Chapter Seven Down the Mountain in Secret

  When he saw the young man who was sending himself a message, Yu Chengyao had just put down the black book with excitement, but then thought that he was now being imprisoned by his master in this mountain to cultivate.

  Going out for a bit shouldn't be a problem, right? Worst case I'll just take a look and come back! Yu Chengyao's mind started to struggle, he was a little scared, but ultimately his concern for Xiaohai overcame the psychological shadow of being punished.

  "Come on, hurry up!" The young man's voice came again, and he stopped under a big tree not far away. Yu Xingyao could see that he was leaning against the tree, panting heavily at this moment.

  This kid is Qiaozi, also a good buddy of Yu Chengyao. However, he was born with a poor physique and didn't like to exercise, so although he's tall, he's as thin as a rake.

  Yu Xiang put the black book into the house and carefully closed the door before walking towards Qiaozi.

  "How are you?" Yu Chengye came over to Qiaozi and asked after helping him catch his breath.

  "It's all right, I just got out of the hospital and can't jump around yet. In two days, I'll probably be back to normal! At this moment, after the autumnal equinox had passed, the wind in the mountain was strong, blowing on Qiaozi's bare arms outside her short-sleeved shirt, covered with goosebumps."

  Yu Xianyao saw his weak appearance and felt a little pity for this poor guy, hastily nodding: "Let's hurry up and go!"

  Yu Xianyao and Qiao Zixian arrived at Yu's home, where Pan Ling'er had prepared a pot of chicken soup in anticipation of his return. As soon as they entered the house, they were greeted by the aroma of Hong Gu's stewed chicken soup, which filled Yu Xianyao with delight.

  After being a monk on the mountain for so long, my mouth is about to lose its bird-like taste. It's still better at home, with such a gentle sister-in-law taking care of me.

  "The soup isn't ready yet, let's simmer it for another 15 minutes. I'll go pick up Luoluo first!" It was 4:30 pm on a Friday afternoon, and school should have let out early today. At this time, Luoluo must be anxiously watching as the other kids were picked up by their parents one after another.

  In fact, in 2006, rural kindergartens and schools did not require parents to pick up their children. However, some families were very fond of their children and took the initiative to pick them up, which gradually became a trend.

  Pan Ling'er hastily went out, and Yu Chengyao took a look around the house. With his sister-in-law at home, the house was always so tidy and clean. Everything was arranged in an orderly manner, giving off a warm and cozy feeling that couldn't be put into words.

  It's much better than in the mountains, Yu Xiangye pulled over a stool and let Qiaozi rest. He himself went to make some tea, and the two chatted while waiting for Pan Ling'er to return.

  "Has Li Boss's short-lived son come out yet?" Yu Xingyao asked after taking a sip of tea.

  Qiaozi rubbed his head and said, "You went up the mountain for no more than two or three days before you came out, but this time he was suspended for a month. From now on, mining must be done by people from our village, and he is not allowed to hire outsiders."

  "Oh? Will he agree?" Yu Chengyao was somewhat curious, Li Laoban wasn't an easy person to talk to, and this time they had a falling out again, how could such a big thing be compromised.

  "The Ministry of Mines agreed, and even if that short-lived kid disagreed, it wouldn't work!" Qiao Zi chuckled and said: "The Ministry of Mines said that the people in our village are all relatively professional!"

  Yu Xian nodded, this is beyond doubt. Relying on the mountain to eat the mountain and relying on the water to eat the water, the poor countryside can only make a living in this way.

  The mining technology that has been passed down for generations is a profession that must be taken seriously.

  "What about the compensation? What did that short-lived kid say?" Yu Xingyao stared at Qiao Zi, this was what he cared most about. The Xiao Hai family was already short of money, and now something like this had happened.

  The couple is supporting their eldest son who is in high school in the provincial city, and they also have a young daughter in elementary school. At home, there are also two elderly people over 70 years old to take care of.

  As soon as Xiao Hai's incident occurred, their family was on the verge of exploding.

  "Ah, the medical expenses have been paid, but he doesn't acknowledge the subsequent nutrition fees. Even the lawyer that Da Gang Shu invited can't do anything about it, I'm afraid we'll still need to go to court!" Qiao Zi's expression turned anxious when Yu Xiang Yao asked him, his tone of voice became weak and disheartened.

  "Malergou's, short-lived. No need to go to court, I'll let him not give, and I'll go find him!" Yu Chengyao heard this, suddenly his anger flared up, he cursed loudly.

  He slammed his hand on the table and was about to storm out when Qiaozi hastily grabbed hold of him.

  "What's with the huge anger? Lolo is about to be scared by you!" Pan Ling'er's voice came from outside the door, and she had also heard Yu Chengyao's scolding in the room just now.

  "Uncle, you scared me, you owe me!" Lolo was dressed in a colorful outfit today, with two small braids. Her cheeks were rosy and very cute. However, she looked like a little village girl in this outfit, but when she saw Yu Xianyao, she smiled so brightly that it couldn't be described.

  She rushed in from outside the door and pounced into Yu Xingyao's arms. At this moment, Yu Xingyao had a grievance in his heart, but seeing Luo Luo pounce over, he also swallowed it hard. This little girl has been sticky to herself since she was a child!

  "Think things through before you act, or else you'll just be blindly finding trouble. This is a society governed by law, do you think you can just use your fists to get your way?" Pan Ling'er stood at the door and looked at Yu Chengye, then glanced at Qiao Zi beside him.

  Although her words were reproachful, her tone was very gentle and didn't sound like she was scolding. Maybe it's because of Qiaozi being there, in front of outsiders, she always acted this way.

