The little Delrasto Beast with its sleek black fur drew the entire village’s attention the moment it entered.
Villagers watched with envious eyes as Lai Yi led it homeward.
Neil was especially triumphant. When his young companions asked if his family had bought it, little Neil would proudly lift his chin and give a slight nod.
Purchasing large livestock was a remarkable event in the village. Everyone for miles around knew exactly which households owned oxen or horses. It was natural for this young creature to attract so much attention.
Lai Yi never refused when children wanted to pet it.
The little Delrasto Beast showed no fear at being surrounded by so many people. Instead, it became exhilarated by the crowd, prancing about with little bouncing steps, rather like the simpleton from the neighboring village.
The villagers followed Lai Yi all the way into his courtyard, watching as he tethered the young beast in the newly built shed.
The neat, clean shed itself attracted the villagers’ notice and discussion.
“This shed is really well built. Why is there a hole in the wall?”
A kind-faced uncle asked, and Lai Yi explained its purpose. The uncle was delighted to hear it. Other onlookers nodded in agreement.
“This is a good method. I’ll build mine this way too.”
“No wonder he’s been away studying—his ideas are different.”
Lai Yi looked embarrassed.
“Everyone’s here?”
Haggard came to Lai Yi’s house right after putting away the oxcart, followed by Brian and Lam.
“Of course. It’s rare for the village to get another Delrasto Beast, so everyone came to see.”
“This young male must have cost quite a bit, right?”
Someone tried subtly to inquire about the price, but Lai Yi pretended not to understand, evading the question with vague responses.
“It was quite a lot.”
“But how much exactly?”
The tactless person pressed on.
This wasn’t something to disclose directly.
If the amount was too high, people might think that with both parents deceased, the children had too much money left, inviting ill intentions. If too low, everyone would know it couldn’t be true and would gossip about their stinginess.
Haggard didn’t indulge such people and retorted directly.
“What? You want to buy one too? If you do, I can help you make connections.”
As heads of their households, everyone had some connections outside. Haggard said this purely to irritate them.
“Just asking, just asking.”
The person didn’t press further.
But the matter couldn’t be brushed off so easily. Haggard first stated that he had helped with the purchase, then continued with the story he and Lai Yi had agreed upon.
“The children want to start a small business. As elders, we help as much as we can, to honor our departed brother.”
The implication was that Lai Yi had borrowed the money from him. The villagers’ speculative thoughts were temporarily put to rest.
Lam examined the young beast from all angles, feeding it a handful of alfalfa grass.
Brian also looked fondly at the lively little creature.
After seeing the novelty, everyone stood outside Lai Yi’s house chatting as they drifted away. Soon another group arrived, all without exception coming to see the little Delrasto Beast and gather information.
After seeing off two waves of visitors, Lai Yi’s home finally grew quiet.
Just as he finished watering the little beast and was about to rest, an elderly man with graying hair arrived at Lai Yi’s house carrying a basket.
It was their neighbor, Old Guge.
Guge handed the basket to Lai Yi, who lifted the covering leaves to discover freshly picked grapes and dates.
“Adding livestock to the household is a significant matter that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Remember to pay respects to the Harvest Goddess. This year’s grapes have grown particularly well, so I brought you some.”
“Thank you, Grandpa Guge.”
Lai Yi expressed his gratitude politely and took Guge to see the Little Delrasto Beast.
Guge affectionately stroked its mane, his eyes filled with fondness.
“Good, very good. Our family used to raise one like this long ago. But when I grew older and could no longer handle carriages, I eventually sold it. In my youth, I used to travel far and wide riding Delrasto Beasts.”
Elderly people often enjoy reminiscing, and seeing Lai Yi and Neil’s interest, Guge began sharing stories from his past.
“That was when I was still young and unmarried, always driving carriages with my brothers to explore the Great Iden Forest. Back then, there were many such exploration teams in villages and towns, all hoping to find something in the forest and earn some bounty.”
“During one expedition, I got lost and separated from the main group, wandering in the forest for two days and two nights. Just when I thought I would die there, I was ultimately saved by elves.”
“I traded spices from my possession for a map with them, and exchanged labor for food and water. The kind elves taught me how to grow delicious fruits. After leaving the forest, I relied on fruit cultivation to marry, raise children, and support my entire family.”
“Now I’ve grown old, and my children have all moved away.”
Guge narrated this with calm detachment, showing no trace of sorrow.
Life’s hardships had never diminished Guge’s optimistic attitude toward living – he always faced life’s challenges with a smile.
Through their interactions, Lai Yi had come to know Guge as a truly respectable elder.
The topic of elves made Neil particularly excited.
“Grandpa Guge, what do elves look like?”
“Elves,” Guge fell into recollection, “they have pointed ears, fair skin, and exceptional appearances.”
“If they can’t build houses in the forest, where do they live?”
Neil continued questioning.
“They live in treehouses.”
“I heard they only drink dew.”
Hearing Neil’s words, Guge chuckled kindly.
“Who told you that? They couldn’t survive on dew alone. They eat vegetables too, and they go hunting. Moreover, their archery skills are extraordinary – a single arrow can travel hundreds of meters.”
“Wow!”
Neil exclaimed in amazement.
Lai Yi served tea to the elder and the child before turning to prepare dinner.
