Chapter 5, The Light at the Bottom of the Valley

It is often said that after one has eaten and drunk to satisfaction, the spirit may fall into fatigue, leading to confusion about life. However, he had only eaten less than 30% full, and at this moment, he too felt bewildered

Gu Qing quietly observed his actions, feeling somewhat emotional inside

Gu Qing wanted to prepare a braised fish dish for herself, but lacking the necessary tools, she ultimately decided to make a simplified version of fish soup.

Gu Qing's nostrils twitched as he sighed contentedly

What is the purpose of having a wife

Song Gensheng gasped, his face alternating between red and green, struggling between "not being able to explode in anger" and "holding it in is harmful to one's health," his cowardly yet tough demeanor resembling that of love

To be honest, I do not believe it

I only trust the dead

Song Gensheng skillfully twisted the wild grass by the roadside into a rope, and also gathered a handful of wild vegetables on the hillside near the stone pool, threading the fish, shrimp, crab, and wild vegetables together and handing them to Gu Qing

"Are you giving it all to me? Aren't you going to share half?" Gu Qing felt a bit embarrassed

Song Gensheng swore to the heavens: "I will never speak, even if it costs me my life"

Is the meat not tasty? Is living in a big house not enjoyable? Is digging a pit to bury someone not a source of happiness?

The two walked towards the village, remaining silent for a long time along the way

Moreover, I will not kill you. This afternoon on the mountain, I merely had this fleeting thought, and even now I am filled with guilt.

Tsk, even more juvenile, giving me goosebumps...

Song Gensheng awkwardly said, "Do you not believe me?"

Living requires careful budgeting, and Gu Qing is a person who lacks a sense of security. He is accustomed to having his home filled with various daily necessities, whether they are needed or not

Upon returning home, Gu Qing felt a sense of joy

The cries of pain are very cheerful, without any pretentious elements

Song Gensheng was stunned for a moment, and finally smiled with relief: "You have changed a lot in the past two days; I almost didn't recognize you."

Gu Qing smiled and said, "I wouldn't dare, I do not have the courage to challenge the law."

Upon arriving in this unfamiliar world, what should be the next step

After a pause, Gu Qing said again: "The pit where the coal was discovered has been filled in, but I still hope you can keep it a secret. Don't tell anyone, including your father, alright?"

The greatest inconvenience at present is that there are too few daily necessities at home. There is no iron pot in the house, only a broken clay pot for cooking rice and a clay bowl. The cooking condiments are even more pitifully scarce. Gu Qing searched the entire house and found only a small lump of coarse salt, and nothing else, not even any oil

The food crisis is imminent, and nowadays every bite truly counts, so he cherishes every morsel of food that enters his mouth

Chewing slowly, he eventually finished half a bowl of rice, feeling only a little less than three-tenths full. Gu Qing then picked up the earthen jar again and fished out the shrimp and fish to eat, still taking his time. He was reluctant to spit out the fish bones and shrimp shells, chewing them thoroughly before swallowing.

It is now August, the height of summer, and in this day and age without a refrigerator, the meals prepared must be consumed on the same day. Gu Qing thus spared herself the mental struggle and quickly finished the fish soup completely

The water in Shitan is quite shallow, reaching only about the knees. The two did not bring any tools, but Song Gensheng, having grown up in the village, is quite skilled at catching fish.

... ...

Song Gensheng looked at him with concern and said, "You must not use it for smelting iron, or you will be held accountable."

Gu Qing felt very confused; he knew nothing about this world. If he were to live solely for the sake of basic sustenance, he felt it was unsatisfactory. Yet, if he were to venture out to pursue some grand ambitions of power and dominance, he found it rather juvenile.

Song Gensheng pondered for a moment and then asked in a low voice, "Is the 'coal' you mentioned really that important?"

Song Gensheng became anxious: "I am not a person without integrity, how can you be convinced?"

Song Gensheng : " ... ... "

After dinner, Gu Qing washed and put away the earthenware pot and bowl, then sat on the threshold, resting her chin on her hand, gazing at the stars and moon in the night sky

The gifts that nature bestows upon humanity, and humanity's learned reciprocity towards nature, are principles that ancient people understood better than modern individuals

The way he swore looked too much like a scumbag, which made Gu Qing a bit worried, and she stared at him intently

With a bowl of soup filled to the brim, Gu Qing carefully held the ceramic bowl with both hands, gently bringing it to her lips to take a sip. The delicious flavor burst on her taste buds, flowing down into her stomach, warming her lonely heart.

Gu Qing suddenly patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "Just kidding, don't take it seriously; among the living, you are quite reminiscent of the dead."

