Chapter 2 (1/2)
Chapter 2: An Encounter Returning Home
—[Most up to date translations for this series can be found on volaretranslations.]
The Fang Hua Beast is a primarily male animal with a peaceful disposition. It prefers to live alone and its figure is not much different to a mortal’s. It is skilled in growing unusual, treasured medicinal herbs. Initially nameless, its flowers(hua) gave rise to Hua (or splendid), and the ancient name Fang Hua Beast. — 《Discussions of Yi Zhi》
—[Most up to date translations for this series can be found on volaretranslations.]
“If you agree to come home with me, I’ll give you three meals a day and promise you’ll eat until you’re full.” The mild but innately tempting words of the male had the obvious markings of a kidnapper. His hand was very warm. A person had yelled at me once for being a smelly beggar, but no one had ever led me along like this.
Thus, the young and clueless me fell into enemy territory, led by food and his charms. For a trifling mantou, I shyly nodded my head and obediently allowed him to take me away. But my heart was surging like a river inside.
The main streets were rather chilly and occasionally, two or three shabbily-clothed people would breathe, eyes half-open, as they leaned against some stone steps. A little beggar wearing a rough burlap gown raised a hand to block the way ahead of him.
Geez… what for?
He’s not thinking to stop and rob him, right? I raised my head, lifting my eyes to take a look at the beautiful person. He seemed to show no interest, indifferent to asking or listening.
Although this other child had a filthy face, he looked intelligent and strong. A pair of dark, swarthy eyes stared at our hands as he half-jogged to follow along, trying to hold the beautiful person’s hand. But the latter waved his sleeve and pushed him away. I thought he had a good temper, but it seems that wasn’t so…
“Remember, I don’t like coming in contact with people.”
The leaves on the willow branches flew wildly, while a gentle breeze ruffled his sleeves. Beneath the sunlight, his face was so beautiful that it was hard for people to see clearly, as if a pale glow of moonlight shrouded him. He used this sort of soft manner to speak, even as his hand was firmly led me along
There was a delicate expression on his face.
I grew silent. He did as well, and without uttering a sound, led me along a fragrant lane towards the depths of a forest bordering the edge of civilization. I started to feel dread and tugged my hand free, wanting to run away. But the beautiful person only gripped it tighter.
Rumors went around that there were people who intentionally preyed on little urchins and used them as catamites in remote, out of the way places. I also heard that while the poor people had nothing to eat, some rich people bored of the same foods, enjoyed was.h.i.+ng and steaming five or six-year-old children in a clear soup. Of course, this was also done in remote, out of the way places.
The whole time I followed, I was confused and shaking, my entire body weak.
I wasn’t sure how long we walked. But by the time I was stumbling along to keep up, he lightly caught me up and carried me in his arms. It was an unexpectedly flattering favor that made me blank out.
“Don’t move around.”
The beautiful person emanated an unusually sweet scent that calmed the heart and made me drowsy. His warm, soft words continually echoed in my ear, “We’re almost home.”
There was something else he said afterward, as if it was very important. But I didn’t hear as exhaustion poured over me like a sudden tide. Leaning against his warm embrace, I fell into a deep sleep.
I dreamed.
During the bitterest, coldest days of starvation, the old beggar had held me and said, Child born under an unlucky star, you should have been fortunate and wealthy. Endure and grit your teeth to pa.s.s through this… your mother will come to pick you up.
I dreamed for a long while, though I wasn’t sure of all the details. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself lying on a carved wooden bed, staring up at the roof beams shaking… no, it was the bed that was shaking, with its warm, soft bedding that felt like an embrace. A surprisingly sweet scent appeared, and a sense of carefreeness swept over me, but everything felt familiar…
I thought and thought…
A warm breath stroked my neck, at times slow or quick, but persistent. It felt unbearably ticklish. As soon as I turned over, I ran into a person’s chest whose face was right before my eyes, giving me a severe shock.
The beautiful person was like jade parted by the clouds as he looked at me. He had phoenix eyes like l.u.s.trous jade, limpid and bright, that curved up slightly in the corners. Beneath the left eye, there was an exquisite cinnabar mole on the white skin, the red coloring as soul-stirring as a plum blossom in now.
My heart started to beat rapidly, and I starting staring at him for no reason. In all the time I had lived, I’d never seen a beautiful person who could dazzle with every look.