Chapter 527: Returning Home II

By the time Cheng Feng arrived at that residence in East City, the sky had turned completely dark.

This street was not as bustling as North City; the few households along the way had closed their doors early, and only the sound of the night watchman's clapper could be heard from afar.

Jin Ying's house was not large, and the facade was plain—blue bricks and grey tiles, with only two lanterns hanging under the eaves.

Cheng Feng stepped forward to knock on the door, and it was opened by a maid of sixteen or seventeen.

Upon seeing him, she was stunned for a moment, then filled with surprise and joy; she hurriedly curtsied, called out "Master Cheng," and then ran inside as if flying to announce his arrival.

Cheng Feng entered the gate himself.

The courtyard was swept clean, and a few honeysuckle vines in the corner were growing exceptionally well, their tendrils climbing halfway up the wall.

There were a few pots of greenery in the yard, one of which had tiny white flowers blooming, with a very faint fragrance. Although these sights were unremarkable, they showed care in every detail.

The light in the main hall was on. Cheng Feng walked in and saw that Jin Ying had already come out from the inner room.

She was wearing a moon-white small jacket today, paired with a dark cyan skirt, her black hair held up by only a single silver hairpin.

Seeing Cheng Feng, her eyes lit up instantly, yet her movements remained as gentle and unhurried as ever; she only lowered her head and curtsied: "Master has returned."

Cheng Feng gave a grunt of acknowledgment, walked up to her, and reached out to pull her up.

Jin Ying raised her head, her oval face flushed with a faint red, her eyes so soft they seemed as if they might drip water.

She was not considered a great beauty, but she had a charm that grew on one; there was an indescribable gentleness in her brows and eyes that made one feel at peace the moment they looked at her.

"What are you doing?" Cheng Feng asked.

"Making a pair of thick-soled boots for Master." Jin Ying turned to let him into the room and took a half-finished shoe sole from a bamboo basket by the kang.

"It's colder outside than it is here; with thicker soles, your feet won't be frozen."

Cheng Feng took it to look. The stitches were impossibly fine, every needle and thread perfectly even. He smiled: "Your eyesight is truly good; these soles are three-tenths thicker than my last pair."

Jin Ying said softly: "Master walks many roads outside, it wears out shoes."

Cheng Feng sat down by the edge of the kang. Jin Ying poured him hot tea and brought over a few small snacks, then sat on a small stool nearby, watching him eat quietly.

Cheng Feng was in no rush to speak, just chewing slowly. There was a very faint scent of mugwort in the house, as if it had just been fumigated.

He suddenly remembered that when Jin Ying was in Hong Village, she loved to burn mugwort in the room. She said it could remove dampness, repel insects, and soothe the mind.

"How is the Jin family now?" Cheng Feng asked after eating a few bites.

A smile appeared on the corners of Jin Ying's mouth: "All thanks to Master's blessing. The iron permit business is looked after by the Hong Sect, and it's no worse than before.

Jin Wen was even praised by Master Wang at the Tieshan Martial Arts Hall the day before yesterday, saying he could enter the Inner Sect in two more years.

Sister-in-law also often thinks of Master's kindness, saying that if it weren't for Master, the Jin family would have been gone long ago."

Cheng Feng nodded.

When the Red Lotus Sect attacked, the men of the Jin family were basically all killed.

Only Jin Ying, her sister-in-law, and the nephew named Jin Wen remained.

Back then, Jin Ying had been at the end of her rope and staked her entire fortune on him, betting on his conscience.

That sum of money was not much, but it was what the Jin family had saved over several generations.

Fortunately, he did not let Jin Ying lose.

"The Tieshan Martial Arts Hall teaches practical skills," Cheng Feng said. "Jin Wen is willing to endure hardship, he will be successful in the future. You don't need to keep an eye on the business matters yourself; let the people below do it. You are managing such a large operation alone, don't tire yourself out."

Jin Ying shook her head: "It's not tiring. Sister Zhao is in Heimu Prefecture, and I am the only one here in Qingxi. If I don't manage it, I fear I would be unworthy of Master's trust."

Cheng Feng glanced at her and did not try to persuade her further. Jin Ying was just like that, taking everything upon herself for fear of failing anyone.

He reached out, took her hand into his palm, and squeezed it gently.

The tips of Jin Ying's ears turned red immediately; she wanted to pull away but didn't, only lowering her face, her breathing becoming a bit disordered.

"I cannot stay long this time," Cheng Feng said. "I leave the day after tomorrow."

Jin Ying's hand stiffened for a moment, then slowly relaxed. She gave a low "Mm," and only after a long while did she say: "I know. Master is a man who does great things. I am already very happy that you came to see me before leaving."

Cheng Feng's heart softened slightly.

He reached out to lift her chin, making her look at him: "When I have established myself out there, I will come back to pick you all up. My women—I will not leave a single one behind."

Jin Ying's eyes turned slightly red, but she tried her best to smile: "I believe in Master."

The lamp wick popped, and the light and shadow in the room flickered.

Cheng Feng blew out the lamp and gently pulled Jin Ying into his arms.

The moonlight from outside the window leaked in through the half-covered lattice, covering the entire kang in silver-white.

Having not seen her for a long time, Cheng Feng developed Jin Ying's water attribute.

The next morning, when Cheng Feng woke up, Jin Ying was no longer by his side.

A set of neatly folded new clothes was placed at the head of the kang, with a pair of newly made thick-soled boots beside them.

He did not see her, but the fragrance of rice drifted from the direction of the kitchen.

Cheng Feng put on his clothes and walked into the courtyard, seeing Jin Ying squatting in front of the stove cooking porridge. A few strands of her hair were blown by the morning breeze, her expression quiet and focused.

Cheng Feng did not disturb her, just leaned against the door frame and watched for a while. It was not until Jin Ying stood up that she saw him; she was stunned for a moment, then laughed: "Master is up? The porridge is almost ready."

Cheng Feng gave a grunt of acknowledgment and walked over to help her set the bowls and chopsticks.

The two ate breakfast facing each other. Jin Ying ate little, mostly just watching Cheng Feng.

After Cheng Feng finished, she said softly: "Master, I prayed for a peace talisman and put it in your change of clothes.

It is nothing valuable, but it is something I prayed for with all my heart."

Cheng Feng nodded: "I will carry it."

Just past the hour of Chen, the people sent by Wei Zhuang were already waiting outside the gate.

Cheng Feng stepped out of the gate and turned back to wave at Jin Ying.

Jin Ying stood before the door with a faint smile on her face, just like every time she sent him off.

But this time, Cheng Feng saw a glimmer of light slide quickly from the corner of her eye, only to be wiped away by her just as quickly.

"Wait for me to return," Cheng Feng said.

Jin Ying nodded vigorously.

Cheng Feng turned and strode away, not looking back again. He feared that if he were to look back one more time, he would be unable to move his feet.

In this world, when a woman entrusts her life to a man, that man cannot drift about like duckweed.

He must make something of his life to be worthy of those who wait for him.