TSWPF -Chapter 107 The Choice

Li Qingling looked at the remaining food stored inside the cave and turned to Liu Zhimou, saying, “Let’s leave the food here for now. We’ll go back home and see how things are before deciding what to do with it, okay

Liu Zhimou nodded.

They didn’t know what the situation at home was like. Taking such a large amount of grain back recklessly wouldn’t be wise. Once they figured out what was going on, they could come back to carry it home.

“Grandpa, you’ll come back with us, right?” After Liu Zhimou agreed with her suggestion, Li Qingling turned to the old man.

The old man thought about it. He was alone anyway, and it didn’t really matter where he lived. So, he agreed to go back with them for a while.

After living with these children for so long, he had grown attached. The thought of leaving them suddenly made him reluctant. He might as well stay with them longer and spend more time together.

When Li Qingling heard his reply, a smile appeared on her face. She truly understood that saying — “An elder in the house is a treasure.” With the old man around, they could always ask him about things they didn’t understand.

After packing up, they slowly began their journey home.

They didn’t rush. It took them nearly four hours to reach Niutou Village.

When they saw their courtyard gate standing wide open, everyone’s heart skipped a beat. Could there be thieves inside?

“You all wait here. I’ll go check first.” Li Qingling frowned and said, “If it’s safe, I’ll call you over.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Shiyi appeared out of nowhere. He said, “I’ll go,” and disappeared inside in a flash.

Moments later, he reappeared at the door. “No one’s here. It’s safe.” Then he vanished again, like a ghost.

The children cheered and ran excitedly into the yard.

They hadn’t been home for months, and they had really missed it.

Dahe, walking at the end of the line, lowered his head, his expression dazed.

Back in Niutou Village, he wouldn’t be able to live with Xiaofeng and the others anymore.

After spending so much time together, he really couldn’t bear to part with them.

The days in Song Mountain were the happiest, most carefree days of his life — ones he would never forget.

“Dahe, what’s wrong? Why are you walking so slowly?” Li Qingfeng turned back and saw Dahe lagging behind. He ran back to him and called loudly.

Dahe looked up at him, clutching his bundle tightly. Hesitant, he said, “Now that we’re back in the village, I probably can’t live with you anymore.”

“Why not? Who says you can’t?”

“The bad guys have been driven away… if I keep staying with you, it wouldn’t feel right.” He’d been eating and living with them for free for so long — he felt guilty about it.

Hearing that, the other children ran back too, their faces showing displeasure as they questioned him loudly.

“Dahe, are you saying that now the bad guys are gone and everything’s safe, you don’t want to stay with us anymore?”

If he dared to nod, they’d gang up and pummel him right there.

Dahe waved his hands frantically. “No, no! It’s not like that!”

“Then what is it?” Li Qingfeng huffed. “If you can’t give a good reason, I’m not talking to you anymore!”

Panic rose in Dahe’s heart. He really didn’t want to lose these friends.

“I… I just feel bad staying here and eating for free. It makes me uncomfortable.”

“How is it free? You’ve been helping out all the time!” the kids argued back. “You’re just trying to ditch us now that things are fine, aren’t you?”

That was a harsh accusation. Dahe broke into a cold sweat as he struggled to explain himself, his words tangled in his throat.

Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou exchanged a look and smiled. Then Liu Zhimou stepped forward, patted Dahe’s shoulder, and said gently, “Dahe, before your parents come back, just stay with us. When they return, you can decide whether to go home or not, alright?”

He knew Dahe’s parents wouldn’t let him stay with them — they’d want him back to work for them again.

For now, they’d take things one step at a time. If his parents went too far, he’d think of another way.

“That’s right,” the old man chimed in, “And if you don’t stay here, how am I supposed to teach you medicine? Just stay for now — we’ll talk when your parents are back.”

Dahe thought for a moment, then nodded.

Before his parents returned, he would cherish the time he still had with them.

“Come on, let’s go inside.” Li Qingfeng grinned and pulled Dahe along. But as soon as they entered the house and saw the mess, the smiles on their faces vanished.

