Chapter 2 Cutting a life along with mortal ties
Li Guanqi kept his head lowered, his body involuntarily trembling. He stood in place, clutching herbs in his hand, too afraid to move.
However, the man immediately spotted Li Guanqis exposed eyes.
His face darkened, and he swiftly struck Li Guanqi to the ground with a single hand!
A resounding smack!
Damn it, how many times have I told you to cover your eyes!
Youre a jinx!
Li Dashan glared at the herbs scattered on the ground, growing even angrier. He vigorously kicked Li Guanqi several times.
He yelled, Did you use money to buy medicine?!
This kind of scene was perhaps a recurring nightmare for the young boy. He tightly hugged his head, curling his body into a defensive posture.
These wretched days had begun three years ago when they fled famine and sought refuge with this distant uncle.
The boy on the ground fiercely guarded the scattered herbs beneath him.
The woman on the heated brick bed heard the commotion and stumbled over, pushing Li Dashan away while crying out, Dont hit dont hit the child
In response, Li Dashan snatched a nearby wooden board and struck the womans head!
A loud thud!
You frail child! Whats the use of spending money on treatment?! You shouldve died sooner!
I shouldve sent you to work for the Zhao family. Even if you died, I couldve received some compensation!
Fresh blood slowly streamed down the womans forehead as she clung desperately to the young boy, continuously pleading, Dont harm the child.
Li Guanqi suddenly felt a warm, sticky sensation on his face.
Realizing something, the young boys face twisted into a grimace!
He fought fiercely to break free from the womans grasp, instantly grabbing a kitchen knife from the chopping board, relying on familiar memories!
Shut up! If it werent for your drinking and gambling, our family wouldnt be in this situation!
My mothers illness wouldnt have been prolonged like this! My sister wouldnt have been sold to the Zhao family, working herself to death!
The one who deserves to die is you! Its you, Li Dashan!
Li Guanqis face contorted with rage as he fiercely shouted at the man, finally releasing the pent-up anger that had been suppressed for so many years. It seemed to find an outlet at this very moment.
Reeking of alcohol, Li Dashan, noticing the change in Li Guanqis expression, grew increasingly fierce. He cursed, If it werent for me providing for you and your mother back then, you would have starved outside the city. And now you dare to wield a knife at me?
Li Dashan scanned the surroundings for a makeshift weapon, but the young boy, with a slight ear movement and a sudden burst of strength in his legs, lunged at the man!
The kitchen knife gleamed in the moonlight outside the door, and in his panic, Li Dashan snatched a clay jar and swung it toward Li Guanqi!
Despite his frail physique, the young boy displayed remarkable agility, dodging the heavy object the moment it was raised.
Crack!
Crash!
The jar shattered at Li Guanqis feet, and along with the clinking of copper coins hitting the ground, the young boy stood frozen in place!
What am I supposed to do
Song Wanrongs eyes grew increasingly blurry as she looked out the window at the snowstorm, murmuring softly.
Im useless, letting you suffer
In the future, you must become a strong and honorable man.
Get married, have children
Mom will always watch over you from heaven,
You must live well,
Go and see the vast rivers and the splendors of the mortal world. She trailed
Li Guanqi felt the hand behind him go limp.
In grief and anger, he cried out, Mom!!!
He shouted several times but received no response.
Li Guanqi sat in a daze in his mothers embrace, muttering, I no longer have a mother.
I no longer have any family.
Li Guanqis eyes turned red, tears uncontrollably streaming down his face.
Without speaking, he gently caressed his mothers face, as if trying to etch her image firmly in his mind.
Then, he knocked on the door of the shop with the white silk hanging.
The fat shopkeeper impatiently opened the door and saw the young boy who had come earlier in the evening.
Instantly, anger surged within him, and he said, Why are you here again? Didnt you come during the day?
I told you, we in our business do things with a conscience. I really didnt overcharge you ten copper coins!
Standing barefoot in the snowstorm, the young boy lowered his head and hoarsely said, My mother has also passed away. Can you help me move her?
Hearing these words, the shopkeeper was instantly choked up, and his anger dissipated, replaced by a heart full of pain.
The shopkeeper dismantled the door and pulled the young boy inside, giving him a tattered coat that was no longer needed in his house.
With a somewhat choked voice, he said, Warm up first Ill go put on some clothes.
You, this child your life is too hard. If you dont mind, you can work as my assistant in the future.
I wont say how much Ill pay you, but at least you wont starve.
The boy, who had stopped crying, was overwhelmed by the shopkeepers sudden concern and sat on the ground, wailing loudly.
Li Guanqi, feeling the scorching flames in front of him, slowly knelt down on the ground.
He kowtowed deeply in front of the stove.
Mom, I will never forget your nurturing kindness. I will definitely live well!
In the sky, Su Xuan, dressed in gray, silently watched this scene.
He sighed lightly, unable to change fate even if he was present.
And on that day, the young boy would leave Beiliang City with the old man named Su Xuan.