Kapitel 17: Chapter 17 Companionship is the Best Medicine
As she spoke, she raised the dagger in her hand, signaling her tension and misunderstanding.
Seeing this, Jiang Ziling's forehead broke out in cold sweat, and he quickly explained, "Seeing that you had not returned for a long time, I was worried and came out to look for you. At the foot of the mountain, I saw a faint light flickering here and followed the trail."
After hearing this, Su Yu said discontentedly, "Can't you shout to let me know? You made me nervous for no reason."
Jiang Ziling appeared slightly embarrassed and replied, "I heard that this mountain often has will-o'-the-wisps, so I was very cautious all the way, not daring to make any noise, for fear of disturbing the spirits."
Su Yu was amused by his statement and teased, "Have you ever seen a will-o'-the-wisp?"
Jiang Ziling shook his head and admitted honestly, "I have never seen it with my own eyes, only heard the old people in the village talk about it when I was a child."
Su Yu helplessly told him, "Will-o'-the-wisps do exist, but they are not red; they are blue, and they mostly appear in graveyards, so you really don't need to worry about encountering them here."
Jiang Ziling responded seriously, "Ah Yu, this place is a graveyard. The deceased from Willow Village are all buried here."
Upon hearing this, Su Yu's eyes widened in shock and she exclaimed, "Really?" Then, in a flash, she leaped to Jiang Ziling's side, looking around with a face full of panic, "Really?"
Jiang Ziling nodded gently, comforting her, "It seems you took a wrong turn due to the darkness, which led you to this place."
Hearing this, Su Yu became even more frantic and hastily grabbed Jiang Ziling's arm, saying nervously, "Then let's leave quickly, not to disturb the peace of our ancestors."
Although she was not usually superstitious, being in the graveyard with the eerie atmosphere around still made her scalp tingle and she couldn't maintain her inner calm.
Seeing Su Yu clinging tightly to him, Jiang Ziling couldn't help but conjure a warm smile on his lips.
Usually, seeing her decisive and quick actions, he always thought she was fearless. Now, he realized that she also had a fragile and timid side.
Thinking of this, a protective desire welled up in his heart. He silently tightened his grip on Su Yu's hand and said firmly, "Don't be afraid, I am here."
The two of them shared a smile in the darkness, embarking on an unknown journey hand in hand, with each other's company serving as the best antidote to fear.
Although Jiang Ziling had some difficulty moving his legs, he knew the winding mountain path well, and his steps were steady and firm.
His presence was like a lighthouse, illuminating Su Yu's confused state of mind, giving her a sense of reliance and direction in the vast mountain forest, and a feeling of reassurance surged in her heart.
She asked with concern, "You came out specifically to find me, but what about Xixi being alone at home?"
A gentle smile appeared on Jiang Ziling's face, his gaze softening as he looked into the distance, "She is a well-behaved child. She knows I will come back and will quietly wait at home. Whenever I go out, she spends her time like this, playing with toys, reading picture books, or taking care of the little flower cat, never making a fuss."
Listening to this, a touch of sorrow arose in Su Yu's heart, moved by the resilience and independence of Jiang Ziling and his daughter Xixi.
She sincerely expressed her gratitude to Jiang Ziling, "I am truly thankful to you. If you hadn't appeared in time, I might have really lost my way in this dense forest and fallen into a difficult situation."
Jiang Ziling merely gave a calm smile, a sense of responsibility evident in his expression, "Not at all, if it were me and I couldn't find you tonight, I too would be restless all night, unable to sleep. Your being safe and sound is the best consolation."
Upon hearing Jiang Ziling say this, Su Yu felt as if a warm current gently enveloped her heart, bringing warmth and comfort.
She mentioned what she had seen on the mountain earlier in the day, "Today on the mountain I found a lot of wild fruits and mushrooms, but unfortunately, the situation was urgent and I had no time to pick them."
Jiang Ziling nodded, his eyes flashing with familiarity and love for the forest, "I know those places well, I understand the environment on the mountain much better than you. I know exactly what grows in each season and where to find it."
Su Yu couldn't help but wonder, "Since the mountain resources are so abundant, why don't the village people come and pick them?"
Jiang Ziling's expression slightly darkened, a hint of sorrow flickering in his eyes, "Ever since I can remember, my grandfather often took my dad up the mountain to hunt, and at that time, many hunters in the village made their living this way. However, Almost every family had lost relatives to wild beasts in the mountains or other unforeseen dangers, and the women in their families, heartbroken, no longer allowed the men to venture into these perilous woods. Thus, the number of hunters gradually decreased until they disappeared. Now only my elder brother and I continue to persist, but we too have not escaped misfortune, each bearing our scars. Since then, this mountain has become taboo in the minds of the villagers, and no one dares to tread lightly."
After listening, Su Yu felt a newfound reverence for the mountain and silently decided that next time she went into the mountains, she would have to make thorough preparations and not be so reckless.
The two walked side by side, and although Jiang Ziling walked a bit slowly, their conversation made the journey feel not as lengthy.
By the time they reached home, it was late at night, and the moonlight poured down on the quiet village, making everything appear peaceful and serene.
Su Yu expected Xixi to already be sleeping soundly, but upon opening the door, she saw the little girl curled up by the stove, her small body appearing especially thin in the firelight.
Her chubby little face was slightly flushed from the heat, her eyelids heavy, clearly forcing herself to stay awake waiting for her father to come home.
Heartachingly, Su Yu set down her basket and quickly approached, asking softly, "Xixi, why aren't you asleep? What are you doing with the fire? Are you hungry?"
Xixi didn't answer, but pointed with her tiny hand to the bubbling hot water in the pot.
Su Yu was guessing that she must be thirsty and wanted some water when Jiang Ziling, who had come beside her, explained understandingly, "She's boiling hot water to wait for me to come home, so I can have hot water to wash away the fatigue and warm my feet."
Hearing this, Su Yu was shocked and found it incredible how thoughtful and considerate this three-year-old girl was.
An even more touching scene followed as Xixi pulled up her sleeve and led her to a wooden barrel in the corner, gently patting the water in it.
Su Yu was initially confused and looked at Jiang Ziling questioningly.
Jiang Ziling leaned down patiently and asked Xixi, "Are you saying, this water is for Aunt Ah Yu to bathe?"
Xixi nodded vigorously and then also made a gesture with her hands clasped together by her ear, which was their family's unique "sleep" sign.
Jiang Ziling smiled and translated, "She's probably trying to say, Aunt Ah Yu must be very tired from climbing, she should take a hot bath and have a good sleep."
Su Yu stood there, her lips slightly parted, momentarily at a loss for words, uncertain how to respond to this sensitivity that surpassed her age.
Earlier, she was surprised by Xixi's sensibility; now, she was deeply moved by this considerate gesture that transcended kinship, even to the point of being speechlessly moved.
Geschenke
-- Geschenk
erhalten Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein