Chapter 3, Going to the Market (I)

However, Shang Yi is also very generous, often sharing the game he hunts with other villagers. The black bear, once skinned, provided a large piece of bear meat to every household in the village. The villagers are all quite simple-hearted and, being recipients of his kindness, naturally feel very grateful. Moreover, Shang Yi's easygoing nature has led to him quickly becoming well-liked by the villagers, despite his short time in this small village.

These are not all; there is also Ye Yaotao. Although she is only about fifteen or sixteen years old, she has already grown to be exceptionally beautiful, with a naive and lively personality that does not resemble that of a country girl. Moreover, this young girl surprisingly knows martial arts. She has practiced with a hunting fork against Shang Yi several times. Although her age means she lacks strength and experience, each move is quite solid, indicating at least five or six years of hard training. Naturally, all of this was taught by Ye Xingshi, a fact that Ye Xingshi does not deny. A country old man cannot possess such skills.

The elder's full name is Cheng Jinzong. He is in his forties, quite astute, and one of the few literate individuals in this small village. During the last market day, Shang Yi's catch accounted for a significant portion of the goods, and all of it was of good quality. In total, he spent over fifty taels of silver, of which thirty-seven taels were from Shang Yi. The elder made a small profit of eight taels from this, two of which were a separate reward from Shang Yi for his assistance. Do not underestimate these eight taels; they are enough to cover a year's living expenses in a mountain village. Therefore, the elder felt grateful to Shang Yi. Upon hearing that he wanted to accompany him to the market, he immediately had the cart waiting at the Ye family's door for him.

Since Shang Yi arrived in this small village, he has been living at Ye Yaozhan's home, taking on all the heavy tasks such as fetching water and chopping firewood by himself. Unlike modern individuals who prefer a nocturnal lifestyle, Shang Yi developed the habit of going to bed early and rising early during his time in the army. Therefore, he gets up before dawn every day, first chopping the firewood, then fetching water, and only then heading up the mountain to hunt, embodying a standard agricultural lifestyle.

A round log, as thick as an arm, was split in half and each half fell onto the stump. Shang Yi picked up another round log, placed it on the stump, and swung the axe down once more. Around the stump, dozens of round logs that had been split in half were already scattered on the ground

Lao Cheng is the father of Cheng Jin and Cheng Jie, and he is also the only person in the village who raises livestock. His family has a donkey and a large cart. There are only fifty-three households in this village, the vast majority of whom rely on hunting, foraging for wild fruits, and collecting medicinal herbs for their livelihood. There is no farming, and at most, they grow a few vegetables by the pond outside the village.

Shang Yile stacked the firewood and then turned back to his own room. Indeed, he saw a long blue robe hanging at the door, along with a hat. Although Shang Yile was half a head taller than Old Man Ye, the robes of ancient times were quite spacious, so he could wear it. The hat was just right to cover his short hair. He then felt that Old Man Ye had indeed been very considerate.

This mountain village is extremely remote, located more than 20 li of mountain roads away from the nearest town, and its residents have moved here from various places. Only Lao Cheng makes the trip to the town every ten days or so, helping the villagers sell the game they have hunted, as well as the wild fruits and medicinal herbs they have gathered. Lao Cheng also purchases some essential daily supplies to bring back and sells them to the villagers, making a small profit in the process. Some villagers even ask him to sell items they need. However, due to its remoteness, even the government is too lazy to come here to collect taxes, which allows the residents to live quite comfortably, resembling a sort of utopia.

Ye Xingshi smiled and said, "Shang Yi, I must thank you for these past few days. It has gotten cold, so put on your clothes and don't catch a cold."

Upon carefully reflecting on his earlier words, Shang Yi began to find the old man somewhat peculiar. When he said he "just happened to be able to go out and take a look," what did that mean? Could it be that he had already guessed Shang Yi's desire to leave this village? Shang Yi had received training in dealing with people during his time in the military, and although he had become familiar with the villagers over the past ten days since his arrival, he still found it difficult to see through Ye Xingshi.

Only then did Shang Yi realize that his camouflage uniform and the short flat-top haircut he kept were indeed quite unconventional in this era. When he first arrived in the village, it had attracted quite a bit of attention, but as he became familiar with the villagers, they grew accustomed to him. If he were to go to the town, he would still be regarded as a curiosity. Old Ye's consideration was very thoughtful, so he nodded and said, "Thank you, Grandpa Ye, I will put away the firewood and go."

So much so that Shang Yi sometimes fantasized, could it be that Old Man Ye has taken a liking to him and intends to bestow his precious granddaughter upon him? Many online novels depict such scenarios. After the protagonist travels to another world, they are immediately recognized for their bright aura, with a high forehead and sparkling eyes, exuding an air of nobility in every gesture. Consequently, they are instantly revered, and vast fortunes along with beautiful daughters or granddaughters are offered with both hands. After a few polite words, the protagonist graciously accepts and embarks on a journey of seducing beautiful women.

