Ye Ling Might As Well Not Have Asked

They arrived at the village entrance where Wang Tuozi's ox-cart would always stop. There were already a few people sitting in it.

"Uncle Wong, here's the fare for Ling and I," Liu Duo said and handed him six wen.

He took the money and nodded as he smoked on his tobacco, "Sit tight, we're moving out now."

He placed the tobacco pipe by his waist, and once he whipped his old bull's behind, they were off to town.

It was such a coincidence today to share a carriage with a few other young teenage girls, with Ye Ling being the only man - and a handsome one too. The girls kept stealing glances at him.

Liu Duo sat on a cushion, clinging onto Ye Ling's arm. She looked sideways and noticed his red cheeks, smiling all the way.

"Ling, your cheeks are red. Do you feel hot?" Liu Duo asked him in a low voice.

It was an early morning. There was barely any sun. How could it be hot?

The girls looking his way had already made him shy. Liu Duo's teasing only added to the burning sensation.