Author Archives: Thingyan

Xu Qing watched as Xie Ama left, his cheeks still blushing. “I actually agreed! But,” he thought for a moment, “instead of waiting for two months to marry a stranger, I’d better take this time to find someone myself!”

By now, the sky had brightened. After freshening up, Xu Qing had the remaining rabbit from last night’s dinner with the cornbread that Xie Ama brought for breakfast. After this meal, Xu Qing firmly decided that unless absolutely necessary, he would never torture his stomach with cornbread again. Corn was one thing, but making a southerner eat cornbread every day was just asking for trouble!

He planted the small Sichuan peppercorn tree from his dimensional space in the vegetable garden in the yard. He also took a look at the freshly dug wild ginseng from yesterday. It looked fresh. He planned to sell it at the next market to help with the “bride” situation!

The piglet in the pigsty was already protesting with its “oinks.” He had to go and prepare some pig feed while the sun hadn’t fully risen.

When Xie Ama returned home, Uncle Xie was sitting in the yard, smoking his pipe.

Xie Ama looked surprised seeing Uncle Xie there with the basket. “You’re back? Hey, did you bring him back?”

“Yes, take it. You clean him up today, and I’ll cook!” Xie Ama handed the basket to the head of the household, smiling happily.

“Does that mean everything is settled now?”

“More than just nothing! Let me tell you, Butcher Liu’s family is coming over this noon. When you’re done eating, go out for a stroll on your own. Just make sure you don’t eavesdrop on our conversation!” This old man always likes to secretly hide in the corner and listen in on his own and others’ chatter.

“Why are you so worked up? Alright, alright, I’ll go and slaughter the rabbit for you! Let’s have some meat today!” Uncle Xie is also craving game meat for a long time!

“Look at what you’re saying. The meat we bought yesterday wasn’t meaty, huh!”

Carrying a basket full of pig grass on his back, Xu Qing walks along the small path surrounded by greenery. The warm sunlight filters through the trees and leaves, casting long and mottled shadows, both warm and refreshing.

Of course, it would be even better if there weren’t people constantly pointing fingers at him on this road!

“Can’t believe after all these years he’s still so ugly. I made a bet with Liu San’er from the neighboring village. I thought he would have become handsome!” The man in a beige short shirt speaks with indignation to the slightly chubby man beside him.

“Do you think everyone is like your wife? Getting more beautiful with each passing year!” The slightly chubby man pouts. After all, he’s still single!

“Hahaha, why don’t you talk to your parents and propose to the ugly ger! Even if he’s ugly, it won’t matter once the lights are off!” The beige man intentionally teases the slightly chubby man, feeling delighted at the thought of his own beautiful wife. He doesn’t care if Xu Qing, not far away, overhears or not.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

“Go away, go away! Let’s go quickly. I want to try my luck in the mountains. Although I’ve been doing odd jobs in the military camp for the past five years, who knows, maybe I’ll catch something good and immediately go propose in the neighboring village!”

“Hahaha, just kidding, just kidding! Let’s go!”

Listening to the fading footsteps of those men, Xu Qing let out a long sigh. It’s best not to argue with people like them, or else they’ll keep on pestering you! It seems they’re also recently discharged soldiers.

“So what if I’m ugly! I won’t marry you either!!”

Determined to marry a “good man,” Xu Qing quickly walks back home. After chopping the pig grass for the piglet, Xu Qing prepares to clean up the house. He separates and neatly folds all the patched clothes from the unpatched ones. He also gathers the old cotton and unnecessary bed sheets and blankets, organizing them and placing them in the room where Xu parents used to live.

“It looks like I’ll have to buy more cotton and bed sheets!” Xu Qing looks at the tidied room. Apart from a large bed, there’s a big cabinet made by father Xu. The patched clothes are piled up to the top, and there’s only that one unpatched green garment beside them. Well, they’re really poor!

***

“Knock, knock, knock, knock!”

“Oh, it must be the people from Liu’s family! I’ll go open the door, you bring the food to the table!” Xie Ama wipes his wet hands with a cloth, instructs Uncle Xie, and rushes to open the courtyard gate.

“Come in quickly, I knew you would come at noon. Hurry up, the food is ready.” Xie Ama and Liu Ama grew up together and are very familiar with each other, not paying much attention to formalities.

Liu Ama hands the basket in his hand to Xie Ama. “This is homemade sweet potato powder. You said you ran out last time, so take it.”

“Alright, by the way, how is that matter going?”

Compared to the food, he was actually more concerned about Brother Qing’s matters. Last time, there wasn’t enough time to discuss Brother Qing’s marriage and his requirements. This time, he wanted to get some information first and, if necessary, look for more.

“You don’t trust me to handle things?! Ah, what is this smell? It smells so good!”

Just as they entered the courtyard, Liu Ama caught a whiff of a pleasant aroma. “Alright, let’s eat first, and we can have a good chat after the meal!”

After finishing the meal, Xie Ama asked Uncle Xie to clean up the table and pulled Liu Ama into the room, closing the door behind them.

“Tell me quickly, did you find any prospective candidates?”

Liu Ama rubbed his slightly swollen belly. “I’ve really been observing these days and visited many families. In the end, I think I found a suitable candidate, Li Changfeng from the Li family at the head of the village!”

When he mentioned the head of the village, he was referring to the head of the Jixiang Village. “Is it the second son from the Li family?” He remembered this person. He was an honest and down-to-earth young man, and his family had many brothers, making it easier for them to accept a marriage proposal. However, “Isn’t he already engaged to Wang’s ger son?”

As soon as Liu Ama heard this, he slapped his thigh. “Exactly! But five years ago, when they were recruiting soldiers, Li Laosan from their family had to take the imperial examination, so he made Li Changfeng replace him without telling him until after the name was reported!”

“This is news to me!” He had never heard of it before.

“That’s right, what’s even more absurd is that the second year Li Changfeng left, Li Laosan married Wang’s son! The Wangs said the five-year wait was too long for their son, so they either had to break off the engagement or find a new groom. Damn it, it was all because they coveted Li Laosan’s prospects as a scholar!”

Xie Ama was taken aback. He had heard about Wang’s son marrying into the Li family, but he didn’t know they had changed grooms.

“Don’t underestimate Li Changfeng just because he’s a bit older. I just feel that he’s not as shallow as other men! He’s a capable man, and now he’s feeling uncomfortable at home too. His prospective wife suddenly becomes his younger brother-in-law! Anyone would find that hard to bear!”

Seeing Xie Ama nodding, Liu Ama added fuel to the fire. “Moreover, there are rumors among the villagers that the third son of the Li family is demanding a split! Tsk tsk, it’s clear he wants to separate Li Changfeng from the family!”

“A split!”

Xie Ama’s eyes lit up. This was indeed a good candidate for marriage!

“Ahem, let me tell you, when you go back, privately ask your husband to invite Li Changfeng to your house for a meal. You can gather some information then. I’m telling you, Brother Qing doesn’t have any other requirements, he just wants to get someone marry into Xu family.”

Liu Ama widened his eyes in surprise. “Marriage! Hey, this is definitely a heaven-sent opportunity! Okay, I’ll talk to him, and at the latest, I’ll have someone send you a message tomorrow!”

***

Li Changfeng was carrying a large bundle of firewood back home. He was a tall man, probably around 1.85 meters, with a chiseled jawline and arched eyebrows! His skin was a bit dark, and when he pressed his lips together without speaking, he had a very serious expression.

