was looking at the gray wall, far away.

Ning Que was silent for a long time. He asked, ”It was the Sword Master of the South Jin Kingdom that killed him?”

”Yes.” Chao Xiaoshu turned around, looking at Ning Que, smiling. ”From now on, I'll regard you as my brother.”

Ning Que arched an eyebrow. ”Aren't you being too childish?”

Chao Xiaoshu laughed and said, ”In this life, we're brothers. Such a matter is always this simple.

”We had noodles with fried egg today, and for that, we're brothers for this life.”

Ning Que shook his head and said, ”Brother—this word is meaningless. I know those famous brothers. If some of them died before the others, they were lucky, because if they didn't, they would have fought against each other in the end. I just wanted to help you tonight, and of course, make some money by the way. Can you not be too corny and find other meanings in life?”

Chao Xiaoshu frowned as he looked at Ning Que and was surprised at such an answer. He said, ”You're so young, and yet in your eyes, the world is so dark... I wonder what had happened to you. If you want to tell me in the future, remember to contact me anytime. I'll treat you to tea.”

Ning Que said, ”I don't even want to recollect those things, let alone tell other people.”

Chao Xiaoshu smiled at him. ”OK. So, besides noodles with fried egg, what do you think is the meaning of your life?”

”The meaning of life... definitely is career and love, or we can say, money and women. I know you think that this answer is amazing and I'm also an amazing person, but can you please not reveal such a profound smile?”

Ning Que shook his head, and to let this powerful person understand what's the meaning of life, he pointed to Sangsang. ”Who do you think is suitable to be your master's wife in House of Red Sleeves?”

Sangsang wiped her hands on her apron and thought attentively for a while. ”I think that day the second girl sitting at your left hand was nice.”

”That was Lu Xue.” Ning Que thought about her soft waist, and continued asking, ”Why do you think she's suitable to be my wife?”

Sangsang looked at Ning Que with big, serious eyes. ”She looks very beautiful with makeup. Her smile is nice looking, clean, and innocent. Her teeth are white and neat, which means she is healthy. Also, I've seen her waist and bottom, and found she's able to give birth.”

Ning Que turned around and smirked to Chao Xiaoshu.

Chao Xiaoshu looked at the dimple on Ning Que's left cheek, thinking about what he just saw. Someone who was stuck in a shop every day and discussed with his underaged handmaiden about which prostitute was better as a wife and for giving birth—was this what he meant by the meaning of life?

Suddenly, he recalled the scene of him seeing the handmaiden leaning by the door as he was about to leave the Old Brush Pen Shop, and the scene of the two bowls of noodle with fried egg when he returned to the shop, where he was being forgotten by the master and his handmaiden. He remembered how close the both of them were, to the extent that he could not interrupt them. He then slowly understood as he smiled and said, ”The true meaning of life is life itself.”

Ning Que shook his head and laughed. ”You're too sentimental.”

Chao Xiaoshu looked at this lad, knowing that Ning Que did not understand what he meant, but he did not want to say too much. He stood up and walked towards the door. He turned around and smiled. ”It's time to go. There are still lots of things to do tonight. I'll send someone to hand you the silver tomorrow and he'll bring you to a place.”

Hearing the last word, Ning Que became alarmed. Rather than asking where that person would take him, he asked the most important part of the thing, ”Can I say no?”

Chao Xiaoshu pushed the door open and said clearly, ”No.”

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