Chapter 6

Huo Shu entered a room by the fence in the Zhao family’s house, which was previously Zhao Changsui’s room. The room was small and simply furnished. On the table were some miscellaneous books Zhao Changsui had read seven or eight years ago, a collection of strange tales. Huo Shu placed his bag on the table and flipped through a couple of pages. With few words and many pictures, it was indeed suitable for someone who had only spent two years in a private school. Although the room had not been lived in for several years, it was very clean. The table and stools were free of dust, and there was no musty smell in the room, indicating it was cleaned regularly. Huo Shu put down the book and took out a silver hairpin from his bag. He said to himself, “Now I have completed half of your entrustment. How about the other half?” At noon, Huo Shu and Zhao’s mother ate a meal in the main hall. Zhao’s mother wanted to treat Huo Shu to a good meal, but unfortunately, times had been hard in recent years, and there was not much wine or meat stored at home. It was too late to buy anything on the spot, so she could only buy a fish from a neighbor and slaughter the hen that laid eggs at home. She cooked a fish stew and chicken soup, and made some seasonal vegetables and small dishes, which was as abundant as a festive meal. Huo Shu was not picky and ate everything. Zhao’s mother, on the other hand, barely touched her chopsticks. She happily watched Huo Shu eat. “I’ll go and get some good wine this afternoon. It’ll be comfortable to drink some wine in the courtyard when the sun goes down and it’s cooler.” “No need to trouble yourself. It’s not easy to go to the city.” “It’s not trouble. There are people in the village who brew and sell wine. We don’t need to go to the city.” Huo Shu responded, “Aunt, do you know who Changsui’s lover is?” Zhao’s mother’s chopsticks paused. She didn’t understand what Huo Shu meant at first. “Lover?” Then she smiled. “Changsui was still young when he was conscripted. He hadn’t even talked about marriage yet, so he didn’t have a lover like you said. He didn’t understand anything back then and was the most enthusiastic worker.” Huo Shu’s brow twitched. This kid was quite dishonest. “What’s wrong? Did Changsui tell you he had someone he liked?” Huo Shu looked at Zhao’s mother’s swollen eyes. Ten years had passed. He didn’t know what had happened to Changsui’s lover. He was afraid that telling her would only make her sadder. He neither confirmed nor denied it and changed the subject. “I’ll have another bowl of rice.” “Oh, yes, yes. Aunt will add more for you. We cooked a lot of rice. Eat as much as you want. You’re tall, so you should eat more bowls.” After lunch, Zhao’s mother prepared some incense, candles, and paper money to visit Zhao Changsui’s father. Zhao Changsui finally had a resolution, and it was only right to inform his father in heaven. Huo Shu also followed to offer some incense. … “Brother Tao, you’re pulling up scallions. Are you preparing dinner so early?” When the sun was a bit weaker, Ji Tao Yu, who had taken a nap, took a basket to his field. Today, Ancestor came to the village to collect medicinal herbs. He wanted to finish dinner early so that Huang Yinsheng could eat an early supper before returning to the city. Seeing fellow villager Yu Sun Shi approaching on the dirt path, Tao Yu put the vegetables in his hand into the basket and stood up to greet her, but his voice was a little colder than usual. “Sun Niangzi.” The woman didn’t hear anything unusual and said to herself, “I heard that Doctor Huang came to the village today. I realized I had finished my medicinal soup at home, so I had to shamelessly trouble Brother, and ask you to prescribe two more doses of the previous prescription.” As she spoke, the woman took money from her purse to give to Ji Tao Yu. Many people in the village knew that Ji Tao Yu had some medical skills. When they couldn’t go to the city and didn’t need the medicine immediately, they would ask Tao Yu to help. When he went to Huang Yinsheng’s clinic in the city, he would bring the medicine back. It was common to help buy things like this, but when it came to buying medicine, villagers asked Ji Tao Yu not only because he knew medicine, but also because he was Huang Yinsheng’s grandson. The price of medicine from him was always much cheaper for fellow villagers. The boys and women in the village liked to trouble him even more. Ji Tao Yu tacitly agreed and had always done so. However, this time, before the woman could hand over the money, he said, “Two doses of medicine, Sun Niangzi, that’s two hundred and sixty wen.” The woman paused upon hearing this. “Has the medicine price gone up?” The previous dose was only one hundred wen, so two doses would only be two hundred wen. How could sixty wen appear out of nowhere? “The price has always been the same. If Sun Niangzi gets medicine from other clinics, the price will only be higher than this.” Sun