Daily Life in the Countryside After Being Reborn

Chapter 687: Chapter 61: Trouble Begins at Changbai Mountain (Part 2)

The Agricultural Specialty Store experienced an unusually prosperous business during the winter days, and many well-known restaurants also came knocking. Regrettably, the cherries from Cherry Valley, the source of Cherry Juice supply, were already in short supply. The village chief of Meihua Village got the income he wished for, even richer than in previous years.

The issue with Cherry Valley was temporarily resolved, but as time went on, another matter became increasingly urgent.

Mei Nian still had not sent any message, it had been ten days since she last contacted Yu Gang. Even Yu Gang, usually known for his composure, was intensely anxious. He was desperate to fly to the north-east immediately.

The fragment of the Ice Blade that was left in Xiao Xian’s hands still pulsed with a faint heartbeat, neither improving nor deteriorating.

On the fifth day of the first lunar month, just on the eve of Xiao Xian’s decision to return to school, while doing the final tidy in "Plum Rice Ball," Yu Gang came to visit.

His appearance gave Xiao Xian and Pharmacist Huang quite a shock. It had been just a few days since they last saw him, and Yu Gang had grown a full beard of stubble and had none of the joy of the New Year’s festivities. His glasses were covered with a layer of mist, and he was carrying a simple suitcase, wearing two down jackets inside and out, which was quite odd attire.

"Xiao Xian, Uncle Yu can’t wait any longer. I’ve bought an airplane ticket to the north-east and will be leaving this afternoon." Yu Gang did not mention his departure to Yu Shan Yang, he just wanted to quickly head to Changbai Mountain area to confirm whether Mei Nian is dead or alive. He was restless and agitated; as days went by, the unease made him very irritable.

"Uncle Yu? You’re going to the north-east? No, I heard you have arthritis, and the cold aggravates your cough. If you go to the north-east, you might fall seriously ill before you even find the person," Yu Gang’s health was poor, and the herbal medicine shop always prepared several prescriptions for him every year. Mei Nian, worried that he would forget, personally reminded the shop to prepare a week’s worth of medicine and delivered it every other week.

"Xiao Xian, listen to me. If something happens to your Master Uncle, I... won’t have anything left to care about. As an elder, I shouldn’t say such things. You’re a sensible child; you should understand my feelings. I have a feeling that if I don’t hurry to the north-east, I might never get the chance to see her again in my lifetime. Uncle Yu has a favor to ask of you, if by chance, your grandfather is willing to come to Beijing in the future, remember to take him to visit my father. He has always been regretful," Yu Gang pounded on his chest, aware that his father might have wronged Xiao Xian’s family, and that he might be connected to it as well.

"Also, there’s one more thing Uncle Yu wants to tell you, your grandfather’s matter might be related to the Roster Financial Group. Ah Nian has always refused to let me tell you, but after you returned from Huake Institute this time, I felt you had changed somewhat," Yu Gang seemed mild-mannered, but his determination was stronger than Mei Nian’s.

He didn’t believe that hiding the truth from Xiao Xian to protect her was a good thing. Right is right, wrong is wrong. Instead of letting the stream avoid the raging sea and retreat into safe harbor, it’s better to face it head-on, even if it means being shattered to pieces.

"Uncle Yu?" Xiao Xian grew more puzzled by Yu Gang’s tone, but his words, sounding like a last will, made up her mind.

"Uncle Yu, look, it’s Master Uncle Mei," Xiao Xian said excitedly, pointing toward the entrance of the medicine shop. Hearing this, Yu Gang quickly turned around, and as a faint fragrance wafted in, he felt his body go limp and collapsed on the counter, unconscious.

"Master Huang, find a place to settle Uncle Yu for now," Xiao Xian quickly searched through Yu Gang’s wallet, took out his ID card and airplane ticket, tore up the ticket, and hid the ID card.

"Xiao Xian ah, that fool is planning to go to the north-east? It’s just nonsense. If he really goes, the Yu family will be left without descendants," Pharmacist Huang complained, feeling a wave of heartache. Yu Gang’s haggard appearance, even if they forced him to stay in Beijing, who knew how sad he would be upon waking.

Pharmacist Huang was also worried about the whereabouts of the missing Mei Nian. If the young mistress were still there, the Mei family wouldn’t have fallen into such a state, being bullied and with the medicine shop facing today’s predicament. The troubles with both Cherry Valley and the medicine shop seemed coincidental yet fateful. Thinking of this, Pharmacist Huang was even more grateful to Xiao Xian.

Xiao Xian understood what Pharmacist Huang was worried about. She also had thought about it, and with Mei Nian not returning for so long, Xiao Xian had been hesitating over whether to go to the north-east. Yet every time she asked Pharmacist Huang for a specific location, he couldn’t provide one, only mentioning the Changbai Mountain area.

The vast Changbai Mountain area, Xiao Xian had basically nowhere to start.

Just now, she had also found a detailed map of ginseng distribution in the Changbai Mountains region in Yu Gang’s wallet. The region around Changbai Mountain was densely forested, and in this season, heavy snow complicated travel.

However, with this map of where ginseng grows, searching for someone would hopefully be much easier. Xiao Xian kept the map and made up her mind; she had to make a trip to Changbai Mountain, whether for Mei Nian or for Yu Gang, who had fainted but still murmured Mei Nian’s name with concern.

She must go on this journey. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian( ) to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)