Refining the Mountains and Rivers

"Feh! Outsider boy, stand there…" The Li Family Boss shouted out loud. But before he could finish speaking, he swallowed his words.

A wild pig was staring at him ruthlessly. The callousness in its small eyes actually caused his legs to tremble.

Damn it, for better or worse I am still an experienced herder, aren't I? I have faced numerous wolves and leopards in my life and yet I'm being frightened by such a little pig right now? This is simply shameful!

The Li Family Boss finally regained his composure. His face flushed red. But, before he could react with anger, a loud rumbling filled his ears as the wild pig stampeded towards him with its two tusks in full display.

"Ahh! My butt!"

"What kind of pig is this, how can it be so strong!?"

"Save me!!"

In several blinks of an eye, these threatening mountain village youths were sent scrambling away, crying for their mothers and fathers.

When Qin Yu finally emerged from his thoughts, what he saw was a scene of chaos all around. Big Pig had vented his anger and was walking back to him, his fat buttocks swaying in joy.

"You didn't take any lives did you? Oh, that's good then. Alright, let's go."

He swung his whip and continued herding the flock of sheep into the village. A group of black-and-blue youths were left covering their faces in indignation.

They…they…had actually been bullied by a pig!

"What is up with you?" A young girl's surprised voice rang out. When A'li saw the distressed village youths, a puzzled expression came over her face.

The Li Family Boss withdrew his hands that were holding onto his butt. He awkwardly laughed and said, "Uh…well…we were all exercising just now. If you don't have a healthy body, how can you be a good herder?"

"Old Boss Li is right! We were exercising just now!"

"That's right, that's right. We were exercising! We might have been a bit heavy-handed just now, but we aren't afraid of pain."

A'li furrowed her eyebrows. She felt that these young men were acting a bit strange today.

But, she didn't think much further into it. She nodded and led her flock of sheep past them, entering the village.

As A'li disappeared, the village youths all glanced at each other. After a moment of solemn silence, they reached an unspoken and unanimous decision.

Absolutely no one could know of what happened today. Otherwise, they would find a block of tofu to commit suicide!

Over a dozen strong and sturdy young men had been brutalized by a wild pig and all of their buttocks had been painfully struck. To them, this was a shame so great that they would never be able to erase it!

…

During dinner, Qin Yu was still in an absent-minded daze. He looked forward, his eyes empty as he thought deeply about how to restore his magic power. He simply didn't notice A'li sitting down across from him.

With the instincts of a young girl, she immediately sensed Qin Yu staring at her. She furrowed her eyebrows but didn't place it in her heart. From the time she was a child until now, she had seen this kind of look countless times.

But soon A'li discovered that Qin Yu was different from those people that used to sneak looks at her. He didn't even bother concealing it, and what was most hateful was that he steadily and quietly stared at her.

She didn't know whether it was due to anger or shame, but her face flushed red. She coughed several times and glared at Qin Yu.

This move usually caused all those people that peeped at her to avert their eyes in a panic. But, this move was actually completely wasted on Qin Yu.

It was like he simply didn't notice at all. He continued to stare straight at A'li. Since her grandparents were around her, she was left in an even more embarrassed position. She slammed her bowl against the table.

"I'm full!"

She walked to her room.

This bastard, this pervert, this villain…but for some unknown reason, when she thought of those pitch black pupils, she unexpectedly felt her heart quicken.

Qin Yu finally regained his composure. He turned around at a total loss and watched as A'li slammed her door shut. He asked the old man, "What's wrong with A'li?"

Those dazed and innocent eyes…if this incident hadn't involved his granddaughter, he really wanted to give Qin Yu a thumbs up! This boy was truly the type that didn't care about face. He really had the style and demeanor that the old man had in his youth!

The granny looked Qin Yu up and down three times. She grinned and revealed the few teeth she had remaining and her eyes became even gentler.

Qin Yu's heart inexplicably tightened. He felt as if something wasn't right, but he didn't think it was right to say that he was just lost in thought. He quickly finished eating and helped the old man prepare the nightly fodder and water. After saying goodbye, he returned to his room to rest.

At night, the old couple tidied everything up and laid down in bed. The granny patted the old man and ahh'ed a few times, gesticulating some hand signs.

