Chapter 91: Gift Exchange
Bean Village.
Douglas’s house.
Douglas’s family, plus Eric who couldn’t cook, were gathered around the table, eating breakfast prepared by Irene.
Suddenly, a whistle blew outside the door.
Douglas and Eric’s expressions both changed instantly.
Both of them quickly stood up. Eric rushed straight out the door, while Douglas told Irene and Mary to quickly go to the cellar.
This whistle was a signal they had agreed upon long ago.
Once this sound was heard, it meant “the association has come knocking.”
Those who still had abilities, like Eric and Reg, would go to the front to meet the enemy; those whose abilities had faded, like Douglas, would stay in the village to help the villagers take refuge.
Eric had just run out of the yard when he heard the person responsible for relaying the message shouting, “Go to Black Wheat Village! Those ability users are all being held up in Black Wheat Village!”
He immediately ran towards the newly opened “Glup-Glup Road.”
As he ran, he noticed that Lauren and Reg, who had initially fallen behind him, had both overtaken him.
Even Joey, who had a baby face, easily passed him.
And he himself, who was originally a high-level ability user and should have had the best physical fitness, had already started feeling dizzy and short of breath after running only a short distance.
No matter how loudly he shouted “Hurry! Hurry! Go help! Everyone needs you!” in his mind, his body became heavier and heavier, as if he was carrying hundreds of pounds of stones on his back.
In the end, his vision even went black, and he was running towards Black Wheat Village solely on willpower.
Eric knew that his physical condition had been getting worse and worse since he had regained consciousness.
Although he could still use his abilities, every slight use would bring a piercing, bone-deep pain.
Even without using his abilities, any task that required a bit more physical exertion, such as moving stones or repairing irrigation ditches, would leave him panting and exhausted, his efficiency even worse than Aman, who was not even ten years old.
He was very clear that in his current physical state, facing the high-level ability users in the association was no different from “courting death.”
But what if he died?
At least at this moment, he wasn’t a living corpse, he was truly alive.
He had to do something to protect everyone, even if it was just to make up for those irreparable sins.
Thinking this, Eric finally dragged his feet along the “Glup-Glup Road” and ran to Black Wheat Village.
In his mind, this place must already be covered in blood and a horrifying sight.
He pulled out his newly forged iron sword, wiped the sweat that was obstructing his vision, widened his eyes, and prepared to rush in for a desperate fight—
“Kakaba! Tell the beaver to be gentle! Gentle! Don’t throw them anymore!”
“Wahhh, Kakaba, tell it to throw someone else, they’re really going to break!”
Eric: …??
What… what was going on?
Eric was already a bit unsteady on his feet. He planted his iron sword on the ground and looked at the battlefield in front of him with confusion:
It was indeed a horrifying sight.
Lying sprawled all over the ground were all his “teammates” from the association, all high-level ability users wearing black robes.
These ability users looked like they had been fished out of the water, their bodies dripping wet.
Weren’t high-level ability users supposed to be without joy or sorrow, without feeling pain or anger? Yet, some were clutching their heads and crying out, “No, it hurts so much!” while others were rolling their eyes and roaring, “You demon beast, watch me cut you down!”
Eric shuddered, feeling this scene was strangely familiar.
He then looked at the “giant beaver” in the center of the battlefield, its tail slamming the ground with loud thuds.
This beaver was grabbing those high-level ability users who still tried to resist and tossing them around, just like it had grabbed Eric and tossed him around like dough some time ago.
And that pioneer was “directing” from the side: “Okay, okay, switch to another one! This one has been tossed enough!”
The other ability users from Bean Village who had rushed over were also helping.
However, they weren’t helping to “fight the enemy.”
They were helping to quickly lift the enemies who had been tossed into a pile on the ground onto stretchers and carry them away, with expressions that said, “If we’re any slower, the enemy will die!”
They were even saying as they carried them, “The doctor is already waiting, let’s get them over there quickly!”
Eric: …
Who am I? Where am I? What am I seeing…?
Eric blankly returned his iron sword to its sheath, preparing to help carry a stretcher as well.
Just then, he saw an unfamiliar face.
The other person was a young man. This person was dressed in black, tall and straight, standing generously on a stone platform, calmly and composedly observing everything.
For some reason, the moment Eric saw the other person’s expression, he realized: this person was completely aware of every change here.
