Chapter 44: Overflowing with Love

A child only received two pieces of candy—this was something Fang Ya had calculated carefully, given the number of children in the village. Two candies each, no more, no less. Even so, nearly eight pounds of sweets had been handed out. Though they knew that Bai Xi was revered and cherished in Niuluo Village due to her seniority, Chen Weiguo and Fang Ya were still astonished when they saw the scene before them.

What child isn’t greedy for sweets? Their own son was already eight, yet they’d never seen him so well-behaved or polite. Candies were a rare treat, not only in the countryside but even in the city. And yet, looking around, the parents and grandparents of these children did not seem displeased; rather, their faces shone with pride and contentment. Chen Weiguo glanced at Fang Ya, and both felt their understanding of Niuluo Village’s strict adherence to tradition and respect for elders deepen.

The noisy clamor made Bai Xi furrow her brow, but when she saw the earnest, innocent faces of the children, and heard the wailing of those who couldn’t push their way through, she found she couldn’t bring herself to get angry, even if her ears were ringing from the din. All that enthusiasm was pure goodwill—how could she possibly lose her temper?

“All right, stop crowding,” Bai Xi called out in her childish voice.

But there were so many people that those further away didn’t hear her clearly. So she glanced down at Little Black, who immediately understood and let out two cub-like roars. Don’t be fooled by how young Little Black was—his voice was still youthful, but there wasn’t a child in the village who didn’t frequent the treehouse to see him. Naturally, they all knew that when Little Black called out, it meant it was time to settle down.

At last, when only a few scattered cries remained, Bai Xi breathed a sigh of relief. She adopted an adult’s tone and began issuing instructions: “Those nearby, comfort the younger ones and stop their crying. Also, the candies are for you to eat—there’s no need to save any for me. I don’t eat them. Don’t crowd around me anymore; take your candies and go play.”

Having said her piece, Bai Xi didn’t bother to see whether the children understood. She signaled for Xiao Shunzi and the others to make a path, then left the throng with Little Black in tow. Perhaps afraid of being followed again by a swarm of little ones, she called out to the adults, “Please watch over your children and grandchildren—don’t let them fall.”

With the young mistress having spoken, even though her attempt at adult authority made some want to laugh, no one dared do so openly, for they knew her intentions were kind.

Chen Daliu hurried out from the ancestral hall. “The young mistress is here—quick, keep an eye on your children and don’t let them disturb her.”

Chen Weiguo and Fang Ya quickly composed themselves. Chen Weiguo went to confer with Chen Daliu about the ceremony, while Fang Ya, taking her son by the hand, approached Bai Xi. After a polite greeting, she offered the remaining half-pound of sweets in her hand.

“Young mistress, these candies are for you.”

They had been reserved for Bai Xi, and since she was here, Fang Ya decided to give them to her directly.

“No need,” Bai Xi glanced at the paper bag and shook her head.

“Young mistress, this is a token of our respect—you must accept it.”

Seeing Fang Ya’s sincerity, Bai Xi considered and took the bag. If she refused, the villagers might become wary or distant toward the Chen family. As expected, after she accepted, Bai Xi noticed that many in the village looked upon Chen Weiguo’s family with greater warmth.

Fang Ya sensed this as well and quietly sighed in relief, though she felt a touch of helplessness. All the effort she’d put into reconnecting with the villagers these past days hadn’t achieved as much as Bai Xi’s single gesture. It couldn’t be helped—even though they were originally from Niuluo Village, over twenty years had passed without a single letter or visit. It was only natural for the villagers to harbor some reservations. Who could truly say what Chen Weiguo had become under Chen Xiong’s influence? If he turned out to be a bad sort, it would be disastrous for the village’s traditions.

Seeing Chen Yi’s longing look, Bai Xi reached into the bag and handed him two candies. “Here, these are for you.”

“Aren’t you going to thank the young mistress?” Fang Ya reminded her son.

“Thank you, young mistress,” Chen Yi said, accepting the candies. But instead of eagerly unwrapping and eating them, he looked at Bai Xi and asked seriously, “Young mistress, have you ever seen a big mushroom? One that can walk?”

Fang Ya’s face immediately darkened. “Don’t talk nonsense—be careful or your father will spank you.”

Chen Yi glanced at his mother but looked back at Bai Xi, full of earnest curiosity. “Have you seen one, young mistress?”

Bai Xi was taken aback. After a moment’s thought, she shook her head. “No.” If he meant in the Heavenly Realm, then yes, she’d seen many, but here, she hadn’t encountered such a thing.

A big mushroom? One that walks?

Could there be a mushroom spirit in Niuluo Village? When the flower spirit left, she hadn’t mentioned anything about a mushroom spirit.

Then again, considering how the silly flower spirit had fled in a panic, perhaps she simply forgot to mention it.

Hearing her reply, Chen Yi’s head drooped in disappointment. He had only asked because he’d noticed that, despite Bai Xi’s youth, everyone in the village respected her. If she had seen it too, his parents wouldn’t have reason to accuse him of lying.

Bai Xi was about to move on but, noticing that Chen Yi truly wasn’t lying and seeing his crestfallen expression, she asked, “You’ve seen it?”

“Yes.” Chen Yi lifted his head, nodding earnestly. “I saw it twice, both times when it was raining.”

Fang Ya immediately pinched him and scolded in a low voice, “Xiao Yi, don’t talk nonsense in front of the young mistress.”

“I’m not lying!”

“You—!” Fang Ya was nearly beside herself with frustration. If she’d known her husband would discipline their son, she wouldn’t have stopped him so many times.

“All right,” Bai Xi interrupted, raising her hand to stop Fang Ya’s admonitions. She said to Chen Yi, “If you see it again next time, quietly come and tell me—I’ll come take a look.”

Hearing that Bai Xi was willing to see for herself, which meant she believed him, Chen Yi nodded excitedly.

Bai Xi walked away, while Chen Yi remained beaming where he stood. He shot his mother a triumphant look, as if to say, “See? Even the young mistress believes me.”

Previously, Chen Yi had been reluctant to call Bai Xi, a little girl, “young mistress.” But now, he had accepted it. Despite her age, she was nothing like the snot-nosed, dirty, fibbing, or bullying children from the neighboring villages.

Watching her son’s happiness, Fang Ya was at a loss. She didn’t know how to explain to him that, though Bai Xi was the young mistress, she was still a child and might not understand whether his story was true or not.

While Bai Xi was still pondering the matter of the mushroom spirit, she was led into the ancestral hall and seated in the grand armchair. Two grand armchairs had been set out, but since there was no one else of her seniority, the other remained empty.

In other villages, women weren’t allowed into the ancestral hall, but Niuluo Village had no such rule. Female family members could enter as well, a custom dating back to the days when the village produced several formidable women among its ranks.