Chapter 14: I’m Back

Dai Ning couldn’t stand it the moment she got back—she needed a bath right away.

The bodyguards hurried to set up her bathing tub. Everything was ready except for hot water, which they would have to heat now. Normally, they’d boil water at the village chief’s house each day and bring it over, but the young lady clearly wasn’t willing to wait today.

One of the bodyguards, who knew how to use the village stove, asked Zhao Yu, “Could we borrow your kitchen to heat some water for the young lady?”

Zhao Yu replied, “I’ll handle it.”

The bodyguard was grateful. “Thanks, brother.”

Zhao Yu nodded, filled a pot with water from the tank, and lit the fire to boil it.

The flickering firelight illuminated his face, though even he couldn’t tell if he was putting himself or the young lady through this ordeal.

He worked quickly, and once the water was ready, the bodyguards carried it over.

Zhao Yu headed to the well, planning to rinse off himself. It was a summer night, and though he wasn’t exhausted from carrying her back, he had worked up a sweat.

Just as he started drawing water, he heard an irritated shout, “Are you trying to scald me? This water’s way too hot!”

Zhao Yu picked up a bucket and went to Dai Ning’s door, where, as expected, a group of burly men stood around helplessly, scolded into silence.

Zhao Yu knocked. “Open up; I’ll cool the water down.”

The door opened, and a chill from the ice inside hit him. Without saying much, Zhao Yu poured the well water into her tub.

The young lady’s tub, made from fragrant sandalwood, gave off a faint aroma. The tub was a good five feet across—any larger, and it wouldn’t fit in the room.

Dai Ning pouted from the side. “Be careful not to add too much, or it’ll get too cold.”

Zhao Yu was used to it by now—once she was out of danger, her attitude returned.

“Use your hand to feel the temperature. Just say ‘stop’ when it’s right.”

Dai Ning dipped her hand in, her pale, jade-like fingers swirling the water playfully. “Just a bit more… okay, that’s good.”

“Now leave. I want to bathe.”

Zhao Yu had figured it out: when she needed him, her words were sweet as honey; the moment she didn’t, she wished he’d disappear.

He picked up the bucket and left, not inclined to argue with her.

Zhao Ping and Zhao An’an had already come home on their own. After Zhao Yu washed up and chatted with them for a bit, he went to feed his parents.

Liu Shuan, being a considerate fellow, had saved decent food for Zhao Yu’s parents from the banquet. Zhao Yu reheated the meal and took it into their room.

As Zhao’s mother ate, she couldn’t help but glance at her eldest son.

The elderly woman spoke softly, “Son, if you don’t like Tian Niu, could it be that… you’re interested in…”

Zhao Yu looked up.

She took a deep breath, looking at him carefully. “Could it be that you like our guest staying with us?”

Zhao Yu paused briefly, then continued feeding his mother, showing no reaction. “No, there’s nothing like that.”

Seeing his calm expression, neither embarrassed nor flustered, she couldn’t be sure if she had guessed wrong. Her eldest had always been mature and sensible, with strong opinions. If he wanted to hide something, no one would be able to tell.

Zhao’s mother said, “I’ve never met Miss Ji in all this time, but I know she’s someone of high status. I’ve been wondering, Yu-ge’er, someone like her wouldn’t usually stay here. She’s been here a while, and you seem to treat her well. Could it be that she’s taken an interest in you?”

In truth, Zhao’s mother held a faint hope, even if it seemed unrealistic. If the young lady truly liked Yu-ge’er, even if he married into her family, he could leave this mountain, escape hardship, and live comfortably.

Zhao Yu interrupted her daydreams. “She doesn’t like me. Let’s put this thought to rest.”

“But, Yu-ge’er…”

“Mother, trust me. In a few years, I’ll get us all out of Xinghua Village, and I’ll make sure you’re cured. Miss Ji would never be interested in me. When I was at the village chief’s house today, her friend hinted that they wanted to leave soon. It won’t be long before Ji Dai Ning returns to the city. Please don’t talk about this again. If she hears it, it’ll be embarrassing for us and may even upset her.”

His mother nodded awkwardly.

“I’ll go wash the dishes,” Zhao Yu said calmly.

He cleared the tableware and went back to the kitchen. Without heating more water, he used the remaining cold water from the tank to wash up.

Night had fully set in, the moonlight hidden away.

The mixed feelings within him settled, too.

Zhao Yu didn’t think it was serious—once Dai Ning left, his life would return to normal.

——

In the village, there was a tradition: gifts from the wedding were only unwrapped the day after.

Liu Shuan and his new bride, Xiao Yan, sat in their house, going through the gifts from the villagers.

“Uncle Liu gave a duck, a string of firecrackers, and a jug of wine.”

