6
One Person, One Tiger
He would first gather two bundles of firewood, hide one bundle, and sell the other to Uncle Wang first. The Liu Family wouldn’t allow him to spend too much time gathering firewood, or he would get scolded.
He carried the firewood himself to Uncle Wang’s woodshed – just needed to notify him once it was done.
“Uncle Wang, I’ve left the firewood in your woodshed.”
“Ah, we’ll settle the payment for everything after seven days. No need to report every time you deliver. I trust you, kid.”
“Alright, as you say. I’ll be going now.” Liu Shuhuai needed to quickly retrieve the other bundle of firewood and bring it home.
“Be careful on your way. Your health is what matters most.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t joke about my health.”
He needed to gather more firewood while he could – how else would he raise Da Hei? Although he knew Da Hei was an immortal who didn’t really need his care, he still wanted to do his best.
You can do this, Liu Shuhuai.
The next morning, all members of the Liu Family woke up early and went directly to the village entrance to wait for the oxcart without even eating breakfast.
The oxcart was kept by an elderly recluse, arranged by the village chief. Nobody knew who he really was except the chief. Every market day, he would drive the oxcart to transport people and earn some money.
When the Liu Family arrived, four or five aunties were already there chatting. Seeing the entire family going to market together seemed somewhat unusual to them.
“Oh, is there some happy occasion? The whole family going to market?” asked a plump woman in brown clothes who seemed quite well-off.
“Indeed, could it be something auspicious about your boys?”
The Liu Yan’s family was rather arrogant because they had two scholars in the family. It was said the private tutor claimed Liu Yao Zong was quite learned, though nobody knew if it was true.
If he could pass the Tongsheng examination, wouldn’t the Xiucai degree be within reach? Wouldn’t matchmakers then wear out their doorstep?
“We’re just buying some things for the upcoming New Year,” Granny Liu replied calmly, then asked in return: “I heard your boy has been studying very hard at the private school.”
Well, “studying hard” indeed – just the other day, their three sons had playfully knocked over the teacher’s inkstone during mischief.
Each family had to compensate two taels of silver – heartbreakingly expensive.
These nine-year-olds never gave them peace. Looking at other people’s sons, she felt like beating her own son’s bottom black and blue when she got home.
“Ahem, well, the oxcart driver is here,” she quickly changed the subject, otherwise her heart would ache to death.
Liu Quan and Liu Yao Zong stood there proudly with straight backs, basking in others’ praises as if nobody could compare to them.
When Liu Shuhuai woke up, everyone was already gone and probably wouldn’t return until evening. After all, with New Year approaching, many people needed to shop, and the oxcart would make several trips back and forth.
“Da Hei, let’s go gather firewood in the mountains.”
“Awwooo~” No food to eat – everything’s locked up. He Xunzhou looked at the kitchen where everything, big and small, was locked away, feeling like giving everyone a good swipe with his paw.
“Da Hei, it’s alright. We’ll get used to it.” Having you with me is enough.
He Xunzhou looked at Liu Shuhuai, thinking this child was somewhat foolishly naive.
Hadn’t he been the same back then? Should he fight it? What did it matter – wasn’t the outcome already predetermined?
If only Liu Shuhuai could enter his Dimension – he had everything there. If he were in human form, he could cook for Liu Shuhuai. He was an excellent cook, having learned from his mother.
Speaking of his mother… he seemed to have forgotten what she looked like. In his memories, she was a very gentle woman who had passed away when he was ten.
After his stepmother entered the household, she found various excuses to throw away all his mother’s belongings. Soon, nothing of his mother remained—even the photos were ones he had secretly hidden.
He wondered who in this modern era could visit his mother’s grave. She had passed away when he was only twenty. The thought made He Xunzhou increasingly despondent.
Liu Shuhuai noticed Da Hei seemed upset and immediately hugged him. “What’s wrong, Da Hei?” he asked, gently stroking his head.
“Roar.” It’s nothing, let’s go.
