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Chapter 4
Ding Xiang sat on a broken chair outside the room, because it is cooler and suitable for dining.
Today's lunch was a meat bun, and that's all. There will be no more food after this ....
Damn Wen Xiong, he earned so little money.
When Ding Xiang swallowed the last bite of the bun, she was actually quite reluctant to eat last piece of food.
Not for long, she saw a big man talking to the kitten, made her forgotten about her misfortune.
She looked quietly as if watching a good play, and notice that his head seemed to have an aperture and a pair of white and flawless wings grew out of his broad back.
Ding Xiang has never seen such a kind ancient man. He doesn't look like a kind-hearted person at all but more like an old man. If he were asked to carry a firewood immediately just to proof it, there should be no problem!
It turns out that the Angel does not have to be a handsome man with a slender body, fair and blond hair. A big huggy bear can also be a lovely and beautiful.. Unconsciously her heart is affectionate to the man.
"You came just in time. I wanted to take this kitten back to the nest, but I warned it three times, and it still disobedient ..."
ShangDe recognized her at the first sight, because he could never forget that beautiful and warm voice, and the long hair scattered behind her.
She was the lifesaver who sucked out snake venom for him.
But she didn't seem to recognize him. Should he remind her? But in front of the girl's house reminded her that she once sucked him ... hmm, well ... that would be a little embarrassed right? He thought, wouldn't it be better to keep it in his heart?
It's better to wait until she brings it up.
"You have warned it and it still does the same. It is surely the naughty kitty and what if something happens; its mother, brothers and sisters will surely be sad." said ShangDe, which agreed with Ding Xiang indirectly.
This woman is also a kind-hearted person; same type as him, knows to talk to animals, they all have the mutual understanding.
"Oh yeah!" She jumped out of the chair, walked to him and smiled. Stretched her right hand out, and introduced herself, "I'm Meng Ding Xiang, Tainan. How about you?"
"My name is Sima ShangDe, from Hancheng." ShangDe thought─ Tainan? Where is that?
His eyes stared at the little fair hand in front of him.
Is it ... She wants to hand shake with him?
But men and women are not allowed to be too closed to each other.
But damn! He wanted to hold that little tender fair hand and feel her skin. But it would be even better to hold it for a lifetime.
B_ but ... men and women are not allowed to be too closed to each other ...
After battling between his inner angel and devil, ShangDe finally decided not to disappoint the kindness of other girls.
Okay, Hold on!
His hand had just reached out, but it was empty ....
"I forgot you men and women can't touch each other, I'm sorry." Ding Xiang suddenly thought of it and pulled her hand back.
"It doesn't matter." ShangDe breathed a sigh of relief, but somehow, he felt inexplicably lost, "Why are you here?"
"Waiting for someone."
"Waiting for someone?" Is it because she knows that she saved a rich landlord? And waited for me to repay her back?
In fact, he thought too much. Ding Xiang didn't recognize him as the man she had kissed on the other night. If she recognized him, she would never talk to him so calmly and freely.
"I'm waiting ... " Err ... If want to make it clear, then really have to learn like Xiao San; explained for three days and three nights. But main concern is that the other party may not understand.
So in order to avoid scaring these simple ancients, she decided to make a more acceptable speech.
"Wuhuhu ..." Ding Xiang began to cried, like a drama play.
"Don't cry ... " Her tears were like burning candle tears of wax, causing pain one drip by another on to ShangDe's heart.
Never has a woman been able to stir his heart like that, making him anxious and he would want to hold her in his arms and wipe away the sad tears from her heart.
"How pitiful I am! I came here to find my husband, but he disappeared and he's nowhere to be found. Now that I have no money to go home, I will starve to death in a foreign land."
"You are Wen Xiong's wife? But isn't he already had Xiao San?" Xiao Li finally got a chance to intervene, and quickly asked as soon as he saw ShangDe puzzled face as if he turned into a stone statue.
"Because he fell in love with Xiao San, they eloped to this place. Poor me, I've been looking for husband for thousands of miles away. I've been troubled during the journey and wandering all around. How miserable!" She secretly dipped her saliva as tears.
