Chapter 6: Fang Li
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Zhao Baozhu followed Fang Li back to his own quarters, and upon entering, he was so surprised that his mouth fell open. Unlike the cramped little room barely big enough for one person, Fang Li had an entire side chamber to himself. Adjacent to the bedroom was an outer chamber, separated by a folding screen, where a traditional eight-immortals table was set, accompanied by a flourishing lucky bamboo plant.
Zhao Baozhu stood somewhat awkwardly at the doorway, taking in the furnishings around him. After Fang Li had passed the provincial exam, he had been invited to the county magistrate’s residence as a guest, yet it seemed Fang Li’s place was even more refined than the county official’s mansion.
Truly befitting the capital city... even a common inn was so splendid. He wondered idly what the upper rooms in those grand taverns might look like.
At that moment, Fang Li emerged from behind the screen carrying a copper basin. Seeing Zhao Baozhu shrinking into himself at the side, he frowned and said, “What are you standing there for? Go sit down.”
Hearing this, Zhao Baozhu timidly moved to the eight-immortals table and sat down. Fang Li glanced at him sharply, placed the copper basin on the table, and murmured, “Weren’t you just so proud a moment ago? What’s with the sudden wilt?”
Zhao Baozhu gave an embarrassed smile and said shyly, “Brother Fang, your place is so big.”
Seeing the envy in his eyes, Fang Li snorted coldly through his nose, his tone tinged with disdain: “Ignorant fool.”
In the Ye household, any servant with rank or reputation had quarters better than those of commoners outside, even surpassing some minor officials.
He raised an eyebrow and glanced at Zhao Baozhu from the corner of his eye. “Put your hands out.”
Zhao Baozhu didn’t understand but obediently extended his hands, which Fang Li grasped firmly and pressed into the basin. The backs of his hands immersed in warm water, Zhao Baozhu instinctively flinched.
Fang Li held his hands down and looked up: “What’s the matter? Too hot?”
Zhao Baozhu was only a little startled and quickly said, “N-no.”
Fang Li glanced at him again, lowered his eyes, and began to gently rub Zhao Baozhu’s hands in the warm water, muttering, “Just because you called me ‘brother’ am I bothering to serve you this once.”
Hearing this, Zhao Baozhu felt a little embarrassed: “That’s... it’s too much trouble. I can wash myself—”
“Look how filthy you are!” Fang Li ignored his protest and held Zhao Baozhu’s wrists firmly, continuing to wash with gentle motions. “You still want to eat with these hands? They’re filthy as hell!”
Zhao Baozhu hadn’t had a drop of water all day, let alone washed his hands. Watching the clear water in the basin gradually cloud over, his cheeks flushed red. He glanced at Fang Li and muttered softly, “...I wasn’t planning to eat without washing my hands.”
He knew some manners. When he was young, his father would wash his hands for him.
Fang Li scowled at him through the ripples in the water: “Try talking back again, see what happens.”
Zhao Baozhu shut his mouth, afraid to say another word. Fang Li could focus on scrubbing those grimy hands now. The backs of Zhao Baozhu’s hands were as fair and tender as anyone’s, but the palms revealed the hard work behind them. A thin layer of calluses covered the skin, rough to the touch. Holding those hands, Fang Li rubbed his thumb along the lifeline and felt his heart soften slightly.
“All done.”
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He lifted Zhao Baozhu’s hands from the basin, then wiped his fingers clean with a soft cotton cloth. Carrying the dirty water, he walked to the edge of the screen and disposed of it, returning with a white porcelain plate in hand.
“Eat.”
Fang Li set the plate on the eight-immortals table, and an aroma immediately wafted over.
Zhao Baozhu’s eyes widened as he saw four neatly stacked baked pastries about the size of two palms each, wrapped in greaseproof paper. The golden sheen of the pastry peeked through, faintly visible on the paper.
“Eat them while they’re hot. They’re stuffed with fresh pork,” Fang Li said as he sat beside him.
Like a starving tiger pouncing on prey, Zhao Baozhu grabbed one and bit off a big mouthful. Indeed, it was filled with meat, the savory juices spilling over his lips and teeth, making his eyes light up.
“Delicious!”
Fang Li, amused by Zhao Baozhu’s eagerness, took a hurried bite before he could finish chewing, laughing at his messy eating: “Enough, eat properly. Don’t talk while eating or sleeping.”
Zhao Baozhu mumbled a vague “Mm,” then continued to eat voraciously. In just a few bites, he finished one pastry and reached for the next. Though it wasn’t very polite to eat so greedily, Fang Li found his chubby cheeks stuffed full, as fair and smooth as fresh lychees, utterly endearing.
“Slow down, no one’s stealing your food.”
Fang Li propped his chin with one hand, his gaze softening as he watched Zhao Baozhu enjoy his meal. A stray lock of black hair fell across Zhao Baozhu’s face. Instinctively, Fang Li reached out to brush it away but then recalled how this little fellow had mingled with chickens and ducks earlier, and recoiled in disgust, withdrawing his hand.
Unaware of Fang Li’s hesitation, Zhao Baozhu devoured the large, meaty pastries, his mouth greasy and dripping. Before he realized it, he had eaten all four. Fang Li quickly caught his hand and wiped his mouth with the cloth.
