A Tender and Reluctant Farewell

Xiaoyun walked to Xie Xiaoyan’s home and found her chopping firewood in the open space before her house. The small axe flew swiftly in her hands, splitting the logs one after another. Although it was winter and the air was cold, tiny beads of sweat glistened on her slightly tanned and lovely face.

She looked up slightly and brushed her bangs aside with her hand. Suddenly, she spotted Xiaoyun and laughed, “Oh, it’s you! I haven’t seen you for a few days. Where have you been? Are you looking for me about something?”

Xiaoyun replied, “I came to see you, Sister Yan, and to let you know that tomorrow I’m going to the city to look for work.”

Xie Xiaoyan was startled; she set the axe down and asked, “What’s going on? You’ve decided to go to the city?”

Xiaoyun said, “I don’t think there’s much of a future here in this little mountain village. So I want to go out and broaden my horizons. If I’m lucky, maybe I can earn some good money in the city and bring it back.”

Looking at his face full of excitement, Xie Xiaoyan asked, “Do you really like the idea of going out into the world?” Xiaoyun smiled, “Of course! If my mother hadn’t opposed it before, I would have left long ago.”

As Xie Xiaoyan gazed at his spirited expression, she thought, “Xiaoyun is no longer the same as before. He used to be bullied often and seemed so pitiful and helpless. I used to protect him from others. Now he’s grown taller, more handsome, and his ambitions have grown wild—he dreams of the dazzling world beyond.”

With this thought, her heart was filled with both joy and worry. She was glad to see Xiaoyun setting out to make his way in the world; after all, ‘a good man’s ambition lies far and wide.’ For a man to spend his life in a small mountain village—how ordinary, even stifling; there’s nothing worth holding onto in such a life. Yet she worried about their impending separation, uncertain what the future would bring. Especially if he found success out there—would he still remember her, the untutored girl from the mountains?

Xie Xiaoyan found herself unable to calm down and didn’t know what to say. After a while, she finally spoke: “Take care of yourself out there. Think twice before you act, and be cautious… I’ll be waiting for you to return safely.”

Xiaoyun noticed that the usually straightforward and decisive Xie Xiaoyan seemed rather sentimental today.

He said, “Thank you for caring, Sister Yan. Thinking back to when I was young, you always looked after me. I don’t know how I can ever thank you enough.”

Xie Xiaoyan smiled, “I don’t want your thanks, just don’t forget me when you’re away—that’s enough.”

“How could I? There must be all kinds of beautiful fabrics in the city. If I make money, I’ll be sure to bring some back for you, so you can make new dresses. You’ll look even more beautiful in them.”

Xie Xiaoyan blushed and replied shyly, “Stop teasing me. I doubt I’ll be that fortunate.” A faint flush crept across her cheeks as she spoke.

Looking at her bashfully charming face, Xiaoyun suddenly felt he was the luckiest person in the world. From as long as he could remember, he had always had someone to care for and help him—first Xie Xiaoyan, then Lingzhi. Now, as he set out into the world, who else would he meet?

For a moment, his mind wandered. Xie Xiaoyan was also lost in her thoughts. After chatting a while longer, Xiaoyun had to leave to prepare for his journey. As he left, Xie Xiaoyan found herself unable to return to chopping firewood.

Back home, Xiaoyun’s mother was busy packing food and clothing for his journey, fussing over him with countless reminders to be careful and look after himself.

It was Xiaoyun’s first time traveling far from home, and excitement kept him awake for much of the night, his mind abuzz with thoughts.

At dawn, he rose early and eagerly took the bundle from his mother’s hands. Yet his mother’s gaze lingered on him, heavy with emotions too complex for words.

Xiaoyun was about to head down the mountain to find Xie Er. The day before, after purchasing the game, Xie Er had sent the villagers to deliver it to the small town at the foot of the mountain. There, it would be loaded onto carts and taken to Xianyang. Xie Er was staying at the only inn in town, the Restful Inn, and had told Xiaoyun to find him there.

Just as Xiaoyun stepped out the door, Xie Xiaoyan hurried over, holding a cloth bundle. “Xiaoyun, since you’re leaving, I came to see you off.”

His mother smiled, “Yan, you’re such a good girl… Xiaoyun, you must always remember how well Sister Yan treats you. With her seeing you down the mountain, I can rest easier.”

“I will never forget Sister Yan,” Xiaoyun promised. Xie Xiaoyan, a little shy before his mother, lowered her head.

Xie Xiaoyan accompanied Xiaoyun down to the small town. Along the way, she seemed to have much she wanted to say, but seeing his excitement, she kept silent and walked quietly beside him.

Soon, they reached the Restful Inn. Xie Xiaoyan handed him the cloth bundle. “These are snacks I made for you. Eat them when you’re hungry on the road. Be careful, and I won’t go inside—if Xie Er sees me, it might be awkward.”

Taking the bundle, Xiaoyun noticed her eyes were slightly red and swollen—she, too, must have had a restless night. Was it from making snacks for him, or something else?

Deeply moved, he said, “Thank you, Sister Yan. I’ll never forget your kindness…” Xie Xiaoyan looked at him with reluctant affection as he walked into the Restful Inn.

Inside, several donkey carts were waiting. Xie Er was overseeing the loading of wild game: live pheasants, sika deer, mountain antelope—captured with traps, injured but still alive, and caged. The dead ones were large beasts—bears, tigers, leopards—killed by arrows or hunting forks, and bought after their deaths.

The cold weather meant the game would keep on the journey to Xianyang.

When Xie Er saw him, he said, “You’re here. Good, we’ll head to Xianyang together. Whether the master wants to keep you depends on your skills and luck.”

Xiaoyun added, “And on your help, Uncle Xie.”

Xie Er nodded with satisfaction and told the men to finish loading the three donkey carts.

He and Xiaoyun took the first cart; the other two were driven by carters who, following instructions, would simply deliver the goods to Xianyang and collect payment.