Chapter 13: The Visit
Chapter 13: The Visit
After finishing a complete set of movements, Ye Tian only felt that his entire body was brimming with Vital Essence. The soreness and weakness in his body had completely vanished. He couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. That mysterious Tortoise Shell in his mind was obtained from the Ma Yi Taoist Temple. Could it truly be meant to be used together with this Cultivation Technique?
“Arcane Repository…”
Thinking of this, Ye Tian cautiously called out to the Tortoise Shell. When the palm-sized little thing appeared spinning in his mind, Ye Tian immediately noticed that the characters for “Geomancy” and “Physiognomy” seemed a bit brighter than usual.
However, Ye Tian still hadn’t confirmed whether yesterday’s incident was caused by the Backlash from reading his father’s face. So, even after staring at the Tortoise Shell for a long time, he still didn’t dare to rashly investigate. The feeling of total paralysis had been far too unpleasant.
“Xiao Tian, come eat breakfast.” Just as Ye Tian was wrestling with his thoughts, Ye Dongping’s voice called out.
“Coming!” Hearing his father’s call, Ye Tian quickly calmed his mind and stopped his practice, shifting his attention away. The Tortoise Shell slowly faded away.
The countryside wasn’t particular about formalities. Summer mornings were the coolest time of day. Ye Dongping brought the breakfast to the courtyard. He first served his son a bowl of chicken noodle soup, with a thoroughly boiled chicken drumstick placed on top.
“Dad, have some chicken soup too.”
Just as Ye Tian picked up his bowl to eat, he glanced over and saw that his father’s bowl contained yesterday’s leftover porridge, accompanied by some homemade pickled radish. His father was noisily shoveling it into his mouth.
“We only had one drumstick, and I already ate it. It’s fine, I’ll have something light to cleanse my stomach. You go ahead and eat.”
Ye Dongping looked at his son, warmth filling his heart. His son had grown up and knew how to care for his old man. This comforted him more than any rare delicacy ever could.
“Dad, I’ll just have the noodles. Too much chicken is greasy and hard to digest…”
Looking at his father, a man in his thirties with traces of white already appearing at his temples, Ye Tian’s eyes couldn’t help but redden. Even though his father often gave him a beating, when it came to food and other things at home, he always gave the best to Ye Tian.
Moreover, Ye Tian knew that the other chicken leg had been shredded into strips by his father and given to him to eat yesterday. Without using his chopsticks, he directly used his hand to pick up the drumstick from his noodles and placed it into his father’s bowl.
“Xiao Tian, your dad really has eaten.”
Ye Dongping initially wanted to put the drumstick back, but seeing the resolute expression on Ye Tian’s face, he smiled with gratification and said, “Alright, a gift from my son. I’ll eat it…”
His usually mischievous son had suddenly become so sensible, showing such filial piety. This filled Ye Dongping’s heart with comfort, making the hardships he had suffered over the past ten-odd years seem insignificant.
“By the way, Xiao Tian, what you said yesterday… did you really see that yourself?”
He had been too worried about Ye Tian’s health before. Now, with his mind at ease, Ye Dongping suddenly remembered yesterday’s event. He put down his bowl and asked Ye Tian.
Ye Tian knew his dad would ask about this sooner or later. He had already prepared his answer. He immediately spoke up, “Dad, of course I saw it myself. You can’t be so rigid in your thinking. My teacher really is over a hundred years old this year. The Physiognomy knowledge he taught me has profound principles behind it.”
Hearing this, Ye Dongping nodded and said, “Perhaps your dad’s understanding was insufficient before. This Divination culture has been passed down for thousands of years; there must be some reason for it. But Xiao Tian, these are ultimately unorthodox paths. You still need to study hard and not immerse yourself too deeply in these things…”
Ye Dongping came from an ordinary family. Being able to attend Huaqing University during those turbulent times could be considered a rare privilege. However, due to emotional turmoil, Ye Dongping didn’t want to return to Beijing and had never spoken of his past to his son. So, he truly believed that Ye Tian’s words had come from face-reading.
Regarding the notion that Fortune-Telling and Physiognomy were Feudal Superstition, Ye Dongping used to simply repeat what others said without knowing much himself. But the things his son mentioned yesterday had greatly changed his perspective.
“I know, Dad. My teacher teaches us every day to contribute to the Four Modernizations. I will study hard.”
Hearing Ye Dongping’s words, Ye Tian felt relieved. As long as his dad believed Physiognomy wasn’t feudal superstition, he wouldn’t make a fuss if anything happened in the future.
Ye Dongping was very happy during this meal. He felt his son had grown up and could now communicate with him as an equal. As for whether to leave this small village he had lived in for over ten years, Ye Dongping had also made up his mind.
“That’s the place. I’m telling you, why are you looking for Ye Tian? He’s not even home.”
Just as the father and son were sharing this tender moment, a commotion arose from outside the courtyard wall, followed immediately by the sound of knocking.
“Hey, Ye Tian, you’re home? I thought you were still up on the mountain.”
As soon as Ye Tian opened the courtyard gate, Fatty Dun squeezed in. While speaking, he winked and made faces at Ye Tian. Coupled with the green and purple bruises on his face, he looked quite comical.
