It wasn't yet the dead of winter, but Ji Shenyu felt a biting, finger-numbing cold, his teeth chattering lightly as soon as he stepped outside. After walking past Sha'er Street, he was caught up by Ding Hanbai at Chiwangfu Station. A true fated adversary.

Ding Hanbai was wearing a short leather jacket, the trendiest pilot style from abroad. The moment he appeared, he attracted the gazes of the people waiting for the bus. He took the pastry box hanging from the handlebars and said, “This is for Master Liang. You take it to him.”

Ji Shenyu silently took it. Ding Hanbai forced him to speak: “Not even a ‘thank you’? Are we that close?”

He had no choice but to thank him. Once he had, he turned his face away, pretending to look for the bus, determined not to meet the other's gaze. Ding Hanbai, however, wasn't annoyed. He leaned over to glance at his empty backpack and asked, “Are you really not going to wear the Amber Pendant anymore?”

Ji Shenyu paused for a few seconds before giving a slight nod.

“Why bother? Whether you wear it or not doesn't stop me from liking you. Why get mad at a small trinket?” As expected, the moment Ding Hanbai said he liked him, Ji Shenyu shot up a warning glare, terrified that someone nearby might overhear.

Ding Hanbai said with satisfaction, “Finally willing to spare me a glance?” From the moment they saw each other in the morning to sitting at the same table for a meal, it was as if this tall man was a wisp of air. All the relatives at the table had asked with concern if his punishment hurt; only this heartless man from Yangzhou showed no interest.

Ding Hanbai admitted to himself that he deserved it. He had been the one to avoid the other in the past; the tables had turned.

“I’m off.” He squeezed the bicycle bell lightly, imagining it was Ji Shenyu’s face. As his figure receded into the distance, Ji Shenyu couldn't help but watch, reaching back to feel the outer pocket of his backpack, where the Amber Pendant was hidden.

After his long trip, No. 25 Miao'an had returned to its messy state. Liang Hecheng had frozen his hands washing clothes and was now impassively tucking them into his sleeves. As soon as Ji Shenyu arrived, he boiled a kettle of hot water for tea, opened the pastry box, and got everything ready before he began to clean.

The old man hadn't thought much of living alone in the past, but now that he'd had a taste of having this apprentice around, he felt especially bored after not seeing him for a while. “Stop busying yourself. You can tidy up before the New Year.” He slowly chewed a Caozi Cake. “Tell me, how was your trip?”

Ji Shenyu almost threw down the broom. How was it? He'd been so sick from the new environment that he'd vomited relentlessly, he'd been carjacked and narrowly escaped death, and he'd unexpectedly garnered a twisted sort of affection... On top of that, he had run into Tong Peifan and Fang Huaiqing. He really couldn't bring himself to speak; every incident had been life-threatening.

After some hesitation, he picked out the trivial things to say: “I bought quite a bit of Balin Frosted Stone. I'll show them to you once they're carved. There was also a top-grade Da Hong Pao Stone, but Master and Senior Brother will likely have to carve that one themselves. You’ll have to go to the Jade Pavilion if you want to see it.”

Liang Hecheng asked, “Didn't that senior brother of yours want to partner with you in dealing antiques? Did you agree?”

Ji Shenyu shook his head, washed his hands, and poured tea for Liang Hecheng himself. “Master, I actually met two people.” He finally said it, probing for the other's reaction. “I met them at the Annual Stone Market. You know one of them. It was Tong Peifan.”

Liang Hecheng was slightly surprised. “He’s gone into dealing raw materials?”

With the porcelain kiln closed, a man still had to earn a living; it wasn't strange. Ji Shenyu glossed over the important parts, revealing only Tong Peifan's name first. After listening, Liang Hecheng asked, “Didn’t you say there were two people? Who was the other one?”

Ji Shenyu said, “His surname is Fang.”

The half-eaten Caozi Cake rolled to the floor, getting dusty. He picked it up and painstakingly cleaned it off, but it was no use, he had completely lost his appetite. Liang Hecheng’s expression turned cold and scornful. “Shouldn’t he be a seller himself? Having made his fortune, why would he go and suffer like that?”

The apprentice remained silent, leaving his master enough time to let out all his sarcastic remarks. A bellyful of old disappointment and resentment, dug up and shaken out completely, took a long while to settle. “In our line of work, if you know your limits, you can enjoy wealth for generations. But once you gain skill, you often lose those limits,” Liang Hecheng said. “Fang Huaiqing never fully mastered the craft, yet his greed became impossible to conceal. Even if he’s obscenely wealthy now, I am by no means optimistic about his future.”

Ji Shenyu hesitated for a long time, deciding not to deceive him. “Master, he’s already been broken.”

