Yang’s Mother fell ill suddenly, while Yang’s Father held on. He treated his wife on one hand and sought famous doctors everywhere to see if there was still a chance to save his son.
They spent a lot of money every year, without any results. To treat both of them, they sold all their land.
In the end, Yang’s Mother’s illness wasn’t cured, and she passed away.
Yang’s Father also couldn’t hold on and passed away shortly after.
Yang Family was left with just Yang Zongbao. He sold the remaining house and then disappeared, never returning to Yang Family Village.
Later, it was vaguely heard that Yang Zongbao went to find and take revenge on the girl who poisoned them, but he was defeated and died outside.
Some said that Yang Zongbao avenged them, but regrettably, his body was too severely damaged. After getting his revenge, he also passed away.
Gradually, no one mentioned the Yang Family anymore, nor did they talk about Yang Zongbao from back then.
No one expected that after decades, one could still see him.
Wang Yongzhu was puzzled. Since they hadn’t seen each other for decades, how did Old Granny Zhang recognize Yang Zongbao?
Old Granny Zhang sighed, "So, it’s said that in this world, good people don’t live long, but calamities last a thousand years! Back then, in the ten miles around here, at least hundreds of people benefited from Yang Zongbao. But when trouble befell the Yang Family, few lent a helping hand while many kicked them when they were down!"
"So it’s said that in this world, until you fall into despair, you won’t know whether those who call you brother are truly humans or devils!"
"Back then, your mother also received Yang Zongbao’s kindness. That year, I had just given birth to Laosi. After the confinement period, I went to wash the diapers by the river. It was still February, and the river water was icy cold. The wind blew on my head, making me dizzy, and I almost fell into the river. Fortunately, Yang Zongbao happened to pass by and pulled me up."
Wang Yongzhu silently hugged Old Granny Zhang, rubbing her face to comfort her.
After a while, Old Granny Zhang calmed down, "Although for Yang Zongbao, it was just a casual act, helping a pitiable woman. To avoid suspicion, he didn’t even look at me but walked away quickly. But for your mother, it was a lifesaving act!"
"Later, when trouble struck the Yang Family, it was still your old ungrateful grandmother who prevented me from helping. Your mother had saved just a piece of Silver privately and secretly took it, not daring to let your father know, and threw it into the Yang Family before running away—"
Speaking of this, Old Granny Zhang showed a hue of sigh, "Now knowing that Yang Zongbao is still alive, thinking of the kindness from back then, seeing him now helpless and childless, I feel extremely uneasy!"
Wang Yongzhu then learned about the story and promptly responded, "Mother, don’t worry! From now on, I will treat Uncle Yang as my real uncle! Rest assured!"
Not to mention how much she had always admired Yang Zongbao’s actions, now with such a connection, she naturally felt even more assured.
Old Granny Zhang, knowing her daughter spoke with unwavering determination, felt a long-overdue sense of relief. She could finally repay the life-saving grace of the past.
Feeling light-hearted, she dusted off her clothes and stood up energetically, "Today is a good day. I must cook two of my best dishes to let this godfather taste my cooking skills!"
As she spoke, she reached for the keys at her waist, ready to open the cupboard and take out the meat to cook.
Outside the kitchen, Song Chongjin and Yang the Mute exchanged glances and wisely retreated back inside, just after tidying up the guest room and were about to ask Old Granny Zhang for beddings.
Seeing Yang Zongbao filled with a myriad of emotions, Song Chongjin silently poured him a cup of hot tea.
Yang Zongbao’s hands, holding the hot tea, trembled slightly, clearly showing his agitation.
It took him a long time to calm down. He drank the tea in one go, lifted his head, his eyes somewhat red.
Seeing Song Chongjin’s expressionless face, not knowing why, Yang Zongbao felt a desire to pour his heart out.
Gesturing and mouthing words, it took Song Chongjin quite some time to understand.
Back then, after his parents died, Yang Zongbao was filled with despair.
He could no longer stay in Yang Family Village, met with ridicule and mockery wherever he went.
Those who once praised and flattered him had turned their faces, and everyone wanted to trample on him to show their strength.
The poison continued to affect him. With his parents gone, he had no more ties and stayed alive only to find that woman and take his revenge!
After the incident, when the Yang Family looked for her, she had already left, and neighbors said the house was rented. She had moved out the day after the incident, supposedly heading toward the county town.
The Yang Family was ruined because of this woman. Naturally, Yang Zongbao harbored a grudge.
He hastily sold the Yang Family’s house. On the night before he was to leave, as he sat in the yard, he received the only act of kindness after the incident—a piece of Silver Piece thrown over the courtyard wall.
When he picked it up and rushed out, he only saw the hurried back of a woman, without any impression of her.
But it was that Silver Piece that warmed his frozen heart a little.
Clutching that Silver Piece, he firmly embarked on the path to find his enemy.
The hardships he faced need not be mentioned. Being mute and injured, he lost much of his former skills.
Yang Zongbao dared not trust anyone anymore. He didn’t seek out his master, fellow apprentices, or so-called friends, fearing further betrayal.
He lived anonymously, diligently tracing clues, following every little lead, and finally, after ten years, found that woman.
Ten years later, the woman had become a coarse village woman. When Yang Zongbao approached her, she was so scared she almost wetted herself.
Before Yang Zongbao could question her, she confessed everything like a flood.
It turned out she wasn’t really the sister of Yang Zongbao’s former friend but had some connection with him.
Back then, Yang Zongbao had stayed at that friend’s house for a while, asked the woman some questions about the friend’s family, and she answered correctly, gaining his trust.
He and the friend had shared interests, and at the friend’s house, they went everywhere together, attracting the attention of many young women.
One girl from a certain household fancied Yang Zongbao, pining for him and wanting to marry him.
She pressured her parents, who inquired and found the friend’s house.
Yang Zongbao was away at that time.
The matchmaker mistook the girl’s fancy to be for the friend and went to propose on her behalf.
The friend, having heard of the girl’s beauty, readily agreed, exchanged marriage documents, and soon married her.
Little did they expect that on the wedding night, the bride’s first words after lifting the veil were, "Why is it you?" She cried and wanted to go home.