Chapter 6: Hope Is A Dream

Translator: 9inetales

Sponsor(s): n/a

“I assume you agree.”


Xu Qing waited patiently for her reply. Although Jiang He didn’t speak, she showed no intention of leaving which signified her stance.


Another step taken!


Just to be sure, he reminded, “I cannot stress this enough. Remember to keep your temper in check, especially with that sword of yours. Wielding your sword in public is a terrible thing. Now then, if you have anything to ask, ask it, and I will try my best to answer.”


Jiang He slid her finger along her delicate nose before stopping between her scrunched brows. Her lips moved twice but were unable to utter a sound.


Her mind was clouded with so many problems that she didn’t know where to start.


She didn’t know what to ask yet wanted to ask everything...but didn’t how to ask[1].


“Where is your wife?”

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“What?”


Xu Qing staggered.


Is gossip really engrained into women’s nature?


“I wouldn’t want to intrude by staying here,” Jiang He clarified while looking around. However, she couldn’t find signs of anyone else living in the house.


“I am a purebred single dog[2] who has lived for more than twenty years. Uhm, I don’t have a partner yet.”


“...not married yet?” Although she didn’t get the ‘dog’ part, she clearly heard that he wasn’t married.


“Yeah.” Xu Qing scratched while lowering his head, trying to hide a faint blush.


“...”


Silence descended.


“Ehem,” Xu Qing cleared the strange atmosphere and assured, “No need to worry. You won’t be sleeping in the same room as me. The utility room over there will be rearranged to accommodate you for now.”


Xu Qing motioned for her to follow him, leading her towards the utility room. There was a box-spring bed inside. As long as it was cleaned and fitted with proper bedding, it could be slept on.


Jiang He stood beside him, her height reaching his shoulders. She looked up at him sneakily, a little perplexed.


With just a few words, people would prepare meals and bring them directly. How could a landlord of this age not yet be married?


Is it also a custom of this place?

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Xu Qing was unaware of her thoughts. He tidied up the clutter on the bed before wiping it with a warm, damp towel. Afterward, he went to his room to retrieve a set of winter bedding. He only had a set each for summer and winter— that meant one set for the upcoming season. That issue could be thought about later.


“It’s all washed and very clean so you can use it. Sleep well and we’ll talk tomorrow.”


Ensuring that everything was accounted for, he called Jiang He over and taught her how to lock the door just in case she forgot.


“Take a rest early. I know that your mind is still messy so it would be for the best. Goodnight.”


He only took a few steps before he paused, his back facing the doorway, “This situation is like a dream to you; it is for me too. But...I hope to see you tomorrow. Ah, by the way, my name is Xu Qing.”

 

With that, he turned to smile at her, switched off the lights in the living room, and retired to his bedroom.

  

Jiang He stood quietly, watching his room door creak to a close. Briefly, she looked around the dark living room for her sword before returning. She soon sat down, sinking into the softness of the bed with a contemplative expression.


...


Late at night.


The veil of dark clouds gradually dissipated, revealing the moon in all her splendid radiance. Everything under her silver touch reflected her beauty after being washed by the rain.


Moonlight shone through Xu Qing’s window and onto his face. It didn’t matter much as he couldn’t sleep anyway.


Opening his eyes, he turned to gaze at the bright moon outside, his mind in a trance.


I went out for a job interview during the day but got caught in the rain without an umbrella on my way back. It was just a slightly unfortunate but ordinary day.


As a result, I found a girl who wields a sword and apparently comes from ancient times.


Raf~


Raf~


In the distance, a few dog barks could be faintly heard.


Xu Qing removed his numb arm from the back of his head which was resting on the pillow. He listened to the barks for a moment but soon everything returned to the night’s tranquility. Closing his eyes shut, he forced himself to fall asleep.


What a mess…

 

Let’s think about that tomorrow.

 

...


Time passed and the sun once again reclaimed its position in the clear sky.

  

Xu Qing didn’t know when he fell asleep, but it was currently 10 o’clock in the morning.

 

Ugh, another day...


He turned in his messy sheets, stretched lazily, and took up his phone to scroll through his feeds and notifications. He suddenly stopped after hearing soft noises outside.


Ah ya, the heroine!


Xu Qing rolled out of bed.

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Carefully leaning against the door, he slowly opened it to form a small gap to peep through. Jiang He was sitting on the sofa, still wearing the T-shirt he had given her yesterday. She was holding a strip of yellowed silk cloth which she used to wipe the sword in her lap.


“Xu Qing?”


As sensitive as she was, Jiang He had already noticed the subtle movements of the door and glanced at him.


“Cough, ehm, good morning.” He cleared his throat.


So everything yesterday wasn’t a dream, uh?


Xu Qing came out of his room and poured himself a large glass of water. After downing it in a few gulps, he exhaled a heavy sigh. It was only now that the true reality of the situation started to kick in.


I’m really interacting with an ancient person from a thousand years ago...


“Uhm, you got up early.”


“It’s almost noon.” Jiang He sheathed her sword, replying to Xu Qing.


This guy didn’t get up until midday. To her, such a thing was unspeakable.


“Ah, right…” Xu Qing rubbed his nose, “Are you hungry?”


“A little.”


Jiang He fumbled around her body but remembered that she was currently wearing the clothes Xu Qing gave her yesterday. She went to her room before returning with two pieces of silver which she promptly placed on the table.


Seeing Xu Qing’s shocked face, she hesitated, “Is silver not enough?”


“Do you have gold?!” Xu Qing asked in a ghostly manner.


Silver wasn’t that valuable but gold was a different story. He wasn’t a wealthy person so he couldn’t control his reaction.


Jiang He was stunned hearing his words. She went back to the room before returning with a crescent-shaped jade pendant, “This...should be able to pawn some more silver.”


“No, forget it. I was just asking casually. You don’t need to pay for me to help you. Take back the silver too.” Xu Qing hurriedly waved his hands.


Looking at her loose clothes, he thought for a moment and decided against ordering takeaways, “Stay home for a while. I’ll go out to buy some things and bring food back on the way. Remember not to go out; it’s dangerous.”

 

Although wearing his clothes was a bit normal compared to her coarse linen and straw sandals, it wasn’t suitable to wear in public. When she changes into modern clothes and loosens her hair without tying it with the old ribbon, it should be no problem for her to stroll around outside.


In a way, it’s good that we live so close to the police station. Only a few street checks are carried out in the vicinity. As long as she behaves normally, she won’t be exposed.


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“Hmm...about this big and this high.”


Wandering into a women’s clothing store, Xu Qing randomly selected a few good-looking clothes— simple and neat. He gestured at the height of his shoulder and consulted with the shop assistant for a while.


He then went to another store and added a set of long skirts.


Shirts.


Pants.


Footwear.


And...


Xu Qing gawked at the underwear shop in the distance. He paused, battling with his feet for a moment before walking into the place for the first time in his life.


Jiang He didn’t have her own change of clothes so he had no other choice but to proceed.


“What size?”


Faced with the shopkeeper’s question, Xu Qing choked on his words. Reaching out with his hand, he made two quick gestures, inwardly wondering how to buy it.

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