After The Coquettish Fake Master Was Driven Away - Chapter 22

The next day.

“Mm…”

The boy’s lashes trembled lightly as he slowly opened his eyes, waiting for the haze in his vision to clear. After a brief daze, he realized he was lying flat, with a soft pad beneath him. His gradually healing wounds didn’t feel so unbearable anymore.

Wait—soft pad?

Memory returned, and Xie Jinning’s eyes widened, pupils trembling.

Not only had he cried in front of Yan Yi again, he had even cried himself to sleep in his arms—ahhh, how utterly humiliating!

Never again!

He buried his head under the blanket and rubbed about furiously until he could hardly breathe, then tugged it down.

His cheeks were flushed from the stuffiness, his eyes glistening with watery ripples. His teeth bit lightly on his lower lip, dark messy hair sticking out in all directions, with a few strands caught on his long lashes. He looked like a trapped kitten tangled in yarn, waiting for rescue.

His eyelids were still a little swollen. As he tidied his hair and slowly crawled off the bed, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.

“Jinning, are you awake? Breakfast is ready. Eat before you sleep some more.”

Xie Nong’s voice wasn’t loud, slightly hoarse and awkward, as if afraid to wake him. He only called once and then stopped.

“I’m up.”

His clothes from last night were wrinkled. Xie Jinning picked them up and shook them out, but the creases remained. A flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes. Putting on socks and shoes, he walked over to the wardrobe.

Xie Nong’s tearful words still lingered in his ears. Having slept and thought it through, Jinning made up his mind.

He wasn’t planning to leave Hetian Village anymore.

Before, he’d only wanted to run away, unwilling to face the truth. But after hearing what Xie Zhu had been through, he couldn’t convince himself to keep enjoying the privileges of being the Xie family’s “young master,” even if they were “fake” and “in the past.”

What belongs where should return. From today onward, he would simply be Hetian Village’s Xie Jinning. Conditions might be harsher, but so what? He could wear brocade before, and now he could wear plain old clothes just the same.

Steeling himself, he opened the wardrobe.

Last time he’d only glanced at it, but now he saw clearly—though simple, the fabric was soft, the stitching neat, not as shabby as he’d imagined.

Jinning had always liked bright colors—red, purple, green—the flashier the better. Xie Zhu, on the other hand, preferred plain tones. Most of the clothes inside were pale blue or dull gray.

He chose a white set. It was a bit loose since Xie Zhu was half a head taller with broader shoulders, but far better than wearing Yan Yi’s clothes.

Exhaling softly, he dressed carefully, smoothed his long hair, tied it neatly, and finally pushed open the door.

The day was once again bright. Sunlight draped across the earth like golden gauze, warm and gentle.

With his burdens laid down, Jinning finally noticed how beautiful Hetian Village’s sky was—clear and boundless, like a flawless blue gem.

He stood quietly at the doorway, tilting his head back slightly to bathe in the light. Wrapped in its glow, his pale skin gleamed like jade. His features were delicate, like carved by the gods themselves. Between his brows was a mix of youthful pride and lingering innocence, like a bud drenched in dew—not yet in bloom, but full of promise.

Even in old clothes, his grace didn’t fade; even the folds at his waist looked pleasing, as if decoration.

Impossible to look away.

But Xie Nong, upon seeing him, only felt heartache.

His lips trembled, lifting then falling. “Jinning, forgive the hardship. For now, wear these. Tonight, no—by tonight I’ll buy cloth and make you new clothes.”

“Alright, thank you, Dad.”

Jinning answered crisply.

His voice flowed like a mountain brook—clear, soft, and sweet. Yet to Xie Nong, it was like scalding steam, burning him inside. His hand, still half-raised from knocking, trembled.

He held his breath, eyes wide with disbelief. Amid the weariness and red veins from drink, a bright light emerged.

“You… what did you just call me?” His voice shook.

Without hesitation, Jinning called again: “Dad.”

Xie Nong froze. He pinched himself hard to be sure it wasn’t a dream. Confirming it real, all fatigue vanished. He lit up with energy, like new life pumped into him. “Ah—ah! Good boy!”

“From now on, we’ll live together. Whatever you want, just tell me. Even if it’s the stars in the sky, I’ll find a way to pluck them for you!”

Jinning giggled at his boast. “Alright then. Dad, I’ll go wash up first.”

“So good.”

Tears glistened in Xie Nong’s eyes as he murmured, “Afang, did you see this?”

Warmth filled the courtyard, branches swaying softly in reply.

He had kept those words in his chest for so long. If not for last night’s drunkenness, he would never have spoken them.

Since Zhou Fang’s passing, he rarely mentioned her to Xie Zhu, hiding even her memorial tablet. Only when alone at night, under the moon, did he take it out and hold it.

When Xie Zhu asked to offer sacrifices, Xie Nong made excuses about study, afraid the truth would deepen his resentment.

And it worked. Xie Zhu had left Hetian so resolutely, so decisively, without looking back—surely he had gathered all his resentment onto him.

The thought hurt, yet also freed him.