What exactly was this…?
A name flashed through Eric’s mind.
He walked up to the man and tentatively said, “Mr. Lu?”
At this time, the “battlefield” was already in the final stages.
The man jumped off the stone platform and gave Eric a slight nod: “I am Lu Qingyan.”
Eric thought to himself, as expected! This was the man Douglas and the others were willing to trust unconditionally!
Before this meeting, Eric had imagined how he would question Lu Qingyan when he finally met him, asking why he was so bold as to make such a risky decision.
But now that he actually saw this person, even though he had once served as the vice-captain of the Sea Moon City Patrol Team and had met many important figures, Eric instantly realized: his own experiences were simply not enough compared to this man.
His voice involuntarily became respectful.
Even the way he asked questions became much gentler without him realizing it.
He asked, “Did you plan this battle strategy long ago? To have that demon beast instantly dismantle the ability users’ combat power?”
“You even… arranged for doctors in advance?”
Lu Qingyan: “Yes.”
He looked at Eric, who still seemed puzzled, and explained further:
“The Vice-Chairman was in a desperate frenzy, and in his haste, he would definitely send out the most likely force to achieve a ‘final blow.'”
“For us, this was the best opportunity.”
Eric was silent for a long while, then carefully said, “So you had Lord Chu Jiu lure the beaver here, letting the beaver stay in Black Wheat Village under the pretext of building a dam…”
A subtle light flickered in Lu Qingyan’s eyes:
“I didn’t arrange it in such detail.”
“These steps were thought out by Chu Jiu himself.”
Eric: “…? Then aren’t you worried that if Lord Chu Jiu failed to capture the beaver, or if there were some other mistakes…”
Lu Qingyan: “I believe in him.”
Lu Qingyan spoke cleanly and decisively, without the slightest hesitation.
Having said that, Lu Qingyan strode towards Chu Jiu, who was beside the beaver.
Eric stood there, and for some reason, another thought flashed through his mind:
With Lu Qingyan, even if Chu Jiu failed to do it, he must have other backup plans, and there would never be any mishaps.
It was just that the alternative plan was probably not as merciful as just knocking out the invading ability users.
Chu Jiu and Kakaba together sent the hardworking and meritorious beaver back to the river.
Of course, Chu Jiu didn’t forget to take out the fresh vegetables he had prepared long ago, the crisp, tender, and juicy kind, and put them in a large bamboo basket in front of the big beaver: “Eat, eat, you’ve worked so hard today!”
Using “saliva bombs,” they were accurately placed on so many people!
Then, using the “toss-toss technique,” they were rendered completely unable to fight back!
The grumpy beaver was truly amazing!
The big beaver picked up a cabbage and tossed it into its mouth, its shiny black eyes narrowing.
After swallowing the cabbage in one gulp, it looked left and right, and seeing Kakaba, it called out loudly, “Squeak squeak squeak!”
Kakaba smiled brightly: “Dang dang!”
The big beaver waved its arms, looking somewhat anxious: “Squeak squeak squeak!”
Kakaba scratched its head at this: “Dang dang…”
It looked at Chu Jiu and said somewhat embarrassedly, “Dang dang dang, um, the big beaver wants me to eat vegetables with it…”
Kakaba knew that Chu Jiu had definitely prepared a big meal for it too. The big beaver’s portion was specifically for the big beaver…
Chu Jiu couldn’t help but laugh and took out another pile of unplated vegetables and fruits from his backpack for Kakaba: “Go ahead, go ahead!”
Kakaba happily sat down beside the big beaver and crunched on the cabbage together with it.
Seeing the one big and one small “rodent” sitting together and munching heartily, Chu Jiu finally felt relieved.
Although he had come up with such a plan, he was still worried: would there be any flaws? Would the big beaver’s combat power not be as strong as he thought? Would the ability users have other tricks to counter-kill the big beaver…?
Fortunately, the plan was progressing smoothly.
He let out a heavy sigh and turned his head to look for Great Can, only to see:
Lu Qingyan had already stood behind him at some point.
Those ice-blue eyes that made his heart race were focused intently on him.
Chu Jiu’s heart, which had just calmed down, started pounding wildly again.
His hands subconsciously went behind his back and clenched tightly, and he shifted his gaze away, saying:
“You, you can come over again.”
“Has your body recovered?”
Lu Qingyan: “Mm.”