Just as he arrived at the door of his house, he heard his younger brother shouting at their family.

“We must split! He took my place in military service, and I owe him for that! I remember, I will repay him! But this family must be divided!”

Father Li took a drag of his dry tobacco pipe, sitting silently in the courtyard. The eldest son and his wife also remained silent in the background.

“Father! Can’t you say something?!”

Li Laosan (Third Brother Li) had expressed his desire to split the family multiple times but hadn’t obtained their father’s approval, leaving him dissatisfied.

“If we split the family, where will Second Brother live?” Mother Li, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up.

“I can give up my share of the money and build a house for Second Brother!”

Li Changfeng’s heart clenched when he heard this. This was his younger brother, the one he had raised since childhood!

No one spoke in the courtyard, and Li Changfeng didn’t go inside either. He gently placed the firewood outside the courtyard’s woodshed, dusted off the accumulated ash from his body, took another look at the courtyard, turned around, and walked away. But he hadn’t gone far when he saw Butcher Liu standing at the intersection, grinning.

“Uncle Liu.”

“Changfeng, come on, let’s go to Uncle Liu’s place for a drink. I came specifically to drink with you!”

Li Changfeng thought about what had happened in the courtyard and nodded. He followed Butcher Liu, knowing that he could only face his closest family members awkwardly upon returning.

Butcher Liu’s house was a few minutes away from Li’s courtyard. They arrived shortly.

“Changfeng is here? Come in quickly, Liu Ama has prepared the appetizers for the drink!” Liu Ama warmly greeted Li Changfeng, which left him somewhat puzzled. He felt that Liu Ama’s enthusiasm was a bit excessive.

“Come, have a seat.”

After Butcher Liu saw his wife secretly give him a signal and leave, he started chatting with Li Changfeng.

“Li Laosan is causing trouble again?” Butcher Liu asked while stuffing a roasted peanut into his mouth.

Li Changfeng took a sip from the bowl filled with alcohol and silently nodded. He was familiar with Butcher Liu’s family as they lived close by.

“What are you planning to do?”

Li Changfeng drank another sip without even furrowing his brows. “Let’s split, it’ll bring some peace and quiet!”

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

Thinking of the task given by his wife, Butcher Liu pondered for a moment before asking, “Do you still have any thoughts about that Wang’s ger? I know it’s not pleasant to hear, but it’s necessary to know whether you have feelings for him. Even if he’s brought into the family, it won’t be easy if your heart is elsewhere.”

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Greetings from the translator

Thank you for reading my translation work. If you’re happy with the novel, maybe please consider giving it a rating it is deserving of? 😀

“Ah! It’s Xie Ama!”

Finally brought back to reality by Xie Ama’s loud voice, Xu Qing hurriedly dressed, with messy hair, and went out to greet the slightly chilly morning breeze.

As Xu Qing opened the courtyard gate, he saw Xie Ama, dressed in a green robe, standing at the doorstep, carrying the vegetable basket he had delivered the previous night. Xu Qing noticed that the hem of Xie Ama’s clothes was slightly damp, probably from being brushed by the roadside weeds on the way.

“Come in quickly, Xie Ama. Has something happened?”

Xu Qing scratched his messy hair in embarrassment, pulled Xie Ama into the house, and cautiously glanced at the sky outside. It was probably just past six in the morning. If Xie Ama came to find him at this hour, it couldn’t be good news from home!

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

“Oh, it’s nothing serious. Come, sit next to Ama.” Xie Ama looked at Xu Qing’s disheveled appearance and knew that he had been pulled out of bed by himself. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been up so early.

“Yes, Brother Qing, let me ask you, where did this wild rabbit meat come from?! Don’t try to deceive Xie Ama, just tell me honestly!”

Initially, Xu Qing thought Xie Ama had come only to return the basket. But as he looked at the intact rabbit meat inside the basket, his eyes widened. “Heavens, Xie Ama, why did you bring it back to me?!”

“Why? Let me tell you, I haven’t figured out where this thing came from, but it’s a delicacy! I can’t even eat it!” Now that Xie Ama had brought up the main topic, he became more talkative. “You don’t know, when your uncle and I opened it and saw that it was rabbit meat, we were truly startled. In all these years since your father’s passing, we’ve never received such wild rabbit meat, let alone a rabbit of this size! So, speak up!”

Although the people now live in peace and prosperity, life is still tight. Wild game like this, which can be sold for thirty wen per jin in town, is not something every household can afford. Even if someone is lucky enough to hunt and catch it occasionally, they wouldn’t casually eat it like Xu Qing does. They would sell it in town to save some money for future needs.

“Oh, this is what I hunted in the mountains yesterday. I can’t finish it alone, so I wanted you and Uncle Xie to taste it!” Xu Qing finally explained the origin of the rabbit, speaking vaguely but not lying. He simply omitted some details.

“You went into the mountains? And you caught it?!” Xie Ama asked Xu Qing once again with a face that said, “Are you kidding me?!”

Confused by the question, Xu Qing replied, “Yes, it was me. What’s the matter?”

Xie Ama looked at Xu Qing, with his messy hair and poorly dressed appearance, and carefully observed the small bumps on Xu Qing’s face. Well, everything was the same as usual.

“Hey, Brother Qing, the bumps on your face don’t seem as red anymore!” Xie Ama exclaimed with surprise upon noticing this phenomenon.

Following Xie Ama’s words, Xu Qing reached out his hand and touched the still slightly bumpy face. “Hmm, they are slightly smaller than before.”

The Spiritual spring water had already eliminated most of the accumulated toxins from Xu Qing’s face. Even if he didn’t use Spiritual spring water to wash his face in the future, as long as he avoided spicy food, it wouldn’t take long for his face to fully recover. Therefore, compared to Xie Ama, who was excited by this discovery, Xu Qing remained calm.

Xie Ama, in his happiness, didn’t notice this change. In his eyes, as long as Brother Qing didn’t have those scary red bumps on his face, he looked better than many other young gers in the village. After all, Brother Qing’s mother was considered the most outstanding beauty in the village during his youth, and Brother Qing was not inferior to anyone.

“By the way, I almost forgot to ask you, Brother Qing, tell me honestly.” Xie Ama, after calming down, didn’t forget what he wanted to ask.

“Yes, yes.”

“You, did someone give you this rabbit? Ah?” Xie Ama asked Xu Qing with a mysterious and gossiping tone.

Xu Qing was even more confused, completely unaware of Xie Ama’s train of thought. “No, I hunted it myself in the mountains yesterday afternoon! No one gave it to me. Besides, in this village, apart from you and Uncle Xie, no one likes to give me things.”

Seeing that Xu Qing still didn’t understand his meaning, Xie Ama felt a bit awkward. Well, it was inappropriate for someone his age to discuss these things with an unmarried young ger. It would be better to be direct and at ease!

“Ahem, what Xie Ama means is, do you have, have a crush on someone, ah?”

After hearing Xie Ama’s words, Xu Qing accidentally choked on his own saliva!

“Cough, cough, cough! What are you saying! I don’t have anyone!” Xu Qing’s face turned as red as a cooked shrimp when questioned about having a romantic interest. “That really was me, I went to the mountains myself! And I even used my father’s bow and arrow. Look, it’s still hanging on the wall! If you don’t believe me, take a look for yourself. Yesterday, before using this bow, I cleaned it thoroughly!”

In order to prove that he was truly a single dog, the poor child hastily jumped up and handed the bow and arrow hanging on the wall to Xie Ama, asking him to see the clean body of the bow.

