Side Story 2-1
After Zhuo Zhi packed her things for their trip back home, Li Qinyue added a bag of snacks to her suitcase.
“What are these for?” Zhuo Zhi asked, looking at her.
“Master likes them,” Li Qinyue said.
“Master doesn’t like these,” Zhuo Zhi said with certainty, “She doesn’t like soft, chewy things.”
“I brought some last time, and she finished them all,” Li Qinyue straightened up and looked at Zhuo Zhi intently.
“Ah, then maybe it’s for…” Zhuo Zhi paused, thinking.
The nuns from the neighboring convent would often bring snacks to share, but not her Master.
Her Master would usually save all the good food for her, and if she couldn’t finish it, her Master would eat the leftovers.
Zhuo Zhi trusted Li Qinyue’s observation skills and memory, so she could only rub her head and say a little sheepishly, “Maybe she… changed her taste?”
“Well, it’s always good to bring some,” Li Qinyue said, then went to open the refrigerator.
“Wait, wait, Sister…” Zhuo Zhi quickly stopped her, “We still have to carry everything up the mountain.”
“It’s fine, there’s not much,” Li Qinyue said, not budging.
The car could only reach the halfway point up the mountain. After that, it was a half-hour walk to Zhuo Zhi’s home.
Every time they visited, Li Qinyue would try to persuade the Master to move to the city, offering her a choice of any apartment, but the Master would always silence her with one simple question:
“Do you think I’m not happy living here?”
No, she wasn’t.
The mountain air was fresh and clean, the scenery beautiful, and at night, they could see the stars.
The house had all the necessary appliances, and they had even installed a projector six months ago.
It was a idyllic life.
Having been raised independently, Zhuo Zhi didn’t have strong feelings of homesickness. It was Li Qinyue who loved visiting the mountain, making it a regular bi-monthly trip. And when Zhuo Zhi couldn’t go, she would go by herself.
This made Zhuo Zhi feel very pleased with her choice of partner.
They packed everything into the car and went to bed early, setting off early the next morning.
The city was still asleep as they drove through it. When they reached the mountains, the birds were singing, the insects chirping, and the flowers were in full bloom.
They parked the car. Zhuo Zhi sent a message to her Master, then started the arduous task of carrying their luggage up the mountain.
The path was made of stone steps, so they couldn’t use rolling suitcases. Li Qinyue had thoughtfully packed everything in backpacks with wide straps to minimize the friction.
Every time they visited, Li Qinyue wouldn’t help at first, watching Zhuo Zhi struggle with amusement, cheering her on like a coach, testing her strength and endurance.
But as soon as Zhuo Zhi started sweating, the sunlight filtering through the trees making her head glisten, Li Qinyue would immediately take over.
Teasing her openly, but caring for her secretly. They had been together for years, and this was their routine.
Panting, they finally reached the house.
The gate to the courtyard was open. A gray rabbit darted out and ran away.
“Heh, the radishes are in trouble again,” Zhuo Zhi glanced at the vegetable garden, “I told Master to close the gate, but she never listens.”
“Can a gate even stop them?” Li Qinyue shook the flimsy gate. “If a rabbit wants to get in, it can just dig a hole.”
“It’s better than nothing,” Zhuo Zhi entered the courtyard and walked towards the row of houses, calling out, “Master, Master, we’re back!”
Her voice was loud, startling the birds in the trees, their wings fluttering like a scene from a traditional Chinese painting.
But apart from the birds, no one responded.
The doors to the houses were closed. Zhuo Zhi took out her key and opened the door to her house. It was empty and silent, not only was no one there, but it looked like it had been unoccupied for days.
“Huh?” Zhuo Zhi, still holding her bag, froze.
Li Qinyue looked around, took Zhuo Zhi’s bag, and started unpacking, putting the things in the kitchen and the refrigerator.
After she was done, she said to Zhuo Zhi, “Didn’t you send Master a message?”
Zhuo Zhi’s eyes widened, “She didn’t reply, but she usually doesn’t reply. But she usually waits for us when she knows we’re coming.”
“Not always,” Li Qinyue pouted, “Last time I came by myself, I waited for her for half an hour.”
“That was you,” Zhuo Zhi said bluntly, “I’m different.”
“Oh?” Li Qinyue was amused, “How are you different?”
Zhuo Zhi’s voice lowered, “I’m her actual…”
“Heh,” Li Qinyue pointed at her, “So I’m the outsider now, huh, Miss Zhuo Zhi?”
“You’re my wife.”
“Bullshit, I’ve raised an ingrate,” Li Qinyue turned around, “So, Master’s beloved disciple, where did your dear Master go? She’s not even home waiting for you.”
