章 28: Chapter Twenty Eight - What I think about Jin Li

With the two pouches, one loaned and new cauldron and a whole mess of herbs to hand, Leon felt that he really should not procrastinate and attempt to fix some of the mess his home was in. Admittedly, he felt uncomfortable returning, but he would simply have to make do. He had survived through a beating (well partially), hunger and Jin Li, this would simply be another trial to him.

As his thoughts turned to his difficult house guest, he wondered if Jin Li had returned or if he had finally gone on his way. He also wondered how he felt about that. Just this morning, he wished him away as Jin Li was arrogant, rude, spoilt and enjoyed tormenting him. But he could not deny that there were a few brief moments where the man had his interests in mind, such as at the apothecary and ensuring he purchased clothes (for he likely would not have bothered and placed food and utensils above all else). He was also very angry about the destruction of Leon's property on Leon's behalf, even though he had made it blatantly clear that he did not care for it. And deep down, Leon quietly admitted to himself, when he glanced at Jin Li during those brief moments that he was not being his horrible self, Leon did find him attractive. His own thoughts caused him to blush.

Ah, had it really only been a few days since Jin Li came into his life like an angry tornado? It felt like so much longer! Leon found himself sniggering, his quiet laughter lightening the heavy burden he had felt upon his shoulders since first transmigrating here, the burden he hadn't even realised he had been carrying. But then, he supposed, trying to survive in an unfamiliar environment with the odds stacked against you since the beginning was a burden to even the hardest of men. And let's face it, in this world or the last, Leon had such small shoulders.

As he neared the clearing, he collected the broken talismans, saving them for the fire. It would not do to waste wood and these silly charms were just pitiful decorations. He could create more, better ones too since he had improved over the weeks. As he pottered along, feeling more cheerful, he came to see the hut in the distance. From this angle, it appeared as it normally did, it would not be until he moved to the front of his little home that he would be reminded. With a sigh, he took those steps.

Only... his garden was not quite the wreck it had become. Granted, the plants still looked rather pitiful, as if they had been thrust into the ground with some tremendous force, then soaked under a bucketful of water. Leon glanced around to see a heaped pile of pottery, jade glass and wood splinters to one side of the door, which while it still had one less hinge, had been placed shut into the door frame. He knocked upon it, knowing if he opened it himself, it would simply fall to one side once more. Instead, Jin Li, who occupied the small hut, caused this to occur instead.

The man looked disgruntled as the door fell, but stepped to the side to allow Leon entry. Inside had been somewhat tidied, though he could still see sparkling fragments missed from the haphazard cleaning in the corners and beneath the bed. The few jade bottles had been placed upon the shelf that was still fixed to the wall and upon the table lie a pile of shredded paper and the remnant cheap leather bindings.

Leon turned to Jin Lin and glanced up into a face that seemed to declare that he didn't want any acknowledgement while his eyes flickered about Leon's, seeking something. Leon did not let him down. "Thank you," he said with a genuine smile.

"Well, it's not like this Lord did this for you," Jin Li muttered, despite seeming quite pleased by Leon's words. "I simply did not wish to sleep in such a sty." His stomach loudly rumbled. Leon swallowed any laughter and handed him the large piece of bread he had retained from lunch.

"I'll g-go ahead and m-make s-something to eat," Leon said, softly.