Chapter 10 Awakening_1

"Slow down, Chengyou, Chengyu, hold your uncle steady, yes, sit him on the chair, good, that's fine." Madam Yang Zhou tearfully instructed her grandsons to settle her eldest son.

Beside her, Liu Xiuyun asked with concern, "Big brother, is the chair comfortable enough? Should we add another blanket?"

Yang Cheng'an carried a bowl of water, Yang Chengbin brought some tangerines for his uncle, and Yang Chenghong asked if his uncle needed anything else.

Seeing his family members, who were showing so much care and concern around him, especially noticing that his mother truly had much more gray hair now, Yang Chaowen felt a heartache and self-blame.

Jiujiu's words struck him like a blow to the head, making him suddenly realize his errors.

He was wrong, after the accident he had only wallowed in his disablement and despair, completely forgetting his aging parents and family members. He tormented himself and also gradually drained the vitality of his family. Jiujiu was right; since he was fortunate to have survived, he should bravely face life and strive to live well. Even if he could never walk normally again, at least he could give his family some peace of mind.

"Son has been unfilial, causing parents to worry endlessly. From now on, I will live well and not worry parents and family anymore!" Holding onto his mother's sleeve tightly, Yang Chaowen sobbed silently until he burst into loud crying.

Madam Yang Zhou wiped away her torrential tears while nodding in relief, "Chaowen has finally come to understand. Mother is truly happy!" Her eldest son, always stable and sensible, had never cried like this even after his injury, just remained quiet. Now that he cried, it was a sign that the emotional blockage in his son's heart had been cleared.

Everyone else was crying tears of joy.

Grasping the blueprint in his hand, Yang Mengchen's eyes flickered with determination.

After a long while, Yang Chaowen finally released years of suppressed emotions, looked up at his nephews and nieces surrounding him, his aged face slightly blushing. It was embarrassing for a man of his age to cry so uncontrollably in front of his younger relatives, he hurriedly wiped his tears and turned to his niece, "Thank you, Jiujiu. Without your harsh truth, I would still be blind to reality. I've lived for decades, yet didn't see as clearly as you!"

"No one can avoid getting lost when suddenly encountering a major change, uncle, don't worry too much. From now on, just live well, I believe everything will get better," Yang Mengchen consoled and encouraged him.

In her previous life, she too had nearly succumbed to despair several times, but thankfully people like Grandma Zhang provided constant care and support, allowing her to overcome those challenging times.

Though that may be, not everyone could have such a timely realization, and few received insightful guidance like he did from Jiujiu. Their family and villagers were illiterate, unable to offer precise help even if they cared. It was fortunate for them to have a clever and sharp Jiujiu like Mengchen, thought Yang Chaowen with gratitude, gladness, and pride, "Uncle promises you, I will definitely live well!"

Everyone laughed through their tears, especially Yang Chengrong who was moved to tears, it had been fourteen years, and father was finally pulling himself together, it was truly wonderful, all thanks to Jiujiu.

"Jiujiu, can you give me the blueprint now?"

Seeing Yang Chaowen's eagerness, Yang Mengchen smiled and handed over the blueprint.

Yang Chaowen examined it closely, his eyes brightening, "Jiujiu, what is this? And what does this part do?" As Yang Mengchen explained each part, Yang Chaowen became more excited, "Chengrong, quick, bring father's tools!" He had never seen a chair designed so exquisitely and was eager to make it.

Yang Chengrong hurried to the storage room behind the house, soon returning with a wooden box, while Yang Chengyou and his brothers unloaded a large tree from the cart and placed it in front of Yang Chaowen, "Father (uncle), we will help you make it."

"No need, no need, you all go and learn medical skills from Jiujiu, I can manage by myself."

Yang Chaowen waved his hand and then picked up the knife from the wooden box to start peeling the bark. It had been over a decade since he last used tools, and at the beginning, he felt a bit rusty. However, he had learned woodworking since he was sensible, and his skills were among the best in the village, so he quickly became proficient again.

Seeing Yang Chaowen focused on his task, Yang Mengchen took his brothers to gather herbs.

Beside them, Madam Yang Zhou watched her eldest son regain his confidence and her grandsons earnestly learning medical skills from their granddaughter, feeling deeply moved: May heaven bless the Yang family!

As the sun set in the west, Yang Mengchen guessed that Grandpa and the others would soon finish their work and return, so he and Liu Xiuyun went to the kitchen to make dinner, with Yang Chengyou and Yang Chengyu taking the initiative to handle the roe deer.

Yang Mengchen washed several yams with clean water, blanched them in hot water, peeled and diced them, and then poured them all into the pot where the porridge was cooking.

"Jiujiu, why are you cooking the herbs with the rice? Aren't we supposed to save them to sell for money?" Liu Xiuyun asked confusedly.

"This yam is not only a herb, it's also a vegetable. It can strengthen the spleen, benefit the stomach, aid digestion, nourish the kidneys, boost vigor, lower blood sugar, and prolong life among other benefits. Eating it can strengthen the body," Yang Mengchen explained gently. "Don't worry, Auntie. There are plenty of them on the mountain, and we can dig them up anytime."

Although she didn't understand some of what he said, Liu Xiuyun understood that the yam could strengthen the body and that there were plenty more on the mountain, so she said no more.

They made wild vegetable pancakes and a dish of scrambled eggs with wild vegetables. Just then, Yang Chengyou brought in the processed roe deer meat, and Yang Mengchen decided to braise it together with the bamboo shoots that had been soaked in brine. Soon, the fragrance emanating from the kitchen was mouthwatering.

"Wen'er (husband) (elder brother) (father) (uncle)?"

Accompanied by the sunset's afterglow, Old Master Yang and others just entered the courtyard and saw Yang Chaowen doing woodworking, each of them surprised and immensely excited.

Yang Chaowen looked up, seeing his family standing not far away, and smiled as he said, "You've come back."

"Wen'er..."

As if knowing what his father was about to ask, Yang Chaowen said solemnly, "Jiujiu talked to me and made me realize that it was wrong to give up on myself before. Don't worry, I will pull myself together and live well from now on!"

"Very well!" Old Master Yang couldn't hold back his tears as years of guilt and heartache were finally relieved.

The rest of the family also shed tears of joy.

Looking at the wood planks and scraps piled around Yang Chaowen, Yang Chaoyi asked with a puzzled expression, "Big brother, what are you making?"

"I promised to make this chair for Jiujiu." Pointing at the blueprint on the table, Yang Chaowen said with emotion and pride, "Our Jiujiu is really clever and smart. Not only did she get Chengrong and his brothers to cut down big trees today, but she also used making the chair as a way to counsel and motivate me, or I'd still be trapped in my room unable to escape my troubles."

"Jiujiu is truly a blessing!" Yang Chengning felt grateful: the household's life had greatly improved, they were learning boxing and medical skills, and even their father had regained his spirit—all thanks to Jiujiu.

Everyone nodded in agreement, with Yang Chaoyi and Shen Qiulan feeling especially proud and relieved.

Old Master Yang picked up the blueprint and said in amazement, "So it turns out the blueprint Jiujiu drew last night was for a chair, but this chair looks a bit strange with two wheels on it. What are they for?"