PCJ – Chapter 453 A Heart Eager to Return Home

“I’m from Xintian County. What time is it now? I don’t even know how long I’ve been out.” Zhang Jiaohua glanced outside and noticed it was still spring. The seasons had changed, yet he was completely unaware. He felt anxious, thinking, ‘My parents must be worried sick by now.’

“It’s April 16th, 1999, according to the Gregorian calendar. When did you leave?” Liu Zhaodong asked with concern.

Zhang Guanyu was also curious. He had only heard about Zhang Jiaohua’s previous state from his master but had never seen it in person.

“I left after the school year started in September 1998. Once I reached the mountains, I lost all memory. Have I really been gone for more than eight months?” Zhang Jiaohua spoke urgently, thinking of how his parents must be frantic, probably searching all over China. Tears welled up as he realized the gravity of the situation.

“Sigh. Cultivators must eventually sever their ties to the mundane world. Immortality, love, and familial bonds—they’ll all fade away eventually. No matter how persistent you are, it’s all in vain,” Zhang Guanyu said with an air of nonchalance.

Liu Zhaodong shot Zhang Guanyu a disdainful look, thinking to himself, “You old charlatan. If you’re so heartless, why don’t you stop living like an ordinary person? You’ve spent a lifetime on cultivation, but in the end, you’ll still grow old and die. In a few years, you’ll probably turn to dust. As for me, at least I’ll have descendants to carry on my name. You, old Taoist, won’t even have someone to bury you.”

Zhang Jiaohua ignored Zhang Guanyu and stood up, walking toward the door. “No, I must go back right now.”

“Wait, kid,” Liu Zhaodong quickly stopped him. “Xintian County is far from here. Do you know how to get back? If you get lost, it’ll just waste more time. Do you know anyone with a phone in your village? The village secretary has one, you can call home and have them come to Longfeng County to pick you up.”

Zhang Jiaohua didn’t even know how he had ended up here, so he certainly didn’t know the way back. But he figured Zuan Shanbao would know. Liu Zhaodong’s suggestion was reasonable, so he agreed to make a phone call to reassure his parents.

Zhang Jiaohua followed Liu Zhaodong down the mountain.

“Don’t listen to that old Taoist. What’s the point of living alone in that shabby Taoist temple? Immortality? If it really existed, where are all the immortals now? Besides, is immortality really that great? Our village’s white fruit tree has been around for thousands of years, so it’s technically immortal, but who wants to be a tree? People aren’t plants. Who can be heartless? If cultivation is all about becoming heartless, I’d rather not cultivate at all,” Liu Zhaodong spoke in an attempt to console Zhang Jiaohua, urging him not to follow Zhang Guanyu’s path and live like a madman.

Zhang Jiaohua remained silent, craning his neck to look ahead, eager to get to Liu Zhaodong’s house. He could hardly wait to return to Meizi’ao.

As dusk settled, the setting sun cast its rays over the Meishan Ridge, illuminating Meizitang. Zhang Jiaohua’s home reflected the golden light off its windows.

Liu Qiaoye had placed a bench in the yard and was sitting, gazing down the road.

People from the village hurried along the road, trying to get home before dark.

“Qiaoye, have you had dinner?” Ma Yinxi, passing by Zhang Jiaohua’s house, saw Liu Qiaoye and greeted her.

Liu Qiaoye forced a smile, “Not yet. Yinxi, how’s the hotel today?”

“It’s going great. More and more people are coming to visit, and the hotel is always fully booked. At this rate, we’ll need to expand. When we first invested, everyone was worried we’d lose money, but now everyone says we’re making a fortune.” Ma Yinxi tried to steer the conversation towards work, hoping it would distract Liu Qiaoye from thinking about Jiaohua.

Liu Qiaoye’s thoughts wandered, and she briefly forgot about Jiaohua’s absence. “The village is doing better and better. When Jiaohua returns, he probably won’t even be recognized,” she said, trying to shift focus to their son.

Ma Yinxi regretted bringing up the hotel, knowing it would remind Liu Qiaoye of Jiaohua. “I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”

Liu Qiaoye smiled faintly, “Don’t worry about me. I’ve come to terms with it. When Jiaohua is tired of playing around, he’ll come back on his own.”

“Yes, Jiaohua will come back,” Ma Yinxi said, still a little awkward.

Suddenly, Zhang Qigao ran into the yard, out of breath.

“Qiaoye, hurry, Jiaohua called!” Zhang Qigao said, supporting himself against the wall, gasping for air.

As soon as he received the call, he rushed over to inform Liu Qiaoye.

Liu Qiaoye stood up abruptly, frozen in place.

“Qigao! What did you say?” Ma Yinxi asked in shock.

“Jiaohua, Jiaohua called back. Didn’t you move the phone to the hotel office? Jiaohua called the office, and I answered. I rushed over to tell you right away!” Zhang Qigao said excitedly, a wide smile on his face.

Tears streamed from Liu Qiaoye’s eyes, flowing like a spring.

“Where is Jiaohua? Where is he?” Ma Yinxi knew that was the question Liu Qiaoye was desperate to know.

“He said he’s in Longfeng County. This brat, we searched all around the surrounding counties but couldn’t find him. We even went to Longfeng County, but no luck. Qiaoye, let’s go now. The phone’s still on. We need to go to the hotel to answer it. I’ll get Han Gao and the others to prepare a car. Tonight, we’ll go pick him up.” Zhang Qigao said.

“Okay, go get ready. I’ll go with Qiaoye to the hotel to take the call. You should have just driven over,” Ma Yinxi chided him.

Now that Meizi’ao had cemented roads, transportation was very convenient.

“I got so nervous, I just ran out without thinking about the car,” Zhang Qigao scratched his head.