Chapter 141 The Miao Village (ETL) Part 1
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Chapter 141 Gu Ye: The Walking Grim Reaper
[Banana: Apparently GQJ’s house is not a village though 寨子 generally referred as a small village. I’ll be using the word compound instead]
Seeing Yu Ze’s expression, Gu Ye coaxed, “His compound (estate) is over 200 years old. Someone burned it down, and even burned his precious insects to death. He’s furious and wants me to go and summon the spirits of his insects. I’m just going to check it out and be back in a few days.”
At the thought of the insects, Yu Ze frowned in disgust, his expression contorted.
Gu Ye had never seen Yu Ze’s handsome face show such disdain, and it amused Gu Ye. No matter what he did, Yu Ze had never shown him any disdain, which made him almost forget that Yu Ze was a germaphobe. The first time he came here, the house was completely bare, so clean that even the sunlight couldn’t see a speck of dust. So it turns out that Yu Ze’s germaphobia hadn’t disappeared; he(YZ) just didn’t find him(GY) disgusting.
Gu Ye cupped Yu Ze’s face in his hands, pinching and squeezing. Then he asked with a smile, “Darling, aren’t bugs especially scary?”
Yu Ze replied with disgust, “They’re too dirty.”
Nodding, Gu Ye said seriously, “I also think it’s too dirty, so there’s nothing between Dog Qiao Qiao and me. If there were, it would have happened long ago, wouldn’t it? We hate each other, we’ve been enemies since childhood, the kind who always argue whenever we meet. But we grew up together, rather than friends, we are more like family. His master doted on me when she was alive, how could I ignore him(QQ) if something happened to him?”
Yu Ze remained expressionless, showing no sign of letting Gu Ye go.
Gu Ye said ingratiatingly, “I’ll spend more time with you after I’m done with this. School’s starting soon, and if my grades are good, I’ll definitely intern at your company in the second half of the year. You’ll see me every day then.”
Gu Ye gave Yu Ze a quick kiss, patiently coaxing him. Seeing that Yu Ze remained unmoved, Gu Ye pursed his lips. Next, he pressed down on Yu Ze’s shoulders and pinned him down. “President Gu, do you really think I’d be interested in someone with that dog-like temper of Dog Qiao Qiao?”
Yu Ze looked at the person lying on top of him and said in a deep voice, “You flirted with him before.”
Gu Ye’s lips twitched. “Your memory is too good, remembering all that? I was teasing him, not flirting.”
Yu Ze raised his hand, hooking a button on Gu Ye’s shirt and pulling him closer. His deep gaze fixed on the face so close to his own, “Who else have you flirted with without my knowledge?”
Gu Ye thought for a moment, then raised his hand to swear, “No one.”
Yu Ze raised an eyebrow, asking with dissatisfaction, “Only flirted with Ge Qiaojun?”
Gu Ye realized that Yu Ze’s jealousy had intensified, so he quickly shook his head and explained, “Not really, he’s not that special. I don’t even look at him.”
Hearing that, Yu Ze’s expression grew even colder. “You’ve also flirted with others?”
Gu Ye felt helpless inside. He’s just a sucker for good looks, so what! He only teased good-looking people a little out of appreciation; he didn’t do anything! He’s innocent too!
“You…”
Seeing that Yu Ze still wanted to ask, Gu Ye lowered his head and kissed him, silencing him with a kiss. After a long lip-locking, Gu Ye asked with dissatisfaction, “You dare not believe me? Are you going to ask again or not?”
Yu Ze licked his lips, his eyes growing increasingly dark. “Will still ask.”
Gu Ye immediately kissed Yu Ze again, silencing him until he stopped asking.
Although Gu Ye achieved his goal to shut Yu Ze’s mouth, the consequences of this seductive attempt left Gu Ye with a sore back and utterly exhausted. Gu Ye deeply realized how difficult it was to appease Yu Ze; neither gentle persuasion nor harsh tactics worked, and nothing he did could sway him. And so, Gu Ye secretly vowed that he would never again anger Yu Ze.
