Chapter 30 - Didn’t Think of It (2/2)
Qiu Ling glanced at him. The boy seemed mostly confused, but also a little afraid. He sighed. See, this was the kind of opportunity he wanted! Especially with Jing He being mortal now, he could totally show off his strength! Such a case of the hero saving the beauty, wouldn't that smooth the way for a future relationship? Teaching the bandit a lesson, sweeping his beloved up into his arms and comforting him, looking deeply into his eyes … Mn, he really wanted to experience that!
But alas, his beloved was too young, his parents were there and he wasn't even that afraid. Seriously, what needed to happen for him to have a good opportunity?
Mister Zhong looked at his wife, signaling her with his eyes to run. She didn't dare nod, afraid that the bandit might notice something. Her eyes darted around, looking for the best way out. The way down was long, the path barely distinguishable. Would she be able to outrun that man? Furthermore with Jing Yi on her arms?
She probably couldn't. They both knew.
”Don't be afraid.” She patted her son's back. Now, they could only hope for a miracle.
In this moment, none of them thought of the acclaimed daoist master. Jing Yi still didn't really understand, what had happened and his parents were too afraid, to think deeper. They just thought, that they'd need to somehow get away.
”Hurry up!” The bandit unsheathed his sword, tired of waiting for Mister Zhong to comply.
All color drained from Mister Zhong's face. He might have had a chance to stall the man, if he took him by surprise and prevented him from drawing his weapon for a while. But now … One stroke would be enough to kill him.
He looked at his wife, feeling like this would be the last time, he saw her and their son. ”Get back to the village”, he mouthed. There was no way, she'd be able to make it to the capital. But if she could somehow outrun this man, she might be able to get back to the village. The others would help her and when Jing Yi was a little older, he could take over one of the paddies.
Unfortunately, he wouldn't be able to see that day. They should have never set out for the capital. What was so good about it anyway?
The bandit had enough. He stepped forward. Mister Zhong lunged forward himself, barely avoiding the sword and throwing the man to the ground.
His wife took one last glance at him, turned around and ran, as fast as she could with Jing Yi on her arms. Jing Yi looked back at his father. The bandit had thrown him to the side and lifted his sword. Jing Yi grew alarmed, wriggling in his mother's embrace.
”Father!”
”Be quiet, Jing'er.” Tears streamed down Madam Zhong's face. She accelerated her steps, stumbling down the path, they had taken the day before. Mister Zhong was already out of sight. Not, that she would dare to look back. She didn't want to see. She didn't want to know. That way, she could still hope, that her husband might live through some stroke of luck and return home to her.