Chapter 48: Chapter 48 Brother, I Want to Go Home Chapter 48: Chapter 48 Brother, I Want to Go Home The moment Bai Dan and Bai Guang saw the rope, their entire being filled with rage. What kind of heartless person could do such a thing?
“Uncle, we can’t just let this go. I want to see exactly who it is. Hmm, there’s only one road back to the village, and I’m going to wait halfway down the road today. I want to see who dares to frighten my girl!”
Bai Guang was truly furious. His beloved daughter had been scared like this, and he couldn’t swallow his anger.
“Mhm, I think that’s a good idea. Let’s go. We’ll wait on the road halfway there. There’s only one road back to the village, I don’t believe he can escape.”
Just waiting here wasn’t an option, but if it was someone from the village, they definitely had to return. He didn’t believe he couldn’t catch the person!
“Mhm, okay. It’s going to be a hassle for you tonight.”
Bai Dan didn’t stand on ceremony with Bai Guang; he was in a rush to get back and treat Bai Zhi’s wounds.
“What are you talking about, Uncle? Isn’t this what I should do? Let’s head back first. I’ll just move a stool and wait at the intersection.”
Bai Guang carried Bai Fei, and Bai Dan squatted down to hoist Bai Zhi onto his back.
Bai Zhi lay on Bai Dan’s back, looking towards the bamboo forest, wondering how long Uncle Bai Guang would hold out, or, for that matter, how long the two of them could endure?
Bai Zhi didn’t think this was bad; on the contrary, this was for the best.
Catching the two of them, what could they do?
At most, Grandfather would beat them and scold them a few times, but now they would have to live in fear in the bamboo forest. Very good, indeed.
As for whether Bai Zhi felt any guilt, sorry, there was none.
Since they had dared to act, it meant, from this moment on, they harbored ill intentions towards the original owner; so why should she feel guilty?
If others don’t offend me, I won’t offend them; but if others offend me, I will repay them double, right?
It was just a few hits, what’s that compared to what the original owner endured?
A warm feeling suddenly welled up in Bai Zhi’s heart, making her drowsy and her consciousness blurry. She wondered if it was because the original owner was also very happy?
This was just interest. As long as they dared to act, she would repeatedly let them know why the sun rises from the west. Oh dear, she had inadvertently revealed her true colors. What should she do now?
But it didn’t matter, Grandfather would never know.
Bai Dan took Bai Zhi home and used alcohol to clean her wounds. Bai Zhi winced in pain, waking up.
“Hisss…”
Bai Dan quickly blew on Bai Zhi’s wound.
“It doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t hurt. Grandpa’s blow will make it better.”
Bai Dan’s tender care warmed Bai Zhi’s heart.
…
Bai Guang truly took a stool and sat at the intersection, while Bai Yu supported Bai Ye as they reached the junction. They had to hide in the woods again, only because it hadn’t dawned yet. If it had been daylight, they would surely be caught.
The mosquitoes were numerous in summer, and with the blood on Bai Ye’s hand, they persistently swarmed around them.
Bai Ye, however, didn’t want to swat at them. He was in too much pain and too exhausted. He wanted to sleep so he wouldn’t feel the pain, but he was incredibly alert.
Alert to the point where he could feel every place he was hit, that dense, sour, aching sensation. Moving even slightly was excruciating.
“Brother, I want to go home.”
Bai Ye whispered, already in so much pain he had no strength left; his lips were extremely dry. He wanted water…
“No, Uncle is waiting there. Wait a bit longer.”
Bai Yu squinted, always keeping an eye on the intersection. He didn’t believe Uncle could stay awake indefinitely. As soon as he fell asleep, they could go back.
The night grew deeper…
The temperature dropped lower…
Bai Ye could feel himself getting cold…
He didn’t know how much time had passed when even Bai Yu started to doze off.
“Snore, snore…”
Finally, the snoring could be heard from the crossroad.
Bai Ye hastily called Bai Yu, and of course, it wasn’t that Bai Ye didn’t want to rest, but he was in too much pain, pain that kept him from falling asleep.
“Brother, brother, let’s go back.”
Bai Yu’s eyes suddenly snapped open, shining especially bright in the dark night, colder, without a trace of warmth, making Bai Ye feel a sudden chill in his heart.
“Brother, you…”
Bai Yu’s eyes returned to normal, and he helped Bai Ye up.
“Let’s go.”
His voice was still without warmth as they cautiously made their way past the edge of the field…
Suddenly, Bai Guang turned over in his sleep.
The two of them froze in place, even their breathing halted for a moment.
Their hearts clenched tight. If they were discovered, should they run or stay put and not move?
“Snore, snore…”
It turned out he was just turning over; they had been scared nearly out of their wits.
They hurried past and quickly returned home.
As they reached the front door, Bai Yu was about to climb over the wall when suddenly the door cracked open.
A chill ran through Bai Yu’s heart. Could it be that Father hadn’t gone to sleep? Bai Yu already had countless excuses swirling in his mind, but he’d have to get home first to use them.
Bai Yu entered with Bai Ye, and Bai Da immediately locked the door behind them and turned to leave without so much as a glance at them, let alone asked any questions.
Bai Yu and Bai Ye exchanged looks, unsure what Bai Da meant. Was he planning to leave them to worry all night, or was he not going to mention it at all?
None of that was important now; it was time for them to go back and rest.
Bai Ye simply collapsed, while Bai Yu, well, might as well make the best of what’s happened.
…
“Cluck, cluck, cluck…”
The crowing of chickens heralded a new day.
Bai Zhi had risen early to pick green onions and chives from the field, yet her gaze kept drifting towards Bai Da’s Family across the way.
There was no sign of life there when normally, at this hour, the three of them should have already been out the door, but today…
Bai Zhi merely glanced casually and didn’t pay it much mind. She prepared the vegetables, grabbed her basket, and was ready to go back home.
She hadn’t reached home when she saw Bai Fei rushing over furiously, as if someone had provoked her.
“Bai Zhi, I am so mad! Yesterday my dad didn’t catch anyone. I don’t know who was so despicable to set up the rope. They’d better not let me find them, or I’ll beat them up again.”
Bai Fei gestured with her fists, huffing and puffing, her round little face actually quite cute.
Bai Zhi’s gaze shifted to the green onions in her basket, her eyes flashing as she smiled at Bai Fei.
“Cousin, don’t be mad. Come to my house, I’ll make you some pan-fried dumplings, how about that?”
She knew how to make the filling, but making dumplings was actually her first attempt, so she needed someone to taste-test. Asking Grandpa was pointless, for he would have only one answer.
Delicious, very delicious, Xingxing’s cooking is always delicious.
What she needed were suggestions, not just praise.
“Okay, but if it’s not yummy, I’m not gonna eat it, you know.”
Bai Fei’s eyes lit up, but she looked at Bai Zhi with feigned arrogance.