Time is Slow / Meet You in My Prime - Chapter 1 : The Girl Riding a Donkey

The spring breeze felt as if it were a pair of scissors, clipping away fragments of soft green and gentle red. As one traveled further south, the spirit of spring intensified.

The tea stall next to the main road was quite modest, yet it attracted a crowd around noon. An elderly owner moved among the guests with a long-spouted copper kettle, promptly refilling their tea and pouring water for guests.

This location was situated over ten miles from Baoling City. Those departing from the city chatted casually about the intriguing events that had recently unfolded, while the travelers heading into Baoling listened with keen interest.

At one point, a mention arose about several young men who had arrived in Baoling City that day. Their accents suggested they hailed from the capital, and they all exuded charm and sophistication, with one resembling the famous figures Pan An and Song Yu.

Skeptically, someone remarked, "How could he possibly compare to Qiao Yu Lang from the Qiao family in Jiafeng?"

Jiafeng, located to the south of Baoling City, required a two or three-day boat journey to reach. The mere fact that Qiao Yu Lang's name had traveled this far indicated his remarkable reputation.

The earlier commentator sipped some herbal tea and smiled broadly, revealing a crooked grin. "I've never seen Qiao Yu Lang, but I doubt he can match the young man I encountered in the city."

Upon hearing this, several patrons eagerly rushed to contest the claim, disputing with others who had also met notable young masters in the city.

"Old man, bring me a pot of tea and two plates of sweet cakes!" a voice called out, interrupting the debate.

Everyone turned to see a man in his thirties standing a short distance from the tea stall. He dismounted a donkey, assisting a girl around twelve or thirteen years old.

Noticing the attention, he tied the donkey to a roadside tree, shielded the girl with his own body, and impatiently exclaimed, "Hurry up, my daughter is unwell, and we need to get to the city quickly."

"Right away..." the tea stall owner promptly brought over a pot of tea and two plates of sweet cakes.

The man placed a plate of sweet cakes in front of the girl and instructed softly, "Eat."

Afterward, he helped himself to the tea, taking several gulps.

Ordinary people paid little mind-it was common for girls to ride donkeys on the road-so most diverted their eyes. However, a few sharp observers were taken aback by the girl's beauty and couldn't resist glancing again.

Clearly displeased by the attention directed at his daughter, the man let out a few heavy snorts.

He was tall and robust, giving off an air of someone not to be trifled with. The patrons at the humble tea stall were all ordinary folk who had no desire for conflict, so they returned to their previous discussions.

"I believe the young man from the city pales in comparison to the handsome young master from the Qiao family! Though the capital is pleasant, it lacks the beauty of our area, especially Jiafeng County, renowned for its lovely people."

The girl, who had remained quiet since sitting down, couldn't help but glance at the speaker.

"What? I thought Qiao Yu Lang was also from the capital."

"It is true that Qiao Yu Lang comes from the capital, but he is originally from Jiafeng. Old Master Qiao passed away two years ago, and he returned home with his family to observe the mourning for his grandfather."

"Oh, so Qiao Yu Lang is the grandson of Old Master Qiao..."

When discussing Qiao Yu Lang, the locals felt compelled to emphasize his origins: from Jiafeng County.

However, when the topic shifted to Old Master Qiao, all citizens would think of the same individual: Old Master Qiao Zhuo, the esteemed former Chief Academic Officer of the Imperial College, a globally respected scholar who, in his youth, was regarded as the most talented individual in the world.

Regrettably, Old Master Qiao passed away over two years ago.

Expressions of sorrow could be heard at the tea stall.

The girl cast her gaze downwards to conceal the oddity in her eyes, making her unable to engage with the conversations around her.

When she opened her eyes again, she transformed from being Qiao Zhao, the wife of Northern Expedition General Shao Ming Yuan and the granddaughter of Old Master Qiao, into a thirteen-year-old girl named Li Zhao, who unexpectedly found herself in the clutches of human traffickers.

After enduring numerous hardships, she was on the verge of returning to her home.

