“For the Chang wedding, right?” The owner led him to the new stock. “Dongxu Village is small; everyone knows everyone. I knew you would want something nice, so I saved these for you.” He opened a bundle containing two sets of black silk robes with red trim. “I saved the best for you. One is exactly your size, and the other is for Xiao Xu.”
Li Ting felt the owner might be misinterpreting their relationship, but he simply felt the fabric and did not explain. “Pack them up. If you get any more in Xiao Qiu’s size, save them for me.”
“Of course, Master Li.” The shop owner was one of the few who knew how much money Li Ting spent. A young man who could easily drop several taels of silver was not someone to be overlooked.
“By the way, do you know where Xu Wu went?” Li Ting asked.
“I take it you missed the excitement yesterday,” the owner whispered. Li Ting had seen the whole thing but nodded anyway. “Where did he go?”
“He lost his manhood; he could not stay in the village after that. I heard he packed his things and fled to the mountains in the middle of the night. Someone saw him leave before dawn,” the owner said. “It is poetic justice.”
Li Ting took the bundle. “How so?”
“You are a clever man. Your brother suffered because of that couple’s lies,” the owner sighed. “But Wang Juaner was ruthless to strike so decisively.” He continued talking, but when he turned around, Li Ting was gone, leaving the correct payment on the counter.
“Finished eating?” Li Ting sat down beside Xu Yanqiu. The boy’s shoulders relaxed immediately at the sound of his voice. He slid along the bench until he was pressed against Li Ting’s arm. “Why were you gone so long?”
“Were you nervous?” Li Ting looked at the table. Two buns remained. He had overestimated Xu Yanqiu’s appetite; the boy was gaining weight, but he was still too thin. The fox finished the buns, took the bundle in one hand, and led Xu Yanqiu by the other. Instead of heading home, they went toward the meat stalls.
“Brother Li, are we not going home?” Xu Yanqiu asked. “Where are we?”
“This is a new market street. I want you to get used to it so I can bring you grocery shopping next time.” Li Ting led him to a meat stall and picked out two pieces of pork belly. The butcher chopped the meat and wrapped it in a lotus leaf. As Li Ting explained he was buying meat for them, a young girl came out from behind the stall. “Father, this cut on my hand will not heal. It hurts.”
Li Ting noticed the butcher was about to rub lard on the wound. He stopped him. “That is not clean. Xiao Qiu, there is a small bottle in my robe; give it to them.”
Xu Yanqiu reached into Li Ting’s robe, pulled out a small bottle, and handed it forward. The butcher and his daughter recognized Xu Yanqiu and knew he was blind. The girl stepped out and took the bottle. Li Ting smiled. “I happened to have it on me. This ointment is worth little, but it is much better than lard. It is a gift.”
The butcher was moved. He grabbed a leg of pork and chopped it into two pieces. The sound made Xu Yanqiu hide behind Li Ting. The butcher tied the meat with straw and handed it to Li Ting. “I am a widower and do not know how to care for these things. Take this meat; if it is not enough, come back for more! Consider it a thank you!”
Li Ting, now carrying quite a heavy load, gave the clothing bundle to Xu Yanqiu to hold. He headed home, unaware that the butcher was already telling everyone in the village how the young master had given his daughter a miracle cure.
The little fox, having gained another loyal follower, was now at home trying to convince Xu Yanqiu to eat more. “Just one more piece.”
“I really cannot,” Xu Yanqiu said, lifting his shirt to show Li Ting. “If you do not believe me, feel for yourself; my stomach is bulging.”
Li Ting actually reached out and felt the boy’s stomach through his thin inner garment. He felt a slight swell. He sighed. “Fine, I believe you. Put your shirt down.”
Xu Yanqiu wanted to help clear the table, but Li Ting stopped him. “Go check the bathwater. Take a bath; we are going to the wedding tomorrow.”
“Alright!” Xu Yanqiu was excited. It would be his first time at a wedding feast. Li Ting cleared the table and locked the gate while Xu Yanqiu prepared their clothes. When Li Ting entered, the boy splashed the water. “Brother Li, can you show your tails today?”
“You want to touch them?” Li Ting asked.
“I do!” Xu Yanqiu said, then added shyly, “Is it okay? Just twice.”
Li Ting did not answer but put Xu Yanqiu in the bath. The boy thought he had been denied and felt disappointed until a soft, fluffy mass brushed against his face. “Brother Li! The tails!”
