Chapter 13: Past Events

The morning air was particularly fresh, and the sunlight shone warmly through the windows.

At the temple, everyone else had already begun their weaving tasks.

Qin Zhao woke up feeling a bit groggy, rolling over in bed several times.

The empty bed made him feel slightly more awake.

After putting on his shoes, he walked to the temple door and began calling out, “Cao Xi, Cao Xi.”

Cao Xi was making breakfast. When Qin Zhao entered, his clothes were a bit loose. “Why didn’t you put on your clothes properly before coming?”

Qin Zhao lowered his head to fix his clothes, his ears turning red. “What are you doing?”

“I heated up the food we bought at the temple yesterday. I’m eating it now,” Cao Xi replied.

Qin Zhao squatted next to the stove, watching Cao Xi cook. “What are you making today?”

“Today, I’m making bamboo dragonflies,” Cao Xi said, thinking seriously.

Weaving baskets wasn’t a long-term solution. The willow branches used for weaving baskets were cut from trees in the mountains by Li Feng.

Since Qin Zhao had moved to the town, he no longer needed to weave baskets from tree branches, and he had found a new path.

Qin Zhao’s eyes were full of curiosity. “What’s a bamboo dragonfly?”

“A bamboo dragonfly is a child’s toy. It’s made of two parts: a bamboo handle and wings. To play with it, you twist the wings, then release them, and the bamboo dragonfly will fly up into the air,” Cao Xi explained briefly.

“That sounds magical,” Qin Zhao said after hearing the explanation, immediately intrigued.

Qin Zhao’s eyes sparkled with a thirst for knowledge. “Is it difficult to make a bamboo dragonfly?” He was very interested in crafting, as it could potentially bring in some money.

“It’s not very difficult to make. You just need a piece of wood and a knife. We can sell it in the town once we make it,” Cao Xi replied.

The materials were easy to find, and one piece of wood could be used to make several bamboo dragonflies, which was why Cao Xi chose to make them.

…

After finishing their work, Cao Xi took Qin Zhao to the mountain, where they found a suitable piece of wood. They brought it back to the temple, where Cao Xi used the tools to carve it into several smaller pieces.

When Li Feng saw their work, he realized that Cao Xi had come up with a new idea.

Li Feng asked, “Cao Xi, what are you two making?”

“We’re making bamboo dragonflies,” Cao Xi replied.

“Bamboo dragonflies?” Li Feng said, a bit confused.

Seeing that the two of them were engaged in conversation, Qin Zhao quickly took over the topic and briefly explained the bamboo dragonfly.

He didn’t like how Li Feng kept circling around Cao Xi, though Cao Xi didn’t seem to mind. Qin Zhao felt that he should be cautious, though, especially when it came to people like Li Feng.

“This is a great idea. I’ve heard of it before. We should definitely sell them,” Li Feng said after hearing Qin Zhao’s explanation, praising the idea.

“Want to join us?” Qin Zhao asked. Making bamboo dragonflies was easy, and with Li Feng’s sharp mind, he could definitely be useful in selling them.

Li Feng immediately agreed. “I’ll join. I like the idea of Cao Xi making money, and this is such a novel idea.”

Hearing their conversation, Qin Zhao felt a little annoyed. He was focused on working with the wood, but now his task had become more tedious, and the thought of someone else joining in was frustrating.

Making bamboo dragonflies was simple, and as soon as Cao Xi made one, he excitedly took it outside to test it, only to find it wouldn’t fly as expected.

“Wait for me!” Qin Zhao hurriedly ran after him, not bothering to clean up the scattered materials in the process.

Cao Xi stood in the open area in front of the temple and gave the bamboo dragonfly a spin, sending it soaring into the air.

Qin Zhao and Li Feng were both stunned by how this simple toy could actually fly.

“Cao Xi, let me try!” Qin Zhao eagerly tugged on Cao Xi’s sleeve, shaking it with excitement. Seeing his childlike enthusiasm, Cao Xi was momentarily taken aback. This was the true essence of a child’s joy.