Niangzi quickly said, “Brother Tao, what’s going on?” Ji Tao Yu said, “Before, I took the prescriptions from the villagers to the clinic to get medicine. Thinking that we were all fellow villagers, I never wanted to profit from the medicine money for my fellow villagers. The medicine price was always the lowest, a price that couldn’t be lowered further in the market. I thought this was fellow villager friendship.” “Yes, yes, yes. All the villagers know this. Everyone is naturally grateful to the village head’s family.” During festivals, when someone in the village slaughtered pigs or sheep, they would send a piece of meat to the Ji family. Ji Tao Yu said coldly, “I don’t do these things for everyone’s gratitude. I just hope everyone can live in harmony and friendliness in the village. Yet, some people do not cherish fellow villager affection. If that’s the case, why should I go out of my way to be nice to them?” Even the most stupid person could tell that these words were directed at her. Sun Niangzi cried injustice, “Brother Tao, what are you talking about?” “Sun Niangzi is usually a gentle person and, seeing this, she still doesn’t know the whole story. In this case, it’s better to go back and ask Brother Xia how he treats his fellow villagers.” Ji Tao Yu reminded her slowly, “I hope Sun Niangzi can find out the truth. If they twist black into white, then it’s better not to listen.” “I haven’t told my parents about the matter to worry them yet. If Sun Niangzi can go back and persuade Brother Xia to give a proper explanation, then that will be the end of it. If he insists on his own way, then I, being sick and useless, can only rely on my parents to uphold justice.” Yu Sun Shi, although she didn’t understand what had angered Ji Tao Yu, knew from his words that it was related to her son. She guessed that the two young men had a quarrel, but Ji Tao Yu’s words made her heart pound. Ji Tao Yu had always been gentle and easy to talk to. It was the first time she had seen him with such a cold face. She had a vague feeling that her son had committed a serious offense. “I’ll go back and ask Brother Xia now. Regardless of right or wrong, I hope Brother Tao won’t get too angry and harm his own health.” Yu Sun Shi didn’t buy the medicine anymore and hurried back in the direction of her own home. Ji Tao Yu watched the person leave and turned his head to confirm that she wasn’t coming back. He let out a long sigh and then squatted down to pull up the scallions again. Brother Yu harmed him, causing him to fall into the water and almost lose his life. Whether it was a momentary impulse or because he was inherently malicious, if he didn’t receive some punishment, he wouldn’t be able to quell his anger. “You’re quite eloquent.” Ji Tao Yu was thinking that even if he hadn’t met Sun Niangzi here, he had planned to find her to settle the score when he had time. However, a voice suddenly sounded from behind him, startling him so much that he almost knelt on the ground. If the villagers heard those words, it might cause a lot of trouble. He slowly turned his head and saw a stern face. The person was standing on higher ground with his arms crossed, looking down at him. “The one who pushed you into the water was her son. Can you guarantee that your mother won’t be biased and uphold justice for you?” “I can’t guarantee that, but it shows what kind of people they are. If he comes to apologize and confess, I won’t make further trouble. If he refuses to admit it, then I will have to worry my parents. In a village, over time, opportunities can always be found.” Huo Shu looked at Ji Tao Yu deeply. He saw that the person seemed a bit confused and naive, but not stupid. “That’s a method, but it’s too troublesome. Since you want to vent your anger, I can help you. Where is his home?” Huo Shu said, “It’s been a long time since my knife was used.” Ji Tao Yu was greatly alarmed. “Killing people will land you in jail!” “Did I say I was going to kill him?” Ji Tao Yu was stunned for a moment, and then he heard Huo Shu say indifferently, “Chopping off his hand would suffice.” “Then, then what’s the difference!” Ji Tao Yu saw that Huo Shu didn’t respond and felt that he was someone who could really do such a thing. He said nervously, “The village is peaceful. We can’t, we can’t make trouble with knives and guns.” Huo Shu saw that the young man’s face had turned a little pale. He felt a bit mischievous, wondering if he would cry again, but he had obviously miscalculated. “If you want to do this, I, I’ll report it to the authorities.” The little cabbage dared to threaten him. Huo Shu raised his eyebrows. This was interesting. “Fine, if you don’t want to, then forget it.” Ji Tao Yu breathed a sigh of relief and then couldn’t help but say softly, “I didn’t know the righteous man also had the habit of eavesdropping.” “In broad daylight, I don’t have the habit of covering my ears.” Ji Tao Yu knew he was in the wrong and said in a low voice, “You… you