VOLUME I
Chapter SixRitian's body had adapted to the intensive walks around the Han village. Wenren's perseverance in teaching him the basics to the most difficult task of life in the mountains inspired him to do better.
In just a week, he managed to cook rice perfectly.
Unlike the bread and wheat he was accustomed with, Ritian has to know the techniques in cooking rice and crop. He can't believe the exorbitant amount that a single loaf of bread can cost in here. Wenren explained that the prices of each item varries on some places.
On the Central Planes, the situation was reversed and most poor family had to eat is stale bread because the rice can cost triple than how much the Han village sell it to its people.
Han village sometimes export rice to other places if the harvest was too much.
Ritian roughly understands this logic. The Han village doesn't make bread, so the price would be higher. Only Mr. Felino, the only
VOLUME IChapter SevenWenren's fishing spree was stopped because of an emergency meeting in the village. He managed to catch several small fishes. All of which Ritian personally picked from the net one by one. No one helped him. That suits his greedy stomach. Chief Juan was followed by Old Felino when they strolled in to inform the men. Ritian had a feeling that it's going to be bad. Wenren didn't mind him though. Ritian knew why. He was never optimistic since he came here.The entire village never gave him something to be happy about.It's a shame he didn't see how Wenren set the small net. Sari was a little kid who doesn't care about what to say. He managed to know the latest issue of the community. He had a feeling that the meeting was about moving the wedding date earlier than the one they've set.Ms. Via was getting anxious everyday about Cheel. The man's cold treatment messed with the woman's confidence. Via sincerely felt
Chapter Eight Ritian didn't have any other choice but to steam the fish. He borrowed Wenren's pot and started to boil a few cups of water. He laid the fishes on top with a bamboo strainer and waited. Ritian didn't know why he felt guilty on this more than he felt squeamish after giving away two of Wenren's hard-earned dinner. The thought of making Wenren eat these bland dish makes him squirm in restlessness. 'They don't have salt in here,' Ritian mused, 'I'm not going to live a long life here because there's no available spices within reach.' A knock awoken Ritian's senses. He gathered the hem of his robe and went to the door. The meeting lasted for a great while so Ritian hadn't seen Wenren for the whole afternoon. He had never felt lost like the way he were earlier. He was flabbergasted. Wenren became an integral part of his rural life adventures. A few hours without him scares Ritian a little like a chick without its mother. The knock resounded. Ritian pulled the latch of his d
Chapter 9Ritian watched with shaking hands as Wenren started to sniff around. The cold was biting on his skin nonstop with the hairs standing up on the back of his neck. Every turn of his head was a risk of seeing a ghost or an angry feral animal. He could only stare at Wenren with unflinching gaze."You look stupid." Wenren harrumphed. "He said you killed the man. What? You're afraid of his spirit?"Ritian choke back the tears that threatened to flow. He hissed, "I thought you believe me when I said I didn't kill him! I have no idea, okay? I don't even know him.""You're lying. He said the two of you have slept together before."Ritian rolled his eyes. He pushed the need to stomp his feet to prove his point because he's not stupid. "I said I don't know him. Wenren, we need to find the body of that martial artist then have it reported to the authorities.""What if you'll get involved in the investigation in the end?""My conscience is clear." At most, Ritian can always tell the truth
Chapter 10Ritian dried his hands with the hem of his robes. He bent low to blow some air to the crackling fire. The pungent smell of vinegar hovered the room. He swallowed a little. It's been a while since he ate anything with flavor. Oftentimes they ate steamed fish. His tongue almost fell off because of numb. Now that Wenren brought some garlic, vinegar and salt, Ritian make use of everything and tried cooking the fish with it.He got the fish from helping the men pick the net. Ritian conversed with the old women, laughing with them even though he doesn't fully understand their jokes. He got home with some little fishes. Ritian thought all of his smiles were worth it.Wenren made some money from selling the rabbit meat he had hunted that morning. Because he got some fair share of rice from working in the paddy fields, Ritian managed to make a decent meal this time.He hoped to share it with Wenren.Cheel has finally gone home to his fiancee's house. The issue quieted now because th
Chapter 11'This looks... suspicious.' Ritian chug the water bottle in his hand. His eyes wandered inside the cave and asked Wenren the most important thing at the moment. "Where did you get that lamp? I didn't see you bring something.""How would you see it if you spent most of the time with your head bowed in my arm?" Wenren's voice doesn't have an obnoxious tone. It gave him the illusion that he's genuinely asking.His cheeks warmed shamelessly. He chastised himself inside while he mumbled to the man, "Fine. I was scared, okay? Who hang those things like it's Halloween!""What's Halloween?"'Those animal figures outside!' Wenren told him that it's just a diversion to drive away people like them.Ritian purse his lips. He decided to move forward and look for anything that he can sell. This cave has a lot of things he don't quite understand.There were a lot of spiritual stones. Ritian can feel it. The effects made him relax unwittingly. Wenren stopped fussing about it though. Becaus
'A dunce.' Ritian mumbled as he struggles to carry two buckets of water and two gallons of shame on his back. There were beefy, huge men inside the kitchen but Via's entourage of three young ladies and two man party insisted that he should carry it. Like a man.But Ritian doesn't want to be a man! He wants to be someone's princess!His face flushed with tiredness. This is the fourth one in a row and if they're not going to make him stop, he will resume thinking that they're not making good food in the kitchen but instead building a small pool with all those water.Cheel is home now. Old Felino basically tied him in the house. How come Via still hated his guts?"Here. Is this enough, Auntie?" Ritian specifically asked the elder. But the men butt in, "How come it's too little? We are having Via's wedding. You go and fetch one more time."'But that's exactly what you asked me earlier! How many 'one more time' do you honestly need? Why can't we just settle this with our fist?!' Ritian bo
Ritian wore his white robe before using the outer cloth that Wenren gave him. The contrast of white and red made him look... extremely different. He was presentable and he looked lively."Wow..." Ritian sighed. Just like the rest, he wanted to use beautiful clothes and be at his best most of the time. Taking care of himself and feeling good at his own appearance is a healthy mental snack. "Damn, boy. You look rich."Ritian pose for fifteen minutes in front of the yellowed mirror. When his vanity was finally satiated, he discovered another problem.'Indeed, I look great from up to my ankles.' He look down and lamented quietly, 'But what about my feet? Do I go prance around the village barefooted?'Ritian rummage through his spoils of war on the other day. He noticed a pair of sandals. It was made of wood and the straps were a type of hard fabric.It looks like new.Ritian remembered the foot of the dead body that they found last week. 'No. That foot was huge. This sandals shouldn't be
The ceremony lasted for two hours. Ritian personally heard both of the bride and groom's vow. Old Felino began to drink large cups of booze before the fun activities started. He even walk past Ritian and give him an encouraging pat.'Indeed.' Wenren's influence can bend the hardest metal.Wenren sat beside him after giving his blessings. He blinked furiously, holding his head. "The participants needs to go home and change clothes for the hunt.""You should go now. I'll wait for you here." Ritian stood, he intended to join the children and help assist the bride's family in setting up the table."Don't go near Cheel. Something's wrong with him." Wenren ruffled his hair before moving forward. Ritian laughed in his heart. 'You worded it wrong. It should be, 'Nothing's right about him.'"You're good with Via now?" Sari's mother bumped against his shoulder. He look sideways. "Yes. They think Wenren and I were dating.""Wenren is a kind guy. He agreed to act as your man."Ritian won't lie an