Fatty Dun was trying to tell Ye Tian that he had been caught, but he hadn’t given Ye Tian away. They had been playing this little trick since they were five or six years old.
“I came back yesterday.”
Ye Tian understood Fatty Dun’s meaning. He patted his shoulder, leaned close to his ear, and whispered, “Tonight I’ll go catch eels to treat you guys…”
“Hehe, that sounds great…” The mere mention of food made Fatty Dun’s face break into a wide grin.
“Er Hu, move aside. I need to talk to Ye Tian.”
Blocked by Fatty Dun, the person behind became a bit impatient. Pushing Fatty Dun further inside, Guo Xiaolong’s figure was revealed.
“Xiaolong, what brings you here?”
Seeing Guo Xiaolong, a look of surprise flashed across Ye Tian’s face. At school, he didn’t interact much with Guo Xiaolong. They had never visited each other’s homes, so he didn’t know why Guo Xiaolong was looking for him.
However, seeing the people behind Guo Xiaolong, Ye Tian immediately guessed part of the reason for his visit. He took a step forward and obediently greeted, “Hello, Grandpa Liao. Hello, Teacher Yu. Hello, uncles. Hello, classmate Yu Qingya…”
The visitor was precisely Liao Haode, whom Ye Tian had met at the town market. Behind him were several adults, among them, surprisingly, Ye Tian’s homeroom teacher Yu Haoran and his daughter Yu Qingya.
Yu Qingya’s birthday was one month later than Ye Tian’s. She had slender eyebrows, large expressive eyes, snow-white skin, and two long braids tied at the back of her head. Though still young, one could tell she would grow into a beauty.
“Ye Tian, it’s my dad looking for you…”
Seeing Ye Tian wink at her, Yu Qingya couldn’t help but take a step back. She didn’t know why her dad was coming to Ye Tian’s house, but she had wanted to tag along.
Since first grade, Yu Qingya had shared a desk with Ye Tian. Back then, they got along very well. During breaks or after school, she often followed Ye Tian and the others around like a little tag-along.
But by third grade, starting from some unknown day, a “demarcation line” was drawn on the desk. It seemed overnight, male and female classmates became distant. Ye Tian, in particular, spent his days mischievously teasing the girls. Yu Qingya herself had been made to cry by him countless times.
“Xiao Tian, why haven’t you invited the guests in? You have no manners at all…”
When Ye Tian opened the door, Ye Dongping had already cleared the bowls and chopsticks from the stone table in the courtyard. Coming out and seeing people still outside, he scolded Ye Tian a few times.
“Dad, it’s my classmate and Teacher Yu.” Ye Tian stepped aside and called back.
“Old Yu, what’s up? Want to have a drink today? You can’t hold your liquor, you know.”
Hearing his son, Ye Dongping came forward. But upon seeing several strangers besides Yu Haoran, he paused in surprise and asked, “Old Yu, who are these…?”
“Old Ye, let me introduce you. This is Minister Wang from the county United Front Work Department. These comrades are also from the United Front Work Department. This Mr. Liao is an overseas Chinese returning to the motherland…” Seeing Ye Dongping’s puzzled expression, Yu Haoran introduced them.
However, Yu Haoran also didn’t know why these people were looking for Ye Tian. Guo Xiaolong had come to his house asking for Ye Tian’s address. Out of curiosity, Yu Haoran had personally brought them over.
“United Front Work Department? Overseas Chinese? Looking for me for what?”
Ye Dongping was baffled. However, out of politeness, he ushered everyone inside. He brought out several stools and placed them in the courtyard, saying, “I’m really sorry. It’s stuffy inside. Please sit in the courtyard. Ye Tian, go boil some water…”
Hearing Ye Dongping tell Ye Tian to boil water, Liao Haode, who had just sat down, hurriedly stood up again and said, “Please don’t, Mr. Ye. There’s no need to trouble yourself. I simply have a small matter I’d like to ask Ye Tian about. Please, don’t go to any trouble…”
“Oh? Ye Tian, have you been causing trouble again? It seems you climb onto the roof to remove tiles if you go three days without a beating!”
Hearing Liao Haode’s words, Ye Dongping’s anger flared up instantly. This kid’s audacity was growing. He had even managed to attract the attention of people from the United Front Work Department.
It had to be understood that, ten years ago, if comrades from the United Front Work Department visited someone’s home, it definitely meant that family was in for misfortune—either branded as enemy spies or dragged out for public criticism and struggle.
Although that unprecedented Great Revolution had ended ten years prior, as someone who had personally experienced it, Ye Dongping couldn’t help but feel uneasy. While his mouth scolded Ye Tian, his heart held no welcome for these visitors.
Seeing Ye Dongping scold Ye Tian, an awkward expression appeared on Liao Haode’s face. He stammered, “Mr… Mr. Ye, I’m truly sorry. Ye Tian hasn’t caused any trouble. He’s a polite, good child. I… I came this time… because… because there’s a matter I wanted to ask for his help with…”
Hearing this, not only did Ye Dongping look astonished, but even the people from the United Front Work Department were all taken aback. Liao Haode was already in his fifties or sixties. What matter… required seeking help from a mere kid?