Chapter Four: Beef Soup and Justice

Liu Ru did not understand why Su Ziye claimed to have nothing at all.

But it did not matter.

Because Su Ziye had already truly moved her. If, before, Liu Ru had harbored the faintest hesitation about leaving this country for distant lands, now she was indeed willing to go through fire and water for this young man.

Although she did not comprehend the principle of dying for one who truly understands you, the way Su Ziye treated her, his manner and attitude, gave this once-broken girl the courage to live on.

"Do you still want beef soup for dinner?" Su Ziye was a little surprised to hear Liu Ru make such a request.

But what surprised him more was her next request.

"Teach me how to make it," Liu Ru said.

Liu Ru could cook. Though she was no expert in elaborate dishes, she had no trouble lighting a fire, making simple meals, and preparing home-style dishes by stir-frying, stewing, or frying.

What truly surprised her was just how simple the method for making this beef soup was.

It was so easy.

The only time-consuming part was simmering the bones for the broth. Other than that, all one had to do was put various seasonings, vegetables, and meat in a bowl, then pour the hot beef-bone broth over it as if making tea.

"I have two questions," Liu Ru said thoughtfully after hearing the instructions.

"I know which two questions you want to ask," Su Ziye replied with a smile.

"Then tell me," Liu Ru said, looking at him.

"Shall I leave, then?" Su Ziye remained unmoved, still wearing that handsome yet somewhat hollow smile.

Liu Ru sighed. "First question: you said the bone broth has to be simmered for a whole day and night, but you didn’t spend nearly that long."

"Because I have this," Su Ziye rubbed his fingers together and, from who knows where, produced a milky-white pellet, which he set on his fingertip. "A concentrated bone-broth essence. All the nutrients of the bones are in here."

Liu Ru snatched the pellet and sniffed it, indeed catching the scent of beef bone broth. "Then the second question: if you can make broth with this pellet, why did you still spend so much time?"

Indeed, it took a long time. Liu Ru hadn’t soaked in the bath for very long, but the first time she came out, Su Ziye had sent her right back in.

He said the meal wasn’t ready yet.

If Su Ziye’s meal was just boiling water over a pellet and mixing in seasonings, why did it take him more than an hour to finish something that could be done in a few minutes?

He must be naturally handicapped.

"You can skip simmering the broth, but the flatbreads must be baked," Su Ziye said seriously, looking at Liu Ru. "Did you forget the shredded flatbread you ate was freshly baked?"

"You mean that crisp yet chewy texture?"

"Why not use dry rations?" Liu Ru was very surprised.

She truly hadn’t noticed at the time.

Indeed, those shredded flatbreads tasted fresh and delicious, but according to Su Ziye, he had spent all that time baking them fresh?

"Otherwise, how could they taste so good?" Su Ziye replied matter-of-factly. "Wheat must be ground into flour, flour kneaded into dough, the dough rolled out and baked into flatbreads—how could any of that not take time?"

"I’m not like those unscrupulous merchants, who, after sketching out their grand plans, let years go by and, when questioned, claim the wheat seeds have just been bought and are ready to be planted."

After making this joke to himself, Su Ziye seemed to remember something.

"By the way, tonight you’ll stay in the inn. I’m heading out," he said lightly.

"For what?" Liu Ru couldn’t help asking.

"Come, let’s lay down three rules." Su Ziye looked at her with calm eyes. "Not just now, but from now on: I may leave at any time to do things you don’t know about. Don’t ask me what I’m going to do. When it’s time for you to know, you’ll know."

Liu Ru nodded. "But you will come back, right?"

She wasn’t entirely confident.

"As long as I’m alive," Su Ziye replied with a smile.

Liu Ru’s heart settled. "And the other two rules?"

"Hmm?" Su Ziye thought, then said, "I haven’t figured them out yet. When I do, I’ll let you know."

…

As dusk fell, Su Ziye went out.

Liu Ru gazed at the crimson moon outside the window, feeling as if everything was illusory and uncertain.

Perhaps only when she saw that black-haired, black-eyed youth with her own eyes would she feel something real.

She looked at her own fingers; the old scars and bloodstains had vanished without a trace, but this only left her more lost.

"You must come back," she murmured.

…

At this moment, Su Ziye had just knocked on a door.

"Which bastard—" The man opened the door cursing, but stopped short when he saw Su Ziye.

"Mr. Tang, we meet again," Su Ziye said coolly to Tang En, his black eyes silent and empty.

Of course Tang En remembered this young man, who had disrupted his business that afternoon. But then, Su Ziye had seemed unfathomable and had obediently paid twice the price—a gold crown—to buy Liu Ru, so Tang En had barely managed to swallow his anger.

But now, how had he found Tang En’s exact place of residence?

Tang En eyed him warily.

"Gold speaks," Su Ziye said calmly to Tang En. "Of course, not every piece of gold speaks. But every piece of my gold can."

Tang En instantly thought of the brand-new gold crown in his pocket. He looked at Su Ziye in disbelief, wanting to take it out and throw it back, but in the end, his greed overpowered his reason. "Why are you here?" he asked coldly.

"Liu Ru—the girl I bought from you this afternoon—where did you get her?" Su Ziye asked directly.

"You ask—" Tang En had barely begun to speak when, suddenly, his knees buckled, and he found himself unable to control his body, kneeling before Su Ziye. The youth looked down at the slave trader and said indifferently, "Just answer my questions."

Tang En tried to stand, but his knees seemed fused to the ground, utterly immovable no matter how he strained.

He realized that while he had sensed the youth’s danger earlier, he had never imagined it could be so terrifying.

Yes—he had every right to demand answers.

"She has powerful backers," Tang En said carefully.

At once, Tang En felt his knees sink further, as though his shoulders bore enough weight to crush his kneecaps. He wanted to scream in agony, but when he opened his mouth, no sound emerged.

He looked up at the dark-haired youth. In this moment, he finally felt as if he were facing the King of Hell himself.

"The Imperial Border Guard," he blurted out without a second thought.

"Bingo!" Su Ziye snapped his fingers in delight. At that sound, Tang En suddenly found himself able to stand.

"Lead the way," Su Ziye said to him, his smile genuine and cheerful.

Tang En stared at him in disbelief.

Su Ziye merely gazed back, unmoved.

"Madman," Tang En muttered. "Do you know what you’re up against?"

"I know," Su Ziye replied with a bright smile.

"And another thing."

"I’m not a madman."

"I am justice."

"Justice."