Chu Jiu: “That’s good.”
Lu Qingyan: “Mm.”
Chu Jiu: “Uh, that, this time you…”
Lu Qingyan: “Should be able to stay for a few hours.”
A small joy rose in Chu Jiu’s heart, and his eyes couldn’t help but curve into crescents.
His fingers twisted together behind his back, his face already starting to turn red, and he whispered, “That’s really good.”
“Oh oh, I mean, it looks like you’ve recovered well, that’s really good.”
Lu Qingyan: “…I’m going to go see the injured at the doctor’s, together?”
Chu Jiu: “Together, together!”
“Oh oh, I was going to go anyway!”
A light flickered in Lu Qingyan’s eyes, and the corners of his lips slightly lifted: “I know.”
*
At this time, Bean Village had long since ended its evacuation and returned to peace.
Villagers went to the fields, chopped firewood, looking no different from any other day.
Chu Jiu and Lu Qingyan walked from “Glup-Glup Road” to near the small plaza of Bean Village and saw the chestnut sprites lined up in a row, skipping lightly towards the school.
Seeing Chu Jiu, Sheldon rolled over and jumped towards him: “Teacher Chu Jiu! We’re making scrambled eggs with tomatoes for the children today! They’re newly picked tomatoes from yesterday, especially sweet!”
Chu Jiu praised the little chestnut sprite, and Sheldon rolled away happily.
After Sheldon ran far away, Chu Jiu sighed with relief: “Fortunately, the ‘cafeteria’ wasn’t affected.”
The school wasn’t affected, and the children weren’t scared.
Lu Qingyan gently smoothed down a stray hair sticking up on the top of Chu Jiu’s head: “Don’t worry.” “Children are very resilient.”
“This ‘cafeteria’ will definitely continue to operate, and more and more children will come… to ‘eat’.”
Chu Jiu was taken aback for a moment, then his eyes curved into crescents as he nodded repeatedly: “Mm-hmm! I think so too!”
No matter how much the association suppresses them, everyone will still try their best to let the children come to read and learn!
Speaking of this, Chu Jiu once again thought of the problem that had been troubling him for a long time.
He couldn’t help but frown.
Seeing his expression, Lu Qingyan asked, “What’s wrong?”
Chu Jiu sighed: “Actually, regarding this ‘cafeteria’ thing, I really can’t figure out the association’s motive at all.”
Lu Qingyan didn’t reply, but just encouraged him with his eyes to continue.
Chu Jiu: “As I understand it, no matter how backward or brutal the rulers are, as long as they haven’t gone mad—haven’t gone so mad as to burn down the city—they will cultivate a small group of people they can use.”
“That is, even if they think 95% of the people don’t need to be literate, they still need someone to manage their food and register their property, right? These people must be able to read and write, right?”
“But the news I heard from Douglas and Lauren is that there isn’t a single school in the entire Carrot Continent! No private tutors, no academies, nothing!”
“Not only are there none in the commoner cities, but there aren’t even any in the royal city!”
In the history of Earth, there were indeed muddle-headed and incompetent rulers and cold-blooded colonizers.
But in order for their rule to last, they would try to select and cultivate “useful people,” and even cede some rights to let these “useful people” help them “manage” more people.
But this association…
Seems to completely neglect cultivating successors.
The more Chu Jiu spoke, the more confused he became, and the more he couldn’t find any logical explanation.
Lu Qingyan stopped walking and said, “Chu Jiu, have you paid attention to how Quick Feather raises chicks, or how Kakaba teaches the snow beastmen to raise pigs?”
Chu Jiu nodded: “Yes, I have.”
“Try to make the chicks and piglets eat, maintain their exercise, and be careful not to let them get sick…”
Lu Qingyan: “Does Kakaba teach the piglets to read?”
Chu Jiu chuckled: “Ah? How could that…”
His smile froze on his face.
He was stunned for a long while before whispering, “No way…”
He swallowed hard: “That… the association… they… uh, we…” “They are actually… not… human at all?”
Were they… the demon beasts that invaded this place hundreds of years ago, mixed in with humans?”
Lu Qingyan didn’t speak.
But his expression already said everything.
Chu Jiu: “Wow.”
He thought for a moment and then clapped his hands together sharply: “No wonder!”
Lu Qingyan: “?”
