Above the Galaxy

"But keeping a girl like her by our side now is too conspicuous. After such a big incident at the Flame Shrine, they will definitely investigate outsiders... What if they come to investigate us? What if someone harbors evil thoughts towards her again?"

"You, a naive lad who has never tasted fine cuisine or seen any woman, find her beautiful and are attracted by her beauty... Others aren't fools, can't they see that she's beautiful? 'Beauty is a disaster,' 'Beauty is a disaster,' I keep repeating this phrase in front of you and Little Fatty, but you guys don't take it to heart at all?"

Little Fatty raised his head, looking aggrieved, and said, "I do take it to heart."

"Just keep breaking stones. What has this got to do with you?"

"Oh." Little Fatty went back to breaking stones, even more aggrieved.

"So, what do you suggest we do?" Tang Fei looked at the old man, made a chopping gesture, and asked, "Do we really have to do it this way?"

"Alas, speaking of which, she hasn't done anything wrong. The fault lies in her being too beautiful and not seeming like someone from Old Land... It's too hard for her to hide her identity."

"But we can't just go and kill her," Tang Fei spoke out, "If we do such a thing, how are we any different from those predators?"

"We haven't done it, have we? Haven't you convinced me?" The old man said angrily, "But still, we need a foolproof plan... Should we just run away?"

"No way," Tang Fei refused and said, "Running away now would look like we have a guilty conscience. Originally, they might not have come to us, but running away... Hey, wouldn't that be just confessing that we did it?"

"They wouldn't catch us anyway. Not to mention, when it comes to running away, I consider myself second to none, and no one would dare claim to be the first," the old man said proudly. "But you have a point; the Flame Shrine's power is immense, and a Black Robe died this time. If we really confront them head-on, we might never have peace... Oh well, it has come to this, we must be cautious."

Tang Fei nodded and looked at the old man, saying, "Why did you tell her that?"

"Tell her what?" The old man feigned ignorance.

Tang Fei's eyes narrowed as he said, "About the marriage... Why did you suggest she marry me?"

"What? Are you unwilling?"

"It's not about willingness. We've just met, we don't understand each other, and there's no emotional foundation..."

"Enough, enough, stop making these pointless excuses," the old man cut off Tang Fei's words, pointing out bluntly, "You just feel like you're an insignificant drifter from Old Land, and she is a distinguished guest from New Star. You think you're not worthy of her... worried about being rejected and losing face, so you don't want me to bring it up, right?"

"I didn't think that way." Tang Fei denied.

"Enough, enough, do you think you can fool me with your little thoughts?" the old man scoffed repeatedly, saying, "If I didn't mention it, do you think she would think about it? Do you think she would consider staying together with you in the future?"

"No." Tang Fei stated decisively.

He was shameless, but honest.

"And you? Would you think about it?"

"No."

He was honest, but he was also shameless.

"So what harm does mentioning it do?" The old man chuckled foolishly, saying, "It doesn't cost a piece of flesh, nor does it add a wrinkle, so why not mention it? If it works out, that's great, and if it doesn't... at least it plants a seed in her heart."

"A seed?" Tang Fei looked bewildered.

Aren't seeds supposed to be planted in soil or flesh? How could it work in the heart?

"You don't understand," the old man shook his head and looked at Tang Fei, saying, "But you will understand eventually."

"..."

At dinner time, someone knocked on the courtyard gate.

"Tang Fei!" someone called from outside.

"It's sir," Tang Fei said.

While talking, he walked over and opened the courtyard gate.

Because of the previous incident, Phoenix didn't want to interact with strangers, so she went to her room to hide.

Sir, carrying a wine gourd, walked in, smelled the stew meat in the house, and said with a smile, "Coming early isn't as good as coming at the right time. Are you stewing meat? I guess I came at the right moment."

"Sir, please come in," Tang Fei respectfully invited Sir inside.

"Sir is here," the old man also came over to greet Sir, and seeing the wine gourd in Sir's hand, his eyes lit up and he said, "Are you here to have a drink with me?"

Sir shook his head, looking like he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Tang Fei saw the expression on Sir's face and immediately guessed his concerns, laughing he said, "Sir, your timing is perfect. I've caught quite a lot of game today, and was planning to send you a Red-eyed Rabbit. You have many people in your family; it will just be enough for a few days' meals."

Sir looked at Tang Fei with a face full of gratitude and said with shame and unease, "To be honest, since Brother Sheng has trouble walking, lately it's been me going out to hunt… You know his temperament is gentle and his movements are not swift, so he hasn't been able to bring back any game …"

"Our food supplies at home have run out, and today we really had nothing left to eat... I thought of bringing this gourd of wild fruit wine I brewed before to exchange for some food with you..."

Tang Fei laughed and said, "No need to exchange." "Take this wine back, and I'll have Little Fatty bring a rabbit over to you."

"No, no," Sir waved his hands repeatedly, saying seriously, "If you don't take the wine, then I won't accept the rabbit either… There's no such thing as a free lunch, that's not written in any book."

"Sir, you've taught me so many books, helped me recognize so many characters, why can't I give you a rabbit?"

"Have you ever given me less?" Sir said with a face of shame, "Although I've only taught you to read a few books and learn a few characters, over the years you haven't stopped supporting our Old Land family. Our family members aren't physically strong, nor are they skilled hunters. If it weren't for the constant supply of food and meat from you, several of us might have already starved."

Knowing Sir's character, Tang Fei then said, "Alright, then I'll exchange your wine for meat. We've been craving wine anyway."

"That's settled then…" Sir quickly handed over the wine he was holding.

Tang Fei took the wine gourd, pulled out the cork and took a swig, praising, "The fruit wine you brew is exceptional."

"If you like it, that's great… When spring comes, I will have Brother Sheng gather more fruits so I can brew some more."

"Don't trouble Brother Sheng anymore, his legs are not convenient. If you want fruits, I'll go gather them for you. However, we have an agreement, you need to share some of the brewed fruit wine with me."

"Share a jug. No, I'll give you half," Sir agreed readily.

Sir then left, taking Little Fatty with him.

Little Fatty took the Red-eyed Rabbit with him.

Tang Fei, holding the wine gourd, called out, "Phoenix, come out for a drink."

Drink today for today we have wine, worry tomorrow for tomorrow we have sorrows.

After drinking this gourd of wine, tomorrow we go to behead people.

(ps: Thanks to the sweet girl from Sugar Candy House for becoming our new adorable leader. Lao Liu casually clicked the image and looked at it seventy to eighty times, indeed quite sweet.

Another chapter coming at dawn.)