Guoguo and Shanwai Muya had led a joyful life together since their marriage. Every day, they were surrounded by love. There was, however, an elephant in the room. Shanwai Muya couldn't get pregnant no matter how hard Guoguo tried.
Not only Guoguo, but even Shanwai Muya, was concerned. He went to see the clan's doctor without informing Guoguo. The doctor had repeatedly affirmed that it was not Shanwai Muya's fault, but the two of them simply couldn't have a baby. Shanwa Muya had sobbed in private several times.
Shanwai Muya had always had a crush on Guoguo. The romance deepened after they married. They didn't want to stay apart any longer.
Shanwai Muya had never considered quitting the Shanwai Clan before Guoguo's appearance. However, after meeting Guoguo, he wanted to take the kid and go out with Guoguo, thus giving birth to a child became their first objective.
But... Shanwai Muya frowned and pounded his underbelly angrily. He was a colossal letdown! It had been over a year since they were married on March 18th of last year.
When Guoguo returned with a hoe on his shoulder, he noticed Shanwai Muya sitting alone in the yard, thumping his underbelly. He instantly tossed away the hoe and hurried over to Shanwai Muya, grabbing his hands. "Muya, what are you doing? Can you get pregnant by pounding your underbelly? Wouldn't you have miscarried if you were pregnant now?"
Shanwai Muya stopped with resentment and whispered, "How could it be possible? I haven't had any pregnant reaction at all."
"How couldn't it be possible? It's not like I don't know how much my Muya has done. Take it easy. Children are a gift from God. The more nervous you are, the slower it will arrive. Let's wait patiently, and one day, it will come," Guoguo said.
Shanwai Muya said, "How can I not be anxious? You have to go home! You've been missing for so long. Your Dad and Daddy must be worrying about you."
Guoguo sighed. "How can I not be worried? It's been my dream to go home and tell my Dad and Daddy that I'm still alive, but this is not something to be taken lightly. Bring me with you the next time you go to visit the doctor. Maybe it's not your problem, but mine."
Shanwai Muya pushed him away and asked in surprise, "How can it be?"
Guoguo reached out, stroked Shanwai Muya's nose and said, "How can it not be? You are a human and I am a human. You cannot get pregnant on your own, so how can it not be my problem?"
Shanwai Muya remained silent, but he still believed that it wasn't Guoguo's problem.
Guoguo took up the hoe and led Shanwai Muya into the house, saying as they walked, "Dad has informed us from our youth that a Ge'er is no different than a son and they are equal. Since it may be your problem, it could also be my problem. We will find out when we go to visit the doctor."
Shanwai Muya felt relieved after hearing Guoguo's words. He admired Guoguo's Dad, whom Guoguo had always mentioned but never seen, since every time Guoguo spoke sense into him, he would add "Dad said." Shanwai Muya grew accustomed to it over time.
Shanwai Muya reached out to hold Guoguo's arm and said, "Okay! I'll take you to the doctor tomorrow, but you also have to promise me one thing. You have to tell me about your family. I've been asking you for so long, but you never want to talk about it."
Guoguo looked warmly at the person holding his arm and acted spoilt. In his memories, when he first met Shanwai Muya, he never spoke or held his arm in this manner. However, somewhere along the road, he seems to have developed a high level of skill in doing so.
Guoguo felt helpless. He didn't know what would happen to this beautiful and brave Ge'er when he left.
It wasn't that Guoguo hadn't considered taking Shanwai Muya with him, but they'd be gone for a long time, and the infant would be too young. How could a newborn thrive without his or her parents?
Guoguo, on the other hand, had to return. He had a place to live. He had a Dad and Daddy who adored him. He had an older brother who was only a few minutes older than him but had always stood in front of him to protect him since he was a child. He also had a younger brother who was a Ge'er and had been spoiled since infancy by the entire family.
It had been nearly two years since Guoguo had seen them. He had been thinking about them every hour and instant, longing to see them. Should Guoguo tell his current partner the truth? Should Guoguo tell him what a beautiful family he has? Perhaps his spouse, who hasn't had a father or a mother since birth, would desire for it much more! Perhaps he'd like to go home with him more excitedly!
They'd been together for more than a year. It wasn't that Guoguo didn't care about Shanwai Muya, or that he couldn't spend the rest of his life with him in this place, but he couldn't. He couldn't fail Dad and Daddy. He couldn't be unworthy of his parents' love and care for so many years.
If only he could get the best of both worlds!
Guoguo sighed. He stared at the person in front of him gently, but meanwhile, there was a hint of guilt in his eyes.
Guoguo answered, "Alright! Let's talk about it today. My Dad and Daddy are the ones kindest to me in this world.My dad was still an idiot when I was five years old, in my opinion. My Daddy was the one who raised me and my brother. My brother and I were always bullied at the time, and no one would protect us when Daddy wasn't home. Dad later recovered unexpectedly. Our grandfather and others drove us out from home, and then."
