Ger, So Proud

Chapter 10: Companions

“No need, no need. I haven’t finished the medicine your Uncle Xu prescribed yet, there’s no rush.” Zhang-shi waved his hand dismissively, his face growing even paler as he recalled the villagers’ gossip from yesterday. “He’s busy with his clinic. Unless it’s something serious, we shouldn’t bother him.”

“Dad, weren’t you just talking about Uncle Xu’s nephew?”

Lin Yu looked skeptical. Did his dad really change his mind so quickly?

“That was all for you! Your marriage is more important than anything…” he was old now, and his reputation didn’t matter much. He just feared it would affect Yu-ge.

Life was hard without a man in the house.

“Alright, Dad, let’s not talk about this,” Lin Yu interrupted, noticing Zhang-shi about to bring up another topic. “I ran into Brother An and his older brother on my way back today.”

“Brother An? Your Uncle Youcai’s son?”

“Yes,” Lin Yu nodded, not mentioning the argument he had with He Ze. “He Ze’s injury seems to be healing well.”

“That’s good, that’s good!” Zhang-shi’s face lit up with a smile. He gently patted Lin Yu’s hand, his voice filled with nostalgia. “When we were kicked out, your Uncle He and Uncle He gave us a lot of things. They’re good people. We must always remember the kindness they’ve shown us and help them when we can, never forgetting our roots.”

“I know,” Lin Yu replied, his brows furrowing slightly. He glanced at the sunlight outside before standing up. “Dad, are you hungry? I’ll go make us some food.”

Without waiting for a response, he walked out of the room.

“This child…”

Zhang-shi sighed as he watched Lin Yu’s hurried figure. It was his fault for bringing up the past, knowing how much Yu disliked it.

His gaze shifted to the altar against the wall in the center of the room. His eyes reddened as he looked at it. The incense sticks in the burner were nearly burnt out, and the offerings on the plates looked fresh, as if just replaced.

This was the tablet of Yu-ge’s father. When they left the Lin family, they had only taken this tablet with them.

Zhang-shi stood up and walked over to the altar, lighting a few more incense sticks. His expression was sorrowful.

“Husband, if you are watching over us, please protect Yu-ge. I don’t wish for him to be rich or powerful, only that he marries well, finds someone to rely on, and lives a peaceful and safe life. Then I can be at ease.”

He placed the incense sticks into the burner and clasped his hands, bowing deeply.

The incense burned quickly, its thin smoke swirling in the air before slowly dispersing.

The next morning, He Ze returned home just as dawn was breaking. Luckily, the other three members of his family wouldn’t wake up for another quarter of an hour, so no one noticed his unusual behavior.

After changing into clean clothes, He Ze removed the bandage from his forehead, feeling a sharp pain as he did so. The wound had partially scabbed over, causing the bandage to stick to it. He instinctively touched the area, realizing that the healing process seemed unusually fast. Perhaps this world’s life force was more pure and vigorous, without the pollution from his post-apocalyptic world?

In any case, it was a good sign. He wondered if this healing effect would also apply when treating others. It was about time to address Father He’s hand injury.

“Brother, are you awake?” Two knocks suddenly came from the door.

He Ze refocused, quickly replacing the bandage. “Come in.”

Before his voice had even faded, the door swung open, and He An stepped in quickly. “Brother, you’re up? Dad was worried you might still be asleep and sent me to call you. Uncle Zhao leaves early every day, so you should head over now. Buy some breakfast in town.”

He An pulled a few copper coins from his waistband and placed them in He Ze’s hand. “Dad gave these to me for you. You can’t skip breakfast, especially with your injury still healing.”

He Ze thumbed the coins, counting ten in total, and wondered how many more such coins the family had left. His expression darkened slightly. “Alright, I’ll go now. Tell dad not to worry.”

“Okay,” He An nodded. “Brother, should I go with you? Can you manage on your own?”

“No need, it’s just a few clothes. I can handle it. Stay home and wait for me. I’ll bring back some treats for you, alright?” He Ze said as he headed towards the door.

“Really?” He An’s eyes lit up at his words, but then he quickly lowered his head again, his voice turning somber. “No, it’s better not. Just come back early and don’t skip your meals.”

“I will. Tell Father and Dad I’ve gone.”

He Ze tossed the coins in his hand, the crisp clinking sound was pleasing to his ears. With a slight smile, he left the courtyard.

When he reached the village entrance, an ox cart was already waiting there. Zhao Fugui was seated at the front, with several baskets of vegetables on the cart and a couple of empty spots reserved.

“Hey there, He Ze! Come on up!” Zhao Fugui waved his whip as he saw He Ze approaching.

To ensure He Ze could make it on time, Dad Li had mentioned it to Zhao’s family the previous afternoon. Otherwise, Zhao Fugui wouldn’t have been waiting for him.

“Thank you, Uncle Zhao.”

He Ze grabbed the wooden railing and climbed up. He had always ridden on Second Uncle He’s ox cart to town for school, so this was his first time on Zhao’s cart.

“No trouble at all. You’re not in a hurry, are you? We need to wait a bit longer. Lin Yu hasn’t arrived yet.” Zhao Fugui turned his head, smiling.

“Lin Yu?” He Ze raised his eyes, wondering if it was who he thought.

“Yeah, Yu-ge often brings game to sell at the town’s restaurant. If he’s in a rush, I give him a lift. He mentioned it yesterday… Ah, here he comes!”

Zhao Fugui suddenly raised his voice and pointed with his whip towards the left side of the road. He Ze followed the direction and saw Lin Yu approaching with a bamboo basket on his back.

When their eyes met, Lin Yu seemed to pause for a moment.

Author’s Note:

The chapter was short and late… but I still managed to avoid abandoning the story! Will you praise me, my dear readers? *blushes*

While taking a break from writing, I came up with a little scene. My friend keeps saying it’s scary, but I swear I wrote it as a tearjerker!!! I’ll share it here for you all. If you’re easily frightened, you might want to skip it. High alert ahead↓↓↓

Beneath your bed, there’s a bowl, half-filled with blood.

Looking, there’s a tongue licking it.

Sweet.

You open your eyes, and he offers the bowl to you like a treasure, “Want… want to drink a little?”

“Ah—get lost!!!”

You swipe at the bowl, shattering it. Blood splatters onto the sheets, but there’s nothing in front of you.

It was just a dream, and you fall back asleep.

In the dead of night, faint cries can be heard, “That day, didn’t you really like my blood? It’s still sweet, though a bit cold now.”

(T/N:
Chinese time system (时辰 – shíchén)
1. Zi Shi (子时): 11:00 PM – 1:00 AM (Rat Hour)
2. Chou Shi (丑时): 1:00 AM – 3:00 AM (Ox Hour)
3. Yin Shi (寅时): 3:00 AM – 5:00 AM (Tiger Hour)
4. Mao Shi (卯时): 5:00 AM – 7:00 AM (Rabbit Hour)
5. Chen Shi (辰时): 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM (Dragon Hour)
6. Si Shi (巳时): 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Snake Hour)
7. Wu Shi (午时): 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Horse Hour)
8. Wei Shi (未时): 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Goat Hour)
9. Shen Shi (申时): 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Monkey Hour)
10. You Shi (酉时): 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Rooster Hour)
11. Xu Shi (戌时): 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Dog Hour)
12. Hai Shi (亥时): 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Pig Hour)

These terms are derived from the Chinese zodiac animals associated with each two-hour segment of the day and night. They provide a traditional way of dividing the day and night into 12 periods, each with its own symbolic animal representation.)