NOVEL NEXT 24
Chapter 24
What a… coincidence.
“Yu-ge, you’re here?” Before He Ze could speak, Zhao Fugui greeted.
“Yes, Uncle Zhao, sorry to trouble you.”
Lin Yu nodded, bypassed He Ze without looking at him, and walked a few steps to the ox cart. He placed the basket on the cart but didn’t seem to intend to get on himself.
He bit his lip and said, “Uncle Zhao, could I ask you for a favor?”
“What is it? There’s nothing you can’t ask your Uncle Zhao! Really!”
Zhao Fugui smiled.
“My Dad isn’t feeling well today, and I’m worried. Could you deliver these to Manager Yu’s restaurant for me? This is yesterday’s catch. It’s hot these days, and I’m afraid the meat will spoil in a few days.”
“I see…” Zhao Fugui pondered for a moment. “I need to deliver the vegetables first. Will it be too late for the restaurant?”
Lin Yu frowned.
“Uncle Zhao, I’m also going to Manager Yu’s restaurant. I can take Lin Yu’s things there later. Don’t worry,” He Ze stepped closer and suddenly spoke up.
“That works. If it’s on your way, even better!” Zhao Fugui’s voice lightened up. “Hop on, it’s time to go!”
“Okay.”
He Ze nodded, threw his basket onto the ox cart, and climbed up himself. As he looked down, his eyes met Lin Yu’s again. The latter immediately turned his head away, even giving him a glare before leaving.
… What was that about?
“Uncle Zhao, thank you again,” Lin Yu said.
“No problem, you can go back,” Zhao Fugui waved his hand. “Why thank me? You should be thanking that He family boy!”
“Him…” Lin Yu glanced at He Ze. “No need to thank him.” Scoundrel!
Although Lin Yu didn’t say the last two words aloud, He Ze could read his lips. Instantly, any words he had were swallowed back. He furrowed his brow and didn’t look at Lin Yu again, only saying, “Uncle Zhao, let’s hurry. We’re running out of time.”
“Alright! He family boy, hold on tight!” Zhao Fugui flicked the ox’s flank, and the large buffalo began to move.
Was He Ze angry just now?
As the ox cart gradually moved away, Lin Yu stood there watching their backs, unconsciously twisting his fingers. After a while, he turned and headed home.
On the other side, after more than an hour of travel, Zhao Fugui and He Ze arrived at the town. They parted ways, and He Ze transferred the game from Lin Yu’s basket into his own. Carrying it, he wound through several long alleys until he reached Yu’s restaurant.
The restaurant appeared to be doing good business. Though it wasn’t noon yet, it was already packed, and unusually quiet.
He Ze squeezed in and finally found a corner to stand in.
On a raised platform, Wei Quan was gesticulating passionately with a folding fan in hand. When he paused, the audience erupted in applause.
“Speaking of Bai Suzhen, who longed to repay the favor, she sought every opportunity to return it. Firstly, to resolve this worldly bond, and secondly, to investigate whether Xu Xian was truly that herbalist…”
Wei Quan suddenly paused on stage. He Ze looked up and saw him pointing towards the backyard. He Ze nodded, and Wei Quan continued his story.
He Ze made his way through the crowd to the counter. “Waiter, could you please take me to see your manager?”
“The manager?” The waiter, previously engrossed, snapped back to reality at He Ze’s request and immediately bowed. “Sir, please follow me.”
The two entered the back door from a small path behind the counter, where they met Manager Yu. Manager Yu greeted him warmly, and after He Ze explained his purpose, he readily called for an assistant to weigh the goods and handed him the money. He also inquired about Lin Yu.
He Ze stayed for a while to chat until Wei Quan entered the backyard.
“Little Sir, you’ve arrived!” Wei Quan bowed deeply, his face full of joy.
“With the black-and-white contract signed, did you think I wouldn’t come?”
“Little Sir He, Mr. Wei has been worried these past few days!” Manager Yu chuckled, stroking his long beard. “You have no idea. Since you told that part of the ‘Legend of the White Snake,’ the restaurant has been packed, everyone coming for the story. If you didn’t come, Mr. Wei wouldn’t be able to manage!”
“Manager Yu, Mr. Wei, if you don’t mind, just call me Brother He. I don’t deserve the title ‘Little Sir’,” He Ze shook his head and then turned to Wei Quan, “Mr. Wei, I saw the crowd when I came in. I wasn’t exaggerating, was I? Did this venture turn out to be a loss?”