The more ShangDe listened, the uglier face he had turned into. His hands were clenched, angry and wanted to kill that old man whom *liked the new and forgotten the old.
"He's too much."
"Yeah, yeah!"
"Don't worry, I will do my best to get Wen Xiong back for you, and it will definitely return you a justice." Then, he shook his sleeves hard, ready to go for thousand miles to catch her husband.
Ding Xiang was so nervous that the truth will be exposed, then she quickly grabbed his arm. "No need to look for him."
ShangDe said to her angrily: "How can this be? He already had you, but he doesn't cherish you at all, and messed everything up. If I knew he was this kind of person, I wouldn't even give him a crop to plant."
"You meant divided a field for him?" She asked puzzledly.
Xiao Li, who was on the side, stepped in immediately to interrupt, proclaiming his master's status and family background. "Yes, our master is one of the biggest landlords in the country. What you see, even the land you step on belongs to our young Master."
"Wow! You're *Guo Tai Ming !" Ding Xiang exclaimed.
- - [T/N: *Guo Tai Ming (Terry Gou) :
>> Taiwanese billionaire businessman who is the founder, chairman and GM of Foxconn]
"It's not Guo, it's Sima." Xiao Li's chin was raised high, and he was as proud as the master.
"I thought that *Sima was only very good at *ghost stories telling. I didn't know Sima is so famous here!" Ding Xiang praised.
- - [T/N: *Sima ZhongYuan :
>> Taiwanese writer, picture book writer, also they called him as Master of Ghost Story.
>> Take note of this name, will be appeared again later in one of the chapter ;P ]
ShangDe asked in amazement: "Don't you think I'm just inheriting the descendants of my ancestors' hard work, unworthy to be proud of?"
"Nonsense." She scolded him.
"Nonsense?"
Both ShangDe Master and the servant stared at her with wide eyes. This is the first time met someone who did not criticize him, instead of frankly of being bold enough to express envious.
"Haven't you heard of the hardships and difficulties of starting a business? Are you the black sheep in the family? Did you spend money extensively? Do you have mistress? Will you go to brothel? Will you only spend money without working hard to earn them?" Ding Xiang asked one by one.
"Err .... I_ .. It is unavoidable to visit red-light houses because of some business ..."
"No need to explain to me." She was not his wife.
What! Of course, he was being disliked by women. ShangDe thinks she hates men going to these houses..
Thinking of that, maybe he will go a little lesser ...
"Anyway, you should be happy! If I were a big landowner like you, I will laugh while I sleep." Then she asked jokingly: "Is there anyone who is not willing to spend your money? Well, I'd be happy to do that ..."
"You are really a shameless woman! Don't you think that our master will be tempted by your vanity."
When Ding Xiang heard Xiao Li's harsh statement, she immediately gazed innocently at the murderous eyes, but someone would rather kill him faster than her...
"You're too rude!" ShangDe retorted.
He scolded the housekeeper openly.
Right! Am I Right?! The Master is talking. Why are you interrupting?
She will remember him clearly. She always believe that there's always a day two will meet again even the world falls apart...
"Miss Meng, please don't be upset, my servant did not speak sensibly." ShangDe said to Ding Xiang.
It's very kind of him to give a relief for her. She smiled brighter than spring flowers and completely fascinated by ShangDe.
ShangDe felt that he was out of breath, seeing her beautiful smile. His heart was beating wildly, he couldn't control his crazy heart.
"My money is for you to spend ..." He impulsively spoke his heartfelt words, which stunned the other two people at the present.
"Master ..."
"Enough!"
"Quiet!"
Before Xiao Li able to finish his word, he was attacked by ShangDe and Ding Xiang simultaneously. No choice, but he had to shut his mouth with hatred.
Ding Xiang turned to look at ShangDe flushed face.
No way─ Did he ... have hit on her?
However, she did not intend to fall in love in this era. Even if the impression of this man is considered not bad, but eventually it's going to be a dead end.
For his good, she had to cut off the mess quickly.
"Master, I am not from any big family, and also have a husband. It is really inappropriate for me to have such claiming. I think Master has a good heart that would make such a kind word. I would not take it seriously." Ding Xiang said politely.
