Chapter 1673 - 1674: Happiness and Disaster
Ajie is a simple young man from Li Island, around 20 years old, with dark skin.
His eyes, like most young Islanders, have red eye sockets, a result of years of exposure to the salty sea wind.
For Ajie, the Martial Arts Golden Sword Tournament is a rare opportunity to make money.
He brought some seeds, cigarettes, and other goods to sell near the Martial Arts Golden Sword Tournament venue, along several streets.
Though the profits weren't high,
it's much better compared to growing rubber trees for the wealthy year after year.
Today, Ajie and a few friends spent another day selling goods.
With a few bucks in their pockets, their faces were full of joyous smiles.
They chatted lightly and happily as they walked home.
Ajie's home is in a small village less than ten kilometers from Li Wang Town.
The village has few residents, only about a dozen households.
But in this paradise-like place, neighbors are like family, close and rarely argue.
They bear hardships together, help each other with matters, and are satisfied with their simple lives. Ajie is satisfied too.
Of course, if he could marry a wife, Ajie felt his life would be unparalleled, even if offered the position of Emperor.
Thinking this, he fiddled with a few extra bucks in his pocket, feeling some urge in his heart.
His eyes naturally turned to the girl at the front of the group, Ayue.
Ayue is Uncle Han's daughter and grew up with Ajie like childhood friends.
In Ajie's eyes, Ayue is more beautiful than any celebrity from Sang Country.
Her slender fingers often rest in her moist lips, lost in thought.
Sometimes, her enchanting smile can make Ajie lose himself.
Ajie touched the thin cash in his pocket and made up his mind.
Tonight, he'll discuss it with his parents at home.
Tomorrow, he'll propose to Ayue's family. Ajie knows Ayue doesn't dislike him, so it's very likely to succeed.
Thinking of this, Ajie's heart was full of joy, completely forgetting the day's hardships and fatigue.
Being a vendor facing disdain, insults, and eviction, all seemed insignificant.
As long as there's warmth in life, there's something to look forward to.
Five or six young Islanders walked joyously along the winding path towards the village.
Not far away, the outline of a small village appeared before them.
The village's buildings looked simple; almost all were single-story houses with low walls, appearing quite desolate.
However, seeing the small village, everyone cheered and quickened their pace instinctively.
This is the meaning of home.
No matter how hard and tiring life is, as long as there's a little home, it's worth it.
Ajie smiled.
He could vividly imagine his hardworking mother already setting the table with food.
The most indispensable was that bowl of his favorite seaweed and egg soup.
Ajie glanced at Ayue, his heart pounding as if it held a little rabbit.
He walked a little faster to catch up with Ayue.
Ayue blushed, knowing Ajie's feelings for her.
Ayue was quite happy about this; though Ajie was poor, he was simple and kind, and loved her dearly.
If she were with him, he'd cherish her like a precious jewel.
Ajie followed Ayue, feeling so nervous he couldn't breathe, not daring to say a word.
Ayue suddenly turned, in the night, her chest under her rustic skirt almost bumped into Ajie's nose.
Startled, Ajie quickly stepped back.
He stumbled over something and fell flat on his back.
Even Ayue blushed deeply.
She was just impatient, wanting to scare Ajie—just as a joke.
Hahaha!
A group of friends laughed.
Everyone knew Ajie's affection for Ayue, but nobody wanted to break the silence.
The foolish lad thought nobody else knew, keeping it a secret.
Seeing Ajie's red face, everyone teased him jokingly.
"Ajie, did you find a Gold Nugget on the ground?"
"Our Ajie doesn't need gold; he wants to bring a beauty home."
"Once you bow to the bride, she's a wolf and you're a lamb!"
"Shall we walk ahead, leaving you two to talk slowly behind us?"
...
Amidst the cheerful teasing, Ayue shyly walked over and pulled Ajie up.
She brushed off the dirt on Ajie: "How are you? Did you hurt yourself when you fell?"
Ajie felt her soft hand lightly patting his chest.
He felt like he was ascending to become an immortal, his soul shattered, blushing deeply.
Ayue nibbled her lip, looking at Ajie: "Do you have something you want to say to me?"
Ajie stammered for a while before he managed to speak.
"Ayue, my mom invited you to have dinner at our place, will you come?"
Ayue playfully rolled her eyes at him.
"Silly, auntie already made dinner with my mom, they've called on me twice, and you're still dreaming?"
"What?"
Ajie was both surprised and thrilled, unable to resist grabbing Ayue's hand.
"Ayue, I'm really happy."
"Even if you're happy, we still need to eat dinner."
Ayue shook off Ajie's hand and walked ahead, cheeks burning with shyness in the night.
"Let's hurry, or they'll start teasing us again."
The couple caught up, only to be teased again by friends.
Just when they were blushing with embarrassment, they arrived at the village's edge.
At the entrance, surrounded by a fence, was Ajie's home.
Ayue ignored Ajie, confidently walking into the yard.
"Auntie, Mom, we're back."
Ajie watched as her graceful figure entered his humble abode.
He clenched his fist, silently vowing never to let her down in this lifetime.
The group of friends urged him from behind.
"Go quickly, you foolish lad, you're a man, don't let a woman steal the limelight!"
"Hurry up, you've captured our goddess; if you treat her poorly, don't blame us for being rude."
Hearing this, Ajie clenched his fists and waved at his friends vigorously. "Go, go, go!"
Everyone laughed, said their goodbyes, and headed home.
At this moment, Ayue's scream came from inside the small yard.
She seemed to see a ghost, her heart filled with terror.
Ajie was startled immediately and rushed to his small yard.
In the night, Ayue's slender figure darted out of the yard.
Overcome with fear, she moved with unexpected agility.
Ayue's face was filled with terror, as if she had encountered the Devil.
Ajie's heart ached, and he rushed to Ayue.
"Don't be afraid, Ayue, I'm here."
Ayue was about to rush out of the yard.
Suddenly, from her partially open mouth, emerged the tip of a blood-stained Sword Edge, blood spraying everywhere.
Her delicate and gentle face contorted in terror.
Her wide-open eyes fixed on Ajie, breaking hearts with her gaze.