It has been proven that treating pretentiousness with a fist is very effective. Song Gensheng, clutching various painful spots on his body, limped while leading Gu Qing towards the stone pond, all the while emitting barbell-like cries of pain.

On a scorching summer day, the nights are not as hot as one might imagine; the mountain village is quite cool, with the night breeze blowing gently, even carrying a hint of chill.

Gu Qing also smiled: "The changes are indeed significant. If others bully me again, I will not endure it in silence. If others bully you, I will also not endure it in silence"

Song Gensheng looked up at the sky and sighed softly: "This is all for you, as a token of my gratitude for your mercy in sparing my life today"

Gu Qing is a person who lacks patience; he does not indulge either men or women. In his view, "indulging others" is fundamentally based on lies, a form of verbal deception, much like the empty promises of a scoundrel that are equally untrustworthy. Furthermore, the act of indulging creates an imbalance in the status of both parties, where one is emboldened and the other is forced to compromise, engaging in the foolishness of sacrificing oneself for the sake of others. Gu Qing is absolutely unwilling to partake in such behavior.

In conclusion, live well; how fate plays tricks on him is a matter of destiny. If there is fortune in this life, may one hope to live in the way one desires.

Gu Qing thought for a moment and said, "It is very important, but I have not yet decided what to use it for"

It is hard to believe what kind of life my predecessor led. Did he really only eat rice every day, needing nothing else? No wonder I have thin arms and legs, looking malnourished; even someone like Ding Erlang could hurt me.

Gu Qing sat on the threshold, looking back at his dilapidated home, observing the excessively simple and shabby furnishings, the worn-out bed and table, and he suddenly decided to set a small goal for himself

Song Gensheng hesitated for a moment and said, "I believe you"

Scholars are often suspicious, sensitive, and easily immersed in a narrative of their own creation, where they perform with remarkable skill. In simple terms, scholars are pretentious

Gu Qing smacked his lips, added half a bowl of rice for himself, and soaked the fish soup in the rice. He ate very slowly, savoring every spoonful of soup and every grain of rice, reluctantly swallowing each bite

In the lowest valley of a fallen life, a bowl of steaming fish soup is a ray of light in the dark abyss

Song Gensheng gently lifted some smaller fish and shrimp with both hands and released them back into the stone pool, leaving behind only the larger specimens

As for the matter of marrying a wife and having children

Today, I can finally eat meat, and just thinking about it brings me happiness. Yet, within this happiness lies a hint of bitterness, and within this bitterness, there are traces of anxiety about the future, for after all, I do not know where tomorrow's meat will come from

In a previous life, I was in an orphanage, and now in this life, I find myself in such solitude. Those who are melancholic about the spring and autumn often liken themselves to a shooting star, streaking across the pitch-black night sky, leaving behind a fleeting long trace. But what about Gu Qing? In the brief span of thirty years, what kind of mark has he left behind?

First, let's address the food crisis, and then enrich this home. If we could build a new house, add new furniture, ensure all daily necessities are in place, and make a few suitable garments, that would be even better

The stomach is still not full, but... it can only be this way. There are provisions at home, but a strict plan must be in place, as Gu Qing is also uncertain about when he will be able to earn money or food through other means

Having such an extraordinary experience, he is destined not to lead a mediocre life. Perhaps the great tide of the times will push him towards greater heights. At that time, he will find himself standing at the pinnacle of the world, looking down at the multitude with a face that reflects the loneliness of life like snow, while a poignant thought crosses his mind: "What does it matter if I win the world but lose her?"

Two individuals surrounded a shallow water area with stones by the edge of the pond, creating an opening facing the water. Then, they slowly approached the opening from two different directions. After several attempts, indeed, a few small fish, crabs, and shrimp appeared in the shallow water.

Coming out of the orphanage with nothing, he studied, worked, and was promoted. Eventually, he achieved success, gained subordinates, and had a group of young people who expanded his territory. The entire team regarded him as their soul, faithfully and thoroughly executing his will. Just as the world had given him a glimmer of warmth, it swiftly pushed him back into the ice cave

Gu Qing suddenly said: "Gen Sheng, when I mentioned that I have forgotten many people and things, I was not lying to you"

It's fine, a good beating will make it normal again

Filled a small half jar with clear water, placed the fish and shrimp into the water, and simmered them over low heat. Once the water boiled, added a handful of wild vegetables gathered in the mountains during the day, along with a pinch of coarse salt. Gently stirred with bamboo chopsticks, and soon a rich and fragrant aroma wafted from the earthen pot

Gu Qing said solemnly: "I am not someone who seeks to repay kindness with malice"