Chapter 7 — Bought the wrong Bac Canh Vuong

It seemed like Lac Nhan didn't expect me to receive it so quickly. Hac Da's tail also stopped a bit. I seriously explain:

“I'm really short of money right now.”

Lac Nhan was stunned and then burst out laughing.

“This is what you deserve.”

I nodded. Of course you have to accept it. The rice Hac Da ate in the past few days, the medicine he used, and the bowls he broke were all very expensive. But after securing my wallet, I asked again:

“Are you two going?”

The backyard is quiet. Lac Nhan looked at Hac Da.

"The former Northern Region has gathered, just waiting for Your Highness to return. The rebels think that I am the young master, so they have been chasing me all this time. Now that Your Highness's identity has not been revealed, this is the best opportunity to return to the Northern Region."

I understand. Originally, Hac Da did not belong here. You have your home, there are people waiting for you. After returning, he no longer needed to go to the loading dock, no longer needed to live in a leaky room, and was no longer bullied by others for considering him an inferior beastman. That's a good thing. I held my bag of money and tried to smile.

“Then go back quickly.”

Hach Da did not speak. Afraid you might worry, I added:

"I have this money, I can pay the rent first, then open a small mail shop. In the future, I won't have to work three jobs anymore, I will live very well."

Hac Da's expression still did not relax. He just asked:

“You want me to go?”

I was asked until I was speechless. Of course not. But in Bac Canh, there are his clan, and there is also a life that belongs to him. Because I can't bear to leave you, I can't force you to stay here and eat soup with me.

“There is someone waiting for you there.”

Hac Da looked at me.

“Aren't you waiting?”

I don't understand.

“I go home every day.”

The tail on his back moved slightly. It was like he wanted to touch me, but held back. A long time later, Hac Da turned to Lac Nhan.

“Three more days.”

Lac Nhan was a bit surprised:

“Your Highness, in Bac Canh…”

“Wait three more days.”

After saying that, he did not explain further. On the way home, Hac Da was still walking beside me. Like every day. It's just that when he passed the scarf shop, he stopped for a moment. I followed his eyes. In the glass cabinet there is a thick silver-gray scarf. Just like your hair color. I touched the bag of money in my lap.

“I'll buy it for you tomorrow.”

Hac Da lowered his eyes and looked at me.

“Why?”

“Bac Canh must be very cold.”

I thought for a bit, but it didn't feel right.

“But you have hair.”

He didn't say. The tip of the tail reached forward and gently hooked my finger.

08

The next day, I went to buy that silver-gray scarf. The shop owner saw me back and smiled and said:

“Where is the beastman who was with you yesterday? This color suits him very well.”

I nodded:

“I bought it for him.”

The scarf is a little more expensive than mine. But it is very thick to the touch, with a small hidden pattern embroidered on the edge. I carried the paper bag home, Hac Da was not there. On the table lay a new key. Next to it was a piece of paper, with only an address written on it. The handwriting is very clumsy. Some strokes are still written backwards. I looked for a long time before realizing it was a small store on East Street in the old neighborhood. In the evening, Hac Da returned, his body covered in wood chips. I sat at the table waiting for him.

“You bought the store?”

His steps stopped.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I want to open it mail shop.”

That's what I said. But just casually reminded him one sentence. Although Pho Dong is a bit remote, it is close to the market. No matter how small the store is, it costs a lot of money. I hugged the paper bag containing the scarf tightly.

“The money Lac Nhan gave me was a thank you gift, you don't need to arrange these things for me.”

Hach Da walked over and placed another piece of paper on the table. It's a store contract. The name written on it is not your name. It's my name.

“It's not Lac Nhan's money.”

“So where did it come from?”

“I used to hide things before.”

You spoke very vaguely. I roughly understand, those are the things you left behind when you fled Bac Canh. Capital should be used to preserve life. Now you take it out and buy it for me.

“I can't accept.”

Hac Da looked at me.

“Why?”