  Yu Xianyao gradually calmed down, nodded and said: "I'll go see Xiao Hai later, ask him in detail and then say. Anyway, Lao Li didn't give us living expenses, I won't let him off!"

  Pan Ling'er helplessly shook her head and walked into the kitchen to bring out the already prepared meal. Seeing this, Qiao Zi hastily got up and was about to leave.

  Pan Ling'er smiled and called out to Qiao Zi: "Qiao Zi, let's just eat at home together. Later, I'll accompany A Yao to go see Xiao Hai."

  Qiao Zi stopped in his tracks, turned around to look at Pan Ling'er, and shook his head awkwardly: "No way, my mom will beat me, I have to go back!"

  Seeing Qiaozi leave, Yu Xingyao furrowed his brow, his mind full of thoughts about Xiao Hai's injury. What if Old Li really doesn't give us the money? Should he really go and catch him to beat him up?

  Thinking of this, he felt a wave of weakness. Pan Ling'er's words were right, now is a society ruled by law. Using fists to speak can get into trouble, and then it would be troublesome for Village Chief Ah Gong again.

  Chicken soup is served, Pan Ling'er pulls Luo Luo who is wrapped around Yu Xiangyao's body and fills her bowl with rice to coax her to eat. Yu Xiangyao looks worried and doesn't know what to do.

  He lost his appetite, so he filled a bowl with chicken soup and also picked up the large drumstick. Holding the bowl of soup, he was about to leave when Pan Ling'er hastily asked: "You haven't even eaten your rice, where are you going?"

  "I'll go visit Uncle Lan and bring a bowl of soup for Xiao Hai on the way." Yu Xingyao turned his head to look at Pan Ling'er.

  "Remember to come back for dinner!" Pan Ling'er didn't stop him again, but instead continued to coax her daughter to eat with a gloomy face.

  Yu Chengyao put on his coat and rushed out of the door with a bowl of chicken soup, heading straight to Xiao Hai's house. It was already six o'clock, and the sky was a bit dark, but it was still vaguely visible.

  Yu Xianyao arrived at Xiao Hai's home, the door was not locked. In the living room, a 30-watt incandescent lamp hung from the ceiling, casting a dim yellow light that made Xiao Hai's home look very dark. Yu Xianyao carried the soup and walked in, at this time they were also having dinner.

  However, at the dinner table, I didn't see Grandma and Grandpa. They must be old and have gone to rest early.

  "Ah Yao, how did you come?" The first person to see Yu Xiangyao was Xiao Hai's father, Uncle Lan. He looked at Yu Xiangyao who walked in the door and asked in surprise.

  "Ah Yao, come sit down!" Xiaohai said enthusiastically as soon as he saw his good buddy arrive.

  "Xiao Hai, how's your body?" Xiao Hai was wearing a hospital gown. Although the light was dim, Yu Xianyao still saw that his face was very pale when he turned his head just now.

  His face was gaunt and haggard, probably from staying in the hospital for so long with nothing nutritious to eat. And still having to hang IVs and get shots, it had tormented him into such a state.

  Yu Xian felt another wave of self-blame in his heart, it was all because he had invited him to go mining. Now that something had happened to the other person, he couldn't escape responsibility either.

  He walked over to Xiaohai, carefully placing the chicken soup in front of him. Then he sat down beside Xiaohai and asked, "What did the doctor say?"

  "It's okay, it's okay. The doctor said that if I take good care of myself for two days, I'll be fine, and then we can go to the mine together." Xiaohai was discharged from the hospital, and he looked like he was in a good mood.

  However, the house seemed to be in a gloomy atmosphere. Uncle Lan and Auntie didn't say another word, they just silently stared at Yu Xianyao. The expressions on their faces were somewhat dull, under the dim light, their complexions were all cloudy, making Yu Xianyao feel that the two people seemed not very happy.

  "Get some rest, this chicken soup was just made by your sister-in-law tonight, red hen chicken soup. Drink it to nourish your body, I'll leave first and come see you again tomorrow!" Seeing the unhappy look on Mr. and Mrs. Lan's faces, Yu Xianyao stood up to leave. From then on, neither Uncle Lan nor Auntie said a word of farewell, and after Yu Xianyao left the stool, they buried their heads in eating.

  The oppressive atmosphere made Yu Xianyao run out of the house like he was escaping, and return home. Luo Luo was sitting in front of the TV watching TV, while Pan Ling'er sat alone at the dinner table eating.

  Raising children is not easy, sometimes you have to admit it. Women are very hardworking, especially single mothers who rely on their own hands to raise their children.

  "Brother..." Seeing Pan Ling'er's lonely figure, Yu Xianyao's already suppressed heart became even more unbearable. He clearly knew what it was like to harm others and himself.

  Just like his brother, he abandoned his sister-in-law and made her live such a hard life.

  Pan Ling'er turned her head and looked at Yu Chengyao, then asked in a low voice: "What did they say?"

  "Uncle Lan and Aunt were both unhappy, so I didn't stay long." Yu Xian walked to the table with a dejected look, where a bowl of rice was already served.

  "Oh!"

  Yu Xingyao didn't have much of an appetite and didn't eat a lot, so he just had some chicken soup poured over his square rice, and after three or two scoops, he finished the bowl of rice.

  "I'm full!" Yu Xingyao stood up, and Pan Ling'er knew he was about to leave, so she said: "Why don't you stay at home?"

  Yu Xianyao paused for a moment, then stopped and thought about it hesitantly before deciding to stay overnight. However, he gloomily entered his own room and fell asleep.

  However, he never expected that this dinner, which was as dull as chewing wax, would also be the last dinner he had with his sister and niece.