“Uncle Song’s gift was flour, noodles, and twenty yuan.”

…

The mountain village had simple means, and the gifts were things they could manage.

Then Xiao Yan picked up a large, heavy red knot. “Oh, what’s this?”

Liu Shuan scratched his head. “No idea.”

He called out loudly, “Mom, who gave us this red knot?”

His mom was outside sewing. “Miss Ji brought it.”

Xiao Yan commented, “It feels really heavy.”

“There’s a knot here. Try pulling it open.”

Xiao Yan followed his advice, pulling it open—and was left speechless.

Liu Shuan leaned in, stammering, “That’s… so much money!”

He had never seen such a thick wad of red bills in his life, tightly packed into the red knot.

The family gathered around in shock. Xiao Yan’s lips trembled as she counted.

Liu Shuan’s father, pipe in hand, asked, “How much?”

“One… twelve thousand.”

“…!”

Liu Shuan asked, “What should we do, Dad?”

Even his dad was stunned. The old man hurriedly covered the money with a blanket. “Don’t tell anyone, understand? Don’t flaunt wealth.”

Liu Shuan and Xiao Yan felt like they were dreaming. They sensed that if the knot could’ve fit more, or if they’d needed a luckier number, the young lady might’ve even stuffed in more.

His father said, “And don’t let your brother Zhao Yu know.”

“Why, Dad?” Liu Shuan asked, not agreeing. “Brother Yu isn’t an outsider.”

The old man gave him a hard look. “Listen to me and do as you’re told.”

The family hid the money securely.

Liu Shuan’s heart was pounding; this was his first encounter with real wealth. Last night, he had been complaining about the young lady’s antics, but now he felt that even if she wanted to tear down his house, he and Xiao Yan would gladly hold the ladder for her!

——

Uncle Qian found out that the young lady had trampled someone’s vegetable garden last night, and he couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. Accepting it as his duty, he paid several times the amount as compensation and apologized. The family was overjoyed, as water spinach was worth little, and they’d now earned much more, promptly assuring him they held no grudges.

The weather was clear, and autumn was still some time away. Uncle Qian brought a letter.

“Mr. Ji wrote this for you.”

Dai Ning eagerly opened it. Her grandfather’s handwriting, bold and expressive, conveyed his thoughts with every word, expressing his concern for his beloved granddaughter. He asked if she was eating well, if anyone was bullying her, if she was happy, and if she’d been causing trouble.

At the end, he mentioned Dai Ning’s younger brother, saying that Ji Mojue was thinking of her, too.

Dai Ning pouted, “As if that rascal misses me. He’d be happier if I vanished.”

Uncle Qian chuckled, “Young Miss, don’t say that. You’re siblings by blood; Young Master Ji would never wish you harm.”

Whether or not Ji Mojue cared, Dai Ning felt her grandfather’s deep concern and love.

She sighed, feeling a pang of homesickness. How comfortable that big villa was, and how much Grandpa cherished her.

Uncle Qian suggested, “Young Miss, we’ve been out for almost a month. How about we head back?”

Dai Ning immediately refused, “No way.”

She was here to prevent “Ji Tian” from gaining luck. As long as “Ji Tian” didn’t gain fortune, she wouldn’t be disfigured or face death, and her grandfather wouldn’t suffer due to her misfortunes.

Dai Ning was not a particularly patient person and couldn’t bear to keep sparring with Du Tian in the village. For the first time, she earnestly consulted the green orb in her mind.

“When does Zhao Yu fall for Du Tian?”

The green orb replied, “Right now, we’re in the early stages of Zhao Yu’s life. This part isn’t detailed in the book.”

Dai Ning thought the orb was hardly useful.

“Search later on, in Zhao Yu’s reflections and memories, and see if he recalls any defining moment involving Du Tian.”

After some scanning, the green orb found something.

“There’s one part where Zhao Yu mentions that when he was young, Du Tian saved his father’s life, making him feel deeply grateful.”

Saving a parent’s life was a tremendous favor, enough to shape Zhao Yu’s impression of Du Tian as both beautiful and kind-hearted.

“And the timing? Is it mentioned?”

“There’s a rough timeline. Let me calculate… yes, it’s right around this period.”

Dai Ning perked up, “So I have to prevent Du Tian from doing Zhao Yu any favor.”

She was curious how Du Tian even had the ability to save someone.

The green orb explained, “Before Du Tian arrived in this world, her grandfather was a doctor.”

Dai Ning wondered just how many hidden skills Du Tian had. The heroine, it seemed, came with extensive abilities—no wonder she could excel later.

The green orb continued, “In a few days, Zhao’s father might have an episode. What’s our plan?”

It suggested they step in and save Zhao’s father ahead of Du Tian.

