The next morning, the crowing of the rooster woke him from his dream.
Li Jun sprang up, wiped the drool from his mouth, his head still groggy. Pain shot through his shoulder; the palm strike from Li San the previous night had left it bruised and purple.
He grabbed his food bowl and shuffled out the door. Just as he reached the kitchen, he saw Li San starting a fire by the stove.
Burning in the hearth was his copy of the *Essentials of Ignorant Wisdom*, the pages curling and fluttering as a sour smell of ink mixed with the smoke from the firewood stung his nostrils.
“Hey, Li Jun, since you aren't studying anymore, don't keep this book around to be an eyesore. You don't need to gather firewood today either,” Li San said lightly, though his tone was like a knife scraping skin. “I’ve arranged for someone to take you to the city tomorrow to be an apprentice. The shops in the city provide food and lodging, though the work is harder... This house doesn't keep idlers; you should understand that clearly.”
Li Jun’s mouth twitched, wanting to retort, but in the end, he said nothing, only lowering his head and muttering, “I understand.”
He turned to leave for the fields, but his steps felt somewhat stiff.
Li San watched Li Jun’s retreating figure and shook his head.
Arriving at the field, Xu Hua was already bent over harvesting cabbages. Seeing Li Jun arrive, her expression visibly softened.
“It’s good that you came. We need to hurry; we still have to clean the chicken coop later.” Her voice was soft, but it lacked the usual complaints.
“Mother, I… I won’t be able to stay by your side anymore.” Li Jun said quietly.
Xu Hua didn't look up, only grunted in response, then continued, “Going to the city is a good thing; there are more opportunities outside. As long as you can endure hardship and walk steadily, learning a trade, you will naturally make something of yourself later.”
“You’re not scolding me?”
“Scolding you is useless. It’s enough that you can figure things out yourself. Your father, his words are harsh, but he doesn't really want to let you go either. Once you go to the city to make a living, I will visit you regularly.”
Hearing this, Li Jun’s nose stung. He couldn't tell if it was the cold wind or the bitterness in his heart, but he felt like crying again.
The next day, just as dawn broke, a thin mist enveloped Song Village, and the air was filled with a damp freshness, accompanied by the crowing of roosters and barking dogs as the village gradually awoke.
Li Jun was still half-asleep when his mother, Xu Hua, gently nudged him awake.
“Get up, Xiao Jun, it’s time to hit the road.” Xu Hua’s voice was gentle but carried a trace of anxiety.
Li Jun rubbed his eyes and reluctantly got up. The sky outside was faintly lit, with soft light filtering in through the window.
Xu Hua had already prepared everything. She tightly clutched Li Jun’s small hand and led him out the door without a word.
Along the way, Li Jun ate as he walked. The surroundings were unusually quiet; only a few early birds circled among the branches, occasionally letting out "caw caw" calls, as if adding a touch of mystery to the silence.
Scattered passersby hurried along with their heads down. Watching their figures, Li Jun couldn't help but feel a strange nervousness.
He held Xu Hua’s hand tightly, feeling as if a heavy stone was pressing down in his chest.
“Mother, where are we going?” Li Jun asked in a low voice, his tone laced with unease.
Hearing her son’s question, a gentle smile appeared on Xu Hua’s face, though that smile seemed mixed with a bit of helplessness and hidden worry.
She gently patted Li Jun’s hand, trying to keep her tone light. “Don’t worry, I’m taking you to see someone. She can help you; your elder brother also used connections to get into the city before.”
Although Li Jun felt slightly more settled after hearing this—people from Song Village seeking opportunities in the city always relied on introductions—the feeling of unease continued to churn in his chest.
He secretly glanced at Xu Hua; his mother’s expression was calm.
The two walked through the streets of Song Village in silence, their steps hurried.
The town was still shrouded in the morning light; the shops along the road had not yet opened. Only a few villagers pushing dung carts rested by the roadside, watching them pass with weary faces.
As they got closer to the village entrance, Li Jun’s heartbeat grew more rapid.
