Tangli Fried Snow

These past few days have felt like an eternity.

Sherry was constantly being bossed around by Jin Cheng, running around like a headless chicken. Adding to her troubles was her period, which meant she had to travel a long way to use the restroom. She couldn't help but think of America in the 1950s and 60s, where white people didn't allow Black people to use the restrooms indoors with them, and Black female slaves had to run between the yard and the house in the same way.

She was so tired every day that she would fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

That's not all. What's most infuriating is that after serving Jin Cheng for four or five days, he still couldn't remember his own name.

He never uttered the name "Su Mu" aloud; he only used two words to call her, either "Hey~" or "You~".

"Hey~, come here." You hear Jin Cheng calling her again.

Sherry walked past with her head down and eyes lowered.

Jin Cheng held a sexy bodice in his hand and played with it. He asked, "You've been tidying up my luggage these past few days. There must be quite a few of these kinds of things in there, right?"

"Reporting to the military supervisor, besides the quilt, clothes, shoes, cloak, and other wearable items I made for you, I have already packed them up and placed them on the west side. There are also more than a dozen pieces of women's embroidered handkerchiefs, sachets, and underwear that express affection, which I have put in a separate pink bundle for you," Shirley said in a serious tone.

He threw the undergarment in front of her and said nonchalantly, "Throw it all away. What if others see this? It will damage my prestige in the army."

"Yes," Shirley said respectfully.

Then she quickly took the bib and the pink bundle, a smile creeping onto her face. There were so many nice things inside, all the latest styles and patterns, with excellent workmanship and materials—all for this little money-grubber.

The space was filled with all sorts of odds and ends, all from packing his belongings. I wonder how many "good sisters" he has, since those dozens of packages were all gifts from girls.

Aside from food, it's all about daily necessities.

The package was mostly filled with various clothes and bedding, including undergarments, outer garments, trousers, cloaks, socks, and shoes. Everything she liked was stored in her spatial storage, while the rest, which she didn't like, were neatly arranged and placed in the main tent.

There are also many small items that girls like: gold and silver jewelry, handkerchiefs and sachets, trendy flower nets, handmade novelties, and even gold melon seeds and gold leaves used to reward servants. Any good things that she likes are all given a different name.

She organizes the supplies in her space every night; there are three or four pounds of delicious jerky alone, and she's so happy she wakes up laughing in her dreams.

Looking at Jin Cheng again, I no longer find him fussy or annoying.

I just thought he was handsome, dashing, and rich—a really good boss.

Jin Cheng was rarely in the main tent during the day. He was either in the command post holding operational meetings with his father and Jin Yunchong, or he was busy fighting, or he was training at the drill ground. Dongzi said that the war was getting intense recently, and they might have to go to the front lines in a few days. Xue Li was terrified when she heard this.

Before Jin Cheng left, he instructed her to tidy up his things during the day, and to have Xue Li serve him and keep watch over him when he returned at night.

Although she had a lot of work to do, she was happy to be alone during the day.

Early that morning, another large group of officers and soldiers, fully equipped and ready to go, marched eastward in a mighty procession. Hearing that a great battle was imminent, General Jin Yan led his troops, intending to compete with the main force of the Southern Army. The entire army was in high spirits, like a sword drawn from its sheath, piercing into the enemy's heartland.

Dongzi said they would be setting off tomorrow and asked her to pack everything today. Xue Li was thrilled, but also scared. Her biggest hope was that her side could win the battle.

Today was the day to boil water for Young Master Jin's bath again. The master was extravagant, and the servants followed suit. She also secretly took a bath with him, and luckily no one noticed. That big bathtub was so comfortable.

Jin Cheng returned after the moon came out. Xue Li first helped him take off his armor, and then helped him bathe and change his clothes.

Jin Cheng lay in the warm water and took a deep breath. Seeing that she was still staring blankly at him, he became angry again and couldn't help but ask her, "Did you often serve people bathing and fetch chamber pots before?"

"No, this is my first time serving someone too," Sherry blurted out. What are you thinking? I'm a fine young person of the motherland.

"I think you're doing a pretty good job serving them," he said sarcastically.

Haven't eaten pork and never seen a pig run?

Sherry learned all of this from that little maid Chunliu. Chunliu was just like that, always obedient and submissive, doing whatever her master said. She was skillful but had a dull gaze.

"Then why do you always have that nonchalant expression and that inexplicable smile when you serve me these two things?" Jin Cheng asked.

Sherry thought for a moment and said, "Because you're good-looking. You're beautiful from head to toe."

Jin Cheng's forehead vein throbbed; he didn't know whether to be happy or angry.

He was seething with anger and couldn't help but boss Sherry around, saying things like, "Hey, the water's too hot." Or, "Hey, the water's too cold." Or, "Hey, I'm thirsty." Or, "Hey, wash these clothes tonight."

Sherry was confused and worked while inwardly cursing him for being so fussy.

I don't know why he got angry again. I was just telling the truth. He is very good-looking, with a good figure and good skin. That precious thing is exactly the same as the props that the original owner used to use for studying. It's the right size, in perfect condition, and very beautiful and neat. Did I make a mistake by praising him?

It’s true that a man’s heart is like a needle in the sea.

Once again, Jin kept him busy until midnight, and that jerk finally went to sleep satisfied.

She was so tired that Shirley fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

It seemed like he had just fallen asleep, and the fatigue in his body had not yet dissipated. In his half-awake state, a sound of clashing swords and galloping horses came from behind him.

In her sleep, she heard the clanging of swords, a blade flying through the air and then disappearing into the distance. The resounding clangs overhead were incessant, and the man's low growls and muffled groans seemed to be right next to her. Shirley struggled to open her eyes, nearly wetting herself at the sight before her.

She saw several burly men fighting inside the tent. In the flickering torchlight, she witnessed two fully armored men knock Jin Cheng, who was wearing undergarments, to the ground in just a few moves.

Two blood-stained swords were held to Jin Cheng's neck. His face was bruised and swollen. He looked up at the young man who was wielding the sword against him, with an air of defiance that showed he would rather die than admit defeat.

Several more men carrying torches rushed into the main tent, instantly illuminating the place.

The young man opposite Jin Cheng was full of vigor and dressed in a very stylish manner, with a white feather tucked into his waistband and a sword with the light of autumn lotus emerging from its sheath.

He said to Jin Cheng with a smile, "Young Master Jin, it's been many years since we last met. I apologize for any offense I may have caused!"

Jin Cheng's eyes widened, and he said fiercely, "Duan Jingyu! It's you!"

Shirley looked at the young man and realized that he was Duan Jingyu, the leader of the southern rebels, the eldest son of Prince Duan, who had raised an army to rebel and head north to save his father and sister!