"The past is over; now it's your young people's world," Su Batian said with some emotion, admiring Jiang Che. After all, at Jiang Che's age, his own achievements were not as remarkable.
After drinking and eating, Jiang Che left directly. Although he had consumed a lot of wine, he had already called Tian Sha over just a while ago.
"I'll send you," Su Qingyue said as she accompanied Jiang Che to the gate of the manor. When she saw Jiang Che get into the car, she reluctantly looked away and returned to the living room.
"What do you think of this Jiang Che?" Zhou Jing asked Su Batian as Su Qingyue walked back in.
"If he has courage and determination, his future achievements may not be lower than mine," Su Batian replied seriously.
"Really?" Zhou Jing was taken aback, looking at her husband in astonishment. It was the first time she had heard such a high evaluation of someone so young.
"I've always been a good judge of character. Our daughter has found a good husband this time," Su Batian said with a smile, clearly very satisfied with Jiang Che. He hoped that the two would marry soon so he could enjoy his old age with a grandson.
Three days passed in a flash.
At the foot of Baiyun Mountain, Ye Chen and Xiao Han appeared, climbing up the mountain under the moonlight.
"Brother, my master lives on the mountainside. We will be there soon," Xiao Han said, glancing at the towering mountain in front of him with an excited tone. After running around for four consecutive days and nights, they were finally back! Xiao Han felt an urge to cry. He had just come down the mountain half a month ago, and the glorious world he envisioned had turned into a series of setbacks. Now, he was even a fugitive.
"Let's go to the village to get some water first, then head up the mountain," Xiao Han suggested, taking a deep breath and leading Ye Chen into a small village nearby.
Xiao Han was familiar with the villagers here, and someone recognized him as soon as they entered the village.
"Son Xiao Han, didn't you go to the big city? Why are you back so soon?" An old man sitting on a stone pier at the entrance of the village, smoking dry tobacco, asked with a hint of confusion.
"Uncle Deng, I have something to discuss with my master," Xiao Han replied with a smile, refraining from sharing the details of his recent troubles.
"I see, you have something to discuss with Master Deng. Why haven't you gone up the mountain yet?" The old man nodded, showing understanding.
"I'm a little tired from walking all the way, and I want to get some water first," Xiao Han said weakly. They had been fleeing for days, relying on wild fruits for sustenance and drinking from streams, which had left them drained.
"Then come with me." The old man led Xiao Han and Ye Chen to his home, poured a large bowl of water for each of them, and then went to the kitchen to prepare a bowl of noodles. The old man, Deng, was perceptive and could tell that Xiao Han had been hungry for days.
Xiao Han slurped the noodles in the bowl. Although it was just a simple bowl of noodles in clear soup, for him at that moment, it was the most delicious meal.
After eating and resting briefly, Xiao Han and Ye Chen resumed their journey up the mountain. Before leaving, Xiao Han made a special request to Old Man Deng.
"Uncle Deng, if the police come to the village with my picture in the next couple of days, please say that you haven't seen me."
"What's the matter, Hanwazi? Have you committed a crime?" Old Man Deng frowned, looking at Xiao Han seriously. The dusty appearance of the two had already aroused his suspicions.
"I was framed, and those people want to arrest me, so I'm going back to the mountain to hide for a while," Xiao Han explained casually.
"That's fine. I understand. You go ahead," Old Man Deng said, waving his hand and not doubting the truth of Xiao Han's words. He had watched Xiao Han grow up, and he trusted his character. Although Xiao Han could be reckless, he was not a bad person.
After bidding farewell to Old Man Deng, Xiao Han led Ye Chen up the mountain via a small road behind the village.
Three hours later, they finally reached a plain on the mountainside. Several thatched huts and a small vegetable garden came into view, where an old man with a white beard and rosy complexion was watering the vegetables.
"Master!" Seeing this old man, Xiao Han couldn't contain his emotions any longer and began to choke up.