Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Apologize?!
Wang Yao didn’t really accept the apology from He Qisheng. He didn’t say much on the phone.
The next day, He Qisheng came to Nanshan hill unexpectedly. He wanted to apologize to Wang Yao in person.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have disclosed your information to other people,” said He Qisheng.
“Well, what has happened has happened. Never again, though,” said Wang Yao. He was upset at the beginning, but he soon realized that he had nothing to make people keep their promises, not even something in writing.
Keeping a solemn promise was just wishful thinking.
“He is one of my best friends, he’s very reliable. He traveled all over the country for his son’s illness but nothing worked. I feel really sorry for him, so I told him about you,” said He Qisheng.
“Have a cup of tea first.” Wang Yao made He Qisheng a cup of tea and asked him to sit down.
Reliable? Wang Yao thought He Qisheng was reliable, but reality proved him wrong.
“I owe you one,” said He Qisheng. He knew that no more explanations could change the fact that he broke his promise.
No one should break a promise, not even once.
“Can his son travel this far?” asked Wang Yao.
It was too late to turn Zhou Xiong down as He Qisheng was an acquaintance anyway. Wang Yao became a bit soft.
“I think so,” He Qisheng was relieved as he could tell Wang Yao was reconsidering. He was really worried about how this would spoil their relationship. But Zhou Xiong offered assistance during his most difficult time, so he had to do whatever he could to save Zhou Xiong’s son.
“Okay, tell him I will take a look at his son,” said Wang Yao.
“Thank you so much! When can he come to visit you?” asked He Qisheng.
“Depending on when he is available. Just let me know before he comes,” said Wang Yao.
“Sure. I really appreciate your help!” He Qisheng was thrilled.
“No problem,” said Wang Yao.
He Qisheng was really happy that Wang Yao agreed to see his friend’s son.
I’m not sure what kind of illness Zhou Xiong’s son has, Wang Yao looked at his herbal field and thought. I need to get prepared.
Wang Yao received a phone call from Li, the manager of the herbal store in town, telling him the herbs he requested have all arrived. So Wang Yao decided to go to town in the afternoon.
There was nothing fishy this time. The herbs had no problems in years and the quality met Wang Yao’s expectation. Wang Yao didn’t hesitate to pay the rest of the money. After all, Wang Yao would have to deal with Li a lot in the future. Li, on the other hand, was smart enough to know that Wang Yao was an important client.
“Thank you. I’ll keep in touch,” said Wang Yao.
“Not a problem! Just give me a call if you need anything in the future. You don’t have to come here in person,” smiled Li.
“Okay,” said Wang Yao.
Wang Yao drove home straight away after he left the herbal store.
It was gloomy the next day.
Wang Yao looked up at the sky and thought that the sun probably wouldn’t come out. He got all the herbs ready for brewing decoctions and picked up some dry firewood from the hill.
On the 15th day of the Chinese New Year, it was the Lantern Festival.
Fireworks were everywhere, the star bridge and the iron lock were open, the lights on the trees were shining, and the moon was chasing after people.
Wang Yao didn’t spend the night on the hill and his sister also came home for the Lantern Festival. Wang Ru was unusually quiet this time—she looked like she had something on her mind.
“What happened, Ru? Are you sick?” Zhang Xiuying was a bit concerned.
“I’m fine,” said Wang Ru with a smile.
“Really? You are so quiet today. Don’t keep things to yourself,” said Zhang Xiuying.
“I’m really fine!” said Wang Ru.
An unusually quiet Wang Ru also made Wang Yao uncomfortable.
The sky was very clear at night. The moon was like a big round cake in the evening of the Lantern Festival.
“Sis, are you okay? Do you want me to take a look at you?” said Wang Yao after dinner.
“I’m okay! Stop it!” said Wang Ru.
“I know!” Wang Yao suddenly smiled and his eyes lit up.
“What’s wrong with you?” said Wang Ru.
“Sis, are you in love?” joked Wang Yao.
“Nonsense! Go away!” Wang Ru scowled at Wang Yao. Now she seemed to have returned to her true self.
“Now I have my sister back!” laughed Wang Yao.
“Go away, stop bothering me!” said Wang Ru.
Woof! Woof! Woof! Suddenly Wang Yao heard dogs barking outside—not just one dog, but a lot of dogs.
What is going on? Wang Yao looked out of the window.
Ah! Suddenly he heard someone screaming. Then another scream.
“What’s going on? I’m going to take a look outside,” said Wang Fenghua. He put his jacket on and walked out of the house with a torch.
“Dad, I’ll go with you.” Wang Yao stood up and walked ahead of his father.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw a shadow pass by very quickly. It looked like a dog, but much bigger than an average dog.
“What is it?” asked Wang Fenghua in surprise.
“It’s a dog—probably a Tibetan mastiff,” said Wang Yao. His eyesight was extraordinary now, so he could see things clearly even in the dark. He caught a glimpse of the dog and smelled blood.
“What’s going on? I don’t recall anyone in the village having a Tibetan Mastiff as a pet,” said Wang Fenghua.
A lot of villagers kept dogs in their houses as guards but they normally had local dogs. It was very rare for someone in the village to keep a fierce dog like a Tibetan Mastiff. They had a high awareness of their territory and often attacked humans. In addition, most villagers couldn’t afford to keep a Tibetan Mastiff due to its huge appetite.
