SNT Chapter 9: People Change

The next day at noon, Mute Bay.

An old awning boat quietly moored by the water's edge. Tea boats were known for their good quality and low prices, for three coins you could drink barley tea at the bow all day long, and the stove at the stern was always burning brightly.

The scattered customers were mostly porters and craftsmen, currently sitting casually on the boat deck chatting.

Today was the day the childhood friends from Mute Bay had agreed to gather.

In a corner at the stern, Chen Qing, Liang Badou, Xiao Chun, Er Ya, Li Hu and others sat in a circle.

The slightly oversized dark blue long robe on Liang Badou made him seem less rough than before, adding some deliberately cultivated "maturity."

He cleared his throat, speaking with barely contained pride, "In a while, there's another person coming."

"Who?" Er Ya immediately asked curiously.

Chen Qing and the others also cast inquiring glances.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Just then, a clear voice rang out.

Several people turned to look, and saw a dark-colored figure standing at the threshold, the silk dress fabric gleaming with delicate luster in the sunlight, a plain silver hairpin in her hair gathering every strand meticulously.

She stood straight, even the folds of her dress hem seemed carefully arranged.

Chen Qing said somewhat uncertainly, "Xu Fang?"

The young woman's lips curved into a perfectly measured arc, neither overly warm nor distant, "Brother Qing, it's been a long time."

The two families used to be neighbors, and as children they often hid in the reeds blowing reed spoons, laughing heartily whenever water ducks flapped and flew up from the shore.

When hungry, Chen Qing would feel around in the river branches for wild water chestnuts for her, often pricking his fingers.

Er Ya's mouth formed a perfect circle, Liang Badou uncomfortably tugged at his rough clothing hem, while Xiao Chun quickly adjusted his posture, trying to make himself look more respectable.

Li Hu looked at her and sighed, "The change is really too great..."

Xu Fang was also a fisherman's daughter from Mute Bay. Her parents died from epidemic disease three years ago, and she was later taken away by her aunt who had married into a wealthy household in the city.

Since then, the children of Mute Bay had never seen her again.

"Last time I happened to meet her at Wang's Rouge Shop, so I tried inviting her to gather," Liang Badou explained, his voice several degrees higher than usual, "Didn't expect she'd really honor us with her presence."

Xu Fang gently shook her head, "What outsider talk is this? We all grew up drinking the water of Mute Bay."

Her gaze swept over everyone, lingering a moment longer on Chen Qing's face, "Three years apart, everyone has changed."

"You've changed the most!" Er Ya gestured exaggeratedly, "When you used to follow behind me eating 'Dragon King's rice,' who could have imagined..."

Chen Qing noticed Xu Fang's fingers slightly curl under the table, but her face maintained a proper smile.

Looking at Xu Fang, Xiao Chun spoke somewhat stutteringly, "This... if I passed you on the street, I definitely wouldn't recognize you."

After everyone sighed for a while, the atmosphere gradually became lively.

And Xu Fang undoubtedly became the center of conversation, no one had expected to see her again today.

No one had imagined that the once timid Xu Fang would reappear in such a manner.

Chen Qing quietly sipped his tea while secretly observing.

Xu Fang had undoubtedly changed the most. Previously when she was in Mute Bay, she was timid by nature and spoke unclearly, always Er Ya's little follower.

Now her words and actions were generous and gracious, her appearance had blossomed, with added clarity between her brows and eyes, drawing frequent glances from Liang Badou and Xiao Chun.

Whether in speech or temperament, she was completely different from the others.

Next was Li Hu. Since that incident, his father hadn't made it through the winter, and this series of events had made Li Hu become silent overall, talking much less.

And Xiao Chun, because he worked as an errand boy at Treasure Hall, had become more smooth in his dealings with people, knowing how to weigh his words.

Er Ya hadn't changed much, still speaking straightforwardly, now working as a rough servant girl in a wealthy household. Though her status was lowly, she had seen some of the world, occasionally boasting about the master's wealth in her speech.

Liang Badou worked with his relatives at the county office, doing odd jobs while learning to read and write. His gestures deliberately carried scholarly airs, and his conversation couldn't hide his pride in "having connections in the government office."

"Ah Qing doesn't seem to be doing too well either."

Xiao Chun's gaze swept over Chen Qing's old clothes washed white, and he inexplicably felt relieved.

The Chen family was orphan and widow, with no family savings to support Chen Qing's learning a trade. Being barely able to eat was already good enough.

Liang Badou seemed to remember this too, speaking with casual yet seemingly deliberate concern, "Ah Qing, I remember last time you said you wanted to learn martial arts. Did you find a master?"

Everyone looked over.

Learning martial arts was a way out, and once successful in passing the military examinations, it would bring glory to the family and elevate one's status.

But learning martial arts was too difficult, especially for common people, it was as hard as reaching the sky.

In their understanding, learning a trade to make a living and earning honest food was the proper path.

Learning martial arts was simply daydreaming.

Chen Qing sipped his tea, "Currently learning martial arts at Zhou's courtyard."

"You really went!?"

Er Ya widened her eyes, saying, "Learning martial arts is so hard. Not only do you need good bone structure, but you have to eat meat every meal to have a chance of achieving anything!"

Xiao Chun couldn't help asking, "How do you know all this?"

"Isn't it from listening to those guards talk?" Er Ya said, "Except for their leader who's somewhat respectable, the other two, tsk tsk, for a bite of food they're ordered around all day like dogs. And also, I heard them say that from years of tempering their bodies, they're left with hidden injuries all over and don't live long..."