The old man smiled and said, "Looking at him, it seems that young Qin is interested in that girl. His character is good and he's also an earnest worker. If A'li can follow him, that would be one less concern for us."

The granny waggled her fingers some more.

The old man said, "There's no need to be in such a hurry. Go and secretly ask A'li for her opinion first. That girl is still resentful towards young Qin, so I fear she won't agree for some time."

He patted her hands. They were a couple that had helped each other out for over a hundred years and spent most of that time married. "Rest early and we can wake up a little bit earlier too."

The granny smiled and nodded. Of course, the reason for rising early wasn't to prepare food, but to take advantage of the time when her granddaughter hadn't left to get some information from her.

This old man, although he said he wasn't worried, he was likely feeling pressed for time in his heart.

The night passed quietly.

In the early morning, after taking the liquid from the gourd, Qin Yu was in a much better condition. His energy and mood had vastly improved.

"Old sir, good morning. You've woken up a bit earlier than usual today." Normally the old man would only come out when breakfast was ready, and then he would sit down to eat.

The old man waved his hand, "Young Qin, sit down. There's some time before breakfast so let's drink some tea together."

Qin Yu smiled and agreed. He brought some water and steeped the tea. When he did, he inadvertently discovered that what was inside the teapot were whole flat and thin tea leaves. Although it was only common tea, for a poor rural mountain village like this, this could be considered the standard for the highest level of hospitality. This type of tea leaf would only be taken out at new year celebrations of when honored guests came to visit.

The tea was golden and clear with a thick fragrance. Qin Yu took several sips and couldn't help but raise a thumb.

Of course, with his breadth of experience, these tea leaves could only be considered barely passable. But, he couldn't disappoint the old man's intentions.

Seeing Qin Yu happy, the old man smiled in satisfaction. "These tea leaves are from two years ago when A'li laid down a trap and accidentally caught an aroma deer and exchanged it with the mountain trading company. Looking at the surrounding several villages, I don't think anyone would dare say their tea leaves are better than ours."

After a pause he sighed, "A'li is a good girl. Because of what happened to her, her marriage was delayed. I've been looking for a good husband for her to marry these past two years. Still, I have no idea which boy has the good fortune to marry my A'li."

Qin Yu finally realized what was happening. He smiled and said, "Old sir, don't worry, I think that A'li is someone with good fortune and will surely be able to find a good home."

The old man smiled and nodded, "I hope so."

The granny began to cook breakfast. Today's meal was much more luxurious than usual. There were two extra tasty dishes and they were so unexpectedly good that they increased one's appetite.

After being together for such a long time, Qin Yu had picked up on some sign language. He nodded at the granny and said, "The breakfast you cook is delicious!"

The granny smiled and let him eat more.

A'li woke up a little late today. She had no expression as her icy eyes unconsciously swept over Qin Yu.

When he calmly smiled and greeted her, she couldn't help but clench her teeth. This thick-skinned bastard, he was clearly the one who brought this up and now he was pretending to be innocent!

But when she saw his smiling face, she unexpectedly felt a bit fl.u.s.tered. She lowered her head and quickly ate breakfast. Then, she laid her bowl down and walked away.

She was afraid that her grandparents would say something embarrassing at the dining table, so when she left it was almost as if she were fleeing. The indifferent attitude she maintained had completely vanished.

She hurried to herd the sheep out beyond the village. It was only then that A'li composed herself. From her reaction and performance, no matter how she looked at it, it seemed as if she were afraid.

She blushed red and clenched her teeth. Whatever. In any case, grandfather and grandmother had already misunderstood things, so it didn't matter if they continued like this. In any case, she would never like that bastard…

Ugh, how bothersome! Was her grandmother going senile? She had clearly refused when asked, but her grandmother had smiled in return, obviously not recognizing her refusal!

Moments later, Qin Yu brought Big Pig out and herded the sheep. His back looked even more miserable than A'li's. He had lost all of his calm from yesterday.

When the old man changed the subject earlier, he immediately understood what was happening. When he saw the granny smiling at him, he felt as if his heart had turned to wood.

Just what was this? After simply resting for a day, he had been designated as the Zhou Family's son-in-law!?

This was difficult to accept!