Chapter 3

After reading the description of the Eighteen Mile River in the Huigui County Gazetteer, Wang Xiaoqiang's heart began to race, and his breathing became rapid.

Wang Xiaoqiang found that, although it was a county gazetteer, there was almost no verifiable historical material about the Eighteen Mile River. Instead, the mythological descriptions were more detailed, mainly talking about a large spring in the Eighteen Mile River, which matched what the village elders had said. However, the gazetteer's records were more detailed than the oral traditions.

"Five Elements Spirit Spring, can come and go freely, can be large or small, can generate Five Elements spiritual energy, nourish all things, and has many wonderful uses..."

Closing the gazetteer, Wang Xiaoqiang closed his eyes and muttered to himself, combining the mysterious "object" in his body. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that the mysterious "object" in his body was closely related to the "Five Elements Spirit Spring," and might even be the Five Elements Spirit Spring itself.

Of course, this was a bold guess, and Wang Xiaoqiang couldn't find a definitive answer. But regardless, as long as it didn't harm his body, there was no need to worry too much.

Just as Wang Xiaoqiang's thoughts shifted from confusion to acceptance, his sister-in-law's voice rang out in the courtyard: "Xiaoqiang, come and eat."

"Coming..." Wang Xiaoqiang responded, putting the gazetteer in the drawer by his bed, and then went to eat.

Wang Xiaoqiang had two brothers. His older brother, Wang Dali, was three years older and had married last year. His wife, Liu Juyi, was one year younger than Wang Dali, very beautiful, and very virtuous. After their marriage, Wang Dali went out to work, and Liu Juyi stayed home to take care of her in-laws and her younger brother-in-law.

In the hot summer, the family ate all three meals under a wutong tree in the courtyard. When Wang Xiaoqiang came out of the house, he saw that the small square table under the wutong tree was already set with four dishes and a soup.

A cold cucumber salad, chicken stewed with mushrooms, stir-fried green beans, and garlic eggplant, plus a tomato and egg soup.

Although they were all simple country dishes, under Liu Juyi's skilled hands, they looked very exquisite and emitted an inviting aroma.

Soon, Wang Xiaoqiang's parents were also helped to the table by his sister-in-law, Liu Juyi.

Wang Xiaoqiang's parents had been in a car accident when he was in high school, both suffering leg injuries that left them partially disabled, making it difficult for them to move around. This was also the main reason why Wang Xiaoqiang had dropped out of school.

At that time, Liu Juyi hadn't married into the family yet, but she was already engaged to Wang Dali. When she learned that her future in-laws had been in a serious car accident and were severely disabled, she not only didn't break off the engagement but also volunteered to marry early to take care of the two elders. This showed her noble character, and as the locals said, it was hard to find such a good daughter-in-law even with a lantern.

If Wang Xiaoqiang had someone he admired in his life, it was his sister-in-law, Liu Juyi.

Liu Juyi's dishes were not only beautifully presented but also perfectly seasoned, delicious, and no less tasty than those from a big city restaurant.

The delicious food made Wang Xiaoqiang eat heartily. From the moment he sat down, he kept his head down, eating quickly, rarely lifting his head because his sister-in-law, Liu Juyi, was sitting across from him, and he could see her exposed skin whenever he looked up.

It was the height of summer.

In the countryside during this season, men mostly wore only a pair of shorts and slippers, while women wore short skirts and tank tops. Some more daring girls wore only a bra, exposing their navels.

As a newlywed for less than a year, Liu Juyi was still relatively conservative. She wore a pair of seven-eighths pants and a homemade pink tank top, exposing her plump, white arms and the tops of her full breasts, which were very alluring.

Wang Xiaoqiang was still quite shy around women, especially his beautiful sister-in-law. Whenever they were together, he always avoided looking at her directly.

Wang Xiaoqiang didn't dare to look at Liu Juyi, but Liu Juyi kept observing her younger brother-in-law. For the equally conservative Liu Juyi, this was somewhat unusual.

For some reason, Wang Xiaoqiang's appetite increased dramatically today. After finishing one bowl, Liu Juyi immediately served him another. Wang Xiaoqiang took the bowl and buried his head, eating as if he had a grudge against the rice.