She suddenly caught Li Hu's warning look and realized she'd spoken too bluntly, quickly shutting her mouth.

Xu Fang, who had been quietly listening, now looked at Chen Qing with a trace of surprise.

He actually went to learn martial arts?

At this moment, Liang Badou puffed out his chest, "Ah Qing, if you ask me, you might as well just work with me. When I become a clerk, I'll recommend you for the security squad. I won't promise great wealth, but guaranteeing you a stable meal shouldn't be a problem."

These words sounded like an invitation, but that condescending tone clearly showed he wanted to take Chen Qing as a follower.

Chen Qing shook his head, "Forget it, I'll continue learning first."

Er Ya shook her head with a look of disappointment, "Ah Qing, you're good in everything except being stubborn."

Seeing Chen Qing refuse, Xiao Chun's anxious heart quietly settled back in his stomach, secretly relieved.

In his view, being able to climb Liang Badou's tree of 'government connections' was a godsend opportunity. Chen Qing actually didn't know what was good for him, he was really foolishly obtuse.

Li Hu sighed, "Learning martial arts is indeed not easy."

He had once fantasized about learning martial arts to change his fate, but it was just a thought.

Xu Fang glanced at Chen Qing, pursing her lips as if wanting to speak but stopping herself.

Brother Qing, oh Brother Qing, you still can't see through it now. This world has long ago woven countless threads in the shadows, some strangle your neck, some bind your hands and feet, and others are quietly tied to your fate.

No one believed Chen Qing could succeed in learning martial arts.

Just as Er Ya said, those guards who were ordered around and treated like dogs might be Chen Qing's entire life.

Everyone chatted casually for a while longer.

While Liang Badou poured everyone more weak tea, he brought up a topic, "You all heard about Master Qian's matter, right?"

"Bah! What Master Qian!"

Li Hu spat, his face showing satisfaction, "That beast walking alone at night, beaten beyond recognition, definitely killed by enemies. Ordinary people wouldn't have such courage..."

Er Ya said through gritted teeth, "He deserved to die."

And Chen Qing, the actual 'perpetrator,' also showed righteous indignation.

Xiao Chun nervously looked around and lowered his voice, "Better keep it down. Master Qian and the Golden River Gang leader had a close relationship, they're searching everywhere for the killer."

Qian Biao's ability to run rampant in Mute Bay naturally didn't rely on his own meager skills.

Rumors said he was the brother-in-law of Golden River Gang leader Song Tie.

Liang Badou dismissively waved his hand, "Golden River Gang? They can barely protect themselves now. The Tiger Gang is hunting their people everywhere, that Song Tie probably doesn't know which rat hole he's hiding in."

He paused, then mysteriously lowered his voice, "Li Hu, you saw Pockmarked Liu on Locust Street yesterday? He's Song Tie's trusted lackey. I figure Song Tie is probably hiding in that area!"

Chen Qing's heart stirred, but his face remained calm as he merely lifted his tea bowl for another sip.

Liang Badou seemed to feel this topic was somewhat sensitive and changed the subject, "Alright, alright, let's not talk about such unlucky things."

Next, everyone chatted while drinking tea.

They occasionally recounted childhood anecdotes and half-seriously fantasized about the future.

Liang Badou wanted to become familiar in the government office, Xiao Chun wanted to become assistant manager at the shop, Er Ya wanted to catch the eye of the young master's family someday...

Xu Fang listened quietly, maintaining a proper smile, but her eyes seemed distant, clearly having little interest in these topics.

But she didn't interrupt the lively chatter filled with the warmth of life from her Mute Bay childhood friends.

Before anyone realized it, afternoon had arrived.

Xu Fang looked at the sky and elegantly stood up, preparing to take her leave.

Liang Badou took a deep breath, as if mustering courage, quickly stepping forward, "Xiao Fang, I happen to be going to the inner city, how about I escort you back?"

His words carried obvious expectation.

Suddenly, crisp horse bell sounds came from the dock.

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw a green-curtained carriage stop steadily, pulled by two glossy chestnut horses with shining horseshoes.

An old nanny with graying temples jumped down from the carriage shaft, wearing plain cotton clothes.

"Miss," the old nanny bowed to Xu Fang, "The old madam instructed that you must return to the manor before the hour of shen."

"I understand."

Xu Fang responded, sweeping her gaze over her childhood companions, finally settling on Chen Qing's face.

The boat deck suddenly fell quiet, with only the sound of river water lapping against the hull.

Xu Fang's lips trembled slightly, as if she had countless things to say, but in the end only sighed softly.

"If we have the chance in the future, let's gather again."

Her voice was light, but like a stone heavily striking everyone's heart.

The words were polite, but everyone present understood that after today's parting, they would probably never meet again.

The carriage slowly departed, the rumbling sound of wheels on bluestone gradually fading.

Everyone stood dumbly at the bow, watching the carriage disappear in the dust raised at the alley entrance.

Er Ya unconsciously rubbed the corner of her clothes, Liang Badou clenched his fists, while Xiao Chun stared blankly at the water surface.

Chen Qing looked down at the coarse porcelain tea bowl in his hands. The tea had long grown cold, reflecting his blurred image.

A few rough tea leaf stems settled at the bottom of the bowl, no matter how much they tumbled, they ultimately sank to the very bottom.

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