"But I don't mind if you wa.... I ... I mean ... I ...." At the critical moment, ShangDe didn't know how to explain completely and clearly.
"It is getting late, and I will speak no more. Young Master must be busy and have a lot of work to do ..." Ding Xiang said to ShangDe.
"I am fine ..."
"That's weird. You're the big boss, how could it be fine? So I don't want to bother you anymore." The implication is to drive people out.
Sure enough, he still doesn't fancy by women.
Though there was no expression on ShangDe's face but could only feel his loneliness.
Ding Xiang tried to ignore his lost expression, lest her heart be filled with guilt, "I am not driving you away Master, but it is really getting late."
But ShangDe didn't want to go back. He wanted to stay a little longer.
"Is dangerous to be out at the late night, and it's best to go home safely." She reached out her hand and patted him on the shoulder like a good friend.
ShangDe's body shook a bit, and then looked at her.
His eyes were emotionless and looking at her affectionately ...
Wait, would a normal man casually see a strange woman with such a deep feeling? Unless he is a pervert.
Thought that he may be the same to other women. Suddenly, his affectionate gaze at Ding Xiang's eyes had turned into a lustful one.
Humph! Sure enough, men are all the same, and they are not much different whether ancient times or modern times.
ShangDe was going to say something, but he saw her walking back to the room and closed the door.
And he was left standing alone, and let the bleak wind blowing.
Xiao Li could not help feeling mixed when looking at him. The master was rejected again by the woman.
Is it men being rich are just not enough? Why women are so picky!
"Master?" Xiao Li tried to call to bring back ShangDe's heart and soul, but he saw that he was walking in distraction and sadness, and he didn't even say a word even he hit a big rock.
It seems that Master is really hurt badly.
But in the room, Ding Xiang looked at the lonely back of ShangDe through the hole in the door. It looks pitiful.
Sorry ... She secretly said in her heart.
It's understandable for him to be inexperienced. Knowing that he will fall in love with such an invincible beautiful girl. Whether is in modern times or ancient times, they called this Yin and Yang; totally opposite and destined to be apart. She got no other choice but only to reject and say sorry to him.
Sigh.. It's such a waste to miss the opportunity to fall in love. Moreover the other party is still a rich landlord! But she could only stay in this hut that was about to fall, waiting for Xiao San to come back and then send her home quickly so as to continue her modern life.
Looking around, she was so boring and didn't know what time it is now? In modern times, she would have eaten dinner that cooked by her mum, had a nice hot bath, and lay on her warm bed in her comfortable pajamas.
The bed here is hard, and not warm at all. She climbed onto the wooden bed with hands and feet, it will make a terrible creak noise.
"Ugh! I have been sleeping you for the past three days. What are you fighting for? Still want to make such a loud noise, afraid people do not know how bad I treated you?!" Ding Xiang snorted at the creaking wooden bed.
Bet she has gone crazy for not talking to anyone in the house for the past few days..
When she finally lay down, she felt stiff like a hard-wooden person lying on a board ready to be carried out.
Okay, calm down and take a deep breath.
One, two, three, four .....
After ten counts, the uneasiness was relieved.
Anyway, Xiao San will come back soon. Then she will die without any regret and won't be pestered anymore. She can go back to modern times and taking all this absurdity and occurrence as just a dream.
But before that, she must stay strong.
She can't be nervous when encountering something unusual. It is one of the main principles for her.
As a child raised by a single mother, taught her to be independent and strong as for living in the society ever since after college. She has been working as a little chef in an exotic restaurant. She was on her own all this while.
Although her mom is busier than her, but she has never received any less love than normal people.
Thinking of her mom, she couldn't help crying.
Not sure if mom found out that she is missing?
Seriously, do not know. Because Xiao San said that one year here is just an hour for modern times, and when she was brought here, she was about to go to bed at twelve o'clock. It would probably take seven or eight years to wake up at the morning sunrise in modern time.
She suddenly thought, if she did not agree to that two hateful unmarried couples- Xiao San and Wen Xiong by allowing them to go home, she wouldn't even want to go back, and rather to be starved to death...
Why? How can that be?
Thinking of the big landlord who looks like *Sean Lau, broad and tanned. Maybe she can ask him to give her some food.
