Having finally completed his examinations, Ji Huai felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

He took Lin Heyu and A Hua around the entire town, marveling at the classical charm of Qing Country this ancient dynasty that didn’t exist in historical records.

Regarding the exams, Ji Huai was fully confident that becoming a Recommended Man would be no problem at all.

With their travel funds nearly depleted, Ji Huai had no choice but to return to Li Village with A Hua and Lin Heyu.

During their stay in town, they would occasionally run into Wang Qingkun and his companions, and had even seen A Hua’s father beaten beyond recognition at the gambling den. A Hua watched expressionlessly, never once stepping forward to intervene.

Ji Huai let things take their course, observing coldly from the sidelines. As The Book of Rites states: “Respect elders with propriety, honor the aged with virtue.” Though he had taught A Hua these principles, he had also taught her: “Follow the Way rather than the ruler, follow righteousness rather than one’s father this is the great conduct of man.”

A Hua was neither a child who practiced blind filial piety nor an ignorant toddler. She possessed an innate ability to distinguish right from wrong.

When the three of them returned to Li Village and stood before the schoolhouse once more, the sight no longer shocked Ji Huai his heart remained calm, his expression unchanged.

The schoolhouse had been completely vandalized. The fence was completely knocked down, the main gate dismantled. Except for the statue of Confucius which remained untouched, all the desks, chairs, bookshelves and books inside had been overturned and scattered everywhere.

A Hua trembled with rage, clutching Lin Heyu’s sleeve as she prepared to confront the culprits, but Ji Huai stopped her with a light laugh.

“Hey, why bother with them? We won’t be staying here much longer anyway.” Ji Huai’s smile was faint, with scattered golden sunlight reflecting in his amber eyes, tracing out a dazzling silver river.

Lin Heyu unclenched his tightened fist he had even considered sending Qing Shu to exact revenge.

Since they were here, they might as well accept the situation. With Ji Huai’s tranquil disposition, he rarely got angry or provoked others unless someone harmed those he cared about.

He called for A Hua and Lin Heyu to help with cleaning up. The considerable commotion alerted Auntie Li next door.

Auntie Li hobbled over, supported by Li Yuanyuan. The girl’s once plump and smooth face had now thinned enough to reveal a pointed chin.

“Ah Huai.”

Ji Huai set down his tools and hurried over to support Auntie Li, his heart aching as he said, “How have you grown so thin in just these few days?”

Auntie Li’s wrinkled face bore skin as dull and lifeless as dried bark. When he had left, she had been so full of energy…

“What happened?” Ji Huai helped Auntie Li into the house, inquiring carefully.

Li Yuanyuan sniffled, the innocence in her eyes replaced by weariness and exhaustion. She said slowly, “A few days ago, that ruffian Li Si came again to smash the Teacher’s house. My mother tried to stop him and was pushed by Li Si. She fell and hurt her leg.”

“How dare he!” Ji Huai was unusually furious. He shot to his feet, ready to charge out and confront Li Si.

While the destruction of the schoolhouse and home hadn’t angered him, hearing that Auntie Li had been pushed was more than his hot temper could bear.

Auntie Li quickly pulled him back, signaling for him to calm down and not lose his temper.

Ji Huai sat back down fuming, already plotting how to get even with Li Si. But Auntie Li waved her hand, instructing Li Yuanyuan to take Lin Heyu and A Hua outside.

“You three go help the Teacher clean up his room. Ah Huai and I have something to discuss.”

The three of them obediently filed out, but Lin Heyu glanced at Ji Huai, then at Yuan Yuan, her mind filled with unspoken thoughts.

As the children’s figures disappeared into the backyard, Aunt Li sighed, pounding her own legs with a look of profound sorrow.

Ji Huai felt a pang in his heart. He still remembered how vigorous Aunt Li had been when he first transmigrated here. How had she become so frail in such a short time?

“Ah Huai.”

Aunt Li’s voice had lost its usual robustness, now faint and tinged with sickness.

“I’m here.” Ji Huai took Aunt Li’s hand and asked gently, “Have you seen a doctor about your illness? What exactly is wrong?”

Aunt Li shook her head and sighed, “I’m getting old. My legs were already weak, and that fall seems to have taken all the vitality out of me. Doctor Li has examined me and said I won’t last through this winter.”

Ji Huai’s fingers unconsciously tightened as he retorted, “That can’t be true. Doctor Li must not be skilled enough. I’ll take you to see a doctor in town. If that doesn’t work, we’ll go to the city. If the city fails, we’ll go to the Prosperous Capital.”

“Hehe.” Aunt Li smiled affectionately and patted Ji Huai’s head. “Good child, I’ve watched you grow up since you were little. Since your parents went up the mountain to gather firewood and never returned, I’ve been like a second mother to you. Your filial piety alone is enough to comfort me.”

Ji Huai pressed his lips together. He was fulfilling the filial duties on behalf of the original Ji Huai.

“I can sense you’ve changed a lot these days. Recently, I’ve been feeling increasingly unwell, probably approaching my…”

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Ji Huai instinctively tightened his grip on Aunt Li’s hand, scolding her softly for speaking such inauspicious words.

