Chapter 25: Interlude (Healing the Scars of Memory)

Planting this peach sapling would serve as a reminder of everything that occurred in his dream—a dream that felt undeniably real.

Just then, seven-year-old Ling'er sensibly arrived with a water ladle to help. She looked up at Li Ziyuan and said, "Big Brother, you look so handsome. You should smile more; you'd look even better if you did. If you have anything weighing on your mind, you can tell Ling'er."

Li Ziyuan managed a difficult smile. It was telling that even a seven-year-old girl could see the burdens he carried. He compared himself to his former self—once lively and mischievous, whereas now, even a smile required a forced effort. Seeing that Li Ziyuan didn't respond, Ling'er simply continued to water the sapling on her own.

Mother Li observed the entire scene, her brow furrowing slightly before she turned and walked into the kitchen.

The table, once set for four, now held seven bowls and chopsticks. The Li family of four and Ling'er's family of three sat together. Ling'er's family no longer carried the cautious air they had when they first arrived, becoming much more at ease. Mother Li proactively struck up conversations, chatting about the trivial affairs of Qingyan Village.

Li Ziyuan, however, stared fixedly at a plate of braised pork, his memories stirred. The dish sat directly before him, as if prepared specifically for his benefit. Ling'er, sitting beside him, reached out with her small hands to pick up a piece of pork and placed it in his bowl. "Sister Yue'er made this," she chirped with a smile.

"Ling'er is so young, yet so thoughtful," Mother Li remarked.

Li Ziyuan smiled inadvertently—perhaps without even realizing it himself—and picked up a drumstick from a two-headed chicken, placing it in Ling'er's bowl. "Eat more; you're still growing."

Father Li glanced at Mother Li with a pleading look. Seeing this, she shook her head and said, "Granted." She had read his intent through his eyes. Father Li hurried into a room and quickly returned with a jar of wine, grinning as he said to Ling'er's father, "Come, brother, let’s have a drink."

"Then let’s have one, Brother Li," Ling'er's father replied.

There was a reason Mother Li usually discouraged her husband from drinking. Years ago, after drinking too much, he had nearly mistaken her sister for her, as the two resembled each other quite closely. One could only wonder what kind of potent brew could leave a powerhouse like Father Li so bewildered.

Ling'er decided to stir up more mischief, leaving Li Ziyuan baffled. She grabbed his hands and, after a bit of a struggle, forced them to pick up a piece of pork and place it into Li Yue'er's bowl. "Sister Yue'er," Ling'er announced, "Brother Ziyuan gave this to you himself."

The sight left everyone struggling to contain their laughter. It was as if they were all thinking: *My, Li Ziyuan, even Ling'er can tell how cold you are to Yue'er—and she is your wife, after all.*

Ling'er then proposed that her mother sing a song, and with everyone’s encouragement, her mother had no choice but to perform. Ling'er knew her mother loved to sing, and her voice was known for its lingering, hauntingly beautiful quality. Her mother sat in the center of the room and waved her hands, manifesting a green zither before her.

As her delicate fingers danced, the beautiful, healing melody seemed to soothe the hidden wounds within everyone's hearts. Her mother's eyes turned faintly melancholy, as if she were becoming one with the lyrics: "This song is called 'Healing the Wounds of Memory'."

(Lyrics: Green love can heal every scar [Wood]. Fiery love can melt a frozen heart [Fire]. Azure love can contain all things and a hundred rivers [Water]. Steadfast love can break through all obstacles [Metal]. And blocking oneself from loving one who does not love you back [Earth].

Why not let go of love that cannot be obtained? Does letting go make you hurt more?
Why recall love that has been lost? Doesn't remembering only bring pain?
Why act blind to the one who loves you? Is it truly that you cannot see?
That girl—is she well? When you aren't busy, do you think of me?
That girl—is she happy? When she is sad, does she think of me?
My love for you needs no words to be expressed.
Time and action will make love shine.
Do not feel sad because of my temporary departure, for I, who carry you in my heart, will always return with love. No matter where you are, even if it were heaven or hell, I would break through those barriers to come to your side. No matter where you are, my fate will always bring me back to you.)

Ling'er's mother finished with a graceful flourish. Even the sky seemed to sense the sorrow, and it began to snow abruptly. Or rather, it was Mother Li, who had subtly used her profound water-spirit energy to conjure the snow.

One does not understand the meaning of a song until they have become the one living it. The love, woven with the five elements of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth, deeply touched everyone present—everyone except Ling'er, who was too young to understand such things. During the song, each person seemed to recall memories filled with both pain and beauty. Li Ziyuan loved Yu Tian, yet Li Yue'er loved Li Ziyuan, who did not have her in his heart.

Father Li clapped his hands in approval. "Beautifully sung! Your voice will bring even more joy to our Qingyan Village." Mother Li agreed that it was truly wonderful. Li Yue'er, having noticed how Li Ziyuan had been completely immersed in the song, reached out to take the mother's hand, expressing her desire to learn the zither and singing.

Ling'er's mother felt deeply honored. Meanwhile, Ling'er's father was already drunk, despite having only two cups. It was quite foolish of him to drink with a powerhouse like Father Li without knowing the strength of the brew.

Ling'er ran outside and looked up at the dark sky, lifting her small hands to feel the delicate touch of the snowflakes. They vanished into thin air the moment they touched her skin, as if they were phantoms. "It's snowing, it's snowing! Hahaha!" She spun around in the courtyard, completely oblivious to why the snow had suddenly begun to fall. She didn't know it was Mother Li’s doing—creating a little snow was nothing for someone of her stature.

Ling'er seemed worried about something. She found a wicker basket in the courtyard and carefully placed it over the peach sapling they had planted earlier to shield it from the little white sprites. "There, you won't be cold now," she said with concern.

Mother Li, Li Yue'er, and Ling'er's mother stood at the doorway watching. Mother Li smiled and said, "Ling'er is so kind."

"Such a cute, innocent, and kind-hearted girl," Li Yue'er added. Ling'er's mother smiled with satisfaction but said nothing.

Ling'er clapped her hands and told her mother, "I'm not going home tonight. I want to sleep with Sister Yue'er."

Her mother immediately refused, "No, we are going home. Don't disturb them."

Ling'er pouted in protest. Seeing this, Li Yue'er said to the mother, "It’s alright, Sister Ling. Let Ling'er stay with me tonight. I still want to hear her tell me interesting stories about your Spirit-Healing Beast clan."