“Only twice,” Li Ting said, getting into his own tub. He felt his fatigue wash away as Xu Yanqiu rubbed his face against the nine white fox tails. Li Ting chuckled. Xu Yanqiu was being clever; he said only two touches, so the boy was using his face instead of his hands to save his count.
“Do they feel good?” Li Ting asked.
“They do. Brother Li, what kind of demon are you?”
“A nine-tailed fox.” Li Ting flicked his tails, and Xu Yanqiu grabbed them in a hug. He was not strong, so Li Ting let him. If Bai Qianjing had tried this, the fox would have whipped him across the room. Xu Yanqiu hugged the warm, fragrant tails. “Brother Li smells so good.”
Li Ting watched his smiling face and said nothing, even when Xu Yanqiu reached out his hand for a third time. He did not stop him. Xu Yanqiu learned how to be bold and enjoyed himself under Li Ting’s indulgence.
“All buttoned up, Brother.” Xu Yanqiu stepped away from Li Ting’s legs. He had felt every button to make sure none were missed. “Everything is correct.”
“Thank you,” Li Ting said, straightening the boy’s collar even though he could have buttoned his own shirt perfectly well.
“Are we really wearing the same thing?” Xu Yanqiu asked excitedly.
“Have you not felt the fabric?” Li Ting led him to the courtyard where Gao Ke and Gao Cheng were waiting.
“Master Li has good taste; these clothes are rare in Dongxu Village,” Gao Cheng said with a smile.
“We cannot outshine the groom,” Li Ting replied. “Today is Master Chang’s big day.”
“Indeed.” Gao Cheng stayed by the gate. “Xiao Xu has grown quite a bit.”
“Has he?” Li Ting looked at the boy’s shoulders. “I have not noticed.”
“Boss, you are with him every day. We only see him occasionally, so it is obvious to us,” Gao Ke said. “He used to be below your shoulder; now he is above it.”
Li Ting realized it was true. Xu Yanqiu wondered if his new shoes had thicker soles, but then Li Ting said, “He has indeed grown. I have raised him well.”
Xu Yanqiu blushed at the choice of words. He followed the Gao brothers to the Chang medical shop. A wedding feast had been set up on the street. As the only doctor in the village, the whole town had come to help. Doctor Chang was greeting guests at the door with a large red silk flower on his chest. He led them to a table. “No need to help; just enjoy the feast.”
Gao Cheng tried to offer his assistance, but the doctor stopped him. “Master Gao, you young men do not know how these things work. Just wait for the food.” The brothers shared a look and sat down to listen to the opera on the nearby stage.
There were many people around, making Xu Yanqiu feel uncomfortable. Li Ting whispered in his ear, “It is my first wedding feast too.”
“Really?” Xu Yanqiu was surprised, his attention successfully diverted. “I thought you had more experience.”
The little fox was telling the truth. When he reached maturity, most of his clan was already married. This was his first time attending a human wedding.
“It is the truth,” Li Ting said, hooking the boy’s pinky under the table. “Do you want me to describe it for you?”
“How about I describe it for you instead?” Xu Yanqiu suggested. Gao Cheng and Gao Ke were intrigued. As the gift collector passed by, Gao Cheng handed over two red envelopes. Li Ting also produced his gift. Gao Cheng had taught him the custom; it was a small amount for good luck, but Li Ting gave more because of his relationship with Chang Shouye.
“Which master is this from?” the collector asked, seeing the thick envelopes. Li Ting pointed to the blind boy, and the man noted both gifts under Xu Yanqiu’s name. Once the man left, Xu Yanqiu began to describe the surroundings to the three men. “Is there an opera troupe behind us? I heard stories before; is this the Tale of the Heavenly River?”
“It is,” Gao Cheng said, surprised by the boy’s perception. Xu Yanqiu gripped Li Ting’s hand. “There is a place for washing dishes nearby; I can hear the clinking.”
Li Ting squeezed his finger in acknowledgement. Xu Yanqiu smiled, and several young men nearby stared at him in wonder. Now that the truth about the miscarriage was out, the villagers’ perception of him had changed. Without the label of a jinx, his beauty was finally being noticed. He was the most beautiful shuang’er for miles; some even thought he might be favored in the capital. It was a pity about his eyes. But in Dongxu Village, being blind was not a dealbreaker.
The chatter around them grew quieter as Li Ting looked up and caught several men staring at Xu Yanqiu with ill intent. They quickly looked away when they met his eyes. Li Ting’s expression darkened, and he moved to shield the boy. Gao Cheng noticed and glared at the offenders. His authority in the village was enough to make them turn away.
“Master Li! You are here!” Chang Shouye arrived in his wedding robes, leading Feng Lin. “Let us have a drink. It has been a busy day, and I apologize for not attending to you sooner.”
“Do not say that; today is your day,” Gao Cheng said, standing up. Li Ting followed. “Xiao Qiu cannot drink; he will use tea instead.”
Xu Yanqiu raised his cup and toasted the couple. Feng Lin laughed and pinched the boy’s cheek. He had clearly had a bit to drink. Xu Yanqiu was genuinely happy for him. “Master Feng has liked Master Chang for many years. I was the first to know.” Feng Lin was one of the few who had always been kind to him.
Li Ting ignored the men still trying to steal glances at Xu Yanqiu, but his mood was ruined. He smiled, yet he was clearly displeased. Xu Yanqiu did not know why Li Ting had gone quiet during the latter half of the feast; he only knew that Li Ting did not let go of his hand until it was over.
“Are you tired?” Li Ting asked, setting the boy’s coat aside. Xu Yanqiu shook his head. “I am happy. Being with Brother Li and celebrating with Master Chang and Master Feng was wonderful.”
Li Ting gave a soft grunt. He watched Xu Yanqiu take off his shoes and sit on the bed. He then sat beside the boy and began to undress. It had been a long day.
“Brother Li, thank you,” Xu Yanqiu said suddenly.
“For what?”
“For everything,” the boy whispered. “Father taught me how to survive, but you taught me how to live well.”
“You did the work yourself,” Li Ting laughed. “Undress and get to sleep; it is late.”
“Brother Li, my ear is healed,” Xu Yanqiu said bravely. “Put the earring on me today.” Li Ting was silent for a moment. He checked the earlobe and, seeing it was fine, had Xu Yanqiu get the white gemstones from the cabinet. Li Ting personally threaded the cold ring through the boy’s ear. The earring was light.
“It is not heavy at all,” Xu Yanqiu said, touching the stone. “Can I put yours on for you?” Li Ting handed him the other earring. The boy leaned in close, his hands touching Li Ting’s ear as he successfully fastened it. “There. How does it feel?”
“Good,” Li Ting said, his voice a bit muffled in the quiet of the night.
“Brother Li, is something on your mind?” Li Ting had expected to stay silent, but instead, he spoke his mind. “At the feast today, the way some people looked at you made me angry.”
“Angry?”
“I wanted to tear their throats, crush their bones, and gouge out the eyes they used to look at you,” the fox said darkly. He felt the boy shiver and wiped his face. “Forget it; pretend you did not hear that.”
“Brother Li,” Xu Yanqiu interrupted. His heart was pounding, but he summoned his courage. “Why would you want to do that?” Li Ting looked at his face, into his sightless eyes, wishing he could see his own reflection there. When no answer came, Xu Yanqiu’s hope began to fade until Li Ting spoke. “Perhaps our feelings are the same.”
“What?”
“Not a savior, not a brother, not a friend,” Li Ting said, leaning in. His reason told him to stop, but his body craved the closeness. “I want you, just as you want me.”
Xu Yanqiu’s blush spread to his neck. He gripped his palms tightly. When he felt Li Ting beginning to pull away, he lunged forward. He missed at first, but having felt the man’s face many times, he found Li Ting’s lips and pressed a cautious kiss against them. Li Ting was stunned, then responded with the passion he had been suppressing. This was his Xiao Qiu. He declared it with every action.
After a long while, the breathless Xu Yanqiu pushed at Li Ting’s chest. “Brother Li, I cannot breathe.” Li Ting propped himself up. He pulled the boy on top of him. Xu Yanqiu tried to find a comfortable position, but he felt something firm and immediately stopped moving.
“Xiao Qiu,” Li Ting said, touching the earring. “Kiss me again.” Xu Yanqiu lowered his head and kissed the corner of Li Ting’s mouth. It was a test, a gesture of closeness.
The moonlight fell on their joined hands. A muffled voice came from the covers: “Go to sleep, Brother Li. I really cannot kiss anymore; it is going to swell.”
“Go to sleep.”