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The young man smiled, set the stick down, and went to pick up the little dog, asking, “Why are you out here alone in the wilderness? Where is your owner or mother?”
The little dog seemed to sense his kindness and stopped being afraid, letting out a few friendly barks.
Turning to Lu Man, the young man said, “With this dog here, there must be hunters nearby.” Just then, they heard the loud barking of a big dog and a man’s voice.
Being cautious not to alarm the mother dog, the young man refrained from holding the little dog in his arms, aware of the protective nature of mother dogs.
The little dog stayed put, continuing to bark.
A short while later, a man and a dog emerged from the forest ahead. The young man quickly pulled Lu Man away. The large dog ran up to the little dog, barking wildly at the young man and Lu Man in the distance.
The hunter who followed was around seventeen or eighteen years old, tall and dark-skinned. He knelt down to pat the big dog gently, then stood up and asked, “How did you two end up here? Where are your parents?”
The young man clasped his hands and replied, “Sir, we got separated from our family while playing. Could you tell us the way to Guangji Temple?”
The hunter pointed in a direction and said, “Go that way towards Guangji Temple. It’s quite a distance, and the mountain paths are challenging. If you’re heading there, you’ll need until late afternoon. And these mountain paths might be too difficult for this young lady to climb.”
The young man felt relieved that the hunter’s directions seemed correct. If they were wrong, he would have needed to find a way to escape.
Taking out a pouch from his pocket and two jade pendants from his waist, the young man offered, “Sir, these are the only valuable things I have. Please take them.”
The hunter chuckled and replied, “Young man, what do you take me for? You rich folks always think too much. I am a hunter, I earn my living through skills. I don’t need your belongings.” Pointing towards a small grove, he added, “I have a temporary shelter in that grove. Rest there for a while. I’ll guide you through a shortcut out of the mountains. We can rent a cart in the village to take you home.”
The young man smiled and apologized, “I apologize for my lack of consideration.” Introducing himself, he said, “My surname is Jiang, and this is my sister. If we make it back home, there will be a significant reward waiting for you.”
The hunter, named Zheng Qiang, chuckled, “No need for any significant reward. Sometimes, chance encounters are more valuable than planned meetings. Jiang young siblings, I’m Zheng Qiang.”
Both the young man and Lu Man greeted, “Brother Zheng.”
Following Zheng Qiang into the woods, they came across a wooden house where the dogs, mother and son duo happily rushed towards it.
Inside the house, Zheng Qiang offered the young man and Lu Man a piece of cornbread each and a bowl of cool water, saying, “I venture into the deep mountains for hunting, and this is my temporary shelter. Please make do with what I have.”
Having not eaten since the previous night, they were famished and quickly devoured the cornbread.
The young man belatedly realized he had finished eating while Zheng Qiang only drank water. Feeling embarrassed for consuming their host’s food, he blushed and admitted, “Brother Zheng, we’ve eaten your food.”
Zheng Qiang chuckled, “I’m used to rough living, often going hungry. Not like you rich kids.”
After resting for a while, Zheng Qiang fastened two rabbits, a wild chicken, and a roe deer around his waist, then stood up, taking the two dogs and leading them towards the mountains.
As they walked along the mountain path, Lu Man became too fatigued to continue, walking slowly and tearfully due to foot pain. Reluctantly, the young man had to carry her on his back.
Zheng Qiang also picked up the little dog, remarking, “Young Jiang is a caring elder brother to his sister.”
Feeling touched by the sentiment of having a protective brother, Lu Man couldn’t help but cry. She buried her face in the young man’s neck, tears falling onto his skin.
Pausing his steps, the young man inquired, “What’s wrong?”
Choking up, Lu Man whispered softly in his ear, “Having a brother feels really nice.”
The young man smiled, then continued walking with a firmer stride.
From then on, Lu Man referred to the young man as “Big Brother”. When she spoke of the young man to Zheng Qiang, she proudly called him “My Big Brother”.
As midday approached, the group finally emerged from the mountains, and Lu Man insisted on walking on her own.
At the foot of the mountain lay a small village where Zheng Qiang’s home was located. The village, nestled against the mountain, was not large. As they entered the village, many children gathered around, curiously observing the young man and Lu Man as if they were seeing a spectacle.
Zheng Qiang jokingly scolded, “Go on, go on. Stop staring. Keep your distance. They are children from wealthy families. Don’t scare them, you mud children.”
Inside Zheng Qiang’s house, surrounded by a fence and adobe walls, they were greeted by his mother.
As Zheng Qiang stepped into the courtyard, he called out loudly, “Mother, mother, we have guests.”
In response, a woman in her thirties emerged from the house.
Zheng’s mother, observing the fair and beautiful appearances of Lu Man and the young man, despite their slightly dirty clothes, assumed they were from wealthy families and wondered why they had come here. She greeted them warmly, “Oh, esteemed guests, our home is simple. Please don’t mind the humble surroundings.” A hospitable woman.
The young man quickly bowed and introduced himself, “Zheng Mother, sorry for the intrusion. My surname is Jiang, and this is my sister.” Lu Man also followed suit with a bow.
“Oh, it’s Young Master Jiang and Miss Jiang. Please come inside.” The woman said cheerfully.
Although the house was simple, it was tidy.
Zheng Qiang served them two bowls of sweet water, and Zheng’s mother prepared several large bowls of noodles along with two boiled eggs for each of them.
Both the young man and Lu Man were famished, and in no time, the young man finished his noodles and eggs. Lu Man ate all her eggs but couldn’t finish the noodles, which Zheng’s mother kindly polished off.
After the meal, the young man discreetly suggested to Lu Man, “Zheng’s mother and brother are very kind. Let’s rest here for a day and return tomorrow, otherwise, our families will worry. What do you think?”
Lu Man hadn’t considered causing worry at home, she simply felt that Brother Jiang was exceptionally kind and didn’t want to leave him. She readily agreed with a nod.
Boldly, the young man asked Zheng Qiang and his mother, “Zheng Mother, Zheng Brother, my sister and I enjoy the tranquility here. Could we stay a day and rent a cart tomorrow noon to return home?”
He then presented the remaining silver coins and a jade pendant, keeping two silver coins for the cart rental the next day. He explained, “This is not only for our food and lodging but also for our gratitude. If it weren’t for Brother Zheng, we might not have made it out of the mountains. Even if you don’t treat me as a brother, we wouldn’t want to disturb you in your home.”
Blushing, Zheng Qiang accepted the money and pendant, planning to sell the roe deer and one rabbit in town for a stewed chicken and roasted rabbit dinner that evening.
The next day, the young man and Lu Man sat in the courtyard, playing with the little dog, feeling time pass swiftly.