Liang Hecheng’s eyes shot up, assuming it was just a minor stumble, a loss of money. But to his surprise, Ji Shenyu said, “He almost lost his life. He managed to survive, but he lost both of his hands. Now he even needs someone to feed him.”

He couldn't bear to elaborate, seeing the light in the old man’s eyes flicker. The well of anger instantly faded, replaced by shock and regret. No matter how harshly he cursed him or how indignant he felt, upon truly learning that his former apprentice had met with disaster, he couldn’t escape a sense of grief.

After a moment, Ji Shenyu carefully asked, “Master, since you know about limits, why didn't you seek wealth and honor?”

Liang Hecheng’s regret shifted from Fang Huaiqing to himself. He shook his head with a bitter smile and downed three consecutive cups of tea. He confessed, “It’s because I was broken myself that I learned the importance of limits. This rotten, tumorous lung of mine is probably my retribution. Even if I were to seek wealth and honor, I wouldn’t live long enough to enjoy it.”

Master and apprentice sat around the table. They ate pastries, and they also bared their hearts.

On second thought, Liang Hecheng reflected that, retribution or not, gaining such a talented apprentice in his sixties was surely a sign of heaven’s mercy, and he felt a sense of relief.

Ji Shenyu stayed for the entire day, leaving the alley at dusk, bathed in the light of the setting sun. He dangled the Amber Pendant, unable to stop himself from thinking that the beauty of a twilight scene truly depended on one's mood. That other time, when Ding Hanbai was giving him a ride, the amber against the sunset clouds was a dappled play of light and shadow. But at this moment, walking out of the alley alone, all he felt was the desolate west wind and the dying light.

After missing so many days, he had to go to school tomorrow. He let out a sigh of relief, for he had found a way to escape.

The communal Ding Family, who split up during the summer heat, couldn’t wait to gather for every meal as soon as the weather turned cold. Copper hot pot. The scene from last time, of smashed plates and thrown chopsticks, was still vivid in everyone’s memory, leaving them all with lingering fear. Ding Yanshou reassured everyone; after all, he had just given Ding Hanbai a harsh beating, so he figured this meal could be eaten in peace and harmony.

The beef tallow melted, creating a layer of red oil over the chili peppers. Jiang Shuliu glanced over. “We haven’t even started eating, who already finished all the radish slices?”

Ding Keyu pointed casually. “Ji Zhenzhu ate them raw. I saw him.”

Ji Shenyu smiled, holding his own bowl of sesame paste. He picked up a pickled sweet garlic with two fingers and flung it, hitting the other squarely between the eyebrows with steady, accurate force. Ding Keyu was stunned. “You know martial arts... That was surprisingly strong!”

Years ago, Ji Fangxu had taught Ji Shenyu to train his finger strength. He would draw a dot on a pane of glass and have him repeatedly throw small pebbles at it, training both strength and accuracy together. Ji Shenyu had no idea how many windows he had shattered, but it was precisely because it was destructive that he found it amusing.

Ding Hanbai heard their voices before he even entered. Inside, he saw Ji Shenyu and Ding Keyu chatting happily, each holding a saucer of pickled garlic and tossing them at each other. The moment Ji Shenyu saw him, he stopped throwing garlic and stopped talking, the faint smile on his face vanishing without a trace.

Was he really that detestable? He could even joke around and laugh with Third Brother, yet he, who was supposed to be the closest, was being given the cold shoulder.

Everyone was there, and they began putting meat into the pot. Ding Hanbai had a poor appetite. The person on his left sat with his shoulders hunched, terrified of being touched by him. The poor man had been beaten, had been on his feet busy all day, only to come home and face rejection in love.

Ding Yanshou said, “Shenyu, pass me the chive blossom sauce from your side.”

Ji Shenyu stood up to pass it over, unavoidably brushing against Ding Hanbai’s arm. Ding Hanbai couldn't help but let out a muffled grunt, his hand holding the sesame oil dish trembling. He pulled up his sleeve, rolling it up fold by fold to reveal the crisscrossing marks on his forearm.

They were deep red and purplish, seeping with blood, a thin scab forming where the skin was broken.

The wooden handle of that feather duster had split into four pieces from a beating one year, so Ding Yanshou had wrapped a tight coil of iron wire around it, making it hurt even more.

Ji Shenyu glanced over at the sound of the grunt. When he saw the wounds, he forgot to look away. If his arm looked like this, his shoulders and back must be even worse. He asked hastily, “Does it hurt? Did you put on any medi—” He slammed on the brakes, as if to cut his losses, afraid that asking would only entangle them further.

Ding Hanbai said, “Of course it hurts. Even if I have a wicked heart, I’m still made of flesh and blood.” He picked up a slice of fish and turned to place it on Ji Shenyu’s dish. “I just slapped on some medicine myself. I know you wouldn’t be willing to help me.”

