Otherworldly Space: A Tale of Love and Growth

“Mother, I’m back.”

Upon hearing Song Ci’s voice, Old Lady Song’s heart, which had been on edge all day, finally settled. The experience of becoming rich overnight was truly not something an ordinary person could bear.

“It’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back. Nothing happened, right?” Old Lady Song muttered.

“No trouble at all. Everything went smoothly today,” Song Ci handed a fifty-tael banknote to Old Lady Song. The price for a thirty-year-old ginseng at the pharmacy was around fifty taels.

“Such a thin piece, and it sold for so much money,” Old Lady Song took the banknote in a daze and mumbled, “This ginseng is really valuable.”

“Isn’t it? Mother, do you want to pick out a few more from the remaining ginseng for me to sell?”

“Go away, don’t even think about it. I’m warning you, don’t even think about touching my ginseng. They’re for my grandsons and great-grandsons. There’s no share for you,” under Song Ci’s teasing, Old Lady Song finally regained some spirit.

She had even forgotten that her grandson was not yet in anyone’s womb.

“Mother, come and see, I’ve bought you so many things. Try them out. If they’re good, we’ll buy from that shop again next time.”

“Haven’t I told you not to spend money so recklessly? What if someone targets us? We’re just a widow and an orphan. We can’t rely on your uncle’s family for everything,” Old Lady Song complained, but her eyes and brows were full of joy.

Her son had never been so filial before.

“My dear mother, can you stop being so paranoid? Our life is only going to get better. More blessings are waiting for you ahead.”

“What do you mean by ‘paranoid’? I’ve only heard of ‘turning beans into soldiers,’ which is a god’s ability.”

Song Ci felt helpless inside. He really knew he was wrong. He shouldn’t have taken out so much ginseng. Not being able to get rich through ginseng was one thing, but he didn’t expect his mother to become so nervous. If she continued like this, he would really feel guilty.

“It’s okay, Mother, don’t be afraid. Ergou has really grown up this time. I will take good care of you and protect you in the future. And Father, he is still watching us from heaven. He won’t let anything bad happen to us.”

“Hmm,” Old Lady Song nodded, her eyes a bit moist, and she turned her head away from Song Ci.

“The pastries and dried fruits are soft. You can eat them as snacks when you’re idle. The brown sugar is perfect for mixing with eggs and drinking every morning. These two pieces of cloth, Mother, make yourself a couple of new clothes when you have time. I remember you haven’t worn new clothes for years.”

“I’m so old, why bother dressing up?”

“You’re not old at all, Mother. You look good. You’re what they call ‘beautiful in old age.'”

“Go away, how can you talk about your mother like that?”

“I’m telling the truth.”

Song Ci made Old Lady Song laugh heartily. Perhaps because her son was becoming more reliable, the panic brought by the pile of ginseng slowly dissipated in Old Lady Song’s heart.

——

“Xiaohe, you haven’t been eating well these days, but you’ve gained quite a bit of weight,” Lin A’m examined Lin Xiaohe, clicking her tongue. She noticed that the clothes that used to be loose on Xiaohe now accentuated his figure even more.

Initially, with the intention of saving money, she had made Xiaohe’s clothes a few sizes larger. At this rate, it would soon be time to make new clothes again.

“I don’t think so. I don’t know what’s going on,” Lin Xiaohe mumbled.

“Who cares what’s going on? It’s good to gain weight. It looks nice and signifies good fortune. Our Xiaohe is becoming more and more handsome,” Lin A’m smiled brightly, feeling proud inside. She wasn’t boasting, but in the whole Daping Village, which Ge’er was as good-looking as her Xiaohe? Many girls couldn’t even compare.

“Mother, how can you praise your own Ge’er like that?” Lin Xiaohe stamped his foot, “I’m not telling you anymore. I’m going up the mountain.”

“At your age, why are you still so easily embarrassed?” Lin A’m teased.

Watching Xiaohe’s retreating figure, Lin A’m thought that the matter of her brother-in-law’s proposal for Xiaohe should be discussed further with her husband. She really didn’t want to wrong such a talented child.

When Lin Xiaohe saw the familiar person in the familiar place, his eyes sparkled.

“You’re back. Was the county town fun?” Lin Xiaohe asked Song Ci nonchalantly.

“Hmm, it was okay. Places like that are not really for people like us, are they?” Song Ci took the person’s hand and walked towards the usual spot where he fed Lin Xiaohe.

Once they arrived, he embraced the person, nuzzled his soft hair, and took a deep breath, “I didn’t come yesterday. Did you miss me?”

Lin Xiaohe hesitated for a long time, and then, like a mosquito humming, he murmured, “I did.”

Song Ci hadn’t expected the person in his arms to respond. Hearing Lin Xiaohe actually say that he missed him, he was so excited that he planted a kiss on Lin Xiaohe’s face, “Baby, you’re so kind.”

“What are you doing!”

Lin Xiaohe covered his face, took two steps back, and glared at Song Ci in anger.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I was just too happy,” Song Ci insincerely apologized to Lin Xiaohe, but the smile on his face couldn’t be stopped.

