The Road We've Travelled

Jiang Xueming made no comment.

--This situation has actually occurred many times before, as Ye Bei asked.

In Hengyin City, a place of sorrow, Xue Ming had contact with more than twenty families who had lost their children. Ye Bei would always ask Xue Ming to come and reunite with the families, but in the end, nothing ever came of it.

In fact, Jiang Xueming had long known in his heart that his adoptive parents were not his biological parents, even when they were still alive, but he had never had any evidence or opportunity to prove it.

Rather than viewing the process of recognizing relatives as a bloodline recombination, it's more accurate to say that Xue Ming simply wanted to find a legitimate reason to take his sister away from that terrible family.

He didn't care about his biological parents' names, and the entire process of recognizing them was uneventful.

Memories before the age of four are so faint that it is almost impossible to discern what I thought, saw, and heard during my early childhood.

He only had a vague image of his mother, which occasionally overlapped with the figure of Jiang's mother when she was busy watching over the crib at the kitchen counter, leading him to mistakenly believe that she was his real biological mother.

Imagine having to interact with more than twenty families and thirty strangers, talking about life memories and childhood experiences—this process felt very strange to Xue Ming.

If it were a more cold-blooded and ruthless person in society, they would probably avoid this family recognition ceremony.

Because both have their own lives, and both have shaped different selves along their journeys.

Suddenly having to overturn all the memories of the past ten or twenty years and completely transform oneself at a dinner table or a tea party is actually terrifying and hard to accept.

When Xue Ming interacted with these families, he felt inexplicably anxious.

He hoped these broken families could be put back together, but he also hoped they could take it slow, because such a drastic reunion and such a sudden and abrupt union would force children to adapt to new parents and parents to adapt to new children. Forcing two completely different lives into one family in a very short time would be a secondary injury to both sides.

Brother Ye Bei kept telling Xue Ming, "Take it slow, it will be faster." This wasn't just about Xue Ming's ruthlessness—his ability to injure people instantly and leave lifelong scars—but also about the duality of his resistance, tension, and inexplicable hope when interacting with these families.

Hengyin City shaped Xue Ming; without this place, there would be no Jiang Xueming.

If the Jiang family, those human traffickers, had been more ruthless, thinking Xue Ming was too old to be properly raised, they would have killed the child, dismembered him, and buried him instead of raising him. He wouldn't be who he is today.

If Hengyin City had a good economy, people could live a decent life just by living off welfare and waiting to die; they wouldn't have such a lone wolf with an iron will.

If Brother Ye Bei hadn't met Xue Ming, he might still be working at the battery factory, or he might have already attended Bailu's wedding banquet, eaten a piece of Bailu's human flesh, and, having tasted the sweetness, would have taken over their mantle and become another criminal, just like his adoptive parents.

Suffering itself is meaningless; any one-sided violence and the pain it causes will not bring any benefit.

But Xue Ming has been boxing with these things for eighteen years, going through countless rounds, before he has achieved his current success.

In this place, countless people have crossed paths with Xue Ming, some good, some bad, but most are ordinary people, struggling in the turbulent world just like him.

Xue Ming no longer cares about, or rather, is no longer concerned about, her biological parents.

They weren't so concerned about where he came from, or where he and Bailu were going back to.

All he can grasp is the present moment, the real world, every single second.

He had rehearsed similar scenarios countless times in his mind, regardless of whether one was rich or poor, ugly or handsome, middle-aged or old.

If one day, his biological parents really find him.

Xue Ming will likely use her usual fake smile to try her best to evoke emotions, sharing the same love and hate, crying and laughing as her blood-related parents.

It was just a few days of gathering, a few days of reunion.

At most a hundred hours of tenderness, at most a hundred hours of conversation.

That's all the time he can offer.

That's all the emotion he can give.

There are still days to live, train stations to go to, and younger sisters to take care of.

Brother Ye Bei, Xiao Qi, Meteor, and Boss.

These people are more important than his biological parents; they occupy almost his entire life.

That decade-long search for his family was like a naive and romantic unrequited love. If Xue Ming's biological parents had found him, they might have discovered that their son already had someone else in his heart.

They have other, more important, closer, and far stronger partners than blood relatives.

Upon hearing Jiang Zhengchu's life story --

Xue Ming greatly admired this uncle.