Good.

Now, all he needed was for Jinning to find a good home.

…

Father and son entered the kitchen. On the table sat two large bowls of noodle lumps.

One was piled high with wild greens and minced meat, steaming hot. The other was plain, cooked earlier, condensation beading around the rim.

Pushing the full one toward Jinning, Xie Nong peeled a freshly boiled egg and handed it over. “Here, eat.”

Seeing the stark difference, Jinning took his spoon and scooped some from his bowl into his father’s.

“This is for you—don’t, don’t give it to me.” Xie Nong hurried to take back his plain one. “You eat it. If it’s not enough, there’s more in the pot.”

“It’s way too much. I can’t finish it.”

Truthfully, he couldn’t. And… what if it didn’t taste good? With Yan Yi not around, no one could help him finish.

Blinking, he softened his tone: “Dad, I can’t finish it. Help me, eat a little more, please?”

The affectionate plea warmed Xie Nong’s chest. Dazed, he returned the bowl and let Jinning heap it full. Only when his own bowl overflowed did he snap back. “Alright, alright. Any more and you’ll have none left.”

“There’s still plenty.”

After dividing the noodles, Jinning split the egg in half and handed one piece to him.

Xie Nong’s lips trembled. He tried to push it back. “These fine things are for you. You eat. I’m a rough man; eating this is a waste.”

The egg was still hot. Jinning’s fingertips reddened but he refused to let go. “No wasting. Either we both eat, or neither of us does.”

Still hesitant, Xie Nong heard him cry out, “Ow, it’s hot!”

He panicked, quickly taking it, then fetched a bowl of cool water for Jinning’s hand. “My fault, I only thought to give you something hot. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Does it hurt?”

The sting faded quickly in the cool water. Jinning swirled his fingers, mischief sparkling in his eyes. “Hurts terribly. So you’re punished to eat that half.”

“You little rascal…”

Unable to refuse, Xie Nong ate it. His face softened with bliss, as though savoring the finest delicacy.

So fragrant, so sweet.

His son had shared it with him. It was the best egg he had ever eaten.

Jinning had always disliked yolk, finding it dry. He stirred it into the soup until it melted, tinting the broth golden. A spoonful carried the fragrance of meat, noodles’ softness, vegetables’ freshness, and the yolk’s richness—surprisingly delicious. He ate faster.

Xie Nong, used to heavy labor, finished quickly. By the time Jinning was halfway done, his father’s bowl was already clean.

Wiping his mouth casually, he said, “Eat slowly, Jinning. I’ll go harvest the wheat.”

He wrapped a few wheat cakes in cloth and tucked them into his chest. “I won’t be back at noon. There’s more noodles in the pot. Tonight I’ll make you something better.”

Harvesting wheat?

Jinning nearly choked, but forced himself to finish. Dabbing his lips, he said, “Dad, I’ll come with you.”

“No, you just recovered. Rest at home. I can manage, and Yan Yi will help me.”

Yan Yi’s going too?

Jinning’s fingers curled. Curiosity overcame shyness. “Dad, I haven’t left the yard since I came. Let me come with you. I won’t work, I’ll just watch.”

Faced with such insistence, Xie Nong gave in. “…Alright. But don’t go into the field, just stand nearby. If you feel unwell, tell me right away so I can take you home.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll get things ready. Meanwhile, could you call Yan from next door?”

Next door, Yan Yi opened his gate. When he saw Jinning’s outfit, he froze.

“You…”

Jinning spread his arms and twirled. The plain white robe rippled like water.

“How is it?”

Backlit by sunlight, his face was hazy, but his eyes—clear as spring water, bright as amber—shone brighter than the sun.

And… overlapped silently with the person in his dreams.

Thump, thump.

Seeing him dazed, Jinning blurted out, “Even though it’s Xie Zhu’s clothes, I look good in them too, right?”

The words slipped out, and he instantly regretted them. His lips snapped shut, cheeks puffing with embarrassment. Fine baby hairs glowed under the sun, making his cheeks look like sweet ripe fruit.

At home, Ah He would always flatter him, and he was used to it. Relaxed now, he had spoken without thinking.

This stupid mouth—hurry, explain!

“Um, what I meant was—”

“Good-looking.”

The man’s deep voice fell from above. Jinning’s lashes fluttered, stunned. “Huh?”

“You look very good in this.”

He didn’t know what had happened, but the boy’s expression eased, as if a feather had landed and settled. He seemed truly at peace, finally treating this place as home.

This was… very good.

What wasn’t good was this place itself.

The thought flickered and vanished. Watching Jinning’s sun-flushed cheeks, Yan Yi stepped back. “Come in first.”

Why was he suddenly so talkative?

Jinning didn’t get it, but at hearing praise, his brows arched. “Of course. I was born good-looking.”

Smug for only a moment.

“Mm. And now, drink your medicine.”

A dark bowl of herbal decoction was pushed before him. Jinning’s joy sank, brows knitting.

Ugh, what a block of wood.

With such a clumsy mouth, how would he ever marry a wife!