“Don’t wipe your mouth on your sleeves; you’ll ruin your fine clothes!”
After cleaning Zhao Baozhu’s greasy mouth, he asked, “Are you full? There’s more in the kitchen.”
Licking the corners of his mouth, Zhao Baozhu, who had been lost in the pleasure of eating moments before, suddenly felt shy: “I’m full.” In fact, he was a little stuffed. He rubbed his round belly, thinking these capital city pastries were truly massive.
Having fed him, Fang Li promptly insisted he not linger in the courtyard and hurriedly sent Zhao Baozhu off to bathe. When Baozhu emerged from the bathhouse, Fang Li crossed his arms and leaned in to sniff him from head to toe. Only after confirming that the only scent on Zhao Baozhu was that of soap pods did he allow him to return to bed.
“Remember, come to the place I took you to earlier tomorrow at noon for a meal.”
Before Zhao Baozhu entered his room, Fang Li said this to him. Zhao Baozhu paused, turning his head to see Fang Li’s expression grow awkward as he lowered it and softly said, “I’ll explain everything clearly to those people.”
“Oh.”
Zhao Baozhu didn’t quite understand but nodded with some puzzlement.
Clearing his throat and masking his expression, Fang Li frowned and added, “And don’t go hugging those animals again tomorrow!”
Zhao Baozhu blinked, reluctant. Holding that fat duck was quite comfortable. “...Huh?”
“What ‘huh’?” Fang Li narrowed his eyes, a frosty look settling on his handsome face. “If you stink up your whole body like that again, I’ll throw you out!”
Hearing this, Zhao Baozhu’s eyes widened. He quickly pleaded with Fang Li, “I won’t do it again. Please, good brother, spare me this once.”
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Fang Li’s expression softened slightly, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth. He reached out and ruffled the freshly washed hair atop Zhao Baozhu’s head. “Work hard, and from now on—” He paused, his voice dropping a few octaves, “I’ve got your back.”
Hearing this, Zhao Baozhu looked up, sensing the shift in Fang Li’s attitude. His eyes darted playfully. “Brother Fang... may I ask you something?”
“Hm?” Fang Li raised an eyebrow and looked at him. “What is it?”
Zhao Baozhu hesitated a moment before saying, “I fainted and don’t know how I got brought in here...” He studied Fang Li’s expression carefully and cautiously asked, “I just want to know if anyone... has touched my luggage?”
“Your luggage?”
Fang Li paused, then after a long moment, recalled the ragged bundle Zhao Baozhu carried around, almost like a tattered cloth. Realizing this, he lifted his eyebrows and looked at Zhao Baozhu sharply. “Who’d bother touching that rag of yours?” His eyes narrowed, growing colder. “What, did you lose something and suspect me?”
“No!” Zhao Baozhu immediately denied it with a forced smile. “Brother Fang, I know it wasn’t you.”
Still, Fang Li’s expression didn’t soften. “Then you’re just suspicious of others.” He raised his brows even higher. “What did you lose?”
Seeing his displeasure, Zhao Baozhu swallowed and lowered his eyes, avoiding Fang Li’s scrutinizing gaze. Even if he told Fang Li he lost his name plaque, without anything to prove his scholar status, he doubted Fang Li would believe him. After hesitating, he mumbled vaguely:
“It’s... something very important.”
Fang Li snorted coldly, his gaze turning sharp and stern. This little beggar was so well-behaved when eating but dared to play tricks behind his back. Whatever important thing could be in that ragged bundle was probably just an excuse to gain favors. Having seen through Zhao Baozhu’s little scheme, Fang Li’s gaze swept over him like a blade. He clenched his teeth, thinking what a shallow and sneaky creature he was!
If it had been anyone else, he would have scolded him outright. But seeing Zhao Baozhu bow his head, his big eyes nervously shifting as if knowing he was in the wrong, Fang Li’s brow twitched and he refrained from speaking harshly.
“...Don’t try to trick me like that,” he exhaled slowly and spoke softly, “Just work honestly. If there’s something you want—”
Fang Li had originally meant to say he would buy it after payday, but realizing Zhao Baozhu had no wages, he hesitated and added, “If you behave, I’ll buy it for you at the end of the month.”
Hearing this, Zhao Baozhu realized he had been misunderstood. He looked up, a little helpless: “I’m not asking for anything—”
Fang Li mistook this as him pretending to be obedient and flicked Zhao Baozhu’s head with a finger. “Good. That’s best.”
“Go to sleep.” Fang Li lifted his chin and gestured to Zhao Baozhu, who was holding his forehead. “Go to your room and sleep.”
Zhao Baozhu reluctantly turned and entered the room.
The wooden door closed behind him. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Zhao Baozhu stared at the red candle on the bedside table and was silent for a while. In the dim candlelight, he slowly exhaled.
It seemed he would have to figure things out himself, he thought. After careful consideration, he guessed that no one in the inn would bother with his shabby bundle. It was probably lost somewhere along the way here. He wondered if the inn would allow him to take leave to go search along the road he had traveled into the city.