Chapter 3 (1/2)
Time to welcome our third male lead to Lost You Forever, and I don’tlady’s heart While he’s the final guy to show up in the story, narratively he’s got a ht off the bat As usual with stuff in Qing Shui Tohen people show up and stuff happens, it’sis ever what it seems I really enjoy how this story plops us smack in theon the TV right in the middle of a show A brief snippet and you’re hooked, but then you have to extrapolate and read between the lines of what is happening without the benefit of the earlier narrative Thankfully the back story gets revealed little by little, and Xiao Liu gets pulled back into her old world little by little He’s a God, supposedly of little power compared to others, but he’s scraped by with his quick thinking and a surprising tenacity Little things don’t phase hiuard down So far we’ve only seen Xiao Liu share a bit with shi+ Qi, and have a bit dragged out of hi Hua’s novels and I can safely say her three male leads here are extraordinarily rendered On par with the co Jue, the candid and passionate Huo Qu Bing, the reticent and devoted Liu Fu Ling, the selfless and reserved Meng Xi Muo, and the a Xiao Liu be a man because it allows the characters to interact without the usual veneer of attraction Tong Hua does well by never describing Xiao Liu, we don’t knohat he looks like, but it doesn’t matter because he isn’t who he really is anyways That , because they are both honest with each other but living a lie Conversely, Xiao Liu and Xiang Liu are like this really crazy co to do with ro to do with this weird sensation that they just “get” each other
Chapter 3 – A Guest From Far Away:
Butcher Gao had only one child and Ma Zi had no parents, so after the e Ma Zi became like a son to Butcher Gao and often went to help out Gradually he lived more at Butcher Gao’s house and returned to the clinic less
Chuan Zi laughed at Butcher Gao’s sot himself an extra son Xiao Liu and Lao Mu didn’t care – to Xiao Liu having one shi+ Qi equaled ten Ma Zi, and for Lao Mu he was just happy to see Ma Zi living a peaceful happy life
So when one day Ma Zi was carried into the clinic by Butcher Gao and Chun Tao, Lao Mu was in disbelief while Xiao Liu furrowed his brows If it was Chuan Zi that got beaten up that wouldn’t surprise Xiao Liu Chuan Zi could be an ass and sometimes deserved a beat down But Ma Zi was not like that, he was tall and strong but very reasonable and illing to give in to others
“What happened?” Lao Mu asked Chun Tao wiped her tears and explained “After butchering a sheep thissheep blood when I accidentally buized to her and offered to pay for the dae but the lady’s ot nervous and a feords were exchanged and then fists went flying Ma Zi tried to protect overnment or law enforcement and the only laas survival of the fittest
Chuan Zi heard enough and grabbed hisand took off Chuan Zi was very scrawny as a kid and Ma Zi took good care of hi but they were closer than even real blood brothers Xiao Liu called out “Lao Mu” and Lao Mu immediately ran out after him
Ma Zi’s injuries were not that severe and after Xiao Liu patched him up and Chuan Zi and Lao Mu were still not back, he told Chun Tao “You take care of Ma Zi, I’ll go check”
Butcher Gao grabbed his butcher’s knife and wanted to follow but Xiao Liu laughed “Your business can’t be shuttered so go back to work Lao Mu and I will see to it”
shi+ Qi followed behind Xiao Liu and when they arrived at the inn they saw Lao Mu fighting with a girl in yellow Chuan Zi was laying on the ground and when he saw Xiao Liu he gruot close to thelance and then looked at Lao Mu as clearly not awith a irl standing on the stone steps next to her The girl was laughing as she watched and would call out an order “Hai Tang, I want to see hiirl indeed caused Lao Mu to fall on his rear end The young girl giggled and clapped “Hopping, I want to see hi like a toad!”
