Chapter 9

PS: During the new book period, I hope everyone will give a lot of support, request for collections, recommendations, clicks, donations, and likes...

The summer sun was always so blinding, even in the cool morning.

“Ugh—!”

Han Yi mumbled, shielding his eyes from the sunlight and slowly opening them, “When was it?”

Last night, when he was drinking, he only felt that the Tang Dynasty’s wine was very light. Since he was used to drinking strong spirits like whisky and Wuliangye in his later life, he thought nothing would happen. However, he did not realize that his body was no longer the same as before. The alcohol tolerance of this body was just so-so, after all, it belonged to a shut-in. Therefore, as he told stories, the alcohol began to take effect, and he soon fell into a deep sleep.

This sleep lasted until dawn.

Suddenly, he seemed to remember something, looked around, and found that the wild child was already gone.

Instead, there was a stray dog wandering nearby. Han Yi recognized this dog, which belonged to Uncle Guan from the village. Since it was a yellow dog, it was called Xiao Huang. Of course, dogs were now raised freely, and when they grew up, they would be slaughtered for food. This led to them defecating and urinating everywhere, especially at people’s doorsteps. Han Yi’s home was also its designated toilet. The villagers all disliked this dog but could not say anything to avoid hurting feelings.

Though dogs are man’s best friends, Han Yi personally had no good feelings towards them and even harbored hostility. It wasn’t that he lacked love, but because in his childhood, he was often chased by dogs in the middle of the night, almost being bitten several times. Fortunately, he was quick-witted and knew how to climb walls or trees. However, once, he spent an entire night in a tree because a large dog guarded it all night. The next day, someone rescued him from the tree. To put it simply, apart from humans, dogs bullied him the most, so he hated them.

He casually waved his hand, trying to drive Xiao Huang away.

But this stubborn stray dog completely ignored Han Yi and continued to wander around.

“Ah—!”

Han Yi had no mood to argue with Xiao Huang, let out a sigh, and propped his head up with his hands, gazing into the distance. He saw many villagers walking in groups on the narrow paths. Looking at their hardworking figures, he couldn’t help but smile wryly, “They look like the ones who owe money!”

Saying this, he sighed again, turned to his side, and while fiddling with the grass in front of him, thought to himself, “Can I really just ignore everything and leave it all to that woman? That would be too unmanly. Moreover, what if she can’t pay it back? Wouldn’t I be harming her? I was right before; whoever I marry, I end up harming. No, I have to do something. If I really harm her, what’s the difference between me and that scoundrel?”

The scoundrel he was thinking of was his biological father, whom he always called by this name, even to his face.

As he thought, he realized he didn’t know what he could do here. The key was that the environment was too unfamiliar. Even if he wanted to deceive, he needed to familiarize himself with the surroundings first.

Just then, he heard someone talking on the path above the slope.

“Auntie San, it seems someone has come to hunt behind the village again.”

“I saw them; they are from the Yang family.”

“The Yang family from the city?”

“Of course.”

“They are so bored, these rich people. If they hunt all the game in the mountains, what will we do? We rely on our men to hunt wild game to satisfy our cravings throughout the year.”

“What can we do? The Yang family is not someone we can afford to offend.”

...

“Yang family? Rich people?”

Han Yi scratched his head, suddenly glancing at the yellow dog beside him. He suddenly remembered his first act of deception, which, though a coincidence, opened a door to survival for him. He thought, “Is this fate?” With this thought, he suddenly smiled at Xiao Huang, “Buddy, let’s go and try our luck. I’m counting on you.”

Saying this, he got up and, in a few moves, lured the yellow dog to follow him to the forest behind the village. Although he hated dogs, his childhood experiences made him very adept at dealing with them. Even purebred German Shepherds were fooled by him, let alone this stray dog.

Mei Village was surrounded by mountains, with beautiful scenery. Behind the village was a dense forest, a good place for hunting. On good weather days, many rich people from the city came to hunt, without considering the feelings of the villagers.

Han Yi brought Xiao Huang to the edge of the forest behind the village. He first crouched in the grass to observe for a while, not rashly entering. Knowing that people were hunting inside, he understood that entering rashly would be no different from suicide.

