Chapter 2

Wang Xiaoqiang stopped by the riverbank, observing the river. The water was clear, and under the gentle breeze, the green waves rippled slightly. Finding nothing unusual, he felt a sense of confusion and reluctantly left the riverbank, heading towards the village.

Five minutes later, Wang Xiaoqiang walked into the home of Old Man Wang Deyun at the western end of the village.

Wang Deyun, at the age of one hundred, was the oldest and most respected elder in the village. His high esteem was based on two aspects: his integrity and kindness, and his extensive knowledge.

Wang Deyun had attended a private school in his childhood and later went to university in the county town. He had been a teacher there until his retirement, after which he returned to the village.

Despite his advanced age, Wang Deyun was still in good health, with clear eyesight, sharp hearing, and a particularly loud voice. Seeing Wang Xiaoqiang, he laughed heartily and said, "Xiaoqiang, it's been a long time since you last visited me..."

The village was relatively isolated and backward, and few of the elderly could read. Those with high levels of education were even rarer. Wang Deyun was an exception. Not only was he well-educated, but he also had extensive knowledge. When Wang Xiaoqiang was in school, he would often come to Wang Deyun for help with difficult problems. Now, although he had dropped out and was farming, he would still visit the old man from time to time during his free time, chatting and playing chess with him.

"Uh, I've been busy in the fields these past few days, so I haven't come over..." Wang Xiaoqiang explained, smiling at Wang Deyun and showing his white teeth.

"Brother Xiaoqiang, you're here..." Jiang Xiaoxin, who was doing her homework in the courtyard, greeted Wang Xiaoqiang with a surprised smile.

Jiang Xiaoxin was Wang Deyun's granddaughter. Her parents were doing business elsewhere, so she had been living with her grandfather. Jiang Xiaoxin was seventeen, in her third year of junior high school, and an excellent student who was about to take the high school entrance exam. Seeing Jiang Xiaoxin, Wang Xiaoqiang felt a wave of envy.

"Studying so hard, keep it up, and you must get into the county's key high school," Wang Xiaoqiang smiled and encouraged her.

"Thank you, Brother Xiaoqiang," Jiang Xiaoxin smiled again, her pretty face blushing slightly. In Sanmiao Village, Jiang Xiaoxin, as an outsider, had few close friends. Wang Xiaoqiang was one of them, and they had attended the same school. Every weekend, Wang Xiaoqiang would ride his bicycle to take her home. Wang Xiaoqiang's decision to drop out of school was a great loss to Jiang Xiaoxin, as his academic performance had been even better than hers. His absence from school made her feel lonely and melancholic.

Wang Deyun was sitting under a sycamore tree in the courtyard, in front of a large chessboard. After Wang Xiaoqiang greeted his granddaughter, Wang Deyun pointed to the chessboard and said, "Come, Xiaoqiang, let's play a game..."

By seniority, Wang Xiaoqiang should call Wang Deyun "Grandpa."

Wang Xiaoqiang walked over but did not sit down, feeling somewhat ashamed. "I've never won against you, so I'd rather not play..."

"Ah... winning and losing are common in battles," Wang Deyun waved his hand dismissively. "Young man, you need to be bold and daring..."

Wang Xiaoqiang had no choice but to sit down on the stool opposite the chessboard. In fact, his chess skills were already quite good, but against the highly skilled and experienced Wang Deyun, he could only be defeated.

The chess pieces were already set up. Without waiting for Wang Deyun to instruct him, Wang Xiaoqiang made his first move.

Playing chess requires thinking several steps ahead and considering the overall situation, which is quite mentally taxing. Playing against the calm and experienced Wang Deyun, Wang Xiaoqiang found his brain cells insufficient. Soon, he was in a passive position, struggling to make moves, and his mind became a mess, even more chaotic than the chessboard. However, at this moment, he noticed that the mysterious object in his body had moved from his heart to his head, releasing a cool sensation that instantly cleared his mind.

Whether it was because Wang Deyun was intentionally letting him win or because Wang Xiaoqiang was performing exceptionally well, he actually won the game.

"Hmm, not bad, hmm, those moves were very good..." Wang Deyun praised him, analyzing the two exceptional moves Wang Xiaoqiang had made. It seemed he hadn't let him win.

"Grandpa, you can lose too..." Jiang Xiaoxin walked over, teasing her grandfather, and winked at Wang Xiaoqiang.

Seventeen-year-old Jiang Xiaoxin had grown into a beautiful young woman, with her shoulders becoming more rounded and her chest more full. Her every smile and frown made her face come alive.

Wang Deyun, a seasoned chess player, was suddenly defeated by a young man in his twenties. Now, being teased by his granddaughter, he had no way to refute her, and his face turned red.

To ease Wang Deyun's embarrassment, Wang Xiaoqiang changed the subject: "Grandpa, I came today... to borrow a book from you..."

Wang Xiaoqiang had come to borrow the local county annals from Wang Deyun because it contained records of the Eighteen Li River. He wanted to see if the river truly had a large whirlpool, as the elders had said.

"Hmm..." Wang Deyun looked up and asked, "What book?"

"The county annals of Huagui County."

"County annals?" Wang Deyun was surprised. "Why do you want to read the county annals? Didn't you always prefer novels?"

"Uh, reading practical knowledge is better than reading novels," Wang Xiaoqiang said evasively.

"Hmm, that's a good idea!" Wang Deyun gave Wang Xiaoqiang a thumbs up but then turned to his granddaughter in an educational tone, "Xiaoxin, look at Xiaoqiang. He knows how to strive for progress and always thinks positively. You should learn from him more often..."

Although Wang Deyun was praising Wang Xiaoqiang, he was also retaliating against his granddaughter's teasing. However, Jiang Xiaoxin said, "Don't worry, Grandpa, I always look up to Brother Xiaoqiang."

As she said this, a faint blush appeared on her face.

Wang Deyun got up and went inside to find the county annals for Wang Xiaoqiang. The courtyard was left with the young man and woman. For some reason, although they used to chat and laugh together on their way to school, now they were alone and had nothing to say to each other.

They glanced at each other, but both blushed and looked down, their toes scuffing the ground, creating an awkward atmosphere.

Finally, Jiang Xiaoxin broke the silence. "Brother Xiaoqiang, are you thirsty? I'll get you a glass of water..." Without waiting for Wang Xiaoqiang to answer, she hurried into the house.

Jiang Xiaoxin was not just being polite; she genuinely wanted to get water for Wang Xiaoqiang. She even specially brewed a cup of jasmine tea. However, by the time she brought out the tea, Wang Xiaoqiang had already left with the county annals.

In the empty courtyard, Jiang Xiaoxin holding the tea felt a sense of melancholy.

Wang Xiaoqiang returned home and went straight to his room, eagerly opening the county annals of Huagui County. Soon, he found the records about the Eighteen Li River outside the village—

The Eighteen Li River, originally named Lingquan River, is eighteen li long. Its origin is unknown. There is a natural spring in the river that continuously flows, keeping the river full and flowing all year round. According to legend, the spring in the Lingquan River is a spiritual spring of the five elements. It can be large or small, come and go freely, and generate the essence of the five elements, nourishing all things and having many wonderful uses.