Guoguo talked about his childhood memories in a low voice. Even he himself did not realize that he could remember so many things so clearly.
Guoguo's terrible childhood memories now felt like someone else's story. He would, however, recall everything that transpired after they were forced out by his grandfather until the end of his life. When Dad recovered, they began to live a wonderful life, and things improved day by day.
Guoguo was lost in his own thoughts as he spoke, and Shanwai Muya was charmed by it as well. He had no idea what it was like to have Dad and Daddy around because his Dad had left Shanwai Clan the day he was born, and his Daddy had died soon after because he missed his Dad too much. Shanwai Muya was then left alone.
Shanwai Muya, on the other hand, didn't blame them because he knew his father had also wandered into Shanwai Clan land by accident. Shanwai Muya would not have come to this world, nor would he have met Guoguo, if it hadn't been for the peculiar rule of the Shanwai Clan. As a result, Shanwai Muya remained grateful to them for saving his life.
Leaning against Guoguo, Shanwai Muya said, "They are so kind. I really want to meet them."
Guoguo did not respond with a yes or no. He simply tightened his grip on the one in his arms.
The next day, Shanwai Muya took Guoguo to the doctor of the clan. The moment that doctor saw Shanwai Muya, he said helplessly, "I told you it's not your problem. Why do you keep coming over to me?"
Guoguo appeared from outside the door at this time. When the doctor saw Guoguo, he immediately stopped speaking. Shanwai Muya blinked innocently as he gave her a harsh glance. After all, it wasn't he who invited Guoguo, but Guoguo himself wanted to come.
Guoguo ignored their little interactions, walked up to the doctor and rolled up his sleeve. "Doctor, since it's not my Muya's problem, please check on me. If there really is some problem with me, give me treatment immediately. If not, then we'll just wait for it to come."
The doctor looked at Guoguo. Seeing that he was being serious, the doctor could only say, "Take a seat first, and let me take your pulse."
Guoguo sat down obediently, stretched out his hand and let the doctor feel the pulse.
Shanwai Muya was staring at the doctor aside. He was even more nervous than the two people, for fear that the doctor would say something about Guoguo.
Fortunately, God was very good to Guoguo. After taking his pulse, the doctor examined various portions of his body before shaking his head at Guoguo. "It's not your problem either; neither of you has any difficulties; just let time run its course; you two are still so young, and I'm not sure why you're so worried."
Guoguo and Shanwai Muya both breathed a sigh of relief as the doctor pretended he didn't comprehend what the young couple were thinking. It was fantastic that Guoguo's body was in perfect working order. They would soon have their own baby if they worked harder.
After coming out of the doctor's house, Shanwai Muya was so happy that he almost sprang. "Guoguo, Guoguo, the doctor said there's no problem!"
Guoguo held the thrilled Shanwai Muya back and said, "Alright, alright. I know there's no problem with me. As long as we sleep later at night from now on, we'll have a baby soon."
Shanwai Muya did not respond for a time, but Guoguo had already let go of him and walked away. When he realized what was going on, he burst out laughing. Fortunately, no one noticed him, and Guoguo had already moved away.
Shanwai Muya didn't care whether he was blushing or not anymore. He ran after Guoguo at once. "Guoguo, wait for me! Why are you walking so fast?"
From that day, the two of them really slept very late at night. (¬‿¬)
The result of their hard work was that right after the next year's Spring Festival, Shanwai Muya finally got pregnant.
They both leaped with joy as they heard the news. Guoguo had never before lost his cool like this. He took Shanwai Muya in his arms and twirled around on the spot.
Guoguo, on the other hand, soon calmed down. He knew he couldn't travel back in time. The baby was in the womb, and there was usually only one. He had to leave alone if he wanted to, but could Shanwai Muya agree? Guoguo didn't know the answer and didn't dare to inquire.
Guoguo had been disturbed by this problem all day. He'd been spiritless, or in a stupor at times, for several days. Shanwai Muya initially assumed Guoguo was sad about the infant, but he quickly disregarded this theory as absurd. After all, Guoguo had been just as worried as he was.
Shanwai Muya thought it over and figured out why Guoguo had this abnormal behavior. It was nothing but the matter of going home.
They'd been married for a year and a half. Besides, Shanwai Muya had no control over his emotions, and his entire concentration was suddenly focused on Guoguo. Shanwai Muya couldn't tolerate witnessing Guoguo torture himself in this way, so he took his own decision.
Shanwai Muya went to the patriarch's house. "Patriarch, I have something to tell you."
Seeing Shanwai Muya in a rush, the patriarch couldn't help but scold him, "You're pregnant. Why are you still running so fast like a child?"
