Chapter 8. Sharing a Room

Gu Ershun was stunned by Gu Jiao’s kick.

Although he wasn’t as valued as Gu Dashun in the family, he had grown up pampered. He didn’t farm, barely helped with chores, and claimed to “study” all day.

Whether he actually studied was questionable, but one thing was certain—his body was weak.

He lay sprawled on the ground for a long time, unable to move.

What kind of wind possessed that idiot today? How dare she kick me?!

He wanted to rush over and slap her, but the kick hurt far worse than he cared to admit.

Fear crept up his spine.

“You—you just wait right there!”

He tried sounding fierce, but in reality, he grabbed his stomach and ran away as fast as he could.

Gu Jiao calmly locked the door and went to her room. In the main hall, Xiao Liulang watched her quietly, an unreadable expression in his eyes.

Realizing how it looked, she quickly gathered herself and said calmly,

“He must’ve tripped on his own and fallen. Strange kid.”

“……”

At the Gu Family House

The Gu family fully expected Gu Ershun to drag Gu Jiao over so they could scold her.
But instead, he returned alone—covered in dust, limping, clutching his stomach like someone had beaten him bloody.

Madam Liu rushed to him.

“Ershun! What happened? And where’s that girl?!”

Gu Ershun exaggerated his story dramatically.

“I went to clear things up and tell her to apologize to big brother. But she kicked me instead! I almost taught her a lesson, but… well, she’s still my younger cousin… so I let her off.”

Madam Liu exploded.

“That wicked girl! No manners at all—how dare she lay hands on her older cousin?!”

Unlike her, Madam Zhu remained oddly calm.

That girl had pushed Dashun earlier. It wasn’t surprising she’d done something to Ershun too.

A seed of suspicion sprouted in her heart.

Something about the girl was off.

“How outrageous! How dare she do such a thing!”
In her fury, Madam Liu smacked Gu Xiaoshun—who was innocently sitting nearby—on the back.

“You! Go straighten that girl out!”

“Why should I? No.”

Gu Xiaoshun shot Ershun a glare.

“For all we know, he deserved it.”

“I didn’t do anything!” Ershun protested loudly. “I only spoke to her! And she kicked me! She must be crazy! That unlucky brat!”

“Who are you calling unlucky?”
Gu Xiaoshun stood up with a gangster-like aura.

Ershun instantly hid behind Madam Liu.

“You’re still taking her side?! Remember who your real family is!”

Madam Liu wanted to hit Xiaoshun too, but Old Master Gu was present, so she didn’t dare.

She gave her husband a pointed look.

“Say something!”

But what could Gu Zhanglu say?

When the girl didn’t show up for meals these past days, no one cared.
But now suddenly they wanted to punish her?

He didn’t want to go.

Not because he cared about Gu Jiao.

His guilt had been eating at him for years.

Back when his younger brother and sister-in-law died in a flood, he was the one who panicked and fled, leaving his brother behind. If he hadn’t run, maybe his brother would’ve lived.

Only the old man knew.
No one else ever heard the truth.

So he always felt indebted to that household.

***

Old Master Gu speaks

“Zhanghai.”

Old Master Gu called the eldest son.

“You go.”

Gu Zhanghai hesitated.

“Father… Gu Jiao isn’t in her right mind. Let’s just drop the matter. If we make a fuss, the villagers will gossip—and then our third son will be slandered again.”

Madam Liu bristled.

“What do you mean drop it?! Just because it wasn’t Dashun who got hurt? Our Ershun is in pain! Look at him!”

Ershun clutched his stomach miserably.

That crazy girl’s kick had indeed been vicious.

Old Master Gu frowned.
Gu Zhanghai lowered his voice.

“Father, making noise will hurt Dashun’s reputation.”

After all, it wasn’t Dashun who got hit—it was Ershun. Dashun had only been embarrassed in public. He wasn’t injured, and his exam hadn’t been ruined. There was no need to damage his scholarly reputation over petty revenge.

Sensing the mood shift, Gu Dashun quickly stepped in—scholars valued honor the most.

If not for that, the Gu family wouldn’t have forced marriage on Xiao Liulang earlier.

In a gentle voice, Dashun said,

“Grandfather, I’m fine. She’s not… right in the head. If we pursue this harshly, it’s our family that’ll look petty.”

Madam Liu almost fainted in rage.

If he was going to say that, why didn’t he stop Ershun from going earlier?!

Old Master Gu was pleased with Dashun’s answer.

“As expected, you understand propriety. You all should learn from your big brother. Don’t fight with women and disgrace yourselves.”

He ended with a sharp look at Ershun.

“And you—don’t ruin your brother’s reputation. Stop causing trouble outside.”

Even Gu Xiaoshun got scolded.

He let the words go in one ear and out the other.

***

Back at Xiao Liulang and Gu Jiao’s home

Gu Jiao had no idea the Gu family was in chaos because of her.

She calmly sorted the items she bought at the market.

She had earned a bit of money today and purchased plenty of supplies.

She’d also used up medical items—one vial of anesthetic, two hemostatic powders, stitching thread, and various wound ointments.

She set aside salt, star anise, fennel, and some ingredients in the kitchen and lit the stove.

Then she brought a brazier to Xiao Liulang’s room.

It was the twelfth lunar month soon. Nights were freezing.

She could sleep early, but Xiao Liulang needed light to read—and his injured leg couldn’t be allowed to get cold.

The door was closed, so she knocked.

“It’s me.”

“…Mm.”

She entered.

Xiao Liulang was copying books at his desk. The small oil lamp cast dim light around him.

Gu Jiao placed the brazier on the floor, adjusted the flame for better brightness, and suddenly remembered something.

She went to her own room, grabbed her oil lamp, and placed it on his desk as well.

“Too dark will hurt your eyes.”

Xiao Liulang’s gaze flickered.

“The brazier is for you.”

“I’m fine. I’m warm once I sleep.”

She paused, thinking of something.

“Before sleeping, can I warm myself by the fire in here?”

“…Fine.”

He nodded and continued copying.

Gu Jiao knew he earned money by copying books—barely two taels a month.

The Gu family took one tael each month from him claiming it was her food expense.

The original Gu Jiao had no idea.
She’d believed the Gu family had been kind to her for years.

In truth, Xiao Liulang wasn’t a bad person. His attitude had only been harsh because the original girl treated him terribly.

Gu Jiao said quietly,

“From now on, I’ll eat at home. Don’t give the Gu family my food money ever again.”

His hand holding the brush froze briefly in midair.

She brought her damp bedding and clothes to the brazier to dry.

Her movements were light, her breathing soft—if Xiao Liulang hadn’t glanced at her several times, it would’ve been easy to forget someone else was in the room.

When her clothes were dry and she was about to leave, she suddenly asked,

“Oh right—your friend. What’s his name?”

“Feng Lin.”

Xiao Liulang copied manuscripts until deep into the night.

When he finally stopped and got up, he noticed neatly folded clothes on his chair.

Gu Jiao had dried them earlier.

He picked them up and opened the wardrobe—

And paused.

At the bottom was a brand-new pair of shoes.

***