Chapter 15: You're a Good Person

Around midnight, Fourth Ding stood in the stronghold hall, admiring the tiger-skin chair Zhou Xing had once occupied.

Gao Yuan set Zhou’s severed head aside and approached. “What? Want to sit in it?” His voice was cold.

Ding shuddered. “I wouldn’t dare! I was just afraid it might be dusty, Chief. I’m cleaning it for you.” Wearing a fawning smile, he hurried away.

Gao sat down, running his hand over the tiger skin. A smile touched his lips. He had finally taken the first step. It was only a small stronghold, but at least he had a foothold.

Before him stood Shen Shuting, Feng Lingxue, Lin Hongxiu, and Mu Baizhi. Nearby were Sun Shuanghu, Wang Shuang, and Fourth Ding. Sun was badly hurt; blood still seeped through his bandages, but he had gritted his teeth and stayed instead of going to rest.

This was Gao’s core group for now—though Feng and Lin were better described as partners. Three large wooden chests stood nearby, filled with gold, silver, and jewels Zhou Xing had looted over the years. Much of it had come from Dangyang during his recent raid.

Gao drank some water. “First, living arrangements. Shuting and Baizhi will move into Zhou Xing’s house with me. Lingxue and Hongxiu can take Xu Mazi’s.” They were the best and most comfortable houses in the stronghold.

The other three women raised no objection. Mu Baizhi looked uneasy, as though she wanted to speak, but remained silent.

“Shuanghu, Fourth Ding, Wang Shuang, each of you choose a room outside as well.” Ding nodded eagerly. He had never imagined having a room of his own. His life was finally improving.

Gao paused. “Shuanghu, make sure those two brothers are properly buried. If they have families, find a way to send them some silver.”

Sun stared for a moment, his eyes reddening. “You’re a righteous man, Chief. Leave it to me.” Even the seasoned Fourth Ding and the simple-minded Wang Shuang looked moved.

Feng Lingxue watched with interest, her expectations of Gao rising. He could fight, he could think, and, above all, he knew how to treat people. Most men would not have spared a thought for two bandits who had only just joined and died before they could do anything. With a few words, he had won his followers’ hearts.

“As for the money,” Gao continued, “tomorrow we’ll divide one chest among the brothers. Set another aside to buy leather armor and weapons. Shuting will inventory and safeguard the last chest and handle the stronghold’s expenses.”

“Me?” Shen Shuting stood stunned.

“What? Can’t you do it?”

She met his eyes and understood. He was assigning power. In their world, control of supplies meant influence. Entrusting her with it showed everyone her central place beside him. She straightened. “Don’t worry. With me in charge, the accounts will be correct.”

Once the arrangements were made and the three chests secured, everyone dispersed. Wang Shuang, however, kept following Gao.

“Didn’t I tell you to find a room and sleep?” Gao asked.

Wang waved a fist. “I have to stay with you. If anyone comes, I’ll… I’ll beat them!”

Gao was touched. Wang feared another ambush or attack and truly regarded him as the man who had saved his life. Looking at Wang’s massive frame, Gao imagined him in armor carrying a heavy hammer. With training, he would make a fine personal guard.

“All right. Stay with me from now on.”

Wang grinned. “Follow you, eat meat!”

……

Zhou Xing’s house was the largest and best situated in the stronghold. Gao gave Wang the small room beside it, formerly used by Zhou’s attendant, then went inside with Shen Shuting and Mu Baizhi.

The furnishings were luxurious: tables and chairs, tightly sealed windows, and an earthen platform still being heated. Thick quilts covered a sturdy wooden bed, and a large bathing tub stood nearby.

“That bastard knew how to enjoy himself. Now it’s ours. Shuting, heat some water so we can all wash.”

“All right,” she said.

Mu Baizhi flushed and asked hesitantly whether Gao expected intimacy from her. As a man from another world, he had simply wanted to wash away the grime and realized she had misunderstood his request.

She stepped back and said she was unwell. When he asked about waiting, she admitted she did not know what she wanted. She was very young and had no experience of such matters.

Gao saw how nervous she was and told her he was in no hurry. She stared, astonished. She had expected bandits to be cruel and to treat women like property.

After a moment she asked cautiously, “You really won’t force me?”

He assured her that he would not. He despised coercion and took some pride in believing he could win a woman’s willing regard.

Mu Baizhi studied him in silence, then said earnestly, “You’re a good person.”

Gao winced inwardly. Somehow he had been handed the awkward label of a “good person.”