Chapter 18: Rescued—Are You Huo Shi'an?

Su Wan passed through the city gate and saw two men beneath a locust tree beside the road. One had a long face; the other was tall and thin. Both were bent over, hands on their knees, panting with sweat on their foreheads.

Her heart sank. She had not expected them to get outside ahead of her and wait. But the town’s ruffians knew the back lanes; taking a shortcut was easy enough. Her fingers instinctively pressed the dagger inside her clothes. Its coolness against her palm steadied her.

The long-faced ruffian spotted her first, his eyes lighting up. His companion straightened, wiped sweat from his face, and smiled unpleasantly. “You walk fast, miss.”

Su Wan did not answer. She glanced at them, turned, and walked several steps back toward the gate, neither hurrying nor showing panic, her back straight. Two guards stood there talking against the wall, spears upright at their sides. Only when she was close to them did she stop.

The ruffians stopped too. The long-faced man looked from her to the guards, his expression ugly. His companion cursed under his breath but dared not advance. They preyed on the weak and feared the strong; even ten times their usual courage would not make them rob someone in front of soldiers.

Su Wan stood by the gate, outwardly calm, though she knew the stalemate could not last. She could shelter here for a while, but not all the way home. The road to Su Family Village was sometimes busy and sometimes empty. If the men kept following, they would find a chance.

She studied the people passing through the gate, looking for a villager or acquaintance to accompany her. Many travelers were leaving at this hour, but most were strangers: people with carrying poles, men pushing carts, and mule carts from traveling merchant groups. No one would intervene for no reason.

The ruffians stayed nearby, watching. The long-faced one lifted his chin at her, plainly daring her to stand by the gate until dark. Her gaze cooled, and she rubbed her thumb over the dagger hilt. If forced, she would not mind making them bleed.

Then a familiar figure appeared at the edge of her vision. She turned and saw the burly, bearded seller of broken weapons emerging from the gate. His bulging bundle was on his back, and he carried the remaining buns in one hand. His long strides were steady.

He had looked big seated at the stall, but standing he was taller still—at least 1.9 meters, she judged, with broad shoulders and a solid frame filling his clothes. In this era, his height and build made him stand out. People instinctively moved aside as he passed.

He noticed her too. He looked briefly surprised but did not stop. Coming through the gate, he glanced at Su Wan, then at the ruffians nearby. He said nothing and his expression barely changed, yet she felt he understood everything.

The two men turned pale when they saw him. The long-faced ruffian’s confident posture collapsed. The tall one would not even meet his eyes; he tugged his companion aside.

Su Wan looked from them to the burly man, who was already walking on, and made a quick decision. With her basket on her back, she followed. He was moving at a good pace along the main road, in the direction of Su Family Village. At first she stayed several steps behind. When she saw the ruffians following at a distance, she hurried closer.

Without turning, the man slowed. Su Wan’s lashes stirred. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

He glanced sideways at her. His beard hid half his face, leaving only his sharp brows and eyes visible. “You’re bold.”

“If I weren’t, I’d be trapped outside the city today.”

He put the last bun in his mouth and swallowed before asking, “Following me, aren’t you afraid I might be a bad man too?”

Her fingertips rested lightly against her collar. “No. I can tell you’re a good man.”

He chuckled. “You think I’m good, yet you’re touching your dagger?”

She was not embarrassed. “It pays to be cautious.”

His gaze fell on her collar for a moment, then moved away. “Don’t grip the dagger too tightly. If your hand stiffens, it’s easier for someone to take it.”

Su Wan looked up, surprised that he would teach her. He continued walking, speaking casually. “If you really have to use it, don’t be afraid. Aim for the wrist or leg.”

The advice was blunt and bloody, but she took it to heart. “I’ll remember.”

He glanced at her again. Quite obedient, he thought.

They walked along the main road, one just ahead of the other. Late-spring wind crossed the wheat fields with the scent of dust. Su Wan could hear two sets of footsteps trailing far behind. The ruffians dared not approach, but had not given up.

After roughly the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the man stopped. Su Wan stopped too. He turned toward the road behind them. “Still following?” His voice was quiet, but cold.

The ruffians had been hiding behind a mule cart. His call forced them to show themselves. The long-faced man waved his hands, smiling so hard his face nearly folded. “A misunderstanding, sir. We’re taking the same road.”

