Chapter 125: Something’s Amiss

Bai Xi was too lazy to listen to Li Jia’s advice; she stuffed the money into her pocket and went upstairs. Li Jia glanced at the money in her hand, then looked toward the direction Chen Tianming had left. Reluctantly, she patted her thigh and obediently hurried after him to deliver the money.

That lady was just too kind. Why be soft-hearted toward someone like him?

“Wait a moment!” Li Jia called out as she caught up with Chen Tianming at the village gate.

Chen Tianming carried a small bundle on his back, completely unprepared for anyone from the village to come and see him off.

“Aunt,” he greeted without saying more.

“Here, take this,” Li Jia said bluntly, showing no attempt to hide her dislike for Chen Tianming. If not for the lady’s orders, she wouldn’t have bothered to follow him.

The lady was such a good person. She gave birth to two sons, yet only someone as heartless and ungrateful as Chen Tianming could dare insult her so harshly.

Chen Tianming sensed Li Jia’s aversion but looked puzzled as he accepted the money she handed him.

“Keep it. It’s from the lady. When the family is poor, any help counts.” Although the lady hadn’t said it explicitly, Li Jia was sure that was the implication. Otherwise, why hand over ten yuan?

Chen Tianming hesitated, his eyes reddening instantly. Did the lady see him bowing just now? Despite how he’d treated her, she still...

“No, I can’t accept this,” he shook his head.

“Just take it. The lady still has work for me; I don’t have time to argue with you,” Li Jia said irritably, shoving the money into his hand and turning to leave.

After a few steps, she unexpectedly ran into Mrs. Chen and Xiao Tao, who had come to send off Chen Tianming as well. Feeling awkward, Li Jia nodded at them quickly and walked away.

Chen Tianming still clutched the ten yuan. Seeing that both his grandmother and aunt had come despite his protests, he stepped forward to steady Mrs. Chen and whispered, “Grandmother, I told you and aunt not to come. My cousin is young; the family can’t be left unattended.”

“It’s okay. I asked our elderly neighbor to watch him for a while,” Xiao Tao replied.

Chen Tianming nodded at her words, spoke a few sentences, and then hurriedly handed the money to Mrs. Chen. “Grandmother, please return this to the lady. I can’t use money from the lady.” How could he bear to?

“Is this money from the lady, delivered by Sister-in-law Li Jia?” Xiao Tao asked, recalling that earlier she and her mother-in-law thought it was Li Jia’s own gift.

“Yes,” Chen Tianming nodded again. “Please help me return it to the lady.”

Mrs. Chen reached out to take the money but pulled back. “Tianming, since it’s from the lady, you should keep it. Don’t use it unless absolutely necessary.”

“Grandmother...” Chen Tianming hesitated.

Mrs. Chen added quietly, “Keep it. It might come in handy in an emergency. That way, I can also feel more at ease.” This was her unspoken thought.

She felt both grateful and ashamed. Tianming had been so ungrateful to the lady, yet the lady still gave him money for protection.

It must be understood: setting out on a journey, even a single penny could be a great obstacle for a hero.

Seeing that her grandson hadn’t put the money away, Mrs. Chen emphasized again, “Listen carefully, don’t be stubborn. This is from the lady, it’s different.”

Chen Tianming hesitated but finally complied.

“Grandmother, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of myself.”

It was his first time leaving home, and his heart ached. He paused, sniffed, then continued, “Aunt, from now on you’ll need to take care of my cousin and grandmother. Thank you for your hard work.”

Xiao Tao nodded, tears welling up and finally spilling over.

Chen Tianming looked at them deeply once more, took a deep breath, and turned to leave quickly.

Only then did tears stream freely down his cheeks.

Chen Tianming’s departure stirred no ripple in Niuluo Village. Only when villagers heard Bai Xi had given him ten yuan did they mutter curses with bitterness.

No one blamed Bai Xi, though. The lady had her reasons, and after all, her kindness was a blessing to the village.

Spring attire was soon to be swapped for summer clothing.

May would arrive swiftly.

At night, Bai Xi cultivated; during the day, she either ate or slept. Occasionally, she wandered around the village or took Little Black hunting in the mountains.

The Niuluo Mountains stretched on endlessly, ridge after ridge.

So far, Bai Xi had only explored the outskirts with Little Black.

Almost a year had passed since Bai Xi arrived here.

Now rain poured outside, yet Bai Xi frowned inside the treehouse.

Little Black had grown considerably larger. It sat by the foot of the wooden platform, watching Bai Xi pace restlessly inside.

Its master had been in a foul mood for days; even when it caught two quails yesterday, Bai Xi showed no hint of a smile.

Last night, a heavy rainstorm woke Bai Xi. She sat up and never went back to sleep.

As Little Black’s head turned with Bai Xi’s pacing, Chen Rui appeared, cloaked in a raincoat.

“Grandmother,” Chen Rui greeted as she put down a basket of food.

“Grandmother, my mother made quail soup with dried bamboo shoots—so fragrant.”

The rain was relentless, making the path to the commune treacherous—muddy and uneven. By the time they reached the school, not only people but even the books inside their cloth bags would be soaked.

Moreover, the school classrooms leaked everywhere, so when heavy rains fell, classes were canceled and students studied at home.

Chen Rui had seen the heavy rain this morning and knew she couldn’t go to school. She helped with chores at home and, upon finishing the soup, hurried to deliver it to the treehouse.

Bai Xi looked at Chen Rui curiously. “Why aren’t you going to school?”

“Grandmother, the rain is too heavy; classes were canceled.”

“Oh,” Bai Xi replied casually. Seeing Chen Rui efficiently ladling out a bowl of quail soup, she tapped the small table on the platform, signaling she wanted to drink it there.

While Bai Xi drank, Chen Rui tidied the house.

Sister-in-law Li Jia was ill. The twins were troublesome in that way: if one fell sick, the other followed.

Worried about Bai Xi catching their illness, Li Jia hadn’t come to the treehouse for two days.

Chen Daliu had wanted to find someone else to cook and clean for Bai Xi, but her spirits were low, and she didn’t want anyone around, so Chen Daliu gave up.

Thus, Chen Rui took charge of all the meals these past two days—preparing them at home before delivering them.

After Bai Xi finished the soup, she told Chen Rui to eat the meat.

Little Black looked on with pitiful, aggrieved eyes, then glared at Chen Rui angrily. That meat was his.

Chen Rui finished tidying and didn’t rush off. Instead, she took a small stool and sat beside the wooden platform, placing her hands gently on Bai Xi’s forehead. As she rubbed softly, she spoke with concern, “Grandmother, are you still having trouble sleeping?”

(Here I am—does this count as celebrating the New Year with everyone? Please support me with votes...)