At the name "Xu Qingtong," and hearing the boy call him Uncle, Chen Jialiang froze for a moment, then sprang to his feet. He hurried around the table to Xu Qingtong, crouched down, and gripped his shoulders. Staring straight into his eyes, he asked urgently, "Are you really Qingtong?"
Xu Qingtong's eyes brimmed with tears. All the grief, anguish, fear, and hurt of the past half month and more burst out at once. Choking back sobs, he said, "Uncle, it's me, Qingtong!"
An ominous foreboding rose in Chen Jialiang's heart at the sight. He quickly helped Xu Qingtong up, picked up a sign reading "Family matters-consultations temporarily suspended," and hurried to the entrance to hang it beside the door. Then he turned, shut the door, and took Xu Qingtong straight to the back hall.
In the back hall, Chen Jialiang called to a girl of twelve or thirteen inside the room, "Ling'er, this is your aunt's son, Xu Qingtong, your younger cousin. Quickly bring him a bowl of water." As he spoke, he pulled over two stools and had Xu Qingtong sit beside him. When Chen Ruoling brought the water, he told her, "Go fetch your mother."
"Qingtong, why did you come here all alone? Has something happened at home?" At his uncle's question, Xu Qingtong's eyes reddened again. He broke into loud sobs, unable to speak for a time.
Only after a long while did his sobbing gradually subside. Just then, his aunt, Madam Zhang, and his older cousin, Chen Ruoling, came in. Recognizing his aunt, Xu Qingtong dropped to his knees again. "Your nephew Qingtong pays his respects, Aunt!" Madam Zhang hurriedly pulled him up. "There's no need for such formality, Qingtong. Sit down!"
Seeing how well-mannered Xu Qingtong was, Chen Jialiang felt a little comforted. He quickly asked again, "Qingtong, what exactly happened at home? Why didn't your father and mother come?" Xu Qingtong began to cry again. Through his sobs, he said, "My father died, and my mother died too. Waaa..."
Although he had braced himself, hearing his nephew say that his sister and brother-in-law were no longer alive still left Chen Jialiang rooted to the spot, too stunned to speak. After a long while, he drew Xu Qingtong into his arms and stroked his filthy hair, two streams of tears rolling from the corners of his eyes. Madam Zhang and her daughter, Chen Ruoling, were stricken with sorrow at the sight and stood silently beside them.
After a long time, Chen Jialiang collected himself and said to Madam Zhang, "Leave everything else for now. Let's get Qingtong settled first! Ling'er, go tidy up the west room. My dear, go buy Qingtong a set of clothes." Madam Zhang looked Xu Qingtong over to judge his size, then went out. Chen Ruoling also hurried off to prepare his room.
Watching mother and daughter leave, Chen Jialiang comforted him. "Child, your parents are gone, but from now on, this is your home. I won't let you suffer the slightest hurt again!"
Xu Qingtong nodded through his sobs. After calming himself a little, he began recounting everything that had happened to him, detail by detail.
When he reached the account of his mother's murder, he could not help crying again. Hearing of his sister's tragic fate, Chen Jialiang tilted his head back, tears streaming down his aged face.
Just then, Madam Zhang returned with several pieces of new clothing. She came over to Xu Qingtong and set them on the table, her heart aching at the sight of the scabbed wounds on his face and hands. Reaching out, she gently wiped his little tear-streaked face, then picked the dried grass from his hair bit by bit.
Once his uncle had regained his composure, Xu Qingtong went on to explain how he had escaped the villains, how an old farmer had saved him, and how he had endured hardship all along the way to find his uncle. At the perilous parts, even Chen Ruoling, standing in the doorway, stared wide-eyed at her newly arrived younger cousin in astonishment.
It took well over half an hour for Xu Qingtong to finish recounting his experiences. Yet he did not say a single word about his soul battle with Lu Mo. It was not that he distrusted his uncle's family; the matter was simply too incredible, too unreal and elusive. Even if he told them, they might not believe him, and might even think something was wrong with his mind.
After hearing Xu Qingtong's account, Chen Jialiang stood and took him to the west room. He brought in a large wooden tub from outside, heated some water, poured it into the tub, and then went to the front hall.
A little later, Chen Jialiang returned carrying a large bundle of medicinal herbs. He put them into the tub, tested the water with his hand, then turned to Xu Qingtong. "This is a secret recipe passed down by our ancestors. It strengthens the body, replenishes vitality, and nourishes the spirit. Soak in it for an hour, and it should restore your strength."
Xu Qingtong did as he was told, taking off his clothes and hopping into the tub. The moment he entered, a burning sensation spread over his whole body. Before long, the heat faded, and he felt as though someone were kneading him all over. Xu Qingtong let out a comfortable moan, closed his eyes, and lay motionless in the tub. Seeing that he felt no discomfort, his uncle left with his mind at ease.
Once he relaxed after days of physical exhaustion and mental strain, Xu Qingtong soon drifted off to sleep. He did not know how much time had passed before a knock at the door startled him awake. Recognizing his uncle's voice, he called out in response. His uncle pushed the door open and entered, carrying the clothes Madam Zhang had bought.
Chen Jialiang set the clothes beside the tub and asked, "Qingtong, how do you feel?"
Xu Qingtong sat up and swayed from side to side. "Uncle, your secret recipe really is amazing. Not only have all my wounds stopped hurting, but I feel full of strength, with a clear head and a refreshed spirit." Chen Jialiang smiled. "Get dressed. It's time for dinner." With that, he turned and went out.
Only then did Xu Qingtong realize that evening had already arrived. He hurriedly climbed out of the tub, dried himself, and put on the new clothes his aunt had bought. I have to say, Aunt has a keen eye. These clothes are comfortable and fit perfectly! He bundled his old, tattered clothes into a ball and placed them in a corner, then tucked Lu Mo's little pouch beneath his pillow.
Once dressed, Xu Qingtong looked at the wooden tub and suddenly felt an impulse. He thought he could lift that great big thing! He walked over, wrapped both arms around it, and pushed hard with his legs. To his surprise, he actually lifted it, wobbling as he did.
It took considerable effort, but the tub had indeed left the ground! Grunting and puffing, Xu Qingtong hugged the tub and shuffled toward the door little by little. By the time he reached it, the veins in his neck were bulging, and his little face was crimson with strain.
Standing at the entrance to the back hall, Chen Ruoling saw Xu Qingtong carry the tub out of the room and was so astonished that her eyes nearly popped out. "Y-you... you can lift that wooden tub?!"
Hearing the commotion, Chen Jialiang came out of the back hall. Seeing Xu Qingtong struggling to carry the tub outside, he hurried over to help. "I never imagined you had so much strength, lad!"
Together, uncle and nephew carried the tub into the courtyard. Once they set it down, Xu Qingtong let out a long breath. "I wasn't this strong before. After that bath, I feel like my strength has grown quite a bit. Your recipe really is amazing, Uncle. Whenever I have time, I'll have to soak some more!"
At this, Chen Jialiang's face darkened with exasperation. "You silly boy, that one bath cost me ten taels of silver. And some of those herbs are hard to find even if you have the money."
Xu Qingtong was deeply moved. To help him recover quickly, his uncle had actually been willing to spend ten taels of silver on herbs for a bath. He would have to honor and care for his uncle properly in the years to come!
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