Qishan Village is surrounded by mountains on three sides, making it quite remote. The village comprises over a hundred households, divided into East Village and West Village. 

Zhou Song lives in the East Village and seldom visits the West Village. However, today, under the scorching sun, he headed towards West Village, accompanied by his cousin, Zhou Xiaofu. 

Zhou Xiaofu, three years older than Zhou Song, was shorter and noticeably rounder. Unlike Lin Erzhu’s plumpness, Zhou Xiaofu was genuinely overweight, his double chin pronounced as he huffed along, visibly annoyed. 

Every now and then, he would wipe his sweat and grumble about the heat, casting disdainful glances at Zhou Song, “If Granny hadn’t fallen ill and insisted on seeing you, I wouldn’t have bothered coming here.”

Zhou Song ignored him completely, which only added to Zhou Xiaofu’s irritation, causing him to snort coldly and turn his face away. Their cool demeanor persisted as they reached the Zhou residence in West Village. Zhou Xiaofu’s wife, Wang Cuixiang, was sweeping the yard. Seeing them, she hesitated before greeting Zhou Song with a subdued call of “cousin.”

Zhou Song acknowledged her and headed straight for the main house. Zhou Xiaofu muttered under his breath at Zhou Song’s retreating figure and snapped at his lingering wife, “What are you waiting for? Go cook!”

Wang Cuixiang didn’t dare object even though it was still early for lunch; she hurriedly set aside her broom and went to the kitchen. As Zhou Song entered the house, hearing Zhou Xiaofu’s shout, he pushed the door and stepped in without looking back.

Inside, Hu Lan, who had just finished administering medicine, greeted him with a smile, “My big nephew is here. Come, your Granny has been missing you.”

Zhou Song approached silently. The elderly woman sitting on the bed, her hair white, beamed at him and reached out her hand. “Song, it’s been a while since you visited. Come, let Granny see if you’ve lost weight.”

Her hand clasped his, pulling him to sit beside her. He looked at her and asked, “How have you been?”

“Oh, Granny is just feeling the heat from her old age, nothing serious,” Granny Zhou patted his hand, “But you, you look thinner?”

“It’s hot, I’ve been eating less,” Zhou Song responded, eyes downcast.

“That won’t do, you need to eat well, especially since you’re still growing,” Granny Zhou scolded gently before turning to Hu Lan, “Make sure to stew some eggs for Song today, let him have a good meal.”

Hu Lan’s expression faltered momentarily, but she managed a smile, “Mother, those eggs were meant to be sold for money. Even Xiaofu rarely gets to eat them. Besides, our nephew often hunts, so he isn’t lacking…”

“That’s not the same!” Granny Zhou interrupted displeasedly, “And didn’t Xiaofu end up eating most of the rabbit Song brought the other day?”

Hu Lan found herself speechless, managing only a feeble agreement before leaving with the empty medicine bowl. Once alone, Granny Zhou shifted her gaze back to Zhou Song, suddenly remarking, “You’ve grown so much, looking more and more like your father, and even showing a bit of your grandfather’s demeanor.”

Zhou Song let her hold his hand, staying silent. He had never met his grandfather, who had passed away when Zhou Song’s father was still young. His grandfather had been famously handsome in Qishan Village, captivating many young women’s hearts before marrying the plain-looking Granny Zhou, which many had secretly lamented. 

After marriage, they had two sons, Zhou Song’s father and uncle, with his father inheriting his grandfather’s good looks and rare Qian Yuan¹ nature.

“Had your father been alive to see you now, he would have been proud, though it’s a pity…” Granny Zhou’s mood darkened as she recalled her late husband and son, suggesting regret over some past advice not taken.

“Granny,” Zhou Song cut her off, “You should rest some more.”

Granny Zhou waved it off, her mood lightening, “Seeing my dear grandson has made me feel much better.”

