Planning the Reconstruction of Hundred Stars Village

The unexpected trouble in Phoenix Cry Village did not affect the group. Life in the mountains was harsher than that. In the mountains, it was survival; this was merely living.

Perhaps because they were finally nearing their destination, their anticipation grew stronger and stronger. Everyone chatted and laughed along the way, looking forward to their future lives. The pained, weary expressions of the past few days were gone.

Hey, my boy really has the same style his old man had back in the day. Just like me! Haha, Ye Fan's father muttered to himself as he pushed the wheelbarrow. Ye Fan should have been pushing it, but his father had insisted on switching places. So Ye Fan could only carry the bundles instead. He knew, of course, that his father wanted to spare him the effort, but how could the old man know that he was no longer the same person he had once been?

"Big Brother, are you really all right?" Xiao Ke'er, carrying two bundles of clothes, asked as she gently tugged on her brother, who was pushing a cart. She was still worried. Though the two siblings usually quarreled and rolled their eyes at each other, that was at home. They were brother and sister, after all, and the bond of family in their bones was hard to sever. Xiao Ke'er valued her family far more than herself.

"Don't worry, Ke'er. I'm fine! I was useless today and nearly came off worse, but don't worry. From now on, I'll make sure I can protect you! And protect this family," Xiao Feng said solemnly. Perhaps this incident would bring about some change in him.

"No, Big Brother. I felt especially safe hiding behind you today. I was really happy, honestly! Big Brother, you're the best in my heart." At that, Xiao Ke'er stole a glance at Ye Fan and murmured, "Brother Fan is great too!"

"All right, Ke'er, let's not talk about it anymore. It's all in the past. As long as I'm here, no one will be able to bully you again!"

"Mm-hmm, I know, Big Brother."

A whole group of villagers had protected her, and her own brother, along with Ye Fan and Chen Yun, had stood up for her. She really was very fortunate.

Oh, right, I wonder how Brother Chen Yun is doing! Xiao Ke'er looked back for Chen Yun. He had several bundles on his back and a few more hanging from his left hand, while his right arm supported Granny Liu. Xiao Ke'er gradually slowed her pace, and when Chen Yun and his mother drew near, she walked naturally to Granny Liu's side and helped support her. "Granny, can you keep going?" Seeing Ke'er take her arm, Granny Liu felt a little awkward. She was a dirty old woman; she didn't want to get the young lady dirty. "Ke'er, your Granny Liu is in great health now, you know? And I have your brother to thank for it. He's a divine physician!"

"Pfft, Granny, it's because you're so healthy. Any illness that faces you will be beaten~into~retreat~" As she spoke, she patted the air, as though she really had beaten the illness back!

What a wonderful girl. What a pity my son doesn't have the good fortune.

"Brother Chen, are you all right after what happened today?" Xiao Ke'er leaned forward and tilted her head to ask Chen Yun.

"Mm, I'm fine!" Chen Yun was as sparing with his words as ever.

"Mm-hmm, that's good! I still have to thank you for today! Thank you for standing up for me, Brother Chen! Hee-hee."

By now, Chen Yun's face had turned red. He rarely saw Xiao Ke'er being playful. If he hadn't had so many bundles in his hands, he would surely have scratched his head right then. Don't ask why. His head itched~

After Xiao Ke'er had helped Granny Liu along for a while, Granny Liu, who had felt awkward the entire time, found an excuse to send her back to her father's side.

Toward evening, the old village chief and the others finally reached the former site of Bright Virtue Academy.

Grass and trees grew wild, and thorns filled their sight. There wasn't even a footpath! Clearly, the place had been abandoned for a long time.

"Old village chief, is this our new home?" a villager asked excitedly.

"That's right. This used to be Bright Virtue Academy, but it was abandoned later. The old headmaster was willing to give it to us so we could rebuild our home."

"That old headmaster is really a good man, letting us use such a huge piece of land just like that!"

The villagers gathered around the overgrown perimeter of the former academy, looking this way and that, trying to get their fill of their new home.

The place the old village chief had chosen was better than the mountains by who knew how much. The land was fertile and flat, and from now on they could make a living farming instead of risking their lives hunting in the mountains! Not far from Bright Virtue Academy was a great river whose waters flowed without end. The sound of rushing water drifted faintly to the villagers' ears!

"Everyone, it's getting late. Each family should find a place to set up somewhere to rest for now. First thing tomorrow morning, we'll begin rebuilding our Hundred Stars Village!" Watching the group's unrestrained joy, the old village chief felt a private burst of pride in himself.

"All right, old village chief!" The group set to work clearing away some weeds, making a space that wasn't large but was roomy enough for their needs.

They piled all their supplies together inside, then used grass mats, bedding, and animal-hide pads to make little beds! Hard times were naturally unlike ordinary days. Though things were a little meager, not a single person complained.

By sunset, the simple beds were more or less ready! The men's beds were all on the outside, while those of the womenfolk were in the center. Everyone sat together in a circle, eating the dry rations they had brought. They chatted and laughed, and bursts of cheering rang out from time to time!

As it turned out, a group of rough married men were spouting outrageous nonsense, leaving a bunch of unmarried young fellows red in the face.

"Haha..."

Ye Fan and Xiao Ke'er were among them. By then, both had lowered their heads, too embarrassed to face everyone. What dirty things are those uncles saying? Can't they see there's a young girl here? They're making me blush! She secretly raised her head and looked around. Only after seeing that no one was paying attention to her did she quietly breathe a sigh of relief!

After a simple meal of dry rations, everyone had nothing else to do. While it was still light, they gathered in groups of three or five to discuss plans for rebuilding Hundred Stars Village!

"Brother Fan!" Seeing the others disperse, Xiao Ke'er hurried over to Ye Fan's side!

"Ke'er, how are you? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Brother Fan. Were you all right today too?"

"Of course I was. I didn't even get a scratch, so don't worry!"

"Mm-hmm, that's good!" Xiao Ke'er started to speak but stopped, constantly fidgeting with her hands!

"What is it, Ke'er?"

As though mustering her courage, she stole a look around and saw that no one was paying attention to the two of them. She leaned close to Ye Fan's ear and said, "Brother Fan, you were especially handsome today! Hee-hee." Before she had even finished speaking, Xiao Ke'er hurried off.

"Silly girl." Watching Xiao Ke'er skip away, Ye Fan's face was full of affection.

"Who hurt my brother like this? Who was it?" The furious Ma Yuan had only discovered at dinnertime that his brother had been injured! Several people had carried Ma Chuang back on a makeshift stretcher.

Ma Yuan grabbed one of them by the collar. "What happened to my brother? Who hit him? Tell me, who hit him~"

"Brother Ma, I really don't know! When I came back to the village before sunset, I saw your brother lying in the dry ditch at the village entrance. He wouldn't respond no matter how I called him, so we carried him back!"

"Xiao Chuang, Xiao Chuang, what's wrong? Don't scare me! Say something!"

"Father, Father, come and have a look! What happened to Xiao Chuang?"

Ma Yuan and Ma Chuang were brothers. They also had an older sister, Ma Cuilian, and a father, Ma Defa! Because the city lord had taken the eldest daughter as a concubine, the family considered themselves a cut above everyone else. They idled about in the village all day, taking petty advantage of the villagers wherever they could! There were also rumors that Ma Defa had an ambiguous relationship with Widow Li in the village... The people of Phoenix Cry Village turned up their noses at the whole family!

But the villagers also feared their connection by marriage and dared to be angry without daring to speak out!