The willpower required for years of travel, the courage to deal with people from different regions and dialects, the adaptability to changes in clothing, food, housing and transportation, and local customs, the judgment and focus to overcome all difficulties on the road to find relatives, learn new skills, plan mission routes, the optimistic and brave determination to fight criminals, the vitality to never be defeated by life, and never hear a word of complaint, even after being reunited and separated from other families.

Like Xue Ming, this journey shaped Uncle Jiang Zhengchu.

They are very, very similar, yet slightly different.

What Xue Ming most is that Uncle Jiang Zhengchu, without anyone like Brother Ye Bei to help him in his life, has still come so far, steadily and surely, with each step better and smoother than the last.

It's hard to imagine that this 59-year-old man still has such bright eyes, such a healthy body, such clear thinking and logical thought, and speaks clearly and logically.

Apart from his smoking habit, there are almost no flaws in Uncle Zhengchu.

Like a finely crafted sword that is constantly polished, it is prepared to deal with unexpected troubles in life. After all, Uncle Zhengchu's life is a series of unknown adventures.

His tractor was a warhorse, and his banners were the iron feathers of the Winged Hussars and military flags.

Having traversed most of China and fought countless battles over eighteen years, he is a modern-day knight-errant.

Along this journey, he loved many people, hated many people, helped many people, and owed many people a debt of gratitude.

These people and events are probably far more important than my biological son, with whom I've spent less than four years.

Back in the gatehouse--

--When Xue Ming heard the questions from his two elder brothers, Ye Bei and Xingchen.

He understood immediately and told Uncle Jiang Zhengchu.

"Uncle, I am the child who was abducted and brought to Hengyin. I also have a younger sister. Are you ready? I think what my older brother means is that I should do a paternity test with you families who have lost children, just like before."

At this point, Jiang Zhengchu suddenly froze.

He felt unfamiliar with the young man and was apprehensive about this kind of businesslike conversation.

He also encountered young people searching for their parents on several other occasions, and each time they reached the end of their journey, he hesitated and felt afraid.

No amount of nostalgia can force a connection between the four-year-old biological son and the stranger before him.

This was true before, and it is true now.

Besides, Jiang Xueming and Jiang Zhengchu look nothing alike.

Their facial features, eyebrows, height, and weight are completely dissimilar. They are from the bear-people tribe of the north, distinct from the werewolf tribe of the south.

Xue Ming has large, bright eyes and delicate features, giving her a frail and aloof appearance that makes strangers feel distant from her.

Uncle Zhengchu has prominent brow ridges, deep-set, bright eyes, a broad and strong frame, and a bronze complexion. Whenever he smiles, strangers would think he is an easy-going man from Jiaodong.

Seeing that Uncle Zhengchu remained silent for a long time, Xue Ming was about to give up when she said, "If it's inconvenient..."

Uncle Zhengchu immediately said, "That's convenient, that's convenient. When are we going?"

Xue Ming also became anxious. "Hurry up, I don't have much time. I'm afraid I'll have to leave tomorrow or the day after."

Uncle Zhengchu nodded. "That's right. These days, young people go back to their hometowns for the New Year and then have to go out to work. It's not easy to make money in Hengyin. Young man, do you have any other relatives at home?"

At this moment, Uncle Zhengchu showed his mature side as a member of society, determined to find out more about Xue Ming's family situation.

Xue Ming answered truthfully, "I only have one younger sister. We were both abducted. Two human traffickers became our adoptive parents and raised us. Later, I met Brother Ye Bei, which gave me the ability to take my sister away from here. We now live in Hong Kong and make a living there."

"It's a good thing, all good things." Hearing Xue Ming's reply, Uncle Zhengchu gently patted his knee, feeling very fortunate. "More than ten years ago, I often saw news reports about criminals abducting people, harvesting their organs and corneas, and then using hair dissolving agents to destroy the evidence. I was terrified back then. Whenever I went to a new place, I would wait in the imported goods market. At that time, Japanese brands of hair dissolving agents were the best. If anyone bought a lot, I would immediately go and ask them what was going on. If I couldn't find out, I would call the police. The fact that you've grown up and survived to this day with your sister is a very good thing. You've already done a great job."

Then the uncle asked, "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Xue Ming immediately replied, "My boss arranged a date for me. She's a very nice person, but she's too young, only twenty-one, and I'm only twenty-two. I don't think it's the right time. I'm not ready to be a husband, nor am I ready to be a parent—especially at work. I work as a security guard in a transnational railway system, and my job is very dangerous."

Uncle Zhengchu took a deep drag on his cigarette, his face filled with melancholy.

