Soon it started to turn dark. At this point everyone was already tired. I wasn't tired at all, I was being carried like a doll all throughout this journey. Fu Sheng didn't complain for a second or give off a tired expression whatsoever.
From beside us, Fu Li was seething with anger. She turned to her parents, frowning.
"Ma, Pa, look… Brother Sheng is obviously tired, yet that witch won't get down. I know she's alright, and she's pretending to be hurt!"
She complained, as Madame Fu just sighed and shook her head slightly.
"Just leave them be. They are married. She is his wife. If he wants to carry her till the world ends, then he can. He has every right to." She chuckled.
"Yes, Mother is right. If you're jealous, just go get a man of your own," Fu Teng teased.
Fu Li glared at him. "Y-you! What did you say? I'll get you—!"
She quickly picked up a stone and threw it at him, but he dodged it immediately, laughing as the other members joined in and laughed as well.
Just then, the head guard came to a stop. He turned and faced everyone, announcing,
"It's already dark. We will find somewhere comfortable to rest and continue early tomorrow morning."
His words immediately made everyone sigh in relief. Everyone was exhausted from walking all day.
"FINALLY WE CAN REST, I'M SO TIRED, MOM..." Fu Jia cried to her mother like a baby as Aunt Fu just patted her on the back. "Come, let's stay there. It looks safe enough."
With that, the rest of them made their way to a stream which was close by. "At least now we have fresh water to drink," Bai Ming said, relieved.
Fu Li watched as they all made their way to the spring. She nudged her brother, "Brother Hsng, why don't we also go near the stream as well? It will be better to be near water so we can hydrate ourselves, instead of staying here."
But I immediately disagreed with her. "Staying near the stream isn't as safe as it looks. It's already late. It's better for us to stay here instead. Look, there is a big tree at that corner. We can lay blankets around it and camp for the night. That would be best."
I said softly as Madame Fu and Fu Fei agreed with me.
Fu Li only rolled her eyes. "Oh please, you act like you are a forest expert or something. I think it would be best to stay with Uncle Fu Tian and his family. We should all be together in this situation, not separate like this."
"But Fu Li, Uncle Fu Tian and Grandma don't seem to always like being on good terms with us. They would find a way to insult Father or Mother. It would be best if we stayed here and let them be... I think Sister-in-law is right. Let's stay under the tree."
"Hmm, I agree as well," Fu Tong and Fu Teng said in unison, both nodding.
Meanwhile, I just folded my hands and looked at the confused Fu Li, who was already turning red. "None of you want to listen to me. You are all just believing every rubbish this witch says."
"Enough!" Fu Sheng's voice suddenly rang out as he walked towards her. "If you want to join Uncle Fu Tian and his family, then you are free. Don't cause trouble so late."
"Are you sending me away because of her?" she pointed at me as I just rolled my eyes.
"No one is sending you away. We are just giving you a choice. Don't start unnecessary drama. I'm already tired." Saying that, I turned to Fu Sheng and the others.
"Fu Tong and Fu Teng, you both should drag Father's wagon towards the tree. After that, go and look for some dry firewood to make a fire. As for Fu Li, the bundles inside the wagon contain some blankets, so you and Mother can help spread them around for us to sleep on tonight."
"Alright, Sister-in-law. We'll get that done immediately." Fu Teng nodded to her brother as they both pulled Master Fu's wagon with their mother following behind them.
"C'mon Fu Li, let's go." Fu Fei tried dragging her away, but she hived her hands. "If none of you will listen to me, then I'll go by myself." Saying that, she turned to leave but I stopped her.
"Wait..." I called out to her as she stopped in her tracks. "What is it?"
"If you want to leave, then leave by yourself. Don't carry my bundle along with you. Don't you know precious things are in here?" Saying that, she stretched out her hands as he looked at me. She was breathing in and out. She looked at Fu Sheng, who didn't say anything, then at Fu Fei, who looked at her with her eyes, but she was way too stubborn. She reluctantly removed the bundle and handed it over aggressively before turning and walking away.
Fu Fei sighed and turned to me. "Sister-in-law, please don't be offended. Fu Li can be a little stubborn... she'll get back to her senses sooner or later."
I just scoffed, "Don't worry... she doesn't bother me. In fact, she just relieved me of less mouth to feed. You go join Mother and help her."
"Alright." With that, Fu Fei left, leaving just me and Fu Sheng alone.
I stared at him, unsure of what he was going to say. "You aren't upset with me for sending our sister away, right?" I asked him, my eyes not leaving his.
"You didn't send her away. She's an adult already; she can make decisions for herself, but she should also be ready to bear the consequences of such decisions."
I smiled at his words. He was so smart... Good. That Fu Li has annoyed me for far too long. I'll teach her a lesson she will never forget.
After all, she will surely get hungry sooner or later.