Xie Ama looked at the bow and arrow with a skeptical gaze.

“So, you really went into the mountains yesterday afternoon?”

“Yes, yes, just me!”

“Well, well, you’ve become quite capable, huh? A young ger daring to go into the mountains alone!!” Xie Ama reached out and grabbed Xu Qing’s ear, who was still desperately trying to prove his innocence, and shouted loudly!

Oh no! He really couldn’t escape from what was right in front of him, no matter how much he tried to avoid it! Xu Qing’s face was twisted in pain, resembling a chrysanthemum. “Ah, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Xie Ama!”

“Are you still going there later?! Ah?!”

“I’m not going! I’m not going!” Yeah, right!

“Hmph!”

The moment Xie Ama let go of Xu Qing’s ear, Xu Qing immediately reached out and vigorously rubbed the ear that had just been grabbed. Surprisingly, he put quite some strength into it!

“It’s not that I’m being nosy, but you, a young ger, ah! Just running into the mountains all alone, who knows…” Xie Ama paused, “You should know that you’re the last hope for the Xu family’s lineage!”

Xu Qing stopped rubbing his ear and walked over to Xie Ama, pulling him to sit down. “I know, Xie Ama, thank you.”

Being able to feel such long-lost love and care in this foreign world, he felt content and grateful.

“Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. Since we’ve come to this point, let me remind you that you’ll be turning twenty-one in two months! Come on, tell me, what do you think about it?”

Xie Ama suddenly remembered the matter of official pairing and brought it up, but Xu Qing had no idea about it at all!

“What’s so special about turning twenty-one? I don’t want to get married!” If I were to marry, I’d want it to be someone I find attractive and someone I like! Xu Qing thought somewhat petulantly.

“Oh, so you’re thinking of marrying someone in! That’s not a bad idea. In that case, the Xu family’s lineage won’t be cut off! You’ve thought it through!” Xie Ama hadn’t even considered the possibility of Xu Qing marrying a husband into the Xu family. He had been worried before about Xu Qing getting married and what would happen to the Xu family’s land and house! Now he didn’t have to worry about that anymore.

Xu Qing’s mouth was wide open, as if it could fit an entire egg inside. “What marry in?!”

Seeing Xu Qing’s expression, Xie Ama knew he had misunderstood and his face turned dark. “So you mean you won’t marry out or marry someone in?!” Before Xu Qing could recover and respond, Xie Ama continued with even more shocking words, “Do you know that if you’re not married by twenty-one, you’ll be officially paired by the government on your birthday? The men they pair you with are either old bachelors or worthless scoundrels! If you marry one of them, your whole life will be ruined!!”

“Official pairing?!”

Damn it! Who the hell came up with such a twisted rule! Xu Qing felt like a million grass mud horses were galloping through his mind!

Seeing Xu Qing’s saddened look, Xie Ama immediately felt sorry for him. After all, he was still a child, even if he was turning twenty-one, his appearance looked more like fifteen or sixteen.

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. I secretly had someone inquire about it yesterday. Those soldiers returning from service are the most sought after every year. Tell Xie Ama, what kind do you like? I’ll find someone for you.”

Xu Qing lowered his head and fell silent. He had calculated countless things, but he never anticipated this aspect in this world. Well, actually, being alone was quite lonely.

“I want to marry a husband in!”

Xu Qing suddenly lifted his head and looked at Xie Ama with determination.

“He must be several years older than me!” He’s into older men!

“He must not have married anyone else!” He has a cleanliness obsession when it comes to emotions!

“He must have a good temper!” Otherwise, it won’t be easy to boss him around!

“He must have a special skill!” He can’t be freeloading!

“I want him to have the appearance I like!”

“He must…”

“Stop! Hold on!”

Xie Ama was a bit dizzy. “I could understand what you said before, but this one, he must have the appearance you like? What kind of appearance do you like?”

Xu Qing was now stunned. What kind of appearance does he like? In his previous life, he was still a virgin and never had a partner!

“Well, I just want someone I find pleasing to the eye!” Xu Qing blushed and stammered as he tried to articulate his distorted requirements for a partner.

Xie Ama had a delighted expression on his face. He was afraid that Xu Qing would make an impulsive decision and wait for the official pairing. Now he had to arrange things properly!

“Alright, I’m leaving. There’s cornbread I made this morning in the basket. Heat it up and have it. I promise I’ll find someone good for you!”

As soon as Xu Qing heard Xie Ama was leaving, he no longer felt shy. He grabbed the basket and stuffed it into Xie Ama’s hands. “If you don’t accept this rabbit meat, then I won’t marry anyone!”

“What nonsense are you saying! Spit it out! Fine, it’s been years since I had any game meat. If it weren’t for thinking about the rabbit’s origin last night, I would have used it as a side dish with your Uncle Xie! Alright, I’m leaving, don’t send me off. Go freshen up and get ready to become a bride!”

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Just not far from Xu Qing, there was a plump and fat white rabbit in the bushes. Uh, due to living in the woods for too long, it had also turned into a big gray rabbit!

But none of this mattered to Xu Qing. In his eyes, all he saw were braised rabbit, hot pot rabbit, spicy rabbit, and other delicious dishes made from rabbit meat. Thinking about these mouthwatering dishes, Xu Qing couldn’t help but salivate.

“Braise rabbit!!”

Quietly pulling the bowstring of the bow and arrow that Xu Qing’s father used for hunting, Xu Qing aimed the arrowhead at the big gray rabbit that was stuffing something into its mouth!

“Shoo…!!”

Xu Qing joyfully rushed forward, picked up the already lifeless fat rabbit from the ground, and shook it with satisfaction. “Wow, this weighs at least ten kilograms! Well, I can send half of it to Xie Ama and Uncle Xie tonight.”

After casually tossing the rabbit into his space, Xu Qing didn’t hurriedly leave. He squatted down, using his hands to rummage through the things the rabbit had been eating. What the rabbit could eat surely wasn’t poisonous. Who knows, there might be some other surprises.

“Huh! These are ginseng leaves?!”

Indeed, among the crushed leaves left by the rabbit, there was a small piece that looked familiar to Xu Qing. He picked up the crushed leaves and smelled them. “That’s right, this is ginseng! Haha, luckily I chose a major in biological species at university. Otherwise, I would have missed out on a treasure!”

Not long after, Xu Qing found a mess of ginseng that the rabbit had nibbled on not far away. Wild ginseng in the mountains was a valuable medicinal herb, also known as renshen, bangzhui, shencao, digen, and so on. “This root is probably less than fifty years old, but encountering it is already a great stroke of luck!”

Carefully wrapping the excavated wild ginseng with a large leaf he plucked, Xu Qing placed the items into his space. This was valuable silver, so he needed to be cautious. He picked up the bow and arrow from the ground and continued on his way, feeling joyful.

This was approximately the outskirts of the mountain, farther than where Xu Qing’s father used to hunt. “It seems that the original owner’s father hasn’t been here before. This must be the outer region of the mountain.”

As he moved forward, the variety of trees increased, and their age seemed older. Many weeds grew up to Xu Qing’s waist, indicating that not many people had entered the mountain in recent years. With no other choice, Xu Qing had to draw his sword and cut a tree branch to use as a makeshift tool for exploration.

“Hmm, what’s this smell?”

Xu Qing halted his steps, detecting a peculiar and slightly numbing scent in the air. He couldn’t immediately recall what it was, so he followed the fragrance and arrived at a tree. “This is… a Sichuan peppercorn tree!”