Aunt Li wisely changed the subject to Ji Huai: “I know you took in A Hua out of kindness. The old you would never have done such unconventional things. So, Ah Huai, where has my dull and rigid boy gone?”

Ji Huai’s fingers twitched, his eyes wide with shock. Waves of turmoil surged within him. What did she mean? What was happening? Did Aunt Li know he wasn’t the original?

Aunt Li didn’t look at Ji Huai’s trembling face but continued as if speaking to herself: “Ah Huai, at my age, the only thing I worry about is Yuan Yuan. I found him abandoned and raised him as my own son. That child had his mind damaged by fever when he was young – he’s always been simple. When others bully him, he thinks they’re playing with him. If I’m gone, what will become of him?”

Tears began to stream down her withered cheeks, each drop burning like lava against Ji Huai’s heart. His own eyes glistened with unshed tears as he understood Aunt Li’s meaning.

She was entrusting her orphan to him.

“Aunt Li, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Yuan Yuan. He’s my student, but more importantly, he’s like a younger brother to me. I will definitely look after him well.”

Ji Huai’s voice was soft and gentle yet carried the weight of mountains. Looking into Aunt Li’s eyes, he made a vow in the name of Ji Huai: “No matter how I change, I will always take care of Yuan Yuan.”

“Good, good, good.” Auntie Li wept uncontrollably, clutching Ji Huai’s hand tightly as if grasping a lifeline. Her body had long been failing, sustained only for Yuan Yuan’s sake. The various illnesses accumulated from years of hard labor in her youth were all triggered by that fall. Doctor Li had merely taken her pulse and declared her beyond medical help. She knew herself that her time was running out.

In recent days, the villagers had been saying Ji Huai had taken the two children away from the schoolhouse to town, supposedly for examinations. Nobody believed Ji Huai could pass, but she did. The current Ji Huai was completely different from before – she was certain he would succeed.

She was afraid, so afraid. Afraid that if Ji Huai passed, he would never return to Li Village, and she would never see him again. What would become of Yuan Yuan then? What could be done?

The profound love for her child was vividly embodied in Auntie Li. Having lived an upright and generous life, this was the first time she had acted like a petty person seeking repayment for past favors – all for Yuan Yuan’s sake.

Weeping too hard to speak, she immediately tried to kneel before Ji Huai, but he stopped her, preventing her from kneeling.

“Ah Huai, I’ve wronged you… I’m forcing you…”

Ji Huai drew this dear relative into his embrace, gently patting her back to comfort her: “No, that’s not true. Yuan Yuan is so young – of course I’ll take care of him. And Auntie, you’ll be fine too. I’ll take you to town to see a doctor right now.”

Auntie Li stubbornly refused, and Ji Huai couldn’t persuade her. The belated twilight of dusk crept in, casting dim light into the small room, gilding both the old and the young in golden hues.

Like the Bodhi tree in this world, showering golden light.

Lin Heyu hid beneath the window, quietly listening to everything.

He was the clearest about Ji Huai’s transformation from beginning to end, the first to perceive it up close. Those words Auntie Li had said…

Perhaps held deeper meaning.

But he had no mind to dwell on that now. In the fading light, Li Yuanyuan stood foolishly in the courtyard, staring blankly at the slowly setting sun. Boundless chill wrapped around him, his lonely, helpless slender frame appearing even more desolate against the lush locust tree.

“Little bird ”

Yuan Yuan turned around, waving to Lin Heyu.

Lin Heyu jogged over and asked: “What’s wrong?”

Li Yuanyuan sniffled, pointing first under the big tree, then at the bird’s nest in the canopy, saying calmly: “The big bird flew away. The little bird fell down.”

“Dead.”

Lin Heyu pressed his thin lips together, remaining silent. He led Yuan Yuan away, no longer looking at the breathless little bird on the ground.

“Yuan Yuan, your brother is here.”

“Mm!”

Death and separation were still growth stages Li Yuanyuan needed to experience. But Lin Heyu understood. He had watched brothers on the battlefield lose their breath one by one. He had seen the great general he admired grow cold.

It was a suffocating feeling, as if when those people died and their souls ascended to heaven, they took the air around his mouth and nose with them.

His eyes ached too much to shed even one tear. That was when Lin Heyu understood – when people are overcome with extreme grief, it’s very hard to cry.

A single tear to mourn and lament for good brothers and comrades became an impossible luxury.

And Yuan Yuan was so young – how would he get through those moments of grief that made one forget to breathe?

“Little bird, what’s wrong with you?”

Yuan Yuan’s voice sounded by his ear. Tipping his little face upward, his chin had grown sharp and thin from taking care of Aunt Li over the past few days, which made Lin Heyu’s heart ache. Not wanting to reveal anything in front of Yuan Yuan at this moment, he simply suppressed his sorrowful emotions, gently pinched the child’s ear, and coaxed him: “Call me brother.”

Yuan Yuan didn’t understand why, but with his ear being held, he pouted and reluctantly called out.

“Brother.”

“Yes.”

For this single word “brother,” Lin Heyu would join Ji Huai in taking good care of Yuan Yuan.

Since Ji Huai had taken on this responsibility, Lin Heyu was determined to stand by him through thick and thin.