Chapter Forty-Three: Responsibility and Duty

“Auntie, this meal is delicious, but I can’t finish it all by myself. Auntie, could you promise me one thing…” Li Le hesitated, her expression bashful and uncertain.

Aunt Bian’s heart softened with affection. She stroked Li Le’s head gently and said, “What is it? Don’t be shy. If it’s something I can do, I’ll definitely promise you!”

Li Le frowned slightly, a touch of discomfort flickering across her face, but she swiftly glanced at the old master sitting behind the woman, whose white brows lifted ever so slightly. A glimmer of amusement flashed in Li Le’s eyes.

Trying to catch me off guard?

She pressed her lips together and said, “My big brother is out patrolling so late. He probably hasn’t eaten yet. I’d like to take the food back for him…”

The woman’s smile deepened, and a suspicious blush crept onto her cheeks.

“Oh, is that all? Of course, Auntie will give you everything—take it all home with you!” Li Le smiled, her eyes curving in gratitude. “Thank you, Auntie. My big brother told me today that if I want to strengthen my body, I need to come home early. May I come visit you another day?”

As she spoke, Li Le watched the woman’s expression carefully. Fortunately, the woman’s only reaction was a trace of regret, and she said, “Building up your body is important. So, Le, you should head home now. But remember to visit Auntie another time. I’ll make you something delicious then.”

Li Le—wearing a forced smile—thought, Understood. Next time, I’ll be sure to avoid mealtime.

Behind her, Elder Qu sat on a chair, leaning on his cane. He looked at the little one’s forced smile and a genuine smile broke through his wrinkled face.

What a clever child.

Catching his teasing glance, Li Le couldn’t help but roll her eyes discreetly.

Unknowingly, the unfamiliarity in Li Le’s heart dissipated, along with the old man’s imposing air.

“Auntie will fold a paper bag for you so you can carry it home. Eat a little more, don’t let yourself go hungry…” Bian took several sheets of oiled paper and, with deft hands, folded them into a sturdy standing bag. She filled it with food, pressing it down firmly with a wooden spoon until it could hold no more, tied it shut with string, and handed it to Li Le.

It felt heavy in Li Le’s grasp.

Her right eyelid twitched.

“…Thank you, Auntie!” She managed a small smile despite herself.

“It’s nothing…” The woman patted Li Le’s head, her gaze lowered in thought. After a moment, she looked up and said hesitantly, “By the way… in a few days, when Chief Bai is away, if you feel bored, you can come here to play. Grandpa and I will be at home. If you need anything, just come find us…”

Chief Bai will be away in a few days?

Where is he going?

A shadow crept over Li Le’s heart. Her nerves tensed, thoughts racing. She forced herself to appear calm and replied, “Alright, Auntie. I understand. I’ll head back now—my big brother is probably waiting for me!”

Sensing the worry in the woman’s face, she sighed but said nothing more, only, “Alright, Le, you go home for now.”

Li Le had no heart to linger. She hurried out, turning toward the door. Just as she stepped outside, she saw a burly man entering the wooden house, road-weary and frowning beneath thick brows.

Li Le barely glanced at him, her footsteps quickening as she made her way home along the main path.

From a distance, she could hear the woman’s voice from inside the wooden house—Bian, calling the man “Feng.”

Li Le’s mood was bleak, as if a long-held fear had finally taken form in reality.

A suspicion she’d long suppressed began to surface in her mind.

If it was as she feared…

Chief Bai would be leaving the city in just a few days!

Li Le gritted her teeth, her palms sweating and clammy beneath the wide gray sleeves of her robe. Even the slight increase in her faith value couldn’t distract her now.

She hurried through the streets, following the route to her own wooden house—though the walk took no more than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, she was out of breath by the time she arrived.

Inside, Tuan Tuan glowed, its light shining a warm yellow through the window.

For her own reasons, she hadn’t brought Tuan Tuan along today, instead leaving it to rest in her room.

Now its glow was steady and bright—the sure sign that Chief Bai had already returned.

He hadn’t left today after all…

Li Le breathed a sigh of relief, but her face quickly grew tense again. She pressed her lips together and, without further delay, pushed open the door and stepped inside. There, as expected, was Chief Bai.

He stood beside a huge wooden barrel, steam rising around him, pouring bone powder from a jar into the barrel.

Hearing the hurried footsteps, Chief Bai’s ears twitched. He turned to see Li Le’s troubled expression.

He was startled for a moment; the harsh lines of his face softened, his sharp black eyes tinged with confusion. “Le, what’s wrong? Did someone bully you?”

It was no wonder he thought so—Li Le’s face was unusually grim, a far cry from her usual gentle and friendly smile. She was out of breath, her eyes rimmed red, as if she’d run all the way home.

On the table, Tuan Tuan tilted its head and squeaked twice.

Li Le exhaled slowly, closed the door decisively, and looked at Chief Bai. She asked directly, “Chief Bai, are you leaving the city to hunt in a few days?”

She’d made a habitual mistake—she’d always assumed the last hunting party had been from District Two, and that District Thirteen’s turn was still months away. She’d dismissed the possibility out of hand.

But Bian’s words today had made her realize—who said hunting expeditions had to follow the district order?

A flash of surprise passed through Chief Bai’s eyes. He nodded, “Yes. District Two ran into an emergency outside the city and couldn’t handle it. They need District Thirteen’s support.”

His voice was matter-of-fact, as if he were long accustomed to such things.

Li Le bit her lip and swallowed the words, “Can’t you stay?” that rose to her throat.

Duty comes with responsibility. As district chief, how could he back down now?

To say it aloud would only make her seem weak and foolish.