Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Uncle Fu Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Uncle Fu Editor: Atlas Studios Escort masters travel Jianghu, bound by numerous rules and rituals.
Among them, there is one that entails not washing one’s face.
Mainly because frequent washing followed by exposure to wind and sun can easily lead to cracked and injured skin, skin peeling in summer, and feeling as if the face is being sliced by daggers in the cold winter winds.
Therefore, not washing the face is actually a form of protection for escort masters.
And the time to wash one’s face… naturally, is after returning home.
This rule at Ziyang Escort Agency is treated almost like a ceremony.
Completing an escort mission and washing one’s face upon returning home is considered a top priority.
Su Mo watched Uncle Fu’s beaming smile, and couldn’t help but smile warmly himself, shrugged off his outerwear, and thoroughly washed away the weariness from his face.
Uncle Fu attended to him the entire time, and only after Su Mo finished washing up did he take the basin away and throw out the water with force.
As if to cast away all the hardships endured along the journey.
…
…
Washing up, then eating!
Coming home from an escort mission calls for a good meal.
Tender slices of stir-fry, delectable Crystal Pork Elbow, enticingly green vegetables, and an assortment of dishes across the table.
Plus, Uncle Fu’s special soup dumplings, which he made five steamers full of.
Allowing Su Mo to thoroughly enjoy his meal.
Yet, Uncle Fu always emphasized following the rules, hence he never ate at the same table as Su Mo.
While Su Mo dined, Uncle Fu stood by to attend to him.
Although Su Mo had told Uncle Fu more than once that in the escort agency it was just the two of them depending on each other, and there really was no need to adhere so rigidly to this protocol.
However, Uncle Fu simply wouldn’t allow it, regardless of how eloquently Su Mo argued.
In persistent disagreement, the old man would act stubborn, sitting on the ground with tears and snot, apologizing to the ancestors of the Su family.
Finally, Su Mo had no choice but to give in.
While savoring the delicious soup dumplings, Su Mo couldn’t help but mention his encounter with Yang Xiaoyun at Shi Li Pavilion.
“Miss Yang from the Yang Family, huh.”
Uncle Fu’s eyes lit up: “Speaking of which, young master, it’s about time you should consider marriage. Miss Yang is truly a match for you, both elegant and beautiful. How about I take a trip to Iron Blood Escort Agency in a little while on your behalf, meet Master Yang, and propose the marriage?”
Su Mo was just swallowing a sip of tea and nearly sprayed it all out upon hearing this.
He quickly waved his hands: “Uncle Fu, please refrain, we absolutely mustn’t do this!”
“Young master, why speak of absolutes?”
Uncle Fu shook his head: “This marriage was agreed upon while your father was still alive, and Master Yang was very happy about it at the time. Even though your father has passed, the engagement still stands. If Yang Yizhi dares go back on his word, would he still have the face to be called a man? If he really does so, don’t underestimate me despite my age. If I just lie down at the doors of Iron Blood Escort Agency in protest, I reckon it would give Yang Yizhi a headache for three days.”
Su Mo was caught between laughter and tears, unsure of what the old man had experienced in his youth.
Still lively as ever, he resembled a chunk of tough meat, exuding an air of defiance like a stubborn bachelor impervious to boiling water.
Moreover, Su Mo understood Uncle Fu all too well.
The old man was truly capable of doing such things.
He said hastily, “I’m not saying this marriage proposal does not count, nor am I saying the Yang Family intends to back out. Besides, over the years, the number of suitors at the Iron Blood Escort Agency has nearly worn out their iron threshold, yet Uncle Yang has not agreed, has he?”
“Indeed, that is true, Yang Yizhi keeps his word.”
Uncle Fu nodded, “You should know, when he and Master were young, they were sworn brothers. Countless times, Master has carried him out of deadly skirmishes in Jianghu. If he dared break his promise, even if Uncle Fu died, I would become a vengeful spirit to haunt his backbone.”
“…”
Su Mo could only nod repeatedly, “Indeed, indeed.”
“When do you think is the appropriate time for us to bring up this matter, young master?”
Yet Uncle Fu did not let the topic rest, and instead turned to Su Mo, “This matter cannot remain unresolved forever. While this old body of mine is still of some use, if you could continue the Su family line, I could even help look after young master Xiao Xiao. Don’t underestimate me; I raised you when you were young, and the Lady even said I was better with children than her.”
This topic was veering off course, seemingly without end.
He could only respond perfunctorily, “Uncle Fu, this is indeed not the right time to bring this up. My behavior has been reckless in the last few years, and the talk has spread throughout Luoxia City. Although I have deeply reflected and corrected my past ways, my reputation needs to be gradually restored. Uncle Yang holds a considerable prejudice against me because of it. Even because of past promises, the marriage proposal has not been annulled.
“But if we propose it now, it’s unlikely it will be accepted…”
Before Uncle Fu could become anxious at this point, Su Mo quickly continued, “However, everything is moving in a good direction now. As the escort agency begins doing business again, my reputation will gradually improve. Once the escort agency flourishes and achieves fame and success, why would Uncle Yang obstruct it then?
“I suspect that rejecting so many suitors over the years might be his way of waiting for me to truly reform.”
After listening to this, Uncle Fu slightly calmed down, pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, “Young master, you have indeed grown up; your words are sensible and appropriate. Then… shall we follow young master’s plan?”
“Hmm, let’s do that.”
Su Mo exhaled softly, just getting through this conversation. Future matters would be dealt with in the future.
Uncle Fu still said while smiling, “Though that’s said, young master, if you happen to have some free time, you should still visit the Iron Blood Escort Agency.”
“…Understood.”
Su Mo nodded slightly, “I’ve already promised Yang Xiaoyun that, during my free time, I’d drop by the Iron Blood Escort Agency.”
“That’s good, that’s good.”
Uncle Fu nodded repeatedly, “I know you prioritize martial arts now, but Miss Yang is also an expert in this field. Isolation is no long-term strategy; you young people should interact and learn from each other more, which is just like the saying… how does it go? Fearless and progressing? Perhaps that will even give rise to interesting stories in Jianghu in the future…”
The old man rambled on, his mind already envisioning the future renown of Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun in Jianghu.
Su Mo secretly sighed in relief but thought to himself that dealing with this matter was still somewhat headache-inducing.
“But fortunately, Yang Yizhi’s intentions are unclear, and nothing is set in stone yet, so there’s no need to worry too much.”
He decided not to think further, enjoyed a satisfying meal, and then returned to his room.
The journey had been truly exhausting, and although his Inner Strength was profound and he was physically not much affected, he was mentally exhausted. He threw himself onto the bed, and in moments, he was soundly asleep.