Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Li Ru wasn’t scared off by the other day’s incident; she continued to subtly curry favor with me, constantly bringing up Ruqin in conversation, even telling Lady Li that burying oneself in books would make one a bookworm, and suggesting I accompany her on outings to find inspiration.

Seeing her so unusually motivated delighted Lady Li, who increased my monthly wages. For the sake of the money, I took her to every scenic green hill and clear stream in the area, though I made sure every route bypassed Ruqin’s school.

A few days later, she couldn’t hold back her complaint: “Why are you so stubborn? Since we’re already out, don’t you think of visiting your brother at his school? If he slacks off, your money would be wasted.”

I pretended not to understand: “Miss, you worry too much. He studies until midnight every day; I only ever have to urge him to rest, never worry about him slacking off.”

Choked by my reply, Li Ru paused, then asked nervously, “Does he really love books that much? In the future, would he want to marry someone equally bookish?”

Seeing the hopeful look on her face, I nodded firmly: “Of course. Like matches like; the person he marries must also love studying to have a harmonious marriage.”

“Then… haven’t you worried that those book-lovers would look down on a sister like you? They all have their noses in the air-they might bully you.”

This… I couldn’t respond for a moment, and just looked at her with an expression that screamed, “As if you haven’t bullied me enough?”

Only then did she recall how she’d always treated me. Somewhat guiltily, she muttered, “Don’t doubt it. Once you actually get a sister-in-law like that, you’ll see. My occasional bullying is light compared to the way they look down on people-that really cuts to the heart.”

Just as I was about to brush her off with another perfunctory reply, a low voice came from behind: “Occasional bullying?”

I turned around. Ruqin stood there, staring at Li Ru with a cold, harsh expression, a box of jujube cake in his hand.

Some things are just coincidences. We happened to be standing at the entrance of this shop, and it happened to sell my favorite jujube cake.

I took the pastry from him and pried open his nails, which were nearly digging into his palm, but he didn’t seem to notice, still staring straight at Li Ru. He repeated, “Please, Miss Li, explain what you mean by ‘occasional bullying’?”

His bloodshot eyes terrified me. The doctor had once said that it was rare for his childhood illness to have improved, and that he must never be provoked.

I had no time for anything else but to cajole him into going home with me first.

Once home, I tried to patch up Li Ru’s words: “Don’t overthink it. She’s a noble young lady, so she has a bit of a temper. She just says a few harsh words sometimes-nothing serious.”

But Ruqin wouldn’t listen to a word. He just forcefully grabbed my arm and shoved my sleeve up, revealing all the scars, old and new, that I could no longer hide.

He stared at those scars, gripping my hand so tightly it hurt, but I didn’t dare make a sound. The emotion in his eyes-I was afraid that if I did, he might really grab a knife and go after someone.

For a long, long time, until the sky turned from day to night, he finally let my sleeve down. In a calm voice, he said, “Quit that job. From now on, I’ll take care of you, Sister.”