Xu Qing felt as if this tree, adorned with countless small items, was dazzling in front of his eyes! Only heaven knows how difficult it is for a person with a strong taste preference to eat dishes seasoned only with salt every day!

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

Sichuan peppercorns were a great seasoning ingredient for cooking, and Xu Qing was excited, not knowing what to do with his hands and feet. He hopped around the Sichuan peppercorn tree in excitement.

“How can I take this with me? Dig it out?!”

After some consideration, he decided against it. This tree had been around for quite some time. “Oh, wait, are these Sichuan peppercorn saplings?!” Just as Xu Qing was filled with regret, he felt something brushing against his clothes. He turned around and saw a few small Sichuan peppercorn saplings growing not far from the large tree. Some of them were even smaller than the one that grazed his clothes.

Xu Qing was delighted. With a wide grin, he first plucked all the Sichuan peppercorn fruits from the big tree and tossed them into his space. Finally, he used the hoe that was stored in his space to dig up the small Sichuan peppercorn saplings, a few of which were only as tall as his thigh. Satisfied, he carried the bare-rooted saplings on his back, let the hoe join them in the space, and looked up at the sky.

The sky was getting dark, and there were piglets waiting to be fed at home. Feeling satisfied with today’s harvest, Xu Qing made his way back home.

As he was about to leave the mountains, he took out the backpack and sickle from his space. He needed to cut some pig grass on the way down the mountain. Otherwise, the piglet would go hungry. A hungry stomach meant getting thin, and getting thin meant he wouldn’t have a plump pig for the next winter’s New Year. That was a very serious matter!

By the time he arrived home and finished feeding the protesting piglet with its “oink” sounds, it was probably around 7 PM. The sky was still slightly bright, enough to see the road clearly. He had to deliver the rabbit to Xie Ama early.

So Xu Qing skillfully took out the big gray rabbit from his space and expertly skinned it, cleaned out its innards. In the post-apocalyptic world, when his spatial ability hadn’t awakened yet, he was the one responsible for cooking and doing laundry in the team. Well, if it weren’t for his delicious cooking, the team wouldn’t keep him around.

After about ten minutes, Xu Qing packed half of the rabbit into a vegetable basket, covered it with grass, locked the courtyard gate, and walked towards the village.

By this time, it was already late, and the people who worked in the fields had already returned home. Plus, many family members who were serving in the military had also come back today, so there were even fewer people on the road. That solved a lot of trouble for him.

“Knock, knock! Xie Ama, are you there? It’s Brother Qing!”

After knocking on the door, Xu Qing hugged himself and blew warm air into his hands. Although it was nearing the end of winter, the nights were still chilly.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!”

With Xie Ama’s response, the door soon opened.

“Oh, Brother Qing, come in quickly. Be careful not to catch a cold. The weather hasn’t completely warmed up yet!”

Xie Ama scolded Xu Qing as soon as he opened the door and saw Brother Qing, with his thin body carrying a basket and blowing warm air into his hands.

“No need, I’m just here to bring you something and then I’ll go back,” Xu Qing quickly stuffed the basket into Xie Ama’s hands. Before Xie Ama could react, Xu Qing, with his thin and weak legs, quickly disappeared at the corner of the village road.

“This kid!”

Xie Ama couldn’t help but laugh at Xu Qing’s behavior. He turned around and closed the courtyard gate. He and Uncle Xie were cooking, and upon hearing Xu Qing’s voice, they hurriedly came out.

“Where’s Brother Qing?”

Uncle Xie looked at Xie Ama carrying a clearly unfamiliar vegetable basket and had some questions.

“That kid said he was bringing us something, but he stuffed it into my hands and ran off like a slippery little fish in no time!”

Uncle Xie took the basket handed over by his partner before opening the grass cover, but immediately smelled a bloody scent! He quickly lifted the lid, “Oh, this kid! It’s rabbit meat!”

Xie Ama, who was picking vegetables, hurriedly approached and took a look. Sure enough, there was rabbit meat in the basket!

“Oh my, how did this kid get it?!” Xie Ama took the basket, feeling worried rather than joyful. “No, I have to go find him and ask him what’s going on!”

After saying that, Xie Ama hurriedly prepared to leave the house.

“I’m telling you, it’s so late. If you want to go, go tomorrow!”

Uncle Xie held his wife back. “If Brother Qing was able to bring this over, it means he’s fine. If you’re still worried, we can go tomorrow. It’s late at night, and Brother Qing is still an unmarried orphan. We don’t want any trouble or gossip!”

“But what if something really happened?” Xie Ama still felt concerned.

“I’ll freeze this rabbit meat in the well. Tomorrow morning, I’ll go find Brother Qing and ask him what happened. This rabbit was clearly killed with a precise technique, and the only one with such skills was Brother Qing’s father back in the day.”

Uncle Xie nodded. “Alright, I’ll go then. You continue picking vegetables.”

Meanwhile, Xu Qing was happily enjoying the roasted rabbit seasoned with Sichuan peppercorns. “This is the essence of life!” He patted his round belly and sighed.

After resting for a while, Xu Qing cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks. He poured all the harvested Sichuan peppercorns into a large winnowing basket, flattening the accumulated fruits. They needed to dry off the moisture, either by placing them on the stove or under the sunlight, before grinding them into powder for long-term use.

As for the Sichuan peppercorn seedlings, it was already getting late, and they were no longer visible outside. So Xu Qing temporarily stored them in his space.

After taking a refreshing hot shower and drying his washed clothes, Xu Qing mixed some spiritual spring water with warm water and washed his face. “Hmm, there’s no more tingling or itching sensation like a few days ago. It seems the toxins have been mostly eliminated, and the remaining bumps will soon be gone.”

Feeling even more satisfied, Xu Qing yawned and snuggled into the bed, wrapping himself tightly with the blanket. Before long, a sweet and gentle snoring sound filled the room.

Xie Ama couldn’t sleep well all night. Early in the morning, he got up and prepared breakfast, waking up the soundly sleeping Uncle Xie.

“The food is ready. I’ll go to Brother Qing’s house first. Wake up quickly and eat, or it will get cold.” Without paying any attention to the bewildered Uncle Xie, he walked out of the house, pulled up the bucket of water from the well that was left there yesterday, took out the rabbit meat from it, and put it in the basket Xu Qing brought over yesterday. Thinking that Brother Qing might not have had breakfast yet, he also grabbed a few corn flatbreads from the table. Then he headed towards Xu Qing’s house.

Meanwhile, Xu Qing was still soundly asleep in his bed, completely unaware of Xie Ama’s impending arrival.

“Knock, knock, knock. Brother Qing? Are you awake? Brother Qing!!”

“Knock, knock, knock…”

“…Knock, knock, knock…”

“Hmm…? Someone is knocking on the door…”

Xu Qing blinked his drowsy eyes, half-listening to someone calling him.

“Brother Qing?!” Xie Ama persistently continued calling. He didn’t care whether Brother Qing was still asleep or not. He hadn’t figured out the source of this rabbit meat, and he couldn’t find peace of mind for even a moment!

“Brother Qing?! Wake up!!”

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“I feel like I forgot to buy something…” With the courtyard gate closed, Xu Qing felt uneasy. He instinctively reached up to scratch his head, but instead of familiar short hair, his hand touched a cold bamboo hairpin. “I’m still not used to long hair,” he murmured. Reluctantly, he pulled out the new “accessory” from his head and walked towards the kitchen, feeling somewhat satisfied.

