Traveling Through Those Years Of Farming (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 14

On the way home, Sheng Baobao learns that there will be an additional resident in the house during this period. The person is five years older than her and is a little monk.

Along the way, Sheng Baobao imagines many different types of little monks, but when she sees him in person, she realizes her imagination has fallen short.

According to Father Sheng, this little monk has been practicing diligently for many years, trekking through mountains and rivers, sleeping in the wind and rain.

Based on this description, Sheng Baobao expects him to have dark skin, a sturdy build, and resemble a young monk.

But in fact, Chunming’s skin is fair, his body slender, and he looks very handsome.

Sheng Baobao particularly likes his eyes, which are shaped like a fox’s—black, bright pupils with a slight upward tilt. If anyone else had eyes like that, they might have difficulty hiding the slyness between their brows. But Chunming, who has been reciting scriptures with the old monk since he was young, radiates a sense of purity. His eyes, like a clear spring, make one feel no unworthy thoughts.

“Benefactor Bao,” Chunming says quietly.

Chunming rarely interacts with strangers and is a bit shy.

“Hello, Master Chunming,” Sheng Baobao replies, mimicking Chunming’s bow.

She tries to look serious, which makes Chunming even more flustered.

In the past, people only addressed him as Master Jikong, so this is the first time someone has called him Master Chunming so formally.

Chunming decides to ignore the honorific and smiles, feeling pleased. He likes this little sister.

The Hua family usually has dinner between 6:30 and 7:00 in the evening. Sheng Baobao’s school ends at 4:30 p.m., so after returning home, she does her homework in the yard.

Hua Yingpopo has asked a carpenter to make a small table and stool suited to Sheng Baobao’s height, placing them under the eaves. There, Sheng Baobao sits to do her homework, occasionally glancing at Chunming, who is helping around the yard.

Chunming seems frail, but in reality, he is quite strong, all thanks to his rigorous training.

Though the master has given him living expenses, Chunming still feels uncomfortable staying in a stranger’s home, so he always looks for things to do. When he sees some wood blocks stacked in the utility room, he asks Hua Yingpo and takes an axe to chop the wood into smaller pieces for the fire.

“Benefactor Bao, could you please not look at me?” Chunming’s keen senses pick up on Sheng Baobao’s gaze. Her eyes seem to follow him constantly, and it makes him miss a few strikes with the axe.

After a moment of hesitation, he finally gathers the courage to speak, leaving Sheng Baobao feeling a bit embarrassed.

In truth, she is just curious about the stranger who has suddenly appeared in the house, so she can’t help but glance at him. But now, his words make her feel like a child sneaking glances at a handsome boy next door.

Okay, she admits it—she finds Chunming good-looking, and that is why she has looked at him more than once.

Sheng Baobao rubs her face with her small hands and then focuses on her homework.

Chunming notices the occasional glances disappear and feels a twinge of unease.

Has he offended her? Does she dislike him? He really doesn’t know how to interact with a little girl younger than him.

The Hua family all loves meat, and Hua Yingpo especially enjoys cooking with thick oil and rich sauce. But since there is a little monk in the house, tonight’s dinner includes two purely vegetarian dishes.

The dishes are stir-fried in rapeseed oil without any spices. Sheng Baobao learns for the first time that in Buddhism, ingredients like onions, garlic, leeks, and buckwheat are considered meat.

Chunming’s dinner consists of stir-fried cabbage and stir-fried greens with mushrooms, lightly salted for flavor.

The old monk has said that Chunming isn’t yet a real monk and doesn’t need to adhere to such strict rules, but Chunming is stubborn. He has already decided to become a monk, so he has begun setting high standards for himself.

Sheng Baobao notices that Chunming’s dinner looks bland, yet he eats it with great enjoyment, taking a bite of vegetables and a bite of rice.

After the meal, Chunming offers to help wash the dishes.

“You’ve already chopped half of the firewood today, so you can rest after dinner,” Hua Yingpo says kindly.

She doesn’t ask him to wash the dishes. Besides, the old monk has already covered the food expenses for the past few months. Even if he hadn’t, since Hua Yingpo has agreed to let him stay, she would never treat a half-grown child as a long-term worker.

“Go to the yard with your sister and chat for a while. I’ll pour you a bowl of sour plum soup to help with digestion.”

Hua Yingpo only has Baobao as her daughter. Due to family planning, she doesn’t intend to have another. In fact, having a child like Chunming around is nice—it allows Baobao to experience what it feels like to have a brother at home.

She and her husband have been observing Chunming for most of the day. He is an obedient and well-behaved child, so they feel comfortable leaving Baobao with him.

“Okay,” Chunming agrees, a little embarrassed that he has wanted to help but is instead asked to sit and talk to Baobao.

He moves a small chair and sits next to Sheng Baobao, unsure of what to talk about.

“Master Chunming, could you tell me some interesting or strange stories you and Master have experienced over the years?” Sheng Baobao asks, trying to break the silence.

