A handsome and extraordinary young man arrived in Bozi Village, accompanied by a benevolent old monk who resembled a Buddha statue from a temple.
They waited by the entrance of Xiao Shan's home, and passing villagers would stop to inquire.
Upon learning they were Xiao Shan's friends, they would warmly invite them to wait at their own homes.
This demonstrated just how well-liked he was in the village.
It was hard to imagine that the aloof, cold-faced demon, who kept people at a distance, was more popular in the village than in the imperial court.
The fruits on the persimmon trees were as bright red as little lanterns, exuding a festive air.
The young man tilted his head, gazing at the sky through the persimmon branches.
They had lived a quiet life here for half a year.
A mere half-year, yet it had changed everything, a half-year of unbearable pain for him.
But for her, it was the most precious half-year in her memory.
When Xiao Shan returned, he carried two struggling fish.
He had already heard from the villagers on the way, and seeing the two people at his doorstep, he was not surprised.
Song Beiting and Kong Ji.
Or perhaps, Chen Beiting.
Indeed, he was as handsome as a jade tree, catching the eye. Compared to before, he had shed some of his sharpness, his gaze was more open and bright. Standing with Kong Ji, he looked like an otherworldly being, unburdened by the mundane world.
"Amitabha, Donor Xiao's countenance has become much more peaceful," Kong Ji greeted him first.
"You know that? Who have you met before?" Xiao Shan snorted, taking out his key to open the door.
Once inside, he first tossed the fish into the large water vat. Seven or eight plump fish were already in there. When Xue Niang returned, he would cook them for her.
Chen Beiting and Kong Ji followed him in, surveying the small farmhouse yard.
The water vat, the woodpile, the doghouse, the chicken coop, the swing set – everywhere was filled with the breath of life.
It was enviable.
However, the mistress of the house was missing.
"Where is she?" Chen Beiting asked.
Although he had heard some vague words from Master Kong Ji, knowing that Ling Yao had likely encountered some trouble, observing Xiao Shan's demeanor, though more subdued than before, he was not utterly despairing.
He felt a slight sense of relief.
Xiao Shan had initially intended to ignore them, but then he remembered Xue Niang's lingering guilt towards this person, and that there was some connection between them. He decided to let it go.
After all, things had settled down now. All that had happened before was like past events. Why dwell on it?
He was a magnanimous person.
"She's injured and recuperating elsewhere."
"Is she with the Lord of the Golden Lotus?" Kong Ji inquired.
So they were here for the Golden Lotus. These people were always scheming for others' belongings, hoping to elevate someone to godhood?
Dream on!
They wouldn't be afraid of overstuffing themselves.
Seeing Xiao Shan's displeased expression, Kong Ji chanted another Buddhist phrase, "Donor Xiao, please do not misunderstand. It is just that the light of the Golden Lotus carried by the Lord of the Golden Lotus is not entirely pure, and it may be tainted with defilement. This old monk wishes to help purify it, for the sake of the common people."
"If their own possessions are dirty and smelly, they are still theirs. Do they need your help? You do your work of saving all sentient beings, but others don't want to! My humble abode is small, Master. You should leave, lest you burst this small courtyard. It was just built!"
"Alas, General Xiao has been influenced by the divine maiden's spiritual power for so long, why are you still so violent? The Golden Lotus is born of merit. The person who carries it is naturally a living Buddha descended to save all sentient beings and relieve the suffering of the masses..."
"I say he is not! He came to save the divine maiden, and the divine maiden was drained dry by you lot who are full of talk about saving all beings! Do you think you did me a favor by altering my fate? Ridiculous. Don't you people value cause and effect and reincarnation? Isn't that a way to atone for past sins?"
Kong Ji was speechless.
The cause of the past, the effect of the future.
He was right about this matter. As a couple, he was indeed repaying the sins he committed in his previous life.
"This old monk will go for a walk." Kong Ji withdrew from the courtyard.
Xiao Shan grunted again, "He won't find her even if he goes out."