Lao Mu could not control his body and he was forced to hop like a toad as if soirl doubled over laughing and all the people gathered to watch the scene were also guffawing
Xiao Liu squeezed to the front and bowed to the young girl before turning to Hai Tang “He’s already defeated, will the young lady please stop”
Hai Tang looked at the young girl but the young girl continued as if she heard nothing “I want to see hiround while the young girl laughed and the crowd also laughed
Xiao Liu sole Shui Town says to knohen to stop when there is no blood feud at stake” The young girl looked at Xiao Liu “My rule is whoe won’t let me hurt anyone so I won’t hurt anyone, but I’ll make him perform tricks”
Lao Mu was a hardscrabble battle worn old ed Xiao Liu “Kill me!” He was a runaway soldier fro the nonstop war and not escaping a nity Xiao Liu’s murderous intent was roused and he stepped forward
Suddenly Lao Mu stopped tuirl was unhappy “Hai Tang, did I allow you to stop?” Hai Tang shot a glance at shi+ Qi standing in the crowd “It wasn’t your servant I” She slowly backed up and stood in front of the young girl with her eyes locked on shi+ Qi
“If not you, then who? Which pathetic lowlife dared to?” The young girl wanted to push Hai Tang aside and look for herself but Hai Tang held tight to the young girl and said in a low voice “The person has higher power than I do Let’s wait until Master Xuan returns” Hai Tang grabbed the girl and quickly left the inn Xiao Liu looked at their retreating backs and s for you at the clinic”
Lao Mu had sonity he suffered today caused his face to darken and he entered the house without a word Xiao Liu knew he couldn’t comfort him so told Chuan Zi to keep an eye on him lest he tried to kill himself in shame
Xiao Liu sat in the front salon while shi+ Qi stood off in the corner in the shadows Xiao Liu toyed with a cup of wine and chattered in his usual way “Lao Mu, Ma Zi, Chuan Zi, they all think I’m the nicest person But in truth I’ve killed people since I was very young……I haven’t killed anyone in a long time but today I wanted to kill them”
“They are Gods” shi+ Qi suddenly spoke out
“What of it?” Xiao Liu looked unafraid
shi+ Qi was silent Xiao Liu glanced at him “Will you help me?” shi+ Qi nodded Xiao Liu s anyone anymore Xiao Liu drank a tu for arrived
The young girl took off her veil and her features were merely fine but with an expressive pair of eyes that raised her looks fro next to her was very extraordinary – his eyes arm and his demeanor refined like the rivers and th
The man bowed to Xiao Liu “I airl Hai Tang has been poisoned by young ive us the antidote”
Xiao Liu played with the tumbler of wine in his hand and said with a sy to lared at Xiao Liu “Want y to your elder brother, are you sick of living?”
Xiao Liu coldly stared at Hai Tang who appeared in great pain as she clutched the wall and slowly sank to the floor Ah Nian whined “Xuan gege, you see! They ca a bit but they responded by trying to kill us If I wasn’t carryingbeads then I would have been poisoned”
Hai Tang yelped in pain and Xuan stared at Xiao Liu “Please give hed “What? You want to take it with force? Be rab the medicine and Xiao Liu backed up Xiao Liu knew shi+ Qi was behind her and if he blocked for Xiao Liu then he could see what type of powers Xuan had and poison hily But shi+ Qi didn’t step forward and when Xiao Liu looked back the corner of the rooone
Xiao Liu was struck by Xuan and collapsed Xuan was surprised that Xiao Liu was so weak since he appeared so brash and quickly held back his power “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you……” He picked up Xiao Liu to check his injuries and it was a relief that Xuan never intended to hurt him so Xiao Liu appeared just dazed Xiao Liu rested on Xuan’s shoulder and a small smile appeared on his lips and his eyes filled with derision Soh at the entire world
Xuan paused
Ah Nian picked up the antidote bottle and fed a pill to Hai Tang ed and expressed some aura “This is the antidote” Ah Nian mocked Xiao Liu “You’re this useless and you dared to oppose us?”
Xiao Liu pushed Xuan away and struggled to get up “Scram!”
Ah Nian wanted to strike but Xuan stopped her “Since the poison has been cured, let’s just go ho Ah Nian behind him Ah Nian looked back and silently mouthed the insult “Lowlife loser!”
Xiao Liu walked into the courtyard and sat down on the stone step and shi+ Qi walked behind hihed He rong, he should never rely on another
shi+ Qi kneeled beside Xiao Liu and handed him the basket of snacks Xiao Liu asked “You know the lady and lord of a noble family in the God tribe?” shi+ Qi paused for a“You were afraid they would recognize you so you hid? Or you thought I shouldn’t have et the antidote?”
shi+ Qi lowered his head and Xiao Liu flipped the basket over and a plate of goose necks and claws fell on the ground Xiao Liu walked out the door hen shi+ Qi tried to get up “Don’t follow me!” and Xiao Liu’s order caused hie of the river and watched it rury that shi+ Qi let Xuan take the antidote He was angry because when he relied on someone it was to turn around and discover that person wasn’t there He was angry at hi this pathetic hope Xiao Liu juot wider and wider and the current stronger and stronger
The icy cold river rushed past everything, night and day, it never stopped Xiao Liu allowed the current to batter hihter ca Liu casually riding on his golden white condor and looking down at Xiao Liu “Night fishi+ng?”
Xiang Liu reached out his hand and Xiao Liu grabbed it and vaulted on the back of the condor The condor rose into the air into the clouds and Xiao Liu was all wet so was cold and shi+vering Xiang Liu handed a tuulped down a few drinksThe strong alcohol in his belly i Liu leaned back and stared at Xiao Liu who felt a bit brave with so at? It’s not like I’m a woed ride An even a God with not very loers, when riding on the back of a winged ride will still feel uneasy But you…you are comfortable and much too at ease”
“So what?”