“Too expensive.”

“When you bought me, you also spent all your money.”

I immediately couldn't say anything. That's not the same thing. I bought you just because I didn't want to see you being sent to the animal arena. Never thought the day would come when you would use a store to pay me back. Hac Da put the key in my palm.

“Tang Ninh, after returning to Bac Canh, I don't know how long it will be before I can return.”

When he said this, his voice was very calm. For the past three days, I've been pretending like he just went away for a trip. Only now do I realize how far Bac Canh is. After returning, he will once again become a noble young master. Besides, there are many guards who will also live in the large palace. Probably will never come back again. I lowered my head and looked at the key in my palm. The edge of the key was pressed into the palm of my hand, causing a bit of pain.

“So are you still coming back?”

Hach Da did not answer immediately. The tail reached out from behind and gently wrapped around my wrist.

“Yes.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

At this time I received the key. Then take the towel out of the paper bag.

“So this is for you.”

Hac Da took a look.

“I have hair.”

“The North Canh is windy.”

“I'm not afraid of the cold.”

"But I've already bought it, I can't return it."

Hac Da was silent for a moment then bowed his head. I stood on tiptoe and wrapped the scarf around his neck. The silver gray color is very similar to his hair. It also covers the damaged burn marks on the back of the neck. I finished adjusting the towel and took a step back.

“Very beautiful.”

Hach Da raised his hand to touch the towel. The ears were hidden in the hair, only a small missing corner was visible.

“Yes.”

He replied softly. At night, Hac Da started repairing the roof. The rain leak crack has actually been sealed. But he still climbed up and replaced all the old wooden planks. I stood in the yard holding the ladder for him. The landlady sat in front of the door and looked for a long time. She couldn't help but ask:

“Are you going?”

Hac Da's movements stopped.

“Yes.”

“When will you come back?”

“Three more days.”

“I asked when I would come back.”

Hac Da bowed his head and looked at me.

“Very fast.”

The landlady snorted.

“A man's words 'very fast' are the most unreliable."

She rummaged through the vegetable basket and found two eggs and gave them to me.

“Boil it tomorrow morning and take it with you to eat along the way.”

“For him?”

“You eat too.” The landlady glared at me. “Don't give him everything again.”

I'm a bit embarrassed. Hac Da on the roof heard it very clearly. The tail hangs down from the back, swaying slightly. The next day, Hac Da accompanied me to the new store. Very small premises. Two tables can be placed in front, and in the back there is a narrow space for resting. Overlay windows thick dust. I wiped it for a long time before letting the sunlight shine in. Hac Da fixed the door, I arranged the old bookshelf. Busy until noon, we sat on the floor eating scones. I looked at the empty store and began to imagine how it would be decorated in the future. The position next to the window can be used to write a letter of hire. Near the wall, place some cheap pen and paper. There is a small stove behind, so it's convenient to boil water in the winter. After talking for a while, I realized that Hac Da was still looking at me.

“Is something wrong?”

“Nothing.”

He moved his eyes. I broke the cake in half and gave it to him.

“Wait for me to return, maybe the store is already open.”

Hach Da received it.

“Okay.”

In the evening, we went to the City Hall to cancel the contract. Ransom is very expensive. Hac Da help me pay. The person in charge of holding the black market contract looked for a long time, then looked at Hac Da.

“From now on, he and I will no longer have any dependent relationship.”

I nodded:

“There was never any.”

The other person felt that my statement was strange, was too lazy to ask more, and stamped it down. As he walked out of the City Hall, Hac Da stopped on the steps. I give you your new freedom certificate.

“Yours.”

Hac Da did not accept.

“You keep it.”

“This is yours.”

“Leave it at your place.”

I thought for a moment, folded up the certificate and the canceled black market contract and put it in my bag.

“Then I'll keep it for you.”

Hac Da said "yes". We walked back shoulder to shoulder. When passing through the entrance to the black market, where they first met, he suddenly stopped. The place is still noisy.