Chapter 47: The Wild Man on the Mountain

Chapter 47: Chapter 47: The Wild Man on the Mountain

"I’m really sorry, in-laws, for letting you see this. I hope you won’t have any opinions about Xiao Xue because of this," Lin Qiu said, looking at Fu Xiaoxiao and Wang Lu, fearing they might have a bad impression of Lin Xue.

Upon hearing the term ’in-laws’, Fu Xiaoxiao and Wang Lu exchanged glances, while Lin Xue hurriedly pulled Lin Qiu to explain the situation to her.

"What? They’re not your in-laws?" Lin Qiu was incredulous, not expecting that Lin Xue would concoct such a big lie to get her away from the Liu Family.

"I’m sorry, sister! Don’t be angry. I just couldn’t stand to see you being bullied by them like that. You can scold me, but please don’t go back," Lin Xue hurriedly embraced Lin Qiu, fearing she would go back to the Liu Family if she got angry.

"How could I be angry with you?" Lin Qiu was indeed not angry; she was more moved. Her sister had created such a grand drama to help her escape the misery, revealing the true nature of the Liu Family and finally waking her up.

"But don’t ever lie to me again!" Lin Qiu glared at Lin Xue; despite the emotion, she had just treated Wang Lu as her brother-in-law.

He seemed so reliable and even protected Lin Xue. She was relieved that her sister had met such a good person, yet it turned out to be a lie.

"I promise not to lie to you again," Lin Xue hastily swore, and only then did Lin Qiu let her go.

"Sorry about that, young man, thank you for protecting us earlier," Lin Qiu looked at Wang Lu and thanked him.

Feeling embarrassed, Wang Lu scratched his head and glanced at Lin Xue next to Lin Qiu. "No need to thank me, it was what I should do."

Fu Xiaoxiao watched this scene, a deep smile flickering in her eyes.

It might not have mattered before, but later on, it might.

"Should we go then?" Fu Xiaoxiao looked at Lin Qiu, and Lin Qiu thought for a moment, appearing a bit hesitant.

"Do you have something on your mind?" Fu Xiaoxiao could tell Lin Qiu was hesitant, probably having unfinished business.

"I want to go up the mountain; could you wait for me a bit?" Lin Qiu asked sheepishly.

"Of course," Fu Xiaoxiao readily agreed.

Lin Qiu led Fu Xiaoxiao and the others toward the foot of the mountain. Watching her expertly climb the mountain, they followed behind. Lu Chen was excited upon seeing the woods.

Woods mean herbs, and the hillside near the family compound had almost been picked clean by him and his brother, so he was worried about lacking herbs.

"Mom, look, there are so many herbs here!" Lu Chen was thrilled as if discovering a treasure.

"I’ll stay here with the kids to pick herbs; you can find us when you come down," Fu Xiaoxiao said to Lin Qiu.

"Then I’ll stay here with you!" Wang Lu, seeing Fu Xiaoxiao stay, was also prepared to stay.

"No need, this is just the foot of the mountain, it’s not dangerous. The two sisters going up need your protection more," Fu Xiaoxiao signaled Wang Lu to go protect Lin Qiu and her sister.

Wang Lu scratched his head, "If anything happens, call for me! I’m going to take a look."

"Go ahead!" Fu Xiaoxiao nodded and squatted down with Lu Chen to gather herbs.

Curiously, Lin Xue followed Lin Qiu, who seemed to be looking for someone, searching all around the middle of the mountain but finding no one.

"Sis, what are you looking for?" Lin Xue asked, intrigued.

"I’m... looking for someone," Lin Qiu glanced around, unable to find a trace of that person.

Wang Lu looked around, noticing signs of someone hunting here; there were traces of hunting nearby.

"No one?" Lin Xue looked around, but besides them, there were no shadows.

Lin Qiu’s eyes darkened as she walked to one of the trees, took a piece of blue cloth from her arms, and buried it at the tree’s base, leaving a bit of blue edge exposed.

"Well... let’s go then!" Unable to say goodbye to that person, Lin Qiu made a mark, ready to leave with Lin Xue.

"Sis, watch out, there’s a snake!" Lin Xue had been watching Lin Qiu closely and suddenly noticed something moving in the grass in front of Lin Qiu. It was a snake.

"Ah!" The snake suddenly attacked Lin Qiu, who closed her eyes in fear.

Wang Lu immediately rushed over to try and catch the snake, but he was too far away, and despite his speed, he was no match for the snake’s speed.

Just as the snake was about to bite Lin Qiu, a shadow suddenly jumped down from the tree. The person grabbed the snake’s head and threw it far away.

"Are you okay?" Wang Lu was stunned, looking at the tall man before him. He hadn’t even noticed where this person appeared from.

"Saved by you once again!" Seeing the familiar person, Lin Qiu smiled at him.

The tall man was dressed as a hunter. His sharp gaze glanced at Wang Lu and Lin Xue before turning to Lin Qiu, his fierce expression softening and becoming calm. Seeing the bundle she carried, he frowned, "I’ve chopped wood for you, go take it."

Lin Qiu shook her head, "No, I won’t need to gather firewood anymore, I’m leaving."

"Where to?" The man’s frown deepened, dissatisfied with Lin Qiu’s words.

"I’m leaving Changqing Village with my sister, and might not come back. I’m here to let you know, so you don’t need to cut firewood for me any longer," Lin Qiu said with a gentle smile, then turned to leave with Lin Xue.

The man pursed his lips. Both Lin Xue and Wang Lu could sense his displeasure.

Lin Qiu walked over and patted the man, "Take good care of yourself. Thank you for looking after me all these years."

After bidding farewell to the man, Lin Qiu held onto Lin Xue and headed down the mountain. Curious, Lin Xue couldn’t help but look back, seeing the man standing there, watching them leave.

"Sis, who is that man?" Lin Xue asked Lin Qiu curiously.

"He’s a hunter from the nearby mountains, always living up there. A few years ago, when I got lost in the snow while gathering wood, he saved me. Since then, he’s been looking after me, helping me with firewood and bringing me food," Lin Qiu said with a smile, contemplating if not for him, she might have frozen to death up there.

"With that physique, it would be such a waste not to be in the army," Wang Lu said, glancing back at the man, noting his muscular build which suggested great strength.

He would make a great soldier.

"I think so too," Lin Xue agreed, having seen many soldiers, knowing that such a physique was highly favored in the army.

"He’s not suitable; he’s inarticulate and stubborn, never changes his mind," Lin Qiu shook her head, explaining that the few words he could manage now were taught by her.

Fu Xiaoxiao accompanied Lu Chen in picking many herbs. Lu Chen’s joyous smile was like a lucky child gathering riches, truly endearing.

"Mom, look! I picked lots of herbs again! Grandpa Bai said these could sell for a lot!" Lu Chen giggled, proudly displaying the herbs.

"Yes, yes, yes, pick more, dry them out, and exchange them for money," Fu Xiaoxiao smiled and encouraged.

When Lin Qiu and the others came down, Fu Xiaoxiao and Lu Chen each had their arms full of herbs.

"All settled then? Shall we go?" Fu Xiaoxiao smiled upon seeing them descend.

"It’s inconvenient carrying them, use mine first!" Lin Qiu took out her old clothes to help Fu Xiaoxiao and Lu Chen store the herbs.

"Thank you, Aunt Qiu," Lu Chen smiled, showing eight little teeth.