won’t tell anyone about this, will you?” Huo Shu said, “It depends.” Ji Tao Yu couldn’t figure out what those ambiguous words meant, but he felt that someone like Huo Shu didn’t like to gossip. Thinking of this, he felt a little more at ease. “Why is the righteous man here?” “Offering incense.” “Is it Uncle Zhao’s grave?” Ji Tao Yu remembered that the paralyzed villager from the Zhao family had passed away two years ago and was buried in this area. He had even attended Zhao’s family’s funeral banquet. “Yes.” “Are you here alone?” “Aunt brought me here.” Ji Tao Yu’s heart skipped a beat. He looked around, but he didn’t see anyone else. “Where is Yuan Niangzi?” “I forgot to bring a fire starter. I’m going back to get it.” “…” Ji Tao Yu breathed a sigh of relief and pursed his lips. This person only answered when asked and didn’t want to talk much. If he weren’t his savior, he wouldn’t even bother talking to him. “Then, have you finished handling your affairs?” “No.” Ji Tao Yu felt that he couldn’t say anything more. If he didn’t take the initiative to ask a few questions, it would seem like he was ungrateful. If he asked too many, he was afraid of prying into his privacy. Seeing this, he simply said, “Well, then the righteous man can stay in the village and deal with it slowly.” After saying that, he continued to pull up the scallions. Huo Shu looked at the person squatting in the field, who looked like a harmless bundle of cabbage. He said slowly, “You’re so eloquent when talking to fellow villagers, but you stutter when talking to me. Am I some kind of monster?” Ji Tao Yu bit his lower lip. He knew whether he was a monster or not. He wanted to kill one moment and chop off hands the next. Who wouldn’t be afraid? He silently pulled up the small scallions, not responding. Seeing that the young man wasn’t responding to his teasing, Huo Shu turned serious and said, “I’m looking for someone, but I don’t know their name or where they live.” Ji Tao Yu stopped his actions upon hearing this and looked up at Huo Shu again. “How can you find them? If that’s the case, why are you looking for them?” “To give this person something.” “That means you have a token.” Seeing Huo Shu nod, Ji Tao Yu thought that he wasn’t the type to chat idly. Since he brought this up without any preamble, he thought, “Does the righteous man want me to help him find them?” Huo Shu neither confirmed nor denied it and paused. “If possible.” Ji Tao Yu’s eyes widened in disbelief. Seeing this, he said softly, “Then don’t say anything about today’s matter, and I’ll help you find them.” Huo Shu looked at the hesitant expression on the young man’s face, wanting to bargain, and raised his eyebrows. “I saved you, and you help me find someone. We’re even.” “I’ll keep your secret for you, that’s a separate matter.” Ji Tao Yu frowned. Wasn’t this person acting like he didn’t want anything in return before? And now he was subtly keeping track. “Then, then what do you want?” Huo Shu said slowly, “A fee for keeping my mouth shut.” Ji Tao Yu was silent for a moment and then muttered, “Don’t you have money? Why do you still want this?” “I’m not from a wealthy family. Isn’t it normal to not have money?” Ji Tao Yu, although he knew it was rude, couldn’t help but mutter to himself. He looked like he wasn’t young anymore, yet he hadn’t saved any money. After the war, what would he use to settle down? He pursed his lips and said with difficulty, “But I haven’t saved much money either.” Huo Shu’s brow twitched slightly. “Then invite me to a meal.” Ji Tao Yu said sheepishly, “Okay, tell me when the righteous man is free, and I’ll ask my parents to prepare wine and dishes to treat the righteous man to a meal.” Huo Shu said, “Your parents inviting me is to thank you for saving you. For keeping my mouth shut, you have to invite me alone.” “How can that be! Boys and girls have their own spaces.” Ji Tao Yu immediately refused. When he looked up, he saw Huo Shu’s slightly narrowed and dangerous expression. He quickly lowered his eyes, avoiding Huo Shu’s eagle-like gaze. “In that case… my mouth is also quite loose.” After speaking, Huo Shu turned to leave. Seeing this, Ji Tao Yu said anxiously, “Although I can’t invite the righteous man alone, I can make some small dishes and put them in a food box for the righteous man. Is that okay?” Huo Shu didn’t turn around, but he stopped. “How is your cooking?” “It’s okay.” “Then that’s fine.” Ji Tao Yu let out a breath and then wanted to ask Huo Shu what clues he had about the person he was looking for. However, Zhao’s mother came over with a fire starter, so he stopped talking. “Are you picking vegetables, Brother Tao?” Ji Tao Yu smiled and nodded. “Ancestor came to the village to collect medicinal herbs. I want him to eat supper before he goes back.” “Brother Tao is so filial.” Ji Tao Yu exchanged a few pleasantries with Zhao’s mother. When he turned around again, Huo Shu had already disappeared, as if no one had been there at all.