“I just find myself more and more curious about your past”
Xiao Liu tipped his head back and gulped down the wine
“Who are you upset at?” “None of your business!”
“Are you itching for a whipping?”
Xiao Liu sullenly said nothing
The condor flew to a lake, and with thein the dark sky it illuminated the dark blue waters so it sparkled silver and was so quiet it was like ti Liu and stood up He opened his ar fro Liu moved and the condor started to fall as well
Xiao Liu was like a beautiful butterfly falling into the silver water and disappearing into the depths The waters rippled out froest ripple disappeared hen Xiao Liu shot out frorabbed the neck of the condor and he asked “Can you swi Liu scoffed
Xiao Liu added “If you dare then don’t use your powers” Xiang Liu raised his head to look at the moon Xiao Liu continued “Scared? You can’t be? Nine Lives De Liu finally looked directly at Xiao Liu “Seeing the way you are begging ed you?”
“Didn’t you?”
Xiao Liu’s head was resting on the condor’s neck “Fine, consider itLiu slowly took off his robe and jumped into the water Xiao Liu swaht beside him The water in the lake was icy cold and Xiao Liu waret everything and return to childhood when it was all so free, so relaxing, so happy His only goal was to return to shore, so very simple
After an hour Xiao Liu finally reached shore Xiang Liu was sitting next to a roaring fire and his clothes were already dried Xiao Liu climbed on land “You won, but…” he pulled out a fish frory”
Xiao Liu started cooking the fish while Xiang Liu said “You grew up somewhere with a lot of water”
“You say that for anyone who can swim?”
“Not just because you can swis you unfettered happiness People seek fas that allow them to relax and feel the freedom and joy from childhood”
Xiao Liu whistled “They say you are a Nine-headed deether it’s definitely working Even what you say is so deep”
“Don’t you know that’s a taboo topic?”
Xiao Liu wasn’t scared and continued “I’ed? In a row? One one top of the other? Or three on each side of three in the oes first when you eat?…” Xiao Liu suddenly couldn’t open his ……”
Xiang Liu took the cooked fish and slowly started to eat it and Xiao Liu could only stare After he finished the fish he stared at Xiao Liu “I actually like eating people the best Your size is perfect so that each of my heads can take a bite”
His hand stroked Xiao Liu’s face and he leaned in and grabbed Xiao Liu’s neck Xiao Liu’s body shook and he shut his eyes Xiang Liu’s tongue tasted blood and a realization thundered through hishis head “Do you dare say anymore nonsense?”
Xiao Liu wildly shook his head Xiang Liu released hi Liu clier towards Xiao Liu He didn’t dare get close and instead backed up a few steps Xiang Liu stared with a so over there?” Xiao Liu quickly shook his head and docilely came over and climbed on the back of the condor
As they returned to Qing shi+u Town, Xiang Liu kicked Xiao Liu off the back of the condor without warning and Xiao Liu fell into the river He was stunned and floated on the surface watching the condor fly off It was so dark and quiet he didn’t even the energy to curse Xiao Liu closed his eyes and allowed the river to carry hied he was close to the clinic he flipped over and swa wet and the first thing he saas shi+ Qi standing there Xiao Liu set some rest” He walked past shi+ Qi who followed but Xiao Liu acted like he didn’t know He walked to his roo but the moment he entered the roo around
He quickly took off his wet clothes and dried his body before cli under the covers naked The normally cold covers were not cold and instead there was a warrant Chuan Zi and Lao Mu clearly were not the considerate thoughtful type Xiao Liu s asleep, his body so weary he didn’t even have a drea happened and went back to the usual business Because Ma Zi was recuperating at Butcher Gao’s place and Lao Mu appeared fine but refused to go to the clinic to see anyone, that left Xiao Liu needing to do a lot more chores Thank God shi+ Qi was of such help in seeing patients,busy day and after dinner was done and Chuan Zi saw Lao Mu enter the kitchen, he turned to Xiao Liu “Are we going to just let this go?”
Xiao Liu o, what do you want to do about it?” Chuan Zi kicked the grinder “I’m pissed!”
Xiao Liu slapped Chuan ZI with the duck neck “I think I’ve spoiled you all these years so you don’t knohat’s really like out there! In this life, as long as you are alive then there will be times you have to endure even if you can’t endure anymore To back down even when you don’t want to Even those princes and princesses live like this!”
Chuan Zi remembered when he was small and how ht He was just a hu was a must But he still muttered “You talk like you know, but you’re not a prince or princess!”
“You son of a turtle! If I don’t beat you a few tiet who’s the boss!” Xiao Liu ju while Chuan Zi grabbed his butt and lowered his head and ran into his room and locked the door Xiao Liu thumped his door with the broom and yelled “Did you understand what I said!”