Since Shang Yi traversed to this mountain village, he effortlessly claimed the title of the village's top hunter. Due to his outdoor training, he is well-acquainted with the habits and living patterns of most animals. Although he does not use a handgun or books, his crossbow is a modern high-tech product equipped with a scope and infrared scanning, making hunting exceedingly easy. In just over ten days, he has hunted two leopards, five wolves, and several roe deer and yellow sheep. As for smaller animals like wild goats and foxes, they are even easier to catch. Just yesterday, he single-handedly took down an adult black bear. Some people might not even manage to hunt this much in a year. The young men in the village, such as Zhou Shaohuan, Tong Dayong, Cheng Jin, Cheng Gang, and Duan Peng, are in awe of him.

Due to the nature of the work, Shang Yi was only wearing a short-sleeved shirt on top and camouflage pants on the bottom. It was now September, but according to the modern Gregorian calendar, it should be mid-October, which marks the onset of autumn. Although Shandong is in northern China, it is close to the ocean and has a typical maritime monsoon climate, so the temperatures in winter and autumn are not particularly low. Moreover, Shang Yi lived in the military, so he did not feel cold. Nevertheless, he still put on a long-sleeved shirt. He said, "Mr. Ye, you are too kind. If it weren't for your hospitality, I would have to sleep on the streets now. Helping you with some work is the least I can do. Besides, this little bit of work is not tiring; it's just a way to stretch my muscles. Once I finish chopping the firewood, I will go fetch water right away."

At this moment, Ye Xingshi said, "However, your outfit is quite strange. The people in the town are not as easy to talk to as those in our village. To avoid any trouble, I have found one of my long robes for you, which I have placed in your room. Please try it on and see if it fits." After saying this, he turned and went back into the house.

In fact, Shang Yi had long wanted to leave this village to see the outside world, but he neither knew the way nor had any money, so going out would be in vain. Therefore, he had to endure for the time being. Upon hearing that Lao Cheng was going to the town today to buy books, he immediately decided that this time he must go with him to take a look, and then determine his next course of action.

Shang Yi quickly straightened his back and said, "Master Ye, you are up as well?"

Shang Yi also donned a long robe; however, to be cautious, he wore camouflage clothing underneath it and brought along all the weapons he could carry. Only then did he take Ye Yaozhao and, along with the others, chatting and laughing, set off from the small village in the old Cheng's vehicle

Hello!

With a loud thud, Shang Yi drove the axe into the wooden stump and wiped the sweat from his brow. He then began to pick up the scattered firewood one by one, only to realize that he did not know when Ye Xingshi had already stood behind him.

However, Ye Yaotian's current age is that of a middle school or high school student in the time period of Shang Yi's past. Targeting a girl like this is truly inhumane. Although there are indeed people in modern society who have such preferences, Shang Yi is still unable to wrap his mind around this notion. It would be better to wait and nurture for a couple of years before making any decisions

Ye Xingshi nodded and said, "I will first go and inform Lao Cheng, you should also make your preparations."

Certainly, these are all YY's thoughts, but it is certain that Ye Xingshi is not an ordinary old man. However, Shang Yi is very grateful to Ye Xingshi and his grandson; if they had not taken him in, he would probably still be in a dire situation. Moreover, Ye Yao Yao is also a very endearing little girl. To say that Shang Yi has no other thoughts about her would be self-deception.

Ye Yaotian's home consists only of her grandfather, Ye Xingshi. The two of them rely on each other in this small mountain village. Because Ye Xingshi possesses some medical skills, he earns a living by treating the villagers.

Ye Xingshi is approximately sixty years old. Although his hair has turned somewhat gray, there is a subtle brilliance in his eyes, and his demeanor is calm and composed, distinctly different from that of the average villager. When Ye Yaotao brought him home, it is natural for anyone to inquire about the background of a stranger, especially one with such an unusual hairstyle. However, Ye Xingshi did not do so; he merely asked a few questions and then invited him to stay. The information that I gathered was all obtained from Ye Xingshi. Moreover, his medical skills are not ordinary; he practices acupuncture, and Shang Yi has witnessed him treating villagers in this manner on two occasions.

Ye Xingshi nodded and smiled, saying: "No need, the water you fetched yesterday is still enough. Go back and take a rest. Today, Lao Cheng is going to the town, so you should take Yao Tiao with you. I am getting old and do not want to move anymore. Otherwise, I would have wanted her to go out and see the world long ago. You can also take this opportunity to go out and have a look."

Several young men who had a good relationship with him on weekdays heard that Shang Yi was going to the town with Lao Cheng, so they all wanted to join. Shang Yi thought about bringing Ye Yaozhao along as well, and feeling that it would be lively with more people, he agreed. He also informed Lao Cheng that he would cover all the expenses for food and lodging in the town. Seeing him say this, Lao Cheng did not oppose. Thus, everyone worked together to help load the bear skin and several other hunted items onto the cart

However, although Ye Xingshi has many aspects that leave Shang Yi puzzled, he has great trust in Shang Yi. Ever since Shang Yi arrived, he has almost daily asked Shang Yi to take Ye Yaozhao up the mountain to hunt, seemingly without any sense of vigilance.

Shang Yi also wanted to sell the game he had hunted over the past two days, especially the bear skin, which, according to Lao Cheng, was worth at least twenty taels of silver. In the future, if he were to venture out, having no money would be absolutely unacceptable