“No, not a loss at all!” Wei Quan looked a bit embarrassed. “I… I must have seemed foolish to you, Brother He.”
“Not at all…”
As the three chatted, a waiter quickly brought tea. Before He Ze could move, Wei Quan eagerly poured him a cup and stared at him expectantly.
He Ze, seeing this, reluctantly took a sip and continued the story from where he left off last time. He didn’t finish until Manager Yu invited him to stay for lunch at the restaurant.
This trip to town had multiple purposes. Besides meeting Wei Quan, his Dad Li, had given him several coins that morning to buy various foods to send to the Lin family in a few days.
He Ze bought some pork, eggs, and pastries, and then went to a pharmacy for some herbs to boost energy and blood. Finally, he stopped in front of a blacksmith’s shop.
After hesitating for a moment, he went in and came out with a rectangular wooden box in his basket.
Thinking for a moment, he also visited a bookstore before heading to the agreed meeting place. By the time he returned, Zhao Fugui hadn’t arrived yet, and He Ze waited about a quarter of an hour before he saw Zhao driving the ox cart.
They returned to the village just at dusk. As He Ze got off the cart with a basket on his back and another in hand, he bid Zhao Fugui goodbye and headed home.
Entering the courtyard, he saw Dad Li sewing at the table and He An sitting beside him. When He An saw He Ze, he immediately ran up, “Brother, you’re back!”
“Yes, I’m back.”
He Ze handed the basket to He An, who looked excitedly at its contents. But a second later, Dad Li snatched it away and gave him a light smack, “What are you doing!”
“Dad!” He An pouted.
“No use complaining!” Dad Li glared at He An, who was still sulking. As he reached out his hand, He An quickly jumped away, “Dad, you want to pinch my ear again!”
“Brother—”
He An clung to He Ze’s arm, hiding behind him, his voice sounding pitiful if one ignored the smile on his face.
“Alright, Dad, let An-ge have a taste. I bought plenty, there’s enough.” With that, He Ze pulled He An’s hand free. “Well, what are you waiting for?”
“Thank you, Brother!”
He An jumped three feet high and immediately ran to Dad Li with outstretched hands. Dad Li glanced at He Ze, then handed over the basket. “Why are you such a foodie! Be careful you won’t find a husband in the future!”
Dad Li poked He An on the forehead.
“If I can’t find a husband, so be it! I won’t get married!” He An raised his chin and quickly ran up the stone steps with the basket.
He Ze seemed to suddenly remember something and couldn’t help but shout, “There are other things in there besides food, don’t break them!”
“Got it, I know.” He An waved his hand, disappearing quickly through the door.
“This child…” Dad Li said helplessly, but a smile curved his lips. After a pause, he turned to He Ze and asked, “Did you get everything?”
“Yes, Dad, don’t worry.”
“Good,” Dad Li nodded. “That’s good. Yesterday, you brought back a ginseng root. I was thinking of cutting a piece to send to the Lin family. Lin’s Dad has been in poor health, and it’s really worrying. Yu-ge has had it tough these years.”
“Dad, you make the decision. I’m fine with it,” He Ze agreed without hesitation. When he dug up the ginseng yesterday, he had already thought of splitting it with Lin Yu. But after what happened, he didn’t get the chance to mention it.
Now that he thought about it, sending it this way might be better. If he had offered yesterday, Lin Yu might not have accepted it and might have even punched him again.
“Alright then! Tomorrow, I’ll go with you. We need to properly thank them and check on Lin’s Dad.”
“Okay.”
He Ze was about to say something when they suddenly heard a “thud” from inside the house. He immediately ran in without saying another word.
Dad Li was startled and followed him in.
Inside, a rectangular box had fallen to the floor, along with three arrows. He An was squatting down, about to pick up the box and arrows.
“Brother, why did you buy these?”
Seeing He Ze enter, He An looked up.
“…Yesterday on the mountain, I broke Lin Yu’s arrows, so I bought three when I passed the blacksmith’s shop today,” He Ze said as he walked over and squatted down to pick up the box. “Didn’t I tell you to be careful? You!”