After tending to the fire in the stove and adding some dry firewood, he scooped the lukewarm water from the pot into a basin for washing his face later. Then he poured enough water for cooking into the pot from the fresh water he brought in earlier, covered it with a wooden lid, and went to find a knife from the utility room before heading out to pick vegetables.

This time, he didn’t go to the back of the house where he found vegetables yesterday. There was only some ginger, garlic, and greens there, and he had been surviving on greens for the past few days, fearing that the original owner would return to find nothing to eat.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

A few steps to the right side of the house, all of Xu’s vegetable plots were located. Finding vegetables was easy, and so was growing them. That’s why Xu Qing only partially closed the door when leaving, as the vegetable plots could be easily seen from the entire house, eliminating any worries.

From a distance, he could hear the faint laughter and playful voices of children in the village. Xu Qing glanced in that direction, feeling a tinge of sadness in his heart.

“It’s so lively. I wonder when I’ll have a real home in this world.” He immediately felt that something was off and his cheeks flushed. “What am I thinking!” He angrily patted the back of his head, then hurriedly walked towards the vegetable plots.

“I bought some fatty pork today, but unfortunately, I can’t eat anything too spicy because of my face.” Xu Qing felt a twinge of regret. He could give up anything except his craving for spicy food, but here, the dense acne left by the original owner prevented him from indulging. Even with the occasional healing of the spiritual spring, his face wouldn’t fully recover so quick. In order to enjoy spicy food in the future, he had to endure!

At that moment, Xu Qing completely forgot that when he asked the shopkeeper at the market for chili powder, he was told, “Young man, I have no idea what this ‘chili’ is. How does it taste? I’ve been running this shop for so many years and I’ve never heard of such a thing.” There was no chili in this world! But he had been too optimistic!

Xu Qing wandered around the plot of land with limited vegetables. In the end, he picked a bunch of bitter chicory for a cold chicory salad, a few celery stalks for stir-fried celery with shredded meat, and finally decided to pick a few baby bok choy for a clear soup. Content with his choices, he headed back. Even though he was alone, he still had to live a good life. Xu Qing firmly closed the courtyard gate, feeling somewhat relieved. Let them have their fun, he also wanted to have a lively meal today!

He placed the vegetables by the well, washed his hands, and returned to the kitchen to check the water. It had just started boiling. He poured the cleaned corn into the pot and added some firewood. Then he leisurely went to the well to wash the vegetables.

“Today, I spent 650 wen on the piglet, 60 wen on three pieces of cloth, a total of 15 wen on seasonings, and the fatty pork was 20 wen. As for the seeds…” Xu Qing stopped washing the bok choy and suddenly jumped up.

“I forgot to buy seeds!!!”

Xu Qing felt a bit frustrated as he looked at the two vegetable plots that sprouted yesterday in the yard. He felt like crying without tears. “How could I forget!”

“Sigh, it looks like I’ll have to go to the market again in a few days.” Xu Qing felt a bit bewildered. He noticed that his memory seemed to have declined. He could handle several tasks at once in his previous life, but now Xu Qing was struggling. Perhaps, he speculated as he scratched his messy hair with damp fingers, it was due to the condition of the original owner’s body?

Thinking about this possibility, Xu Qing quietly assessed the physical qualities of his original body and the current one, which immediately lifted his mood.

“It must be because the original owner has aged in this world. It’s the ancient times, after all. Haha.” With his newfound understanding, Xu Qing happily picked up the unwanted vegetable leaves and fed them to the little pig that had just arrived in this unfamiliar place. Then he returned to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

Xu Qing placed the clean bitter chicory in a large bowl and poured in some lightly salted water for soaking. He set it aside. Next, he sliced the fatty and lean parts of the cleaned pork belly. The fatty portion would be used for rendering oil later, while the lean part would be stir-fried with the sliced celery. Anticipating that the rice would be ready soon, Xu Qing scooped it onto a plate and set it aside. After washing the pot clean, he added firewood and waited for the steam inside the pot to dry.

Taking advantage of this moment, Xu Qing drained the soaked bitter chicory and placed it in a large bowl. He added a little garlic paste and a pinch of salt, stirring it well before placing it on the dining table. Bitter chicory, also known as bitter vegetable, had various benefits such as antibacterial, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and eyesight-improving effects. It was beneficial for the red bumps on Xu Qing’s face, and he also enjoyed its slightly bitter taste.

The steam in the pot had dissipated, and Xu Qing assessed the temperature by placing his hand in the air above it. He poured the previously set-aside fatty pork into the pot. There was no more oil in the house, and he had planned to buy more meat today, but he was afraid it would raise suspicions from Xie Ama, so he gave up on the idea. As for the meat and rice in his space, unless there were special circumstances, he didn’t plan to touch them. After all, in these times, having a backup plan was essential in case of any disasters. It was a principle of surviving in the end times.

Soon, the distinct aroma of rendered oil permeated the air. Xu Qing squinted his eyes and eagerly inhaled the fragrance with his small nose. Looking at the golden oil residue forming in the pot, he thought for a moment, then took out another bowl from the cupboard and poured the oil into a container, leaving the residue in the bowl. He added a bit of salt, mixed it together, and created another dish.

The stir-fried celery with shredded meat and the white cabbage soup were also skillfully prepared by Xu Qing, and he soon brought them to the table. “Today, I spent a little over 700 wen, which is less than one tael of silver. It seems like the remaining money will last for a while. In a few days, I still need to pay Xie Ama for making clothes and for the chickens…”

While Xu Qing calculated his future expenses, enjoying the flavorful oil residue, Xie Ama, on the other side, was eating the meal prepared by his husband and talking about Xu Qing.

“Brother Qing has really changed this time. He used to keep his head down in front of us, afraid to look at his own face. But today, on the street, even with so many strangers around, he could still smile.”

“That’s a good thing.”

Xie Ama, with a mouthful of cornmeal flatbread, responded with a happy expression.

“But now there’s a new problem.” Xie Ama’s face, which was just filled with joy, suddenly drooped.

Uncle Xie quickly swallowed the flatbread. “What’s wrong now?”

Xie Ama glanced at Uncle Xie, who had a bewildered expression. “That child is almost turning twenty-one! Just two more months to go!”

“What’s wrong with being twenty-one? It’s just getting older.” Uncle Xie thought it was not a big deal. He picked up a flatbread and put it in Xie Ama’s bowl first, then grabbed another one and continued stuffing it into his mouth.

“I don’t understand why you’re so clueless! After turning twenty-one, he’ll have to be assigned a spouse by the government on his birthday! Tell me, what kind of future can a ger who waits for an assigned spouse have!” Xie Ama was frustrated, feeling suffocated. They had been married for so many years, and he was still so oblivious. Couldn’t he see that he was upset and couldn’t eat anymore?

Ignoring his wife’s scolding, Uncle Xie took a big sip of porridge and smacked his lips. “You’re worrying too much. He hasn’t reached twenty-one yet, so why rush?”

Then he gestured towards the gate. “Don’t you see what day it is today? Those men who finished their military service are coming back. Aren’t they enough for you to choose from for Brother Qing? Those young lads could have gotten married five years ago!”

The villagers in this village are not supportive. If they had shown interest in Brother Qing all these years, he wouldn’t have been so isolated. He has realized over the years that not all the young gers in the village who are of Brother Qing’s age are easy to get along with. Otherwise, the nickname “Ugly Ger” for Brother Qing wouldn’t have spread and lasted for so many years.