Shanwai Muya said, "Patriarch, I will be careful. I won't run like this again. I have something important to tell you."
The patriarch glanced at him, as if he was an ignorant child. "Do tell! What do you want to say?"
"Patriarch, please allow Xu Mu to leave Shanwai Clan and go home! We are expecting a baby now."
The patriarch stared at Shanwai Muya in disbelief. "What are you talking about? I doubt there is anyone who will push his husband away like you."
Shanwai Muya shook his head. "I don't want to push him away, but he has to return to tell his Dad and Daddy that he's still alive. He has waited for this baby for a long time, and his Dad and Daddy have also waited for him for a long time. If I have my way, I can't bear having him leave me at all. It'd be best if he could stay with me in Shanwai Clan for the rest of his life."
The patriarch listened to Shanwai Muya and stared at him with regret and resentment. "Well, you chose this man yourself back then, yet now you're pushing him away. Don't you know what the world is like outside? Will he come back once he leaves? Are you aware that as long as I agree to it, you may have to live the rest of your life with the child alone?"
Shanwai Muya shook his head. "I'm aware of that, but I can't stand seeing him worrying so much. He shouldn't have been worrying. Besides, there's not much I can do for him. His biggest wish right now is to go home and see his Dad and Daddy, so even if he never comes back, I'm fine with it."
Shanwai Muya's eyes turned red as a result. He couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't take the notion of ever losing such a great man. He couldn't take the thought of the man he loved abandoning him in this condition.
He couldn't bear the thought of his baby losing its Dad since birth.
"Well, why must you do this? Now that you're expecting a baby, you'll be expecting the second one in one year or two. Can't you leave with him when you give birth to the second baby?"
Shanwai Muya shook his head. "Patriarch, that won't work. It'll take too long. He has been waiting for two years, and I can't let him wait for another two years. He'll be anxious."
Hearing Shanwai Muya's words, the patriarch got so angry that he cried out, "If he leaves now, aren't you going to be anxious? Are you going to be waiting for him here your whole life?"
Shanwai Muya answered, "Patriarch, I don't want that life either, but I have no other choice. I can't violate the clan rules."
The patriarch sighed, "It's true that the clan rules can't be violated, but the rules are not hard-and-fast. The last patriarch told me that we may go out as long as we could find a good location to reside. Do you believe the rest of the clan doesn't want to go out? It's only that because our people don't know how to converse with people from other clans, we don't dare to venture forth. What a pity! How difficult it is to find a wonderful spot for us to live!"
The patriarch's comments seemed to reignite hopes for Shanwai Muya, but they did not. When it came to hopes, it was because when the people of Shanwai Clan departed this place in the future, Shanwai Muya would be able to travel to Guoguo with the infant. However, the challenge was determining where he could find such a location and when he could locate such a place. Shanwai Muya now lacked time, because Guoguo couldn't afford to wait.
Shanwai Muya sighed and compromised, "Patriarch, please promise me. I've already thought it through. Guoguo may come back after he visits home. I'll wait for him."
When the patriarch heard Shanwai Muya's words, he didn't even know what to say. He waved his hand weakly. "Alright, alright, I promise you. You can go back and tell him the news! Just remember not to come to me to cry when you miss him in the future."
Shanwai Muya rubbed his eyes. "Thank you, patriarch. I won't come to you to cry. I will definitely cry secretly, and no one will know."
When Shanwai Muya finished his words, he turned around and left, for fear that the patriarch would go back on his word.
After Shanwai Muya left, the patriarch sighed, feeling helpless. Shanwai Muya walked happily home. Guoguo was in the yard chopping firewood. He'd been doing such things for two years and had gotten rather good at them.
Shanwai Muya pounced on him from behind and held him, "Guoguo, Guoguo, let me tell you some good news."
Guoguo put down the axe in his hands, turned around and took Shanwai Muya in his arms. "What makes you so happy? Don't run so recklessly like this again. Remember that you're not alone now."
Shanwai Muya pouted. "Don't worry! I won't anymore. I will take good care of myself. I'm just so happy, and that's why I behave like this. Don't be mad at me."
Guoguo rubbed Shanwai Muya's head. "Well! Alright, I'm not mad. Tell me, what makes you so happy?"
Shanwai Muya heard his words and started to smile again. "I just went to the patriarch. He has agreed to let you go home. Don't you think it's good news?"
Seeing Shanwai Muya's expectant face, Guoguo was stunned and asked, "Am I leaving alone?"
Shanwai Muya stroked his underbelly. "Yeah! We only have one baby now. I can't go with you."
Guoguo rubbed Shanwai Muya's nose bridge. "You're happy that I'm leaving?"
