Chapter 4: Chapter 4 Small Success
When he arrived near home, he saw a woman dressed in a simple cloth skirt with her hair pinned up, holding the hand of a young boy. They were waiting, and as soon as she spotted Gu Sheng, the slightly attractive woman immediately broke into a joyful smile.
"Asheng, you're finally back."
Gu Sheng's face lit up with a smile.
"Erniu's wife, and Xiao Wan, what brings you here?"
The woman before him was none other than Gu Erniu's wife, Li Lian, who had married from the neighboring Li family fortress. The boy accompanying her was Gu Erniu's son, Gu Wan.
Li Lian's figure, wrapped in the cloth skirt, still revealed her graceful charm, a notable contrast to the typical farmer's wife. However, faint calluses on her hands betrayed her life of toil, showing she was far from pampered.
Gu Erniu had gone to great lengths back then to marry Li Lian.
Though Gu Erniu was not a martial artist, his archery skills were exceptional, and he had gifted many rare hunted items as dowry.
Gu Wan giggled playfully, running circles around the fence.
Li Lian lightly scolded him before smiling at Gu Sheng and saying:
"Asheng, you went to the manor to chop wood today; you must be exhausted."
She lifted the gray cloth covering the basket in her hand, revealing a block of black smoked meat, about half the size of a palm. She then retrieved a small clay jar as well and handed both to Gu Sheng, saying:
"Your Erniu brother especially instructed me to bring these to you. This is rabbit meat from a hunt we had several days ago—there's still some left. Eat it to gain strength; chopping wood every day is wearing you out.
The jar contains an ointment your Erniu brother used when he practiced archery. Rub it on the sore spots, and you'll feel much better by tomorrow."
Li Lian introduced these items with a smile, and seeing Gu Sheng hesitate, she simply shoved them into his hands.
Warmth surged in Gu Sheng's heart.
Times were tough, yet Gu Erniu's family treated him so kindly, knowing it was only his first day chopping wood. They had specially prepared food and ointment for him. Regardless of their monetary worth, the sentiment behind them was immense.
"Thank you, Erniu's wife and Erniu brother," Gu Sheng said softly, his gratitude filling his heart.
Li Lian pursed her lips and chuckled:
"If you really want to thank your Erniu brother, just live well, work hard, and someday marry a good wife and have a healthy son. That would comfort your father's spirit in heaven."
She was inwardly surprised as well.
In the past, Gu Sheng always avoided looking directly at her and seemed somewhat shy, but now he appeared calm and composed.
"Alright, alright, get some rest. I need to head back home and make dinner for your Erniu brother. He's gone to the manor to catch up with some old friends from his martial arts days, and if he comes back to find dinner missing, he'll complain about me again."
Li Lian laughed as she spoke, grumbling playfully, though her eyes carried warmth.
Gu Sheng understood.
Gu Erniu and his wife shared a strong bond. In such harsh times, having someone to rely on was exceedingly rare and thus all the more precious.
Li Lian called for Gu Wan, and gracefully walked away.
Suddenly, Gu Sheng remembered something and shouted:
"Erniu's wife, I'll return the jar after I finish the ointment!"
Li Lian just waved her hand before disappearing around the corner.
Gu Sheng shook his head.
Looking at the smoked rabbit meat and ointment in his hands, he couldn't help but lick his lips, his mouth watering.
It had been ages since he last ate meat. He really craved it, especially after chopping wood all day, his exhaustion causing his stomach to growl like thunder.
Gu Sheng turned around and went into the house.
He started a fire to cook.
He scooped half a pound of rice bran from the bin. Thinking for a moment, he decided to scoop out another half pound.
Chopping wood consumed a lot of energy; he needed to replenish it. Otherwise, his body would deteriorate badly over time.
"If I plan to train in martial arts later, being too weak physically won't work. From today onwards, I'll eat two pounds of rice each day."
Gu Sheng gritted his teeth.
He decided it was time to increase his meals starting today.
Now that he had the wood-chopping job, even if it only earned him two to three wen daily for now, he knew that as his wood-chopping skill improved to Small Success and even Great Success, his earnings would undoubtedly increase. He had to start preparing for martial arts training early.
