Ger, So Proud

Chapter 11: Getting Along

“Yu-ge, hurry up and get on!” Zhao Fugui tugged on the ox’s reins, a smile on his face. “Today’s a lucky day, you two managed to catch a ride together. Is there enough room?”

The two empty seats on the cart faced each other. Lin Yu approached the cart and glanced at He Ze, who instinctively pulled his knees together.

“There is, Uncle Zhao. Thank you for the trouble.”

Lin Yu first removed the bamboo basket from his back. As he lifted it onto the cart, He Ze took it from him without a word and placed it on top of the vegetable baskets, securing it with one hand. The road was bumpy, and without this precaution, the basket might fall off if the cart sped up.

“Alright! Are you both seated? Uncle Zhao is about to start driving.”

Zhao Fugui called from the front. The two of them answered in unison, then glanced at each other, with Lin Yu being the first to look away.

“Ya!”

Zhao Fugui shouted, lightly flicking the whip, prompting the ox to start moving with heavy steps.

He Village was a bit far from town. Walking there would take two to three hours, and even by ox cart, it would take over an hour. The two passengers sat in silence, creating an awkward atmosphere.

The early morning light broke through the clouds, gradually brightening the sky.

Zhao Fugui’s calls grew louder. He flicked the whip again, and the ox let out a moo, quickening its pace.

“This ox is getting old and lazy. If I don’t whip it, it won’t even move. At home, it gets treated with the best grass and care, even better than how my wife treats me! Isn’t that infuriating?” Zhao Fugui turned his head, grumbling humorously.

“Uncle Zhao, you’re just joking. You wouldn’t really get mad at this ox, would you?”

“Haha, Yu-ge, you know your Uncle Zhao well. Ya!” Zhao Fugui gently kicked the ox’s side and continued, “This old fellow has been with me for years. The whole family treats it like a treasure. How could I ever get mad at it? Ya!”

“Hehe—”

Lin Yu let out a light laugh, a slight smile tugging at his lips. The rising sun cast beams of light on his face, making him look warm and radiant.

He Ze found this version of Lin Yu quite different from what he usually saw.

Such differential treatment… He Ze raised an eyebrow. It’s a pity there were no women in this world, otherwise, finding a wife wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Time passed slowly, and the road grew steeper, but Zhao Fugui didn’t slow down, causing the cart to jostle.

He Ze frowned slightly.

His original body’s delicate nature usually meant Dad Li prepared a soft cushion for him on these trips. But even if he hadn’t forgotten, He Ze wouldn’t have used it. He decided he needed to toughen up; being so weak was unbecoming. Looking at his somewhat pale arms, He Ze couldn’t hide his disdain.

“Hey, you two, hold on tight! We started a bit late today, and we can’t be late to town. I’m speeding up, but it’ll smooth out after this stretch. Ya!”

The ox seemed to sense Zhao Fugui’s urgency, picking up the pace.

“Are you… alright?”

He Ze had just tightened his grip on the cart’s wooden rail when he heard Lin Yu’s voice. He was somewhat surprised and was about to respond when Lin Yu added, “Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not worried about you. I wasted an arrow saving you the other day. If you get hurt again so soon, it’d be a real waste.”

The bear had fled after being hit by the arrow. At that time, He Ze was unconscious, possibly near death, so Lin Yu couldn’t just leave him.

“……”

He Ze found himself speechless.

After passing the steepest part, the ride smoothed out.

Lin Yu glanced at He Ze before quickly looking away. He felt a bit remorseful for yelling at him yesterday and now speaking harshly again today but couldn’t bring himself to apologize. “Um…”

He Ze looked up.

“You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Want some?” Lin Yu pulled out a cloth from his chest, unwrapping two large pancakes. He handed one to He Ze.

It was his breakfast.

“My dad made these. They’re delicious. Eat it.” Seeing He Ze not respond, Lin Yu pushed the pancake into his hand, adding, “I’m only offering because of last incident. Don’t…”

“I won’t misunderstand.”

Before Lin Yu could finish, He Ze interrupted. He looked at the pancake in his hand, then back at Lin Yu. He had always heard that women’s minds were hard to read, but it seemed that in this world, even young gers were the same.

Really…

He Ze took a big bite of the pancake, chewing heartily. “Thanks.”

Lin Yu didn’t respond, but his previous irritation had mostly dissipated. He turned his head, smiling, “Uncle Zhao, have you had breakfast? I brought some pancakes. Would you like some? I can take over driving the cart.”

He Ze paused for a moment.

“Oh, no need, no need. Your uncle woke up early, and I ate before we set off. You two go ahead and eat. The road ahead isn’t steep, so take your time!”

“Well, Uncle Zhao, if you get tired, just let me know.”

“No worries, your Uncle Zhao is still young! This little task is nothing. Eat up and sit tight! Old fellow, a bit faster now!” Zhao Fugui said, flicking the whip again.

The cart creaked as it moved, and He Ze took another bite of the pancake. Although it was made of coarse grains mixed with corn and had no filling, it was soft and had a pleasant hint of green onion, making it quite appetizing.

Seeing He Ze eating happily, Lin Yu also took a bite of his remaining pancake. The silence returned between them, but this time, the atmosphere seemed to have changed a bit, feeling different in some way.

The ox cart reached the town at the hour of Chen (7-9am). The sun was bright and glaring.

“We’re here. I’ll deliver these vegetables first,” Zhao Fugui said, getting off the cart. He Ze and Lin Yu also jumped down one after the other. “He Ze, Lin Yu, go ahead with your tasks. Don’t delay. Remember to meet back here by the hour of Shen (3-5pm), so we can return to the village together. Got it?”

“Yes, Uncle Zhao, you go ahead. Don’t keep others waiting.”

Lin Yu responded.

As Zhao Fugui led the ox cart away, He Ze and Lin Yu were left standing there, surrounded by the bustling crowd.

“I need to go to East Street. Let’s go our separate ways,” Lin Yu glanced sideways at He Ze, his tone indifferent. “But remember to be back here by hour of Shen. If you’re late, you’ll have to walk back on your own. I won’t ask Uncle Zhao to wait for you.”

Without waiting for a reply, Lin Yu adjusted the basket on his back and turned to leave. He Ze touched his nose and then followed.

“You…”

“I’m also going to East Street, to the academy.”

“…”

Lin Yu was heading to Manager Yu’s restaurant on East Street. This restaurant usually had good business, and buying the game he brought was no issue. Moreover, Manager Yu offered fair prices and didn’t take advantage of him for being young. Since then, he had been delivering there regularly.

After navigating several alleys and making numerous turns, the two arrived at the restaurant’s entrance. Lin Yu stopped. “I’m here. The academy is further ahead. Go on your own; you don’t need to wait for me.”

Without waiting for He Ze’s response, he turned and walked away.

He Ze paused, about to leave when he heard a loud “smack” from inside the restaurant. With a thoughtful look, he stopped.

He glanced at the restaurant’s signboard and took a few steps inside.

Author’s Note: Today’s chapter isn’t very long or detailed. My conscience hurts, but I’m struggling with writer’s block! Please be gentle with me, QAQ.

Also, sweet dreams to you all. Good night.