“Position and wealth? Don’t be too hasty. Haven’t you overheard one of the Jin servants saying that Shi Ting is already the Jin’s son-in-law, he wouldn’t dare to have come here if Shi Mu’s mother had not died!”
“Anyway Shi Mu’s chance has come. Yesterday he was an orphan, today he’s a young master.”
……
“My father is sick in bed and I have a blood sister?” Shi Mu fixed his eyes on the elderly blue-robed visitor, asking hesitantly.
Though he was only thirteen, his skin was a light auburn colour due to continuous exposure to sun and wind from the ocean. His features were heavy and stood taller than any of his peers. Even in an old and shabby shirt, his sturdy muscles were visible which added to him a sense of untamable wildness.
“That’s right, master is seriously ill at present, his day of doom may really come this time. That’s why madam asked me to take young master back: to see master at his deathbed”, answered the blue-robed old man, smiling.
“Madam? Now that he’s abandoned my mother for so many years, what’s the use of taking me back now? Please return, I won’t go back with you to the Jins.” The youth answered without hesitation, his face sour.
“Alas! I’m afraid that you, young master Shi have wronged my master. Master has his difficulties so he could not return here and only wishes that you two would be able to meet and all misunderstandings can be lifted,“ the old servant continued after a light cough.
“Humph, that old man abandoned his own wife and son, nothing will change even if you talk your head off. Now scram.” The youth snorted coldly.
Hearing this, the blue-robed old man could not help but knit his brows. He spoke again only after having another close look at the youth, as if a decision was finally made.
“Wasn’t the medicine young master Shi has been buying from the town’s pharmacists unreasonably cheap? Moreover, has not instructor Li of the town’s martial arts school charged you less than other students while he teaching you the exact same skills? Last but not least, are not the fish you, young master Shi, caught from the sea quickly sold every time you come to the town’s market? Plus there would even be a few buyers haggling over the price.”