Chu Jiu: “I was just saying that Chairman, who doesn’t love money and doesn’t love to eat—how could he possibly be human!”
Lu Qingyan: “…”
After Chu Jiu finished speaking, he lowered his voice again: “…Do Douglas and the others know?”
Lu Qingyan: “They may not know that clearly.”
“But they do have their suspicions.”
Chu Jiu nodded with a look of sudden understanding.
So that’s how it is!
Thinking this way, all the strange behaviors of the association became very easy to understand!
It was just that the people of this world had it too hard.
To actually be oppressed like pigs and sheep by a bunch of ghostly beings for so long.
While speaking, the two had already walked to a row of deserted houses before Bean Village.
Now these deserted houses had been cleaned up and could be used for the ability users knocked down by the beaver to recuperate.
The doctor Douglas had invited was busily going in and out, and several villagers were also helping.
Fortunately, the grumpy beaver hadn’t been too heavy-handed, and most of these ability users only had superficial injuries.
Most of them had now woken up from their comas, but they were all confused, looking just like Eric had been back then, and would probably need a good while to recover.
Chu Jiu caught sight of the Old Village Chief here as well.
He also noticed that the Old Village Chief was softly instructing a young villager to order more coarse wheat flour from Marco and Anthony, enough for thirty people to eat for a week.
Chu Jiu immediately understood: the Old Village Chief was preparing food for these injured people!
Although no one in the village was going hungry now, to say who had extra food reserves, there really weren’t any.
What’s more, with the sudden arrival of more than thirty strong men, the village’s food supply was definitely not enough.
Chu Jiu thought for a moment and hurriedly said to the Old Village Chief, “Old Village Chief! I have other food here, you don’t need to spend so much money!”
Only then did the Old Village Chief notice Chu Jiu.
The old man quickly said, “Alright, Little Jiu, I’ve said it before, you can’t keep paying out of your own pocket…”
Chu Jiu smiled and shook his head: “No, no, it’s not me paying out of my own pocket.”
“I had an idea before—”
“Not only can the injured have food, but everyone can eat something good!”
Having said that, he turned to run towards Black Wheat Village, then suddenly turned back to look at Lu Qingyan—
Lu Qingyan’s eyes held a smile: “Go ahead.”
“I happen to have other things to do as well.”
Chu Jiu: “Then, you wait for me…”
Lu Qingyan: “I won’t leave.”
Only then did Chu Jiu dash away in a flash.
*
Chu Jiu ran to the Wheat River again.
It had to be said that the grumpy beaver’s dam-building efficiency was astonishing.
In just a few days, it had already built the rudimentary form of a dam on the river channel using branches and stones.
Although it was only a “rudimentary form” now, it was enough for Chu Jiu’s purposes.
He summoned the [Virtual Production Line], recalling the tools he had seen in wilderness survival videos, and began to build [Fishing Traps] using branches and bamboo poles.
Before long, he had a “slope” about 30 centimeters high made of bundled bamboo and wood beside him.
This slope actually had two layers, an upper inclined layer and a lower flat layer, with the opening between the two layers forming a spacious area.
As the upper bamboo and wood converged, they eventually formed an interlacing gap at the junction of the upper and lower layers. Due to the elasticity of the bamboo and wood, with a little force, this gap could be widened, just enough to accommodate a forearm-length fish swimming through.
Chu Jiu wedged this slope in the middle of the dam.
He then told Glup-GLup and the big beaver, “Here, this place, use stones to build a circle of riverbank around this trap.”
Glup-Glup and the big beaver immediately started working.
At this time, the former patrol team members who had been working in Black Wheat Village and had just finished cleaning up the battlefield gathered around: “Lord, what are you…?”
Chu Jiu: “Preparing to catch some fish to improve everyone’s meals!”
The team members laughed: “Lord, the fish here are very cunning and difficult to catch!”
They had been sent here by Clara to help with farming for several months.
Although they had brought enough dry rations, dry rations were still no match for fresh meat.
Therefore, they hadn’t dismissed the idea of catching some fish from the Wheat River to eat.
Unfortunately, the fish in this river were very difficult to catch, let alone by hand, even with fishing nets.
Chu Jiu said seriously, “Yes, that’s why I’m building a trap.”
The team members looked at the grumpy beaver and the little sapling busily building the riverbank and said, “Is it enough just to block the water? Then let’s help too.”
