Chapter 8

PS: During the new book period, I'm seeking recommendations, collections, and clicks!!!

The next day.

The sun had set, leaving behind a golden afterglow.

"Blow a big balloon, blow a big balloon......"

Han Yi hummed a little tune as he happily bounced back home.

"You're back."

Xiao Yun, upon seeing Han Yi, said indifferently, "Let's eat."

Not again! If I fall for it again, I really won't live up to my name as a thief! Han Yi's face turned pale, and he waved his hands, saying, "You can eat by yourself. I—I've already eaten outside."

Why didn't you take me? This was Xiao Yun's first reaction, but she said, "Where did you eat?"

Han Yi sat on the bed and said, "I ate at Uncle Yang's place."

Xiao Yun frowned and said, "Uncle Yang isn't easy either. How can you just go to someone else's house to eat?"

It's better to have no face than to lose my life! Han Yi smiled and said, "I didn't eat for free. I helped you work all day."

Then you should have taken me! Xiao Yun was instantly angry when she heard this, her phoenix eyes wide open, "We owe so much money now, and you still go to help others? Do you even care about this family?"

She spoke with the tone of an elder.

Han Yi was taken aback and said, "Didn't you say you had a way to handle it?"

"I—I—"

Xiao Yun, slightly embarrassed, said, "But you shouldn't go help others. If you have the heart, why don't you come help me?"

She has a point. Han Yi said awkwardly, "Sorry, you didn't say you needed help. If you need me to help, I'll do it without hesitation as long as it's within my ability."

"I—I—"

Xiao Yun, seeing Han Yi's innocent face, turned red with anger, huffed, and turned to leave.

What's wrong? I've already apologized and promised to help. Why is she still angry?

Han Yi felt extremely wronged.

After a while, Xiao Yun came in with a bowl.

Han Yi felt uneasy just looking at it.

Bang!

Xiao Yun angrily placed the bowl on the low table.

Han Yi glanced inside and saw a bowl of porridge, more accurately, a bowl of wild vegetable porridge.

It looks like it's not cooked properly. Fortunately, I had the foresight. This woman is just here to torture me with her dark cooking skills.

Han Yi didn't want to watch the upcoming tragedy, so he turned his head away, not wanting to be accused of gloating. He still had some conscience and knew that rubbing salt in the wound wasn't good.

Xiao Yun looked at the bowl of porridge, struggling in her heart. But seeing Han Yi's trembling shoulders, she didn't want to be looked down upon. She gritted her teeth, picked up the spoon, and took a small taste. Her brows immediately furrowed. After a long struggle, she finally put down the spoon. As Han Yi had thought, it's better to have no face than to lose one's life. She looked at Han Yi again, seeing him half-lying on the bed, facing the wall, with a look of confusion, and said, "Han Yi."

"Hmm?"

Han Yi turned his head and looked at Xiao Yun.

Xiao Yun, with a puzzled look, said, "Are you really Han Yi?"

"Or what?"

Han Yi's heart and mouth were not in sync.

Xiao Yun said, "But—I feel like you've changed since you were struck by lightning."

You only feel this now, how slow can you be? Han Yi smiled and said, "This is the real me. Everything before was just an act. You don't have to pretend to be gentle either; I can tell it's hard for you."

"That makes sense."

Xiao Yun nodded, feeling enlightened, and said thoughtfully, "I also feel that I'm not suitable to be a virtuous and gentle wife."

"Not just unsuitable, but very unsuitable."

Han Yi shook his head.

Bang!

"Ouch!"

Han Yi covered his nose, glaring at Xiao Yun, "Why did you hit me?"

This punch hit his nose hard, and the pain made his eyebrows twist into a knot.

Xiao Yun retracted her fist, jumped off the bed, and said with a stern face, "This is the real me. I've wanted to teach you a lesson for a long time."

Han Yi wasn't a pushover either. Being a street performer, he was no stranger to fights. He glared back, "Don't think I won't hit a woman."

Xiao Yun sneered, "If you have the guts, I'll be happy for you." She extended her right hand, making a gesture of invitation.

A challenge!

A clear challenge!

Han Yi was furious. A man of his stature being looked down upon by a woman, if he could bear it, he might as well become a eunuch. He slammed his hand on the table, "Fine, I'll have a fair fight with you today, so you know my skills."

Before he finished speaking, he picked up the bowl of porridge and threw it at Xiao Yun.

A fair fight? This was something Xiao Yun didn't expect. Her eyes flashed with panic, but she was quick to react, covering her face and cursing him in her heart.

"Ah, hit—!"

Han Yi, taking advantage of the situation, let out a strange cry and pounced. He was an experienced fighter, and his skills were evident from the bowl of porridge.

Bang!

"Ah—!"

In the flickering candlelight, a scream was heard, and Han Yi was back on the bed, curled up, holding his stomach, his eyes almost popping out.

Experience is one thing, but strength is the key!

Xiao Yun put down her long, shapely leg, waved her sleeve to brush off the porridge, and smiled, "You like to use knives, don't you? I allow you to get a knife, so don't say I'm bullying you."

Han Yi turned his head sharply, his eyes blazing, "Do you think I won't dare?"

Xiao Yun stepped aside, making way for him.

"You wait."

Han Yi said fiercely and immediately rushed out.

......

Then, he never came back.

Xiao Yun stood at the door, looking up at the bright moon, and suddenly chuckled, "You're smart."

......

......

The moon in late summer was particularly bright, and the silver moonlight added a touch of mystery to the land.