Zhuo Zhi looked at her phone, “I’ll call her.”
“Call who? She’s not answering,” Li Qinyue said, “I just tried.”
Three minutes later, Zhuo Zhi put down her phone, looking frustrated, “She’s not answering, why?”
Li Qinyue said, “Go ask the neighbors.”
Zhuo Zhi went to the neighboring convent, then returned, her face clouded with worry.
“Sister Jing’an said Master has been leaving early and returning late recently, she won’t be back until dusk.”
Li Qinyue had already prepared some juice and was sitting on the sofa, sipping it leisurely, “Then we’ll wait.”
“She also said Master has been playing music loudly in the courtyard recently.”
“What’s wrong with playing music loudly in the mountains?”
“She’s playing those viral songs from TikTok!” Zhuo Zhi said, sitting down angrily and biting on her straw, “You know, those annoying, repetitive tunes.”
Li Qinyue choked on her juice, coughing, “Seriously? Hahaha, Master, her taste in music…”
“I don’t know,” Zhuo Zhi said, dejected, “She rarely listens to music, she mostly watches movies.”
“Maybe it’s a new hobby,” Li Qinyue said thoughtfully, “It’s good that she’s having fun.”
“She’s not even that old, why is she…” Zhuo Zhi bit down hard on her straw, “…like this now…”
They had another round of drinks and snacks.
Finally, it was dusk, but the Master still hadn’t returned.
Zhuo Zhi looked at her phone, “It’s eight o’clock.”
“With Master’s skills, there’s nothing to worry about,” Li Qinyue said calmly.
“We can file a missing person report after forty-eight hours.”
“It hasn’t been that long, hahaha, Sister Jing’an said she left early this morning,” Li Qinyue said.
“I don’t think it’s that simple,” Zhuo Zhi stood up, “I’m going down the mountain to look for her.”
“I’ll go with you,” Li Qinyue stretched.
“Where are you two going?!” a loud voice boomed from outside, “Don’t you know it’s dangerous to wander around in the mountains at night? Aren’t you afraid of ghosts?”
Zhuo Zhi jumped up, “Master!!!”
She dashed out like a rabbit, her shouts reminding Li Qinyue of a scene from Journey to the West.
“Your hearing is still as sharp as ever, Master,” Li Qinyue said as she walked outside, “I’ve always wanted to test the range of your hearing.”
“I can hear everything I want to hear, and I can’t hear a single word I don’t want to hear,” the Master entered the courtyard, tossing a bag aside, “When did you two arrive?”
“I messaged you, you didn’t reply, I called you, you didn’t answer,” Zhuo Zhi said, her voice full of grievance, “We’ve been here since ten o’clock!”
“Oh,” the Master replied curtly, “I’m hungry.”
“What do you want to eat, Master?” Li Qinyue approached her, smiling brightly, “Zhuo Zhi will cook for you.”
“Anything is fine,” the Master said, waving her hand, “I’m going to take a shower.”
Zhuo Zhi’s lower lip trembled, she looked like she was about to cry.
Li Qinyue put her arm around her shoulder and led her to the kitchen, “Why the long face? Can’t you tell Master is in a good mood?”
“I can tell, but I’m not,” Zhuo Zhi said, “She’s ignoring me.”
“How is she ignoring you? Didn’t she tell you to cook?” Li Qinyue mimicked the Master’s tone, “Anything is fine.”
“I don’t think she loves me anymore,” Zhuo Zhi entered the kitchen, scooping rice into the pot, her lips still pouting.
“That’s impossible,” Li Qinyue pulled a stool over and sat down, watching her.
“Where do you think she went?” Zhuo Zhi turned to look at her.
Li Qinyue met her gaze, then finally relented, “Okay, I’ll go ask her.”
Although she said she would ask, Li Qinyue didn’t dare to ask the Master directly.
The Master’s temper was unpredictable, and if she decided to beat Li Qinyue up, even Zhuo Zhi wouldn’t be able to save her.
So, Li Qinyue went to the courtyard gate, where the Master had tossed a bag earlier, seemingly casually, but with surprising accuracy, landing it gently on the stone table.
It must have been something important.
The light in the bathroom was on. Li Qinyue quietly approached the stone table and, trying to be as quiet as possible, opened the bag. Under the bright moonlight, she saw a pile of glittering sequins.
Hmm?
Li Qinyue rummaged through the sequins, her eyes widening.
During dinner, Li Qinyue deliberately sat opposite the Master.
Zhuo Zhi had made porridge and some side dishes, and the Master seemed to be enjoying her meal.