He Xunzhou carried Liu Shuhuai on his back and ran toward Great Black Mountain. The mountain had the most abundant firewood, but only those desperate enough to risk hunger dared venture there—no one else.
He Xunzhou took Liu Shuhuai deeper into the mountain’s interior.
He knew Liu Shuhuai needed to gather firewood to sell, and he wanted to help.
A while later.
“Da Hei, you’re amazing! After I sell seven days’ worth of firewood, I’ll buy you pastries and meat buns,” Liu Shuhuai said, looking at the piles of firewood around them.
He was determined to achieve his goal.
He decided to take three bundles home. Since no one was there anyway, no one would scold him.
While gathering firewood, Liu Shuhuai saw Da Hei imitating him by using his mouth to carry twigs. “Haha, Da Hei, your nose is covered in mud,” he laughed.
He Xunzhou tilted his head toward Liu Shuhuai, as if asking for help.
Liu Shuhuai gently wiped the mud away.
Soon, He Xunzhou brought back three rabbits and some unknown items, gesturing for them to be used when roasting the rabbits.
Oh~, Liu Shuhuai understood—seasonings.
Finding a water source, Liu Shuhuai cleaned and prepared the rabbits.
The seasoned roasted rabbit smelled delicious. Liu Shuhuai only ate half before feeling full, while He Xunzhou finished everything and then wandered off for a while, though it was unclear what he did.
Liu Shuhuai leaned against He Xunzhou and fell asleep.
He felt a drop of cool liquid on his lips and instinctively swallowed. More drops followed, but he couldn’t open his eyes. When he felt full, he tilted his head slightly, and the water stopped. He thought he must be dreaming.
A warm, comfortable sensation spread through his body, as if it were being repaired—like a divine medicine.
He Xunzhou stopped releasing the Spirit Spring once he saw Liu Shuhuai had drunk his fill.
Liu Shuhuai didn’t look like a nine-year-old; he was as small as a five- or six-year-old. He Xunzhou wanted to slowly nourish his body, so he wouldn’t remain so thin and frail, with barely any flesh on him.
Happiness was always fleeting. They had already gathered and bundled all the firewood. Looking at the ten bundles, Liu Shuhuai planned to take three back to the Liu Family, sell four to Uncle Wang, and leave three here temporarily—no one would come for them.
Giving Uncle Wang too much wasn’t good either; he couldn’t use that much. When he had time, Liu Shuhuai would take the rest to sell at the market.
“Roar.” Put them on my back.
“Huh??” Liu Shuhuai looked at Da Hei. “Do you want me to tie the bundles on your back?”
He Xunzhou nodded. This child wasn’t foolish at all—so endearing. He understood his meaning.
Liu Shuhuai tied the firewood onto He Xunzhou’s back, and they slowly descended the mountain together.
The silhouettes of the boy and the tiger gradually disappeared into the forest under the sunlight, as if they had never been there—yet the traces on the ground proved their presence.
Light bathed them like sacred deities, their clothes shimmering with golden radiance. Even in darkness, a beam of light would always shine through. There was no need for pessimism or sorrow.
At the forest’s edge, Liu Shuhuai and He Xunzhou stopped. Liu Shuhuai carefully unloaded all the firewood from He Xunzhou’s back.
He Xunzhou lay on the ground, watching as Liu Shuhuai cautiously carried the firewood downhill.
Liu Shuhuai didn’t forget to remind him, “Da Hei, don’t come down! Otherwise, you’ll be captured.”
He Xunzhou responded softly, indicating that he understood.
In the village, wisps of cooking smoke curled upward, accompanied by the crowing of roosters and the grunting of pigs. Though the air was somewhat chilly, it couldn’t dampen the women’s enthusiasm for gossip.
Under the large tree, the women chatted among themselves, with occasional bursts of laughter. Their murmuring voices felt warm and familiar.
The village’s bridges and pavilions, houses and roof tiles, distant blue mountains and sky, bamboo groves and babbling brooks—all were reflected in the shimmering water.
From time to time, the cheerful laughter of children could be heard as they chased and played. The adults watched this scene with contentment, as if all their hardships were worthwhile.