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The man walked quickly, his steps steady and powerful. The firebrand in his hand flickered, casting a weak light that danced in the darkness, swaying left and right with his pace. Zhang Dashan's family followed closely behind, their nerves taut as they struggled to remain quiet in the unfamiliar darkness. Their emotions mirrored the faint glow of the fire, rising and falling with the surrounding shadows and the fear of the unknown.
After walking for a while, a few sparks finally appeared ahead, like a lighthouse in the night, providing an inexplicable comfort. The firelight gradually illuminated a small village ahead, as if parting the curtain of darkness to reveal a tranquil settlement. This was indeed the place that Thirteen had told them to reach, and a sense of reassurance began to emerge in their hearts.
The man led Zhang Dashan's family to the entrance of the village, stopping to look back at them as if confirming their safety. The three finally let out a sigh of relief, their tense fear slightly easing. They looked around; the place seemed quite simple, with wooden buildings exuding an ancient and natural atmosphere.
Each household had a torch planted at its entrance, casting a warm yellow light that illuminated the entire village, making this peaceful little hamlet feel cozy and serene. There were probably fewer than ten houses in the village, arranged in an irregular pattern that gave it a very quiet and harmonious appearance. It was clear that this was indeed a small village, devoid of urban clamor, only filled with rural tranquility.
Zhang Dashan surveyed his surroundings and saw that the villagers' homes were simple yet sturdy, with various vegetables and flowers growing in their courtyards. A few chickens pecked leisurely in the yard, occasionally making soft clucking sounds. All of this gradually eased his guard, making him feel that they had finally found a place to settle temporarily. Chunhua and Xiao Yun were also drawn to this tranquil scene, their unease slowly replaced by this sense of peace.
Zhang Dashan took a deep breath and sincerely said to the man, "Thank you... If it weren't for you, our family would have perished on the mountain."
The man coldly glanced at the three of them, his eyes revealing a hint of disdain and impatience. He did not respond to Zhang Dashan's words of gratitude but simply extended his hand with his palm up, clearly asking for payment. This gesture made Zhang Dashan's family feel embarrassed and uneasy. They hadn't expected that this seemingly life-saving middle-aged man would be so sharp-tongued and demand compensation for his earlier assistance.
Zhang Dashan forced an awkward smile and said apologetically, "Sir... I'm sorry, but we really don't have much money on us..." He paused slightly before quickly adding, "But I am a blacksmith; I can make you some small items... no problem."
The man's expression showed no sign of change; he continued to stare coldly at Zhang Dashan, his gaze sharp as a knife as if weighing the value of this proposal. The corners of his mouth curled slightly into a mocking smile as he said bitterly, "Hmph, not much money? Coming here to escape into the mountains without bringing some money? You must be tired of living! I don't make losing deals."
Chunhua and Xiao Yun stood by nervously watching this scene unfold, filled with anxiety. They knew that every word spoken at this moment could determine their fate. Zhang Dashan felt cold sweat trickling down his back but still forced himself to remain calm as he hurriedly explained, "Sir, we truly had no choice but to escape here; we really don't have much silver on us. But if you're willing, I can help you forge some tools or do repairs; these tasks are no problem for me."
The man snorted coldly, his eyes filled with contempt: "A blacksmith? Fine then; let's see if your skills are worth saving your lives." His tone was full of sarcasm as if he did not take Zhang Dashan's proposal seriously.
Hearing this, Zhang Dashan felt slightly relieved in his heart, knowing that this man at least gave them an opportunity. He quickly nodded in agreement: "Alright, sir, no problem. As long as you need it, I will do my best."
Just as the man spoke harshly to Zhang Dashan, the door of a wooden house creaked open. Zhang Dashan's family turned to look and saw an elderly woman leaning on a cane, walking out unsteadily. Her face showed displeasure, with deep wrinkles and a stern glint in her eyes. She scolded, "Zhang Yi! You must not treat guests this way! How many times have I told you!"
Upon hearing the old woman's voice, the middle-aged man’s cold demeanor instantly vanished, revealing a hint of panic. He rushed over and said anxiously, "Grandma! You should rest inside; I'll handle this."
However, the old woman shook off his hand and looked at him sternly: "No matter who it is, we should always be prepared to treat our guests well!" Her voice was not loud but carried an undeniable authority. Her words were like a wake-up call, causing Zhang Yi to immediately close his mouth and refrain from saying anything further.
Zhang Yi lowered his head, appearing somewhat uneasy: "Grandma, I just..."
The old woman did not give him a chance to explain and turned to Zhang Dashan's family, her tone softening immediately: "I apologize for the fright you received. My grandson has a bad temper; please don't take it to heart. You must be tired; come in and rest."
Zhang Dashan felt relieved and gratefully said, "Thank you, Grandma. We really appreciate it."
The old woman nodded, her eyes showing a hint of kindness and concern as she invited them inside: "Don't be polite; come in quickly; it's cold outside."
Zhang Yi stood aside, displaying some reluctance and frustration on his face, but more so respect and helplessness towards his grandmother. He gestured for Zhang Dashan's family to enter and softly said, "Please go ahead; I'm sorry for my earlier harsh words."
Zhang Dashan nodded, while Chunhua and Xiao Yun also offered him appreciative smiles. Although the earlier situation had caused some unease, they now felt a touch of warmth and humanity that eased their spirits.
Following the old woman's lead, they entered the wooden house. Inside was simple yet very clean, exuding a faint scent of wood. The old woman guided them to the living room, invited them to sit down, and then turned to prepare tea. Zhang Yi stood quietly by, watching them with an expression of apology and helplessness.
Zhang Dashan understood that Zhang Yi was not truly a bad person; he was just quick-tempered and wary of outsiders in these chaotic times. Now seeing the old woman's attitude, their unease and doubts gradually dissipated.
"Everyone, have some tea to warm yourselves," the old woman said as she approached with a tea tray, smiling. "The weather is cold in these mountains; some hot tea will make you feel better."
Zhang Dashan took the teacup and said gratefully, "Thank you, Grandma. You are truly kind-hearted."
Grandma smiled slightly, a hint of affection flashing in her eyes. "In these chaotic times, helping each other is what we should do. Don't worry, rest well here, and feel free to ask for anything you need."
Zhang Yi stood by, a complex emotion flickering in his gaze. He looked at Grandma, filled with admiration and helplessness. He knew that her kindness and tolerance were the pillars of their family, and he himself had to learn to respect and understand these strangers from afar.
The Zhang family sat in the warm room, sipping hot tea as their tension and fatigue gradually faded away. They knew that this small village might be their new starting point, a place where they could begin anew. And that seemingly cold middle-aged man might not be as heartless as he appeared. They believed that here, they could find a semblance of peace and tranquility.
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