“Brother, I didn’t mean to…” He An touched his neck, then suddenly paused when he saw the arrows on the ground. He picked one up and waved it in front of He Ze, eyes full of interest. “Brother, these arrow feathers are so pretty. What are they made of?”
“…Just regular goose feathers.”
“Goose feathers? Oh…” He An’s expression showed clear disappointment as he handed the arrow back to He Ze. “Brother, didn’t you say the best fletching is made from raptor feathers? Goose feathers…”
“What’s wrong with goose feathers? Are you looking down on them?” He Ze raised an eyebrow, putting the three arrows back into the box and closing it with a snap. “Where do you expect me to get raptor feathers?”
“…I was just saying,” He An’s eyes darted around. “Brother Lin has always wanted to hunt a big eagle. He says eagle feathers make the best arrows. Unfortunately, his arrows don’t have enough range, so he’s only ever managed to shoot a few low-flying geese.”
“…”
He Ze’s gaze flickered as he stared at He An.
“Brother, why are you looking at me like that?” He An stood up, glancing around nervously, his eyes wide.
“Nothing. Your Brother Lin’s archery skills are indeed impressive.” He Ze withdrew his gaze and sincerely praised him.
Even Genghis Khan only managed to shoot eagles with a bow.
“Of course. A few years ago, I wanted to learn archery from Brother Lin, but Father and Dad wouldn’t allow it. If they had…”
“Xiao An, what are you talking about!” Dad Li, who had been standing at the door, walked in before He An could finish. “With your small frame, you want to learn archery from Yu-ge?”
“…”
“Who’s the one who’s terrified when they go up the mountain? Who’s the one who’s afraid to even kill a chicken?”
“Dad, stop talking!” He An blushed deeply and quickly went to Dad Li, shaking his arm and resting his head on his shoulder.
Dad Li smiled and gently patted He An’s head.
He Ze watched this scene and chuckled softly. He glanced around and placed the rectangular box on the wall cabinet.
…
The next day, the four members of the He family got up early. After breakfast, He Ze and Dad Li packed up several bags and left the house. He Ze also carried Lin Yu’s basket from the previous day. He An wanted to follow, but Dad Li sent him off without a word.
When they arrived at the Lin family’s home, Lin’s Dad was sitting at the table, with Lin Yu standing behind him, massaging his shoulders. As soon as he saw them, he stood up quickly, but he was unsteady and swayed. Lin Yu immediately supported him.
“Lin’s Dad, please, stay seated! Don’t get up!” Dad Li hurriedly urged as he pulled He Ze into the courtyard. “We’re here because your Yu-ge saved my Xiao Ze from the mountain the other day, so we came to check on you today!”
“No need, we’re all from the same village. After all these years, it’s just what we should do,” Zhang Shi’s voice was slightly hoarse but very gentle. “You’re too kind, Brother Li.”
Zhang Shi’s late husband was a bit younger than He Ze’s father, so calling him “Brother Li” was appropriate.
“Yu-ge, quickly invite your Uncle Li inside and make some tea. Why are you just standing there?” Seeing Lin Yu standing idly by, Zhang Shi hurriedly pushed him.
This child had been so absent-minded these past few days.
“Uncle Li, He… you all come in, please,” Lin Yu finally snapped back to reality. He took the things Dad Li handed him and turned around. “The sun is strong outside. It’s uncomfortable to sit for long.”
Dad Li chuckled lightly, supporting Zhang Shi as they followed Lin Yu inside, with He Ze bringing up the rear.
“How have you been feeling? You must take good care of yourself…”
Dad Li and Zhang Shi were clearly very happy, and once they started chatting, they didn’t stop. Lin Yu poured tea for them and then noticed He Ze still standing there with the items, looking perfectly at ease.
With both elders not reacting, Lin Yu felt uneasy and kept glancing at He Ze. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he got up, walked over to He Ze, and pulled him out of the room.
“Slow down, I haven’t put the things down yet.”
He Ze couldn’t resist Lin Yu’s strength and let himself be led away. Zhang Shi hesitated and stood up. “What’s wrong with Yu-ge? I’ll go check…”
Dad Li glanced at the door, looking puzzled but then suddenly remembered the previous day’s events, calming down.
He quickly held Zhang Shi’s hand. “It’s nothing, really. I think it’s because Xiao Ze broke Yu-ge’s arrow the other day when they were up the mountain. He must be angry now. Let the young ones sort it out themselves.”