This made Gu Ye realize one thing. Yu Ze’s personality meant that he usually listened to Gu Ye and indulged him in everything; he was definitely happy to spoil him. But Yu Ze had another side; he just didn’t show it to Gu Ye. No wonder everyone was so afraid of Yu Ze. A sudden sweetness welled up inside him, like a spoonful of honey slowly spreading. Gu Ye’s expression softened.
Seeing the message from Yu Ze, his eyes crinkled with laughter, but he replied with utter disdain: [I understand, Father. Baby will text you when he arrives. He won’t get lost, don’t worry.]1
On the other hand, Gu Ye was exasperated. Did Yu Ze really think he didn’t know he sent people to protect him? Yu Ze obviously knew he was safe, yet he still kept reminding him to stay safe; he was treating him like a baby.
Xie Cheng had slept the whole way in the car and was still groggy. Hearing Gu Ye speak, he opened one eye and asked, “We’re boarding?”
Gu Ye’s face turned cold. He roughly grabbed Xie Cheng by the collar and dragged him away, saying, “We’re boarding!” He was a completely different person from how he treated Yu Ze!
…
The Miao village isn’t as mysterious as legend suggests. Ge Qiaojun’s village is small, with only a few dozen households, nestled at the foot of a mountain. Many Miao people have now been assimilated by the Han Chinese and intermarry with them. Only a small minority retain their traditions, wearing Miao clothing and living in seclusion within their village. They live close to the mountains, are brave and resourceful, and rely on hunting for a living. Ge Qiaojun’s village is a relatively traditional one; while the locals don’t reject outsiders, they aren’t particularly welcoming.
Gu Ye and Xie Cheng arrived at the village entrance and found a small teahouse where the female shopkeeper, dressed in traditional clothing, was brewing tea.
Gu Ye asked Xie Cheng, “The tea here is very special; you can’t find it anywhere else. Would you like to try some?”
But Xie Cheng timidly replied, “I’ve heard that everyone here knows how to use witchcraft. Is it safe?”
Gu Ye chuckled, “That’s like foreigners saying all Chinese know kung fu. Go ahead and drink; it’s fine.”
Gu Ye went over, greeted the proprietress in fluent local language, and ordered a pot of tea.
The shopkeeper looked Gu Ye up and down, asking in surprise, “Are you a Miao?”
Gu Ye smiled and said, “I lived here for a while when I was a child, so I’m very familiar with this place. I’m here to see Ge Qiaojun.”
When the shopkeeper brought over the tea, she heard Gu Ye mention Ge Qiaojun and said regretfully, “You came to see him for treatment, right? His compound burned down, and we don’t know where he’s been these past few days. You don’t need to go into the mountains.”
To be honest, it’s unclear whether Ge Qiaojun is a genuine Miao person. He was also an orphan, taken in and raised by his master when he was young. He didn’t know which ethnic group he belonged to; his master gave him a Miao name and registered him in the Miao ancestral register. Because he learned excellent medical skills from his master, he was a well-known doctor in the nearby Miao villages, and everyone respected him. However, he wasn’t allowed to participate in Miao matchmaking, so Ge Qiaojun is still single. Of course, given his personality, he wouldn’t go even if invited.
Gu Ye laughed, “It’s alright, I know where he is. I lived at his house when I was little.”
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper became much more enthusiastic. When Gu Ye mentioned he was going into the mountains, she filled their water cups with ginger tea before they left, reminding them that it would be cold in the mountains and that drinking ginger tea would ward off the chill.
The two thanked the female shopkeeper and circled around the side of the village until a fork in the road appeared at the foot of the mountain. Gu Ye pointed to the left and said, “Qiao Qiao’s old compound was on the left. He didn’t live with these villagers because he needed to raise insects and study medicine, so he was somewhat distant from them. His house was on this side of the mountain. If this side is burned down, Qiao Qiao will definitely go that way.”