- - [T/N: *Sean Lau (劉青雲) - Lau Ching Wan : Hong Kong actor]
Or maybe ask him to hire her. It would be good to have a temporary job.
Okay! This way she can rest assured that she will have the energy to go for interview early next morning.
After Ding Xiang was at ease, the corner of her mouth couldn't stop smiling happily. She kind of forgotten that she was on the hard-wooden bed.
She excitedly slammed herself onto a wooden board, her head swollen immediately, and felt unconsciously on the spot ...
＊＊＊＊＊
Sigh ....
And another sigh ...
A middle-aged woman hiding at the corner outside the ShangDe's room, had her eyes wide open, tried to get closer to her ears to listen, but she had reached her limit because of her short neck.
"You're already a mother of a twenty-five year-old son. Still losing your composure.
"My baby boy is sighing! How can I still care about my own image! Besides, who dares and allowed to control me in the house?"
"Am I not?"
As soon as Yan Hong heard a faint protest from the man around her, she quickly stared at him with big innocent eyes.
"ZhengTian, are you angry?"
"How would I dare? Mrs. Sima, who stands high above me and I'm just a little manager."
"You know I don't treat you as just a manager ..."
Yeap! Since Hong ZhengTian came to Sima's family and met Mr. Sima's wife, who was a widow, and hey fell in love.
Although the two could not be together because of their status and identity, but still Hong ZhengTian had decided to take good care of her and protect her for life.
Of course, he loves her and eventually will like all that belongs to her. So, he treated ShangDe like his own son, and fully teaches him to be a good and decent man.
Now, this good guy seems to be in little trouble.
"What happened to ShangDe? I hear that he ate very little these days, and didn't sleep well. Everyday he looked at the moon, flowers, and grass in a daze. The whole person seemed to be lost in his mind..."
"This kid must be in love ..."
"Really? Then I must hurry to propose marriage. Which girl is that? I want grandchildren too!"
"Don't you forget, there are no princess who wants to marry this man in the city..."
"Huh! It was all because of the superficial Wang Boss's daughter, who didn't want to marry my baby son. She deliberately spread false lies everywhere, saying my ShangDe was bitter and stingy, and would hit women. Obviously, she was too greedy, and her eyes were grown on top of her head, she even fell down while walking the stairs. Who's there to blame?"
"But the damage has been done, isn't it?"
"Remember not to mention this in front of ShangDe.." Yan Hong snarled carefully.
"I know." Hong ZhengTian nodded.
"Go ask him, which daughter he fancy, I'll go and propose for a marriage right away. It doesn't matter how much it costs, it will definitely be several times more than that Wang family's daughter who had no eyes or morality."
Hong ZhengTian smiled, "Just leave that to me. Have I not dealt with that for you before?"
Hearing this sentence, Yan Hong flawless face was blushing; a little bird crouched like a human, snuggled into his chest and sigh with satisfaction.
"If I am not a part of Sima family and without so many moral restrictions, I will follow you to the end of the world regardless of everything and will never regret it."
He held out his hand and hugged her tightly. He kissed her gently on her face, "It doesn't matter. I can wait... whether is this life or next life. That some day, you are no longer Mrs. Sima nor Sima's daughter-in-law who bound by heavy etiquette rules, but Fan Yan Hong who lives for herself."
She closed her eyes, "I also hope that there will be a day when I belongs to you completely."
"I will wait ..."
They hugged each other tightly. Clearly, they both loved each other so much, but because of the identity, and for the sake of ShangDe, she was afraid to leave and dared not let this relationship go on public. So Hong ZhengTian had to keep it as secret in order to protect her.
"ZhengTian, I really hope that ShangDe can be happy. But why no girls can see the beautiful heart under his unhandsome face?"
"Yes, there will always be one day. There will be a girl who will really see the kind-hearted man, and fall deeply in love with him. They will grow old together and have a lot of children and grandchildren for you to play with." Hong ZhengTian rest assured to her.
*liked the new and forgotten the old : 喜新厭舊 (idiom)
*If you love someone, you will like all that belongs to her : 愛屋及烏 (idiom)
- love for a person to the extends even to the crows on the roof = love me and love my dog.