Chapter 32: 32, Dreams are opposite

Perhaps the band was truly in such a sorry state this time that they needed an extended rest, not emerging for several days. According to their claims, the band and the mercenaries would certainly make another trip to Jìng Shān, though it was merely a matter of timing. What exactly lay in Jìng Shān? Rén Xiǎosǔ always felt that this group’s desire to go there far surpassed any invitation to perform at Refuge Barrier 112. The territory of Jìng Shān was vast, and perhaps no one had truly explored its depths yet. What news had the administrators within this refuge received?

In the early morning, Yán Liùyuán slung the new backpack stitched by Xiǎo Yù Jiě over his shoulder as he headed to class, his heart swelling with joy. Yet upon entering the classroom, he sensed something amiss—why did all his classmates turn to stare at him the moment he stepped inside? Yán Liùyuán chose to ignore them and took his seat, only to find the entire class crowding around him. The sturdy girl Li Yǒu Qián from Lǐ’s grocery store spoke up first to Rén Xiǎosǔ: “Six Yuan, could you tell your brother to stop dragging out the classes?”

“Exactly,” chimed in the foolish son of Wáng Fùguì: “He’s always holding us back, and we have no time to play.”

Yán Liùyuán was already troubled by this matter and sighed helplessly: “If my words had any effect, he wouldn’t be dragging out the classes in the first place.”

The others grew displeased at his response. Li Yǒu Qián sneered: “Zhang didn’t even pay your brother, did he? I heard your family isn’t short on money, so why are you so concerned? Are you planning to take over the classroom yourself? He’s only a substitute teacher; it’s not his place to boss us around… Hey!”

Li Yǒu Qián let out a cry of pain. Before anyone could react, Yán Liùyuán rose and kicked her in the thigh. No one had expected him to suddenly lose his temper. With a cold smile, he said: “The things my brother teaches you are knowledge that could save your lives in the wilderness. If you don’t appreciate it, that’s fine, but to conspire against him behind his back—don’t blame me for being rude if you bring it up again.”

At fourteen, Yán Liùyuán was no match for Li Yǒu Qián, who was already sixteen. Though their heights were similar, Li Yǒu Qián was noticeably stronger. When Wáng Fùguì had first suggested introducing Li Yǒu Qián to Rén Xiǎosǔ, Yán Liùyuán had insisted she was indeed sturdy, and he had not lied then… Yet at this moment, the other students saw in Yán Liùyuán the likeness of a miniature Rén Xiǎosǔ. The ferocity that erupted from both of them was uncannily alike.

Though Yán Liùyuán often annoyed others in daily life, he had always seemed gentler than Rén Xiǎosǔ. Why, then, did mentioning Rén Xiǎosǔ transform him into this? Only now did they realize that Yán Liùyuán, too, harbored a certain wildness beneath his surface.

Li Yǒu Qián had intended to rise and retaliate, but upon seeing Yán Liùyuán’s expression, she relented: “I didn’t conspire against him. I only spoke the truth.”

It was Yán Liùyuán who grew flustered first. After all, he was the one who least wanted Rén Xiǎosǔ to drag out the classes!

Master Zhang entered the classroom, hands behind his back: “What are you all gathered for? Return to your seats and prepare for class.”

The students hurried back to their places. Though Zhang appeared amiable at dismissal, he was stricter than anyone during class hours.

Wáng Dàlóng, the foolish son of Wáng Fùguì, sat beside Yán Liùyuán as his desk mate. He secretly observed Yán Liùyuán, noticing he still seemed sulky, and sought to ease the earlier awkwardness with a topic: “I dreamed yesterday that my father found me a stepmother who treated me terribly.”

Yán Liùyuán glanced at him: “It’s nothing. Dreams are the opposite of reality.”

Wáng Dàlóng brightened at this: “True enough.”

After a moment’s thought, Yán Liùyuán added: “I think he might have found you a stepfather instead.”

Wáng Dàlóng: “???”

That evening, as Rén Xiǎosǔ and the others dined, they were about to review the day’s lessons when Wáng Fùguì stormed in, leading a tearful Wáng Dàlóng: “Rén Xiǎosǔ, get out here!”

Rén Xiǎosǔ froze, still holding his bowl: “What’s the matter?”

“Ask your Six Yuan what he told my son. He came home and cried and cried!” Wáng Fùguì’s anger flared as he recalled his son’s words.

Rén Xiǎosǔ looked at Yán Liùyuán, who sat obediently: “I said Old Wáng might have found him a stepfather.”

Rén Xiǎosǔ: “???”

Wáng Dàlóng wailed louder.

Rén Xiǎosǔ turned to Yán Liùyuán: “This is where you went wrong, Six Yuan. How could you say such a thing?” Then, addressing Wáng Dàlóng gently: “Don’t worry. Your father would only find you a stepmother at most. A stepfather? That will never happen.”

Wáng Dàlóng paused. A stepmother was bad enough! He cried harder.

This infuriated Wáng Fùguì: “I must thank you for explaining that to me!”

“Thanks from Wáng Fùguì, +1!”

For some reason, Rén Xiǎosǔ felt as though a mystical great door was slowly swinging open…

Now they had eleven thanks coins!

Suddenly, Wáng Fùguì seemed to remember something, and his anger dissipated. He reminded Rén Xiǎosǔ: “Chén Hǎidōng, the administrator of our town mentioned it yesterday—other refuges have been experiencing strange occurrences. Our Refuge Barrier 113 is no exception.”

“What kind of occurrences?” Rén Xiǎosǔ asked gravely.

“It seems he wasn’t entirely clear on the details,” Wáng Fùguì replied: “I’ll inform you when I learn more. In any case, be cautious. These days, anything peculiar rarely bodes well.”

After Wáng Fùguì left, Yán Liùyuán asked curiously: “Why would Old Wáng say that peculiar things rarely bode well?”

Rén Xiǎosǔ pondered and answered: “Perhaps we’ve defined ‘good things’ too narrowly. Only what benefits us counts as good.”

“Are we wrong in thinking that way?” Yán Liùyuán asked. Though he attended more classes than Rén Xiǎosǔ, he admittedly lacked his dedication. In the past, when he slacked off, Rén Xiǎosǔ would pore over borrowed books from Master Zhang. Sometimes Yán Liùyuán wondered why he should strive when Rén Xiǎosǔ was already so capable.

Rén Xiǎosǔ looked at Yán Liùyuán and said: “Remember, there’s nothing wrong with that mindset. What benefits us is good. It’s fine to be selfish. I want you to be someone with principles, not a doormat.”