Coming out of the government office, Tarico caught up with Ye Xiaoxian and assured her, “Little Ye, I really didn’t collude with Ji.”
Without any doubt, she trusted him, but he explained to only her in front of all the people. This embarrassed her a little. She looked at his nervous face and smiled. “I certainly believe you.” Then, she added, “We all believe Tarico, right?” She nudged Xiao Baozhu who had become much more mature and knew why Tarico hurried to explain to her sister-in-law.
To dissolve Ye Xiaoxian’s awkwardness, Xiao Baozhu said to Tarico immediately, “Yes, we all believe you. How could you possibly do that? We know you’re not such a man.” Then, she turned to Xiao Tieshu. “Uncle Tieshu, do you agree?”
“Ye-yes!” Everyone could tell Tarico cared about Ye Xiaoxian from his nervous expression and behavior.
To ease the atmosphere, he asked the next person, “Dawu, do you agree?”
Ye Xiaoxian was rendered speechless. They were making her even more bashful. She looked at Tarico who seemed to realize his recklessness. Embarrassed, he scratched his head and said, “Now that you all believe me, I… I’m relieved.”
…
After returning to the inn, Xiao Baozhu packed up her things as she said, “Sister Ye, Tarico likes you. His behavior has shown it clearly to us.”
Ye Xiaoxian, being a sensitive woman, naturally noticed. His gallantry, agate necklace and affectionate gaze all conveyed his love for her. It was too evident for her to ignore.
“Do you like him?” Xiao Baozhu asked.
Ye Xiaoxian smiled. “Kind of, but not in the way you’re thinking.”
“How will you respond?”
Ye Xiaoxian shook her head. Tarico hadn’t exactly told her, so she didn’t know how to respond. It was impossible for her to say, “Tarico, you can’t like me.” Or, “Tarico, do you like me?” It would make things even more embarrassing if he then replied, “Well, actually I don’t like you.”
While thinking about it, she heard a knock at the door. She opened the door and found it was Tarico. “Yes?” she asked calmly.
He hesitated for a second before he said with forced lightness, “Are you two going out to have dinner? What about letting me treat you this time?”
She thought for a while and replied, “I want to go out with you alone.”
Tarico was stunned.
She went on with a smile, “I’ll take a bath first and see you later.” Then, she closed the door.
Standing outside, Tarico was stunned. After a while, he hurried downstairs to ask a waiter to send him some water. He also decided to take a bath.
…
Xiao Baozhu was confused. “Sister Ye, if you don’t like Tarico, why go out with him alone?”
Ye Xiaoxian said, “I want to find out how on earth he feels about me.”
Xiao Baozhu disagreed, “But I think you can give him more time. He’s a kind and responsible man, and you… you will marry one day.”
“Not now, anyway.” Ye Xiaoxian took out some clothes. “I have to take a bath to wash off the sand now. Baozhu, you can stay in the inn tonight. I’ll bring you some food when I get back.”
Xiao Baozhu could only hold back and keep her thoughts to herself. “All right… it’s up to you.”
…
The night market was as busy as usual. Ye Xiaoxian and Tarico set off side by side. They walked into a nearby restaurant and sat down in a quiet corner.
All the way, Tarico had walked at a brisk pace with happiness written across his face. Owing to the language barrier, he beckoned a waiter over and said to Ye Xiaoxian, “Order anything you like. It’s my treat.”
She only ordered two simple dishes. Seeing his joyful appearance, she suddenly felt herself too merciless. But she had once read that one shouldn’t give false hope to his or her admirer because that would be another kind of harm. Generally, men were more realistic than women. If they were rejected, they wouldn’t continue wasting time or energy on the pursued. Instead, they would immediately turn to the next target.
Soon, the dishes were served. Ye Xiaoxian gave a pair of chopsticks to Tarico and said while eating, “We can’t just eat. Let’s chat.”
“Okay.” Heady with happiness, he didn’t know what to say. But he knew Ye Xiaoxian was good with small talk, so he let her start the conversation.
She picked up a rib for him and another for herself. Then, she said, “Do you know I had a husband before?”
Tarico was pleased about with how considerate she was being with him, but what she had just said really stunned him. Why did she mention her ex-husband? Was she worried that he would be bothered by her past?
He said right away, “So, so what? Everyone has a past. The people in our tribe don’t care about this.”
She continued, “He was kind and upright and was once a great general. I remember him very fondly. Certainly, I hated him when he left without saying goodbye. But then, I knew he did that to protect me, so I don’t hate him now. I miss him.”
A serious expression crept across his face. He put down the chopsticks and listened to her words attentively.
She let out a sigh. “After knowing such a good man, I find it difficult to fall in love with anyone else. I don’t want to remarry.” Seeing Tarico’s depressed expression, she smiled with composure. “Oh, why am I telling you about this? Let’s talk about our next plan. When shall we return to the tribe? Can we cross the desert without Ji?”
He looked quite gloomy. Ye Xiaoxian had mentioned her ex-husband seemingly inadvertently, but she was in fact implying something. He realized that she may know of his feelings for her and said that on purpose as a rejection.
He gazed at her with affection and said straightforwardly, “Little Ye, you don’t mean to discuss how to go back, right? I’ve understood what you said.”
Ye Xiaoxian felt awkward again. His frankness really spoiled the delicate atmosphere.
Suddenly, he said with a smile, “It’s my business if I like you and it’s yours if you don’t like me. It doesn’t matter. There is no conflict between us.”