The fish meat was fresh and tender, breaking into small pieces at the touch of his chopsticks. Ji Shenyu knew this was a placating tactic. Afraid that his heart would soften in appeasement, he didn't eat it, nor did he reply. He turned to Jiang Caiwei to break the awkwardness, asking why Jiang Ting'en hadn’t come for the weekend.

Jiang Caiwei said, “It’s almost the end of the term. His dad is making him study at home.”

Speaking of studying, the timing was perfect. Ji Shenyu said, “Master, Madam, I want to live in the dorms at school.”

Everyone was a little surprised. None of these people had ever known hardship; they were well-fed and cared for at home. Living in a dorm would be so difficult. Ji Shenyu’s reasoning was sound: after the final exams, it would be the second semester of his senior year. He wanted to apply himself more, and a life of comfort would only make him lazy.

'Bullshit,' Ding Hanbai thought. 'The nerve of him to think of that. Does he think hiding at school will solve everything?' Without waiting for Ding Yanshou to give his opinion, he cut in, “No, I disagree.”

Jiang Shuliu asked, “Why do you disagree?”

He said, “If he stays at school all day, when is he going to work at the Jade Pavilion?” That wasn't enough. He stared straight ahead, a murderous glint in his peripheral vision. “Don’t you have to pay for room and board? We don’t have the money.”

Everyone was baffled, wondering when Ding Hanbai had become so stingy. Besides, from spending every day together, they all knew that Ding Hanbai actually cared for Ji Shenyu the most. Ding Erhe was especially puzzled; back in Chifeng, he had clearly been willing to risk his life, so why did it seem like they’d had a falling-out now?

“Let’s eat first and talk after we’re full,” Ding Yanshou said, trying to smooth things over, terrified his son would start throwing the lamb and cursing people out again.

Ji Shenyu was trapped in an awkward position, and being thin-skinned, he lowered his head and stared at his bowl, as if he could will the sesame paste into fermented bean curd. After a long while, as the atmosphere at the table finally relaxed, he couldn't hold back any longer and lightly kicked Ding Hanbai under the table.

He had a hidden agenda, expecting that Ding Hanbai wouldn't do anything to him. Because he knew Ding Hanbai liked him, he was taking advantage of it. He hated himself for acting this way, yet he also felt an indescribable, secret thrill.

When he came to his senses, there was another white shrimp on his plate.

That kick made Ding Hanbai feel comfortable all over; he didn’t feel any pain. He immediately picked up a shrimp in response to the other’s coquettishness. That’s right, it was coquettishness. It was whatever he said it was. “Eat a bite,” he whispered. “So you’re allowed to make a move, but I’m not allowed to counter it?”

Ji Shenyu said, “I don’t want to see you.” He clearly said it through gritted teeth, yet it sounded as if he were about to cry.

Ding Hanbai’s heart was in turmoil. He stared at him for a moment, then put down his chopsticks. He stood up to leave the table, but uncharacteristically, his back wasn’t straight. He was hunched over, his arms stiff. Everyone asked what was wrong. Even his breath was trembling as he spoke, “The wounds hurt too much. I’m going to my room to lie down for a while.”

Ding Erhe said, “A shelf in the storeroom fell today. Hanbai took the hit on his back and shoulder to stop it.”

Ji Shenyu turned to stare, not having realized it was so serious. His words had been like a fuse that set off all the pain. He was about to go after him, but Jiang Shuliu went first. He could only stay put, his heart hanging in suspense.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Ding Yanshou and Ding Houkang prepared tea with an ancient method, laying everything out on the table. The television was playing last year’s New Year's gala, adding to the lively atmosphere. With the exception of the injured Ding Hanbai, all the younger generation were there, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and keep them company.

Inside was a harmonious tea party, while outside, rain had begun to fall at some unknown time. The night rain tapped against the window like a chaotic drumbeat, and Ji Shenyu’s heart beat along with it in disarray. After everyone had left and the tea had gone cold, Ding Yanshou asked him to stay.

Ding Yanshou asked, “Why the sudden desire to live at the dorm?”

Ji Shenyu stuck to his original story; he understood that making up a new reason would only seem less credible. Ding Yanshou thought for a moment, then said, “The food and living conditions at school are poor. Your senior year is important; all the more reason you should be eating well and looked after. Is it because of the distance? Do you find the commute to be a hassle? How about this: you can ride your senior brother’s bicycle, and when the weather’s bad, I’ll have him drive you.”

Ji Shenyu repeatedly denied it, not daring to let Ding Hanbai drive him. Hearing all this, he felt as if he didn't even have the confidence to face Ding Yanshou anymore. “Master, I’m not afraid of hardship,” he argued.

