Chapter 19.2

Talking more would only waste time, so Ruan Xi didn’t plan to chat much with Liu Xinghua. She let go of her hand, opened her palm in front of Liu Xinghua, and smiled, “Grandma, I borrowed an extra half a pound of wine tickets from Master. I plan to bring some wine back for Grandpa, but I don’t have any money. So, could you…”

Liu Xinghua understood and didn’t hesitate. She directly took out a rolled-up checkered handkerchief from her body. Inside the handkerchief were neatly placed some banknotes. She took out the largest denomination and gave it to Ruan Xi, along with a few food tickets.

Ruan Xi didn’t reach out to take them, saying, “I don’t need a whole dollar. Half a pound of wine is only about thirty cents.”

Liu Xinghua directly stuffed the money and tickets into her hand. “Aren’t you going to eat something yourself? It’s a rare outing. Buy yourself something nice. This money is what you earned. Spend it freely.”

Ruan Xi didn’t want to argue with Liu Xinghua, as it would waste more time. So she put the money and tickets in her pocket, kissed Liu Xinghua on the forehead, and left with her backpack and canteen.

“Grandma, I’m leaving now.”

Liu Xinghua followed her outside, loudly reminding her, “Be careful on the road.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

Ruan Xi walked down the mountain to the agreed meeting place, where Ling Yao was already waiting for her.

Seeing each other, they both instinctively smiled.

Ruan Xi quickly walked up to him and smiled, “Have you been waiting long?”

Ling Yao shook his head, “Just a little while.”

Then he reached out to Ruan Xi, “Let me carry your backpack and canteen.”

Ruan Xi looked down at her backpack and canteen, “No need, I can carry them myself.”

Ling Yao said, “It’s a long way. I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle it. Let me carry it.”

Seeing his insistence, Ruan Xi compromised and handed him the canteen.

They then walked with their backpacks, stepping lightly, bathed in the first rays of morning light. They set off along the winding mountain path, disappeared into the lush green leaves, and reappeared on the mountain road.

Ruan Xi felt no discomfort from the long journey and rugged mountain path. Instead, she felt a bit excited. Her favorite outdoor activity was hiking, otherwise, she wouldn’t have had an accident on the mountain and ended up here.

Before crossing over, she was very busy with work, and her life was so fast-paced that even eating was rushed. She rarely had the chance to put everything down and go out to play, so this trip down the mountain was a relaxing and enjoyable journey for her.

Ling Yao had walked this mountain path four years ago, and his memories were filled with nothing but pain. At that time, the whole family had been relocated, and he had no mood to enjoy the mountain scenery, leaving no good memories.

But this time, walking down with Ruan Xi, he was infected by her positive attitude. His heart was filled with sunshine, and the mountains, cliffs, pines, and cypresses, even the terraced fields dyed red by the morning glow, all became magnificent.

The scenery was picturesque, and his mood became more open. His steps became lighter, and he did not feel tired at all.

Without a watch or clock, they didn’t keep track of time. In their excitement, they didn’t feel tired, so they rarely stopped to rest. It wasn’t until the sun was high in the sky and they felt a bit hungry that they stopped to eat.

They found a clean rock by the roadside to sit on. Ruan Xi and Ling Yao removed their backpacks and canteens, placed them on the rock, and then took out the food they had packed.

They tore open the buns and added some pickles, making the simple meal quite tasty.

When you’re hungry, anything tastes good.

Eating the buns made them thirsty, so they opened the canteen to drink water. Ruan Xi poured water into the lid for Ling Yao to drink while she drank directly from the canteen.

After eating and drinking, they felt much better. Ruan Xi closed the canteen, placed it aside, and then lay on the rock. The coolness of the rock seeped through the thin fabric of her clothes.

She turned her head to look at Ling Yao, who was sitting beside her, and asked, “Are you tired?”

Ling Yao shook his head, “Not tired.”

Ruan Xi couldn’t help but laugh, “You seem quite energetic.”

Ling Yao indeed felt very energetic, as if he could keep walking for another half day without a break. He had never found the mountains interesting before, but this time, walking down with Ruan Xi, he realized that with a different mindset, even the most monotonous and painful things could become very interesting.

Having just finished their meal, they weren’t in a hurry to leave. Ruan Xi lay down briefly to relax, then sat up and chatted with Ling Yao. She asked him, “By the way, what did your mom do when she was in the city?”

Ling Yao replied, “She was a doctor in a hospital.”

Ruan Xi thought for a moment and said, “Then your mom must really love your dad.”

In her original memories and impressions, many people back then tried to sever all ties and even trample on them to prove their stance and protect themselves. But his mom not only didn’t do that, she even came to Fengming Mountain with them. Perhaps in her heart, nothing was more important than being together as a family.

Ling Yao softly said, “Yes,” feeling that there wasn’t much to say about his family’s situation. He then changed the topic and asked Ruan Xi, “I heard your parents haven’t come back for a long time and left you in the countryside. Is that true?”