Although they felt this method wouldn’t succeed, since Lord Chu Jiu had suggested it… they would give it a try!
So, these people also rolled up their trouser legs and jumped into the river one after another, working with the grumpy beaver and Glup-Glup.
Before long, the circle of riverbank Chu Jiu had envisioned was built.
Around the “slope” Chu Jiu had bundled with bamboo and wood, a small pond was perfectly enclosed.
Chu Jiu spread a fishing net at the bottom of the pond and put some dough inside the “slope” as bait.
The grumpy beaver, Glup-Glup, and the human team members all retreated to the bank and sat in a row, curiously watching the small pond, wanting to see what would happen next.
The dough Chu Jiu had thrown in quickly attracted several fish to swim over.
Someone said very softly, “Baiting? But the fish here eat the bait and run, they’re hard to catch…”
The person next to him shushed him: “Watch and see.”
The fish swam very fast.
Due to the “dam” built by the grumpy beaver, there was already some drop in the water level here, and the downstream flow was naturally faster.
The fish easily ate the bit of bait.
However, when they wanted to swim back, they found that due to the water flow, it was difficult to retreat.
On the contrary, with just a little effort, they could swim forward along the gaps between the bamboo and wood.
Then they might as well swim forward.
The fish struggled hard and actually swam into the pond through the gaps in the bamboo and wood!
But once they were in the pond, trying to swim back out against the current through the bamboo and wood gaps was impossible no matter what.
And so, this “one-way in, no-way out” pond had one fish, two fish, three fish…
When the first fish swam in, the team members whispered in surprise.
When the second fish swam in, the team members showed joy on their faces.
When the third and fourth fish swam in, the team members had already begun to consider: should they roast them or boil them, and the big question of “how many fish would Lord Chu Jiu be willing to share with them.”
One afternoon passed, and the shallow pond was full of fish bumping into each other, each as thick and long as an arm!
Chu Jiu collected the net and left half of the fish for the team members in Black Wheat Village: “These are for you! Please trouble you to catch fish like this tomorrow too!”
Using this fishing method, even if Chu Jiu wasn’t in the village, the villagers could catch a lot of fish, which was much better than going to the wilderness to catch demon beasts.
The team members wiped their mouths: “No problem!”
The fish Chu Jiu brought back were made into fish soup by the villagers.
Adding some wheat flour to the fish soup and letting it simmer, a big bowl of hot and fragrant soup with both meat and noodles was the best food for the injured.
When the villagers brought over the fish soup, Chu Jiu was somewhat smugly telling Lu Qingyan how he had caught the fish.
As he was talking, someone suddenly called out to him.
Turning around, he saw Cheng Yue and Reg.
Cheng Yue wasn’t weaving cloth today, but was helping everyone take care of the injured and boil food and herbs.
She walked in front, and Reg followed behind carrying a large wooden bucket, which contained the freshly stewed fish soup.
She curtsied slightly to Chu Jiu and Lu Qingyan: “A-Jiu, Mr. Lu.”
She raised her head, a slight blush on her face: “Since you’re both here, there’s something…”
Chu Jiu thought she had something to ask for his help with and quickly responded, “Mm-hmm?”
Cheng Yue: “It’s like this. In ten days, it will be the one-year anniversary of when Reg and I met.”
“We’re planning… to have our wedding on that day.”
“Right here in the village—we’d like to invite you both to come.”
“Will… will you have time?”
Chu Jiu was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed “Wow!” several times before nodding vigorously:
“Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations!”
“We have time, we have time, we have time! We’ll definitely have time! I’ll definitely stay in the village!”
What wonderful news!
These two were getting married!
…Eh, wait, when did they actually get together? I don’t think they confessed their feelings last winter? …But another half a year has passed… winter has turned into summer…
Thinking of this, Chu Jiu looked at Lu Qingyan beside him: I should be able to stay in the village, but what about Lu Qingyan? He’s so busy, and he’s not even from Bean Village, will he have time to come?
Lu Qingyan: “Ten days later? I’ll be there.”
Cheng Yue and Reg were both very happy and bowed to the two of them again before going to help distribute the food.
Chu Jiu looked at Lu Qingyan and whispered, “Will you really come?”
Lu Qingyan looked at him, his expression indescribably gentle: “I will.”
He raised his face and reached out to touch the stray hair sticking up on Chu Jiu’s forehead: “However, I have to leave first today.”
