Chapter 3: The Map of Mountains, Rivers, and the Nation

The piece of cloth slowly floated up, its colors constantly shifting, until it transformed into a lifelike landscape painting, featuring towering mountains as well as plains, small streams and great rivers, and even the sea

"Family heirloom? It’s clearly just a piece of cloth, and the quality is passable. Surely, our ancestors didn’t make a mistake?" Chu Jiaqiang opened the box and took out a piece of cloth measuring 20 centimeters in length and 10 centimeters in width, which felt relatively soft. When he was a child, his father solemnly handed him the box, claiming it was the Chu family’s heirloom. He used to believe it wholeheartedly, considering it a precious treasure. However, as he grew older, he increasingly felt that the ancestors were utterly bored and were playing tricks on the younger generation. When he was a child, his father solemnly handed him the box, claiming it was the Chu family’s heirloom. He used to believe it wholeheartedly, considering it a precious treasure. However, as he grew older, he increasingly felt that the ancestors were utterly bored and were playing tricks on the younger generation.

For dinner, Chu Jiaqiang had a very appetizing meal. The tofu was authentic, without any added ingredients, and when cooked with chives and peanuts, the flavor was unforgettable. The chicken was free-range, raised at home, and its taste was naturally incomparable to that of the feed-raised chickens found in the city

After sitting for a short while, Chu Jiaqiang was surprisingly bitten by a mosquito on his neck. He slapped it hard with his right hand, and fortunately, he noticed it early; otherwise, it could have resulted in significant bleeding. Looking at the bloodstains on his hand, Chu Jiaqiang simply picked up the family heirloom cloth to wipe it, then wiped his neck as well, casually tossing it into the box.

Many women in the countryside are skilled housewives, adept at household chores. My second aunt puts the soaked yellow beans into the grinder to make soy milk, then filters out the bean dregs and coagulates it into tofu. She also called her daughter to the vegetable garden by the house to pick a few stalks of green vegetables, two large cucumbers, and half a bunch of green onions. Next, she also slaughtered a chicken

After a long while, he had a thought and instantly disappeared from his original location. In the next moment, Chu Jiaqiang found himself standing in a beautiful valley

He found it somewhat ridiculous. Would he have to pass this thing down in the future as well? How could he even bring it up with his son

Uncle Er was smoking while discussing work matters with Chu Jiaqiang. Cousin Chu Jiawan was listening to her MP3, looking completely entranced

Bypassing the skylight, Chu Jiaqiang arrived at the back hall. Upon opening the back door, he was greeted by several acres of land, where fruit trees were planted in a haphazard manner, including pear trees, yellow-skinned fruit, guava, pomelo, citrus, peach trees, and two large jujube trees. Due to a lack of management, not only was the area overgrown with weeds, but the fruit trees were also not thriving. Since it was currently the fruit season, the trees bore some fruit, albeit in varying amounts.

Why are you making a fuss? A Qiang will be living in the city from now on, so naturally he needs to find a girl from the city. What does a woman from the countryside understand? Go prepare the meal. Remember to stir-fry some peanuts and add them when the tofu is boiling. " Uncle Er glared at Aunt Er again. Aunt Er left in displeasure. In the countryside, feudal concepts are still quite prevalent, and men hold a higher status than women.

Originally, this is the Map of Mountains and Rivers from myth and legend, which contains its own space. Unintentionally, it has been stained with the blood of Chu Jiaqiang, recognizing him as its master. According to the information transmitted from the Map of Mountains and Rivers (hereafter referred to as the Map), the territory within is even larger than that of Earth. However, due to Chu Jiaqiang's current limitations, he can only open a space of a valley. Moreover, one hour outside equates to one day inside.

After dinner, I chatted with my second aunt and uncle for about two hours, and it was around nine o'clock, almost ten. Both my uncle and aunt went to bed, and they also sent their daughter to her room. People in the countryside do not stay up late; generally, they go to bed around nine, and the latest will not be beyond eleven.