“It’s simple,” Dai Ning said, tapping the envelope idly. “We’ll just make sure Du Tian can’t save him, even if that means letting Zhao’s father die.”

If he were dead, it would be an effortless solution, and Du Tian would have no one left to save.

Dai Ning spoke nonchalantly, and the green orb was stunned.

It had traversed countless worlds and timelines, encountering all kinds of people, but this was the first time it met someone as cold-hearted and calculating beneath such a sweet, innocent appearance.

The green orb hesitantly reminded her, “Zhao Yu has been quite good to you lately.”

Dai Ning thought for a moment, “Tolerable.”

But does that leave you with no conscience?

The green orb refrained from voicing the question. It was neither a character in the book nor of this world; involving itself further would be overstepping its bounds.

——

And so the days passed until the end of August.

The summer heat was fading, and a slight chill was creeping into the mountains. Zhao Yu had no time to rest, having been busy with the harvest for days on end. Wheat had to be reaped, and the corn was ready to be gathered.

Even his young brother, Zhao Ping, had to help with a sickle alongside his elder brother.

The blazing sun left Zhao Yu a shade darker.

Dai Ning’s patience had worn thin. With few sources of entertainment in the village, she’d heard of a lantern festival in an ancient town outside the mountains and decided to go.

When Dai Ning wanted to go, she went, giving no thought to informing anyone.

Returning home at dusk, Zhao Yu drank some water, only to find his sister, An’an, gazing at him with red-rimmed eyes.

He asked softly, “An’an, what’s wrong?”

“Miss left this morning.”

The young girl had watched Dai Ning leave with her entourage. For a child, separation was a frightening thing.

Although Miss often scolded her and called her ugly, An’an had grown attached. In her six years of life, Dai Ning was the only young woman she had ever been close to.

Zhao Yu stared in silence for a long while. He pushed open the door to find the room empty.

Dai Ning’s belongings were still there, but that didn’t prove anything. She was the kind to leave everything behind if she wished.

Zhao Yu pressed his lips tightly together.

An’an tugged at his pant leg, and Zhao Yu said, “If she’s gone, she’s gone. Later, I’ll tidy up the room, and our house will feel more spacious.”

An’an looked heartbroken.

“Alright, keep an eye on Mom and Dad. Big Brother’s going to haul in the corn.”

Zhao Yu’s face was calm as he pushed his cart through the mountain paths. Before reaching the cornfield, he glanced back toward the village’s edge.

The towering mountains, the setting sun—they had never changed since he was born.

The village looked poor, backward, ignorant, and boring.

It couldn’t hold the morning light, nor the evening glow, nor any precious thing the world had to offer.

Zhao Yu turned back. There was a field of corn to haul in and four mouths to feed. The rest, he could hardly afford to ponder.

——

By dinnertime, Zhao Yu was still busy.

Zhao Ping couldn’t stand it any longer, “Brother, have some food.”

“You eat with An’an. I’ll bring in the last few sacks.”

Zhao Ping saw his brother soaked in sweat and covered his meal for him, calling An’an over.

The two children had barely taken a bite when Zhao’s mother called out in a panic.

“Ping! Yu!”

Zhao Ping rushed to find his father convulsing on the bed, eyes rolled back, lips turning blue.

His mother, frantic, cried out, “Where’s your brother? Go call him!”

Sensing the severity of the situation, Zhao Ping ran to the cornfield as fast as he could.

When Zhao Yu heard, his face changed, abandoning the cart and running home.

“Yu, your father suddenly turned like this. What can we do?”

Zhao Yu felt his heart sink. “I’ll get Doctor Sun.”

The village had only one aging doctor, Sun, who everyone knew could do little for a case this serious.

But they had no choice. Leaving the mountains would take three hours, and the night was closing in.

The commotion at Zhao’s house drew the neighbors. From the next house, Du Tian had a sudden realization.

She quickly gathered the herbs she’d harvested recently to sell, heading straight to Zhao’s.

Just as Doctor Sun emerged from Zhao’s home with a grim expression, he muttered to Zhao Yu, “There’s nothing I can do. Prepare yourself.”

Du Tian called out, “Brother Zhao, let me try!”

Summoning her courage, she looked at him with bright eyes. “I learned some medicine before. I know how to handle similar conditions.”

A glimmer of hope sparked in Zhao Yu. Perhaps this was worth a try.

“No, she can’t!”

A delicate voice pierced the silent night.

Zhao Yu looked up. In the dark, there was Dai Ning, holding a phoenix lantern and walking calmly toward him.

Behind her, the full moon rose, illuminating her and a line of people carrying lanterns, casting light across the shadows.

She smiled and blinked, “I’m back!”