You've Got Mail: Cautionary Tale (YGMCT)

Chapter 3 - Receiving A Pile of Pengornis Drawings

Chapter 3 – Receiving A Pile of Pengornis Drawings

The 10th arrived very quickly. On that day, Wu Xingzi awoke before the sun even rose, and tidied up his house. Polishing his furniture until they shone, he then ran to the waterfall at the nearby mountain and washed himself clean. Then, full of joy, he went off to hire Old Liu’s cart to head to Goose City.

During the entire journey, Wu Xingzi was very fidgety, feeling as though there were butterflies in his stomach. It was not until Old Liu shot him a third glance, did Wu Xingzi realised that he had been humming a tune.

However, he did not know many songs. All that he knew were those storytelling scripts that his father had taught him when he was still around. For some reason, he had started humming to <The Injustice to Dou’e>.

His face stained red, rubbing the back of his neck, Wu Xingzi tried to pretend as though nothing had occurred and looked at the familiar scenery instead. However, his heart had long flew to the antique shop in Goose City.

This trip was likely to be the most arduous yet pleasant trip in Wu Xingzi’s lifetime. Upon reaching the city gate, he hastily jumped off the cart and asked Old Liu, “Uncle Liu, do you need to buy anything in Goose City?”

Old Liu bit at his pipe before looking at the restless Wu Xingzi, “No, not really. If you do need more time to handle your things, I’ll just wait for you.”

“It’s fine it’s fine, I’m just going to collect something. I’ll be back once I’m done.” Wu Xingzi gave a few firm nods, then ran off.

Before Old Liu was even finished with his pipe, Wu Xingzi had returned carrying a parcel that was neither big nor small in his arms.

“Uncle Liu, please try this.” Climbing onto the cart, Wu Xingzi pulled out a little bag, and inside were four pieces of exquisite looking pastries. Slight surprise could be seen on Old Liu’s face, as he looked at Wu Xingzi’s bright and black eyes and the flush on his cheeks.

“Thanks, I’ll have some.” Although he did not know where Wu Xingzi got these snacks from, but Old Liu knew he was not one to carry out harmful deeds, and so he picked one up.

Wu Xingzi carefully placed that bigger parcel on his knee. He stroked it a few times, as though smoothing out invisible creases, his happiness evident on his face.

Back at Qingcheng County, Wu Xingzi handed all the pastries to Old Liu. He also arranged for another trip to Goose City the next day, then, hugging the parcel, he quickly left.

Watching as the usually quiet and restrained Wu Xingzi left, Old Liu smoked his pipe without uttering a word.

After returning home, Wu Xingzi first prepared a basin of water to wipe his entire body clean. He then washed his hands twice, and dried them with a clean cloth. Only after he confirmed that his hands were completely dry, he carefully opened the package.

Inside it, was a book.

It was not too thick, probably about a hundred pages. The cover of the book was simple and elegant, with the words “The Pengornisseur” written on it in beautiful penmanship. The words were very good looking, symmetrical, the strokes were imposing, and the strictness of the characters was laced with a touch of casual pleasantness. Wu Xingzi’s finger glided lightly over those words a few times, his fingertip trembling slightly.

The paper was also of a good quality. Wu Xingzi could not identify what type it was, but when he touched it, it was soft like cotton.

Inhaling deeply, just as he was about to flip open the book, Wu Xingzi suddenly remembered something and pulled his hand back. He ran to the door to check that it was securely locked, then to the windows to make sure they were securely closed. Only then did he pat his chest in relief and returned to the table, finally opening The Pengornisseur.