Chapter 4: Love

Facing my ecstatic expression, Ru Xue’s smile was faint. She said, “You know that I no longer have my original life-germ. When my great-aunt passed away a few years ago, she left me a young life-germ. It wasn’t until I had recovered that the great witch told me about it. I didn’t know about it before.”

Ru Xue has a life-giving worm again, which is a happy thing, but I have doubts. I asked, “Ru Xue, what does this life-giving worm have to do with you going to the old forest in the northeast with me?”

Ruxue lightly gathered her hair and said lightly, “The old forest is very dangerous. You can protect against wild animals, mountain spirits and ghosts, but can you protect against all kinds of insects? You are not experienced hunters or medicine diggers, ginseng pickers… and my life-giving worm is still a young worm, it is not easy to cultivate, and it requires a lot of materials. The old forest in the northeast is rich in resources, and I can also find some.”

“That’s good, it’s only right, yes, it’s time to go!” I was so happy that I was a little incoherent, and the meaning I always wanted to express was that Ru Xue had to go.

I cherish every second I spend with Ruoxue! Even in dangerous situations, I want to be with Ruoxue, and of course, I will protect her with my life.

However, I was too obvious in this way, and Ruoxue couldn’t help laughing. I love to see her smile, it is so clean and bright, and finally I couldn’t help but gently hug Ruoxue.

Ruxue’s body trembled slightly and she said softly, “Chengyi, this is a bit too much.”

“No, don’t move. Just for tonight, let me hold you for a while.” I buried my head in Ru Xue’s hair. I had been repressed for too long, and only a hug could bring me spiritual comfort.

In the end, Ru Xue still didn’t move, leaning lightly against me and letting me hold her.

The sky, the moonlight like water…

After I had settled Irene’s affairs, I was about to leave Yueyan Miao Village. I had promised Ru Xue that once I was ready to leave for the old forest in the northeast, I would come here to pick her up. Before that, I still had some trivial matters to attend to, all of which were left over from my visit to the ghost market.

I thought it would be quick, but it turned out to be unexpected. This is a later story, so I won’t talk about it for now.

In my plan, things will of course start with the easy and move on to the difficult. I plan to first solve the problem of the descendants’ feng shui that the old lady mentioned, and then go on to the problem of the descendants of the skeleton official…

But before that, I had to go home first. I missed my family, and Liu Chunyan was about to give birth.

At the airport, Su Rou came to pick me up. I hadn’t seen him for a while, and he had actually lost a little weight. This was a ‘weird event’ that had never happened in the decades since we had met, and it was even more surprising than if an ordinary person had seen a ghost.

When he saw me and Huigen coming out, Surou immediately came up to greet us. Before I could ask him why he had lost weight, he said in a loud voice, “Sanwa, did you go to Tianjin to join the underworld? And you brought a little punk back with you?”

As soon as Su Rou finished speaking, Hui Gen’er slapped him on the chin. Su Rou was taken aback and then shouted, “Little punk, looking for a beating?”

Of course, Su Rou wouldn’t really hit someone who was close to me, but he hated it when people touched any part of his head, so he was bound to react.

Hui Gen had already taken off her sunglasses and looked at Su Rou with big, pleading eyes, saying, “Uncle Su Rou, after two years apart, you want to hit me as soon as you see me?”

“Oh…” Su Rou was stunned. He guessed that Hui Gen’er’s so-called trendy image was also unacceptable to him, just like me. After a long time, he grabbed Hui Gen’er’s face and said, “Let’s go, uncle will take you to buy clothes! How much suffering must this doll have to wear clothes like this?”

We laughed and joked our way out of the airport. On the car ride, I asked him why he had lost weight. He told me that Liu Chunyan was about to give birth, and he was taking care of her himself, so of course he was losing weight!

“The child’s matter is important, and I don’t trust others to take care of it. Recently, I have even handed over the company to two vice presidents to take care of it. I will only be notified of important decisions.” Su Rou chattered to me about his happiness.

“After all these years, your relationship with Liu Chunyan is still as good as ever.” I don’t know when I will have this kind of happiness, so I couldn’t help but say with emotion.

