Chapter 37: Are You Afraid of the Mountain God? Then I Shall Worship the Earth Deity!

“Because of you, right?”
A flicker of surprise crossed Lin You’s eyes. “You figured it out?”
“When I saw you rushing out earlier, I knew the two of you must share more than just a casual acquaintance. And, judging from your question just now, the answer is all too clear.”
Lin You took another cigarette from his pocket. “Let me have one more.”
The glow of the cigarette seemed abrupt in the darkness, the smell of tobacco a little harsh. Xia Yan waved away the smoke drifting toward her and couldn’t help but cough twice.
Hearing her, Lin You quickly stubbed out the cigarette and slowly began recounting that story: “It was when I’d just arrived at the station. Back then, he was my company commander...”
“That time, too, it was the middle of the night. We received a mission up in the mountains—my first time. I was excited, asking questions non-stop along the way.”
Xia Yan was a little surprised. So this man, so silent now, had once been talkative.
Seeing her expression, Lin You asked, “What? Surprised that I have another side?”
“It is a little unexpected. I thought you were always so cold and aloof.”
“I saw a shadow darting into the mountain and, without thinking, chased after it. I didn’t realize there was more than one person. I quickly got in over my head. Those poachers were armed. Just as one of them swung a knife at me, Brother Ruan appeared. He shielded me from the blow—though he avoided a fatal wound, his right eye...”
As Lin You spoke, his fist clenched, his face contorted with anguish. “It was all my fault. If I had listened to him and not chased after them, none of this would have happened. He wouldn’t have been hurt.”
“Even though he never blamed me, I could never get past it. That’s why, when I chose a place to live, I picked the apartment next to his family—so I could help out whenever possible.”
Xia Yan reached out and took his hand, her warmth calming him somewhat.
“Lin You, I don’t think Brother Ruan would want to see you like this. He sacrificed so much to save you. If you truly want to repay him, you should live well—live brilliantly.”
“I know you’re right, but after all these years, I still can’t let go of the guilt.”
Lin You sighed deeply—the same things Ruan Xiaotian had often said to him.
“If Brother Ruan hadn’t been injured, with his record, he’d be at least a battalion commander by now. The military district even offered him promotions, but he always refused.”
“His reason was always the same—to give opportunities to younger soldiers.”
“Lin You, I have an idea.”

When Lin You turned to her, Xia Yan continued, “I want to build a pigsty in the backyard and raise a few piglets.”
“Raise piglets?” Lin You was puzzled. What did raising pigs have to do with their conversation just now?
“Yes, just start with a few. Later, we can have more. There are cattle and sheep everywhere in the Northwest, but not many people raise pigs. Pork is expensive. If we raise some, and once they have piglets, we can sell them. It’ll be a good way to earn some money.”
“I’d like Aunt Wang next door and Sister-in-law Ruan to help out, too.”
“And starting tomorrow, I want to spend time teaching Nuannuan to read—and invite Erdan to join us as well.”
At last, Lin You understood: Xia Yan wanted to repay Ruan Xiaotian in her own way.
He was touched. “Thank you, Xia Yan.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll take a day off from the regiment to help you build the pigsty,” he said, a determined glint in his eyes. Xia Yan saw that he’d moved on.
“Come on, let’s go inside. It’s cold out here.”
“All right.”

The next morning, Lin You had already left when Xia Yan awoke. She found a pile of lumber stacked in the backyard.
“You brought all this yourself?” Xia Yan was surprised by Lin You’s efficiency.
“Yes, look and see if it’s enough. If not, I’ll put in another request for more.”
“No need, it’s more than enough.” Xia Yan shook her head. With the lumber ready, she and Lin You started planning. Soon, several women working in their backyards gathered around. “Captain Lin, are you building a house?”
“No, ma’am, we’re putting up a pigsty.”
After their talk the night before, Xia Yan noticed something had changed in Lin You. The icy mask he usually wore seemed to have melted.
“Raising pigs is great. Now we won’t have to worry about finding pork,” someone said, though her tone was laced with amusement.

By noon, under Xia Yan’s direction, Lin You had already finished fencing the pigsty—a truly impressive pace.
News that Lin You’s family was building a pigsty to raise pigs spread quickly through the military housing compound, and people began to talk—mostly, with skepticism.
Others had tried raising pigs before, but the animals had all mysteriously died within days. Some said it was swine fever, others claimed it was the wrath of the mountain god. After that, everyone agreed pigs wouldn’t thrive on this mountain, and nobody tried again.
“Why would Captain Lin agree to let that young girl raise pigs?”
“I know, right? She’s all fair and delicate—doesn’t look like someone who could raise pigs. Wasn’t the last family to try it Aunt Wang Guilan’s?”
“They’re neighbors, too. You’d think Wang Guilan would have warned her, but she’s always been so good to that girl. Maybe not as much as we thought.”
Wang Guilan, who’d been busy all morning, only heard at noon that Xia Yan meant to raise pigs. She hurried over. “Xia, why are you raising pigs?”
“What’s wrong, Aunt Wang? Last time I went to the market, pork was scarce, so I thought I’d raise some pigs. You’re just in time—I was hoping you’d help me.”
Wang Guilan looked anxious. “Oh dear, when I suggested you raise livestock, I meant cattle or sheep. I tried raising pigs once—they all died within days. You can’t raise pigs here; it’ll anger the mountain god.”
“The mountain god? Isn’t that a bit much?”
Xia Yan smiled; she didn’t believe in such things.
“Hush, Xia, don’t be disrespectful to the mountain god,” Wang Guilan quickly said, covering Xia Yan’s mouth and glancing outside to make sure no one was listening before letting go.
Seeing her flustered look, Xia Yan nearly laughed, but she put on a serious face. “I’ll remember, Aunt Wang.”
“By the way, where did you get your piglets before?”
“Why? Are you really planning to raise pigs? Trust me, Xia, don’t do it,” Wang Guilan said, thinking Xia Yan had heeded her advice only to immediately change her mind.
“I mean it, Aunt Wang. Don’t worry, tomorrow I’ll put up a picture of the Earth God—didn’t ‘Investiture of the Gods’ say even the mountain gods answer to the Earth God? If I honor him, I won’t have to worry about the mountain god.”
Wang Guilan thought that made a kind of sense... though she wasn’t quite sure what ‘Investiture of the Gods’ was.