Shanwai Muya shook his head immediately. "I'm not happy. I don't want you to leave at all, but I can't see you worried either. You've been absent-minded these days, and I've seen that. I know you want to go home. Don't worry. I'll wait here until you return."
Guoguo held him tighter, as if he wanted to rub him into his heart. "Muya, thank you."
Touched, Shanwai Muya just let Guoguo hug him like this without moving or saying a word.
Guoguo was chopping firewood the next day. He was still chopping firewood on the third day. He'd been chopping firewood for several days. He also carried water and filled all of the home's water vats. He ordered others to look after all of their livestock and herds, and he informed Shanwai Muya all of the do's and don'ts, big and small.
All of this indicated that Guoguo was planning to leave. Shanwai Muya was thrilled when he told Guoguo the news, but seeing Guoguo doing chores these days, he couldn't be glad. The father of the child in his womb was about to abandon them.
Guoguo eventually stated his intention to leave on April 1st. Shanwai Muya has never felt like the days flew by so quickly. He had noticed Guoguo's busyness these days and assumed that it would be some time before he went. However, it never occurred to him that Guoguo would be leaving so soon.
In April, the weather was lovely. Everything was brought back to life. It was neither cold nor hot, making it ideal for travel. It was also one of the reasons Guoguo decided to depart at this time. Shanwai Muya, on the other hand, did not stop Guoguo from departing. He went to the patriarch and told him what had happened. He also requested that the patriarch arrange for someone to lead the route for Guoguo, and then packed a huge bag of food for him to eat while on the road.
Guoguo said to Shanwai Muya, "Muya, I'm not sure when I'll be back exactly. It'll take me a few months from here to Xu Village. If my Dad and the others are still in Yanzhou, then it'll take me less time, so you have to take good care of yourself, OK?"
Shanwai Muya nodded. "I see. I'll take good care of myself. I'll wait for you to come back."
Somehow, Guoguo added suddenly, "What if I don't come back?"
Shanwai Muya burst out laughing, "If you don't return in a day, I'll wait for you for a day; if you don't return in a year, I'll wait for you for a year; and if you don't return forever, I'll wait for you forever. Because of your presence, I feel the view of this gorge to be magnificent."
Hearing this, Guoguo said nothing, turned around and left.
The patriarch followed closely behind Guoguo. He stared at these two from the younger generation, speechless.
Shanwai Muya waved at Guoguo's back, but Guoguo didn't look back. Therefore, Shanwai Muya had no idea that the eyes of the man, who was not afraid of confronting the fierce barbarians, had turned red because of his words.
When the patriarch and the others sent Guoguo to the entrance of the village, the patriarch advised him again and went back with his people. Then Guoguo rode towards Yanzhou.
When seeing the bustling Yanzhou, Guoguo felt as if it was another life to him.
Guoguo went back to his home in Yanzhou. The door was closed. He didn't know if anyone was living in it, so he rushed to Red Mansion.
When he arrived at Red Mansion, Guoguo saw Gao Quan, who was doing accounts on the counter, and called out, "Uncle Gao."
Gao Quan looked up and saw Guoguo. He asked in astonishment, "You are Guoguo? Are you OK?"
Guoguo smiled and nodded. "Uncle Gao, I'm Guoguo. I'm fine, and I'm back. Are my Dad and Daddy here?"
Gao Quan shook his head. "Finally, you are back. Your Dad and Daddy have already gone back to Xu Village. Come on in and eat something first. Then go to King Yan's Mansion and ask him to send a message to your Dad and Daddy. After that, you may go back."
Guoguo nodded. "Okay. I'm hungry now."
When Guoguo walked through the door, Gao Quan called Shao Yu. He also requested that meals be prepared. Guoguo inquired of Gao Quan about what had occurred in the previous two years when they entered the room above. He had known nothing since he had lived in the Shanwai Clan.
Gao Quan informed Guoguo everything and then inquired about the situation at the time. Guoguo also told him everything, including his impending marriage and the birth of his child. Guoguo and Gao Quan went to King Yan's Mansion after eating well at Red Mansion. Needless to say, Guoguo was treated royally in King Yan's Mansion.
Guoguo did not request that King Yan compose a letter to his family. He merely said he'd return to see them in person if his family rejoiced too soon. After all, the trek from Yanzhou to Xu Village was lengthy, and who knew what might happen along the way?
King Yan did not invite Guoguo to stay since he knew he was ready to return home. He just dispatched someone to accompany him home. Guoguo did not object. The travel had been so lengthy that it wouldn't hurt if someone could look after him.
This trip lasted from April through July. Guoguo finally arrived to Xu Village. Guoguo quickly smiled as he watched the scenario that was almost identical to the one in his memories.
Guoguo rode to his house. He shouted at the shut door, "Dad, Daddy, brother, Baozi, it's Guoguo. I'm back."
11.07.21