Chu Jiu: “…Oh…”
Lu Qingyan’s finger lightly pressed against Chu Jiu’s brow bone: “See you in ten days.”
Chu Jiu: “Mm, see you at the wedding.”
Lu Qingyan’s eyebrow twitched slightly, but he didn’t say anything.
A moment later, a little black cat ran out from an unnoticed corner and quietly jumped onto Chu Jiu’s shoulder.
*
With Eric as a “precedent,” Douglas knew how to help the high-level ability users recover their memories.
More than a week passed, and those originally ignorant and unfeeling ability users more or less remembered who they were and how they had been “picked up” by the association, and how many evil deeds they had been led to commit.
Their choices were similar to Eric’s: since Bean Village was opposing the association and had the support of the city lord and the prince behind it, they were all willing to stay in Bean Village, where they could at least do something.
This was both a rebellion against the association and a small compensation for their evil deeds.
This was originally a great thing.
For Bean Village, having so many high-level ability users join would make things much easier, whether it was land reclamation or farming!
Not only that, but if the association were to provoke them again, they could face them head-on with confidence!
Unfortunately, Douglas and Chu Jiu soon discovered that these ability users, like Eric, had become unusually weak.
At first, they tried to hold on and even intended to pick up farm tools and work.
But after walking only a few steps, they would fall to the ground, covered in cold sweat.
Compared to them, Eric, who could still help sweep the floor and plaster walls, was considered to have recovered very well.
At this time, the original leader among these ability users, Gao Yawen, a once highly respected wind-type high-level ability user, helplessly revealed something.
He said that he had once overheard those black-robed people privately discussing that “the potion they give the ability users to drink turns them into monsters; if they don’t drink it, they will become useless.”
Because the black-robed people knew that the ability users had little reaction to language other than “commands,” they weren’t too careful about being overheard.
Now, Gao Yawen recalled this incident and saw the weak and powerless appearance of his companions, he could only speculate:
Their current state was a side effect of that “potion.”
From the beginning, the association had no intention of letting these ability users live long; they only wanted to use unorthodox methods to maximize the activation of their abilities.
Now without the potion, not only would their abilities weaken, but their bodies would also be extremely weak due to the previous overload.
“In other words,” Gao Yawen’s tone was very calm, “we are now pretty much useless.”
“Letting us stay in Bean Village would probably just be a waste of food.”
“So it would be better if we—”
Douglas’s expression changed drastically: “Impossible!”
Gao Yawen lowered his eyes, not arguing further, but still silently planning in his heart: leave tonight. At least he couldn’t become a burden.
Until he heard a clear voice: “Your condition, is it a kind of illness?”
“In my hometown, it would probably be something like… insufficient qi and blood, hormonal imbalance?”
Gao Yawen looked up and saw the young man who could command the big beaver and order the spirit beast: Chu Jiu.
But he didn’t seem to understand what this young man was saying very well.
Chu Jiu’s expression was very serious: “Since it’s an illness, then it should be treatable. We can’t just abandon you because you’re sick.”
“Our Bean Village is so short of manpower right now, we’re still counting on you to get better and help with land reclamation!”
The young man spoke very straightforwardly.
Gao Yawen’s fingers trembled slightly.
Chu Jiu looked at the doctor beside him: “Doctor, their condition should be curable, right?”
The doctor pondered hard: “I seem to vaguely remember hearing about this kind of excessive use of abilities… it should be curable…”
“But, but how to treat it specifically… ah, I really can’t remember.”
He shook his head in distress: “If only there was a doctor’s village now.”
Chu Jiu’s eyes lit up: “Are you saying that the people in the doctor’s village would know how to treat this condition?”
The doctor said, “Ah, yes. But, that place, even the people sent by the city lord couldn’t find it…” Chu Jiu: “I can!”
“The city lord just sent me the maps and information a few days ago, I’ll try to find this village!”
“I’ll leave tomorrow… ah, tomorrow is Reg and Cheng Yue’s wedding. I’ll leave the day after tomorrow!”
*
The next day.
Chu Jiu changed into the black formal attire that the system had prepared for him on the second floor.
As before, he still couldn’t manage the bow tie at his chest.
Last time, Little Can had helped him tie this bow tie.
So this time…
Chu Jiu looked around, but didn’t see Little Can’s shadow.