But Ding Yanshou said, “But I am. You are Fangxu’s child; how could I let you suffer? Leaving that aside, you came in the summer, and now it’s winter. Even a kitten or puppy would have formed an attachment by now, let alone me. I see you as a son. I can’t bear it.”

Ji Shenyu’s senses tingled with emotion. What had he ever done to deserve this? What incredible luck had he stumbled upon? “Master, I...” His chest was overflowing. He chose his next words with extreme care, afraid of misstepping. “Would you be willing to let me call you...?”

Ding Yanshou froze for a moment, then pulled him into an embrace and patted his back. Ji Shenyu called out, “Dad.” In his entire life, he had only ever called Ji Fangxu that once, saving it for a final farewell. Now, a myriad of emotions washed over him as he, shouldering this immense kindness, spoke the word again. Master or adoptive father, both filled a great void in his life.

The matter of living in the dorms was thus dropped. Ji Shenyu felt somewhat numb as he left the living room. He turned off the lights as he went, but the pitter-patter of the rain couldn’t drown out the echo of Ding Yanshou’s words. How could he possibly repay such kindness? He, who had tormented and tortured the man’s own son, was caught in a tangled mess that couldn’t be slowly unraveled.

After all the lights in the Front Courtyard were turned off, Jiang Shuliu switched one back on. “Silly child, how are you supposed to see your way in the pitch dark?”

Ji Shenyu stopped. “Madam... How is Senior Brother?”

Jiang Shuliu said, “He was looking all over for painkillers, and ended up taking one of the Anding Pills to force himself to sleep. He kicked me out and wouldn’t let me see his wounds.”

Without a word of reply, Ji Shenyu ran straight back to the small courtyard. With his clothes still damp, he barged right into the bedroom. Ding Hanbai was sleeping soundly, lying on his side. On the nightstand sat the bottle of Anding Pills and a glass of water.

“Senior Brother?” Ji Shenyu called softly. He lifted the blanket and pulled up his pajama shirt, revealing the mottled red and purple marks. How could he have been so injured and still have had the energy to yell and shout yesterday? Since he was dead to the world anyway, Ji Shenyu went in and out of the room, eventually sitting on the edge of the bed to apply ointment and a warm compress.

On his shoulders, his back, his arms... How were there marks everywhere?

A long, crisscrossing mark on his lower back extended into his waistband. Ji Shenyu pinched the elastic and gently pulled it down. Unexpectedly, the muscles in the man's back suddenly tensed, and his body shot upright!

He cried out in alarm and dropped the ointment. The porcelain jar shattered, flooding the room with its medicinal scent. The world spun as he found himself pinned underneath Ding Hanbai. Ding Hanbai said, “I only kissed you, yet you’re trying to pull down my pants?”

Ji Shenyu demanded, “You were faking sleep? Didn’t you take Anding Pills?”

Ding Hanbai answered, “The bottle is for Anding Pills, but what’s inside are calcium tablets.”

Ji Shenyu struggled, to no avail. It had all been an act, starting from the dinner table! Ding Hanbai put a light pressure on him; his wounds genuinely hurt, making him grimace. “Don’t move! If you’re so annoyed with me and don’t want to see me, why did you sneak in here in the middle of the night to apply my medicine?”

“Madam told me to come.”

“Oh? Then I’ll go to the Front Courtyard right now to confirm.”

“I felt sorry for you because you were injured!”

“Then you can feel sorry for my wounded heart while you’re at it.”

“You are you, the wounds are the wounds...”

“Then I’ll beat up Third Brother tomorrow. You can put medicine on him, too.”

Ding Hanbai had never been one to lose a battle of words, and coupled with his physical suppression, he finally forced the other to relent. Ji Shenyu stopped arguing back, his defiance suddenly fading. “Just say I’m being a masochist.”

The rest of his pressing questions were completely forgotten. Ding Hanbai gently cupped the other’s cheeks. “Can’t you just say one soft thing?” He lowered his head, rubbing his forehead against Ji Shenyu’s. “Daring to kick me under the table, that’s just being arrogant because you know you’re doted on. Since you’re already acting arrogant, can’t you show a little love to the person who dotes on you?”

Ji Shenyu retorted in dissatisfaction, “I already snuck in here to put medicine on you. What more love do you want?” He left his subtext unsaid: in the entire family, besides his own mother, he was the one who cared the most. It wasn’t just care; it was loving affection.

“That doesn’t count,” Ding Hanbai whispered. “You pulled down my pants, so at the very least you should let me pull down yours. Or, I bit your lips the other day, so you should come and bite mine.”

Ji Shenyu blushed the color of Southern Red Agate, pushing at this shameless northern wolf.

He was exasperated. Nothing had even begun to take shape between them, and this guy was already casting all decorum aside.