“Look at what I bought for you.”

Song Ci took out the round, small mirror he had bought in the county town. The mirror was tiny, not even as big as Lin Xiaohe’s palm, with peony patterns exquisitely painted on the back and border.

Holding the mirror, Song Ci suspended it in front of Lin Xiaohe.

“Do you see? This handsome guy who could topple a nation is going to be my husband, Song Ci. He’s much better-looking than you, isn’t he? So you better stop bullying me with your looks, or I’ll choose him over you.”

“Is this me?” Lin Xiaohe was stunned and didn’t hear a word Song Ci said. He subconsciously took the mirror from Song Ci’s hand.

This was what he looked like.

The Lin family didn’t have any mirrors, not even a dim copper one, let alone the glass mirror Song Ergou had mentioned. He usually just used the water’s surface to tidy up his appearance when washing, never having seen his face so clearly before. Even the small mole on his nose was clearly visible.

Lin Xiaohe greedily took a few more looks at himself in the mirror, wanting to imprint his appearance in his mind.

“Do you like it? It’s a gift for you,” Song Ci stuffed the mirror into Lin Xiaohe’s arms all at once.

Then Lin Xiaohe glared at him. Such a delicate and fragile item, couldn’t he be more gentle? What if it broke? It cost four taels of silver, which was quite expensive. What a spendthrift.

“This is too expensive. I can’t accept it. You should take it back,” Lin Xiaohe said after another glance at himself in the mirror, then reluctantly handed it back to Song Ergou.

“If you want it, keep it. Why make things so complicated?” Song Ergou pulled the person into his arms, “Today you’re in for a treat. Try the fish-flavored shredded pork I made.”

“I’m serious. I’m not your anyone, and I can’t accept something so valuable from you,” Lin Xiaohe insisted.

Seeing Lin Xiaohe’s reluctance and hearing such words, Song Ci’s temper flared up. He forcefully kissed Lin Xiaohe on the lips and said in a harsh tone, “Do you know what you’re doing? We’re already in this kind of relationship. Are you still going to say you’re not my anyone? If our relationship is exposed, do you think others won’t consider you as my someone?”

“You…” Lin Xiaohe covered his mouth, shocked as he looked at Song Ci. In that instant, he suddenly felt that the Song Ergou who used to bully him had returned.

He knew he was walking on thin ice and was aware of the consequences if he was exposed, but he just couldn’t resist such temptation.

“You’re silly. I always take advantage of you. If you don’t take it back, you’ll be the one who loses out. We’ve come this far. Being coy now would be boring,” Song Ci poked Lin Xiaohe’s head hard.

The feeling was really good. He finally got the upper hand with Xiaohe.

“Humph.” Lin Xiaohe brandished his shiny dart in front of Song Ci, waving it threateningly.

“Stop messing around. I was wrong just now. Darts are dangerous. You should put them away. It wouldn’t be good if someone got hurt accidentally, right?” Song Ci immediately backed down, “But you’re also at fault. Don’t be so distant with me in the future. I’m planning to tell my mother about us these days.”

“What do we have to do with each other? You’re too extravagant. You spent four taels of silver on such a useless thing,” Lin Xiaohe complained.

Although it felt good to have someone spend so much money just to make him happy, Lin Xiaohe thought Song Ergou didn’t know how to manage money. No matter how wealthy the family was, it couldn’t withstand such wastefulness.

“I haven’t even crossed the threshold yet, and you’re already trying to control me. Wait until you’re married to me before you start managing me,” Song Ci didn’t appreciate it and teased him in return.

“You!” Lin Xiaohe was furious. This man was no good. Once he got what he wanted, he didn’t cherish it. Just as he was about to speak, Song Ci stuffed a mouthful of rice and meat into his mouth.

“Tastes good, right? Someone once said that when you’re angry, eating more will make you feel better.”

Lin Xiaohe rolled his eyes. If you stopped annoying me, that would be better than anything.

“How did you get rid of the fishy taste in this fish?” Lin Xiaohe asked halfway through his meal.

“It’s just about letting the fish spit out the mud in its stomach and adding more seasonings.”

“Teach me, teach me,” Lin Xiaohe eagerly watched him. Song Ci knew what he wanted to do: learn how to make it to cook for his parents when he got home.

This filial piety was actually quite endearing.

“However, this fish-flavored shredded pork is made from pork, not fish,” Song Ci pointed out.

Lin Xiaohe blushed with embarrassment, realizing his mistake. He buried his head and ate vigorously, feeling quite annoyed. Ah, how could he have thought that fish-flavored shredded pork was made from fish just because of the name? It clearly didn’t taste like fish at all.

Of course, he was also a little pleased inside.

Those who came to propose marriage were attracted by his good looks and capability, wanting to marry him to have him work for them. But Song Ergou treated him like a child, pampering him, feeding him well, teaching him various skills, and doing all sorts of things for him.

His parents loved him dearly, but it was different from the affection of a man. These days had been the happiest he had ever lived. Even if they didn’t end up together, he would never forget it.

He thought that aside from not being able to give his body to Song Ergou, he could make many concessions in other aspects.