VOLUME I: Chapter Five

VOLUME I

Chapter Five

He can't believe that Wenren would lie to him in a serious matter such as planting rice. The man didn't tell him it was a hard labor and an arduous job to do. Ritian's high spirit crumbled like tower of cards on a flick of a finger. Just a quarter of an hour of walking on the knee-depth mud, his sense of shame rose to a hundred percent.

The villagers were all waiting for him to fall because of the slick. Ritian didn't disappoint and managed to fall five times before mastering the art of walking down the silent grains.

Wenren was focused on carrying water jugs for the old men to drink. He didn't mind the heat of the sun and even smiled on everyone. Showing how carefree he was.

Although Ritian was a whole different matter compared to Wenren, he tried his best to overcome the snark forcing its way out of his throat. He repeated the 'Be Good, Be Friendly, Be at Peace' mantra on his head until he can't delude himself anymore.

In the end, he raised his brow on anyone who dares to come close within an arms length.

Ritian lowered his head, let his sweat fall down freely and resolutely buried the stems of rice he had in his basket.

One by one. Painfully curving his waist on an up-down motion ceaselessly.

The first three didn't hurt. The ten after it is a-okay. The following twenty repeated actions sent small sting of pain in his knees and back.

Anymore after those are pure torture.

He shouldn't have underestimated the rural life. Ritian thought the ones who lives in the city were the most unlucky. It turns out, he's just ignorant to the world.

Ritian dabbed his sleeves onto his forehead. The mud on his hands grazed his cheeks. He stifled an loud groan and opt for whimpering instead. Unlike the hardworking men surrounding him, he had no one who could come to his side and clean his face for him. He's a single man. He could only endure this mess.

"Ritian, come eat!" Wenren waved the basket he brought earlier. Ritian was instantly moved to tears. He asked Wenren what's inside the woven bag. The guy gave him his signature daddy laugh before nodding graciously, as if granting him a lifetime subscription for an adult site and not food. "It's sweet potatoes."

Ritian's smile faded. He restrained his pouting nature and showed him his excited expression. 'It's better than eating this mire.'

"Chief Juan!" Wenren raised a large crop. He motioned the man to get near. The village chief issued a boot-licking grin. His yellow set of teeth resembled a corn from afar. "Here, I brought a lot of these. Help yourself."

"Ah, you, Wenren…" Chief Juan's flattering didn't expire. "Indeed, the people of Han Village is fortuitious enough to have you. Such a gallant man is heaven-sent."

Wenren's eyes narrowed into slits because of his laugh. "Mr. Juan, I heard that Ms. Via's wedding will carry on next week. Do you need extra men to hunt? Ritian and I will be glad if you'd consider bringing us along."

Chief Juan is a nimble old man at the age of fifty. The white hairs on his eyebrows wasn't lesser than those on his chin and upper lip. Ritian stood three inches above him, and his back had an evident curve normal to the elderly. Albeit the overripe age, Chief Juan stealthily works at the field without drenching himself in perspiration.

"About that…" The old man sneak a look on Ritian's direction. Ritian pretented to enjoy the damp potatoes on his hands and peeled it with great interest. Chief Juan sighed. "Well, if you promise that you can guide this kid Ritian here, then I'll do my best to reason with Felino. You know that man. He can be overbearing when it involves his beloved children."

"Oh… that's more than enough, Chief." Wenren held a water container made out of a bamboo stem. He walked to Ritian's side and hang the rope on his neck. "I'm sure Old Felino will listen to you anyway. Mr. Juan is wise. That's why you're the chief here."

Ritian eyed Wenren's face. He can hear the faint threat on his voice. The man noticed his stare and purposely flick his hands. Ritian gasped because of the pain. "You brute!" he hissed.

The chief ignored his scream. His brows were scrunched in deep concentration. Ritian thought maybe he's already rehearsing how to please Ms. Via's father and accept Ritian and Wenren to the party.

The Han people had a unique way of celebrating marriage. They free ten wild animals with tags on their hind legs. Each men who's daring enough to hunt those animals, dead or alive, will be rewarded a large sum by the woman's family.

Looks like Wenren wants some dough on his hands. Ritian had no doubt of his ability. He concieved the man's thoughtfulness on wanting to give him a chance to prove himself on that joyful occasion. Wenren is a good guy.  But Ritian is aware of his own capabilities— Ritian still love his life. There's no way he would toss his crude robe and thump his lame chest with his bony hands to join some perilous boar hunting activity.

Working on the fields seems more manageable for Ritian now! No risk of cutting his head off.

Chief Juan left after giving Wenren another bout of his adulate complements. Ritian saw how Wenren's eyes turns to a stern color of brown before noticing his attention. It flashed into a warm hue with just an eye blink. "What's with you?" Wenren inquired, "Are you constipated?"

"Just wondering…" Ritian took a big bite out of the sweet potato. His words became muffled but Wenren understood nonetheless. "Do you really want to help me or you want me to get minced? Really? A hunt? With me?"

Ritian rolled his sleeves up to his shoulder. He flexed the skinny arm. "What? Am I going to hunt with you or I'll be the bait instead? Wenren, really?"

Wenren's tight expression softened. His smile more genuine now than earlier. "Just stay behind me. You won't be hurt. Not even a hair out of place, Ritian."

Ritian's brow shot upwards. "Oh?" He wiggled his shoulders to slide the sleeves down. "You think I love being coddled, hmn? Being an unuseable, pampered monkey?"

'Because you're damn right!' He smothered the surging inspiration on his heart to simper. 'I'm the damsel in distress! I know how to clean and cook— I'll be your princess, Mr. McKnight!'

Wenren became serious at what he said. The man didn't understand the implication in his words.

"I didn't mean to offened you." He gathered the rest of the sweet potatos and put it in front of Ritian. "Here. Take all of that. I'm sorry."

Ritian scented the abhorrent smell of mud on his cheek. This time he wasn't horrified. He laughed. "Then, I must thank you for this."

Ritian was now sentient that the people in here may or may not comprehend what he says.

Wenren fixed his woven basket and attached it once again on his back. He had a faint appreciation on his eyes when he looked back on Ritian. "We'll try fishing tomorrow. Get ready."