“Oh, by the way, I asked Liu Ama from my natal village to keep an eye on the situation there. I want to know a bit about the character of the younger generation there and understand their family circumstances,” Xie Ama said as he pulled out a jade-colored handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the corners of his mouth. He recalled the matter he asked Liu Ama to pay attention to at the market today.

“Alright, you understand this matter better than me. But still, give Brother Qing a heads-up, so that you don’t confuse him. Don’t say later that you meddled too much,” Uncle Xie stood up and swiftly tidied up the table. In their small household, they didn’t follow the traditional gender roles, with the man being in charge of external matters and the wife taking care of the household. Uncle Xie cherished his wife and didn’t want him to bother about others.

Xie Ama wasn’t angry and strolled leisurely towards the inner house. “Brother Qing is not that kind of person. I’ll take the clothes over in a few days and have a good talk with him.” It would be better to sew the clothes during the daytime—bright and easy on the eyes. Xie Ama needed to think carefully about the style. Brother Qing’s mother passed away early, so it’s no wonder he doesn’t remember how to make clothes. Xie Ama needs to teach him, or else when he has a family of his own, he won’t know how to handle it.

Meanwhile, Xu Qing had already packed his things and headed towards the mountains behind the house. There wasn’t much food left at home, and the meat they bought today would only be enough for dinner. He wanted to try his luck in the mountains. In the memories of his original self, whenever his father went into the mountains, he always returned with a decent harvest. The resources in these mountains were indeed abundant, but also dangerous. The ordinary hunters in the village only roamed around the outskirts of the mountains and didn’t dare to venture too far. Even Xu Qing’s father could only go in a little bit.

That’s because Xu Qing’s father and the others had hunting experience but lacked martial skills. They couldn’t defend themselves if they encountered dangerous beasts. However, Xu Qing, with his excitement, looked at a big white rabbit not far away. He had his space, and if there was any danger, he could hide in there. Moreover, the Spiritual Spring could accelerate wound healing. That’s why he felt so fearless.

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Xu Qing and Xie Ama arrived early, but the vegetable vendors on the street had also arrived almost at the same time. Rural people do not have the habit of sleeping in, and the families who pay attention to quality prefer to come early to buy fresh produce. The eggs from Xie Ama were recently collected, and anyone with a discerning eye could tell that they were fresh and of good size. They were quickly bought by a customer, twenty eggs for thirty coins. For eggs to fetch such a good price, they had to be fresh. The usual price was twenty-five coins. Xie Ama was in a good mood after making a good deal. “Let’s go, Qing Ge, what do you want to buy? Let’s go shopping!”

Xu Qing was also infected by Xie Ama’s happy atmosphere, and his voice unconsciously carried a hint of excitement. “I want to buy piglets, chicks, and…” “Alright, alright, take it easy. Follow me,” Xie Ama said with a kind look in his eyes as he observed Xu Qing, who appeared thin and weak but had eyes that gleamed involuntarily. He held Xu Qing’s hand and took him to the place where piglets were sold.

“It’s late winter now, and there are fewer piglets available. Let’s try our luck. We’ll buy the energetic ones, and if not, we can come back next time. Don’t rush, there’s still time. I’ll negotiate the price. You’re young and inexperienced, so observe and learn more. It’s not easy to avoid being taken advantage of in the future,” Xie Ama advised Xu Qing as they walked. Seeing Xu Qing nodding like a little chick pecking at grains, Xie Ama felt even more satisfied. This kid was a good boy.

Xie Ama thought he should began thinking about matchmaking; Xu Qing had really grown up. He should pay attention and see if there are any eligible bachelors who haven’t found a wife yet, and maybe he can match them with Xu Qing. Otherwise, when Xu Qing turns twenty-one, it won’t be good. Xie Ama felt somewhat worried because in this world, when a young ger reaches twenty-one and a man reaches twenty-four without a spouse, they have to listen to the government and go for an arranged marriage. Those arranged marriages are not a good fate. People waiting for arranged marriages are either lazy men or have disabilities!

Xie Ama looked at Xu Qing, who was beside him, eagerly surveying the market, and his heart softened. He’s already twenty but still acts like a child. I should talk to Qing Ge about this one day. I believe he must be thinking about the arranged marriage issue to make such a significant change and step out of the village.

Unaware of what Xie Ama was thinking, Xu Qing was captivated by the various ancient buildings at the market. He had no idea about the tradition of arranged marriages in this world. Otherwise, he would have been restless and unable to enjoy the sight of these quaint and picturesque houses.

Fortunately, luck was on their side as there were a few energetic piglets available. Although they were small in size, with proper care and nurturing, they would surely grow into large pigs. The seller happened to be from Xie Ama’s maternal village, so there was some familiarity between them. As a result, the original price of 650 coins for the piglets was discounted to 600 coins.

While Xu Qing was busy paying the seller, Xie Ama seized the opportunity to pull aside the seller’s wife, Liu Ama. “Hey, pay attention to something for me. Look for honest and reliable men in Jixiang Village who haven’t been married yet. I want to find a match for my nephew!” Following Xie Ama’s gaze, Liu Ama noticed Xu Qing, who was bowing his head to take out money. Despite his fair complexion, there were obvious red bumps on his face… “Is he from the Xu family?” Xie Ama scolded Liu Ama with a glare. “So what? Are you also as shallow-minded as those people with superficial judgments?”

“Hey, what are you saying! Leave it to me. Recently, many men who served in the military have returned to the village, and quite a few of them haven’t found a partner yet!” Liu Ama hastily reassured. “You just watch closely, and I’ll handle it!” “Ok then, I trust you!”

“Xie Ama, what were you talking about?” After Xu Qing finished paying and made an agreement with the owner (who happened to be Liu Ama’s husband) to come back for the piglets after buying other items, he noticed Xie Ama and Liu Ama huddled together, chatting incessantly.

“Oh, nothing much. It’s just been a long time since I visited my mother’s family, so I asked Liu Ama to pass along a message for me, right?” Liu Ama quickly chimed in, “Yes, yes, young man, you go ahead and shop first. I’ll tie up the piglets separately for you. Come and take them when you’re done!”

Xu Qing expressed his gratitude, even though he had already spoken to the owner. But with the boss’ wife bringing it up again himself, he felt even more reassured.

“Why are you staring at their backs? Although that ger looks a bit ugly, he’s still a good kid,” Butcher Liu looked at his wife staring at Xu Qing and the others as they left, puzzled. In return, he got scolded by his wife, “Pei, what ugly or not! Go away! You’re annoying!” Liu Ama scolded his husband away while thinking about which man in the village had a more reliable character.

Led by Xie Ama, Xu Qing quickly bought salt and a seasoning similar to chili. While shopping for clothes, Xie Ama grabbed Xu Qing’s arm and said, “Why buy clothes? We can make our own by cutting cloth. It’s much better than buying.” Xu Qing was taken aback. He didn’t know how to make clothes!

Seeing Xu Qing’s helpless expression, Xie Ama found it amusing and said, “Cut the cloth, and Ama will make it!”

Xu Qing hurriedly waved his hand, saying, “That won’t do, it’s too troublesome.”

Xie Ama insisted, “What’s so troublesome? It’s settled.” Xie Ama pulled Xu Qing along in the shop, selecting fabric that suited for gers.