Could it be…?
Chu Jiu hastily tied the bow tie and walked to the top of the stairs, looking down—
Sure enough.
Lu Qingyan was already waiting downstairs.
Perhaps the creaking floorboards had caught Lu Qingyan’s attention, the young man in the well-tailored formal attire was looking up at him.
…It had to be said, Lu Qingyan’s broad shoulders and long legs, his cold white skin, and his sharp, almost severe features, really suited this classic formal wear.
So much so that Chu Jiu gripped the railing and stood there for a second in a daze.
Until Lu Qingyan’s eyes slightly curved, and he reached out, gesturing for him to come downstairs: “Come.”
Chu Jiu’s mind hadn’t reacted yet, but his feet had already walked down the stairs.
Only when he stopped in front of Lu Qingyan did he suddenly wake up, whispering, “W-what’s wrong?”
Lu Qingyan didn’t speak, but naturally and gently placed his hand on Chu Jiu’s neck.
Chu Jiu’s face flushed red instantly, and he stood there stiffly, unable to even ask a question.
Lu Qingyan untied his carelessly tied bow tie: “The bow tie, it wasn’t tied properly again.”
Chu Jiu: “Oh, oh…”
S-so, it was just tying the bow tie.
His face burning hot, Chu Jiu lowered his eyes and saw Lu Qingyan’s slender fingers flitting across his chest.
He forced himself to shift his gaze elsewhere.
He stared at the cat climbing frame he had made for Little Can, trying to find something to say: “Yeah, I was just thinking, this time I’d have to ask Little Can to help me tie my bow tie again.”
Lu Qingyan said softly, “Instead of Little Can tying it, if I do it, is that not good?”
Now even Chu Jiu’s ears started to burn.
He almost stammered, “I-it’s fine too.”
Lu Qingyan smiled slightly and said, “Alright.”
Chu Jiu looked down: sure enough, it was a full and three-dimensional bow, exactly like Little Can’s handiwork.
He looked up and praised honestly, “It’s really good, just as good as Little Can’s.”
Lu Qingyan didn’t reply, but reached out again to help straighten his collar.
*
The two of them, dressed and ready, went out together and walked side by side to the wedding venue—the small plaza of Bean Village.
Calling it a “wedding venue” was perhaps an exaggeration; apart from some flowers and plants, there weren’t many decorations.
The wedding process was also very simple, with no priest and no family members walking the bride down the aisle.
Instead, a close friend would stand before everyone, talk about how the couple met and fell in love, and wish them eternal happiness.
Cheng Yue and Reg chose Irene as their close friend.
This kind and warm-hearted sister happily stepped forward and began her speech, starting with how Reg had looked worriedly as he discussed things with Douglas, then talking about how excited he was when he and Irene finally exchanged gifts, and finally how thrilled he was on the day he successfully proposed…
The people below listened to Reg’s love story, laughing merrily while continuously clapping and cheering.
After the friend gave their blessings, the Old Village Chief acted as the witness, loudly announcing to everyone:
From today onwards, Ms. Cheng Yue and Mr. Reg are husband and wife!
The crowd erupted in cheers, and the children jumped up and down.
Cheng Yue, wearing a light blue long dress, a flax flower wreath on her head, and holding a small bouquet of daisies in her hands, linked arms with Reg, a happy smile on her face.
At this point, there was only one last part of the wedding: the bride throwing the bouquet.
Like in Europe on Earth, there was a saying here that “whoever catches the bride’s bouquet will be the next bride.”
Cheng Yue glanced at the crowd, met Chu Jiu and Lu Qingyan’s eyes, smiled, turned around, faced away from everyone, and steadily threw the bouquet backward—
“Huh? Ah? The flowers hit my head?!”
It was Joey.
This patrol team member who had come to attend the ceremony happened to be standing in front of Chu Jiu.
The bouquet, arcing through the air, landed squarely on his head.
The baby-faced Joey, holding the bouquet, laughed out loud generously: “Wow, am I actually getting married? Then I have to work hard and see where the gods have hidden my wife!”
Everyone else present clapped and cheered.
Only Irene looked at Chu Jiu and Lu Qingyan with an expression of disappointment and exasperation.
Chu Jiu felt both embarrassed and guilty under her gaze, as if he had really done something wrong.
Lu Qingyan tilted his head slightly: “Shall we go?”