"I don't know what kind of work you do, but there's always money to be made, and there's always more money waiting for you to earn. But the important people in your life are rarely around, which is putting the cart before the horse."

"It's not about the money, Uncle," Xue Ming explained immediately. "It's something that has to be done. My partner will be helping me with it."

Upon hearing Xue Ming's words, Uncle immediately smiled, "That's good, it's a very good career."

Xue Ming was in a hurry to get to his destination, and he also thought about the uncertain fate of his trip to Red Star Hill. If this uncle really was his father, he probably wouldn't have much time to recognize him or spend with him.

This is another debt owed to one's own flesh and blood, but it cannot be repaid simply with money.

Giving one's biological parents a sum of money for their old age and then leaving hastily—this is also a form of human trafficking.

If I can't pay it back, there will always be a bitter thorn in my heart.

Uncle Zhengchu seemed to notice Xue Ming's embarrassment and immediately changed the subject. "What kind of family does your friend come from?"

Xue Ming thought for a moment, "A working-class family. Her father, who is now called my uncle and will be called my father-in-law in the future, was a teacher when he was young. Later, he settled down in Shanwei and worked in a foam factory."

"Neither is good. I'm afraid his health isn't up to par." Jiang Zhengchu naturally changed the subject, no longer talking about the paternity test. "Being a teacher means inhaling chalk dust, and working in a foam factory means smelling chemical pools every day. I'm afraid he won't be able to run or go far when he gets old."

Xue Ming analyzed carefully, "Yes, Uncle seems to be in good health, but my girlfriend wants him to move to the city and change his environment, but Uncle refuses. He only wants to stay at the old place and play with his toys every day. However, he made a memorial tablet for himself, and I don't know what it means. It seems to be urging his daughter to come home and spend more time with him, lest one day he can no longer see him."

In fact, Bai Ziqing's father, Bai Ningguang, had always been ill.

But the daughter has Universal Elixir; this kid's act of setting up his own memorial tablet at home is pure nonsense.

Jiang Zhengchu was about to veer off-topic again, unable to bear Xue Ming's pessimistic and unrealistic assumptions.

Is your partner good-looking?

Thinking of Xiao Qi, Xue Ming began to smile, "She's very pretty."

Seeing the young man happy, Zhengchu also felt relieved.

--This question isn't really about Seventh Brother's appearance, but rather whether Xue Ming believes in the beauty of love.

Uncle Zhengchu thought to himself, "It seems that this young man already has many, many important people living in his heart."

So I asked next.

What is her personality like?

"He's a bit strange, his laugh is awful, and he sounds like a bad guy."

"So, is she a bad person?"

"No, for me and my sister, they were our saviors."

"She saved your lives? She did you a huge favor?"

"Yes. When my sister was sick, she was the one who found the medicine and recommended me to the boss. She gave me a new job and a new mission."

"Then you need to distinguish between liking someone and repaying a debt of gratitude."

"I know, I understand, I'm clear on that. So I told her to take it slow, that taking it slow is faster."

"You're so thoughtful."

"I'm twenty-two years old, Uncle. I should be more sensible."

"Does she have feelings for you? Think back?"

"I don't know, I'm not sure." Xue Ming wasn't telling the truth here. Knowing Seventh Brother's personality, he'd not only have it in his heart, but he'd also want to say it out loud.

"Work hard, live well." Uncle Zhengchu didn't ask any more questions or say more, "My wife and I separated because we couldn't make a living, we lost our jobs, and eventually, we lost our love for each other. When a person lacks ability, they will lose a lot. Once you miss an opportunity, it's gone forever. One wrong step, and the rest of your life will be completely different."

Xue Ming turned the question back on his uncle.

"Excuse my bluntness, Uncle, but you've been searching for your child for so many years. Based on my limited life experience, your feelings for him must have faded over time. I'm afraid this son can't compare to other people or other things in your heart—if you really do find him, how will you treat him?"

Uncle Zhengchu laughed heartily, "It's just a chat like you and me, what else could it be? I'm just looking, I'm not thinking about what will happen after I find him -- I want to give him so much, but I'm a little ashamed to do so, because he left me when he was very, very young."

The smile slowly froze, turning into a blank expression.

"I've saved quite a bit of money, and I'm wondering if my baby will still need it when he grows up, because you can never have too much money. But then I worry, will my son be angry? Will he blame me for not taking good care of him? Will he turn against me because of this money, mistakenly thinking that I can pay off eighteen years of emotional debt by spending this money? I don't dare to think about it too much, because I don't know how to handle this. I can only ask him little by little to find out what he needs. If he lacks anything, I will think about how to make up for it."