“Cut it out! Our relationship has been going on for so many years and it’s still going strong! Look, I can put my company aside for a while, but when you come back, I’m definitely going to pick you up.” Su Rou said while driving.

“Wait, you can just drop me off at home, then go take care of your brother’s wife. I’ll drive to see my parents, stay with them for a couple of days, and then stay with you until your son is born.” I said, leaning back in my seat.

“You’re right. You should go see your aunt and uncle.” As he spoke, Su Rou took out a stack of money from his pocket and said, “Buy them something to show my appreciation. I’ve been busy lately and haven’t been able to go myself.”

I didn’t pretend to be shy, I took the money directly. This is how my relationship with Su Rou is now. Every time I see his parents, I will also show my appreciation. This is not a personal favor, but purely a concern for both sets of parents.

When Su Rou’s child is born, my parents will definitely go. Su Rou also told me that Qin Huai and Ru Yue were also there that day. This kid had already publicized his wife’s due date everywhere!

As for buying clothes for Hui Gen, Su Rou obviously didn’t have the time, so he had to use RMB instead. In the end, those RMB were turned into the so-called “Young and Dangerous” clothes that Hui Gen wore.

I don’t know how to appreciate these clothes with all kinds of metal. I just let him be. Under the influence of Jueyuan, can this kid’s aesthetic sense be normal?

Since he was going to meet my parents, Hui Gen didn’t dare to be too bold, so he changed into a set of obedient clothes and set off with me. This reminded me of myself a long time ago, when I was outside acting like Cui Jian in Qinhuai. When my master came back, I still had to quickly change into a good student’s clothes.

Those years must have been a long time ago, but I still remember clearly the time when I was waiting for my master in the courtyard, drinking tea.

Before I left, I contacted my parents, who had moved back to our old village. Every summer, they would go back to live there, saying that the city was too noisy, the summer was too hot, and they couldn’t stand the smell of air conditioning.

Yes, is life getting better and better? Or is it getting more and more self-torturing? Can the enjoyment of all kinds of bright lights and wine really compare to the natural beauty of green mountains and clear waters? I’m afraid this is not a question I can answer, but rather a question of choice for the entire human race.

When I arrived at the familiar village, it was already starry night. Over the years, this once-closed village has changed even more.

The village has been paved with concrete roads, and the small buildings have been renovated with state funding. The appearance of the village has become more orderly, but the fields and mountains have not changed much. Looking at this small village, I try not to get sentimental, because I am afraid of thinking of my master. Every year, my parents come here to escape the summer heat, but I never come. This time, because I am going to be away for a long time, I have to come…

When they heard that I was coming back, my parents were waiting at the entrance to the village. Now there is even a bus stop here. From a distance, I could see my parents’ figures. I felt an indescribable feeling of familiarity in my heart. I have never forgotten this feeling over the years.

I parked the car in front of my parents and quickly got out with my wife. Life is good now. My mother has put on a lot of weight and is quite fashionable. Time flies. I am 32 years old and my mother is almost 60.

As soon as I got out of the car, my mother came over to greet me, gave me a big hug and said with a smile, “My eldest son is back.”

After hugging me, she went to hug Huigen, but she didn’t forget to pinch Huigen’s face and said with a smile, “Huigen, you’re so handsome.”

Hui Gen’er was delighted to hear this. My father coughed next to him and grumbled in dissatisfaction, “This old woman, what is she? She watches Hong Kong TV dramas and talks nonsense all day long. Really, she is disrespectful of the elderly!”

“What did you say? Dare you say it again?” My mother wouldn’t let go.

My father gave a “hum” and walked away with his hands behind his back, like a proud rooster, ignoring my mother completely. But he definitely wouldn’t dare say it again! On ordinary days, he would have to smile and pretend, but in front of his son, he absolutely had to maintain his dignity.

I felt funny and pulled my father back, saying, “Dad, where are you going? We’re getting in the car and going home! This time I brought you good cigarettes and good wine.”

“What kind of cigarettes? I don’t smoke Chinese cigarettes, I can’t get used to the taste…”

“Come on, your son knows your habits.”