Chapter 13: Where Is Grandfather Going?

“Achoo! Achoo!”

While eating her porridge, Mingxi Fang sneezed repeatedly, drawing the attention of everyone at the table.

Baosong Fang anxiously knelt down and wrapped her in a blanket, holding her close. “What’s wrong, Xi Xi? Are you coming down with a cold?”

He looked at the red mark on Mingxi’s forehead, his heart aching with worry.

When they returned from work that evening, they learned that earlier that day, Mingxi had fallen from the bed and had a large bump on her head.

Yaoyao tearfully apologized, admitting she hadn’t been watching Mingxi carefully, which led to the fall. Though the bump had subsided in time, both Lingxian Tong and Baosong Fang felt their hearts tighten.

They didn’t blame Tang Yao; after all, she was already helping to look after Mingxi. Instead, they blamed themselves for not being good grandparents, thinking that if they had been more attentive, this wouldn’t have happened.

First Mingxi caught a cold and fever, then she fell from the bed and bruised her head—all of which were inseparable from their roles as guardians.

Even though Mingxi was fine afterward, the two of them spent the entire night feeling downhearted, unable to enjoy the news that Tang Yao had found some porcini mushrooms on the mountain.

Now, with Mingxi sneezing several times in a row, their hearts jumped again, fearing something might be wrong.

Fortunately, Mingxi just rubbed her nose and didn’t continue sneezing. She wrapped her arms around Baosong Fang’s neck, calling out “Grandpa,” then turned to Lingxian Tong and called “Grandma.”

Hearing those words almost melted their hearts.

Yesterday she was calling “Mommy” and “Daddy,” and today she could say “Grandpa” and “Grandma.” Soon enough, she might even walk.

Once Mingxi could walk, they could bring her to the fields, which would free Tang Yao from the burden and make it easier for them to take care of her.

Mingxi was fine, so everyone at the table resumed eating.

Tonight’s porcini mushrooms were cooked by Old Yu, who added a few wild eggs. Paired with corn porridge, everyone savored the fresh taste.

Because porcini mushrooms are heavy and one meal couldn’t finish them all, Tang Yao gestured for Grandma to distribute the leftovers.

Though they were eating together now, everyone sometimes craved their own special meals. Whether they ate the porcini mushrooms themselves or gave them away was up to each person.

Old Yu and four others were pleasantly surprised; they hadn’t expected this bounty. Feeling embarrassed to take too much without contributing, each only took one porcini mushroom.

The group tacitly agreed not to take any wild eggs, leaving them for the children’s nourishment, especially Mingxi, who was at a crucial stage for growth.

There were sixteen wild eggs in total. After Tang Yao cooked two in the afternoon and scrambled four more in the evening, ten eggs remained.

Tang Yao and Mingxi split them evenly, five eggs each.

Lingxian Tong and Baosong Fang thanked them repeatedly and voluntarily declined the porcini mushrooms, saying they only wanted the eggs.

Though porcini mushrooms are nutritious, eggs are even better. They didn’t mind eating less, but making sure Mingxi wasn’t hungry was paramount.

When they refused the porcini mushrooms, Meixia Wu and Tang Yao disagreed. Tang Yao even declared that if they didn’t want the porcini mushrooms, she wouldn’t take the eggs either; all of it should go to Mingxi as compensation.

Since she and Mingxi had found the food together on the mountain, it was only fair to share equally between the two families. There was no reason to refuse.

With that said, Lingxian Tong and Baosong Fang fell silent, accepting the porcini mushrooms without further objection.

Since Yaoyao insisted, they couldn’t refuse; otherwise, it would seem like they were blaming her for Mingxi’s fall.

Thus, the food sharing ended, and the three returned indoors. Lighting a kerosene lamp, Lingxian Tong gazed at the two porcini mushrooms weighing at least two pounds each, feeling overwhelmed.

Porcini mushrooms taste best fried in oil, and tonight’s meal seemed to lack a bit of flavor. Baosong Fang’s eyes flickered as he looked up at Lingxian Tong.

Years of marriage meant a single glance was enough for Lingxian Tong to understand his intent. She nodded while holding Mingxi and said, “Go ahead. Be careful.”

What were they going to do? Mingxi spat out her pacifier and stretched out her small hand, clutching Baosong Fang’s neck urgently. “Grandpa,” she said, “where are you going? Take me with you. Don’t leave me behind.”

The omen from the jade pendant had frightened her, and at such a critical moment, she didn’t want any family member to get hurt.

Baosong Fang chuckled and gently pulled the little hand from his neck. “Xi Xi, Grandpa has some things to do. You be good and wait at home with Grandma.”

“No, I won’t,” Mingxi clung tighter, even wriggling to climb onto Baosong Fang’s back, holding him tightly without letting go.

“Xi Xi, be good. Let’s listen,” Lingxian Tong coaxed, hugging Mingxi’s waist and pulling her into her arms.

But the more she tried, the tighter Mingxi held on, even burying her head against Baosong Fang’s neck, refusing to look up.

“No, no, don’t pull me off,” she seemed to say.

With no other choice, Baosong Fang held her with one hand while using the other to find a bamboo basket. He placed the leftover chicken mushrooms and the two porcini mushrooms inside.

Then he covered them with straw. Once everything was ready, he wrapped Mingxi in a small blanket and stepped out into the night.

Lingxian Tong saw them off, saying, “Xi Xi, Grandma knows you’re good, but you mustn’t make a sound, understand?”

“Ah!” Mingxi smiled, showing her teeth.

Lingxian Tong turned to Baosong Fang and reminded him, “Baosong, be careful and watch over Xi Xi. This little one usually doesn’t make much noise, but we can’t let our guard down.”

“I know. I’ll be back soon.”

With that, Baosong Fang stepped into the darkness, and the door closed behind him.

Inside, Lingxian Tong immediately blew out the kerosene lamp and stood by the window for a while. Seeing no one following, she stuffed straw into the gaps of the window and doorframe.

...

The night outside was still warm. Mingxi was bundled tightly and soon began sweating profusely.

She panted heavily, tongue sticking out as she looked around.

But Baosong Fang didn’t notice her movements, carrying her steadily forward.

The path was too dark for Mingxi to see where they were going, but from the route, she sensed this wasn’t the mountain.

Strange—Grandpa and Grandma didn’t work here either. So where exactly was Grandpa going?

Her mind filled with questions as she stayed alert, watching the path and wary of danger.

Baosong Fang took a winding trail, stopping and starting, never walking straight. After crossing several small paths and turning multiple corners, they finally arrived at the gate of a small brick courtyard.

Mingxi glanced at the system’s built-in time display: 10 p.m. Most people should be asleep by now.

Who lived here that warranted Grandpa risking danger to deliver food at such a late hour?

Baosong Fang didn’t knock immediately but stood behind cover for a long while, pressing his ear against the wall to listen. Hearing no sound inside, he cautiously raised his hand and knocked.

“Knock, knock.”

The knocks echoed distinctly in the quiet darkness. After two knocks, Baosong Fang stopped and returned behind the cover.

He nervously glanced at Mingxi, whose eyes darted around under the moonlight, obediently silent.

Satisfied, Baosong Fang patiently waited by the wall.

Mingxi wondered if anyone would answer, when suddenly she heard footsteps approaching from the courtyard.