Liu Juyi didn't find his unrefined eating habits repulsive; instead, her eyes showed a hint of fondness and indulgence.

In the countryside, unmarried young men were still considered children. Although Wang Xiaoqiang was already eighteen and legally an adult, the whole family still treated him like a child, including his sister-in-law, Liu Juyi.

Wang Xiaoqiang had always been weak, not as strong as the other boys his age in the village. Eating more was a good thing. Seeing Wang Xiaoqiang eat heartily, Liu Juyi put a piece of chicken in his bowl and asked, "Xiaoqiang, when I went to Aunt Dazui's supermarket to buy soy sauce, I passed by the village health station and heard Doctor Xu say that you were not feeling well. What's wrong?"

Hearing this, Wang Xiaoqiang's face turned red, and he thought to himself: Oh no, did Xu Xiaoya tell my sister-in-law about my embarrassing situation? If that's true, how can I face her in the future?

Hearing what their daughter-in-law said, the two elders of the Wang family were shocked and stared at their younger son with surprise and concern. Before the father could speak, the mother asked, "Xiaoqiang, what's wrong with you? Where are you feeling unwell?"

"You child, why didn't you say anything about being sick!" the father scolded.

Seeing that the whole family was concerned about him, Wang Xiaoqiang felt even more awkward. He lowered his head, opened his mouth, but didn't mention the mysterious object in his body, mainly to avoid worrying his parents.

"Why don't you say anything, child..." the father said, a bit angry.

"I, I just feel a bit of stomachache..." Wang Xiaoqiang said evasively, "Maybe it's the worms causing trouble..."

"Is that true? Don't lie to your mother!" the mother said.

A mother knows her child best. Seeing her son's unnatural expression, she immediately guessed that he was lying.

"Doctor Xu said that Xiaoqiang has something in his stomach..." Liu Juyi added.

"Ah, something, what kind of thing?" the mother asked, her voice trembling. At her age, most people were illiterate, and in their minds, having something in the stomach meant having a tumor, which they associated with cancer.

Hearing his mother's panic, Wang Xiaoqiang felt guilty. The main reason he hadn't told his parents and had secretly gone to the village health station was to avoid worrying them.

Just as Wang Xiaoqiang felt extremely guilty, Liu Juyi said, "Why don't we take Xiaoqiang to the big hospital in the city for a check-up tomorrow..."

Before Liu Juyi finished, Wang Xiaoqiang shook his head, "No need, no need. It's just a stomachache, no need for a check-up..."

"No, you must get a check-up. Your sister-in-law will take you tomorrow..." the father said firmly.

Although the father was old, he was still the head of the family, and his words carried weight. Moreover, he had a stubborn personality that never changed, and once he made a decision, no one could change it.

But Wang Xiaoqiang was very firm, "I won't go."

If it had been earlier, Wang Xiaoqiang might have agreed to go to the big hospital for an X-ray, but now, even if he wanted to, he didn't dare. If the mysterious "object" in his body was indeed the "Five Elements Spirit Spring," and it was discovered, he would not only become a freak but might also be forcibly taken for dissection.

Thinking about this, he shivered despite the hot weather, then put down his chopsticks and tried to slip away.

However, just as Wang Xiaoqiang stood up, his father's temper flared, and he shouted, "Stand still!" Then he suddenly stood up, but because of the sudden movement, his leg, which was already partially disabled from the car accident, twisted again, and he collapsed to the ground.

"Father!!"

Wang Xiaoqiang, who was about to slip away, felt his heart race. He immediately stopped, grabbed his father, and helped him sit on a stool.

The old man's face was pale from pain, and large beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. However, he gritted his teeth and didn't make a sound.

Wang Xiaoqiang felt extremely guilty. His father's fiery temper was well-known, and he was only concerned about his health. His anger was natural, and it was all his fault for being rash.

Wang Xiaoqiang looked at his father with guilt and examined his leg. He saw that his father's ankle was red and swollen. He couldn't help but reach out to rub his father's leg to ease the pain.

Just as his fingers touched the red and swollen area on his father's ankle, he felt the mysterious "object" in his body quickly move from his heart to his right arm, then down to his right hand.

Then, something amazing happened.