Past

Wei Cong could not help but sigh. It was all his fault for not doing well in the last exam. Uncle Zhen had stopped his monthly allowance. During this period of time, he had been relying on the money he had saved previously. Now, he had spent more than 80,000 yuan. Uncle Zhen would immediately ask for the reason. He was not afraid of anything, except his Uncle Zhen. Could he explain to Uncle Zhen that he had spent more than 80,000 yuan to sew the shadow?

Feng Nian looked at Wei Cong's resentful face and took out a Safety Talisman, handing it to him, "It's considered an after-sales service. You were born with a weak destiny. Don't come to the wilderness alone; wearing it will ensure your safety."

Then, she walked up to Cai Yulin and said, "Let me give you a few words. The past is over. Let's focus on the future."

Before Wei Cong paid, he had said that he was also paying Cai Yulin's fees. So, her reminding Cai Yulin would not constitute her being nosey. Cai Yulin's physiognomy was the same as when she met him outside the alley. His forehead was sunken and faintly black. It did not change at all, which meant that Cai Yulin might not be able to escape misfortune. Most importantly, he could not continue to be stubborn. This was not innate but man-made. If he could see through some things, it would help him in the future. If he insisted, bad luck would follow.

Moreover, anyone with a discerning eye could tell that Wei Cong had accompanied Cai Yulin to the Mountain God Temple to pray. If they had not met her, no one would have noticed that their shadows had been devoured by the Shadow-Eating Worm.

"Alright, Young Master Wei, your family should be here. I'll leave first." Feng Nian hurriedly left after saying this. She still had class in the afternoon and could not be late.

In the distance, a dilapidated Mountain God Temple still stood quietly. A few white clouds floated in the clear sky.

————

"Yulin, Grandma will bring you to an auntie's house. Her house is very fun." An old woman was hugging a chubby boy. The boy was four years old. His parents had opened a shop early in the morning to do business. The Cai family opened a bun shop on the street. There were many thin skins and fillings, and there was an endless stream of people coming to buy them every day.

Because she was busy with business and worried that she could not take care of the two children at home, Chen Chunni specially brought her mother over from her hometown and promised to give her 500 yuan a month to help take care of her children.

Cai Yulin fell asleep in his grandmother's arms. When he woke up, he found himself lying on a warm and comfortable bed. A woman dressed exquisitely smiled at him and said, "Yang Yang, this is your home."

Without the familiar smell and environment, he, who was only four years old, cried desperately. He missed his mother and home. Even if he was not rich, it was a warm home.

The scene in his dream suddenly dissipated, and Cai Yulin woke up. Although there were three layers of quilts on the bed, it was still uncomfortable to sleep on them.

For as long as he could remember, he only knew that his father was Guo Kai and his mother was Yao Jie. The family of three lived a rich life. Every year, they would travel and see the scenery of different places. Yao Jie put him first and prepared delicious food for him every day. She never said anything harsh to him.

Such a life came to an abrupt end on his 14th birthday.

That day, a couple in plain clothes knocked on the Guo family's door. When they saw him, they both shed tears of excitement. Investigators who came with them told him that they were his biological parents.

When he turned to look at Guo Kai and Yao Jie, Yao Jie covered her mouth and cried. Guo Kai sighed. "This day still came." Panic kept surging in his heart. No, he was clearly a child of the Guo family. How did his surname become Cai? Why didn't his parents explain to them that he was Guo Yang?

————

Cai Yulin was disturbed by the dream and poured a glass of cold water in the kitchen.

The Cai family's so-called kitchen was actually a small corner that was only a few square meters. There were various bottles and jars that were stained with oil. Looking at the small kitchen, he realized that Chen Chunni seemed to prepare dishes according to his taste every time.

After returning to the Cai family, they gave him the best room in the house, although it was far inferior to the Guo family. The Cai family seemed to have done their best to make him feel comfortable.

Perhaps he was so engrossed in his thoughts that he did not even notice when Cai Yanzhen entered the kitchen. The glass of water in his hand was snatched away.

"There's hot water in the kettle." Cai Yanzhen swapped the cold water in Cai Yulin's cup to hot water before handing it back to him.

"Thank you." Cai Yulin thanked her and held the cup of hot water to warm his hand. It seemed to warm his heart.

Cai Yanzhen did not expect him to say "thank you" to her. She was a little flattered and pretended to be proud as she replied, "You're welcome."

Just as Cai Yanzhen was about to turn around and leave the kitchen, Cai Yulin mustered up the courage to stop her. "W-what was I like when I was young?"

"I only remember that I liked holding your chubby little hand." Cai Yanzhen thought for a while and replied, "After you left, I was locked up at home for a few days and had nothing to eat. It was the neighbor's aunt who stuffed a steamed bun through the window for me."

She was only two years older than her younger brother. To be honest, she did not remember everything that happened when she was young. However, her parents were anxious when her younger brother disappeared. They all went out to look for her younger brother. She became the forgotten one and was often locked behind thick doors. Perhaps because of this, she had a grudge against Cai Yulin. After her younger brother was found, she became even more invisible in the family, so she would always make snide remarks about him from time to time.

"I'm sorry." The water in the cup was a little cold, but it was still steaming. Cai Yulin looked guilty. He had brought trouble and misfortune to both families.

"It's not your fault." When Cai Yanzhen said this, she found it unbelievable. Hadn't she always blamed Cai Yulin? She blamed him for taking away her parents' love and affection, and blamed him for being difficult to get close to. But yes, what did her brother do wrong? He did not want to leave home either. From the beginning to the end, she did not ask him what he wanted. Would he come back or stay in the Guo family?

"Alright, rest early. You still have school tomorrow." Cai Yanzhen stood up first and urged Cai Yulin to go back and rest.

The next morning, Cai Yulin left home as usual with his school bag. However, he did not go to school. Instead, he headed towards the Mountain God Temple.

————

Although he did not have Wei Cong's company this time, Cai Yulin had already come once last time, so he was not unfamiliar with the location of the Mountain God Temple.

He came to the Mountain God Temple to pray for Guo Family's grandmother to recover as soon as possible, and also to pray for the Mountain God to guide him on his future path.

Cai Yulin had been very cautious along the way because he had encountered Shadow-Eating Worms on the way last time. He only calmed down slowly when he saw a corner of the Mountain God Temple.

He walked closer and closer until he was in front of the Mountain God Temple. Only then did he see the full appearance of the Mountain God Temple.

The Mountain Goddess was originally enshrined in the Mountain God Temple. Every time they entered the mountain, people would always come to the Mountain God Temple to sincerely burn incense and pray for peace. It was rumored that this Mountain God Temple was very effective and could fulfill their wishes. However, gradually, the mountain path was difficult to walk on, and people forgot about the Mountain God here. The Mountain God Temple no longer had incense and was desolate until now.