Chapter 179
Zheng Fa and Tang Lingwu exchanged a cautious glance, both carefully observing the expression of the old man, Bai Laotou.
This dream... was a bit painful.
Bai Laotou furrowed his brows, lost in thought, and seemed a little angry.
“...Zheng Fa.”
He suddenly spoke up.
“Hmm?”
“Do you know any spells for a makeover?”
“Ah?”
“Teach me.”
“...” Zheng Fa fell silent for a moment before saying, “You’re not angry?”
“Why would I be angry? You just don’t get it... Who wouldn’t want to date a handsome guy?” Bai Laotou waved his hand dismissively. “She doesn’t dislike me, does she? She likes me, but she doesn’t like this face of mine... So why not change it?”
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but admire him a bit.
As expected of Bai Laotou, his emotions were stable, and he could pinpoint the main issue.
“And besides, she can practice it later too.”
“Ah?”
Bai Laotou shot him a glance, his eyes filled with disdain. “I was a fan in my youth, you know.”
Zheng Fa was even more impressed.
This guy really knows how to play!
...
Teacher Tian slowly woke up from her bed, looking a bit dazed.
She glanced around, her gaze landing on Bai Laotou’s face, as if recalling something. “Old Bai, did I dream about you?”
“Yes, we saw it too.”
“It just feels like something’s off…”
“There’s nothing off about it; that’s just me,” Bai Laotou said firmly.
(End of this chapter)
**Chapter 175: Volcano**
At the moment she was receiving treatment, Teacher Tian’s cheerful personality shone through, exuding a natural boldness.
Yet, there was a hint of tension on her face.
Zheng Fa stood beside her, and out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Bai Laotou tightly clenching his fists.
“Teacher Tian, don’t be nervous,” Zheng Fa reassured her. “I’ve tried it before; using the Taiyi talisman for treatment doesn’t hurt at all.”
Upon hearing Zheng Fa’s words, Bai Laotou seemed to come to his senses. He relaxed his fists, gently holding Teacher Tian’s arm, and whispered to her.
“Don’t be afraid.”
Teacher Tian nodded slightly, a blush creeping onto her face as she quietly said to Zheng Fa and Bai Laotou, “Sorry for making you worry.”
Zheng Fa shook his head.
People are always like this; in moments of true despair, there’s a strange calmness.
It’s when a glimmer of hope appears that the agony truly begins.
Zheng Fa extended his hand, the Taiyi talisman within his body vibrating gently. A golden spiritual talisman flowed from his fingertips, carrying Bai Laotou’s anticipation and Teacher Tian’s unease, transforming into a golden spiritual rain that fell upon Teacher Tian.
The spiritual rain from the Taiyi talisman had a calming effect, and Teacher Tian soon drifted into a deep sleep.
Before she fell asleep, a trace of pain still lingered on her face.
Once asleep, perhaps due to the nourishing effect of the rain, a long-lost tranquility gradually emerged on her face.
...
At the same time Teacher Tian was receiving treatment with the Taiyi talisman, her mother, Wu Laolao, was walking home from the market with two plastic bags in hand.
She was accompanied by a neighbor, an older lady, and they had run into each other at the market, deciding to head home together.
On the way, they chatted and laughed, enjoying each other’s company.
As they talked, the neighbor lady seemed to remember something and hesitated to speak.
“What’s wrong?” Wu Laolao asked with a smile.
“How’s your daughter... Teacher Tian doing?”
Teacher Tian’s illness wasn’t much of a secret in the neighborhood; many had seen her return in a wheelchair a few days ago.
Rumors had spread that it was time for her.
“She’s about the same; the treatment isn’t working, and she doesn’t want to continue,” Wu Laolao replied calmly, as if discussing everyday matters.
“Do you have any plans for the future?” The neighbor lady’s face inevitably showed sympathy.
At her age, losing a child would evoke pity in anyone.
Yet, Wu Laolao wore a smile, her tone light. “What plans?”
“I mean, you’ll be alone...” The lady stammered, unsure of how to express herself.
“Oh, don’t you worry about me,” Wu Laolao said brightly. “My daughter has it all arranged.”
“A couple of years ago, she found me a nursing home, paid the fees in advance. When I need care, I’ll just go there,” Wu Laolao explained. “The nursing home has everything—young people to take care of you, companions, and I won’t have to lift a finger for cooking or laundry. Life will be better than now.”