Cao Xi handed the bamboo dragonfly to Qin Zhao and taught him how to play with it. Qin Zhao chased the flying bamboo dragonfly around, his laughter ringing in the air, and for a moment, Cao Xi felt a pang of sweetness mixed with a slight sourness.

“He really spoils him too much,” Li Feng muttered as he watched Qin Zhao play from a distance.

“He’s been through too much. A child should have the happiness they deserve. I try my best to give him all the love I can within my power,” Cao Xi said.

“Beggars don’t deserve happiness,” Li Feng replied, though his tone lacked conviction.

Li Feng’s eyes softened as if he had come to understand something. He turned and walked back to the temple to continue his work.

Cao Xi asked quietly, “I’ve always wondered why you chose to beg.”

Li Feng answered calmly, “I wasn’t kidnapped. I was sold by my own family.”

Cao Xi was shocked. Li Feng, with his intelligence and quick mind, had been sold? By whom?

Li Feng’s voice was steady as he continued, “When my mother was pregnant with me, my father kept a mistress. My mother couldn’t bear the shock when she found out, and after I was born, she died. After her funeral, my father married his mistress.”

Cao Xi couldn’t help but silently scoff. Could this really be what was called ‘true love’?

Li Feng continued, “I was treated like an outsider by my father. He would either beat or scold me. When I was six, my father brought a man back home. I’ll never forget that man’s eyes—they were filled with astonishment, mixed with greed. I was sold to a brothel and taught how to serve people. I wasn’t even given food unless I learned quickly. They didn’t beat me because I was too skinny and didn’t want any scars on my body.”

“At the age of nine, they made me serve a fat, lecherous man. I couldn’t bear it. His eyes were slimy, his touch disgusting. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I struck him with a wine jug and escaped through the window.”

Li Feng spoke in a flat tone, his emotions well-controlled, as if telling someone else’s story.

Cao Xi felt a chill run down his spine as he listened. He couldn’t imagine what Li Feng had gone through in his early years—growing up without warmth, enduring nothing but hardship and suffering. The resentment Li Feng must feel for his past made Cao Xi realize why he would rather beg than return to that life.

Someone who had been sold by his own father would carry the shadow of that trauma throughout his life. Cao Xi felt a deep sorrow as if he could sense Li Feng’s pain. His mood naturally sank along with the heaviness in his heart.

Cao Xi spoke softly, “On the road of life, people may dig pits for you, but you must step over them and continue forward. Life, like the morning sun, will get brighter and brighter. It’s worth waiting and working hard for.”

“I used to doubt it,” Li Feng said, “but now, I’m no longer that naive ten-year-old who didn’t understand anything.”

It seemed that Li Feng sensed the somber atmosphere in the conversation and, trying to ease it, spoke in a lighter tone.

Cao Xi laughed, “I’ve definitely run into some pits along the way.”

Just then, Qin Zhao rushed in, drenched in sweat. “Cao Xi, this is great! I’m sure the kids will love it.”

He placed the bamboo dragonfly into the basket and began helping with the work.

Cao Xi handed him the basket, saying, “This bamboo dragonfly is for you.”

“You’re not planning to sell it?” Qin Zhao replied, a little reluctant.

Although Qin Zhao was hesitant, it was clear that he valued the gift, but money was still important. With enough money, he could get Cao Xi a better life.

“No, this one is for you,” Cao Xi said, his voice filled with affection.

Qin Zhao’s face flushed with happiness. His eyes sparkled as he eagerly accepted the bamboo dragonfly, then quickly ran back to his bed, carefully wrapping the toy in his blanket.

This was the first time Cao Xi had given him a gift, and it filled him with a warm, buzzing excitement.

Li Feng, watching the two of them exchange a glance, couldn’t help but feel a bit of envy.

Cao Xi laughed awkwardly, feeling a little embarrassed at the situation. He knew that his gesture had made Qin Zhao so happy, but at the same time, he was a little nervous about what to do next.