Xu Qing hesitated and tugged at Xie Ama’s sleeve, saying, “If you make clothes for me, I have to pay you for your work. I won’t let you do it for free.” After Xu Qing insisted repeatedly, Xie Ama reluctantly agreed. However, he planned to refuse Xu Qing’s payment when the clothes were done. While Xie Ama was selecting fabric, Xu Qing asked the fabric shop owner about the price of making clothes, so he had an idea in mind. He said, “Come, Brother Qing, take a look at these pieces of fabric.”

Xu Qing walked over and looked at the three pieces Xie Ama had chosen: deep blue, light purple, and pale green. He touched them and said, “Well, although it’s rough cloth, it feels nice.” He didn’t want to buy any silk fabric. It would attract too much attention and wouldn’t be convenient for work. He had experienced all kinds of hardships in the post-apocalyptic world and knew how to make economical choices. The three pieces of fabric cost a total of sixty coins, while buying a ready-made garment would cost fifty coins. It wasn’t cost-effective. He said, “You understand, right? This money can’t be spent recklessly. We have to be thrifty.”

Xie Ama looked at Xu Qing with a pleased expression and joked, “Yes, I never thought there would be such a big difference between finished products and fabric. By the way, Xie Ama, I want to buy some chicks and pork.” After Xu Qing finished paying, he immediately remembered that he hadn’t finished shopping.

Xie Ama replied, “The sun is already high, it’s almost noon, and there won’t be any chicks for sale. How about this? My family will have chicks soon, so you can come to my place to get them.”

Upon hearing that, Xu Qing smiled and looked at Xie Ama playfully. He said, “Then I’ll buy them from you at the market price when the time comes; otherwise, I won’t buy.” Xie Ama replied, “Alright, alright, let’s do that.”

Xu Qing immediately made his request, saying, “I want fifteen little chicks!” This surprised Xie Ama, who asked, “That many? Can one person handle it?”

Xu Qing patted his slender chest and confidently said, “Of course I can. When they’re fully grown, I’ll give you one to taste!” Xu Qing’s demeanor amused Xie Ama, and he chuckled, “Then I’ll be looking forward to it!” After saying that, Xu Qing’s face immediately lit up with a satisfied expression, and he continued to laugh joyfully.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

Passersby were somewhat puzzled, saying, “This young ger may be ugly, but his smile is quite sweet.”

After Xu Qing and Xie Ama bought a jin of pork belly and led the piglet, they hurried to the place mentioned by Uncle Li. “Over here!” From a distance, they saw Uncle Li looking at Xu Qing with the piglet and driving the donkey cart towards them. “Uncle Li, why are you the only one here?” Xu Qing was confused. When he arrived this morning, there were many donkey carts parked here.

“Oh, brother Qing, don’t you know? Today is the day when the conscripts return to their hometown!” Xie Ama thought Xu Qing had forgotten, so he explained the reason to him, not realizing that the other person had no knowledge of it at all.

“That’s right. The donkey carts have been running several times because of that. I also made several trips before I saw you here.” Uncle Li was in a good mood. He made some extra money from the trips today, so he could buy some delicious food for his wife and children to make them happy.

After putting the piglet on the donkey cart and settling down, Xu Qing felt a bit guilty and asked Xie Ama, “Xie Ama, you know I don’t usually go out. Who is the ruler of this dynasty?” Xu Qing pointed his finger towards the sky. Xie Ama didn’t suspect anything and thought Xu Qing had become more open-minded and lively. “We are in the Great Qin Dynasty. The Emperor is in his prime, and the taxes on us common people…”

Xu Qing realized that this “Qin Dynasty” wasn’t the same as the ancient Chinese Qin Dynasty. “Then why is there conscription? Is the world not peaceful?” Xu Qing worried. He didn’t want to be transported to a turbulent era.

“No, it’s not like that. It’s a tradition that has been passed down through several dynasties. I don’t know why either.” Xie Ama didn’t know the reason, but it didn’t concern them as ordinary people. So he explained some knowledge about conscription to Xu Qing.

In this dynasty, there was conscription every five years, and every household had to send one male member. Families that had already sent someone to serve in the military were exempt from conscription for fifteen years. If a household had two husbands, only the one who had given birth to sons was exempt. The head of the household who had already served in the military could pay taxes instead. When Xu Qing was born, his father had just finished his military service and returned when Xu Qing was five years old. Until Xu Qing turned fifteen and his parents passed away, their family paid taxes every five years instead of serving in the military. Now Xu Qing was already twenty, turning twenty-one in two months. The conscripted men had also returned this year, so Xu Qing finally felt relieved. He was alone, and moreover, he was a ger. It seemed that he had to find a way to make money for future taxes.

Uncle Li escorted them to the fork in the road they had taken in the morning. He helped Xu Qing unload the piglet and their belongings. Then he mounted the donkey cart and returned home. After Xie Ama put down their things, he helped Xu Qing drive the piglet into his pigsty. Then he went back. Today, families in the village who had their children gone for five years due to conscription were full of joy as their sons returned home. By noon, smoke rose from the village as people began cooking. Xu Qing watched for a while, closed the courtyard gate, and prepared lunch.

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After a busy afternoon, Xu Qing finally finished tidying up the vegetable garden in the courtyard. He divided it into two plots, one on the right and one on the left of the courtyard gate. The vegetable plots were enclosed with dense bamboo strips in order to protect them from mischievous chickens. “Speaking of which, I don’t even know what happened to the original owner. They didn’t even keep the most common farm animals like pigs and chickens.”

Xu Qing cleaned up the scattered debris in the courtyard and threw them under a large banyan tree outside. He then returned to the kitchen, scooped some hot water from the pot he used to cook lunch, and poured it into a wooden basin. Carrying the basin, he walked to a wooden face-washing stand not far from the well. He placed a rectangular cloth on the side of the basin and splashed the water onto his face. To his surprise, he felt a slight stinging and itching sensation on his face.

“Tsk, it seems quite serious.” Xu Qing carefully rinsed his face with water and gently wiped off the water stains with the cloth. It was not easy for a guy to wash his face like this, but he had to do it slowly to avoid worsening the condition. The original owner neglected his own face and even hesitated to wash it sometimes. This was unacceptable for Xu Qing, who loved cleanliness.

After pouring the water from the basin into a small drainage ditch, Xu Qing went back to the kitchen and fetched another basin of hot water. This time, before washing his face, he held his slender hand above the basin. Soon, two streams of water flowed out from his index and middle fingers. This was the spiritual spring in the space. Due to the accumulation of toxins on his face for a long time, it needed gradual adjustment. It also prevented the villagers from noticing his rapid changes. Therefore, he only used a small amount of the spiritual spring mixed with hot water to wash his face.

After washing his face, Xu Qing put away the basin and cloth, then returned to the kitchen to heat up some water. After a busy day, even though it was late winter, he was sweating. When he finished his shower, it was already pitch dark outside. He carefully extinguished the oil lamp and stir-fried the leftover garlic sprouts with rice to make a simple fried rice dish. When he finished cleaning up and lay down on the bed made of corn husks, covered with a patched bedsheet, it was probably around 9 o’clock at night. In ancient times, there were no entertainment activities at night, and since he was single, he simply went to bed early.

“Tomorrow, I’ll go to the market to get a little piglet and some chicks. I also need to buy a few more clothes and maybe get a puppy to guard the house…” As Xu Qing thought about these things, he hugged the quilt tightly around his body and soon fell asleep. It was the most comfortable and peaceful sleep he had ever experienced in this new world.