“The nursing home is nice, but... I’ve heard that elderly people without children can be bullied there.” The neighbor lady still looked a bit worried. “Some people like to take advantage of others.”
“I’ve heard that too, but I’m not without support... You might not know, but a few days ago, my daughter found me a son-in-law.”
“Ah? That’s wonderful news!” This was indeed a rare occurrence. “But your daughter’s health...”
“Who says she’s not healthy? She’s just lucky to have met a kind-hearted man... He doesn’t mind,” Wu Laolao said. “My new son-in-law promised that he’ll be in Beijing and will definitely visit me at the nursing home.”
“That’s really fortunate!” The neighbor lady clapped her thigh, a hint of envy on her face. “I was worried about you.”
“Don’t worry!” Wu Laolao’s voice was loud and cheerful. “I’m fine!”
“I have to say, you’re the one I admire most on this street. If it were me, I couldn’t handle things like you do,” the neighbor lady said with admiration. “You’re truly extraordinary!”
Wu Laolao waved her hand.
She didn’t speak, just smiled.
The two said their goodbyes at the street corner.
The closer she got to her own yard, the more hesitant her steps became, yet her smile grew even brighter.
It was as if she was forcing it.
She pushed open the slightly ajar yard door and called out cheerfully, “I’m back! The green beans at the market were fresh and cheap today!”
No one in the main house responded.
She glanced inside, her heart racing, and a bad feeling crept in. Her legs felt weak, and as she reached out to steady herself, she suddenly realized—the large stone table in the yard was gone.
Wu Laolao staggered slightly, which snapped her back to reality.
She didn’t care about the missing stone table anymore; she dropped the plastic bags and rushed into the house.
“Mom?”
At that moment, Teacher Tian stepped out.
Her complexion was rosy, her movements agile, and her steps quick, as if she had never been ill.
Wu Laolao stared at her daughter, dazed, as if she didn’t recognize her, or perhaps was afraid to.
“Mom?”
“You…”
“Old Bai’s method is very effective,” Teacher Tian explained softly.
Wu Laolao looked at her daughter standing healthily before her, seemingly completely recovered.
The corners of her mouth, which had been raised, slowly flattened, and the smile on her face gradually faded, giving way to a soft sob that surged from her throat.
This gentle sobbing soon turned into a wail.
The sound of her crying seemed to have been building up in her heart, layer upon layer, for years, forming a seemingly calm yet surging volcano.
...After all, Wu Laolao was older, and this cathartic crying left her utterly exhausted.
Everyone helped her into the room to rest for a while.
Except for Teacher Tian, the others quietly left the house.
The few of them chatted in the yard, and after a long while, they saw Teacher Tian come out with red eyes.
As soon as she spotted Zheng Fa, she wobbled and seemed about to kneel before him.
“Hey!” Zheng Fa hurriedly supported her. “Teacher Tian?”
“What’s going on?”
“My mom... has been secretly hoarding sleeping pills.”
“Hoarding?” Bai Laotou was taken aback. “Where did she get them?”
“Mine. I couldn’t sleep during my treatment because of the pain... The doctor prescribed them, and I didn’t finish them.”
“…”
Everyone fell silent.
For an elderly person nearing ninety, such actions represented some long-held thoughts.
“Didn’t see that coming,” Bai Laotou sighed.
Zheng Fa thought back to when he visited Teacher Tian’s home; Wu Laolao hadn’t seemed unusual at all.
She was even learning to use a smartphone.
“Zheng Fa...” Teacher Tian looked at him, her knees buckling again, her words coming out in a jumble. “I don’t know how to express my gratitude; you just…”
Seeing Zheng Fa’s awkward attempt to back away, Bai Laotou supported her and said, “How to express gratitude? You’ll have to work for him from now on!”
“Right...” Teacher Tian finally calmed herself down, frowning as she said, “Old Bai didn’t explain clearly before; you need me to combine the spiritual energy environment to cultivate some special plants?”
At this point, she seemed much more composed.
“Yes,” Zheng Fa replied straightforwardly. “I’m not very familiar with agriculture, so I’ll have to rely on you, Teacher Tian.”
“Don’t mention relying on me!” Teacher Tian waved her hand. “But this matter can’t be done by me alone.”
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