Chapter 3: Lingering Dread (A New Beginning—Inviting Fellow Readers to Embark on a New World Together)

Yi Rongxin was the only son in the family of Yi Zhongxiang’s third elder brother. When he was young, a high fever damaged his throat, leaving him unable to speak normally ever since. His ears were also deaf, making him a child burdened with hardship.

From beginning to end, Yi Zhongxiang had always been especially tender-hearted toward this nephew and treated him with great kindness. As a result, the nephew grew up close to his children as well.

Seeing Yi Rongxin place some chicken on the table, Yi Zhongxiang hurriedly gestured his thanks to both his nephew and third elder brother, inviting him to stay for the meal. Yi Rongxin repeatedly shook his head, signaling that his father was waiting at home for him to eat, then smiled and strode out briskly. After only a few steps, he turned back to remind them that the meat was meant for his little sister.

Yi Ronghua nodded in acknowledgment, reassuring him. Only after receiving this assurance did Yi Rongxin leave with peace of mind.

“The third uncle’s family treats the little sister quite well,” Yi Ronghua said with a smile to his father once Yi Rongxin had left.

“Did Sister Zhang only send half a chicken today? And now they’re sending such a big bowl for the little sister tonight,” Yi Zhongxiang replied with a grin.

“Which younger family member hasn’t been treated well by your third uncle?” Yi Zhongxiang shot his son a sharp glance. “Didn’t you guys eat plenty of things from his home when you were young?”

“Your little sister’s body has always been weak, and today she was frightened by that incident. Your third uncle had Rongxin bring her some meat, and you’re still talking like this?”

“Heh heh, Dad’s right,” Yi Ronghua chuckled. “Among these few families, the third uncle’s children are fewer but eat more. Back in the day, when we were hungry, we could only rely on the third uncle’s house.”

Without that, with so many siblings and even nephews and nieces in each family, how could they all have survived to this day?

He paused slightly before adding, “Dad, rest assured, we all remember the third uncle’s kindness.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Yi Zhongxiang glanced at his grandchildren, who were staring hungrily, and said, “Bring a bowl and share some with Shichun and Shitian. Just leave half for your little sister.”

“Alright, thanks Dad!” Yi Ronghua happily went to the kitchen to fetch a small bowl, carefully portioning out a small half for the children to eat slowly.

At the same time, he taught the two kids, “You’re only getting this because of your little aunt. Otherwise, no chicken for you.”

“Make sure to treat your little aunt well, okay?” The children obediently nodded repeatedly, indicating they understood.

Listening to his eldest son instruct the grandchildren this way, Yi Zhongxiang didn’t intervene. After all, children need guidance from a young age.

He noticed that the half left for the little sister was still untouched. Rising, he went to check on her to see how she was doing.

On the StarNet forum:

“Wow, what kind of meat is that? It smells so good.”

“What is chicken anyway? I want to see it—it smells so delicious.”

“I envy these little ancestors for being able to eat such tasty food.”

Since Yi Rongxin had brought the food, the interstellar netizens could smell the delicious aroma through the shared five senses. Seeing the two little ancestors eating with relish, they could almost taste it themselves.

“Phew~~ Is this the legendary deliciousness with a bit of a spicy kick? What’s that tingling feeling? So fragrant and tasty.”

“Yeah, but it makes you thirsty, want some water.”

“I want to eat it, please, little ancestors, give us a bite! We’ve never tasted anything like this before.”

“Wuwu, we people of the stars are so pitiful, we’ve never eaten anything, so jealous of these two little ancestors.”

“Is this how our ancestors lived over three thousand years ago? I want it.”

“Even if I had to live in this kind of shabby house, as long as I could eat such delicious food, I would gladly accept it.”

...

The Yi family was completely unaware of the buzz on StarNet.

At this moment, in the room shared by Yi Zhongxiang and his wife and Yi Rongkun and his sister, Liu Guoxiang listened as her second son told her that the little daughter had run back home, having fallen many times on the way trying to stop her from taking medicine.

Her heart suddenly ached as if something was being pulled tightly.

She quickly sent her two sons out and then pulled up her daughter’s clothes to carefully check for injuries.

She found bruises and scrapes on the child’s knees, elbows, hands, and body.

Sitting beside her daughter, a woman wiped away tears and softly scolded, “You child, why don’t you take better care of yourself?”

Yi Zhongxiang came in and heard his wife’s words. Frowning slightly, he said, “And you still dare to scold the child? She did it all for whom?”

Liu Guoxiang said, “I know I was wrong. I won’t believe those witches anymore.”

“Good, you know.”

Yi Zhongxiang sat on the bed and touched his daughter’s forehead. “It’s okay, no fever.”

“Honey, what do you think the little sister saw? Why did she cry so bitterly?” Liu Guoxiang was genuinely curious and wanted to hear her husband’s thoughts. “It’s the first time I’ve seen her so upset.”

“Who can say for sure?” Yi Zhongxiang replied, then turned to the corner of the room and took out some treasured liquor. He poured some into his palm, warmed it by rubbing, and began to massage his daughter’s bruises.

“At least she said the medicine was causing trouble. You figure it out…”

“Ouch! It hurts.”

Yi Rongkun woke from the pain of his father’s rubbing, raising a hand to rub her eyes but was stopped by her father.

“Little sister, don’t rub your eyes—you have liquor on your hands. Be careful not to hurt them.”

“Dad.”

Seeing her father, Yi Rongkun quickly turned over, enduring the pain to wrap her arms around his neck.

“Good girl.”

Yi Zhongxiang hugged his daughter, soothingly patting her before placing her back on the wooden bed. “Come, let Dad rub away the bruises so it won’t hurt more when you wake up tomorrow.”

Obediently, Yi Rongkun sat back on the bed, blinking her clear eyes at her parents.

It was so good—they were all here.

Liu Guoxiang gently touched her daughter’s cheek, still shaken, looking at her husband. “I… if I really…”

She dared not finish, but the tremor in her voice showed how unsettled she was.

Today, if her daughter hadn’t stopped her, she would have taken that medicine. Even if the family later sought revenge, she wouldn’t have been here anymore.

How would her children live without their mother?

The thought was unbearable.

“Learn from this,” Yi Zhongxiang said as he massaged all the bruises, then lifted the child into his arms.

“Don’t be so gullible. Don’t believe everything people say.”

“You’ve been married here all these years. Don’t you know what kind of person that other woman is?”

“Who would trust someone willing to leave with her?”

Liu Guoxiang stammered, “I… just wanted to get healthier to take better care of the children.”

“I really didn’t think it would be so serious.”

Hearing his wife’s words, Yi Zhongxiang lowered his head in shame. “It’s my fault for not being able to give you and the kids a better life.”

“The little sister said you’re either sick or lacking nutrition.”

In the interstellar live broadcast room, viewers listening to the couple’s conversation became even more curious about this ancestral family.

“What kind of nutrition do the ancestors need? Tell us—we drink nutritional supplements. Can the ancestors drink them?”

“Seems like we should send them some supplements. Of course, if we could trade supplements for a good meal, that would be perfect.”