Chapter Sixty-Six: Returning Home

He searched the whole house, but Yang Liuer was nowhere to be found.

Chu Yun felt a hint of worry, though he wasn't anxious. Instead, he began to carefully inspect the rooms once more.

He soon noticed that everything in the house was in its place, all intact, and even the pots and bowls in the kitchen had been washed and neatly arranged.

Clearly, Yang Liuer hadn't been taken away—she had simply gone out and happened to not be home.

What puzzled Chu Yun, however, was why she had left the door open when she went out.

After all, the house now had some new furniture, which would be quite valuable for an ordinary family. Not to mention, there was still a bit of grain left in the rice jar in the kitchen.

While he was mulling this over, footsteps suddenly sounded outside.

He hurried out to see who it was, and found it was Aunt Wu from next door.

When she saw him, she burst into laughter. "Ha! So it was you calling for Liuer. Chu Yun, you're back! And you even rode a horse home. You must have struck it rich in the capital this time!"

As she spoke, her eyes brimmed with envy and a trace of jealousy.

Chu Yun smiled. "Hello, Aunt Wu. I haven't seen Liuer. Do you know where she is?"

Aunt Wu grinned. "Haha, you haven't seen Yang Liuer in a month—must be missing her terribly, aren't you?"

Chu Yun caught her meaning and nodded sheepishly.

Aunt Wu laughed again. "Look at you, so embarrassed! A couple of days ago, Magistrate Chen took her to stay with them, said it wasn't safe for her to live here alone."

So that was it.

Chu Yun breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "Thank you, Aunt Wu."

He then turned, mounted his horse, and set off for Chen Ping's house.

Aunt Wu watched him ride away and shook her head with a chuckle. "This lad is in such a hurry—it seems he's really been holding back!"

Chu Yun soon arrived at Chen Ping's house on horseback.

He saw Chen Jun sitting by the fence on the east side of the yard, staring blankly toward the east with a forlorn look.

To the east lay the direction of the Joyful Banquet Restaurant.

Judging by his expression, Chu Yun guessed that Chen Jun was heartsick, and that his marriage to Wang Shuangxi had likely come to nothing. He couldn't help but sigh.

He had thought that in a place where technology lagged behind and, due to war, women outnumbered men and held lower status, Chen Jun’s devotion would be rewarded.

Yet things had turned out otherwise.

No wonder the poem says, "Since ancient times, the passionate are left with nothing but regret."

"Chen Jun, is Liuer here at your place?" Chu Yun dismounted and called to him.

Chen Jun was startled out of his daze and looked up at Chu Yun before replying in a low, dispirited voice, "Brother, you're back! Sister-in-law has been staying with us these past couple of days. I'll go get her for you."

His voice was barely audible, his spirits clearly crushed.

Though he said he'd call Yang Liuer for Chu Yun, he just sat there without moving.

Chu Yun led his horse over and patted him on the shoulder. "Chen Jun, you don't seem very happy to see me back."

Chen Jun quickly shook his head. "No, that's not it!"

But in truth, Chu Yun’s return only deepened his gloom.

After all, Chu Yun had repeatedly warned him to be more cautious.

But he hadn’t listened.

After Joyful Banquet Restaurant took off by using soft steamed buns to boost business, Chen Ping went to the Wang family to propose a marriage.

But the Wang family looked down on Chen Jun, saying that although Chen Ping worked at the yamen, his son was just a menial at the restaurant and hardly worthy of Wang Shuangxi.

They even said Chen Jun was like a toad lusting after a swan.

Their rejection was blunt and merciless.

Yet Chen Jun felt that perhaps he hadn’t treated Wang Shuangxi well enough, or hadn’t shown himself to be outstanding in her presence, so he told her all about the different ways to make soy milk, tofu pudding, and tofu.

Because of this, Joyful Banquet Restaurant’s business boomed, completely surpassing Ten Mile Fragrance Inn.

When Wang Shuangxi was at her happiest and thanked Chen Jun for all his help, praising his talent for creating so many dishes from beans, he seized the moment to confess his feelings again, saying he liked her and wanted to be with her.

But Wang Shuangxi exploded on the spot, declaring that Chen Jun was not worthy of her and belittling him in front of everyone, calling his desire to be with her nothing but wishful thinking.

There had been many restaurant workers present, and they all jeered at Chen Jun, mocking him for dreaming of marrying the boss’s daughter.

It was a bitter humiliation.

He had loved Wang Shuangxi deeply, believing that as long as he helped her make the restaurant a success, he would be happy regardless of whether she was willing to marry him.

He never expected that Wang Shuangxi would degrade him so thoroughly in front of so many people, making him the butt of ridicule.

Chen Jun deeply regretted not heeding Chu Yun’s advice to keep his guard up.

Now, seeing Chu Yun, he felt utterly ashamed and couldn't even meet his eyes.

Chu Yun had no idea what was going through his mind. Seeing his low spirits, he comforted him with another pat on the shoulder, then handed him the reins. "Come, help me tie up the horse."

"Alright, brother," Chen Jun replied, finally getting up and taking the reins, though he didn't lead the horse away immediately.

"Darling! Darling..."

At that moment, Yang Liuer heard Chu Yun’s voice from inside and rushed out, her face alight with emotion.

"You're finally back! I've missed you so much I thought I’d die!" Yang Liuer threw herself into Chu Yun’s arms, hugging him tightly.

"I missed you too, Liuer," Chu Yun said, holding her close and gazing at her face, which had grown even fairer and rosier with the better life they now led.

Chen Jun, witnessing this scene, felt as though he had been struck by a crushing blow; tears nearly welled in his eyes.

He was already heartsick from his own failed pursuit of love. Now, seeing Chu Yun and Yang Liuer so openly display their affection, he, a lonely bachelor, could hardly bear it.

Chen Jun hurriedly led the horse away to the backyard.