NOVEL WEB chapter 13
13
After a night’s rest, inside a certain tunnel
“Could we have taken a wrong turn?”
Mia asked Gu Ming, who was earnestly examining the map.
“It’s so strange, the map clearly shows it should be around here.”
Gu Ming observed the surroundings with confusion, while Tina, who was very afraid of the dark, whispered closely to Mia,
“Mia, can you make the light brighter?”
“Oh, sure.”
After Mia chanted a short spell, the orb of light illuminating their path expanded, lighting up a 50-meter space.
…
Not long ago
After leaving the inn, the trio stumbled upon an abandoned tunnel in a desolate area and, driven by curiosity, they ventured inside.
This place was marked on the map Gu Ming held, indicating no apparent danger.
Gu Ming even used a scouting skill to double-check, and after confirming there was indeed no danger, he boldly led the two women into the tunnel.
…
After traversing the deep tunnel, what appeared before them was a village inhabited by only a few dozen people. Surrounded by lush, verdant trees and a crystal-clear river, it was like an isolated paradise hidden from the world.
After Gu Ming and a few others arrived at the village, they were greeted by an elderly hunter couple. The old woman was named Dingxiang, and her husband was called Mike. Mike said he was not a local in the village; he accidentally discovered the village decades ago when he was still an adventurer, and settled down here after meeting Dingxiang.
The old man Mike warmly introduced the history of the village to Gu Ming.
“I’ll tell you a legend that this village was built by a dwarf, which is quite incredible. Look over there, there are even statues. Have you noticed that there are many different races here on your way? Don’t be fooled by their different races; most of them are still descendants of the original villagers from before. As for the small minority like me, we are outsiders who settled here for various reasons. In my understanding over these decades, this village has not received any visitors after dusk until now. So you’re quite lucky to have arrived here before sunset; at least you won’t have to worry about where to stay.”
…
One day after arriving at the home of elderly couple Mike and Dingxiang,
Gu Ming took out some raw beef and a jar of wine from his bag and handed it to old Mike.
“Uncle Mike, just a little token of appreciation. How about tasting it tonight?”
Old Mike accepted with a smile.
“Alright, young man, tonight I’ll let you taste Uncle Mike’s cooking skills.”
“Great! Thank you for dinner tonight.”
Old Mike joked,
“It’s on me; I promise it won’t disappoint your two girlfriends.”
Seeing Gu Ming silent for a few seconds, Old Mike asked,
“Not true?”
“Well…actually…”
Just as Gu Ming was about to explain himself, Mia next to him made Aunt Ding laugh out loud and stood up saying,
“Auntie Ding, I have something to attend to real quick.”
Dingxiang waved her hand,
“Go ahead dearie; I also need some time alone.”
“Actually, we are husband and wife,” Mia suddenly interjected.
Old Mike smiled knowingly.
“Ha ha, my apologies, I misspoke. I didn’t realize you two were married already,” he said, then reflected nostalgically, “Ah, youth is wonderful. Getting married is great. When my wife and I got married, we weren’t much older than you. Often I think if I had met her a few years earlier… would we have been even happier…”
Gu Ming was about to say something else when Mia leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Brother, look how happy Uncle Mike is; let’s not say anything to spoil the mood, okay?”
Finally, Gu Ming nodded almost imperceptibly while Mia struggled to suppress a smile curling at the corners of her mouth; she quickly rubbed her face with her hand as if to hide it.
“By the way Uncle Mike,” she continued brightly after composing herself. “How did you meet Aunt Ding?”
Old Mike seemed to recall something delightful as he spoke with a smile lingering on his lips.
“That story? You should ask my better half; she tells it better.”
“Alright then! I’ll go ask Aunt Ding,” said Mia before running off. Watching the lively girl return back towards them Old Mike teased Gu Ming:
“Young man! Not bad at all. you’re more promising than I was at your age! This young lady here and that one over there seem like very nice people; you’re in for some good fortune ahead!”
Gu Ming gave an awkward laugh in response.
“Ha ha. is that so?”
Old Mike affirmed confidently.
“Of course,” Uncle Mike said, “as someone who’s been through a lot, I’ve experienced more than you’ve eaten bowls of rice, young man. You need to exercise more and keep it up!”
Old Mike gave Gu Ming a thumbs up and then headed for the door, leaving Gu Ming standing there looking bewildered.
…
“Aunt Ding, please tell me the love story between you and Uncle Mike,” Mia pleaded with a smile.
Aunt Ding replied with a laugh, “Young girl, what made you suddenly want to hear an old woman’s tale?”
“Is that not okay?”
“It’s not that it isn’t okay; it might just be a bit boring.”
“Don’t worry. Tina and I love listening to stories. Besides, seeing how loving you and Uncle Mike still are makes us want to learn from you too. Right, Tina?”
“Mhm mhm. Aunt Ding, please tell us,” Tina urged.
“Oh dear,” Aunt Ding sighed as she began to conjure up her story. Memories flooded her mind as she reminisced about her life; a slight smile played on her lips.
Gu Ming snapped out of his daze and moved closer to join the group before finding himself somewhere to sit.
“I met your Uncle Mike one spring when I was younger. One day while returning from gathering herbs, I found an unconscious man on the road. He wasn’t exceptionally handsome or dashing but he had an impressive presence about him; at that moment I hesitated whether or not to save him…”
Mia interjected excitedly:
“Aunt Ding! Was this what they call fate bringing people together?”
Aunt Ding laughed:
“I don’t know about fate but meeting him was certainly the most gratifying thing I have done in my life.”
Mia exclaimed:
“Uncle Mike is so lucky!”
Tina, standing nearby, was different; she anxiously asked,
“Aunt Ding, please continue. What happened next?”
“I simply treated his wounds and then took him back to my house. He recovered very quickly and woke up the next day. I still remember the first words he said when he opened his eyes:
‘Angel, am I dead? It’s wonderful to see such a beautiful angel after death.’
Then he grabbed my hand. That really startled me at the time. Seeing him staring at me so foolishly, I thought I had saved an idiot.
‘What nonsense are you talking about, young man? Let go immediately! Did you hear me? Let go now or I’ll call for help.’
Mike came to his senses and released Aunt Ding’s hand.
‘I’m not dead; this isn’t heaven.’
Aunt Ding kept her distance and said,
‘I saved your life, and here you are taking liberties with me! It seems I’ve just rescued loneliness.’
Mike blushed and cleared his throat,
‘Cough cough, sorry for the disrespect miss; it’s just that I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you before… cough cough… Anyway, truly sorry.’
Aunt Ding was pleased by the compliment.
‘You have good taste; not bad at all. My efforts in saving you weren’t wasted then.’
‘That’s true miss,’ Mike replied earnestly. ‘I owe you my life and will repay this debt like a spring that never runs dry. Please let me know if there is anything specific that you need help with. if it’s within my power, I’ll do everything possible to assist.’
‘Alright then,’ Aunt Ding agreed readily with a twinkle in her eye while Mike listened intently beside her.
‘Then help me chop all the firewood in the shed over there; once it’s done, you can leave.’
Mike could hardly believe it but blurted out,
‘That’s it?’
“Why can’t you do it?”
“It’s not that I can’t, it’s just that by doing this simple task, I would have repaid the young lady’s kindness and then…”
“Enough already. Why must you men talk in such a roundabout way? Be more straightforward! If I tell you to chop, just chop. No need for all that nonsense. Once you’re done, you can leave. Understand?”
Mike quickly nodded, internally marveling at Ding Xiang’s boldness.
“Alright, since you seem to have recovered enough, let’s start now.”
“Now?”
“Yes, right now.”