Ruan Xi also felt there wasn’t much to say about her family. She rarely mentioned her parents. But now that Ling Yao asked, she nodded and said, “Yes, I grew up with my grandparents.”

Ling Yao looked at her, “Do you miss them?”

Ruan Xi shook her head, “No, I don’t even remember what they look like.” She said this without much emotion. After all, it was just her parents, nothing else.

Ling Yao didn’t quite understand, “If they didn’t come back, why didn’t they take you with them?”

Ruan Xi thought for a moment and said, “At that time, there was no way to take me. The situation was complicated, and it just dragged on. But it’s quite normal. In the countryside, many children are raised by their grandparents.”

Ling Yao continued, “Do you have other siblings?”

Ruan Xi nodded, “Of course. I have an older sister and a younger brother who aren’t my biological siblings. They were left behind by my dad’s former team leader. I also have two younger sisters and two younger brothers who are my biological siblings, but I’ve never met them.”

Feeling there wasn’t much more to say, Ruan Xi stood up, picked up her backpack, and said, “Alright, let’s continue. We can still find something good to eat if we get there early tomorrow.”

Ling Yao watched her get up and didn’t ask any more questions. He put on his backpack and canteen, and they continued on their way.

They walked and sometimes ran along the mountain path, climbing stone steps and sliding down slopes. When their legs tired, they found a place to sit and rest, drinking water to catch their breath.

As night fell, they had dinner and continued walking for a while. When they were too tired to continue, they stopped to rest.

After resting for a while, Ruan Xi looked around and remembered that a natural hot spring was nearby. Excited, she pulled Ling Yao along.

A bit confused, Ling Yao asked, “Weren’t we going to rest?”

Pulling him along, Ruan Xi said brightly, “I’ll take you to a good place first.”

Ling Yao didn’t know where she was taking him, but after walking for a while, he saw a water pool at the foot of the mountain, with steam rising from it and water flowing down the mountain wall, creating a fairyland-like scene. It was late at night, so there was no one around, only the sound of flowing water.

Ruan Xi took a deep breath and told Ling Yao, “You can take a bath here.”
The water was fresh, with a continuous flow from the mountain wall, and the pool was clear.

Excited at the thought of a bath, Ling Yao suddenly remembered that Ruan Xi was a girl, and his excitement was quickly tempered. His heart skipped a beat, and he didn’t say anything.

Knowing his character, Ruan Xi didn’t think much of it and asked, “Do you want to go first, or should I?”

Feeling a bit shy, Ling Yao said, “You go first.” After saying that, he looked around, quickly shouldered his backpack, and headed toward the near protruding rock. Behind the rock, he squatted down, plucked a small wildflower at his feet, and started pulling off the petals one by one. He didn’t know how many wildflowers he had plucked when suddenly someone patted him on the shoulder.

Ling Yao, engrossed in plucking the wildflowers, was startled. He came to his senses, quickly threw away the wildflowers, stood up, and turned to Ruan Xi, “Did you… did you finish washing?”

Ruan Xi hadn’t washed her hair but had changed into clean clothes. She nodded at Ling Yao, “You go ahead.”

Ling Yao responded and went down with his backpack.

After he left, Ruan Xi inadvertently looked down and saw the ground covered with yellow wildflower petals.

The moonlight gently spilled down, casting a beautiful shadow, so she laid her changed clothes on the grass, using the nearby rock to block the wind, and lay down to rest.

When Ling Yao returned after his bath, she was already asleep on the grass.

Ling Yao didn’t disturb her. He laid his clothes a meter away from her and lay down. He didn’t sleep immediately. Instead, he looked at Ruan Xi’s face under the soft moonlight, a smile on his lips. After a while, he got up, took off his outer shirt, and carefully covered Ruan Xi’s stomach with it. He was still wearing a vest underneath, so he lay down and slept.

The breeze blew, petals fell from the grass leaves, and a few landed in the girl’s hair.

In the early morning, the first wisp of cooking smoke rose from the mountains, and the small village woke up to the sound of roosters crowing. As the sky brightened, the clatter of pots, pans, and bowls signaled the start of daily life.

After breakfast, Sun Xiaohui cleaned up the dishes and told Ruan Changgui that she wouldn’t be going to the production team this morning.

Ruan Changgui knew what she was going to do, but he said nothing and picked up his farming tools to head out.

Sun Xiaohui washed the pots and dishes, took off her apron, and went to the main room to get the eggs she had borrowed for several days. Borrowing eggs was naturally faster than saving them herself, and now she had half a basket, which was respectable no matter who she gave them to.

After counting the eggs, she called Ruan Yuejin over and said, “Xiao Xi didn’t come back last night. I’ve already asked around, and she’s gone to the commune. While she’s away these few days, it’s the perfect opportunity for us to visit the old tailor and ask to be his apprentice.”

She wasn’t going to work in the morning because she planned to take Ruan Yuejin to the old tailor to ask to be his apprentice.

Ruan Yuejin looked at the half basket of eggs in front of him, full of confidence, “Alright.”