“Broke Yu-ge’s arrow?” Zhang Shi sat back down but kept his eyes on the door.
He knew how much his Yu-ge cherished his bow and arrows. If others didn’t know, he certainly did. Could it be that his child had been upset about this all these days?
Yes, this child was always mature for his age. Other things didn’t easily affect him. Zhang Shi sighed but was soon interrupted by Dad Li holding his hand tightly. “Brother Zhang, I have to thank you and Yu-ge. If it wasn’t for him… Xuao Ze ran into a bear! If Yu-ge hadn’t arrived in time, I don’t dare think what could have happened…”
Dad Li choked up as he spoke, and Zhang Shi quickly comforted him. The two of them were soon in tears.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard.
Lin Yu stared intently at He Ze, then glanced at the items he was holding. After a long while, he finally asked, “Why did you come?”
“Did you not want the money for your game from yesterday?” He Ze placed the items on the table and took off his basket before replying.
“…”
He Ze looked at him and smiled slightly. He then took out a piece of broken silver from his belt and handed it to Lin Yu. “This is from Manager Yu. See if the amount is right.”
Lin Yu didn’t respond, simply took the silver and put it into his money pouch at his waist.
“Also, I came to thank and apologize to you.”
Lin Yu suddenly looked up at these words.
“To thank you, because you saved my life. No amount of thanks would suffice. And for taking me up the mountain the other day, thank you. As for the apology, well, about what happened on the mountain…”
“Stop right there!”
Lin Yu’s face flushed red as he interrupted He Ze harshly.
“Lin Yu, I… I really didn’t mean to mess with you. I… fine, it was my fault. But didn’t you punch me too? My nose still hasn’t healed!”
Lin Yu instinctively looked up, fixing his gaze on He Ze’s nose. Sure enough, the tip was still unusually red and slightly swollen.
He suddenly felt a bit guilty but quickly raised his head again. “And you destroyed one of my arrows!”
“Wasn’t it you who shot that arrow? And with such force!”
He Ze frowned. He was starting to feel grateful that he never had the chance to date in his past life. If gers could be so unreasonable, what about women…?
“I… If you hadn’t said those things, I wouldn’t have shot that arrow!” Lin Yu unconsciously clenched his fists again, and He Ze could even hear a few cracking sounds.
He Ze’s expression changed.
“Alright, alright, my fault,” He Ze raised his hands in surrender. “It’s my fault, okay? I came here to apologize.”
“…”
Lin Yu gradually relaxed his fists, and He Ze finally breathed a sigh of relief. He turned and took a long package from the table, handing it to Lin Yu. “This is my apology. It’s just an arrow. Is it worth getting so mad about?”
“What do you know!” Lin Yu retorted irritably, taking the package and turning it around before asking, “What’s this?”
“Open it and see for yourself.” He Ze walked over to the table and sat down.
Lin Yu gave him a glance before placing the long package on the table. He slowly untied the knots and pulled out a long box, fiddling with it until it opened.
His eyes lit up immediately.
“These are… arrows?”
“What? Can’t recognize them now?” He Ze’s face lit up with a smile. “I broke one of your arrows, so I’m giving you three in return. Is that acceptable?”
Lin Yu didn’t respond. He just took out one of the arrows and examined it closely.
The arrow shaft was made of wood, coated with black lacquer. Unlike his usual worn-down arrows, this one had a heavy arrowhead with only the tip sharpened, making it unlikely to break easily.
As for the fletching… Lin Yu turned the arrow around and touched the feathers, then exclaimed in surprise, “Is this peregrine falcon feather?”
The peregrine falcon is a fierce bird of prey known for its incredible speed.
“Is it really peregrine falcon feather?” He Ze’s expression changed. Seeing Lin Yu staring at him, he explained, “The blacksmith told me that, but I thought it looked just like goose feathers and that he might have been lying to me…”
Well, he had bargained quite a bit, but still.
“How did you recognize it?”
“I’m a hunter,” Lin Yu raised an eyebrow, looking proud. “Have you ever heard of a hunter who can’t distinguish animal feathers?”
Standing there in the sunlight, Lin Yu seemed particularly radiant to He Ze.
“Hey, what are you spacing out for!”
Seeing He Ze dazed, Lin Yu waved his hand in front of his face.
“Nothing. I just forgot. If you couldn’t recognize it, all those years in the mountains would have been wasted.”