On a slope at the end of Plum Village, a figure was seen tossing and turning.

"Ouch, ouch, this isn't because I'm weak, but because that woman is too strong. Ouch, it hurts so much."

This person was Han Yi. He was rubbing his stomach with one hand and his nose with the other, muttering to himself, "I always said marriage is a grave. I'm still at the door of marriage, and it's already this bad. If I really enter, I'll be dead. It's embarrassing to be beaten by a woman and can't even return home. But can I blame myself? This isn't my body; it can't keep up with my pace. If I keep fighting, I'll just suffer more. If I can't win, I should run. Otherwise, I'd be a fool."

Just as Han Yi was feeling extremely depressed, he heard footsteps behind him.

It can't be that crazy woman coming after me.

Han Yi turned his head sharply in the bright moonlight and saw a thin figure approaching, though he couldn't see the face, it seemed lonely and desolate.

"It's you?"

When the person got closer, Han Yi exclaimed in surprise.

The person was the wild child.

The wild child looked at Han Yi with a silly smile and suddenly extended his right hand, pointing three fingers at Han Yi.

Again? What have I done to deserve this!

Han Yi was very familiar with this gesture and was almost in tears, quickly saying, "Wait a moment."

The wild child looked puzzled.

Han Yi, holding his stomach, said, "I'm injured. It's not a gentleman's way to take advantage of someone in distress."

The wild child's eyes showed a hint of loneliness, but he lowered his hand.

Han Yi breathed a sigh of relief. He had just said it offhand, but it actually worked. He looked at the wild child curiously, "Why are you here?"

The wild child didn't speak but suddenly nodded his head at Han Yi.

"Are you asking why I'm here?"

Han Yi asked uncertainly.

The wild child nodded.

"It's because of my family—sigh... forget it, forget it, it's embarrassing to talk about."

Han Yi shook his head and said, "Oh, I'm Han Yi. What's your name?"

The wild child shook his head.

Right, he doesn't have a name. Han Yi thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll call you Xiao Ye."

The wild child blinked and then nodded vigorously.

Han Yi, looking at the young face in the moonlight, sighed. He was so young and had already lost his future. He couldn't help but think of his own childhood, wandering the streets alone at night. His hostility towards the wild child vanished, and he asked, "Can't you speak?"

The wild child didn't respond.

It seems he can't. Han Yi had never heard the wild child speak in his memories and said instinctively, "Sorry."

The wild child looked at Han Yi with wide, surprised eyes.

Did I say something wrong? Han Yi was confused and said, "Did I say something wrong?"

The wild child nodded and then shook his head.

Han Yi was even more confused and didn't want to guess, "Whether or not, I really have no ill intentions."

The wild child nodded and suddenly fumbled in his chest, pulling out a black object and handing it to Han Yi.

Han Yi took it curiously. It was soft and felt like dried meat.

The wild child took another piece and started eating it greedily.

It really is meat!

Han Yi was hesitant. He hadn't eaten meat since he came here, and he didn't know what kind of meat it was or how long it had been stored.

If I die, so be it. I don't belong here anyway. Han Yi, slightly pouting, took a big bite and his eyes lit up, "Your meat is really delicious."

The wild child smiled foolishly.

Han Yi took another bite and smacked his lips, "Mmm, really delicious. Good kid, I didn't expect your life to be better than mine. It's much better than my childhood. If I had some wine, it would be perfect."

The wild child nodded vigorously.

"Really?"

Han Yi's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

The wild child suddenly took a small gourd from his waist and handed it to Han Yi.

Han Yi took it hesitantly. When he opened the gourd, a strong aroma of wine filled the air. He exclaimed, "It's really wine." He winked at the wild child and said with a grin, "This must be something you stole, right?"

The wild child frowned slightly.

"Don't, don't misunderstand."

Han Yi quickly said, "Even if it's stolen, so what? If a person can't survive, they have to steal. It's a survival instinct. I used to do this too, no, I specialized in it."

The wild child's frown relaxed, and he suddenly raised his hand, indicating for Han Yi to drink.

Han Yi chuckled, "Then I'll follow your lead."

He took a big gulp, wiped his mouth, and said, "Good wine, really good wine."

With the wine to enhance the mood, the meat was quickly finished by Han Yi.

The wild child handed him another piece.

Han Yi reached out halfway and then pulled back, saying, "You keep it for yourself."

The wild child looked unhappy and pushed the meat a bit closer.

Damn, he's being nice. If I don't take it, it would be disrespectful. Han Yi immediately took it and handed the gourd back, eating greedily and mumbling, "When I get rich, I'll treat you to a big meal." As soon as he said it, he was taken aback. Get rich? I'm in debt.

Thinking about this, he sighed. How can I survive here?

He suddenly felt someone tapping his right shoulder. Turning his head, he saw the wild child looking at him curiously.

Han Yi smiled and said, "Nothing, nothing, drink. Live for today, who cares about tomorrow's rain or wind."

Soon, the two of them finished the gourd of wine.

After the wine was finished, Han Yi thought, Xiao Ye has had a hard life. I ate a lot of his food today, so I should give him something in return. But I have no money and nothing to give him. He felt guilty and suddenly looked at the empty gourd, his eyes lighting up, "Xiao Ye, let me tell you a story."

The wild child was surprised and nodded vigorously, squatting next to Han Yi, his hands supporting his chin, his eyes full of anticipation.

Han Yi cleared his throat and said, "A long, long time ago, in a distant southern land, there was a mountain called Hu Lu Mountain—"

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