Chapter 2: The Red Candle Shadows Recall a Lifetime

Recalling the novels he had read to pass the time, He Fang's mind became increasingly chaotic. Could it really be that he had crossed a thousand years to arrive in the past? If such a thing had really happened, how could he possibly live on?

Living at the very bottom of society was something He Fang absolutely did not want. But he certainly did not have the ability to memorize hundreds of poems and verses like the protagonists in some books! Although he knew very little about history, He Fang at least understood that not being able to compose poetry would make it very difficult to survive in ancient times.

And what about his current family? How could he face them? What about his parents in the other world? How were they now?

His chaotic thoughts continued to drain his limited energy, and soon he fell into a deep sleep again.

When he woke up again, He Fang was startled by the sound coming from the next room.

"Brother Han, I heard that a famous doctor has come to Qinzhou City, surnamed Li. He is highly renowned in Jingzhao Prefecture, and many high officials and nobles vie to invite him to treat their illnesses. Last year, when Lady Han's concubine suffered from a chronic illness, Doctor Li cured her with just a few needles. Lady Han was extremely grateful and did not even need to announce his visit to the mansion. This time, Doctor Li has come to Qinzhou to visit friends. Coincidentally, the young son of County Magistrate Chen has caught a wind evil, which has turned into lung disease, just like your third son. But Doctor Li cured him with medicine, and he was soon running and jumping around. Although Doctor Li's consultation fee is a bit expensive, no one would say it's not worth it to save a life..."

A harsh, duck-like voice entered his ears. For some reason, He Fang felt a surge of anger. This kind of street talk, clearly exaggerating, was something he was very familiar with after years of navigating society. He never thought that after crossing a thousand years, he would be the one being deceived.

"Li Lazi! The prescription you said Doctor Zhuge gave us, which we begged and pleaded for, and exchanged for six acres of land, was completely useless! Are you trying to deceive us again? Be careful, or my old lady will give you a good beating!"

The extremely fierce roar brought a warm feeling to He Fang's heart. This was the voice of his 'mother.' But he immediately became worried because he could hear a clear waver in her voice.

"I am so wronged!" The duck-like voice of Li Lazi cried out in injustice, "Sister Li, think about it, is there a doctor in the world who can guarantee to cure any illness? Even Doctor Li can't promise that one dose of medicine will make your third son jump up and down. But it's a way out, and you can't just let your third son continue to be sick, can you? You can always buy the land back, but you can't buy back a life!"

"... Li Lazi, aren't you just greedy for the three acres of vegetable fields by the river? You keep trying to make us sell our land. I'm telling you, with the few coins you offer, I won't sell to you, no matter what!"

"Sister Li, you misunderstand. Do you think I want your land? I won't interfere no matter who you sell it to... But let's be honest, who in the village can afford to buy your vegetable field? Only I can offer the price! If you don't want to sell it outright, you can mortgage it to me and get the money to treat your third son. If you have money in the future, you can buy it back."

Han's parents seemed to be convinced. Even though they knew Li Lazi was after their land, compared to their beloved son, what did the land matter? If they lost their son, what good would the land be?

'Don't sell it!' He Fang felt a sense of panic. This was not his own thought, but a sudden impulse from deep within his heart. Frustration, self-reproach, and anger alternated in his mind. During the days he had been bedridden, this duck-like voice had constantly urged the family to sell their land to get money for his medical treatment. In the end, only one vegetable field was left, and even that was not spared.

At some point, Li Lazi had left, and Han's parents sat by his bedside. They were silent, but for their son, they were willing to risk everything. Parents' love for their children is truly touching.

"Sell it, it's just a piece of land... If we can save Third Son, it's worth a try." Han's mother sighed, gently stroking He Fang's forehead, her earlier toughness towards Li Lazi completely gone.

Han's mother's words made He Fang feel a pang of sorrow, unsure if it was his own or Han's. Her hand on his forehead was rough like sandpaper, but her palm was surprisingly warm.

Han's father, looking at his emaciated son, his face already very aged at just over forty, could not hide his sorrow. They only had this one child left, and if they lost him, what would they have to live for? He nodded, his voice hoarse and low, "Alright, let's mortgage the land to Li Lazi. Even if the price is low, we have to save Third Son first."

"Ah... ah..." He Fang suddenly struggled, trying his best to say "Don't sell it." But something seemed to be blocking his throat. His long illness quickly drained his strength, and he fainted amidst the surprised and relieved voices of Han's parents.

After an unknown period of unconsciousness, He Fang woke up for the third time. This time, he finally had the strength to open his eyes. The first thing he saw was a flickering yellow light and a pungent smell.

'It's an oil lamp!' Clearly, only an unstable flame would flicker. Similarly, only an oil lamp would fill the room with smoke.

'Is this really a穿越 (穿越 means "穿越" in Chinese, which translates to "time travel" in English)?'

He Fang moved his eyes, surveying the room he was in. The room was very small, about five or six square meters, much smaller than the room he remembered from his own life. But the light was so dim that it could not fully illuminate the small room, and the ceiling was shrouded in darkness. 'Oh, right! There might not even be a ceiling.' He Fang thought, because the walls beside him were rough, made of rammed earth, with black stains from years of wear, but the texture of the earth was still clearly visible. In such an ancient house, the ceiling above would likely be like the beams and rafters of his old home, not a flat ceiling.

'This is really a time travel.'

Seeing the bedroom he was in, He Fang smiled bitterly, finally confirming the reality he did not want to accept. Dying in a plane crash in the 21st century and being reborn in the body of a Song Dynasty teenager. If it were a story, it might be interesting, but happening to him, it could only make him sigh.

However, He Fang was secretly relieved. Dying in a plane crash and being reborn in ancient times, the good and bad were hard to distinguish. Good fortune often harbors misfortune, and misfortune often harbors good fortune. Though it was a cliché, it was not wrong. After being shocked by the incomprehensible reality, he gradually calmed down and recognized his current situation. If he wanted to live well in the Song Dynasty, he had to understand the era.

He calmed his mind and carefully searched his memory, pleasantly surprised to find that the original owner's memories were still relatively intact. He could clearly remember his parents, relatives, teachers, and neighbors. However, these memories seemed to be behind a thin veil, making it hard for him to fully identify with them, as if he were watching a long movie and could not consider them his own. But this was enough, He Fang thought with relief. With these memories, as long as he was cautious in his words and actions, and observed more than he spoke, he did not need to worry about any major issues when impersonating the original owner. Even if there were some differences, he could attribute them to his illness.