She is also curious about the powerful old monk her parents often mention—he must be a real master.

It is a topic Chunming can comfortably talk about. As he begins recounting his experiences, he relaxes considerably.

He tells a story about a water ghost in a reservoir looking for a substitute and another about an old man pretending to be dead to test his children’s filial piety. The master and apprentice had passed by the village, and one of the children had asked Chunming to pray for the old man at his funeral. To everyone’s surprise, the old man “resurrected” right on the spot, frightening the funeral guests away.

Chunming’s voice is calm and clear. Whether the story is thrilling or humorous, it sounds almost like he is chanting Buddhist scriptures.

Sheng Baobao listens intently. Strange and fantastical tales like these are usually found in storytelling sessions, but what Chunming is sharing are real stories—experiences he and his master have lived through.

“Master Chunming, what is your dream?” Sheng Baobao asks after a while, waiting for him to sip his sour plum soup.

The boy before her is only five years older than her, and many children his age are still in school.

“To exorcise demons,” Chunming replies firmly. At that moment, there is a light in his eyes that sparkles even in the dim moonlight.

But the light soon dims, as Chunming isn’t sure when he will be able to overcome his fear of ghosts.

Sheng Baobao, not knowing the reason for his sudden change in mood, quickly shifts the conversation.

“Master Chunming, have you ever been to school?” she asks.

“School? No,” Chunming shakes his head. When his parents were killed by ghosts, he had been too young to attend school. Later, he followed his master on his journey to practice. He has heard of school but never really understood it.

“My master taught me to read, so I learned these things from him. I should have learned them in school,” Chunming adds, finally becoming a little more animated. He has heard his master mention sending him to an orphanage or another temple in recent years so he could study like ordinary children, but Chunming has refused each time. His master, who grew up in a temple, doesn’t fully understand the importance of schooling for children his age. He has only imparted the knowledge of the scriptures to Chunming.

“There’s so much to learn in school. How about this? I’ll talk to my mom and arrange for you to go to school for a while. You’ll be staying at our house for three months, so if you start now, you can finish this semester,” Sheng Baobao suggests eagerly.

Their school system isn’t too strict. As long as the tuition is paid, they allow older children to enroll. Chunming is five years older than her, yet he only knows a few words, and his foundation is weak. It is just the right time for him to start in the third grade with her. Though Chunming has dreams of becoming a monk and exorcising demons, Sheng Baobao feels that his future is too narrow. Now, there is a perfect opportunity for him to experience school, to study alongside children his age while the old monk is away, just in case he changes his mind about his path.

“Would that be okay?” Chunming hesitates. He has never wanted to go to school before because it means staying in one place for a long time, away from his master. But now, with his master absent, and with the prospect of staying in this family for an extended period, he is a little curious about what school is like.

“Of course!”

Sheng Baobao quickly expresses her intention and rushes to Hua Yingpo’s side, asking her to arrange for Chunming to enroll for a semester when she sends her to school the next day.

Hua Yingpo rarely refuses her daughter’s requests. She glances in the direction where the little monk is sitting and nods in agreement.

And just like that, Chunming’s schooling is more or less settled.

The next morning, Sheng Wukun takes his daughter to school and brings Chunming along with him. He plans to take care of the enrollment procedures for the little monk.

Since he is going to school, the little monk obviously can’t wear his monk’s robe anymore. Sheng Wukun finds a few old clothes from his childhood. Though they are a bit worn, they fit Chunming perfectly.

Hua Yingpo also finds an old schoolbag that Sheng Baobao used, which will do for now.

After Sheng Wukun drops the children off at school, Lin Yaping appears at the gate of the Hua family courtyard, carrying gifts.

“Hello, I am the mother of your daughter’s good friend, You Xiaomi. I came here today to ask for a favor,” Lin Yaping says politely from across the fence.

Hua Yingpo remembers You Xiaomi as the name of her daughter’s classmate, who is often mentioned. In Baobao’s words, You Xiaomi is her best friend. The two share snacks like chocolates, Russian sausage, and foreign milk candies—things that are rare in their town—and You Xiaomi is always happy to share them. Hua Yingpo has a good impression of You Xiaomi. After all, anyone who likes her daughter is a good child with vision.

“You’re You Xiaomi’s mother? My Baobao often talks about her. The two children are quite close,” Hua Yingpo says, opening the fence gate and inviting Lin Yaping inside. “But why are you bringing gifts?”

Hua Yingpo hesitates. She knows that when people bring gifts, they usually have something to ask for. And there are only a few things people come to a famous fortune-teller for—catching ghosts, asking for directions, exorcising evil spirits…

Hua Yingpo has been in the business for decades, but now she has decided to stop. The mother of her daughter’s best friend coming to ask for help puts her in a difficult position—how can she politely refuse?

“Hua Yingpo, please accept this gift. I’m in trouble, and I thought of you first,” Lin Yaping says, her voice full of sincerity.

