Chapter 36: Fallen Leaves Return to Their Roots

Chen Dalyu stood beside them, making a solemn introduction. “This is our grandaunt.” As he finished, he bent slightly and spoke respectfully to Bai Xi, “Grandaunt, this is Uncle Chen’s son, Chen Weiguo, and his wife, Comrade Fang Ya. Uncle Chen passed away several years ago. This time, his son and daughter-in-law have brought their grandson to return him to our village so he can rest where he belongs.”

He had originally planned to lead the two to the treehouse to see the grandaunt, but halfway there, they heard someone had fallen into the water. The three of them hurried over and learned on the way that it was the couple’s son who had nearly drowned.

Chen Weiguo looked at Bai Xi. Though surprised, he immediately dropped to his knees with a resounding thud and kowtowed three times, each one echoing in the air.

“I am Chen Weiguo, son of Chen Xiong from Niuluo Village. I greet Grandaunt on behalf of my late father and pay my respects.”

“My parents always said they would bring me back to our ancestral village when I was a child, but the journey was too long and inconvenient, so it was delayed year after year. Only now have we finally returned. I ask grandaunt and all elders for your understanding.”

Though he had never set foot in Niuluo Village before, his parents had instilled its traditions and rules in him since childhood. On the way to the treehouse, he had already learned that the highest elder in the village was the Bai family’s grandaunt, but he had not expected her to be even younger than his own son.

Even so, he instinctively knelt and kowtowed.

He did it for his parents, who had been unable to return for more than twenty years, and for his own first meeting with an elder—these three kowtows were necessary.

Kneeling down, Chen Weiguo felt awkward inside. After all, he was kneeling to a little child, younger even than his own son. Yet, when he looked up and met Bai Xi’s calm gaze, the awkwardness vanished.

Fang Ya was startled by her husband’s sudden action. She glanced at Bai Xi, then at her husband, who remained solemnly kneeling. After a moment’s hesitation, she knelt as well, pulling her son down with her.

She too had heard from her in-laws about the ancestral village’s traditions—and besides, this little ancestor had just saved her son.

“Fang Ya and her son Chen Yi pay their respects to Grandaunt.”

Bai Xi immediately understood what was happening.

These were villagers returning from afar, seeking their roots.

No matter how far one goes, the heart always longs to return home.

In the Celestial Realm, Bai Xi had often been paid homage and was not startled by the scene.

She looked at the family of three and said, “You may rise. Your son has just had a fright in the water. Settle yourselves first. Arranging your father’s affairs, you can ask the villagers for help. If there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask Xiaoliu.”

Xiaoliu?

Chen Weiguo was puzzled, but seeing the embarrassed expression on the village head’s face, he immediately understood and replied, “Thank you for your concern, Grandaunt.”

“Stand up, now.” Only then did Chen Weiguo help his wife and son to their feet.

The couple was surprised at how composed and mature Bai Xi seemed. Fang Ya marveled inwardly—Heavens, this little girl is so clever. Chen Weiguo was both amazed and enlightened; no wonder his parents always said the Bai family was extraordinary. Even one so young as the grandaunt showed the family’s remarkable bearing.

Throughout, the little boy kept stealing grateful and curious glances at the black tiger beside Bai Xi. He hadn’t fainted earlier, so he knew exactly what had happened. Hearing this was a tiger, he was now filled with envy that Bai Xi could keep such a beast.

What are you staring at, you silly chubby kid!

The black tiger, full of personality, turned away, leaving Chen Yi staring at its backside.

Chen Yi wasn’t really chubby; after all, with food scarce these days, few children were. But on the way, the tiger had promised its mistress to catch her some fish for supper. Now, having used up its strength to save the boy, it was out of energy and a bit resentful.

“You have things to attend to, so I’ll be going,” Bai Xi said to Chen Dalyu, preparing to leave.

“Grandaunt, take care.”

“Grandaunt, mind your step!”

Without looking back, Bai Xi waved her hand.

She had been looking forward to the fish the tiger would catch for her tonight, hoping for some fish soup. Now, seeing that this was impossible, she could only give up on the idea. With her supply of meat at home dwindling again after tonight, she left with the black tiger, feeling a little glum.

Chen Weiguo glanced at Chen Dalyu, puzzled. Why did grandaunt seem a bit unhappy?

Chen Dalyu didn’t understand either, but seeing that Bai Xi seemed more bored than angry, he simply shook his head, indicating it was nothing.

Chen Rui, who had run over to see what was happening, saw Bai Xi leaving and quickly caught up. “Grandaunt, grandaunt, do you want some milk candy?”

She still had some of the milk candy grandaunt had given her before.

“No,” Bai Xi replied, glancing at Chen Rui. The gloom in her eyes faded a little. These days, the little girl often visited the treehouse, and sometimes, when given a treat at home, she would eat half and bring the rest for Bai Xi—sweet potato sticks, stir-fried highland barley, even an egg a few days ago.

“Why haven’t you eaten the milk candy yet? It’s so hot—you’d better eat it before it melts.”

At her words, Chen Rui hurriedly took out a small handkerchief from her pocket and carefully unwrapped it. Sure enough, the milk candy had already melted, with syrup seeping through the paper and sticking to the cloth. Chen Rui’s eyes filled with tears as she choked out, “Grandaunt, the milk candy’s all melted.”

Bai Xi saw and said, “Exactly, so you’d better eat it quickly. If you keep waiting in this heat, it’ll turn to syrup.”

Of course, she was exaggerating, but she was surprised the sweet hadn’t attracted ants with Chen Rui carrying it around. What Bai Xi didn’t know was that, having spent so much time with her, Chen Rui’s scent kept insects at bay.

Hearing this, Chen Rui didn’t doubt her for a moment. “Then you eat it, grandaunt.”

“I don’t want it. You eat it,” Bai Xi replied. She still had a few pieces of milk candy herself, but they were kept in her magic pouch, where nothing melted. Not wanting to be coaxed into eating the candy, Bai Xi changed the subject, and Chen Rui never managed to give it to her, even after following her all the way back to the treehouse.

Standing beneath the treehouse, Chen Rui looked up, then down at the milk candy in her hand. After a moment’s thought, she peeled off the wrapper, popped the candy into her mouth, and licked the syrup from her fingers.

Her little face was full of confusion—it was still sweet even after melting, so why didn’t grandaunt want it?

The return of a family seeking their roots after many years brought a fresh bustle to Niuluo Village. If it hadn’t been work hours, the village head’s house would have been surrounded by a thick crowd of onlookers.

Chen Weiguo and Fang Ya changed their son’s clothes and made sure he drank the strong ginger soup the village head’s wife had prepared. Only when they were certain he was fine did they go to the treehouse with Chen Dalyu to pay their respects.

This time, neither Chen Weiguo nor Fang Ya dared let their son wander. It was just a moment’s inattention before, and their boy had ended up playing by the stream, nearly drowning.

(I haven’t used quotation marks for the black tiger’s words—does everyone find that easy to read?)