When the faint light of dawn seeped into the room, Xu Qing yawned and got out of bed, braving the slight chill outside his covers. He quickly put on a pair of dark blue clothes, the only outfit without patches that belonged to the original owner. After tidying up, he started the stove, filled it with water and corn, and prepared to cook corn porridge. Then he went to the well and fetched the willow branches that had been soaked in a wooden barrel yesterday. These willow branches served as his simple mouthwash tool, based on traditional Chinese culture. He soaked the willow branches in water, and when he needed to use them, he would bite open the branches, and the willow fibers inside would spread out like tiny wooden bristles, making a convenient toothbrush. After rinsing his mouth, he used a mixture of spiritual spring and water to wash his face. Feeling no more discomfort like yesterday’s stinging sensation, he enjoyed a good breakfast with a cheerful mood. He locked the courtyard gate and headed towards the village in the south. He couldn’t find the way to the market, so he had to go find Xie Ama.

Xie Ama was the one who often helped the original owner with seedlings. He was from Jixiang Village and married into the Xie family in Xingfu Village. He had a ger-son the following year but unfortunately didn’t have any more children afterward. However, without in-laws, their life was relatively better. Last year, their only son got married and moved to the town, causing envy among the unmarried young gers in the village. If they had known, they would have chosen to marry into the town. Xie Ama’s house was the first one Xu Qing saw on his way from his house to the village. It was a rare house in the village, made of green bricks and large tiles, consisting of three rooms. The exterior was also surrounded by stone walls, although not as tall as the walls around Xu Qing’s house. This was thanks to Xu Qing’s father’s help, and their family had the best relationship with Xie Ama’s family.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

“Who is it?” A rough male voice sounded.

“Quick, go open the door. It should be Brother Qing coming for seeds,” a softer voice replied, giving the impression that the person was easygoing.

“It’s me, Brother Qing,” Xu Qing replied somewhat uneasily. “Brother Qing,” he really wasn’t used to it.

After a few rustling sounds behind the courtyard gate, the door opened. “Hey, Brother Qing, come in quickly. We’re just having breakfast!” Uncle Xie was a tall man, almost 1.8 meters in height. Not only did he have a booming voice, but he also had a sturdy physique, not at all like someone in their forties. “No need, Uncle Xie. I’ve already eaten. I just wanted to ask if you’re going to the market today,” Xu Qing looked at Uncle Xie’s height and then thought about his own small frame, feeling a bit disheartened.

“Brother Qing, come inside. There’s no need to stand out here for so long.” Xie Ama also walked up to the courtyard gate and directly pushed Uncle Xie aside, heading straight to Xu Qing’s side. He warmly took his hand and led him into the courtyard. Xie Ama was probably around 1.7 meters tall, with a slightly slender figure and gentle features that made people feel at ease. Xu Qing felt a bit embarrassed, but he didn’t refuse Xie Ama’s affectionate gesture. “You really ate? Don’t try to fool Ama, or I won’t spare you.” After Xu Qing repeatedly assured him, he finally let him off and they began to have breakfast.

There were no strict rules for meals in rural households. Xie Ama’s family ate in the main room, but many families, due to having too many people, ate in the courtyard. “You want to go to the market? That’s a good thing. Young people should be active! I’ll tidy up shortly and take you to get familiar with the way.”

Upon hearing that Xu Qing wanted to go to the market, Xie Ama quickly finished his breakfast and grabbed a basket. Inside the basket were the eggs they had saved at home, which he planned to sell at the market. “No need to rush, Xie Ama. There’s no hurry.”

Seeing Xie Ama’s anxious appearance, Xu Qing found it amusing and felt an inexplicable sense of warmth. “Why not hurry? The sooner we go, the more we can explore. Come on, let’s go. The head of the household, you won’t go today. Brother Qing and I will go and explore!”

“Alright, go ahead. Be careful on the way.”

“Goodbye, Uncle Xie.”

“Go on, have a good time exploring!”

Xie Ama’s house was located at the end of Xingfu Village, so there was a fork in the road next to the path Xu Qing had just taken. They could directly bypass the village from there and head straight to the market. Those who lived closer to the village’s end took this route, while others who lived closer to the village entrance took the other road. The distances of the two routes were similar. Xu Qing and Xie Ama took the forked road towards the village’s end. It was still early, and there weren’t many people on the way. They encountered a donkey cart that specifically transported people halfway. It cost three wen per person to be taken to the market. It took about half an hour, or an hour, to walk from Xingfu Village to the market. Three wen was a good deal. Xu Qing’s fare was forcefully paid by Xie Ama, and he didn’t argue. He only thought of repaying the other person’s kindness in the future and not losing their bond.

“You’re Brother Qing from the Xu family, right?” The man pulling the cart was from the neighboring village, surnamed Li. People usually called him “Uncle Li.”

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

“Yes, Uncle Li, how do you know me?” Xu Qing pressed Xie Ama’s hand, signaling him not to get too excited. Xie Ama thought Uncle Li would say something never-ending when he heard him mention Xu Qing, so his emotions were a bit agitated. “Your father and I have some acquaintance. He used to mention you often.”

“Oh, really? That’s quite a coincidence.” Xu Qing smiled slightly. Despite his thin and acne-covered face, although he didn’t appear outstanding, his dark and sparkling eyes added a touch of brightness to his face. Xu Qing’s smile caught Xie Ama’s attention, and his heart felt somewhat heavy. How could such a good child…

“You, young man, should get out and about more. The most important thing for a young man is to know how to live, not just rely on appearances to get by! It’s all about character!” Uncle Li’s hearty voice echoed, expressing words that Xie Ama wholeheartedly agreed with. “That’s right, that’s right! Brother Qing here knows how to live. Those blind fools deserve to be deceived by appearances!” Xu Qing stared in astonishment at Xie Ama and Uncle Li as they chatted animatedly, occasionally gesturing with their hands and bursting into laughter when they reached a point they found amusing!

It seemed that Xie Ama was not as calm as he appeared. However, unexpectedly, he was very friendly. Xu Qing squinted his dark, shiny eyes, and he found himself smiling along with Xie Ama and Uncle Li. “During noon, I also work here as a cart puller. Just come here directly when the time comes.” After thanking Uncle Li, Xu Qing and Xie Ama went to the street where vegetables were sold and found a spot to place their basket. They took out the eggs from the basket and placed them on a clean cloth, waiting for potential buyers to approach. “Brother Qing, after Ama sells the eggs, we can have a good stroll around.” Xu Qing was busy observing the market and, upon hearing this, immediately replied, “No rush, no rush.”

He smiled and showed his white teeth to Xie Ama.

This attracted the attention of the nearby vegetable sellers and buyers, who secretly glanced at him. “Tsk tsk, why is this young man’s face covered in acne? What a pity…”

Xie Ama quickly scanned the surroundings, and the onlookers immediately averted their gazes.

“Pay no attention to them. Brother Qing is the most handsome. They just have no taste.”

Xu Qing: …………

With his height of only 165 centimeters, he was not only thin and small, but his face was also covered in acne. Even if he didn’t have acne, he would only be considered an average-looking guy with slightly larger, darker eyes. At most, he could be described as a fresh-faced young man. How could he possibly be considered “handsome”?

The market wasn’t very big, but it was crowded. People from the three surrounding villages all came here to the market. So, there was a considerable flow of people. The sellers were mostly farmers selling their own produce. On the right side of the street were the vegetable sellers, and on the left were the chicken and wild game sellers. Oh, there was even a rabbit seller. Just a bit further ahead was the pork stall, where you had to pay. All in all, this market may be small, but it had a little bit of everything.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