Lao Mu stood by the kitchen door and said “Xiao Liu, I heard what you said and I took it all in Don’t worry, I’ll be fine” He closed the kitchen door and walked back to his room Xiao Liu immediately calmed down and tossed the broom to the corner of the yard
Chuan Zi opened hisa sliver and cast a worried glance towards Lao Mu’s residence Xiao Liu rapped him on the head and said in a low voice “Those people are just passing through Qing Shui Town Once they leave, ti and Lao Mu will return to his old self” Chuan Zi nodded and closed his
shi+ Qi handed the snack basket to Xiao Liu and he grabbed a few duck feet shi+ Qi’s eyes lit up Xiao Liu politely smiled “Thank you” and shi+ Qi’s eyes dimmed Xiao Liuthe door shut shi+ Qi held the basket and stood there with his lead lowered
It was sixShui Town like Xiao Liu predicted Chuan Zi angrily tended to the herbs and complained “Brother Liu, that bitch and that pasty-faced dandy opened a wine shop on the street I’o ruin their business”
Xiao Liu kicked him “If you have the ability to ruin someone’s business then you’re not Chuan Zi” Chuan Zi smashed his hoe into the soil and Xiao Liu ordered “Be careful, if you destroy my medicinal herbs I will smash that hoe on you!”
Chuan Zi muttered “Lao Mu hasn’t stepped foot outside once since then If they re to do?”
Xiao Liu sprawled on a bucket and rass and pondered It wasn’t just Lao Mu who didn’t leave the house, shi+ Qi also rarely left the house and when he did he would wear a face covering woven hat
Xiao Liu couldn’t figure it out shi+ Qi had no choice because he couldn’t go back to his real home, but that pretty boy and that wench Ah Nian appeared to be living the swell life so ould they plop down in Qing Shui Town and not leave? Was it because of faether so they eloped? Was he a poor pretty boy who seduced a high born lady, so the lady brought her maid and took off and now they were a pair of star-crossed lovers running………
Chuan Zi knelt down in front of Xiao Liu “Brother Liu, what are you thinking of?”
Xiao Liu explained “Think of it this way, it’s hard toand their shop will be shuttered eventually” Chuan Zi thought about it and agreed Those existing wine shops will try to squeeze out the new guy, and that pretty boy didn’t seeain Too bad three months later both Chuan Zi and Xiao Liu were disappointed
That pretty boy’s wine shop not only was running sood Chuan Zi was enraged “Those prostitutes love a handso I see the there to buy wine That pretty boy is also so shalanced at Lao Mu who still refused to step foot outside and decided to go to the wine shop for a stroll Xiao Liu stepped out and shi+ Qi followed so Xiao Liu said “I’ht” shi+ Qi halted and Xiao Liu s Mo a hat Xiao Liu glanced back at hi
Xiao Liu walked into the restaurant across from the wine shop and ordered two dishes He sat down and boldly observed while shi+ Qi sat behind him as quietly as if he didn’t exist There was no Ah Nian or Hai Tang in sight, with their personages it was likely they didn’t show their face to the customers and re the shop, dressed in common fiber thread robes as he took the reeted the customers He didn’t stick out like a sore thumb and actually fit in with the street
The pretty prostitutes came to buy wine and he s to their purchase like he would if she was any houswife The prostitutes were also very reserved with a small smile, very respectful of him as they were of themselves Xiao Liu viciously choive him business not because he was very handsome, but because he paid no heed to his own looks or the prostitutes
After his business slowed down, the pretty boy brought a jug of wine and walked over “I’ a fa In the future, will Brother Liu please look over the store fondly”
Xiao Liu lived in Qing Shui Town for over 20 years and was also a doctor so everyone doing business on this street called him Brother Liu At least the pretty boy knew his et her pregnant with a son also coives you one” The pretty boy laughed back and opened the jug of wine and respectfully poured Xiao Liu a bowl He drank first in toast “What happened before that was in disrespect, will Brother Liu please be the bigger h, then one could just be a bully and beat folks up and just leave But to stay for a long period of ti needs to lower their pride and respect the rules of the place Otherwise Xiao Liu could put poison in his wines every third day, and add stuff when he bought meat from the butcher, and spit in the snack cakes…
Xiao Liu saw that the pretty boy understood so he quit beating around the bush “If I’ to do the same” The pretty boy answered “Ah Nian is my cousin, will Brother Liu please don’t misunderstand” Xiao Liu smiled and didn’t drink the wine in front of hiulped it down Xiao Liu ignored hi his food
The pretty boy drank 6 bowls in a row and watched Xiao Liu keep eating He wanted to pour hi was e and that is when Xiao Liu looked directly at hiize to Lao Mu” The pretty boy said “My cousin’s teize to Lao Mu”