“Gee—Gee—!”

Suddenly, Han Yi saw a not very tall figure riding a horse galloping inside, but it seemed to have no success and was searching for prey.

Seeing your luck is so bad, it’s you. Han Yi and Xiao Huang began to quietly approach the area where the person was active. Once they entered the forest, Han Yi found an opportunity and suddenly, with a low growl, spread his legs and arms wide.

Xiao Huang, who did not expect Han Yi to suddenly act, was startled, let out two low whines, and quickly ran into the grass ahead.

God bless! God bless!

Han Yi immediately hid behind a tree and prayed.

Suddenly, he heard the sound of hooves. Han Yi’s heart leaped with joy, and he glanced sideways. He heard a whizzing sound, and an arrow shot into the grass.

Hit!

Han Yi clenched his fist and looked at the grass, where something was moving. He cursed in his heart, “Damn it, with your archery skills, you come here to hunt. You’re really embarrassing yourself. I’m so angry.”

At the same time, he heard a clear and frustrated voice, “I don’t believe I can’t hit you.”

A woman?

Han Yi’s heart leaped with joy again, and he tiptoed, silently praying, “May you hit it, may you hit it.”

Whizz!

Before he knew it, another arrow was shot.

The grass immediately emitted two low, painful whines.

YES!

Han Yi excitedly punched the air.

“It’s hit.”

The clear voice sounded again.

“Wangcai! Wangcai!”

Han Yi immediately stepped out from behind the tree, with a worried look, and called out in a crying voice, “Wangcai, Wangcai, where are you? Come out, don’t scare me, Wangcai.”

The stray dog in the grass obligingly whined again.

“Wangcai! Wangcai!”

Han Yi ran over to the sound, parted the grass, and saw the stray dog lying in the grass, an arrow piercing its chest, blood staining its fur.

“Wangcai!”

Han Yi cried out in sorrow, knelt down, and hugged Wangcai, sobbing, “Wangcai, you can’t die. You’ve been with me for so long, showing loyalty and righteousness. I’m useless, and I haven’t even given you a piece of meat or even a lump of feces to eat. I’m so sorry to you, Wangcai, Wangcai—ah—.”

I’ve given my life for you, but you’re calling another dog’s name while hugging me. Do you feel guilty? Xiao Huang, with his eyes open, flashed a look of anger, wanting to roar in protest but lacking the strength. His angry roar turned into a few low whines, making him look even more pitiful. He then turned his head and died, eyes wide open, truly dying with regret. It was unclear whether he was killed by the arrow or by Han Yi’s actions.

Damn! You can’t be serious, a dog saw through me. Dog brother, I know I’ve wronged you, but please understand. If you don’t die, I will. Besides, you’ve defecated and urinated so much at my doorstep; you should pay a price. Rest in peace.

Han Yi was shocked but continued to cry, tears streaming down his face, in a truly tragic manner.

It was truly heart-wrenching to hear and see.

“Ah—Ah—Young man.”

Suddenly, he heard someone speaking behind him, a soft and gentle voice.

Han Yi ignored it and continued to hug Wangcai, sobbing. To be honest, he hadn’t cried even when Shan Ge lay in the house for so long. If Shan Ge’s spirit saw this, he wouldn’t know what to think.

He then heard the sound of someone dismounting. A moment later, he felt a hand pat his shoulder and heard a voice behind him, “Young man, young man.”

Han Yi turned around and saw a girl of about seventeen or eighteen, with a fair, oval face, very beautiful, wearing tight-fitting Hu clothing, which accentuated her well-proportioned figure, and exuding a strong sense of vigor.

“Do—Do you have something to say?”

Han Yi looked at the girl and sobbed.

The girl, seeing Han Yi’s tear-streaked face, felt very guilty and pointed at Xiao Huang, “Is—Is this your dog?”

Han Yi nodded, “This is my Wangcai.”

The girl hesitated for a moment and then said, “I—I’m really sorry. I didn’t know this was your dog and accidentally shot it.”

Han Yi looked at the girl in shock, “What did you say? Wangcai—Wangcai was killed by you?”