“By the way, I had your aunt ask you about it before—have you given it any thought?” Granny Zhou resumed, referring to a marriage proposal, “Li Yuanwai’s daughter is quite a catch, well-mannered and good-looking. Missing out on such a match would be a shame. You could at least meet her, maybe you’d take a liking to her.”

Zhou Song didn’t elaborate on his reasons for declining the match with Li Yuanwai’s daughter, feeling it unnecessary to justify his personal choices to others. 

He had once seen her briefly; their eyes met when her carriage passed by his, an encounter that left her seemingly embarrassed. He didn’t think much of it, but soon after, a proposal came from Li Yuanwai, facilitated by the matchmaker who informed him of the girl’s infatuation from that single glance—an attraction Zhou Song attributed to mere momentary fascination.

“My marriage is my own business, Granny. Please don’t worry about it,” Zhou Song said, not wanting to discuss it further.

“You’re my grandson. How can I not worry?” Granny Zhou started to say more but stopped herself upon meeting his calm gaze, sighing instead.

Seeing her drop the subject, Zhou Song didn’t argue about being content alone, avoiding further nagging.

Granny Zhou seemed about to speak again when the door creaked open, and Zhou Song’s uncle, Zhou Dashan, entered. He shared a strong resemblance with Granny Zhou but was ordinary in features. On seeing Zhou Song, he remarked neutrally, “The big nephew is here.”

Zhou Song acknowledged him and stood to leave, “Since Granny is fine, I’ll be going.”

“Where are you off to? It’s almost lunchtime, stay and eat,” Granny Zhou protested.

“Why rush off without eating, especially when you rarely visit?” Zhou Dashan closed the door behind him, questioning Zhou Song’s reluctance to stay longer.

Zhou Song, seemingly ignoring the implied tension, excused himself, “I left the fire unattended at home.”

“Fire burns out on its own; no need to fuss over it. Have you become so wild that you don’t recognize home anymore?” Zhou Dashan commented with a half-smile.

Zhou Song didn’t respond, merely met his uncle’s gaze for a moment before turning to Granny, “I should get back.”

Without waiting for further objections, he brushed past Zhou Dashan and left.

Granny Zhou called after him, but Zhou Dashan blocked her, “Mother, why bother? He’s too wild now to care about us.”

“Mind your words. He’s your nephew,” Granny Zhou scolded, irritated by his insinuations.

Zhou Dashan scoffed, “You always favored his father, and now him. Does being a Qian Yuan make him so special?”

“Nonsense!” Granny Zhou retorted, visibly upset.

Seeing her anger, Zhou Dashan softened, “I just wish he’d visit more, considering your age.”

“Enough,” Granny Zhou dismissed, urging him to support his nephew more as the elder.

Zhou Dashan agreed, though his true sentiments remained his own.

Outside, Zhou Song didn’t look back, his duty done by visiting Granny. Hu Lan sat peeling vegetables, muttering “no manners” as he passed without greeting, while Zhou Xiaofu snorted at his departing figure.

Walking back under the harsh noon sun, Zhou Song’s shirt clung to him with sweat. Despite the heat, his expression remained composed as he wiped his face. Hearing a carriage approaching, he glanced up.

A horse-drawn carriage, rare in these parts, neared. It was unusual, given the village’s remoteness and the recent excitement over the Lin family’s new ox-cart. 

Curiosity drew Zhou Song’s gaze as the carriage stopped near an abandoned farmhouse. An elderly woman alighted, lifting the curtain and calling to someone inside. 

After a moment, a delicate hand appeared, followed by a slender man in light cotton clothes, his hair neatly tied back, stepping down with an elegant air.

As he settled on the ground, he suddenly looked up, his gaze piercing under the sunlight. Zhou Song instinctively averted his eyes and hurried away, his heart still racing even after some distance. 

Realizing his sleeves were rolled up and his face sweaty, he felt a flush of embarrassment, hastily smoothing his clothes before hesitantly looking back at the carriage, his heart still unsettled by that brief encounter.

1. Qian Yuan – Similar to Alpha ↩︎