Mo Li looked around the room and the events from yesterday came like a tidal wave. Where’s Quan Yu? He’s not in the room! Mo Li was overwhelmed by a bad premonition. She cursed him internally. That damned bastard! I’ve spent so much effort to save him and he got caught just like that?
Mo Li climbed out from bed. She was surprised by how sore her arms were. She lamented the delicate state of her transmigrated body. A heart resuscitation and she couldn’t raise her arms anymore. When I go home, I need to focus more on core training. Perhaps some weight lifting too.
Just as Mo Li considered going out to look for Quan Yu, the door creaked open. She turned and saw the half-naked Quan Yu walk in. He looked vigorous. He half-squatted beside the bed and placed down the tray of food. Even though his arms were slender, his body was wiry and tight. He didn’t look as sickly as last night.
Mo Li saw this and thought. Is he some kind of animal? What kind of regenerative power is this?
“You’re finally awake?” Quan Yu greeted Mo Li who was getting out from bed. He smiled. “Have some breakfast first. Elder Zhang’s porridge is an ambrosia.”
“Ha ha. Kid, you’re right about that. I cooked this porridge with natural spring water and home-made sesame oil.” Elder Zhang said as he walked in.
“Grandpa, good morning… But I have to ask… Yesterday night, why did you help us? You didn’t know anything about us. Weren’t you afraid that the bad guys might harm you? It was so dangerous but you were willing to help us. This…” Mo Li accepted the porridge from Quan Yu but she turned to Elder Zhang. She voiced the question in Quan Yu’s mind. Since Ah Si was not around, he couldn’t have people go and look into the old man’s background.
When Quan Yu woke up in the middle of the night, he saw the tired Mo Li slump beside the bed. After he carried her into bed, he started to ponder about this question. As kind as the old man might be, he wouldn’t be risking his lives for 2 strangers for no reason.
Elder Zhang nodded with a smile. He patted Mo Li’s hand kindly. “There’s really no reason. At my age, you can see through people’s hearts at first glance. Furthermore, do you really think I’ve lived in the mountains all my life? Ha ha. I retired here.
“From their faces, I knew those bandits were up to no good. They were clearly trying to harm you two. Plus, girl, you’re the same age as my granddaughter, Ling Er. Like her, you’re just a student at Pearl River, how bad can you be?
“Plus… Look at the two of you. It’s clearly you’re from good families. You’re so polite that you were concerned about ruining this old house of mine. I knew you wouldn’t have the heart to scheme against an old man like myself.”
Mo Li smiled looking at the kind Elder Zhang. He reminded her of her own grandfather. Even though Elder Mo could be quite serious, he did care about his granddaughter.
“Do what you want unto others. I hope that my Ling Er will be able to encounter similar kindness when she faces difficulties out there on her own. The girl has quite a temper I tell you!” The old man chuckled. His eyes curved into a crescent moon when he mentioned his granddaughter.
Mo Li smiled and pulled on Elder Zhang’s hand. “Grandpa, thank you. If it wasn’t for you, we would have…”
“Silly girl, there’s no need for thanks. Plus, you’re going to make this old man cry. Come, let’s eat. This porridge will go cold otherwise. Also, I pickled these vegetables myself, you have to try them.”
Quan Yu sat down and used his hands to pick up a piece of wild pepper. He took a big bite and he praised with exaggerated tone, “Wonderful! It’s spicy and fragrant. Elder Zhang, you’re such a good chef!”
Mo Li knew Quan Yu was trying to ease the mood so she cooperated and complimented Elder Zhang as well. Elder Zhang was tickled happy by the two of them. For an old man living alone, this was quite a relaxing moment for him.
Soon they finished the breakfast and they had to leave.
The small village didn’t have visitors often. Elder Zhang was unwilling to let them go, but he didn’t hold them back. Instead he gifted them some homegrown vegetables and pointed them down the mountains.
