Rogue One: An Untamed Story

Chap 2: Sweets For Ah-Chen

Liu Yang's Pov:

Weeks later, Liu Yang was back in MeiShan and headed straight for the Chens' hut.

The trudge along the dirt path was slow, and ever so quiet. The Chens lived very far away, their home situated in a wide land, surrounded by trees and vines and wild animals.

They said that they liked living so far away from civilisation. No shouting vendors in the morning, and no chorusing drunkyards at night. Food was also rarely an issue, since they planted most of their own food. And as for meat, Mister Chen would hunt for wild boars and chickens.

If not, Madam Chen would head to the village early in the morning, and buy the things they needed.

Of course, there were some days when the Chens would regret living so far away. The nearest village in the area was the one occupied by the Yu Clan.

And so, when the Chens had to go to the village for whatever reason, it was a pain to get back.

(Like seriously, you'll get blisters on your feet for having to walk so much, whilst carrying groceries. Or whatever it is that you buy.)

Up ahead, Liu Yang could see the wooden roof of the familiar hut. She beamed tiredly and quickened her pace, almost jogging as the shape of the house began to reveal itself more and more the closer she got.

"Mister Chen!" She called out, waving her hand excitedly at the man squating down at a flower-infested area.

Mister Chen looked up at the sound of someone calling his name, and his eyes widened slightly, "By the heavens, Liu Yang!"

He got to his feet and went inside the house for a few moments, before re-emerging with his wife.

Madam Chen smiled fondly as Liu Yang walked towards them with a smile of her own.

Liu Yang bowed to them, something that had always irked the family since they were just commoners. But they'd soon learned to just let the rogue cultivator do her thing.

"Mister Chen, Madam Chen, I'm so happy to see you again." She said. She peeked behind them to look into the house. "May I ask, where is--"

"Yang-jie!" A familiar boy squealed with joy and sped out of the house, half-dressed. Luckily, he had pants on.

Liu Yang laughed and lowered herself to his height, so he could hug her fully.

"I missed you *sob* Yang-jie! *sob*" Ah-Chen in between a sob and a noseful of snot. Liu Yang leaned away with a digusted expression when the boy tried to use her sleeve to blow his nose.

She gave him a small piece of fabric instead. He took it with a weak thank you and cleared his nose.

Then, before Ah-Chen could say what was on his mind, Madam Chen ushered them inside. Evening was drawing closer, and Madam Chen would rather have a conversation where she could sit.

Liu Yang was led to the meal table, where she was sat down and served tea like she was a rich noble woman at an inn. She felt a bit odd at the pampering, since the Chens also acted like she was a close relative they hadn't seen in years.

The thought made her heart flutter with warmth. Maybe she didn't mind the pampering. The Chens were great hosts.

"Thank you for the tea." The rogue cultivator said, and drank her tea. She hummed at the flavour. "Mm! The tea is wonderful, Madam Chen!" Madam Chen smiled.

Madam Chen had gotten into planting her own plants to brew tea. She's been experimenting ever since.

"Ah-Chen, " Liu Yang said, patting the empty chair beside her, "Come, sit down beside Yang-jie." The boy obediently obeyed. Liu Yang put her bags onto the table (abit rude, but eh.)

"Liu Yang, what's all this?" Mister Chen asked, interest piqued at the large bags that Liu Yang had carried.

Jun Chen burst into a wide grin when Liu Yang revealed what was inside one of them. His eyes sparkled with unbriddled joy as he reached into the bag and took out a wooden sword and a fistfull of sweets.

"Wah! So many sweets! Toys too!"

Madam Chen leaned over the bag to take a peek and grimaced, "Oh my, emphasis on many... I hope Ah-Chen doesn't finish the sweets all at once..." Mister Chen sighed beside his wife.

Liu Yang understood the couple's reason for worrying and offered an apologetic smile. Well, at least she'd also bought things for them too as a peace offering.

Liu Yang let out a oomph of surprise when Ah-Chen threw himself onto her, and wrapped his skinny arms around her neck.

"Thank you so, so, so, so, so much, Yang-jie! I promise I'll keep everything you gifted me forever! I'll even have someone bury them beside me in my grave." The boy said with the sincerity of an innocent child, holding up three fingers beside his head.

"..." Liu Yang was stunned and at a loss of words. (And like honestly, what do you even say to a kid so sincere??) It was a good thing his parents had left to go to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Liu Yang also wasn't sure if she should laugh or cry, both amused by the seriousness and yet equally touched. So, she decided to just go with, "I'm glad you love them so much, Ah-Chen."

Ah-Chen seemed to like the respond as he beamed, flashing his teeth wide at Liu Yang.
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