Chapter 603: Chapter 603: The Sun Rises as Usual
The younger brothers and sisters gradually fell asleep, leaving only Da Lang with his eyes open in the pitch-black room.
He didn’t bring many things. The small sword given by his uncle was worn on his body, the slingshot, bow and arrow, and dagger were already packed. He only had two books, planning to borrow the ones he didn’t have from Second Lang to save himself some effort.
But there was still something very important that he couldn’t take with him, nor could he find someone to borrow it from.
Ah Wang wasn’t going to the Capital City; he made his stance clear earlier in the main room.
Qin Yao also chose to respect that decision.
Thinking of this, Da Lang felt stifled, the excitement and joy of exploring a new map dissipating, leaving only a sense of powerlessness and helplessness.
For the first time, the young man realized that relationships between people could be so fragile.
He couldn’t change anyone, nor could he change himself for anyone else.
Even his blood-related brothers and sisters were independent individuals with their own independent thoughts, not willing to stay for anyone.
Everyone had their own path to walk.
Da Lang hadn’t figured out his own path yet; it seemed a bit distant to him, but he wanted to know what path Uncle Ah Wang was going to take.
Since he couldn’t sleep anyway, and they were going to withdraw from the school tomorrow morning, his lazy father certainly wouldn’t take them out early, so it didn’t hurt to sleep a little later, he could wake up.
Da Lang rolled out of bed, put on his shoes and clothes, and quietly crept out the door, feeling his way to the loft in the back courtyard.
He just reached the bottom of the stairs, and before he could knock, the door was blown open by the wind, revealing a gap just wide enough for one person to pass through.
Da Lang patted his chest to calm his racing heart, peeked inside, and suddenly a lamp lit up, with Ah Wang holding a candlestick, standing inside.
"Uncle Ah Wang!" Da Lang excitedly walked in, whispering, "Did you know I was coming?"
Ah Wang nodded, pointed to the loft, indicating for him to go up first, and then closed the door behind him before climbing up with the candlestick.
"What are you doing here?" Ah Wang asked, puzzled.
Da Lang, familiar with the place, sat cross-legged on the floor, looking up at Ah Wang by the window, asking, "Uncle Ah Wang, are you really not going with us to the Capital City?"
Ah Wang nodded firmly, "No, I just said so." Not very satisfied with Da Lang’s repeated questioning, as if he didn’t understand human language.
Da Lang, who followed Ah Wang to practice martial arts, didn’t understand his character and temperament fully, but at least seventy to eighty percent.
He generally didn’t make excuses; he meant what he said, and every word spoken needed no further interpretation because they were straightforward.
"Alright then, when we go to the Capital City, what will you do alone?" Da Lang asked with concern.
Ah Wang seemed to think seriously for two or three seconds before answering, "Continue growing vegetables and watermelons, and then raise a few pots of flowers."
He noticed that Mrs. Qiu on the old estate also had a couple of pots, quite interesting.
Seeing Ah Wang look so expectant, Da Lang had to admit that he felt sad, murmuring in a low voice, "So you don’t feel a bit reluctant to part from us?"
"A little," Ah Wang replied honestly.
He gestured for Da Lang to come closer, patting his shoulder with a large, gentle hand, "Practicing martial arts isn’t something you achieve overnight. It requires persistent effort; even without a strict teacher watching over you, you must practice diligently."
Da Lang murmured a sullen "Hmm," knowing this well; even without Ah Wang’s reminders, he would insist on daily practice.
Yet...
"Uncle Ah Wang, as for this trip to the Capital City, Mother didn’t say how long we’d stay, but we’ll probably wait until Father gets results in the spring civil service exam, which might take years, or perhaps..."
The young man suddenly paused, and Ah Wang asked suspiciously, "Or perhaps what?"
"...not come back." Da Lang sighed deeply, suddenly grabbing Ah Wang’s hand and asking him, "Uncle Ah Wang, will you always wait for us at home?"
Ah Wang: "I don’t know."
This expected answer clearly broke the young man’s heart; he lowered his head, slowly releasing Ah Wang’s hand, not making a sound.
Ah Wang urged, "Go to sleep, I need to sleep too."
Tomorrow, he had to get up early to check the carriage in town, then, according to the lady’s instructions, buy two good-footed horses to get on the road.
Da Lang gave Ah Wang, who showed no emotional waves, a resentful look; truly, human sorrow is not shared!
"Then I take my leave." With a somewhat petulant tone, Da Lang got up from the bedding on the floor, bowed, turned around, and thudded down the stairs back to his room.
Before pushing open the door to the children’s room, Da Lang seemed to faintly hear a long sigh echoing from the loft.
Perhaps, meeting someone is already not easy; one should cherish every moment spent together.
That evening, the young man tasted the flavor of separation and understood that in others’ lives, everyone is just a passerby, not the main character.
Summing up, the world goes on without anyone, the sun rises as usual.
Early in the morning, Ah Wang drove the carriage into the city.
As expected, Liu Ji took the children to Ding Family School later in the hour, Da Lang yawning as he woke his younger siblings. The five of them washed up and had breakfast at home before heading out in their ox cart.
It startled Jinhua and Jinbao, who were always punctual, as they missed a class because of the third uncle’s family’s delay.
Fortunately, with the third uncle guaranteeing that something urgent came up at home, the teacher didn’t penalize them.
However, upon hearing that the third uncle and aunt’s family was going to the Capital City, Jinhua and Jinbao couldn’t help but cry with genuine envy.
"Third Uncle, why don’t I become Da Lang’s attendant student, and you take me with you to the Capital City?!"
After explaining to the teacher, Liu Ji was ready to lead his four kids to the Ding Family School when Jinbao suddenly and eagerly made his loud request.
Liu Ji thought to himself, would you dare say that again in front of your mother?
If he dared to take the only son of his eldest brother and sister-in-law to the Capital City, the sister-in-law might kill him!
"Jinbao." Liu Ji looked at his big nephew with a pained expression, "Your third uncle’s life is also a life! Why say such a vicious request? If I agreed to this, wouldn’t your mother scratch me to death when we get home?"
Under the child’s remorseful gaze, Liu Ji made a hush gesture, signaling his big nephew to hush up soon.
"Be good, listen carefully to the teacher’s lessons." He pointed to the teacher, who was sternly about to burst, and with a flick of his sleeve, led his four kids straight to the Ding Family.
Meanwhile, the entire village of Liu Family Village had received news that the village chief was leaving and that a vote would soon be held to elect a new chief.
Some rejoiced while others worried.
The clan leader held back the person who came to inform them, Yin Le, and dragged her to the Qin Yao home. As soon as he entered, he caught Qin Yao packing in the courtyard, scolding, "You’re simply causing chaos!"
"Quickly have someone retract the message, just say you were joking with everyone. You’re doing a good job as the village chief, why resign?! We still rely on you to lead all the villagers to that pinnacle of life you talked about. Have you forgotten your promises?!"
The clan leader spat vehemently, showering specks of saliva, causing Qin Yao to hastily step back three steps, shaking her head helplessly.