When they reached the town gate, an old woman leaning against the pillar of the archway caught Xu Hua’s attention.
Her face was covered in wrinkles, her skin dark, making her look as ancient as a fossil dug from the earth.
She was clutching a black Jade Stone in her hand, muttering to herself in a low voice that was impossible to make out.
As Xu Hua led Li Jun closer, her eyes suddenly flickered.
Li Jun felt those eyes sizing him up, and he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.
He instinctively moved closer to his mother, and a wave of coldness washed over him.
“Granny Yang?” Xu Hua stopped walking, studying the old woman, and called out softly.
Granny Yang withdrew her gaze from Li Jun and turned to look at Xu Hua. Her face was expressionless, only the corners of her wrinkled eyes twitching slightly.
“Hmph,” Granny Yang snorted in response, still paying little attention to Xu Hua.
Those cloudy eyes fell back onto Li Jun, seemingly pondering something, which made Li Jun extremely uncomfortable.
“Granny Yang, Li San asked you to help. This is my son; I’ll trouble you to look after him from now on.” Xu Hua said, stepping forward quickly and handing Granny Yang a stack of Copper Coins, her eyes showing a hint of pleading.
Granny Yang took the Copper Coins and weighed them roughly in her hand. She seemed dissatisfied with the payment, but ultimately, she nodded, revealing a smile that wasn't entirely sincere. “Fine, this child, come with me.”
Li Jun instinctively tightened his grip on his mother’s hand. Xu Hua gently patted Li Jun, signaling him to let go. “Go on, follow Granny Yang, and don't cause her trouble.”
Though filled with reluctance and fear, Li Jun silently let go of her hand.
He looked at his mother, his eyes moist, wanting to say something, but it caught in his throat.
He was afraid that if he spoke, tears would fall.
Xu Hua seemed to read his mind, smiling and waving at him, whispering softly, “Go on, don’t be afraid, listen to Granny.”
Li Jun bit his lip tightly, tears welling up in his eyes.
He desperately wanted to run back and hug Xu Hua, to tell her he didn't want to leave, that he’d rather go back to studying, rather be scolded by Tutor Ding, than leave his mother.
But Li San’s stern face flashed in his mind, instantly startling him and suppressing all those thoughts.
In the end, he just silently wiped his nose and followed Granny Yang with his head down.
“Let’s go,” Granny Yang said coldly, taking Li Jun’s hand and leading him down an unfamiliar path.
Li Jun looked back one last time. Xu Hua’s figure gradually disappeared into the morning mist in the distance. He thought he vaguely saw Xu Hua waving, and he seemed to hear her calling his name in his ears.
His eyes brimmed with tears, and his heart felt heavily weighed down by something. The Pinecone pendant on his chest trembled slightly.
The small Pinecone his mother had given him was his only comfort now.
Approaching noon, the two crossed the small hills outside Song Village and arrived at the edge of a dense Forest.
The weather was clear, and bird calls echoed from the Forest, yet staying beside Granny Yang, Li Jun still felt a sense of eerie silence.
Granny Yang’s steps were steady, not at all like an elderly person. Li Jun’s small steps gradually couldn't keep up; the soles of his feet began to ache, and fatigue slowly set in.
“Let’s rest for a bit,” Granny Yang said coldly, finding a large rock to sit on.
Li Jun gasped for breath, sitting by the edge of the woods, feeling as if his legs were filled with lead.
He looked up at Granny Yang’s expressionless face, feeling uneasy. Throughout the journey, Granny Yang had remained silent, and that indifferent attitude filled Li Jun with an indescribable fear.
He wanted to ask, but he dared not speak, so he just kept his head down.
Granny Yang took a steamed bun from her bosom and handed it to Li Jun. “Eat this. We still have a ways to walk; you’ll have no strength if you don’t eat.”
Li Jun nodded, took the steamed bun, and started eating.
Sunlight filtered down through the trees, shining upon them.
Li Jun tightly clutched the small Pinecone Xu Hua had hung around his neck, silently calling out "Mother" in his heart.