Chapter 39: We Are All Family, Bound by Blood Through Thick and Thin

Su Chen smiled as he untied the padded coats and draped them over A-Liang and Su Mao. "You two fell under the spell of a mountain spirit in the woods," he said. "It was the Little Immortal who saved you. Big Brother, A-Liang, you must thank the Little Immortal."

"The Little Immortal?" A-Hu asked, looking skeptical.

Before he could ask more, Su De pressed his head down toward the squirrel. "See that? That’s the Little Immortal. It’s incredibly powerful!"

It could summon and dispel white mist, make his nephew eat dirt, and even operate a flashlight—how could it not be powerful?

Seeing this, A-Tang quickly followed suit and bowed.

A-Liang and Su Mao were still doubtful, but Su De leaned in and whispered to them urgently. Finally, the two of them bowed respectfully toward the squirrel.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"

The squirrel hopped onto Su Chen’s shoulder in a few quick bounds, then jumped down into the basket, curiously pawing at the thermos and the box of biscuits.

Su Chen crouched down and opened the box. "Little Immortal, would you like to try one?"

The squirrel suspiciously picked up a biscuit and took a bite. *Crunch.* Its tail immediately began to wag. It quickly stuffed the biscuit into its mouth and impatiently grabbed two more, shoving them in as well. In an instant, its already chubby cheeks were twice their size. It seemed unsatisfied, but couldn't fit any more in, its tail twitching frantically in frustration.

Su Chen laughed and took the box out of the basket, placing it on the ground. "Don't worry, Little Immortal, this whole box of biscuits is yours."

"Squeak!" The squirrel’s tail stood straight up.

Seeing Su Chen nod, it lowered its head, bit the corner of the box, and dragged it with all its might. Then, with a flick of its tail, it actually leaped onto a tree branch with the box in tow.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak!" It chirped happily before darting away.

"Wait, Su Chen, is the Little Immortal not taking the biscuits?"

Su Chen shook his head. "It definitely wants them, but it has to hide the ones in its mouth first before it can continue stashing the rest." That was just the nature of a squirrel; even if it had attained enlightenment, that habit remained.

Having said that, Su Chen looked at the others. "Are you cold? Drink some hot water and let's head down the mountain. Don't let your families wait too long."

Hearing this, A-Hu and A-Tang’s eyes flickered. They were orphans in the village with no family; even if they hadn't returned from the mountains today, no one would have known or come looking for them. If they hadn't convinced A-Liang to go into the mountains with them today, perhaps... The two exchanged a look, their eyes filled with relief.

After drinking the hot water, Su Chen led them over three mountains before they finally reached the village.

In the distance, a dog heard their approach and began to bark. Lin Chunjiao, who had been pacing in front of her house, saw the light and trotted over. Upon seeing A-Liang, she immediately gave him a whack.

"You dead kid, what were you doing hunting wild boars? Do you have any idea how you scared your mother?"

A-Liang hunched his shoulders. "I'm sorry, Mom. I know I was wrong!"

At these words, Lin Chunjiao burst into loud sobs. As she wept, her legs went weak, and if not for Su Mao supporting her, she would have collapsed to the ground.

A-Liang helped hold her up, and they walked home with his head bowed. When he looked up and saw Old Man Su and Liu Chunhua, he was stunned. "Grandpa? Grandma? Why are you here?"

Old Man Su gave a soft huff. "You, you really want to scare your parents to death, don't you?"

"You old man, who are you scolding? Can't you see my big grandson is shaken up?" Liu Chunhua glared at Old Man Su, stepped forward, and spun A-Liang around. Only after confirming he was in one piece did she let out a sigh of relief.

Seeing this, A-Hu and A-Tang apologized and quickly slipped away. But after walking a dozen meters, they turned back to look at the illuminated earthen house, their eyes filled with envy.

"A-Tang, when I get a wife, someone will be waiting for me to come home, too."

A-Tang smiled. "Me too." But soon, the two fell silent. It was impossible to get a wife without a bride price, and bride prices often ran into the thousands. It seemed they really couldn't afford to get married.

