Chapter 6: Don't Be Afraid, Little Sister—Your Brother Is Here

“Brother, you’re amazing! Last night, the Invisible Calabash Kid really made those two monsters look so silly!” Early the next morning, Yang Xueling blocked Yang Tian at the door as he returned from his run, her face beaming with joy.

“Really? I was just making a wild guess.” Yang Tian’s heart warmed. Last night, he had pretended to be tired, claiming he wouldn’t watch the news, then hid away in his room with a book so Yang Xueling could watch “Calabash Brothers.” All along, he’d monopolized the television for the news, staying up-to-date with current events, not sparing a thought for his little sister’s feelings. Clearly, he needed to change, to be more considerate of this adorable sibling.

“Even your wild guesses are right! My brother is awesome! Brother, today’s cloudy, the fish will come to the surface. Let’s go to White Wave River and catch some fish!” Yang Xueling grabbed his hand and started running toward the river.

“Dad said there are grass snakes in White Wave River, especially on cloudy days like this. We’d better not go.” Yang Tian was a bit startled. Cloudy weather did mean fish would be swimming near the surface, but it was also when grass snakes came out to hunt.

Grass snakes, also called earth snakes, are scientifically known as pit vipers—a small venomous snake. In the countryside, where medical care was still rudimentary, a bite could easily be fatal.

“Don’t be scared, I’ll protect you! Today’s the last day of summer vacation. If we don’t play now, we won’t get another chance!” Yang Xueling was hopping with excitement. She wasn’t just being playful; she simply wanted to spend time with her brother.

“All right, wait for me a moment.” After a moment’s thought, Yang Tian decided to go with her. Before his rebirth, he’d often see the disappointment in her eyes when he refused. Now that he had a second chance, he wouldn’t deny her anything.

Catching fish was simple enough; he’d let her have her fill of fun. He might not have a way to deal with grass snakes, but he had a more exciting method for fishing.

“Brother, what are you doing?” Seeing Yang Tian run back, Yang Xueling asked in surprise.

“You need tools to catch fish! Using your hands is too slow and exhausting.” Yang Tian laughed, then dashed into his room.

“Oh, I’ll go get the fishing net!” Yang Xueling’s enthusiasm surged, and she raced home for the net.

“Brother, what’s that?” Yang Xueling asked, smiling with curiosity as Yang Tian emerged from his room with a small bag.

“You’ll see soon. Hurry up, or Mom and Dad will spot us, and you’ll miss the surprise!” Yang Tian pulled her toward White Wave River. Their parents had gone to work in the fields, so they’d have plenty of time to enjoy themselves by the river.

“Surprise?!” She was puzzled for a moment, but quickly followed her brother, delighted.

The sky was overcast with a southeast wind. The water of White Wave River surged northwest, waves rolling, the air stifling. Wild fish swam against the current, surfaced for breath, then sank back below.

Locals believed that the best time to catch fish was after the rain. But it had been gloomy for days, and there was still no sign of rainfall. By the time it finally rained, school would have already started. So Yang Tian decided to fulfill his sister’s wish to fish before summer ended.

“Watch your step, be careful of grass snakes,” Yang Tian whispered, keeping an eye on the fish in the water.

“Okay, look, brother! That fish is huge! I wish we could catch it!” At seven, Yang Xueling paid little heed to danger. She was simply overjoyed her brother was playing with her.

“All right, that’s the one. I’ll catch it for you!” Yang Tian surveyed the river, found a suitable spot, then opened his bag and pulled out a homemade bottle bomb crafted from leftover New Year’s firecrackers.

The bottle was an old pesticide container, filled with firecracker powder, sealed with a peach-wood plug, a fuse sticking out, corked with tung oil, and the fuse wrapped in kerosene-soaked cotton.

When Yang Tian took out his makeshift bomb, Yang Xueling stared, bewildered by what he was doing.

Yang Tian lit the fuse, tossed the bottle at the right moment, then dragged his sister into the reeds, covering her ears with his hands.

With a thunderous boom, most of the fish near the river’s source were blown onto the bank. Only then did Yang Xueling realize her brother had thrown a bomb.

Seeing so many fish flopping on the shore, her face was a mix of delight and fright—the explosion had been loud enough to leave her dumbstruck.

“Don’t just stare—hurry and pick them up!” Yang Tian called, quickly gathering the fish before they could leap back into the water.

Though the crude bomb’s power was limited, the noise was enough to startle wild cranes from the reeds and send fish leaping downstream.

“Oh!” For a moment, Yang Xueling was stunned, but soon she was giggling with glee at the basketful of fish. All she wanted was to play with her brother; fishing was just an excuse. She’d never expected Yang Tian would actually catch so many.

Wild fish were common fare in the countryside, but mostly in late spring or early autumn. Few bothered to fish in summer, so to see so many at once made this little glutton overjoyed.

As the siblings gathered their catch, the overcast sky finally broke, and rain began to fall.

Yang Tian quickly grabbed his sister’s hand to leave. He knew the explosion would draw villagers’ attention, but with thunder rolling in, he had the perfect excuse—it was just the storm.

“Don’t tell Mom and Dad about the bomb, all right? I don’t want them to worry. This will be our secret, okay?” Yang Tian whispered as they ran through the reeds. Even as a child, Yang Xueling was tight-lipped; if he told her this, she’d never betray him.

“I know! But if you ever do it again, you have to take me with you!” Yang Xueling laughed sweetly, a hint of awe in her eyes—it wasn’t quite worship, but she did feel safe with him.

“Of course. From now on, whatever I do, you’ll be with me!” Yang Tian replied sincerely. He meant every word. With this second chance at life, he knew well: this was his only sister. Even if they didn’t share the same parents, what difference did it make? He’d protect her and make her happy.

“Great! You have to keep your promise!” she cheered. Yang Tian rarely played with her; seeing other children with their brothers, she had always longed for him to stand in front of her, shielding her from the world, so she could strut proudly behind. A child’s dreams are that simple.

“Yes, I promise!” He didn’t answer aloud, but in his heart, his resolve was unshakable.

“Ah, brother—grass snake!” Suddenly, Yang Xueling stopped in her tracks with a startled cry.

Yang Tian’s heart leapt—the thing he’d most feared had happened. He turned to see a grass snake, coiled like a spring, blocking her path, its head raised, tongue flickering, venom glistening, ready to strike at her slightest move.

This one was especially large, over a meter long—a rare size for such snakes, no doubt startled from its hiding place in the reeds by the earlier explosion.

“Don’t be afraid, I’m here!” Yang Tian, cold sweat breaking out, called softly, keeping his voice steady.