Chapter 4: Reunion

"It’s Huiniang."

Chen Qing was somewhat surprised.

Han-shi hurriedly stood up and pulled open the creaking cabin door.

Yang Huiniang stood outside, her small face flushed red from the cold, her light gray, worn-out ru-skirt clinging to her body, whipped by the river wind.

"Huiniang!?"

Han-shi stepped aside in surprise. "Come in, quickly, it’s cold out there."

Yang Huiniang’s gaze swept rapidly over the bowl of thin, watery gruel on the table, a flicker of heartache crossing her eyes.

She reached into her bosom and pulled out a small cloth bundle, opening it cautiously. "This is some mixed-grain beans I just made..."

"How could I..." Han-shi began to decline, though her eyes couldn't help but drift toward the beans.

"Don't be formal, Auntie." Yang Huiniang pushed the bundle toward Han-shi.

Chen Qing noticed the calluses on her fingers; his eldest aunt’s family had also been struggling these past few years.

Han-shi bit her lip. "Alright, I’ll put these mixed-grain beans away first."

She clutched the cloth bundle tightly and turned to duck into the inner cabin.

Yang Huiniang looked at Chen Qing and asked, "A-Qing, what are your plans for the future?"

Chen Qing replied, "One step at a time, I suppose."

Yang Huiniang was silent for a moment, then suddenly reached into her bosom again and pulled out a faded red purse, thrusting it into Chen Qing’s hand.

"This is..."

Chen Qing asked, puzzled.

"It’s my private savings from the last two years. I had originally intended to use it for my dowry." Yang Huiniang’s face flushed slightly.

Chen Qing was taken aback. "Cousin, how can I take this? This is your..."

"What? Afraid you won't succeed in learning martial arts? Afraid you won't be able to pay me back?"

Yang Huiniang blinked. "I’ll be charging interest, you know."

Feeling the lingering warmth on the purse, Chen Qing said earnestly, "I will definitely pay you back, with interest."

"I was only joking."

Yang Huiniang let out a soft laugh, then stood up. "It’s getting dark, I have to head back."

"I’ll walk you."

Chen Qing followed her out of the covered boat.

The two walked along the riverbank, the biting river wind howling.

The setting sun branded the silhouette of Yazi Bay onto the mud, while shards of broken pottery and fish scales vied for the last of the light in the sewage ditches.

The Yang family lived in Baihua Lane, an alley as narrow as a thin intestine, winding and cramped in the western corner of the outer city.

The bluestone path had long since cracked, with wild grass sprouting from the fissures. The earthen walls on both sides of the alley were mottled, with some families using broken roof tiles to patch holes where the wind whistled through.

Compared to the precariousness of living on a boat in Yazi Bay, the brick-and-tile houses here at least offered shelter from the wind and rain.

The two chatted about their childhood, and Yang Huiniang shared some trivial matters from the fabric shop.

Yang Huiniang looked at Chen Qing. "Cousin, you seem to have changed."

Chen Qing chuckled. "Have I?"

"But it’s a good thing."

Yang Huiniang nodded. "You used to be a bit dull..."

She had always felt her cousin was a bit wooden and would have a hard time finding a wife.

Before they knew it, they had reached the Yang family’s door.

Yang Huiniang said softly, "I’m home. You should head back early, too."

Chen Qing nodded. "Alright."

Yang Huiniang turned and went inside.

Chen Qing took a deep breath and walked quickly toward Yazi Bay. Because the sky had dimmed, there were very few pedestrians on the road.

"Chase them! Don't let the scum of the Five Poisons Gang get away!"

Suddenly, a beast-like roar erupted from the distance.

Immediately after, dozens of men wielding sharp blades and radiating murderous intent burst out from the alley ahead.

The light of their blades splashed a bone-chilling coldness into the gloom.

Clatter! Bang!

The surrounding residents instantly turned pale, scrambling to bolt their doors and windows in terror, fearing they would be caught in the crossfire.