Elsewhere, Su Chen had followed everyone into the house. His fourth sister-in-law, A-Ying, had cooked a pot of steaming noodles and had already begun serving them when she heard the commotion. The Eight Immortals table was now packed full.

"A-Liang, you must be starving. Eat up, and get some good sleep afterward."

"Thank you, Fourth Aunt."

Lin Chunjiao glared at him again. "After the new year, you’re going to the city with your father to find a job. If you ever do something like this again, you’ll scare me to death."

Liu Chunhua glared. "Since when did you become such a coward? Dare to yell at my big grandson again and see what happens!"

Lin Chunjiao immediately went silent.

"Old woman, shut up," Old Man Su scolded. He looked around the room and said, "Everyone’s back, that’s what matters. It’s been a long day, eat something to cushion your stomachs."

Once he had spoken, everyone picked up their chopsticks. Su Chen wasn't hungry, so he gave his bowl to Su Mao and Su De. Liu Chunhua also divided most of the noodles from her own bowl for A-Liang. As for Lin Chunjiao and A-Ying, they naturally went without.

After they finished their noodles, Old Man Su wiped his mouth and asked Su Chen, "Su Chen, what exactly happened?"

Before Su Chen could speak, Su De set down his chopsticks and began to spill everything. He recounted how he and Su Mao had crossed the mountains, how they started leaving markers when they reached unfamiliar terrain, the flashlight running out of power, the shadow that terrified them into fleeing, and finally, Su Chen appearing like a god from heaven to kill the mountain spirit.

When mentioning the mountain spirit, Su De still couldn't help but tremble. He turned around to show them his shredded clothes, then warned A-Liang, "See that? There really are things like that in the mountains—the heart-ripping kind. See if you dare to go wandering in the mountains blindly again."

A-Ying’s eyes turned red at the sight, and she sniffled. Lin Chunjiao and Su Mao also felt a lingering fear and offered their own apologies.

"Alright, alright, we're all family."

Su De froze after saying this, his face flushing, his gaze shifting away nervously.

Liu Chunhua gave a faint huff.

Old Man Su glanced at her. "What? Giving me attitude?"

Liu Chunhua slapped the table. "Weren't they the ones who said they’d never have anything to do with us again? I’m their birth mother; can’t I even lose my temper?"

Su Chen quickly interceded. "Mom, the children are sleeping. Keep it down, don't wake them!"

Liu Chunhua nodded, though she still swept an unwilling glance at Su De and Su Mao. "You two, you're the older brothers and sisters-in-law, and yet..."

Before she could finish, Su Chen cut her off.

"It was my immaturity back then that caused you all to suffer. Most of the bitterness during the family separation was my fault. I apologize to you, Big Brother, Fourth Brother. And to you, sisters-in-law, I have failed you all these years!"

As he spoke, Su Chen rose and bowed solemnly.

Liu Chunhua grew anxious. "No, Su Chen, what does this have to do with you? It was clearly..."

She was pulled back by Old Man Su, who sighed. "Before... I was the one who was biased. I failed you all, and I apologize as well."

Lin Chunjiao’s eyes grew sore again, and she turned away to wipe them. Su Mao and Su De also had red eyes, and A-Ying bit her lip, trying to force a smile as she shook her head.

"Dad, Mom, we were the ones who were immature. We... we were wrong!"

With such a big scene unfolding, A-Liang, the youngest, didn't even dare to eat his noodles, tucking his head down and not daring to touch his chopsticks.

It was Su De who finally regained his composure and smiled. "Well, we’re all family. Blood is thicker than water. It’s good that we’ve talked it out, it’s good."

Liu Chunhua rolled her eyes and was about to speak, but Old Man Su glared at her. She huffed and stood up. "Alright, Su Chen, it’s getting late, and you’ve been tired all day. Let's go home and rest."

"Alright. Big Brother, Fourth Brother, you two rest early as well."

"Right." Su De stood up. "I'll walk you back."

"It's just a step away, and there are three of us. What are you walking us for? Look at you, all covered in dirt. Go take a bath and get some sleep. Don't go making mistakes later and getting scolded by your master."

Su De shrank his neck and nodded timidly. "I know, Mom."