Grandfather...

Qiao Zhao silently thought to herself.

Since marrying and relocating to the capital, she had never imagined she would come this close to the place she had longed for countless times in her dreams, yet in such a different identity.

Jiafeng was where her beloved grandfather was laid to rest and where her close relatives who had returned from the capital were also settled.

Upon reflection, her father and brothers had already completed their mourning period.

Qiao Zhao discreetly tightened her fists and stole a glance at the man, who was drinking heavily without displaying any emotion.

From the fragments of memories she retained, Li Zhao, the young girl, had attempted to escape several times since falling into this man's grasp, but each effort ended in failure.

The most dramatic incident occurred when the girl saw a chance to break free, running while crying out that she was kidnapped by him, drawing the attention of many bystanders.

Yet, the man pursued her, speaking earnestly and wiping away her tears as he said, "My daughter, I know you resent me for stopping your elopement with Wang Er Niu from next door. But regardless of your feelings, I cannot bear to witness you going astray! Please stop this commotion and return home with me. Your mother's eyes are nearly blinded from crying..."

The crowd did not respond to the girl's screams because of the man's words. As a result, Li Zhao was recaptured and faced punishment when they were alone. From that moment on, the man kept an even closer watch on her.

The freedom she experienced now was a direct result of Qiao Zhao's efforts to rescue the little girl from death by being exceptionally compliant over the past few days.

"Let's go."

The man left a few coins on the table and stood up.

Qiao Zhao quickly got to her feet and followed him outside, avoiding any glances around her.

Due to the earlier commotion, the eyes of the crowd were once again drawn to her.

She walked with grace, and her unintentional elegance caused the kidnapper to frown.

This 'shipment' was the best he had acquired in recent years, yet she was too striking even with such a casual demeanor.

How had he not noticed this over the past two days?

The man sighed and internally resolved to switch to a carriage once they entered the city.

An hour later.

Qiao Zhao sat atop the donkey, gazing blankly at the sign that read 'Baoling' at the city gate.

She had visited Baoling City in the past.

Her grandfather, Old Master Qiao Zhuo, was an easy-going individual. After resigning from his official duties out of impatience, he took his wife, Qiao Zhao's grandmother, to relish the scenic views of mountains and rivers.

Later, as his health declined, he returned to Jiafeng to live a life of solitude.

She had made two trips to Baoling City due to her grandfather's illness. The city remained the same yet felt entirely transformed.

The apprehension of the previous days gradually gave way to a moment of relief, accompanied by a flicker of self-deprecation at the corners of her lips.

The man led Qiao Zhao into the city, where he sought a place to sell the donkey. As they navigated through the bustling streets, he felt anxious that the little girl, who had been on her best behavior for just a couple of days, might become troublesome again.

He leaned closer to Qiao Zhao, trying to reassure her, "Just behave and follow my lead. I'll take you out for a nice dinner and then we'll hire a carriage to shield you from the wind and sun."

In a surprising moment of spontaneity, Qiao Zhao, who had been quiet until then, asked, "Where else are we going?"

The two exchanged glances, hers bright and clear like the gentle ripples of spring water stirred by a soft breeze.

For reasons he couldn't quite comprehend, the man responded, "Yangzhou."

Once he realized what he had just said, he felt a twinge of irritation, but he quickly reassured himself: What if the little girl found out? After passing through Baoling City, they would soon arrive in Yangzhou.

Yangzhou...

Qiao Zhao's expression remained unchanged, but her heart quickened, prompting her to think that something was amiss.

The journey to Yangzhou would require taking a different path, leading her further from her hometown of Jiafeng. Even if she managed to escape in an unfamiliar place, a girl of only twelve or thirteen could easily find herself trading one danger for another.

Qiao Zhao was still contemplating how to reunite with her relatives while living in Li Zhao's body, but she was certain of one thing: her father and brother were both honorable men who would not wish harm upon a distressed girl searching for help.

Determined to return home, she resolved to find a way out of Baoling City.