Su Jingshi realized something was off about the new servant.
On his first day, the man broke three bowls, burned a pot of porridge, and even knocked the housekeeper's hat off. But that wasn't what caught Su Jingshi's attention. It was the man's steps, each one exactly the same distance apart, as if measured with a ruler; and the calluses at the base of his thumb, in the wrong place to have come from hard labor.
Su Jingshi smiled. He decided not to expose him.
After all, there was plenty of time. It was rather amusing to have a spy clumsily putting on an act right under his nose.
Later, A Zhe asked him, "When did you know?"
"The first day," Su Jingshi said.
"Then why didn't you expose me?"
Su Jingshi thought about it, but didn't answer.
He couldn't very well say: Because I thought you were only here to steal information. I didn't know you were here to steal my life.
Theme: Even in a tragedy destined to happen, choosing to offer your heart, however briefly.