“Good that you know.” Lin Yu carefully placed the arrow back in the box and, after pressing his lips together, suddenly said, “He Ze, thank you.”
“…?” Did he hear that right?
“How much did this cost? I’ll pay you. Using peregrine falcon feathers for fletching must be very expensive.” Lin Yu glanced at the box in his arms, his expression incredibly gentle.
It was like a child seeing a beloved toy.
“No need, I said it’s my apology.” He Ze shook his head. He had only spent less than one silver tael, and he guessed that even the blacksmith probably didn’t recognize its value. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been sold so cheaply. He had just made a wild guess, but it turned out to be true.
If the blacksmith knew, he might cry. He Ze shook his head and suddenly thought of something. He rummaged through the cloth and paper packages on the table, and with a smile, pulled out a small package. “Just as I thought, here.”
He Ze handed the item to Lin Yu again.
“What is it?”
“The ginseng we dug up the other day. I didn’t sell it. I kept half at home and brought the other half for you. You can cook it for your dad. It’s good for his health.”
“I can’t accept this!” Lin Yu quickly pushed it back. “You found and dug up that ginseng. What does it have to do with me? Take it back!”
“You led me up the mountain and showed me the path. Without you, I wouldn’t have found the ginseng. Plus, without your arrows, I couldn’t have dug it up. And didn’t you help dig up half of it? Take it. My dad cut it himself and checked several times before I left to make sure I didn’t forget.”
“No…”
“It’s mainly for health. Didn’t your dad’s condition worsen yesterday? Take it!” He Ze lost his patience and shoved the package into Lin Yu’s hand. “Consider it as repaying the favor for saving my life. Let’s call it even, so I don’t feel like I owe you.”
Lin Yu felt the package in his hand was burning hot, but looking at He Ze’s furrowed brows, he couldn’t find the words to refuse. He glanced back at the room where Zhang was, and finally didn’t push it away again.
Uncle Xu had also said that his dad’s weak body would benefit from regular nourishment, but he couldn’t earn enough money…
“He Ze, this ginseng and these arrows are my debt to you,” Lin Yu lifted his head and said each word clearly. “I will repay you. Tomorrow I’ll go to Uncle Wang’s place and have him write a promissory note.”
“I’ll tear it up if you do.” Truly, stubborn people were not pleasant.
“He Ze!”
“Yu-ge, what’s wrong?” Dad Li had just come out from the doorway and overheard Lin Yu’s angry tone. He hurried over and grabbed his arm. “My Xiao Ze is very mischievous. Did he make you angry? Please, don’t take it to heart.”
“Dad…” He Ze helplessly rubbed his forehead.
Dad Li glared at him. “What’s wrong? You think you’re so impressive? I told you to thank him, not to fool around! Go apologize to Yu-ge right now!”
After saying that, Dad Li winked at him. He Ze understood the implied favoritism but chose not to comment, merely sitting to the side.
“Xiao Ze!”
“Uncle Li, you’ve misunderstood… I’m not angry.” Seeing the tense atmosphere, Lin Yu quickly turned and forced a smile. “He Ze wouldn’t dare fool around with me. He was just thanking me, see, the gift is still in my hand!”
Lin Yu spread the small cloth package in his hand in front of Dad Li.
“Oh, I see. That’s good then. I thought Xiao Ze had made you angry!” Dad Li’s face relaxed into a smile, which then faded as he spoke apologetically. “Your dad and I were chatting and accidentally touched on past events, which likely brought back sad memories for him. I helped him to bed to rest. You should go inside and keep an eye on him.”
“Past events?” Lin Yu’s face tensed. He started to turn but paused. “Uncle Li, you…”
“We’re heading back now. You don’t need to see us off. Take good care of your mom,” Dad Li sighed. “Yu-ge, I’m really sorry. I wasn’t careful. What was supposed to be a good visit turned into… Anyway, go inside and comfort him. People need to move on from the past.”
“Yes, I understand. Thank you, Uncle Li.”
Before he finished speaking, Lin Yu hurriedly disappeared through the door.
“Sigh, such a hard life…” Dad Li watched Lin Yu’s retreating figure, then turned to He Ze. “Let’s go. Your father and Xiao An are waiting for me to make lunch.”
