My Wife Came From A Thousand Years Ago

Chapter 2: This Is a Misunderstanding

Putting down his phone, Xu Qing felt a chill run down his spine.

Blood spilled within five steps—it was that serious.

“Ahem... So, where did you say you’re from?” He glanced at the iron dart embedded in the TV, realizing this wasn’t simple.

A performer from the Wuqiao Acrobatic Troupe, maybe?

Uncle Zhao, at his age, probably couldn’t handle a sword fight.

“Just now, those people... where did they come from?”

The girl looked like a frightened rabbit; everything in front of her was beyond her comprehension.

“And who were you talking to?”

Xu Qing looked at the girl outside the door. She wore rough clothes and straw sandals, one hand holding a sword and the other a scabbard. A bold idea surfaced in his mind.

No way…

But even Wuqiao performers wouldn’t dress like that!

And they certainly wouldn’t casually hurl darts at TVs and draw swords without warning.

Her straw sandals even exposed her toes—could she afford it if they got damaged?!

“Um… can you put the sword away first? I’m a good guy, remember? I even brought you an umbrella earlier.” He nudged the umbrella propped against the side with his toe, trying to calm the inexplicable girl.

The girl glanced at the umbrella, then at him, then at the ruined TV on the wall. After some thought, she slowly sheathed the sword, the metallic sound making Xu Qing grimace.

That sword was the real deal.

“What’s your name? Where did you come from?”

“Jiang He, a disciple of the Yan Gang.”

“Ah, ‘Rivers’... what a powerful name.” Xu Qing laughed awkwardly and quickly changed the topic, “This Yan Gang of yours... is it big? Where is it based?”

He heard her mention the Yan Gang several times and guessed it was some significant group.

“The Gusu Yan Gang, haven’t you heard of it?” Jiang He frowned slightly and glanced around the room again, biting her lip.

This is bad. This place must be far from home, even without asking.

“Never heard of it. Do you need... um...”

Xu Qing hesitated. This girl had a weapon in hand. Should he let her in or trick her into leaving and lock the door to call the police?

He was still in a daze, sipping on cola and petting his cat, enjoying his quiet life when suddenly, his TV got destroyed, and the culprit stood at the door wielding a sword.

It’s hard to be kind; being a good guy is tough.

The two stared at each other in silence. Xu Qing’s eyes drifted to her exposed toes in the straw sandals, her soaked clothes clinging to her, and her rain-matted hair. He gritted his teeth and stepped back a couple of paces.

“Why don’t you come in first? If anyone sees you standing there... with a weapon... the police station is just across the street.”

He gestured, uncertain if she could understand him.

She didn’t seem insane, at least.

“Better close the door. Right... I’m a good person, here to help. If you have questions, ask me.”

“I want to go home.”

“Where’s your home?”

“The Yan Gang.”

“…”

Xu Qing felt his head throb.

“This is Jiahe Complex, Beiwang Road, Yongkang New District, Jiang City…”

Seeing the confusion on her face, he tried, “Do you know Jiang City?”

Jiang He shook her head.

“Don’t tell me you’re from ancient times. Are you kidding me?! Who’s the emperor?!”

“The Emperor?” She reacted, pursing her lips as she looked at Xu Qing.

??

Xu Qing was stunned.

The Emperor?!

“Then... then...” He swallowed, “Which emperor?”

“The Emperor is the Emperor.”

“…”

He scratched his head, feeling exasperated.

“What year is it now?”

Jiang He looked at him curiously, as if she didn’t understand the question. After a moment’s pause, she spoke in her peculiar accent, “The 16th year of the Kaiyuan era.”

“...Let me search that up.”

Goosebumps spread across Xu Qing’s skin. He realized this girl... this little warrior wasn’t joking. His hands trembled as he picked up his phone to search.

Kaiyuan... 16th year.

His eyes widened, trying to suppress his racing heart. He took a deep breath and said, “Emperor Xuanzong of Tang?”@@novelbin@@

“Huh?” Jiang He was taken aback.

“…”

“…”

“Oh right, that title came after his death.” Xu Qing slapped his forehead, then tentatively asked, “Li... Longji?”

Seeing Jiang He’s astonished expression, Xu Qing glanced around, “Miss, damaging someone’s property is against the law. If you’re filming... forget it.”

The girl stood straight at the doorway, brimming with energy, sword in hand, toes showing...

He blinked, thoughts in chaos, muttered nonsense, and lowered his head to search on his phone, “Li Bai... Li Taibai, the Recluse of Green Lotus, do you know him?”

Jiang He’s eyes widened in surprise, then she lit up, “You know him? Where is he?”

“Uh... maybe jungling in the canyon.”

Xu Qing’s head ached. What was this?

A conversation spanning 1,200 years?

“I…”

Knock knock knock.

“Delivery!”

Jiang He spun around, sword pointed at the entrance.

“...Hey, step back. Someone’s just delivering food, not a bad guy.” Xu Qing scratched his head, “Yes, step back over there, so you’re not seen.”

“Servant?”

“...No, just someone bringing food.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang He reluctantly stepped behind the door, her sword half-drawn.

Suddenly finding herself in this strange place, surrounded by oddities, she had to be cautious.

“Don’t worry, I’m a good person.”

Xu Qing tried to sound calm, took a few steps forward, and whispered reassurances as he cracked the door open, taking the hamburger meal and shutting it quickly. He raised the takeout bag and nodded at Jiang He.

“Food.”

He paused and asked, “Are you hungry? Want to eat together?”

Jiang He hesitated and slowly shook her head, but her sword was back in its scabbard.

“Why do all of you shave your heads?” Watching Xu Qing return to the sofa, she thought for a moment and voiced her question, “Is it because this place…”

“Wait, what do you mean ‘all of you’?” Xu Qing was curious. When he picked up the delivery earlier, she was behind the door, so she couldn’t have seen the guy in the yellow uniform.

Even if she did, he had a helmet on.

“I looked around when I first arrived, an hour ago.”

“You went outside?”

“Mm.”

Xu Qing’s chest tightened, “You didn’t run into any trouble, right?”

An hour ago... two hours past, when the rain had just started. If this sword-wielding girl was outside, it could’ve been a chaotic scene.

Did I mess up?

“No, I just wandered around.”

“That’s good.”

“You haven’t answered my question.”

“Well, how to put it... think of it as a local custom, no special reason.”

“Oh.”

Xu Qing chewed his hamburger, organizing his thoughts, and waved the chicken wrap at her, “Try this. You probably haven’t had it before.”

“No need.” Jiang He swallowed but shook her head.

“Then drink some water. I already have one; this cup is yours.” He shook the opened cola and pushed the takeaway cup forward, “It’s sweet, something you likely haven’t tried.”

“...Are you looking down on me?”

“No!”

Jiang He frowned. Everything here felt strange, “What are you eating? Isn’t this a meal?”

“Yes, as long as it fills you up, it’s a meal.” Xu Qing held up the hamburger, explaining, “This is called a burger... hey!”

Thud.

The cola he had placed at the edge of the table got knocked over by his elbow, spilling onto the floor with a fizzy hiss.

Both of their gazes fell to the spot as an awkward silence enveloped the room.

“…”

“…”

Clang!

“D*** it, it’s a misunderstanding!”