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Chapter 27: Simple Folkways and Bedtime Stories
When Lu Qing returned to the village with Xiao Yan, he found villagers gathered under the old tree in the center of the village, chatting and laughing.
A warm wave of smiles greeted them.
"Ah Qing and Xiao Yan are back!" a villager chuckled.
"Yeah, just came from Chen Ye Ye’s place," Lu Qing replied, nodding. A hint of curiosity crept into his voice. "What’s going on? Why are everyone gathered here? Did something happen?"
"No, no!" the villagers shook their heads in unison.
"Ah Qing, you’re learning under Chen Laodaifu—make sure you study hard, okay?" an elder said with a kind smile.
"That’s right! If you ever run into trouble, just speak up. We’re all from the same village—we’re family. No need to be so formal."
"Chen Laodaifu’s teaching you medical skills—this is a rare chance. Don’t let it slip away!"
Others chimed in, their voices filled with genuine concern and encouragement.
Watching their faces—so open, so warm—Lu Qing felt a strange sense of daze.
He recalled the words the old doctor had spoken before he left the mountain.
"Lu Qing, do you know why I chose to settle in your village, among all the others nearby?"
"I don’t know, Chen Ye Ye."
"Because I love the simplicity of your people’s way of life."
"I’ve traveled far and wide, lived in countless villages—hundreds, if not more. Some wealthy, some poor. Some kind, some cold and distant. But your village… it’s rare. Truly rare."
"Unity, mutual support, neighborly kindness. Even when there are minor quarrels, they never turn into lasting hatred. When one family is in need, everyone pitches in without hesitation."
"Even after a lifetime of wandering, I’ve never seen such harmony. When I first arrived here, it was this very spirit—the quiet kindness, the honest warmth—that drew me in. I knew I wanted to stay."
Lu Qing had listened, thoughtful and quiet.
Indeed, he could feel it too—the gentle, unpretentious nature of the people here.
Had he been born into one of those harsher villages the old man had described, he and Xiao Yan would’ve been met with cold stares, suspicion, maybe even cruelty.
But here? They were welcomed. They were safe. They had a home.
"Chen Ye Ye," he had asked then, "you said the outside villages are different from ours. How so?"
"Vastly different. Even if other villages are peaceful, none have this same spirit of genuine care for one another."
"Why is that? Why are we so different?"
"I’m not sure," the old man had said. "Maybe one day, you should ask the elders. They might know."
Now, standing amidst the villagers’ warm gazes, Lu Qing smiled softly and gave a firm nod.
"放心吧, everyone. I’ll study hard under Chen Laodaifu. I won’t waste this chance."
With that, he took Xiao Yan’s hand and walked home, his heart light.
He felt a quiet gratitude.
He was glad he’d been reborn into this village.
Had he come to one of those places the old man warned about—where distrust and cruelty ran deep—he’d have been drowning in trouble from day one.
But here? Life was hard, yes—but it was honest. And free of constant strife.
And as he grew more familiar with this world, he was certain—things would only get better.
Back home, Lu Qing let Xiao Yan play while he pulled out the Hundred Herbs Scripture.
Now that he knew the true value of the Red Moon Carp, the urgency to earn money had eased.
Once Chen Laodaifu sold it, he’d have a solid sum of silver—enough to support them for a while.
Right now, what mattered most was passing the old doctor’s test.
Only then could he officially begin his training.
And so, even though his Abilities had already etched every page into his memory, Lu Qing kept reading—carefully, deeply, with unwavering focus.
Time slipped by as he immersed himself in the text.
A few villagers came by, curious about fishing—after all, the two large fish he’d caught yesterday had left quite an impression.
But when they saw him reading quietly in the yard, they hesitated, then quietly stepped back, not wanting to disturb him.
Dinner was the same as before—fish, and a handful of wild greens boiled fresh from the garden.
Afterward, night fell. Lu Qing read a little longer, then, as darkness settled completely, he closed the book.
They couldn’t afford oil lamps, so once it was dark, there was no point in reading.
But the day’s study had deepened his understanding.
Only a few obscure terms still puzzled him—but the rest was clear.
After all, the Hundred Herbs Scripture was just a guidebook—introductory, factual, not a treatise on medical theory.
With his Abilities aiding him, reading it was almost effortless.
He was confident—he could pass any test Chen Laodaifu threw at him, right now.
After tucking the book away, Lu Qing turned to tucking Xiao Yan into bed.
In this world, nights were different from the one he’d known before.
No late-night parties, no neon-lit streets.
Here, by ten o’clock, it was already considered late.
Most people went to sleep by eight or nine, right after dark.
"Brother," Xiao Yan murmured from her small bed, covered by a thin blanket. Moonlight spilled through the window, catching her wide, bright eyes. "I’m not sleepy yet."
"Sweetheart, you should sleep early. We’ve got to go to Chen Ye Ye’s tomorrow." Lu Qing coaxed gently.
"But I can’t sleep!" she pouted.
"Then what should we do?" Lu Qing blinked, a little flustered.
"Tell me a story, brother!" she insisted. "I want to hear the monkey king story again!"
"Alright," he sighed, half-laughing. "Where did we leave off?"
He regretted it a little.
The past two nights, Xiao Yan had woken up screaming in the middle of the night, crying uncontrollably.
He’d tried everything—rocking, singing, whispering—nothing worked.
Until he started telling her stories.
And she’d been hooked.
"Last time," Xiao Yan said, remembering clearly, "the little monkey wanted to be king!"
"Right," Lu Qing nodded. "So, one day, the monkey tribe was playing in a mountain stream when—accidentally—they discovered a waterfall cave..."
Yes, it was the story of the Great Sage, the Monkey King.
But Lu Qing hadn’t read the original in detail in his past life.
He barely remembered the full plot.
Still, he wove the tale from fragments in his mind—adding drama, exaggerating the wonder, shaping it for a child’s ears.
And it worked.
The story held Xiao Yan’s attention completely.
Even with the gaps, the omissions, the rough edges—she was utterly enchanted.
But children tire fast.
And with the calming effect of the Green Armor Fish Stone, her eyelids grew heavy.
Before the little monkey could finally claim his throne, her head dipped, and she was fast asleep.
Lu Qing gently pulled the blanket up to her chin, then turned to head back to his own bed.
Suddenly—
A sound came from outside.
(End of Chapter)
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