Hard life? Past events? He Ze had questions. He took a few steps behind Dad Li but then turned to look back at the courtyard. It was empty, filled only with the yellow of the mud-brick walls.
Instinctively, he searched his memory but found nothing. Lin Yu was just a slightly more memorable acquaintance to his previous self. How could he know these details?
“Xiao Ze, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you moving?”
Dad Li turned back and called out to him.
“Nothing.” He Ze snapped out of his thoughts and quickly caught up to him. He couldn’t help but ask, “Dad, what did you mean earlier? What happened to Uncle Zhang before? And what about Lin Yu?”
“You don’t know? Oh, right, how could I forget?” Dad Li patted his head. “You were away studying in town. Of course, you wouldn’t remember these things.”
Dad Li’s gaze grew distant before he turned to He Ze and asked, “You weren’t really bullying Yu-ge just now, were you?”
“Dad, with Lin Yu’s strength, who could possibly bully him?”
“You can’t say it like that,” Dad Li shook his head, his voice becoming raspy as if he remembered something, “Yu-ge and his Dad have had a hard life, especially Yu-ge. He was just a child back then…”
He Ze remained silent, listening intently.
“Our family lives in the west of the village, but did you know there’s a Lin family in the north? Lin Yu’s grandfather’s generation came here as refugees. They were diligent people and had saved some silver during their escape. The village head allocated them some land, and they settled in He Family Village as one of the few non-local families. Their days went well, but… they were a ruthless bunch!”
Dad Li wiped his slightly reddened eyes with his sleeve before continuing, “The old man Lin had three sons. Yu-ge’s father was the middle one, your Uncle Lin. People have always said that middle children are the most overlooked, and this family was no exception. Your Uncle Lin, like Li Dali from Lijia Village, had a biased Dad. But the old man Lin and his wife were more than biased; they completely neglected him.
The eldest was the apple of their eye, and the youngest was their treasure, leaving the second son as nothing but a weed.
Your Uncle Lin grew up with your father in the same village, but I’ve heard your father say that Uncle Lin never once played with them as kids. Though they were close in age, standing next to your father, he was a head shorter and skin and bones. It was pitiful.
When he finally grew up, Uncle Lin was known in the village for being honest and hardworking. When your father and I got married, he even helped out. Later, while his older and younger brothers’ children were already running around, he still hadn’t started a family. Then he met your Uncle Zhang. During that period, the Lin family often quarreled, but Uncle Lin insisted on marrying him.
He knelt at the Lin family’s door for several days, nearly crippling his legs before the old man Lin relented. Your Uncle Zhang didn’t ask for any dowry and didn’t even have a proper wedding, entering the Lin family just like that. But after he moved in, old man Lin and his wife became even more ruthless, making Uncle Lin work day and night… By the time Yu-ge was ten, his father had passed away, already skin and bones. The villagers said Uncle Lin was worked to death.”
“Worked to death? This…!!!” He Ze felt a surge of anger just listening to it.
“Traditionally, filial piety comes first. Your Uncle Lin was straightforward, not one for scheming. One accusation of unfilial behavior from the old man Lin would have had him condemned for life, with people pointing fingers at him. Yu-ge would never be able to hold his head up. Even if he went to the authorities, he would have received a hundred lashes. Even if he survived, he would be crippled.”
“This…” He Ze found it unbelievable and had to suppress the violence rising in his chest. “What happened after that?”
“After that,” Dad Li sighed, “Your Uncle Zhang barely managed to raise Yu-ge to thirteen. The illnesses he suffers now likely stem from those three years. When Yu-ge turned thirteen, his third uncle’s wife arranged a marriage for him to be a concubine to a wealthy man in town, who was over seventy. The man died within a few months.
That matter, of course, came to nothing.”
His third uncle’s wife wouldn’t let up, saying his third uncle was sick and they didn’t have money for treatment, so he wanted to send Yu-ge to a brothel in town. It was that day when Yu-ge beat up all the men they sent to kidnap him, grabbed his poorly made bow and arrows, and went up the mountain. It took him three full days to return, carrying a bear with a bleeding eye. At that time, the Lin family thought he was dead, and they were scared out of their wits!”
Dad Li smiled faintly as He Ze listened with a heavy heart. Thirteen years old, and he could imagine a child covered in blood struggling down from the mountain with a bear several times his size. It was a scene he, who had only experienced the apocalypse at eighteen, couldn’t fathom. Yet Lin Yu had endured such hardships at just thirteen.