He planned to steam a basket of flower buns, then stir-fry a plate of cured meat and a plate of sour and spicy shredded potatoes.
The chili peppers had dried and were ready to be used as dried chilies.
Once he found out where he could get flour ground, he intended to grind two bundles of dried chilies into chili powder and crushed chili for future use.
“Grandpa Guge, please stay for dinner. I still have some liquor we can drink.”
Guge repeatedly declined and prepared to leave.
With just one look from Lai Yi, Neil understood his meaning and clung to Guge’s arm, insistently shaking it until the old man finally relented with resigned acceptance.
All along, Guge had been quietly looking after Lai Yi and Neil, having given them countless fruits over the past months alone. He certainly deserved to share a meal with them.
The cured meat was made from last time’s venison, first soaked in seasonings and salt for half a day before being smoked over fruitwood.
Slicing the meat into the pan, the sizzling cured meat released its distinctive aroma.
It’s better for elderly people to eat less greasy food, as it aids digestion. Lai Yi prepared a refreshing salad with bird eggs, cucumbers, cabbage, and tomatoes.
Then, he fetched cool well water and soaked two bunches of grapes to enjoy after dinner.
Guge had never seen meat prepared this way before.
After the autumn harvest, the village organizes hunting activities, and the game is sold cheaply to each household. Usually, it’s made into sausages to be stored for winter.
Making sausages is a traditional activity here in Rosen Town. The local specialty sausages are quite famous in the surrounding small towns.
Different places have different customs, and each village’s sausages have their own unique characteristics.
Lai Yi’s smoked cured meat was somewhat unusual, but not enough to arouse suspicion, as smoked meat is also a common dish in this area.
Guge really enjoyed the plate of stir-fried cured meat, and the sour and spicy shredded potatoes also earned his praise.
After the meal, Neil saw Guge home.
Once Lai Yi had cleaned up the dishes, he first fed the big yellow dog, then added grass and water for the little beast. Finally, he herded the red prairie bird, which had been digging in the grass outside, back into the shed.
While Lai Yi’s life was peaceful and steady, there were people talking about him behind his back.
“Look at Lai Yi—he lost both parents and is still raising an underage brother, yet his life is thriving. Now he’s even bought a Delrastoen Beast!”
“I’ve been married to you for so many years, and I haven’t even seen a single hair of a Delrastoen Beast, let alone owned one! And look at you two good-for-nothings—all you know how to do is eat!”
Maggie loudly scolded her husband and two sons.
Her husband and eldest son kept their heads down, eating without responding.
The younger son rolled his eyes and retorted, “He has a capable uncle helping him, of course he’s doing well. What do we have? An alcoholic uncle?”
Maggie was furious and reached out to hit her younger son.
He was quick-witted; seeing his mother about to strike, he grabbed a piece of bread and dashed out the door.
“Stop right there!”
Maggie grabbed a broom and chased after him.
The remaining people at the table continued eating dinner as usual, no one trying to stop them. Scenes like this played out several times a day during meals.
“Anna, have some meat.”
“Thank you, big brother.”
Anna ate the meat in her bowl in small bites. Her eldest brother worked at the tunnel to supplement the family’s income, and it was only after he received his wages a few days ago that he bought a few pounds of meat in town to satisfy their cravings.
“Eldest son, you’re not young anymore. What do you think of your mother’s cousin’s daughter?”
Make stopped chewing.
That cousin was just like his mother—fiery-tempered and unreasonable. She had already been rejected twice for marriage and was known as an old maid. Make really wanted to refuse.
But living under his parents’ strict control had made him timid and enduring; he didn’t know what to do.
His first sister had been married off by their parents to a wealthy family, and they received a generous bride price.
She was not doing well—in just a few years, she had given birth to three children, all daughters. Their mother would occasionally go to her for money, which made it hard for her to hold her head up in her husband’s family. She faced endless household chores every day.
Make once had a childhood sweetheart, a girl as gentle as water, but his mother disliked her.
He mustered the courage to tell his family he wanted to marry her. His mother directly refused, saying he was still too young, but later went to the girl’s house and berated her harshly behind his back.
Eventually, the girl married into another village, and he never brought up starting a family again. Now, his mother was turning her attention back to him.
Make lowered his head and remained silent.
Anna looked at her eldest brother, then at her father. As the youngest child in the family, obedient and clever, she was her father’s favorite. She could still speak up in front of the adults.
She coquettishly pleaded with her father.
“Dad, I don’t like Cousin. She’s so fierce! When she gets angry, I’m afraid she might hit me.”
“Don’t be willful. Your eldest brother will have to start a family eventually. It doesn’t matter whom he marries. Marrying your cousin would only strengthen family ties, wouldn’t it be better?”
Make’s heart was filled with desolation and disappointment.
Outside, his mother’s scolding felt like redundant background noise in a silent film.
Author’s Note: Elves—the holiest race in the world.
One of the eight major races. Fair-skinned, pointed ears, often with silver hair and blue eyes, born with magic.
They worship the Elven Mother Tree.
Nature-loving, skilled in planting and archery, exceptional at brewing.
Most established tribes centered around the Mother Tree, residing in various locations across the continent (mostly forests).
Rarely intermingle with other races, often carry out tasks alone.
Editor’s Comment: If I could catch a glimpse of the Queen’s elegance, I would die without regret!