Li Qinyue stared at her chopsticks, then, nudged by Zhuo Zhi, finally said, “So, Master, what have you been busy with lately?”
“Busy being happy,” the Master slurped her porridge.
You’re amazing, Li Qinyue gave her a thumbs-up.
Zhuo Zhi nudged her again, and Li Qinyue said, “Anything we can help you be happy about, Master? Zhuo Zhi and I are happy to help.”
The Master raised her eyelids and glanced at Li Qinyue, “Didn’t you already see?”
Li Qinyue immediately sat up straight, hiding slightly behind Zhuo Zhi, “Please let me explain, Master, I didn’t mean to peek, I was afraid you would throw it on the ground and damage it…”
The Master continued to glare at her, and Li Qinyue shut up.
Silence fell over the dinner table, only the sound of the Master slurping her porridge.
Zhuo Zhi pinched Li Qinyue’s hand, and Li Qinyue took a deep breath, “Since you already know, I’ll just say it, Master. I think it’s great that you have a hobby, but you should choose the right one. You’re not just anyone, you’re a respected figure, a master of martial arts, you’re an inspiration to many, so you…”
“Hmm?” The Master put down her bowl and chopsticks, looking at her.
“Please don’t go square dancing!!!” Li Qinyue blurted out, “Especially not in those sparkly outfits, with those colorful fans! I saw them, Master, one of them even shows your midriff! Are you going to dance to that annoying song with your belly exposed?! Master! I can’t even imagine it!!!”
“I can’t even imagine it!!!” Zhuo Zhi echoed.
“You can’t imagine it…” the Master said calmly, “Then should I give you a live demonstration?”
“No, Master,” Zhuo Zhi pleaded, “I can’t let you do that to yourself. Are you saying we don’t visit often enough? We’ll come back every week, okay? No, no, I don’t have many classes this semester, I’ll come back whenever I’m free…”
“Stop,” the Master raised her hand, “Please don’t, you’re already annoying enough as it is.”
“Annoying?” Zhuo Zhi looked like she was about to cry.
“Yes, you’re interrupting my hobby,” the Master frowned.
“But this hobby, Master, you weren’t like this before, I remember…”
“Don’t reminisce, I’m different now,” the Master suddenly smiled, “She likes it, what can I do?”
“She?” Li Qinyue asked instinctively.
Zhuo Zhi’s mind raced, “You have a crush on an old man who likes to wear midriff-baring outfits and dance to that annoying song?!”
“Old lady,” the Master’s chopsticks landed on the table with a thud. “Have some faith in my taste!”
Silence fell over the courtyard, broken only by the chirping of insects.
The Master rubbed her wrist and continued eating, her gaze fixed on her plate, quickly finishing her food.
“Master…” Li Qinyue finally recovered from her shock. She cleared her throat, “We’re happy for you, that you’ve found someone you like.”
“Whether you’re happy or not, I’m happy,” the Master stood up, “Clean up the dishes, go to bed early, I’m leaving early tomorrow morning to catch the morning practice.”
Zhuo Zhi jumped up, knocking over her chair. Li Qinyue tried to grab her, but she was too late.
Zhuo Zhi rushed towards the Master and hugged her from behind, their bodies tense, ready to fight. Li Qinyue watched nervously.
If they started fighting, she would have to stay out of it.
“Zhuo Zhi…” she called out.
Zhuo Zhi’s voice was full of tears, “Master, you don’t love me anymore, you’re going to love someone else, you ignored me all day today, are you going to ignore me forever? I don’t want that…”
Li Qinyue: “…”
The Master twisted her body to look at Zhuo Zhi, her shock no less than Li Qinyue’s, “Aren’t you overreacting a bit?”
Zhuo Zhi wiped her tears on the Master’s back, “I’m not, unless you’re just playing around…”
“Of course I’m serious!” the Master’s voice rose.
Zhuo Zhi: “Waaah—”
“Don’t you dare cry! You’re crying at me?!” The Master turned around forcefully, her hand gripping Zhuo Zhi’s head. “Who was the one who ran off with someone else as soon as she came down the mountain? And now you’re crying at me?!”
“Are you doing this to get back at me?” Zhuo Zhi looked up, tears streaming down her face.
“I’m serious!” the Master yelled again.
“Waaah— how did you suddenly become serious…?”
The Master grinned, “Then I should thank you for opening my mind to new possibilities.”
Li Qinyue stood there, frozen. The Master glanced at her, her smile widening, her hand on Zhuo Zhi’s head becoming gentler.
“Girls are so cute, it’s good to bring one home.”
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