Otherwise, even if he eventually managed to gather the tuition, he'd likely still struggle.
After cooking the rice, Gu Sheng began preparing the smoked rabbit meat.
He rinsed it briefly with water from the well, saving the water instead of discarding it—he could use it to boil wild vegetables, which would carry a hint of meat flavor.
Once the rabbit meat had been boiled, a rich aroma soon filled the air.
Gu Sheng's stomach growled louder, and he could no longer hold back.
He filled a large bowl with rice, grabbed the rabbit meat, and didn't care that it was still scalding hot—he chomped down directly.
"Ssss haa ssss haa!"
Gu Sheng inhaled sharply at the heat but couldn't bear to spit the rabbit meat out. The flavor was overwhelming, enveloping him in a sense of bliss.
Although he had awakened memories of his past life, filled with countless exquisite dishes, in this life, meat was still a luxury for Gu Sheng. When his father was alive, they only ate it during important holidays.
Even the wild vegetables seemed more appetizing paired with rabbit meat.
Gu Sheng devoured the food, and the rice in the bowl disappeared visibly quickly.
After filling his belly, he let out a satisfied burp.
"If only... I could eat meat every day!"
Gu Sheng couldn't help but wish.
This meal greatly relieved his fatigue, and if this persisted, his physical strength would surely develop quickly.
He rested for a while and then started applying the ointment Li Lian had brought him.
The clay jar of ointment contained only a thin layer at the bottom.
Using a stick to scoop out some of the black paste, which exuded a pungent medicinal smell, Gu Sheng showed no reaction and carefully spread the ointment over his arms. After hesitating, he scooped out another small dab and applied it to his lower back.
"The remaining ointment should last two or three more applications. By then, my body will probably have adapted."
Gu Sheng's gratitude toward Gu Erniu's family grew stronger.
Their kindness was substantial.
But for now, he was barely managing to sustain himself. Even if he intended to repay their kindness, it would have to wait.
Gu Sheng sat on the kang bed, massaging his muscles to relax, while continuing to organize his thoughts. Despite awakening his innate wisdom, his memories still felt chaotic. He wanted to see if there was a quick way to improve his current situation.
...
By the next morning.
Gu Sheng woke up early and was astonished to discover that his arms and lower back were only slightly sore.
"Erniu brother's ointment is really effective,"
he thoughtfully praised in his heart. Gu Sheng dressed and cooked, eating his fill and packing a few rice bran cakes before heading to the manor.
With the previous day's wood-chopping experience, today he worked even more smoothly.
Standing before the piles of wood, Gu Sheng's face radiated hope.
"Let's start!"
Crack!
Crack!
The sound of chopping wood echoed intermittently, continuing all the way until sunset.
Gu Sheng wiped the sweat from his face, his eyes brimming with joy.
That day's results: 324 logs split!
During the process, he gained an insight into a more efficient technique for exerting force, and his wood-chopping proficiency increased to 65%!
"Achieving Small Success in wood-chopping is just around the corner!"
Gu Sheng felt invigorated.
Standing before Gu He, he proudly reported his tally for the day.
Gu He didn't say much.
"Today's pay is three wen. You still owe me a few dozen logs; make sure to finish splitting them."
Gu Sheng just nodded.
...
On the third day.
Gu Sheng wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but after eating well for two days and chopping wood consecutively, he felt his strength had slightly improved.
About two hours before the sun was due to set.
Gu Sheng was chopping wood in the back courtyard.
He skillfully positioned a round log upright on the wooden stump, raised the axe high, and as if guided by intuition, Gu Sheng planted his right foot firmly, twisted his body, and channeled power from his waist to his arms. The axe descended with a fierce whistle.
Crack!
The crisp sound of the wood splitting echoed.
The axe sliced cleanly through the log, as smooth as silk, encountering no resistance as the wood separated perfectly.
Gu Sheng couldn't resist opening his status panel.
[Martial Arts]: Chopping Wood (Small Success 0%).