Chapter 104 Ethan

Ethan's life, as the sixth son of a serf family in the southern territories, had always been harsh. Born into poverty, he matured early, understanding his responsibilities as a child of meager means. To avoid angering his perpetually irritated father, Ethan diligently completed his assigned tasks and never neglected to help his frail mother, worn out from numerous childbirths.

Though four more siblings were born after him, only one brother and two sisters survived. Despite days spent toiling in the fields until his bones ached, the family subsisted on rough bread mixed with sand—and even that was a luxury.

At sixteen, Ethan married his childhood friend, Anna, from the neighboring house. However, the sweetness of their newlywed life was short-lived, ending with the stillbirth of their first child. The hard labor Anna endured during her pregnancy, coupled with poor nutrition, had taken its toll.

Anna fell into a deep depression, her vitality gradually fading.