He Ze felt a lump in his chest as Dad Li continued speaking, “Later, the Lin family took possession of that bear in the name of the elders, probably sold it for quite a bit of money, and even renovated their house. But having taken all that, they probably knew they couldn’t control Yu-ge anymore, so they drove him and his Dad out, leaving them with nothing but a memorial tablet.
You know the rest.
Yu-ge made his own way, had two marriage proposals, both of which ended badly, and rumors spread throughout the village. Your Uncle Zhang’s illness worsened, adding to his bitterness and worries about Yu-ge. He’s been holding it all in, and I just made it worse, not knowing if it’s good or bad.”
Dad Li frowned deeply.
“Dad, good people will have good fortune. He’ll get better.” He would make sure he did, after all, he considered his life far more valuable than half a root of ginseng.
“That’s good to hear! So, don’t bully Yu-ge all the time, understand?!”
“…”
Dad Li finally finished speaking, and both of them felt a bit heavy-hearted. They didn’t say much for the rest of the way back to the He household.
After lunch, nobody went out. The sweet potatoes in the field had been harvested, but they still had to wait a couple of days for the millet. He Ze, with nothing else to do, started reading the book about traditional Chinese medicine he had brought back from town yesterday.
Why not learn something new? He couldn’t be ignorant of what herbs were growing in his own medicinal herb garden.
He Ze was so engrossed in his reading that He Yucai and Dad Li couldn’t believe their eyes at first, then they were overjoyed. He not only distanced himself but also dragged He An along.
Of course, He Ze was oblivious to this.
But when he came to his senses and found the other three weren’t there, he entered He Yucai and Dad Li’s bedroom with a sneaky air. He did something in there, though nobody knew what. When he came out, he was holding a porcelain basin with a plant sprouting a tender red flower bud.
Remembering what Dad Li had told him, He Ze tore off a piece of cloth from the firewood stack and left with the basin in his arms.
When he arrived at the Lin household, Lin Yu was chopping firewood in the yard. As he raised his head, their eyes met.
“He Ze? Why are you here again?”
Again… He Ze’s footsteps paused. “I came to bring you something, I forgot to bring it earlier.”
“What?” Lin Yu frowned. The incident from earlier in the morning was enough for him.
“Don’t worry, it’s just some wildflowers I picked by the roadside, worthless,” He Ze said with a smile as he approached the table. He set the basin he was carrying on the table and casually tore off the piece of cloth. “I brought you flowers. Put them by Uncle Zhang’s bedside. Flowers and plants can lift one’s spirits.”
“…You came to bring flowers? Just these flowers?” Lin Yu raised an eyebrow, then dropped the axe in his hand and walked over to the table. He stared at the flower bud for a while before speaking again, “What kind of flower is this? It’s quite pretty.”
“Wildflowers, I planted them casually.” He Ze didn’t hesitate, looking at the red rose in the basin that could fetch around ten taels of silver at the market.
“Really?”
“Of course. Trust me, put the flowers by your Dad’s bedside. It’ll lift his mood, and when his mood improves, his health will naturally follow suit.” One of He Ze’s hands rested on the table, while the other pinched the delicate leaves next to the flower bud, leaving crescent moon marks on them one by one.
“You… let go!” Lin Yu couldn’t bear to watch any longer and immediately brushed He Ze’s hand away. “Do you know how delicate flowers are? I’ll take care of them!”
Without waiting for He Ze’s response, Lin Yu carried the porcelain basin into the main room. Lin’s Dad was still asleep, traces of tears at the corners of his eyes. Lin Yu carefully placed the flowers on the small square table, glanced at him, then turned and left the room.
“Do you have something else to do?”
Seeing He Ze still standing by the table, Lin Yu asked.
“I do, actually,” He Ze nodded. “I’ve been wanting to go up the mountain lately, but my parents wouldn’t agree to let me go alone, so…”
“So you want me to accompany you?” Lin Yu frowned.
—
[Author’s Note: Phew, I’ve been writing like crazy since last night until now, I’ve typed out 12,000 words. I’m going to bed now, yes, going to bed… Tomorrow’s update should be around the same time, little angels remember to leave comments, the author is giving out red packets! Thank you, darlings, for your support, bowing in gratitude [Obsequious]]