"Not good!"

Chen Qing’s heart tightened. He immediately ducked into the shadows of the nearest corner and held his breath.

He had three principles for conducting himself: Don't look for trouble, don't fear trouble, and if trouble finds you, run.

Only when the shouting and the clashing of weapons had completely vanished into the depths of the alley did he cautiously poke his head out, then took off at a sprint, rushing toward the direction of the boats.

"Hoo... hoo..."

Dashing into the cabin, Chen Qing leaned against his knees, gasping for air, his heart still pounding.

This world was too chaotic.

Especially after dark—it was truly terrifying.

Chen Qing secretly warned himself: he must be cautious, cautious, and even more cautious.

"What happened?"

Seeing his state, Han-shi turned pale with fright. She rushed over, patting him up and down. "Was it highwaymen or a gang fight? Are you hurt anywhere? Let Mother see!"

Chen Qing waved his hand, steadying his breathing. "Mother, I’m fine. I just... walked a bit too fast."

"That’s good."

Han-shi’s suspended heart finally dropped, and she turned to head into the inner cabin.

Halfway there, she suddenly stopped and said with unusual seriousness, "A-Qing, you’re grown up now. Whatever you want to do, Mother will support you."

She paused, her voice filled with resilience. "I’ll start weaving more nets tomorrow. There will... always be a way."

With that, she lowered her head and ducked into the inner cabin.

A warmth spread through Chen Qing’s heart. He stood silently in place for a long time before slowly sitting down.

The night deepened, and the cold wind outside wailed incessantly.

The cold moonlight shone through the gaps in the boat planks, casting a slant into the cabin.

Chen Qing took out the purse Yang Huiniang had given him. Five taels of silver fragments and dozens of copper coins rolled out.

To learn martial arts, unless it was passed down through the family, one had to take on a master.

Taking on a master naturally required a tuition fee.

Chen Qing whispered to himself, "With this money, I have a chance to learn martial arts."

This was all money Yang Huiniang had saved through hard work.

The silver in the purse was brighter than any moonlight he had ever seen.

The next morning, the frost was heavy and the wind cold.

Chen Qing squatted by the stove, watching the rice bran gruel bubbling in the clay pot.

In the corner, Han-shi sat with a hunched back, her thin, withered fingers weaving through the fishing net.

"Mother, I’m heading out."

Chen Qing gulped down the thin gruel in his bowl and wrapped himself tightly in his tattered, patch-upon-patch coat.

Han-shi didn't even look up. "Come back early. I’ve saved some mixed-grain beans for you in the pot."

"I know."

Chen Qing jumped off his boat, and the cold wind immediately poured into his collar like a knife.

The stone path was uneven, riddled with potholes of varying depths.

Trash was visible everywhere, and the mountains of waste emitted a nauseating stench.

Sewage flowed through the center of the streets, forming small black streams that gave off a pungent odor, while flies and mosquitoes buzzed over the garbage heaps.

People on the street hurried past; some wore tattered clothes covered in patches, while others were barefoot, their soles caked in mud.

These poor people living in the shacks on the shore also had to pay the "eaves-water tax," and their lives were no better than the fishermen struggling on the water.

Chen Qing kept his head down and quickened his pace.

He had already inquired clearly about learning martial arts.

On Changping Street, there was an old bodyguard named Zhou Liang.

He had traveled north and south in his youth, but as he grew older and suffered from hidden injuries, he had retired and now took on disciples at home.

His tuition fee was only twenty percent of what a martial arts school would charge.

Many poor youths who wanted to learn martial arts came to such private instructors.

Chen Qing soon found the gate to the Zhou residence and stepped forward to knock on the ring.

"Who is it?" A voice full of vigor penetrated the door.

"I am Chen Qing, here to seek apprenticeship," Chen Qing said in a low voice.

The door creaked open a crack, and a man as lean as iron poked his head out. He looked Chen Qing up and down, then stepped aside. "Come in. The Master is inside."