"I thought the General was cultivating himself here and his temper had worn off, but it seems to be just a facade," Chen Beiting said with a hint of teasing.
He wasn't Guanyin Bodhisattva, the savior of the suffering, so why cultivate himself or his temper? Xue Niang wasn't saved by this fellow, so why expect him to have reverence? What a joke! If he angered him, he could tear down any temple and chop down any enlightened monk!
"What are you doing here again?" Xiao Shan asked, glaring at him coldly.
Still hanging around with that old monk?
Trying to become a Buddha?
Chen Beiting met his gaze steadily and replied, "I wanted to see my sister's living quarters. Is that allowed? I just happened to meet Master Kong Ji on the road, and we traveled together. I learned a great deal, and much of the fog in my heart has dissipated."
Xiao Shan said nothing more. He entered the house, poured a glass of plain water, and placed it in front of Chen Beiting, who had followed him in. "I'm a rough man, I don't like tea."
Chen Beiting was appraising the furnishings of the house.
He too had memories of living in a farmhouse. However, this courtyard was truly remarkable, with everything inside no different from the city, and all of the best quality.
Was it because he was afraid Ling Yao wouldn't be accustomed to it?
Xiao Shan offered no explanation, letting him examine everything before sitting down in the opposite chair.
"Xiao Shan, I have something to tell you today."
Chen Beiting held his teacup, a wry smile on his face. "I always thought you looked familiar, but who would have thought we'd actually have a connection."
Xiao Shan didn't even twitch an eyebrow, likely guessing what he was about to say.
"You returned to Baiyang Village, and you must have found out that I am Chen Dali's son, right?" Chen Beiting had also gone after Xiao Shan left, so this was not a question but a statement of fact.
"Before I left the capital, my adoptive mother passed away. Before she died, she finally told me my origins. Back then, my birth mother was deceived by the Left Prime Minister and came to the capital, only to have her abdomen cut open to take the child. She died tragically. Your father was acquainted with the Left Prime Minister at the time, and was indirectly responsible for my birth mother being deceived."
"Later, your father kept inquiring about my birth mother's whereabouts. It wasn't until I was six years old that he found my home. I remember him; he looked like you, tall and strong. As soon as he arrived, he wanted to take me away, which scared me into crying loudly, attracting the guards. He shouted at me: 'You cannot recognize a thief as your father!'"
"He was dragged out by the guards. I'm sorry, I was so scared that I fell ill, and I forgot most of this memory. Your father, in a way, died by my hand."
Xiao Shan had long considered his father's fate. Upon hearing this, he merely nodded, a sigh of "So that's how it is" escaping him.
"It's alright, I also killed your father. We're even."
If the two of them had grown up smoothly in Baiyang Village, wouldn't his past rival have become a good brother?
The thought made him feel uneasy all over. It was better that they were separated.
Chen Beiting was somewhat speechless at his nonchalance.
It sounded as if they had a father-killing vendetta, as if they were sworn enemies. However, since Chen Beiting had never met his biological father, there wasn't a deep emotional bond. Xiao Shan also had a pragmatic nature, accepting that what was past was past. Since his father's affairs were concluded, there was no longer any animosity.
Therefore, they could still sit together peacefully.
But he was definitely not welcome.
Just then, the courtyard gate was knocked upon.
"Brother Xiao, Brother Xiao, the New Year is approaching, and the village is making rice cakes. Zhuzi asked you to pour the first ladle of rice!"
It sounded like Xiao Si'er's voice, boisterous and loud.
Xiao Shan stood up. "Is everything alright? If not, you should leave quickly!"
Chen Beiting: "...... Ling Yao, when will she......"
He hadn't even seen her yet, and he was being asked to leave. He still had many questions. Who was the little girl he brought from Baiyang Village? He hadn't even asked about that.
"She'll return when she's ready. You'd better not come here. When she sees you, she always feels indebted to you."
"......"
Was it necessary to so blatantly remind him that Ling Yao only felt indebted to him?
He had already said she was like a sister from now on!
Besides, what did Ling Yao owe him? If anyone owed anything, it was the royal family!