"Hehe! We just had a disagreement, and it feels inappropriate, so we broke up." Chu Jiaqiang's smile was very forced

Chu Jiaqiang was somewhat surprised; his second uncle's first words were quite philosophical! Upon reflection, the matter of the breakup seemed to diminish further: "Hmm! I understand. hetushucom.com"

This was still planted by Chu Jiaqiang five years ago. At that time, it was a pity to see several acres of land lying fallow, and since my second uncle could not manage his own fields, he had no choice but to mobilize him to plant fruit trees. Finding the seedlings took quite a bit of effort back then

Chu Jiaqiang was lost in thought for a long time. As a highly educated individual, he was firmly skeptical of the supernatural. However, what happened today had transcended reality, making it difficult for him to accept, yet it undeniably existed

With a loud bang, Chu Jiaqiang felt as if his head was about to explode. In agony, he clutched his hair and eventually fainted. After an unknown period of time, Chu Jiaqiang awoke and finally understood the origin of that heirloom cloth.

Because Chu Jiaqiang's father is the eldest son, the ancestral home was originally allocated to him during the division of the family estate, thus marking the inheritance of the family business. Now, this naturally has become Chu Jiaqiang's property, including the five to six acres of land behind the old house, as well as a small valley located at the back, all of which belong to Chu Jiaqiang

Chu Jiaqiang's gaze inadvertently swept over that piece of cloth, and he was instantly captivated, his eyes gradually widening

Surrounded by rooms, there is a courtyard in the center measuring approximately 30 to 40 square meters. This courtyard is not an ordinary well; it is a structure used by ancient people to collect rainwater. The top is open to the sky, and the bottom is about 30 centimeters lower than the ground level. Typically, it is square in shape, with a few being circular, and the sides and bottom are constructed with smooth stones. During heavy rain, this area transforms into a small pond. However, no one uses the water from the courtyard anymore; instead, people either fetch water from springs or directly drill wells to access groundwater.

Returning to the house, I walked into my former room, where the walls were covered with certificates awarded by the school, many of which had been ravaged by insects. Approaching the old desk, I opened the drawer and took out a box from within.

This valley features a small stream, with crystal-clear water revealing the fish, shrimp, and crabs that are active within. Downstream from the stream lies a small lake, which is not connected to it; the lake appears to be isolated, with a spring at its center. Along the lake's edge is an orchard, exclusively of peach trees, laden with fresh peaches the size of bowls, which are quite tempting. The surrounding area consists of grassy fields, abundant with wild grass, interspersed with colorful wildflowers, where butterflies flutter and bees busily work, creating a picturesque scene reminiscent of a paradise.

First, the second aunt nagged for a while, as if she had endless things to say, and finally brought up the matter of Chu Jiaqiang's girlfriend. They all knew that Chu Jiaqiang had a girlfriend in the city and inquired about when they would get married after finishing their studies. This is how elders in the countryside behave; as long as the younger generation is not studying and has started working, they will begin to worry about such matters.

This is not difficult at all. Another day, Aunt Er will find someone to introduce you. With Ah Qiang's good conditions, there are plenty of young ladies eager to line up for him. Aunt Er's interest was rekindled.

Early the next morning, Chu Jiaqiang greeted his second uncle and expressed his intention to return to the old house for a visit. The old house was not far away, just a ten-minute walk. It was much larger than his second uncle's house, featuring a square layout typical of Hakka architecture.

Uncle Er shot a glance at his wife and comforted her, saying: "It's fine. If it's not suitable, it's better to part ways, giving each other a chance and also providing a way out for oneself. However, we need to hurry and find someone; you are not young anymore. Ah Xiong is three years younger than you, and he isn't planning to get married either?"

Opening the large door, I stepped into the solitary old house, which was exceedingly desolate. Some stone crevices in the courtyard were overgrown with weeds, and a few sparrows perched among them, occasionally emitting a few crisp chirps, lending a touch of vitality to this lonely abode

At the moment when Chu Jiaqiang was lost in thought, the landscape painting emitted a strong light. Unable to withstand such intense brightness, Chu Jiaqiang instinctively closed his eyes. The landscape painting suddenly transformed into a beam of colorful light, piercing into Chu Jiaqiang's mind