Chapter 37: Their First Encounter

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    Somehow, the door to his fiances room seems bigger than it should be.

    Logically, Liu Jin knows there is no reason for him to be nervous. The wedding has been revealed to be a mere formality. The person behind the door is not the one he will spend the rest of his life with. They will be husband and wife in name only. They will live together for a month and then go their separate ways.

    That is all there is to it. In a way, the knowledge is rather freeing.

    Yet, Liu Jins hand trembles as he knocks on the door.

    Xiao Zheng has told him his daughter is expecting him. Still, when an unmistakably female voice comes from the other side of the door and tells him to enter, Liu Jin jumps a little.

    He is being foolish. There is no reason for him to be so nervous. Liu Jin is someone who has been in the presence of Nine-Headed Snake God. Compared that, meeting his betrothed should be a simple matter.

    Yes, thats right. Liu Jin takes a deep breath and nods to himself before opening the door.

    The room behind it is spacious, easily larger than an entire floor of his house. There is a bed, a window, and walls. All proper things for a bedroom to have. The wall opposite to the door is lined with bookshelves. To the side, there is a desk with an open book on top of it. It is a little far, but Liu Jin can identify it as a manual of some sort. However, he doubts all the books in this room are instruction manuals.

    A girl who has never left her house is bound to need something more interesting to read.

    You are here.

    Her voice causes him to finally look at her. She seems to be about his age. Liu Jin notices he is taller than her, but only by an inch or two. Her skin is white like porcelain, and her face has a nice oval shape. Her eyes are blue like those of her relatives, but hers are a shade lighter. Similarly, her hair is a shade of brown so light it is almost blonde.

    Although shes still young, there is no denying she is someone who will surely become a beauty once she grows older.

    She is his fiance, Xiao Shuang.

    I hope I am not intruding, Liu Jin finds himself saying. The words immediately become stupid the moment they leave his mouth.

    Even if the marriage is only for show, Liu Jin wishes the first words he said to his fiance could have been better. Unfortunately, wordplay is not an area he has much skill in. By nature and nurture, Liu Jin prefers silence.

    Even so, the long second during which he waits for her response is undeniably uncomfortable.

    To his surprise, Xiao Shuang smiles and shakes her head. Not at all. I was told you would come. I have wanted to meet you for a long time, husband.

    Liu Jin chokes.

    Husband?!

    Immediately, Liu Jin hates how high-pitched his voice sounded just now.

    Of course, you are my betrothed, the man who will become my husband. Whether I call you husband in a few weeks or now should make no difference, husband. Xiao Shuang nods with a serious look on her face, finding no flaw in her words. Unless has the engagement been canceled? Has this wife perhaps done something to offend you?

    Seeing her worried look, Liu Jin is quick to answer. No. Nothing like that. My lady just surprised me. That is all.

    Xiao Shuang smiles brightly.

    Thank goodness. Please, husband. Do not scare me so.

    Husband. The word still sends a little jolt of something down Liu Jins spine.

    He is way too young to be called husband!

    Oh, where are my manners? Xiao Shuang brings her hands to her mouth for a moment. Please, take a seat, husband. I apologize for not having anything to offer you. I must also admit that I am not particularly skilled in the culinary arts. Still, I hope that, now that my identity is out in the open, I can convince Father to let me practice in the kitchens. It would be quite unseemly if I did not prepare my husband at least one meal before our parting.

    It was my father who gave yours the tree. There is no need for you to be grateful to me for something I had no control over.

    Perhaps, husband is right. Xiao Shuang nods, humming. Yet the truth remains the same. The tree that should have nurtured you nurtured me instead. That is something I have known for a few years now. When I first learned of it, I was shocked. There was someone out there I had never met whose loss had become my gain. From that moment on, I wished to know about the one whose luck I took.

    That would have been difficult while confined to this room.

    It wasnt. My brother complains about you quite often.

    Liu Jin stares for a moment.

    My lady, forgive me for saying this, but if all the things you know about me come from your brothers mouth, then I cannot imagine how your opinion of me can be positive.

    Xiao Shuang giggles.

    He really doesnt like you, she says as if sharing a secret. He rants quite often about you and your family. Learning of the engagement has been quite hard on him.

    Then how?

    Baffled as he is, Liu Jin cannot bring himself to finish the question.

    Xiao Fang speaks badly of you but cousin Nan has never once said anything bad.

    Elder Brother surely gives me undue praise.

    Xiao Shuang giggles again. He said you would say that.

    As expected of his Elder Brother. Or rather, should Liu Jin worry that he is so predictable when it comes to accepting praise?

    Master may very well have a point about the value he places on himself.

    Regardless, I have heard much of you before today. Xiao Fang said bad things. Xiao Nan said good things. Of course, knowing the two, it was much easier for this Xiao Shuang to trust Xiao Nans words. She smiles. It was a relief.

    How so?

    I knew we were to be married, and I accepted that. I drew breath thanks to what was taken from you. To live my life alongside you to repay that seemed only natural. Furthermore, my father had already promised my hand to you. This Xiao Shuang would never dare disgrace him. Those two factors alone ensured I would wish to marry you, husband. However, I didnt know whether you would be a good person or not. I am ashamed to say that scared me. Hearing Xiao Nans stories comforted me.

    There is no need for you to apologize, my lady, Liu Jin says. I had similar concerns after learning of the engagement, so if you must apologize, then I must apologize as well. I can only hope I am half the person Elder Brother made me sound like.

    Xiao Shuang smiles. You really are like Xiao Nan said. I am happy. I truly wouldnt have minded living alongside you, husband.

    Your words are more than enough, Liu Jin says, smiling. Still, I must point out that Xiao Nans stories are merely his point of view. I also cannot claim everything Xiao Fang said was a falsehood.

    Then maybe, husband should be the one to tell his story?

    Huh?

    I have heard of husband from my brother, and I have heard of husband from my cousin. However, I have yet to hear of husband from husband. We may not be together for a long time, but at the very least, this Xiao Shuang wishes to know her husband. Is there a problem with that?

    No, Liu Jin says after a while. The smile on his face is growing. There is no problem at all, my lady. However, be warned, my stories are not exciting stories. I am just a doctors son who goes around helping his father heal people.

    That sounds lovely.

    At that moment, Liu Jin thinks that what is lovely is Xiao Shuangs smile.

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