**Chapter 25**

  The two of them returned to the campsite and left without staying. They abandoned their original pn to harvest ginseng. Some things seem simple in the moment but feel perilous afterward.

  As night fell, Daniu found a small cabin in the forest. The two of them rested inside, had a meal, and then Zheng Sen handed Da Niu ten rge gold bars. "Don't refuse this. If it weren't for you, I don't know what would have happened. I was sincere when I said I'd split it with you. There's a reason for this. Back then, when my grandfather's family managed to escape, it was because someone tipped them off. Before my grandfather passed away, he told me to find that person and thank him. His name was Ma Yunfeng, and he was only twelve at the time. My grandfather said he was studying in the city and, by chance, overheard the conspirators' pns. He rushed to inform the Tong family. After my grandfather left in a hurry, they lost track of the boy."

  Da Niu suddenly understood. "Ma Yunfeng was my uncle."

  Zheng Sen nodded. "After some investigation, I thought it might be your uncle. I just didn't expect him to pass away so young."

  Da Niu sighed.

  "I originally wanted to use this opportunity to repay the favor. The reason I didn't say it directly was that I didn't know how to bring it up. Besides, there are some issues in my family right now, and things are a bit complicated." Zheng Sen sighed. "It's a long story. But I meant what I said."

  Da Niu shook her head. "I need to discuss this with my grandfather." After thinking for a moment, she accepted the ten gold bars. "I'll take these, but forget about the rest."

  * * *

  The two of them parted ways at Beidianzi. Da Niu returned home, and that evening, when only she and her grandfather were left in the front yard, she told him what had happened. The old man sat on the kang, deep in thought for a long time. After a while, he looked up, his eyes slightly red. "Your uncle was always like that—loyal and righteous. Actually, I knew about this. They weren't strangers. Your uncle was studying in the city back then, and the young master of the Tong family was teaching there. He had a big influence on him."

  It was because of that influence that he ter chose the path he did.

  "That day, he came back and told me. What he did was right."

  Daniu handed the ten gold bars to her grandfather. "This is what he gave me for now, but I don't want the rest. As for this, it is to ease his conscience."

  The old man looked at the gold bars but didn't say anything. "Then you keep them. Invite him over for meals in the future. Let's take care of him."

  Da Niu nodded.

  The next day, the old man asked his daughter to prepare a feast and even went out to buy alcohol. They had a hearty meal, and the whole family was puzzled as to why the old man seemed so happy. Da Niu, however, understood. Her uncle had been gone for many years, and knowing that someone still remembered his kindness naturally brought her grandfather joy.

  After the drinking was over and everyone had dispersed, Da Niu noticed her mother heading to the backyard, seemingly emotional. She followed her.

  "What's wrong, Mom?" Da Niu asked.

  "Nothing. It's just that your grandfather hasn't been this happy in a long time. It feels like he hasn't been this cheerful since your third uncle passed away," Ma Hongmei said. Da Niu thought for a moment and quietly expined the situation to her mother.

  "So that's what happened. No wonder," Ma Hongmei sighed. "It's been so many years, but your grandfather still can't let it go."

  "I think he's slowly getting better. Once my eldest brother gets married and gives him a great-grandson, I think he'll be even happier," Da Niu said.

  "Speaking of your brother's marriage, it worries me."

  "Why worry? We'll find someone for him eventually."

  "You know what his birth mother did back then. A lot of people know about it, and I think it's affected your brother."

  Ma Hongmei recalled those days, her heart still heavy with bitterness. "Your uncles were your grandfather's pilrs. First, your eldest uncle passed away, then your second uncle. Just when it seemed like the Japanese were being driven out, your third uncle had an accident. Each time, I watched your grandfather's hair turn whiter. When they left one after another, your grandfather colpsed as the pilrs supporting him had fallen. He fell seriously ill and almost died. Fortunately, your brother Dali was born around that time. Hearing your brother's cries, your grandfather suddenly got better."

  Ma Hongmei tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You don't know how weak your brother was when he was born. His mother, after learning about your third uncle's death, wanted to abort. Your brother was only six months old at the time. If I hadn't given her the gold bracelet your grandmother left me, she might have aborted him."

  Ma Hongmei clenched her teeth, then sighed. "Forget it, let's not talk about that. At least she gave birth to Dali for our Ma family. Back then, your grandmother served her like a grandson. When Dali was born, he was so weak and had no milk. Your grandmother and I went from house to house, begging for people to feed him. Your third aunt ran away before the baby was even a month old. We weren't against her remarriage. But who knew she would run off with a married man? She brought shame to our family. With a mother like that, Dali faced a lot of scorn when he was young."

  Ma Hongmei sighed, her heart heavy with guilt. "Your dad and I got married, and we took care of Dali together. Back then, it was a very cold winter. Your dad would tie your brother to his chest to keep him warm. It wasn't until he was over a year old that he started to get better. Then I gave birth to your second brother, who practically grew up in the mud. If anyone got the short end of the stick, it was him. I can't even remember when he grew up and how he was as a child." Ma Hongmei's voice was tinged with regret.

  "Second brother is more resilient than you think. He has always been tough," Daniu said, recalling many childhood memories of her second brother. He had always been the most independent and sturdy of the siblings.

  "Hmm, compared to your second brother, Dali is a bit more delicate," Ma Hongmei said, then chuckled, realizing "delicate" might not be the right word. "Your grandpa always thought Dali wouldn't be able to hold up the family. He preferred wild, rough boys. Unfortunately, your second brother joined the military early, and your grandfather always felt our family had declined. That is, until you started going into the mountains with him."

  Ma Hongmei looked at her daughter. In all the surrounding vilges, there was no girl as capable and beautiful as her. "I feel guilty. Such a fine girl, always going in and out of the mountains like a man."

  Da Niu shook her head. "I don't feel like I'm missing out. I enjoy it."

  Ma Hongmei smiled. "Ever since that time your grandpa took you into the mountains, I noticed his spirit changed. Later, when he taught the boys in the family how to hunt, he secretly told me that none of them could compare to his granddaughter."

  "Grandfather's standards are too high. Actually, the boys from Third Grandpa's and Sixth Grandpa's families were pretty good back then."

  "Sigh, now I just hope your eldest brother finds a wife soon. I've heard recently that the second son of the Guo family has become quite successful and has joined a factory. Dali's mother is also a worker now. I'm afraid they might come back. If they do, it'll be even harder to find a wife for your brother."

  "Don't worry, Mom. Everything will be fine."