Chapter 2.1: Primitive Village

　　Clank, clank! Clank, clank! Clank, clank, clank!

　　A rickety old tractor trudged along the uneven, mud-laden road, subjecting Su Ling to a jolting ride in the backseat that left his stomach churning. Meanwhile, his four once-pristine suitcases sprawled haphazardly on the vehicle now bore scratches and a thick coat of dust.

　　Sitting at the forefront, the driver adeptly drove the tractor through the rugged terrain. Turning his head, he bellowed, “Stone Creek Village is just up ahead, young one!”

　　The mishmash of Mandarin and dialect, coupled with the boisterous roar of the tractor’s engine, made it a challenging task for Su Ling as he struggled to make out the words. After grasping the gist, he craned his neck to peer ahead.

　　The bumpy dirt road eventually gave way to a spectacular sight — a continuous chain of mountains that stretched into the distance. Nestled at the foot of these majestic peaks, a faint glimpse of a small village could be perceived.

　　Could this be the Stone Creek Village that Second Grandpa called home all through his life?

　　Su Ling had expected the countryside to be remote and backward, but little did he know it would be this secluded and underdeveloped.

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　　Gqvla qkdyzkgkdt vbl kdblakvydnl-alzyvle esnwxldvp yde naleldvkyzp yv vbl zyo qkax kd Ukvu T, Nyoula Hbydt jkdezu sqqlale vs eakhl bkx vs Fuzhyd Ekzzsop Msod.

　　Fw Nkdt’p blyav cakxxle okvb tayvkvwel yp bl oyaxzu kdhkvle Nyoula Hbydt vs ekdl yv y iwykdv alpvywaydv kd vsod. Wszzsokdt vblka xlyz, Nyoula Hbydt lmnwple bkxplzq vs yvvlde vs psxl laaydep, zlyhkdt Fw Nkdt vs qktwal swv bkp oyu vs Fvsdl Uallj Akzzytl.

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　　Lsvknkdt bkp raleknyxldv, vbl alpvywaydv sodla nyxl vs bkp yke yde rskdvle bkx kd vbl aktbv ekalnvksd.

　　“Fvsdl Uallj Akzzytl kp zsnyvle vld jkzsxlvlap qasx vbkp vsod. Ms tlv vblal, usw nyd lkvbla vyjl y cwp sa tayc y vymk vs Lsczl Ekzzso Vyhkzksd. Xdnl yv vbl ryhkzksd, kv’p fwpv y pbsav oyzj vs uswa elpvkdyvksd.”

　　Ekvb tayvkvwel clyxkdt kd bkp lulp, Fw Nkdt oyaxzu lmralpple bkp vbydjp vs vbl alpvywaydv sodla clqsal qzyttkdt esod y vymk yv vbl ldvaydnl. Gqvla zsyekdt bkp qswa pwkvnyplp kdvs vbl oykvkdt hlbknzl, bl kdqsaxle vbl eakhla vbyv bkp elpvkdyvksd oyp Lsczl Ekzzso Vyhkzksd.

　　Odvbayzzle cu vbl pvakjkdt yde qypbksdyczl yrrlyaydnl sq vbl uswdt pvaydtla qasx swv sq vsod, vbl vymk eakhla’p nwakspkvu jdlo ds cswdep yp bl csxcyaele bkx okvb ldezlpp iwlpvksdp yde nbyvvla.

　　Lsv ryavknwzyazu kdnzkdle vs alprsde, Fw Nkdt xykdvykdle y rszkvl pxkzl yde qlktdle ktdsaydnl vs vbl vymk eakhla’p ayrke-qkal Yydeyakd, nywpkdt bkx vs yojoyaezu qyzz pkzldv.

　　When Su Ling arrived at Noble Willow Pavilion and stepped out of the taxi, he was left dumbfounded, his eyes wide with surprise.

　　What did the restaurant owner say again? Something about it being just a short walk to Stone Creek Village?

　　Is he out of his mind?

　　That’s anything but short! It’s an incredibly loooonngg stretch of road!

　　A long, winding road stretched through vast expanses of farmland, vanishing into the horizon with no end in sight. Perhaps it had rained the day before, as the uneven road was now mired in mud, rendering it completely impassable for Su Ling and his four suitcases.

　　In Su Ling’s moment of despair, a ray of hope rolled in on a tractor with a small trailer. Without a second thought, the kind-hearted driver offered Su Ling a lift.

　　Throughout the journey, the incessant clanking of the tractor assailed Su Ling’s ears, creating a ringing sensation. The continuous jostling of the ride left his buttocks numb, devoid of any sensation.

　　At long last, the tractor engine came to a halt beneath the grand canopy of a Chinese banyan tree¹ It looks like this: , right at the village’s entrance. At that moment, the world around Su Ling instantly quieted, enveloped in a peaceful silence!

　　“Welcome, young one, to Stone Creek Village,” boomed Old Liu with a thunderous voice as he stepped down from the tractor.

　　With one hand clutching his stomach and the other clamped firmly over his mouth, the ashen-faced Su Ling cautiously descended.

　　Old Liu reached into his pocket and pulled out a candy before offering it to Su Ling with a warm smile. “It’s normal to feel this way on your first tractor ride. Here, have a candy to calm your nerves.”

　　Gazing at the rough, suntanned hand extended to him, Su Ling accepted the candy feebly. “Thank you.”

　　After peeling off the wrapper, Su Ling popped it into his mouth, where a burst of sourness and sweetness danced on his taste buds. With each swallow, his stomach miraculously settled, and the nausea that had plagued him moments before gradually began to ebb away, leaving him amazed at the unexpected remedy.

