"Is this okay?"
The woman had already started repacking the food into the lunch box.
The woodcutter suddenly understood.
"So this is what you're worried about?"
"All right."
"Your sister-in-law has helped you solve the problem."
The woodcutter gave the woman an approving look.
His wife really was clever.
Then he looked at the Young Scholar. "Can you go outside with your big brother now?"
A hint of amusement flickered in the woman's eyes.
This time, the Young Scholar didn't refuse.
The woodcutter successfully led the Young Scholar out into the courtyard.
Bright sunlight spilled down.
It almost made them forget the stormy days they'd had just a few days ago.
"Look."
The woodcutter let go of the Young Scholar's hand and turned to face him.
A wide grin spread across his face.
"Isn't the sunshine lovely?"
"Doesn't the sun feel nice on your skin?"
The Young Scholar instinctively narrowed his eyes.
He looked up at the sun high in the sky.
His expression was dazed.
"All right."
The woodcutter patted the Young Scholar on the back.
"Take in the scenery."
"Walk around the courtyard."
"If you get tired, lie down on the deck chair."
"If you get hungry, eat the steamed buns and other snacks your sister-in-law made for you."
Don't worry about the Black Monster...
He'd already learned the hard way once. If his younger brother could forget the Black Monster from now on, he could pretend the whole thing had never happened.
He wouldn't probe into his younger brother's condition.
As long as there was no Black Monster, his younger brother was normal.
The Young Scholar nodded.
The woodcutter and the woman left the Young Scholar's courtyard.
"Husband."
The woman hesitated.
"Say whatever's on your mind."
The