Gu Ye pointed to the path on the right, “Qiao Qiao’s master and grandmaster are buried here. And there is a small bamboo hut.”
Upon hearing that they were staying in a bamboo hut on a mountain in this freezing weather, Xie Cheng asked worriedly, “Won’t we freeze to death up there?”
“No,” Gu Ye replied, leading the way. Xie Cheng followed behind, asking suspiciously, “How do you know so much? When did you meet him?”
Gu Ye smiled, “Before I met you.”
“Would your parents let you go out (of the city)? I think they’re quite strict with you.”
Gu Ye said dismissively, “Why are you asking so many questions? You’re not a gossiper.”
“Gu San’er, have some conscience! You don’t give me a penny, and I’m always at your beck and call. I just asked you a question, and you mock me. Let me tell you, we’re going to break up sooner or later.”
“Fine, break up then. With you being so poisonous, who’s going to team up with you?”
Hearing that, Xie Cheng was in despair. He didn’t know how he’d become so unlucky. Not only was he broke, but he was also incredibly unlucky.
Finally reaching the halfway point of the mountain, Gu Ye and Xie Cheng saw a bamboo grove in the distance. This bamboo grove was different from the surrounding plants; it was clearly planted by someone. Hidden among the bamboo, they could vaguely make out a small house.
Gu Ye took a deep breath and called out, “Dog Qiao Qiao, Father’s here! Father came to see you!”
Hearing that, Xie Cheng’s lips twitched. He wondered how the other person maintained a friendship with Gu Ye. A friend like that should be killed off as soon as possible. From afar, he saw a slender, tall person emerge from the bamboo grove. Upon closer inspection, he saw Ge Qiaojun’s androgynous face, looking at Gu Ye with disdain. He looked exactly the same as the last time they met, with a small braid at the back of his head and skin as smooth as a girl’s.
Xie Cheng finally understood why the two could maintain their friendship. Gu Ye, that looks-obsessed guy, must be clinging to him because he’s good-looking, and he can’t be driven away no matter what.
Gu Ye happily called out, “Dog Qiao Qiao, do you miss Father?”
Hearing Gu Ye’s witty remarks, Ge Qiaojun took a step back in utter disgust, standing on slightly higher ground and looking down at Gu Ye.
Realizing what Qiaojun meant by that, Gu Ye said irritably, “Qiao Qiao, you’re such a jerk! You’re making fun of my height again!”
Frankly, Gu Ye is not short now, just shorter than he was in his previous life when he was over 180 centimeters tall. He’s shorter now, 5 centimeters shorter than Ge Qiaojun, something that can’t be compensated for even by hard work. However, seeing Ge Qiaojun’s face, Gu Ye felt relieved. It seemed the burning of the compound was just an unfortunate misfortune for him. “It’s good that you’re alright. Father thought your sharp tongue had offended someone, and that someone wanted to kill you.”
Mentioning this ignited Ge Qiaojun’s anger. “If I find out who burned it, I’ll kill him!” He ushered both young men inside, cursing as he poured them hot water. Although he disliked Gu Ye, he was still worried they’d been cold on the journey and offered them some water to warm up.
The hut wasn’t as drafty as they had imagined. A layer of partition was sandwiched between the bamboo slats, which not only kept out the wind but also provided warmth. Moreover, like Gu Ye, Ge Qiaojun couldn’t bear to compromise on his comforts. Even though it was a bamboo hut, he had installed a generator and air conditioning, making it fully equipped and more comfortable than the people living down the mountain.
The two warmed up quickly. While drinking water, Xie Cheng said, “Burning down your house is no small matter. Did you call the police?”
When speaking to Xie Cheng, Ge Qiaojun was not as casual or sarcastic as he was with Gu Ye; he just seemed somewhat distant. “This isn’t the city. There are few people around, and no security cameras. It would take the police more than an hour to get here. Calling the police is useless. There are no clues, so they can’t find anything.”
Raw word count: 6003 (whole chapter)
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