Sun Xiaohui smiled, covered the basket with an old cloth, and took Ruan Yuejin’s arm as they left.

The mother and son walked side by side towards Jinguang Village, talking about apprenticeship topics along the way. Sun Xiaohui had some worries, but not many, because she had full confidence in Ruan Yuejin. Her son would surely not disappoint her.

If Ruan Xi could accomplish something, it would be even easier for her son.

Sun Xiaohui had wonderful fantasies about Ruan Yuejin’s future, all reflected in her smile. For example, she imagined eating grapes, peach crisps, egg cakes, chicken, duck, and pork, earning wages, and eventually opening an enviable tailor shop.

But as they approached the old tailor’s house, she suddenly thought of a realistic problem. She suddenly remembered that she had previously reported Ruan Xi, causing a commotion, and the old tailor had stood up for Ruan Xi at that time. So it was very likely that the old tailor had a bad impression of her.

If Ruan Xi had spoken ill of her in front of the old tailor, her image in his mind would be even worse. She felt she couldn’t take the risk, so she quickly handed the basket to Ruan Yuejin.

Ruan Yuejin took the basket, puzzled, “What’s wrong?”

Sun Xiaohui tugged at her clothes and said, “I’d better not go in with you. I misunderstood Xiao Xi before… Anyway, you go in by yourself and don’t mention whose child you are. Just ask to be his apprentice. He looks at the person, not the family.”

Ruan Yuejin thought for a moment, “Alright then.”

As he continued walking with the basket, he suddenly stopped after a few steps, turned back, and nervously asked Sun Xiaohui, “What if he doesn’t like me? I’ve heard he speaks harshly and is very difficult to get along with.”

Sun Xiaohui patted his shoulder, “He won’t dislike you. That’s just his personality; he’s like that with everyone. If he says anything unpleasant, just ignore it. Remember, the goal is to learn the craft.”

Ruan Yuejin took a deep breath and nodded, “Alright.”

With his spirits lifted, he walked towards the old tailor’s house with the basket. Peeking through the gate, he saw the old tailor sitting under the grapevine trellis, combing a large yellow cat’s fur.

While combing, the old tailor muttered, “I’ve been used to living alone for most of my life. That girl coming over every day has changed my routine. Now that she suddenly stopped coming, I’m starting to miss it.”

The cat: Meow~ (Weren’t you the one who sent her to the commune to buy wine?)

Ruan Yuejin stood at the gate, not quite catching what the old tailor was muttering. He took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and entered the yard, greeting the old tailor, “Good morning, Mr. Song.”

The old tailor didn’t look up, continuing to comb the cat, and asked, “Are you here to make clothes or alter them?”

Ruan Yuejin didn’t beat around the bush and blurted out, “I’m not here to make or alter clothes. I want to be your apprentice and learn your craft. I want to be a tailor like you, measuring and making clothes for people, serving the community.”

The old tailor still didn’t look up, “I already have an apprentice. I’m not taking any more.”

Ruan Yuejin insisted, “I can assure you, I am more suited to be a tailor than your current apprentice. She isn’t cut out for it and will only end up doing odd jobs, unable to inherit your skills.”

The old tailor finished combing the cat, looked up at Ruan Yuejin with a puzzled expression, and after a moment, said, “You look like a fool. Have you ever touched a sewing machine? How dare you come here and claim you’re more suited to be a tailor than my apprentice?”

“She can’t inherit my skills, but you can?”

“Get lost, you fool!”

Even if he were twenty years younger, he wouldn’t dare say that!

Ruan Yuejin’s face turned red with anger as the old tailor scolded him. He had never been insulted like this before, and his anger surged to the top of his head. He gripped the handle of the bamboo basket so tightly that it almost broke.

The old tailor stood up, holding the cat, and impatiently glanced at him, “Still not leaving?”

Ruan Yuejin clenched his fists, swallowed his anger, and turned to leave with the basket.

As he walked out of the courtyard, his steps grew wider, his face filled with frustration and anger.

Sun Xiaohui saw him coming out so quickly with the basket, looking upset, and hurried to meet him. Seeing that none of the eggs in the basket were missing, she anxiously asked, “What happened?”

Ruan Yuejin, breathing heavily, angrily said, “He’s just good at a useless craft, what’s so great about that! A man in his seventies, never married, and… mmm mmm mmm…”

Sun Xiaohui quickly covered his mouth to stop him from saying more.

Once he calmed down, she let go and said, “I told you before going in, he’s like that with everyone. Why get upset? Hearing some harsh words won’t kill you.”

Ruan Yuejin, still breathing heavily, shoved the basket into Sun Xiaohui’s hands, “I’d rather die than have such a person as my master! If you want to learn this craft, you learn it. I’d rather dig mines!”

With that, he walked away. Sun Xiaohui chased after him, grabbing his arm and asking, “Are you worse than that girl Xi? She can endure it, but you can’t?”

These words struck a nerve with Ruan Yuejin. He stood there, gritting his teeth, slowly calming his anger.