Chu Jiu quickly nodded and, without a word, grabbed Lu Qingyan’s wrist and ran away from the crowd.
Having run to a secluded spot, Lu Qingyan asked seemingly casually, “That ‘exchanging gifts’ Irene mentioned, does it have a special meaning?”
Chu Jiu thought for a moment, then couldn’t help but smile a little smugly: “Ah, so you didn’t know either!”
He then told Lu Qingyan everything Irene had told him: single people of suitable age giving a gift to someone represents “I’m interested in you.” If the gift is reciprocated, it means “You’re not bad, let’s try dating.”
As Chu Jiu was speaking, he suddenly remembered: Oh right, when Irene was telling him this, Lu Qingyan and Douglas were coincidentally having a private conversation. So Lu Qingyan hadn’t heard.
Irene had also said at the time, “This tradition is known to everyone here, how come you don’t know it, Little Jiu?”
So it seemed Lu Qingyan didn’t know either.
After Chu Jiu explained, Lu Qingyan nodded thoughtfully.
While they were talking, the two had returned to the entrance of the Pioneer Cabin.
Lu Qingyan said, “Leaving tomorrow?”
Chu Jiu: “Yeah. I’ve already looked at the map. This time we’ll go down from another exit of the Sanctuary Valley—oh, right, Little Can has seen the map, so you must know it too.”
The corners of Lu Qingyan’s lips slightly lifted: “Mm.”
Chu Jiu subconsciously muttered, “Then why did you ask…”
Now even the corners of Lu Qingyan’s eyes slightly curved: “Sometimes, even when you know the answer, you can’t help but want to ask.”
Chu Jiu: “Oh…”
Chu Jiu scratched his head, looking at Lu Qingyan who was standing at the door seemingly not intending to go inside, and suddenly realized something.
He met Lu Qingyan’s eyes: “Are you leaving again?”
Lu Qingyan: “Mm.”
Chu Jiu lowered his eyelids: “Oh…”
Lu Qingyan: “…Little Can will be with you.”
Chu Jiu: “Mm-hmm!”
Lu Qingyan: “And another ‘Little Can’ will also be with you.”
Chu Jiu raised his head, puzzled: “Another ‘Little Can’?”
What did he mean?
He saw Lu Qingyan raise his right hand, and several beams of light gathered in his palm.
A moment later, a small black cat head badge appeared in his hand.
Chu Jiu’s eyes widened: “Wow! So cute! This, this… did you make this with your ability?”
Lu Qingyan: “Mm.”
He held the badge: “It feels like it would suit you very well.”
Chu Jiu smiled: “Really? Then—you wait for me!”
Chu Jiu rushed into the house like a whirlwind and rushed out again like a whirlwind.
He had already taken off his formal attire and changed into his usual pioneer outfit.
He pointed to the left chest pocket: “Help me pin it here? This was originally Little Can’s exclusive ‘nest,’ it will definitely like this badge.”
Lu Qingyan smiled and pinned the badge onto Chu Jiu’s pocket.
Chu Jiu looked down at the Q-version cat head with ice-blue eyes and praised, “It’s really too cute! It goes so well with Little Can!”
Lu Qingyan’s eyes held a smile: “Even if Little Can likes it a lot—”
Chu Jiu: “Mm-hmm?”
Lu Qingyan: “This is a gift for you, not for Little Can.”
Chu Jiu: “Huh? Mm-hmm! I know, thank you! I really like this gift!”
Lu Qingyan: “You like it?”
Chu Jiu: “Of course.”
Lu Qingyan: “Will you reciprocate?”
Chu Jiu: “Of course!”
Reciprocity is an excellent tradition of our Chinese nation!
The corners of Lu Qingyan’s eyes curved: “Good. I look forward to it.”
Chu Jiu: “…?”
Wait, something seems… not quite right?
Looking at Chu Jiu standing blankly at the door, Lu Qingyan raised his hand and brushed his forehead, saying softly, “I’m leaving.”
Chu Jiu: “Oh…”
It wasn’t until Lu Qingyan’s figure disappeared and Little Can jumped onto his shoulder, stretching its body into a long cat stick and curiously scratching the cat head badge with its little paw, that Chu Jiu finally reacted:
Wait, what, did Lu Qingyan give me a gift according to the customs of this place?!
And then, I promised him that I would reciprocate?!
Eh?!
