"We are like weeds in troubled times; as long as our roots aren’t plucked out, we will survive no matter what, eating grass or tree bark—survival is a must, isn’t it?"
"To survive, to be stuck in the mud, to be trampled on the ground, we must live on."
"As long as we live, one day we’ll see an era of peace and prosperity."
Li Guanyi turned around and saw that many things had been placed on his table.
The people who had sensed his presence and followed him in the shadows had come; they put down their offerings, small and not very valuable things, sunflower seeds, peanuts, roasted broad beans, a full table of them. Li Zhaowen closed her folding fan and lightly tapped it against her palm, pondering for a moment before standing up.
Watching the scene quietly, the old shopkeeper placed a pot of tea on the table and said softly:
"Drink this tea; it’s on the house."
"The offerings may not be much, but they’re genuine. You’re welcome to the tea anytime you visit."
"When you leave, I’ll clean this place up."
"We’re not from a prestigious family, but we know what it means to repay kindness."
Li Guanyi looked at those people; Li Zhaowen reached into her bosom, intending to take out some silver coins.
But the boy grabbed her wrist, and Li Zhaowen felt the strength in Li Guanyi’s palm. She turned her head in surprise to look at him and saw him purse his lips downwards, then forcefully lift them, his face breaking into a radiant smile.
Li Guanyi pulled Li Zhaowen to sit down casually with him.
He poured himself a cup of tea, took a handful of peanuts, and chewed on them before drinking the tea along with the coarse refreshments. He smiled brightly, saying, "These are really good, tasty."
"The tea is good too."
Then those who, although they had given gifts, felt their offerings weren’t impressive enough, breathed a sigh of relief. Smiles appeared on their faces, a mixture of appeasement, relief, gratitude—smiles that brought tears to one’s eyes.
Li Guanyi’s appreciation and his hearty acceptance of their offerings felt like they had finally managed to give something significant. It was as if both sides had completed a profound ceremony in silent agreement.
Repay kindness with kindness, avenge wrongs as a duty.
"You avenged me, and I repay you. We are even now; I can honor my deceased loved ones, and I can stand by you. As long as my knees are unbent, and I live upon this earth, I am someone who remembers kindness and roots. Am I right?"
"When I die and see my relatives again, I can say, I’ve avenged you."
The boy didn’t insult their dignity with silver coins hidden deep in their hearts.
As the boy laughed heartily, and everyone dispersed, Li Zhaowen leaned against the window watching the people leave and muttered softly:
"Common folk only remember Gongyang Ru’s revenge, neglecting the principle that one must also repay kindness—the ways of Confucianism are truly embedded among the people."
"Repay kindness with kindness, avenge wrongs as a duty."
"Such people, such public sentiment—if it ever surges forth, who could stand against it?"
She turned around and saw the boy sitting there in contemplation, Li Guanyi sipping his tea cup after cup, his expression serene. Li Zhaowen realized that this young friend of hers had undergone some kind of change since they first met.
It took her a long time to understand such a change.
He used to focus on his matters, but now he thought about a little more.
His actions were different.
He exuded the spirit of a hero.
Li Guanyi said, "Sorry, Erlang, today doesn’t seem like a good day for drinking and merrymaking... However, I have the audacity to ask you for something."
Li Zhaowen said, "Brother, speak."
Li Guanyi said, "Phoenix Perch."
Li Zhaowen was surprised but then nodded with a smile. She called for the shopkeeper, asked for paper and pen, and wrote a letter in front of Li Guanyi. After showing it to him, she said, "It’s in my family’s possession. I will write to them and send it by carrier bird; it should arrive in a few days."
Li Guanyi hadn’t expected that boy to not even ask why.
So Li Guanyi did not ask her why she helped him either.
He simply said with formality, "Thank you!"
Li Zhaowen smiled and replied, "It’s what we should do for each other."
That day, they didn’t drink to their hearts’ content. Li Zhaowen proposed another meeting for next time and watched as the boy gathered everything up, not leaving behind a single seed, before departing. Li Zhaowen unfolded her fan and watched his retreating figure, whispering gently:
"...The Soaring Dragon lies hidden in the depths, but what has sparked your desire to soar?"
She sighed: "There are indeed many heroes in this world."
Li Guanyi returned to the Xue Family but hadn’t expected an unimaginable visitor waiting there.
It was one of the people he had saved, that Tiele youth who had dared to offer him a knife.
The Khan of the Tiele Tribe, Qibi Li!