"Third Son! My dear boy!"
A middle-aged, rotund squire dressed in an ornate silk robe, crowned with an official's hat, flanked by an entourage of obvious henchmen and household servants, caught sight of Li Xiaobai from afar. With a wail that pierced the crowd, he rushed forward and clung tightly to him, refusing to let go.
Th-Third Son? Uncle, can't you choose a better name? Xiaobai thought. Third Son, Bai, Xiaobai… and what were the strokes for "Li" again? Great, that completes it.
This was his father, also known as "Ah-ye." Drawing from the muddled fragments of memory, Li Xiaobai recognized this middle-aged, prosperous squire as none other than Li Dahuo, the local magnate of Xiyan Town.
"Ah-ye!" he called out, though begrudgingly, as a show of respect.
After all, this was the father of the body he now inhabited. Heaven, Earth, ruler, kin, and mentor—this reverence was owed.
*Slap!*
No one expected Li Xiaobai to be suddenly smacked senseless by an abrupt, stinging slap. A distinct red handprint quickly bloomed on his cheek; this was no light blow.
Is he truly my father? He couldn't help but question.
"Third Son! Where did you run off to? Do you know how worried I was? Your mother passed early, leaving just you three brothers. Your eldest wanders in search of immortals, and your second brother buries his nose in books. The honor of the Li family rests solely on you! If something were to happen to you, how would I go on living?"
With a sigh of relief, the squire's voice softened, a flicker of paternal guilt surfacing. "Does it hurt, Third Son? It's Ah-ye's fault. Go ahead, strike me if you wish."
He really is my father, Xiaobai confirmed inwardly. This slap was deserved.
Suggesting a son hit his father—that was beyond most men.
"Ah-ye, I know I was wrong," Xiaobai relented. To avoid a second slap, he accepted responsibility.
Damn it, Li Xiaobai, you cursed yourself to misfortune! Wait, that's cursing yourself… try again—Li Xiaobai, you have a bright future ahead… Hmm, still feels off…
Around them, Sheriff Liu, Constable Ma, the idler Niu, servant Ah Fu, Chief Steward Fugui, and the gathered onlookers covertly dabbed at moist eyes with their sleeves. Such a touching scene of familial bonds moved them deeply.
"Come! Let's go home!" Squire Li clutched his son's wrist, resolute in not releasing him, fearful that the boy might vanish again at any moment.
After a few steps, he turned back toward Bai Laoda and his daughter, calling out, "Fugui!"
"At your service, Master!" The goateed steward, Li Fugui, stepped from the crowd.
"I keep my word! Reward them all!"