"Since the mistress went missing in town three years ago, the master has lost his spirits, spending his days digging charcoal (ancient term for coal) and refining saltpetre. By mid-month, he disregards everything and heads down the mountain to the town, claiming to bring the mistress back home. If unsuccessful, he returns on time to continue his solitary life. Miss Bei, who just turned eleven, worries about the master wandering up and down the mountains alone in such a confused state. She secretly follows him, running after the adult for over three years. Old Pharmacist sheds countless tears out of concern. It was only when Brother Chen started bringing Miss Bei back halfway down the mountain that Old Pharmacist eased his worries a bit.
"Miss Bei, do you know? The night before last, the master came back, but I couldn't find you. Old Pharmacist stood on the stone platform the entire night, and the master, along with the youngsters, lit bonfires along the way. Any slightly larger nocturnal creatures were chased away as if they had gone mad, fearing that some fool might harm you. So, yesterday morning, I went to town to find you. I even sent several big guys to the Fuhai Building."
"Brother Chen," Miss Bei rose and squatted next to Tung Chen, burying her head on his knee, overwhelmed by indescribable emotions and sorrows. If they knew that the girl they eagerly awaited a few days ago was no longer there, never to return, what kind of heart-wrenching pain would it be? Could she truly replace her? Replace the girl who was cherished and loved by the entire family? "Brother Chen, I want to go home sooner."
"Well, alright, let's slowly move forward." The two drank the hot water from the bamboo tube, packed their things, and walked out of the gorge towards the two-meter-wide mountain path on the east side. This road was widened and solidified on the original winding path more than thirty years ago when Old Pharmacist and his wife brought their three-year-old son, Tung Ding Shan, and two loyal servants to this place.
In the distance, there were intermittent long howls. Tung Chen stood still and smiled, "They're coming."
The howling ceased, and three teenagers leaped towards them on the mountain road. The leader, around eighteen or nineteen, had a complexion slightly tan like autumn wheat. He carried a bamboo backpack commonly used by modern Miao people to carry children. Behind him were two boys, one sturdy and the other frail, both looking like teenagers aged fifteen or sixteen. They moved gracefully, sometimes running, sometimes using vines to leap, quickly arriving in front. Excitedly, they checked Miss Bei up and down, bombarding her with various questions.
"Alright, Miss Bei is fine. We've walked too much today, and the master and the others must be anxious. Let's head back and talk more. Huzi, you and the others help sort things from my basket. I'll carry Miss Bei back," Tung Chen called the eldest teenager over.
"No need, Chen ge, you've walked a long way too. Let Biaozi and Tung Xi help you share the load. I've added a seat board to this bamboo basket; you can carry Miss Bei directly," Huzi arranged the two boys to work while approaching and taking the backpack off, placing it in front of Miss Bei.
Having lived for twenty-seven years in her previous life as a CEO of several conglomerates, Miss Bei wouldn't let someone carry her in such a small basket in front of a group of teenagers. She absolutely refused to be carried and quickened her pace, running ahead.
"Don't carry, don't carry, slow down! Be careful not to fall. Take it easy; we're almost there. No rush." A little girl ran ahead on the mountain path, surrounded by several local teenagers, shouting and calling all the way. It looked like a comedic performance from a distance, full of humor. However, for Miss Bei, it brought a warmth that made her desperately want to truly integrate. In just half an hour, a group of people came from the opposite direction. From the moment the smoke signal rose, the whole family couldn't stay still in the manor; they all rushed out, welcoming them along the way.
A deep-seated longing and sadness surged from the depths of her soul when she saw the thin white-bearded old man at the front. Completely uncontrollably, Miss Bei flew over, crying out, "Grandpa!" She tightly embraced him and refused to let go. This was the most instinctive emotion from this body, and Grandpa was the deepest concern of Little Tung.