Chapter 2

On the other side, Heng finally managed to hunt two rabbits, wild herbs and some berries not so far from the river. Satisfied, she walked back proudly. Suddenly, a small shadow jumped to her shoulder. Seeing this she smirked while still walking cheerfully, "A-Huo, you finally remember me your companion aa. Where were you when I show my skills tsk."

A-Huo is a small monkey she saved not long after she time traveled. This little monkey was being hunted by a snake. Fortunately though, Heng who were hungry at that time popped out and killed the snake for her lunch. Since that time, this little monkey become her companion although he sometimes disappear to somewhere and come back after few hours.

When she arrived back, she sees Feng Jiu sleeping with Jiu Mei in her embrace while the two maids are sitting and observing their surrounding cautiously. "Hope I am not too late, will quickly cook these two rabbits and we can depart not long after that."

She built a tinder nest before striking the steel against the flint several times. Not long after, she can see the sparks fly off to the char cloth causing a glow. She put the char cloth into the tinder nest before gently blowing on it until it starts the flame. Satisfied with the result, she then quickly clean the rabbit on the river and marinate the meat with the wild herbs and a bit of salt and pepper before barbecuing them.

Feng Jiu and the two maids were too astonished seeing her methodically ignite the fire. They never seen this method before!

When the meat is almost fully cooked, the aromatic smell hits Jiu Mei which made her awake and said happily, "It smells good."

Hearing this, I told her to come closer and give her the first cooked one, "Eat it slowly, it's still too hot so blow it first , ok?" She happily received the bbq stick and blew some air to the meat before biting it slowly.

Adorable oh you little bun! Seems that she is satisfied with the food as she keep biting it without making any sounds.

I gave the share for the other three ladies before cooking mine and A-Huo's portion. A-Huo who apparently has been pretty hungry, keep moving bit by bit towards the meat, "You little troublemaker, be patient, stop coming closer to the fire otherwise I will barbecued you!"

A-Huo who has just been scolded by Heng put a pitiful look before pointing out to his stomach. I am hungry!

"Do you want a piece of this?" Ask Jiu Mei while showing a meat on her right tiny hand. Of course, the shameless A-Huo directly pick it up and eat it happily.

Seeing this adorable act, I patted her head while smiling, "Jiu Mei, this is A-Huo. Don't give him more food otherwise he will be spoiled." Jiu Mei only giggled hearing my jokes while A-Huo looks aggrieved. I shrugged my shoulder before devouring my portion.

It took them another three hours before they finally arrive in the city gates. The whole way to there, Jiu Mei has been closely sticking to Heng and A-Huo. When she is tired, Heng voluntarily piggyback her while making jokes so she keep laughing until she gets tired and fall asleep again. Noticing their exhausted face, Heng told them she will hold Jiu Mei a little bit longer as anyway it is not a big deal for her. Previously every morning and evening, she runs for two hours with 20kg of sand in her bag and afterwards there is also the martial art training, the gun training, the after midnight training...Sighed, she realized how much she miss it. Ugh, grandpa! Wait until i am back!

Feng Jiu who has been observing her all the way to the city gates were actually surprised to see her daughter getting close to stranger. Jiu Mei is actually a really shy one, she never spends time with other kids and prefer to stick with her or her big brother and sometimes to her father. She could also see how gently Heng treats Jiu Mei which made her feel even more grateful as she knows kids can be troublesome sometimes.

She treats her two maids merrily and makes funny jokes from her place making them laugh till hurting their stomachs and even request to only call her name. Sometimes, she mentioned some facts about her place, like how everyone is equal there, how tall the houses, how easy to get food even in winter time, they also have transportation which can shortened a week journey to less than a day. That sounds like a magical place!

She said it was her grandpa's fault she got deserted on the mountain and how she can only helplessly wait until he pull her back. Hearing her cursing her grandpa made her laugh so badly.

After informing the city guard to tell her family to pick them up, Feng Jiu offer her to stay in her manor to get some rest which directly refused by Heng. She really think they should not feel grateful as it's her job to protecting human rights.

Unexpectedly, Jiu Mei who has been behaving ever since, is now holding her clothes tightly refusing letting it go and with the slightly red eyes looking at her sending a "don't go" message, really making her helpless.

Feng Jiu, Xiao Mi and Xiao Mu also let her be as they also wants her to stay in her manor. They even have evil smirks on their face.

Knowing there is no point of arguing, she nods her head and pats Jiu Mei's head before showing her gentle smile to Feng Jiu, "Alright aunty, I will take the offer." Jiu Mei happily hug her which made her laugh happily as well. Alas, I cannot win from this adorable bun! I can leave tomorrow anyway.

"Jiu Mei, you are outside, as a lady you should behave like one." Feng Jiu scolded her seeing Jiu Mei being so clingy. She likes the fact that they are close but thinking that the other party is a man and they are in capital now, it is much better to keep the distance for both reputation.

I chuckled hearing this, seems that all those stories are true, woman's life in this time is so troublesome. Knowing Feng Jiu's worry, she smile and finally told her, "It is fine. We all have same gender so let her act freely."

Seeing the three ladies surprised face, I cheerfully add, "I did not mean to hide it but I don't see much difference in it and don't feel a need to explain it. After all what's important is you know me as Heng." I hold Jiu Mei again and poke her nose, "But I do prefer man's clothes as it is more convenient so to avoid more misunderstanding just call me Heng."

"And you little bun when i wear man's clothes just call me Heng gege ok!" And I send a wink to her.

Feng Jiu helplessly shook her head, she was not too surprised with the confession. She already doubt her gender when she cannot find her adam's apple not long ago when she was gazing up towards the city gates. What shocked her more is her explanation. She becomes even more curious about her place.

Not long after, a black carriage arrive in front of them. The driver who introduced himself as mr. Bao suddenly had a red eye and seems relieved seeing them. Not wanting to stand longer, all of them quickly went inside the carriage and agreed to talk later when they are back.