“I’ve been a small employee for years, and this opportunity is too important to miss. If I’m not as capable as that person, I’ll accept it, but I believe I work harder and am more responsible than she is. Just because her cousin is the former team leader, she’s assumed that the team leader position is hers. I can’t accept that.”

Lin Yaping is clearly upset. Although the official announcement has yet to come, her colleague has already taken it for granted that she is the new team leader. Since Lin Yaping has shown interest in the position, the other woman is now targeting her, making it hard for Lin Yaping to stay quiet.

“If it’s inconvenient for you, then just think of me as coming to get to know you. Our daughters are such good friends; maybe we could become friends as well.”

Lin Yaping realizes she is being somewhat rash. For such a strange illness, it is possible Hua Yingpo won’t be able to pinpoint the cause, and it is completely reasonable for her to refuse.

“You may not know, but I’ve stopped doing this kind of thing. Even if I wanted to help, I can’t,” Hua Yingpo explains, listening to Lin Yaping’s description. She can tell that the illness might actually be related to something supernatural, something that even famous doctors can’t cure.

But whether it is a real illness or something sinister, she can’t take it on unless she involves her daughter.

Baobao is her dearest, and she can’t take risks with her child’s safety.

Upon hearing Hua Yingpo’s words, Lin Yaping feels disappointed, but then—

“But—” Hua Yingpo adds.

The second half of her sentence gives Lin Yaping hope again.

“I have another talisman here. You can give it to your female supervisor. If her mother-in-law is really possessed by evil spirits, this talisman will ensure her safety,” Hua Yingpo says, quickly returning to the room. She brings out a talisman, which has actually been made by Sheng Baobao.

It turns out to be just a talisman. Lin Yaping feels disappointed again. How much use can a talisman be for a disease that so many renowned doctors have failed to cure?

However, as a counter lady in a department store, Lin Yaping is well-mannered. She thanks Hua Yingpo repeatedly before the two mothers talk about their children for a bit, then she turns and leaves.

As she is leaving, Lin Yaping insists on giving Hua Yingpo the gifts she has brought, despite Hua Yingpo’s repeated attempts to decline.

After leaving Hua’s house, Lin Yaping goes straight to the female supervisor’s home. The supervisor has been on leave recently to care for her mother-in-law, and Lin Yaping plans to deliver the talisman directly to her door.

In truth, she has little hope left for the talisman’s effectiveness. She simply wants to use the opportunity to make a good impression on the supervisor and show her what she has to offer.

The female supervisor lives in the government cadre building. Lin Yaping knocks on the door of the room she has been given the address for.

“Bang-bang-bang-bang.”

She knocks three times, and soon hurried footsteps are heard from inside. After a moment, the door opens, revealing a weary middle-aged woman.

“Sister Ling.”

The female supervisor’s name is Jiang Huiling, and everyone calls her Sister Ling.

Lin Yaping is a capable woman. On her way there, she picks up a box of milk and a basket of fruit—items that, in this era, are considered quite thoughtful for visiting someone who is ill.

“It’s you, Yaping.”

Jiang Huiling recognizes Lin Yaping after a moment of thought. She knows that they are both competing for the team leader position, with Lin Yaping being one of the main contenders.

At this point, Jiang Huiling is visibly weary and frustrated. She knows Lin Yaping must be there for a reason, but she is too distracted by her mother-in-law’s condition to deal with it properly.

“Come in and sit down.” Jiang Huiling rubs her sore temples and gestures for Lin Yaping to enter.

“Sister Ling, I heard that your mother-in-law is ill. I just happened to be passing by and thought I’d stop by to visit.” Seeing Jiang Huiling’s obvious fatigue, Lin Yaping’s heart sinks, realizing that her visit might have the opposite effect from what she intended.

“Thank you.” Jiang Huiling’s tone becomes heavy at the mention of her mother-in-law’s strange illness. It has caused delays in both her and her husband’s work.

Suddenly, a weak, pained voice calls out from the other room, “It hurts! Ling’er, it hurts!”

An old woman’s voice, strained and tired, sounds like she is barely able to complain but can’t stop the pain from making her wail. The bedroom door creaks open, and a thin, veined hand appears, followed by a frail arm covered in red spots.

“Mom, why did you come out?” Jiang Huiling hurries to her side, but Lin Yaping can’t just stand there, so she follows her.

“Ah—!”

 The moment Lin Yaping’s hand touches the old lady, a sharp, shrill scream pierces the air.

Both Jiang Huiling and Lin Yaping instinctively withdraw their hands and cover their ears.

What kind of sound is that? It seems to pierce through the eardrums.

What stuns them both is that the skin where Lin Yaping has touched the old woman immediately begins to bubble, the spots turning from red to a strange black and purple. The blisters are unlike anything they’ve ever seen.

Lin Yaping’s mind races as she remembers the talisman that Hua Yingpo has given her. Without thinking, she reaches into her pocket.