Clearly, someone had broken in.

Li Qingling, who had already braced herself for the worst, wasn’t too surprised.

“It must have been King Nanyan’s soldiers,” she said, setting up a fallen chair. “It’s fine. At least nothing’s destroyed — we can clean it up and reuse everything.”

She was actually relieved that the intruders hadn’t wrecked everything, just left things in disarray.

Seeing the children frozen in shock, Li Qingling clapped her hands to get their attention. “Alright, kids, don’t look so gloomy. Put your things down — let’s clean up this place!”

Her energy lifted their spirits immediately. The children sprang into action, dropping their bundles and getting to work with enthusiasm.

Seeing them lively again, Li Qingling smiled. “Grandpa, stay with them. Zhimou and I will go check if the food in the cellar is still there.” She hoped the grain hidden underground was untouched — otherwise, she’d really feel the loss.

The old man waved her off. “Go on, I’ll watch the kids.”

Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou went to the kitchen. The firewood was still there, which eased their worries.

They moved the pile aside, revealing a wooden cover beneath. Working together, they pried it open. After a moment’s pause, Li Qingling climbed down the ladder.

When she saw that all the food was still there, she let out a huge sigh of relief and smiled. “Everything’s here.”

At least they wouldn’t go hungry.

“Hey, there are even some vegetables left down here! We’ll have fresh greens tonight,” Liu Zhimou exclaimed, eyes bright with delight. They hadn’t eaten vegetables in months — he missed them terribly.

Li Qingling checked the vegetables. They were indeed well-preserved — likely because their home was at the mountain’s base, where the cellar stayed cool like a natural fridge.

When she had built the house, she’d secretly had Zeng Tietou dig this cellar to store grain out of her grandparents’ sight. She hadn’t expected it to be so useful now.

“We haven’t eaten well for months — no meat at all. Now that we’re home, we should celebrate properly,” Li Qingling said with a smile, taking out a piece of cured meat and a handful of vegetables.

Liu Zhimou nodded. “Good idea.”

They climbed out of the cellar, carrying some food, then sealed it up again and stacked the firewood neatly on top.

After putting everything away, they joined the others in cleaning.

It took them two whole hours to tidy up the house.

Looking at the neat, cozy home, Li Qingling felt a warm sense of comfort.

“Kids, go rest for a while,” she said, smiling. “Your sister will cook dinner. We’re having meat and vegetables tonight.”

The children’s eyes widened in excitement, nearly drooling.

They hadn’t expected such a good meal as soon as they got home — what a surprise!

“Big Sister, I’ll help you start the fire!” Li Qingfeng volunteered eagerly. He couldn’t wait to eat something tasty again.

After months of plain rice and porridge, his tongue was desperate for flavor.

Li Qingling tapped his head with a laugh. “No need, just rest. Brother Zhimou and I will cook.”

Seeing Liu Zhimou nod, Li Qingfeng gave in.

Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou began working together in the kitchen.

Before long, a delicious aroma filled the air. The children resting inside immediately sprang up, hurriedly putting on their shoes and rushing to the kitchen.

They crouched by the door, peeking in eagerly and swallowing hard.

“Sis, smells so good!” little Li Qingning squeaked as she toddled in on her short legs, hugging Li Qingling’s thigh and tiptoeing to peek into the pot.

Li Qingling chuckled and patted her head. “It’s not done yet. You can eat once it’s ready.” The little one’s mouth was already watering. “Go wait outside, Ningning.”

But she shook her head stubbornly. “No, I’ll wait here.”

Li Qingling could only let her stay.

“Girl, what are you cooking? It smells so good, even this old man’s drooling!” Sure enough, even the old man couldn’t resist wandering in.

Li Qingling gave the cured chicken another stir, then plated it up.

“Cured chicken. Once I stir-fry the vegetables, we can eat.” She tossed the greens into the wok with a grin. “Tonight, we celebrate our safe return.”