How To Polish A Pearl

Chapter 59 - Inspecting

The day was going by swiftly. The party from Wu Jing alongside a group of locals, worked their way through the affected farms in a circular pattern around the town of Gudi. It had been never ending discussions and negotiations of repairs and relocations.

Once they had agreed with the locals on how to assess the area, Zhou Xu had taken a step back behind his Guzhu. He had only spoken when directly having been asked either questions or to contribute. He was taking this opportunity to stand back and observe, not only his husband the Guzhu, but also how he treated the ghosts and vice versa.

Zhou Xu wasn't really sure why the Guzhu cared about organizing and mobilizing repairs this remote in the valley, or anywhere outside of Wu Jing for that matter. This Guzhu who could change his mood within a millisecond and with the flick of his wrist—break a few necks or slice a few throats and then walk away without a second thought. He had been carefully instructing Ah-Xiang to distribute the supplies they had brought along as well as taking notes on repairs and temporary relocating some ghosts.

Zhou Xu had to give it to Wen Ke Xing, he was indeed performing the act of Guigu Guzhu (1) masterfully in front of his underlings. However, his man did seem to treat these ghosts different than any of the ones in Wu Jing. And they treated him with respect rather than fear. Or maybe he was imagining it. Maybe it was just that he had gotten to know his man better the past weeks that made him notice things that he had not noticed before. Maybe he had always been like this and I just didn't notice?

As they had ticked off farm after farm, Zhou Xu realized that the ghosts living this remote appeared to be normal people. Like any other family in the man's world, some of them even had children. Though he wasn't sure about what kind of future those children would have in a place like this. However, far away from the central Ghost Valley, this place seemed peaceful enough.

They had arrived at the town of Gudi earlier than expected, mostly thanks to Zhou Xu's efficient planning on how to undertake the assessment. Walking towards the second to last building, Zhou Xu glances at his Guzhu who looks regal in his luxurious red robe, the long sleeves catching in the breeze caused by the wind tunnel effect circling between the buildings.

Turning towards the tilting two-level building, featuring a huge crack zigzagging up the front elevation right next to the porch, Zhou Xu sighs. They would be done with their inspections shortly which meant that they would likely be heading back to Wu Jing tomorrow. He wasn't really sure why he didn't look forward to returning home, or more accurately wanting to stay here a bit longer, but then again—they still had one night left at Wuming. Maybe I can talk Lao Wen into staying the third night too.

Wen Ke Xing watches the face on his man first change to a little bit paler than his normal marble, and then subtly flush a very adorable pink, tracing all the way down his neck. Curious, and a little bit worried, he asks, "Ah-Xu? Are you okay? Are you tired?"

The voice of the Guzhu breaks through his thoughts and Zhou Xu carefully adjusts his marble appearance, surprised that Wen Ke Xing had seen through some of what was going on inside, "Yes, I am fine."

"You look a bit flushed, are you sure that you are fine? Is it the heat?"

Carefully adjusting his voice, a little bit grateful that his man inadvertently had given him an excuse for his expression, he responds, "Ah, yes. I am probably a bit thirsty." What on earth are you doing walking around here thinking about last night? Get a grip! Though even the reminder to get a grip, brings back the tingling feeling in his palm from his man subtly tracing his fingers as they walked hand in hand. Unable to hold it back, the corners of his lips curves and he looks at his palm, shaking his head slightly.

Still curious as to what is going on behind that marble exterior and barely visible smile, Wen Ke Xing continues, "Let's walk up to the porch and out of the sun for a bit."

"Guzhu, Nu Zhuren, this is the town restaurant." One of the ghosts, that has so far been quietly following the others during the day, steps forward. He is young with a travelworn robe and his straight black hair in a tidy top knot. "The crack caused half of the building to separate and it's unstable. I don't even dare to let people into the part that has no damage, scared that the damaged side might come crashing down."

"I see." Sighing, Wen Ke Xing flicks his fan out and walks up the steps and on to the porch. "Ah-Xiang."

Ah-Xiang cuts Zhou Xu off and skips up behind her master, her voice as bouncy as her feet, "Zhuren?"

Slowly fanning himself and without even looking at her, his eyes on his man that is still on the street looking back, he orders, "Go find something to drink for my Ah-Xu."

"..."

"Ah-Xiang."

"Sure." Turning towards the young restaurant owner, she plasters on her smile and continues, "Is your kitchen in the good part or the bad part?" as she points first to the left side and then to the right side of the building.

A little bit worried, he motions towards the back with his right hand, "It's in the damaged part of the building."

Having heard the conversation, Zhou Xu walks up the steps and on to the porch, "Lao Wen, I can get my own drink."

With an annoyed expression at the corner of his lips, he flicks the fan closed and points at Ah-Xiang, "Nonsense. You stay here with me, Ah-Xiang will get you something to drink."

Keeping his walnut colored ones on those black ones, Zhou Xu repeats, his voice firm but his lips curved a little bit upwards, "Lao Wen, I can go myself."

Not waiting for Wen Ke Xing's approval, he looks at the young and nervous owner, motioning towards the back part of the building that is tilting slightly, "Back there?"

Nervously shifting his gaze between his Nu Zhuren and his Guzhu, not sure if he will be held responsible should the building collapse, he confirms, "Yes, but that part is unstable. Nu Zhuren, please, let me go instead."

"Nonsense. You discuss the repairs and I will find something to drink." Stepping through the door opening and on to the uneven floor, he sets his sight on what he thinks may be the kitchen, a pleased smile forming on his lips. Surely, they have some wine back there. This is a restaurant after all.

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Author's Notes:

(1) Reminder - Guigu Guzhu is the Ghost Valley Chief or Master.