THE CULTIVATION OF BESIDE DEVIL CULTIVATOR
236: The Thin Line Between Life and Death
In the afternoon, Jiang Hao and Cheng Chou helped start the fire. Miao Xiang started cooking.
The fish that Xiao Li caught was a cooked main dish.
Xiao Li spoke a lot. Miao Xiang was busy cooking, and he occasionally responded to Xiao Li's constant chatter.
Xiao Li did not mind. He helped cut the fish. When he finished, he took the bowl and went to show it to his mother.
His mother praised him, which made Xiao Li laugh happily.
The quiet courtyard became lively before Xiao Li. It seemed like he was the source of life and vitality in this remote place.
Without Xiao Li, the lives of the two old men would be desolate. It might be too quiet for them to look forward to their deaths.
With Xiao Li, everything was different. They are still moving towards the end of their lives, but at least they are happy.
Jiang Hao saw Miao Shi sitting upright on the chair, watching Xiao Li get busy. He looked pale and sickly.
Moments later, the table was filled with all sorts of dishes. Miao Xiang cooked everything with the help of Cheng Chou and Xiao Li.
Jiang Hao was offered a seat, and he gladly accepted it.
Others also sat down and began serving food. There is fish cooking, cooked bamboo shoots, and chicken.
Jiang Hao picked up his chopsticks and bit his fish. He then tasted the chicken and bamboo shoots.
"It's delicious." She smiles.
Miao Xiang laughed.
Miao Shi also smiled and put some dishes into his bowl.
Xiao Li took the tender meat, steamed the vegetables, and put it in his parents' bowl.
"Eat this."
The two elders nodded and smiled.
Cheng Chou felt a bit awkward at first. However, when he saw that everyone was enjoying his meal, he ate.
Jiang Hao occasionally glanced at them while eating his food.
After finishing a bowl of rice, he asked for another one. Xiao Li excitedly ran to get it for him. Xiao Li was happy, as were the two old men.
After eating, Jiang Hao watched Xiao Li divide the firewood for his parents and feed the chickens and ducks.
Jiang Hao felt a little sentimental.
At night, they had dinner. There are fish and bamboo shoots. Miao Xiang also made cookies.
At night, Miao Shi sat beside Jiang Hao while Miao Xiang put Xiao Li to sleep. “Tell me the story of the Sea God,” Xiao Li said from inside the room.
"About? Okay." Okay."
“Then tomorrow..Tell me the story of the Little Shellfish.” Jiang Hao looked down.
Miao Shi sat right beside him. “I'm sorry for bothering you.”
“It's okay,” said Jiang Hao. “You should go and stay with Xiao Li as long as you can.”
Jiang Hao sat in the courtyard and closed his eyes to rest.
He sat there until the first sunlight hit his face. He got up and entered the inner room.
Xiao Li was sitting next to the two old men. He looks very worried. “Do you feel unwell?”
He helped them stand up. “I'll go find a doctor. I can also help make medicine.”
"It's okay. I am in good health,” said Miao Xiang.
Miao Shi looked at Xiao Li with concern. Eyes closed.
He hasn't slept a single moment all night. He was afraid that if he closed his eyes, he would not open them again.
“You need not fear even if you are sick,” Xiao Li said. “I will stay here and take care of you until you recover. I can catch fish, cook, and make medicine. I can take good care of you. Leave everything to me from now on.”
“You are an adult,” said Miao Xiang with a smile.
He whispered to Xiao Li, “There should be an egg today. Go and see how many.” is
"okay." Xiao Li got up in spirit and ran out. “If there is an egg, I will cook it for you.”
Jiang Hao sat beside them. Cheng Chou also entered from outside.
He lowered his head in anguish as he looked at the two old and sickly people.
He had accompanied Xiao Li here many times before. He felt sad for both of them.
“May I entrust Xiao Li to you in the future?” Miao Xiang asked Jiang Hao.
"Yes." Yeah." Jiang Hao nodded.
Miao Xiang had quite a bit of time, but Miao Shi breathed his last.
“We have secrets,” said Miao Shi weakly. “We thought we were going to take him to our grave, but. We found Xiao Li on the river.”
“I know,” said Jiang Hao gently. “I also know that Xiao Li is a True Dragon. That's one of the reasons why he's growing so slowly. That's normal for him. I promise she will grow up.”
"Thank you." The two old men smiled.
Finally, they looked at Cheng Chou as if thanking him for keeping them all this time.
As they closed their eyes, Xiao Li ran over carrying the egg in her hand. A middle-aged man and a woman appeared behind him.
When the two old men closed their eyes, they thought they heard someone calling them. "Mother's father…"
Immediately, they heard Xiao Li's voice in their ears. "What's wrong? I found the egg. Do you feel unwell? I can go and find a doctor.”
Xiao Li's voice was choked by tears. The egg in his hand fell to the ground and splattered everywhere.
“Please... Mother.. I'm so awkward. I dropped the egg again. Everything's ruined! Please wake! Reprimand me. You promised to tell me a story! Please don't leave me. I promise I won't ask for meat. I will always listen and obey. Please don't leave me..”
Xiao Li was crying now. “Please. Please wake up."
Jiang Hao stood beside him and watched the two old men take their last breaths. He then reached out his hand and held Xiao Li..