Chapter 4, Cultivating Insects

Mary choked up, her face revealing a look of concern as she said, "Mr. Zhang Lisheng, you have yet to realize what you have lost"

If he doesn't come, then there won't be any...

The driver, Ermu, illuminated the winding road with the headlights and casually said, "Uncle Alie, don't worry. I've been driving this route from the county town to our village for many years; nothing can go wrong."

Zhang Lisheng shook his head and said, "Really no need, I can manage on my own." He then fell silent and walked into the ancient residence, slowly closing the peach wood door behind him

The old wooden door stood wide open, and peering inside by the light of the moon revealed nothing but darkness, sending a chill down one's spine

"Er Mu, you have worked hard all day." The middle-aged man patted the driver's shoulder and said politely

Well

The pain of losing a loved one is not so simple; when necessary, you should express your emotions. Running, shouting, or crying freely can be very helpful. Remember, being strong does not mean suppressing your feelings

If you need someone to talk to in the future, you can call me or come find me. For the next six months, I will be interning at this hospital. My phone number is 139... .. .

The doctor said that he needs to be hospitalized for observation, and there is no need to spend any money. That Dr. Mary caused such a commotion that the county hospital was in a state of panic. You didn't see it just now; even the deputy director came..." A middle-aged man advised Zhang Lisheng, but upon seeing his resolute gaze and recalling that the hospital was the place where he lost his father, he sighed and changed his words, saying: "Alright, let's go."

As the word 'photograph' surged from Zhang Lisheng's throat, it carried away half of the mysterious power pulsating within his flesh and blood. Passing through his mouth, it was jolted by the tumor on the hard palate, as if imbued with a special magic, causing even the bright moonlit sky to tremble slightly.

Upon hearing the word 'capture', the centipede raised on Zhang Lisheng's blood lost its spirit. As he wished, its thousands of legs exerted force in a leap, bathing in the black blood mist, and under the moonlight, it abruptly grew by more than ten centimeters, landing on the ground, unable to move again

At the stall, I bought more than ten tea eggs, several bags of bread, and bottled water. Tao Lielin hurriedly took the truck with Zhang Lisheng and rushed towards Guawo Village.

At this critical moment, let's not speak any polite words, child. Are you really not going to go home with your uncle? the middle-aged man asked with concern

When I worked with my mentor, I encountered many individuals who had experiences similar to yours. In the initial stages of events, they exhibited attitudes akin to yours

"Uncle Ah Lie, you can take care of me today, but not tomorrow. I need to go home, and I will find my mother myself." The unexpected events that came one after another on this day were truly overwhelming. Zhang Lisheng lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, then looked up at the dark forest outside the car window and said resolutely: "I appreciate your kindness, but I must go home, and I will find my mother myself."

The next day, I will make a trip to the county police station and the civil affairs bureau to check where your aunt is, to see if I can find her

It is better to be cautious," Zhang Lisheng muttered, turning to Zhang Lisheng and saying, "Shan Chongzi, when you return to the village, go stay at your uncle's house first. After your father's funeral is over, we will think about what to do next.

"It's nothing, Uncle Lie, just feeling a bit down. I'll be fine once I get through it," Zhang Lisheng said as he unsteadily got up from the hospital bed. "I don't want to stay here; let's go home."

"Er Mu, you little rascal, you can't go so fast, slow down, slow down." As usual, squeezed in the front passenger seat with Zhang Lisheng, the middle-aged man peeled a tea egg and handed it to Zhang Lisheng while speaking loudly

The hospital corridor was bustling with activity, filled with patients seeking treatment, those hospitalized, individuals collecting medication, and caregivers, all creating a cacophony that was quite headache-inducing. This was particularly tormenting for Zhang Lisheng, who was still very weak in health. It was not until he exited the hospital building that he felt a significant sense of relief

Indeed, you mention this foreigner who, instead of enjoying a good life driving a car and living in a villa, comes to our impoverished mountain valley to take in the scenery. While observing, he even starts to teach us. What is the purpose of this?

In front of the door, Zhang Lisheng lowered his head and said: "Uncle Ah Lie, Brother Er Mu, thank you both today"

The driver beside him, with wide-open eyes gazing at the ancient house's door, absentmindedly said, "It's just a mountain bug. If you don't want to go to Uncle Lie's house, why don't you come with me instead"

The blood mist fell in a scattered manner under the moonlight, surprisingly dark in color

Due to the large number of tourists, the night roads in the county town are even more difficult to navigate than during the day. However, once one leaves the county town, the highway becomes desolate, and the speed of the trucks unknowingly increases significantly

Ermu, who was beside him, heard this and merely curled his lip in disdain

By this time, the usual feeding and blood nourishment period has long passed, and the centipede is already ravenously hungry

The voice was hoarse and deep, resembling the ramblings of a madman, yet it seemed to possess a strange, soul-capturing power.

Thank you. Zhang Lisheng clearly was not accustomed to excessive concern from others, and he nodded expressionlessly.

