Wang Congshan brought many gifts, along with a large sum of money. Yan Zhengya declined, but Wang Congshan insisted, angrily saying, "Is my life that worthless? If you don’t accept it, Daoist, it means you look down on me."
Yan Zhengya accepted the generous gifts with a complex feeling.
"The Daoist needn’t worry about my brother’s revenge. The maid Xiaohong was caught, and she has testified against my brother for his deeds. My father has been making arrangements, so my brother will be exiled. Maybe after suffering for a few years, he will come to his senses. When he returns, I won’t pay him any more attention," Wang Congshan said.
Yan Zhengya glanced at the naive-looking Wang Congshan, but thought to himself that with Wang Congshan’s mother’s decisive personality, Wang Congshan’s brother probably won’t return once exiled. Yet it’s obvious that the strong-willed mother, despite urging Wang Congshan to grow up, couldn’t bear to let him see the cruel reality.
Wang Congshan lingered at the Daoist Temple for several days. Every day, he watched Bai Huan chopping wood. Sometimes he tried to help, but ended up making things worse, which annoyed Bai Huan and he drove him away. He then stubbornly went to help Yuanyuan, but after he peeled a potato, it was reduced to a thumb-sized stick. Yuanyuan chased him off, so he went to play with Maomao the pig, helping chase chickens...
But Maomao the pig was annoyed with him too, feeling his fun was disrupted. He believed that an even match was the most enjoyable, and Wang Congshan’s involvement made it an overwhelming victory, which wasn’t fun at all.
As a result, Wang Congshan was driven away by Maomao too.
Finally, Wang Congshan ran to the shed’s eaves, sat next to Yan Zhengya, and took a big gulp from the teacup.
He let out a long breath and said, "Daoist, the life here is so peaceful. There’s nothing to worry about, nothing to dwell on. The Wolf Demon, the Rabbit Demon, oh, and your little pig, they’re all as pure as a blank sheet of paper. It’s so comforting to be around them."
Yan Zhengya slightly raised an eyebrow and looked at Wang Congshan, thinking that these words really didn’t sound like they were coming from a silly, idle young master.
"Don’t look at me that way. I’m not stupid, just lazy. I don’t bother thinking or delving deeply into things," Wang Congshan said with a sigh, matching Yan Zhengya’s puzzled stare. "My mom’s right; I need to learn to stand on my own, or I’ll be deceived again in the future."
Yan Zhengya smiled, "Your mother would probably be very pleased to hear you have such awareness."
Wang Congshan chuckled twice without saying a word.
"By the way, aren’t you worried your mother might be concerned about you staying here so long without returning?" Yan Zhengya asked.
"That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about, Daoist. I’m going back tomorrow. If you ever need my help, just bring this Jade Pendant to find me." Wang Congshan took out a Jade Pendant and handed it to Yan Zhengya.
Yan Zhengya didn’t refuse and accepted it.
"I will go back and work hard, becoming someone reliable," Wang Congshan said, his eyes gleaming with determination.
"I look forward to that day," Yan Zhengya responded with a smile.
The next day, Wang Congshan took his leave. Yan Zhengya gave him a few talismans for protection. Yuanyuan gifted him a hat that she made herself. Bai Huan gave him some game and wild fruits, including a bag of walnuts.
"Eat more walnuts when you go back; they’ll improve your brain," Bai Huan said with a serious face.
Wang Congshan twitched his mouth, feeling the sting of the Wolf Demon’s parting jab even as he was about to leave.