The uncle pointed to the luggage outside the door.

"Don't let my shabby appearance fool you. When you're out and about, you can't always look glamorous. I make sure I'm well-fed, well-rested, and in good health before I set off. I haven't had any serious illnesses or injuries. After paying off all my debts on the road, I'll keep a ledger to record the favors I've done—I have nowhere else to spend the money I save, so I'll use it to prepare for our reunion. Over the years, I've saved about 200,000 yuan, which should be enough for a down payment in a small city. If he becomes successful and moves to a big city, I won't be able to help him anymore, and he probably won't need my help anyway. I just want to avoid causing him any trouble."

Brother Ye Bei and Brother Xing Chen smoked for a long time without saying a word.

These two shrewd individuals probably already knew that Jiang Zhengchu and Jiang Xueming's ages matched, and Xue Ming's status as siblings also matched. Perhaps all they needed was a paternity test certificate, and the result would be pretty much certain.

Just then, Uncle Zhengchu suddenly stood up.

"I'm going to answer a phone call."

Wait for your uncle to leave.

Ye Bei and Xue Ming to each other.

Do you consider him your father?

Xue Ming shook his head. "Whether it is or not is not important, I still have things to do."

Ye Bei: "A major life event?"

Xue Ming nodded. "Yes, it's a major life event. I have a very, very good friend, a Romania, who is going on a long journey and may die—I'll never see him again. We fought together, cried together, laughed together. He saved me more than once. He's almost like a second parent to me, and I'm almost like a second parent to him."

Su Xingchen nodded in agreement. "Then we have to go—is it urgent?"

"It's very urgent." Xue Ming looked towards the door, unsure what to say. "We'll be leaving within a week, and we don't know when we'll be back."

Su Xingchen immediately took out a blood collection bottle from her spiritual robe.

"Leave some blood here; only a little blood is needed for the test."

While having her blood drawn, Xue Ming said to Brother Xingchen, "I feel so strange, really strange—it's like something that's been weighing on my mind for so many years has suddenly come to a conclusion, and a weight has been lifted from my heart. But then I start to feel lost again, as if I'm clinging to another weight."

Su Xingchen was an intelligence officer with a background in criminal investigation, and he had seen many of the things Xue Ming.

"This is the end of a journey, so of course there's confusion—Uncle Zhengchu probably feels the same way. Do you dare bet me that there's a high chance he went out to answer that phone call to find an excuse to leave? Judging from your conversation, whether you're his biological son or not is completely unimportant. What matters is whether he will become a burden to you, a new inner demon, and whether recognizing each other will not be a good thing for either of you, but rather kill both journeys and turn a good thing into a bad thing."

The moment the blood collection bottle is inserted into the skin, a burning pain immediately follows.

The stars are like a sharp steel cone, each word piercing the heart.

"Uncle Zhengchu's knightly adventure will come to an end, and your adventure at the Nine Realms Station will begin to be hesitant and apprehensive. When heading to the next unknown station, you will have to consider the time to return and be with your family, and wonder if the hunters on the surface are roaming around Uncle Zhengchu. We, the Tian Shu operators, are the same, except that the passengers are adventuring in the underground world, while we are fighting demons on the human world. We have more to worry about."

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Zhengchu returned to the gatehouse.

He looked apologetic, just as Xingchen had said, and was about to find an excuse to leave.

"My ex-wife called me and said she has a lead on her daughter in Guangxi. Since you are all locals from Hengyin, it's easy to find and contact you. This young man also has a lot of things to do. How about we get together again next time?"

In a deeper understanding of human relationships and social dynamics, this "next time" --

--It's probably not going to be so easy for us to meet again.

Ye Bei whispered, "Should we refuse? Or should we keep Uncle here?"

Xingchen whispered, "How do I refuse?"

The two brothers seemed to have run out of ideas.

Xue Ming suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, as if another huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

"Then..."

Sudden--

--A blond, blue-eyed foreigner barged in through the door.

That's Chen Fugui, the Boss Chen of the paper craft shop, who is Ye Bei's arsenal.

"Then let's stay for dinner! Let's go to karaoke and have some fun! Let's all sing a few songs? Really? Really? You guys don't even have four hours to spare for the Lantern Festival?"

The fake foreigner barged into the guard room, instantly enlivening the atmosphere and dispelling the previous awkwardness.