"Tsk tsk, what a good doctor. I heard she graduated from a foreign university, m.hetushu.com. Because of some multinational medical assistance program, she voluntarily came to our remote area for an internship. She's truly exceptional," said Tao Lielin, who had been by Zhang Lisheng's side, as he watched Mary leave. He then looked at Zhang Lisheng with concern and said, "Shanchongzi, are you alright? If you're not feeling well, just say so, and we'll get you treated quickly"

The truck was parked at the threshing ground at the village entrance. The driver turned off the headlights, yawned, and said, "We have arrived, Uncle Ali."

The two individuals conversed as they arrived at the entrance of the hospital, where the street was still bustling with traffic. It seems that the increasing number of travelers has brought the concept of nightlife to this remote mountain town.

By this time, it was already evening, and the weather was cool. After descending the steps, Zhang Lisheng suddenly asked, "Uncle Lie, is Ermu still waiting for us"

Outside the door, a middle-aged man sighed and, together with the driver, returned home under the moonlight. However, inside the door, under the moonlight, Zhang Lisheng displayed a peculiar expression on his face. He stood in the courtyard, took a deep breath, and suddenly emitted strange sounds: "hiss hiss, rustle rustle..."

The traffic police have surveillance footage of the incident. It was your father who crossed the road by climbing over the railing and was hit by a taxi. The responsibility is shared equally, and this is still because the car struck a pedestrian, a middle-aged man said in a low voice

The uncle and nephew quietly left the hospital room.

Just wait, it was those kids from Chunsheng who caused a commotion at the hospital and left first

Alas, in the end, this is all fate

Consider this: if it were not for your father, which woman could have matched him? Finding a wife to bear you children, ensuring the family line continues, this is indeed a blessing from heaven

The middle-aged man was taken aback by the words, and just as he was about to offer a few words of advice, he noticed the youth's gaze under the dark curtain, which was serene yet tinged with a ghastly green. A shiver ran down his spine, and he murmured, "Zhang family's child, now that something has happened, it truly shows that you are indeed a child of the Zhang family, remarkably so, indeed quite extraordinary."

His words brought great joy to the driver, to the extent that this young man, who originally wanted to rush home to embrace his wife and snuggle into a warm bed, actually accompanied Tao Lielin all the way to Zhang Lisheng's doorstep.

It spotted the figure of its owner and did not hesitate due to Zhang Lisheng's previous ruthless tearing; instead, it instinctively crawled towards its master, waiting to be nourished by blood and grow fat.

In this situation, Mary could only nod and walk out of the ward

As the incantation echoed, the enormous centipede, nurtured by Zhang Lisheng with flesh and blood essence, slithered out from the dark corner of the ancient courtyard.

"Am, Uncle Ah Lie, am I not dead?" Zhang Lisheng suddenly widened his eyes and asked

"Is it the car that Teacher Henry drove?" Zhang Lisheng asked in surprise

"Your mother was still young; I saw her in the city over a decade ago, and she was even less attractive than my wife. If she were to die, it would be true, but that’s just your father deceiving you, child," the middle-aged strong man sighed and said, "However, you were too young to remember when this woman left; she was heartless.

You little rascal, this is all you amount to

Those accustomed to the idea of returning to their roots, such as the Chinese, naturally find it difficult to understand the worldview of citizens in Western countries, who generally enjoy freedom in childhood, life in youth, struggle in young adulthood, family in middle age, and life in old age. They consider the choices of elderly Americans to be quite irrational.

In recent years, not only the middle schools but even the elementary schools in Wo Village have been merged with Shuiwan Village, which is closer to the town center, forcing the children to walk over ten miles along mountain paths to attend school

"What are you saying? We are all from the same hometown. If the travel route really opens in the future, you should take good care of me, and then I won't have wasted my whole day." The driver said with a smile.

However, gazing at the centipede that had already crawled onto his foot, Zhang Lisheng did not draw blood to feed it. Instead, he recited the incantation that had formed in his mind, and with a sudden roar, he shouted: "Capture." He then combined the ancient texts and folk legends, bit his tongue, and sprayed out a mist of blood.

Later, due to the discovery of a stunningly beautiful unnamed canyon near the mountain village, it became a highlight of the tourism industry in the county and even in Hengze City. Suddenly, a Hope Primary School was built in the village, and the site for the newly constructed Third Middle School in Damu Town was also planned for this location

"It is quite a coincidence that the taxi that hit your father was driven by none other than the foreign teacher from our village's middle school, who, I heard, is also hospitalized here."

The truck broke through the night and drove into Guawo Village in the deep of night. The entire mountain village had long fallen into silence, with only the countless nocturnal insects and birds in the surrounding forests chirping and calling.

"Alright, Uncle, I will remember your feelings, but I wonder if I, as the deputy village head, will be able to speak on the ground at that time," Tao Lielin said, taken aback, and then smiled.

Thereafter, visitors could no longer witness the extraordinary sight of the village children from Guo Wo Village traversing mountains and valleys to attend school

The foreign teacher at the Third Middle School is an American in his fifties who came to Guawowo Village for self-guided travel two or three years ago. Upon seeing the beautiful natural scenery here, he unexpectedly fell in love with this mountain village and inexplicably decided to stay, becoming a volunteer for educational assistance