The burly man set his bundle on the ground and slowly flexed his wrists. Both ruffians went white. The tall one grabbed his companion, his voice shaking. “We’re not going this way anymore. We’re going back to town, right now.”

The man said nothing, only stared. The long-faced ruffian dared not put on a brave front. He pulled the other around and ran, nearly losing his shoes.

Su Wan watched them flee, slowly exhaled, and relaxed. Turning back, she said, “You can be quite frightening.”

He raised a brow. “Did I frighten you?”

She shook her head. His low laugh rumbled in his chest, rough and slightly hoarse. For some reason, the tips of her ears warmed. She turned her gaze to the wild grass beside the road.

He shouldered his bundle again and walked beside her. “Which village are you from?”

Su Wan did not answer at once. He did not press her, merely continued with his long strides. After considering, she said, “Su Family Village. And you?”

“Huo Family Village.”

She stopped abruptly and looked him up and down. “Huo Shi’an?” she asked uncertainly.

He turned, surprised. “You know me?”

It really was him. She had seen him once before, but then he had been shorter and less powerfully built, without a beard. No wonder she had not recognized him.

Finding her staring silently, Huo Shi’an asked, “Stunned?”

Su Wan came back to herself. Her eyes brightened, and she suddenly smiled. Looking at the quiet, sweet smile, he felt as though a little rabbit were kicking inside his chest, ready to leap out.

His gaze grew hot enough for her to notice. She slowly lowered her head. “Are you thirsty?”

“Hm?”

“I saw you eating all those buns. I brought water.” She unhooked the bamboo flask from her waist and pulled out the stopper. “Would you like some?”

He watched her without blinking. Once she learned who he was, she had clearly relaxed. “Yes.”

She handed him the flask. He took a sip and raised a brow.

“Don’t you like it?”

He shook his head. “It’s very good. What did you add?”

“Herbal tea. It quenches thirst and refreshes the mouth.”

“Did you make it yourself?”

“How did you know?” she asked, surprised.

“I could smell herbs on you.”

“You have a sharp nose.”

“Is that a compliment?” A smile touched his eyes.

Su Wan glanced at him, her lips curving, but said nothing. He caught the smile and let his gaze linger on her face a moment longer. “What’s your name?”

Her step faltered slightly. “Su Wan.”

“Su Wan? It’s a lovely name. It suits you.”

Mimicking his tone, she asked, “Is that a compliment?”

He laughed. “It is.”

They continued along the road, where the number of travelers gradually dwindled. After about an hour, he noticed fine beads of sweat on her nose. “Want to rest?”

She breathed out slowly. “I’m not tired, just a little hot.”

He suddenly reached for her carrying basket. She looked at him in surprise. “I’ll carry it for a while,” he said.

“So considerate! Are you like this with everyone?”

“This is the first time I’ve done anyone a kindness like this.” He paused, then added casually, “So will you indulge me?”

She slipped off the basket and handed it over. He settled it on his back. “Are you like this with everyone?”

She looked up. “Others don’t get the same favor.”

He laughed. “I’m honored.” After a pause, he said, “Don’t come to the county town alone next time. It isn’t safe.”

“I know. Today was unusual. Have you just returned from the border city?”

He looked at her intently. “You seem to know quite a bit about me.”

“I do,” she admitted, adding meaningfully, “I’ll know more in the future.”

He narrowed his eyes. “What did you say?”

“Have you just come back?” she repeated, returning to the subject.

“Yes. I haven’t been home yet.”

“How long can you stay?”

“About half a month.”

“Oh.” They had reached a fork, and Su Wan stopped. The left road led to Su Family Village; the right went to Huo Family Village and several others. He stopped too, looked down the left road, then at her. “Can you get home by yourself?”

“I can.”

He took off the basket and handed it over. She put it on her back. “I’m going, then.”

“All right. Go on home.”

She walked a few steps, then stopped and turned to the man who had not yet left. “Huo Shi’an!”

“Hm?”

“My name is Su Wan!”

His eyes rested on her face. Though they stood some distance apart, his gaze still felt warm. “I’ll remember.”

She smiled. “We’ll see each other again soon. Hurry home!”

His handsome brows rose. What did she mean by that?