　　Now that his energy was restored, he stood upon the cemented ground riddled with cracks. Looking up, his eyes drank in the splendor of Stone Creek Village, each detail vividly etched into his sight.

　　It was a venerable village, steeped in history.

　　The massive banyan tree stood proudly in the heart of an empty field, its verdant canopy stretching proudly overhead. Cascading down like nature’s own chandelier, countless aerial roots danced in the breeze, creating a mesmerizing curtain beneath its branches. Below, the exposed roots snaked across the earth, weaving a labyrinth of intricate patterns like a sleeping dragon. Surrounding this arboreal marvel, various grains, herbs, dried fruits, cotton blankets, clothes, and bedsheets were laid out to bask in the sun.

　　At the end of the empty field, there was a narrow gravel path, scarcely a meter wide. To the left, a river meandered gracefully, while on the right, a medley of houses stood, marrying the charm of the old with the flair of the new. Crafted from red bricks and arranged with haphazard stones, each dwelling exuded its own distinct charm. Some huddled together in cozy clusters, while others dotted amidst vast fields. A few clung to the mountainside with their roofs peeking shyly through the lush canopy of the forest, while others found solace at the foot of these towering giants. 

　　At every turn, one could spot chickens, ducks, and geese scattered all through the area, their presence enlivening the atmosphere. Amongst them, the mongrels merrily chased each other, their tails wagging and tongues lolling with excitement. The wild cats languidly soaked up the sun, while small groups of children gathered in threes and fives squatted on the ground, fully engrossed in their game of marbles. Wisps of cooking smoke gently rose into the air, while lush greenery enveloped the surroundings. Emerald-green seedlings covered the fields, their vibrant foliage swaying gently in the breeze. In the distance, a vast sea of golden-yellow rapeseed flowers painted the landscape with a stunning burst of color. Together, the contrasting shades of green and yellow blended together to create a breathtaking natural canvas that filled the heart with a deep sense of tranquility and joy.

　　He had never known that such a primitive village still existed in the country. If it were not for the mobile phone hanging from Old Liu’s neck, he would have doubted whether there was any Wi-Fi available in this place.

　　“Are you here to visit relatives, or perhaps experience rural life, young one?” Old Liu inquired with genuine interest, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.

　　Su Ling shifted his gaze from the scenic view to the tall and robust middle-aged man before him. He responded with poise and refinement, “I intend to stay here for a while.”

　　Old Liu gaped at him with wide eyes and could not resist giving Su Ling a thorough once-over. This young one had a fair complexion and radiated an undeniable beauty. One look was all it took to determine that he was someone who led a life of privilege and comfort. Hence, Old Liu could not comprehend why someone of such a refined upbringing would choose to settle for the impoverished and underdeveloped countryside?

　　The moment the young people in the village completed their junior high school education, they were eager to spread their wings and fly to the city, determined to never return for the rest of their lives. As such, it was rather baffling to witness this young one going against the grain and making his way to the countryside alone. Could it be that something had gone awry in his mind?

　　The moment he caught an odd glint in Old Liu’s eyes, Su Ling’s cheeks tinted with a faint blush. In an attempt to alleviate the tension, he explained, “My second grandfather was a resident of Stone Creek Village, and I’ve received his inheritance. That’s why I came to pay a visit…”

　　“Oh, an inheritance? Your second grandfather was…” Deep in contemplation, Old Liu tilted his head to the side before a look of sudden comprehension washed over his features. “Second Master Su! You’re Second Master Su’s relative?”

　　Who’s Second Master Su?

　　The name held a prominent place in Stone Creek Village, recognized by all who call it home.

　　Second Master Su, known fondly as Su Lan, possessed a name that exuded a poetic and picturesque quality. He resided in the Su Clan Ancestral House nestled at the foot of Mount Phoenix in the eastern corner of Stone Creek Village until his passing at the age of seventy-five. It was said that the Su Clan Ancestral House held a remarkable five-hundred-year history, passed down through generations and meticulously preserved through the ages. 

　　Six decades ago, Eldest Master Su struck it rich in City S. With their newfound wealth, the family decided to uproot themselves from their rustic origins and move to the bustling city. Yet, Second Master Su staunchly declined, choosing instead to remain in the village and safeguard the ancestral house. After his passing two months ago, he left behind a substantial inheritance, which he had entrusted to a reputable law firm in City H.

　　Throughout his lifetime, Second Master Su remained a bachelor with no offspring to carry on his lineage. Consequently, the inheritance was expected to be passed down to Eldest Master Su’s descendants. Who could have foreseen that the stranger who arrived today would actually turn out to be a descendant of Eldest Master Su?

　　Su Ling’s response came with a nod, affirming Old Liu’s question without a single word.

　　It was only after today’s meeting with Lawyer Zhang that he came to know about Second Grandfather’s life story.

　　For his entire life, Second Grandfather called Stone Creek Village his home, where he dedicated himself to farming for a livelihood. At fifty-five, he used the savings he had accumulated over decades to lease Mount Phoenix for seventy years. Instead of pursuing a life of luxury in the city, he chose to renovate and expand the Su Clan Ancestral House. Two months ago, he was unexpectedly stricken by a brain hemorrhage² Brain hemorrhage refers to the bleeding between the brain tissue and the skull or inside the brain tissue. It is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. . Before slipping into unconsciousness, he called Lawyer Zhang to settle his affairs and funeral proceedings. In the end, he departed this world peacefully.

　　He never married, nor did he have any children of his own. Hence, Su Ling was named the legal heir, a decision likely traced back to a pivotal moment in Su Ling’s childhood when he first visited this very place.