Jiang Ning watched as Liu Ming'an wrote on the paper with deliberate strokes of ink:
"Esteemed Brother He Ping, as entrusted by my family, I write to you and solemnly urge you to return home no later than the 15th of this month..."
Liu Ming'an's hand, as small as a fly's head, was exquisitely tidy and graceful, and Jiang Ning admired the fluidity of his calligraphy. It was so fine that it could be printed and used as a calligraphy textbook.
Unfortunately, just as Jiang Ning started to appreciate his fine writing, Liu Ming'an briefly explained the matter at hand. He put down his brush, lifted the paper, and blew on the last few characters that hadn't yet dried. Once the ink was dry, he folded the paper twice and inserted it into an envelope he had prepared earlier.
Liu Ming'an picked up his brush again and wrote "To He Ping at Fusheng Restaurant" on the envelope. He then got up and walked towards the door.
Jiang Ning got up too, looking through the window at the young girl who was presumably called He Yiyi. She was idly kicking a small stone on the ground. As soon as she heard the door open, she instantly looked up at Liu Ming'an, her eyes shining.
"Ming'an! Have you finished the letter?" she asked.
Liu Ming'an handed her the letter, saying, "Here you go."
He Yiyi took it happily, glanced at it, and tucked it into her bosom. She then handed Liu Ming'an a basket from her arm, saying, "Thank you, Ming'an. My mother asked me to give this to you."
Liu Ming'an took the basket, which had a few fresh eggs in it. He went into the kitchen to put the eggs away before giving the empty basket back to He Yiyi, just like he had done many times before.
Over the years, every time Liu Ming'an wrote a letter for He Yiyi's family, her mother would give him something as a way of thanks. Initially, Liu Ming'an, considering his local neighbours, was reluctant to accept, but he ended up making her mother believe that he was deliberately showing kindness because he had hidden motives for He Yiyi. When Liu Ming'an realized this, he couldn't help but laugh, and since then, he has been unreservedly accepting her mother's tokens of appreciation.
"Please thank your Second Aunt for me." Once Liu Ming'an said that, it usually meant that he was seeing his guests off.
However, He Yiyi hesitated on the spot, occasionally glancing inside the house. It was clear that she still wanted to say something.
Liu Ming'an patiently waited, and only after a while did he hear her ask in a muffled voice, "Ming'an, how is she doing now?"
"She's doing quite well," Liu Ming'an answered with a smile.
"So, you take care of her since she can't take care of herself?"
"I've also hired the Third Great Aunt to help."
"Ming'an, she can't eat, drink, go to the bathroom, or clean herself without help. And there's only one bed at your place. I know you're a gentleman and wouldn't share a bed with her. But people talk, you know. And some of the things they say aren't pleasant..."
Everything she said seemed to revolve around the same thing. She was trying to persuade Liu Ming'an to give up on what was perceived to be a burden. Jiang Ning could hear every word clearly. The affection in He Yiyi's eyes was also clear. She was probably hoping that Liu Ming'an would toss away this proverbial hot potato.
After He Yiyi finished speaking, she seemed somewhat anxious. She knew she had overstepped boundaries with her words, but couldn't refrain from saying out loud. She nervously clutched at the edge of her dress, waiting for Liu Ming'an's reaction.
Liu Ming'an held a consistent smile on his face, neither agreeing nor denying He Yiyi's words, he merely said, "Yiyi, you should go home now, don't delay delivering your letter."
Ignoring her words, He Yiyi's mood visibly dropped a few notches. Mumbling, "I'm just looking out for you," she swiftly left the yard.
When Liu Ming'an returned to his room, Jiang Ning was sitting by the table making ink exactly as he had left her, as though she never moved.
He was grateful for that; it saved her from the pointless worries from listening to He Yiyi's remarks, he thought.
"Does our village have a courier service?" As soon as Liu Ming'an sat down, he heard Jiang Ning ask this question.
"We do. Many young people from our village go to work in the town. Whenever they need to send letters or goods home, they rely on the couriers. Couriers run once every five days, and today happens to be their day to visit the village."
Replying to Jiang Ning's innocent question, Liu Ming'an only realized afterwords that this way of life was similar to how modern logistics works. Without cars or mobile communications, everything was reliant on manpower, a limitation of their time.
"Days of old had a slower pace. Carts, horses, mails, all took time. One lifetime was only enough to love one person."
This well-known modern poem suddenly surfaced in Jiang Ning's mind.
"Jiang Ning, may I ask you a few questions?" Liu Ming'an looked at the thoughtful Jiang Ning and suddenly voiced his request.
Jiang Ning fluttered her long eyelashes, that looked like raven feathers, and locked eyes with Liu Ming'an.
"You may ask," she replied.
"You're literate, aren't you?"
"Yes." In her previous life, whenever she wasn't on assignment, she would stay inside her house, reading books, binge-watching dramas, and practicing calligraphy, all the while indulging in the rare tranquility amidst her tumultuous life.
Seeing her admit it, Liu Ming'an questioned further, "Are you telling the truth about not remembering anything from your past?”
Jiang Ning’s eyes sparkled subtly. Liu Ming'an was doubting her. This was understandable though, her story had so many holes. Anyone with the slightest bit of sense would realize this, Liu Ming'an, despite being kind-hearted, was no fool.
"Do amnesiacs remember their own names?" Seeing her maintain her silence, Liu Ming'an continued, "Your wounds heal at an abnormal speed, your aura is also discernibly different, it's hard for me not to wonder."
Staring straight into Liu Ming'an's eyes without any sign of evasion, Jiang Ning asked, "What do you think is going on?"
Liu Ming'an’s answer came with a warm smile, “Jiang Ning, from the first time I saw you at the market, I knew you were no ordinary woman. I brought you back not because I wanted something, but to satisfy my compassion.”
Pausing, he let out a self-deprecating laugh, “Maybe I’m being overly considerate, you probably didn’t need my good intentions…”
“Not true,” Jiang Ning interrupted him suddenly, her voice filled with earnestness, “You saved my life, and for that, I am truly grateful.”
Liu Ming'an continued logically, “So, you’re staying here now to repay this debt?”
Being a commoner, living in poverty, it was odd that a beautiful and intelligent woman like Jiang Ning would choose to stay at his home. The most rational explanation Liu Ming'an could think of was her wish to "repay him for his kindness."
"It's not entirely the case," Jiang Ning spoke calmly, "I didn't lie to you. I genuinely don't remember my past, only that my name is Jiang Ning. I have no idea who I am, whether I have a family, where my home is. I don't know why I'm covered in injuries or why I was sold like merchandise. I don't know anything. You are the only person I recognize in my memory, so I want to stay by your side."
"Liu Ming'an," she called out his name, but he didn't know what to say.
Liu Ming'an couldn't determine if what Jiang Ning said was true or false, but what he was sure of was, the person before his eyes truly wanted to stay. Maybe, just let it be. Let her stay. Having one more person for meals is not a big deal after all.
Having come to this conclusion, Liu Ming'an revealed a relieved smile on his face. He addressed Jiang Ning, "Then you can stay."