17 Under the Moonlight, Under the Peach Blossoms (1/2)
In front of the house, beneath a peach tree, two people sat awkwardly.
Li Wei's large eyes were glued onto Khan Bojing's face. She purposely chose the seat across from him so that she could look at him. Earlier, his response was so different from his previous self she knew.
He would be even more scared if she was seriously pursuing him? Hmph!
How could she, a villainess, accept such an answer? Of course, she couldn't.
Khan Bojing felt her eyes on him but he pretended to be busy by studying the patterns of the wooden table in front of him. He couldn't help wondering, did he do something wrong again?
Finally, this awkward moment between them was interrupted by Mother Xu, who came outside carrying a jar of wine. She sat next to Li Wei and spoke excitedly, ”I'm so glad you're here. We haven't had a visitor in months. Let me tell you, this jar of wine is the finest you'll find here in Hai'an. It's made with Father Xu's secret recipe.”
”Ahh, I must try it today then!” Li Wei eagerly reached out to pour some wine into her cup, but her hands were stopped by another pair of larger hands.
Khan Bojing finally looked at Li Wei as his hands stopped her hands from reaching the jar of wine. In a stern voice, he said, ”Eat first, drink later.”
Li Wei was happy from this little interaction with him and she immediately agreed, ”Okay.”
”You two start eating first, I'm going to wait for Father Xu just over there, at the small intersection below.” Mother Xu quickly walked away after she spoke, wanting to leave the two young people a moment of privacy. After all, how often was it that a girl come looking for her son?
Once Mother Xu walked away, Li Wei whispered, ”Hey, will your mother be alright? It's starting to get dark.”
”If my father's not home, my mother always wait for his arrival at the intersection. If my mother's not home, my father always wait for her. This is one of the many ways they show their love,” Khan Bojing slowly explained his parents to Li Wei. Earlier, it was awkward for him, but that was because she stared strongly at him. After she smiled earlier, he immediately felt relieve and converse easily with her. With her smile, he knew she wasn't angry at him.
”Is Father Xu your step father?” Li Wei couldn't help but asked.
Khan Bojing nodded. ”Father Xu Wenyuan married my mother after we moved to Ta'Lin Village. He had been kind to my mother and treated me like his son. When we came here, I was only ten years old. Father Xu taught me everything from how to cut woods, to cooking, and learning medicine.”
While he was talking, she couldn't help but admire the sparkle in his eyes and the dimples dancing on his cheeks. It was clear that Father Xu was the father figure Khan Bojing needed in his life. When he was in his most desperate time, Father Xu was the one who helped him back onto his feet. Father Xu was someone Khan Bojing deeply admired.
As her gaze lingered on him, she couldn't help but suddenly noticed, ”Wait, your beard was fake.”
He laughed in amusement at her random statement. She was really too innocent sometimes. ”You finally noticed? Of course, I had to hide my identity.”
Li Wei gasped loudly, her small mouth hanging. No wonder she didn't recognize him! In all the years she had known Khan Bojing, he didn't like growing his facial hair. When she asked him, he would only smile as if he knew something she didn't.
Her fingers brushed on his chin where there was a beard the last time they met. Once her fingers touch his skin, she lingered for a moment longer than necessary.
”Oh my,” Father Xu exclaimed in surprise at the scene in front of him. After a long day of work, never would he imagine such a scene like this waiting for him at home.
Li Wei's hand quickly returned back to her side as she looked guiltily at Mother Xu and Father Xu who stood just a couple feet away. Her cheeks turned red in embarrassment as her gaze fell to the ground.
Ah, how embarrassing...
Noting Li Wei's discomfort, Khan Bojing changed the topic. ”Father, you're back!”