Lin Feng, already injured and disoriented from the teleportation, felt utterly unwell.
Glancing around at the narrow, winding path and the surrounding mountains, Lin Feng had no choice but to lie down by the roadside and wait for his strength to recover.
He had to admit, the environment here was pleasant, with a comfortable temperature and remarkably fresh air.
Lying there felt so much better.
As he drifted in and out of consciousness, Lin Feng heard footsteps. His heart tightened. Could someone really appear so quickly in a place like this?
"Hey! Are you okay?"
A voice called out, sounding gentle despite the exclamation.
Lin Feng opened his eyes and tilted his head slightly. It was a young girl.
She wore a simple coarse cloth short shirt, had two braided pigtails, and a large basket slung over her back. Her large eyes were clear and limpid, making her appear utterly innocent and harmless.
Perhaps sensing Lin Feng's delayed response, Guan Tongtong slowly approached him, crouched down, and nudged him with a hand.
"Are you alright?"
"Where is this place?"
Lin Feng opened his eyes, feigning confusion, and silently praised his acting skills.
"This is Laojun Peak."
Laojun Peak?
Lin Feng was certain he had never heard of this place and felt a jolt of surprise.
"What's the nearest town?"
"It's Ningshan Junfu."
Never heard of it. Lin Feng was absolutely sure there was no such place in Longguo. So, where was he now?
Had he gone abroad?
But wouldn't that mean everyone spoke Longguo language across the entire world?
"I encountered a wild beast on the mountain and got injured while running. I can't get home now, can you help me?"
His eyes darting around, Lin Feng put on a pitiful act.
"This..."
Guan Tongtong bit her lip. This older brother before her was injured and couldn't go home; he was so pitiful.
Could she perhaps take him home?
Would Grandpa agree?
Guan Tongtong was extremely conflicted. However, her grandfather was so kind, he would probably agree.
And so, Lin Feng was taken home by Guan Tongtong.
The sun began to set.
"Grandpa, Grandpa!"
As they neared home, Guan Tongtong started shouting loudly. Lin Feng also began to survey the surroundings.
It was a small farmhouse, typical of the 80s and 90s, with a mud house and a fence, chickens, ducks, and geese. In the yard, there was a well, and various farming tools were stored in a shed.
Lin Feng hadn't seen such a rustic and life-filled farmyard in a long time.
"Coming, coming! Why are you shouting so much? You don't have any manners of a young lady."
An elder with white hair emerged from the house, grabbed Guan Tongtong, and then turned his attention to Lin Feng.
"Who are you?"
His movements were fluid and practiced. Lin Feng was truly taken aback by such vigilance. However, he was currently at a loss for answers and decided it was best to pretend he had amnesia.
With that thought, Lin Feng appeared even more frail.
"Esteemed elder, I encountered a wild beast on the mountain and, in my haste, got lost and heavily injured. My memory has also been affected. Fortunately, I met the young benefactor..."
Lin Feng spun a fabricated tale, and eventually, the elder invited him into the house.
Lin Feng was bewildered at how easily he had passed the initial encounter. Was it possible his face held such a deceptive charm?
"Brother Lin, it's time to eat."
"Coming right up."
Guan Tongtong, holding a bowl, moved to serve Lin Feng. Lin Feng felt the elder's gaze burning into him.
"I can do it myself," Lin Feng quickly reached out.
"Brother Lin, you're injured, let me serve you!"
Guan Tongtong smiled and refused. Lin Feng inwardly wailed, fearing he would be kicked out by her grandfather!
After a meal eaten in trepidation, Guan Tongtong returned with a quilt.
"Brother Lin, where do you want to sleep? I'll make your bed."
That scorching gaze returned. Lin Feng felt a chill down his spine. He had no idea why Guan Tongtong was acting this way, and he certainly hadn't harbored any intentions toward her!
"I can do it myself."
"Oh..."
Guan Tongtong's voice sounded displeased. The gaze that had disappeared after his refusal to let her make his bed reappeared.
Lin Feng's composure was starting to crumble. He quickly spread out the quilt himself.
"Brother Lin, will you wash your feet later? Shall I fetch some water for you?"
Lin Feng felt the gaze behind him intensify. Looking at Guan Tongtong's pure, large eyes, Lin Feng couldn't bring himself to speak harshly.
"I can do it myself. You can go rest now."
"You'll do it yourself? Do you even know where everything is kept? Let me do it!"
"No, no, I'm perfectly capable of doing it myself."
Lin Feng refused all assistance, silently praying, "Oh, little ancestor, please cease your charms!
I'm afraid of your grandfather!
He's practically ready to kill me!"
Lin Feng quickly tidied himself up and lay down to rest. Surely, she wouldn't come to talk to him while he was trying to sleep.
Outside, the elder looked at Guan Tongtong with doting affection.
"Mischievous."
"I'm not mischievous! Look at all the chores I do every day, how good am I!"
Guan Tongtong hugged her grandfather's arm and pouted charmingly.
"Alright, alright, stop shaking. If you keep shaking, my old bones will fall apart."
The elder shook his head in exasperation.
"You were reckless this time, bringing just anyone home. What if they were a bad person?"
"But you're here, Grandpa. As long as you're here, I'm not afraid of anything."
"You!"
The elder tapped Guan Tongtong's forehead with his finger.
"Hurry and rest. Tomorrow will be busy again."
The next day,
Lin Feng woke up for the first time to the sounds of roosters crowing and dogs barking.
The calls of these farm animals were indeed excellent alarm clocks, albeit a bit early.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
After breakfast, Lin Feng breathed a sigh of relief. Guan Tongtong hadn't been overly attentive today, and he felt much more relaxed.
"I need to go down the mountain to buy rice today. Brother Lin, do you want to come?"
Guan Tongtong tilted her head.
Lin Feng felt as if a heavenly blessing had descended.
Excellent. Finally, he would have the chance to go out and gather information.
Upon entering the market, Lin Feng felt the vibrant energy of the bustling crowd.
There were many things, many goods, and even more people.
"Brother Lin!"
He heard Guan Tongtong's voice, filled with fear and panic.
Lin Feng abandoned all thought of gathering information and rushed directly towards Guan Tongtong.