Xiao Man flipped through the six volumes of Sun’s Medical Books that Mr. Sun had "lent" her, only to discover that the last one was actually a manual for "Sun-style Tai Chi."

Sun-style Tai Chi consisted of thirty-six forms, and with its textual explanations and illustrations, it was only forty pages long.

Mr. Sun had specifically lifted the restriction that "permission from the Family Head is required for use." ’So, by giving me this "Sun-style Tai Chi" manual, does he also mean I’m free to learn and use it as I please?’

Xiao Man thought Mr. Sun was a truly magical old man. ’Does he have X-ray vision or something? How else could he see my prodigious potential and know I could teach myself!’

Having practiced the most complete, ancient version of the "Five Animals Qigong" passed down by the thousand-year-old snake, this "Sun-style Tai Chi" didn’t seem difficult at all. Still, it was worthy of its centuries-long heritage; the techniques were quite profound. Once mastered, it could strengthen her body and bones, and fending off a few petty thieves would be no problem. Xiao Man mentally rehearsed the forms twice. She decided that once she perfected them, she would teach Grandpa and Grandma. They could wave their arms around for fun when they had nothing else to do. In her previous life, middle-aged and elderly people loved to do square dancing for exercise. Practicing Tai Chi Boxing was a much classier alternative, and it gave off an air of mystique.

On the way to Uncle Man Cang’s house with Grandpa to deliver a gift, Xiao Man told him about it. Grandpa knew of Tai Chi Boxing and didn’t object to her practicing it, figuring it was just a child’s passing fancy. When he heard Xiao Man wanted to teach him and his "old woman" a few moves, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Still, he didn’t want to discourage her, so he just nodded and agreed.

"Alright! Alright! Once Xiao Man learns it and gets good, you can teach Grandpa and Grandma. We’ll be waiting to call you our little master!"

Uncle Man Cang’s house was closer than the riverbank. Standing at his front gate, you could see the crown of the old maple tree by the river.

After it was struck by lightning, Xiao Man had been running over to water the old maple with spiritual spring water every few days. She usually went at the crack of dawn, before Grandma was up. She would sneak out for a bit and be back in time to catch a little more sleep.

Now, standing at Man Cang’s gate and gazing at the old maple, which was gradually regaining its vitality, Xiao Man broke into a knowing smile.

Man Cang’s yard was enclosed by a wall that was half thorny brambles and half rammed earth. The gate reminded Xiao Man of a line from an old poem: "Gently I knock on the wicker gate, yet long there is no reply." It truly was a gate made of firewood. Straight, thumb-thick, and resilient branches were chosen, fitted into a frame, and tightly woven together to form two panels. A small canopy covered in thick thatch sat atop the closed gate. To the average person, such a wall and gate would look dilapidated and poor, but the literary youths of old had managed to wring a poetic and picturesque quality out of it.

Grandpa called out "Man Cang" twice from outside the gate. A DONG DONG DONG of footsteps sounded from within, and Man Cang himself ran to open it. His hands were still covered in mud. Seeing Grandpa, the burly man’s face filled with respect. "Uncle, what brings you here? If you needed something, you could have just had Xiao Man come get me. No need for an old man like you to make such a long trip!" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"What’s a short walk like this? I walk to and from the valley reservoir every day and don’t find it far at all," Grandpa said with a chuckle as he stepped into the yard.

Xiao Man, carrying the small back basket Grandpa had just woven for her, walked over and called out, "Uncle Man Cang!"

Liang Man Cang cracked a grin at Xiao Man, which was his version of a smile. "Xiao Man, haven’t seen you by the river lately. You scared now? It’s good to be scared. You girl, you’re just recklessly bold!"

Xiao Man giggled. "I’m not scared. I live with Grandpa and Grandma now, and we don’t have pigs or chickens yet, so I don’t need to dig for pig feed. We have a well at home, so I don’t have to go to the river to do laundry either."

"Oh, is that so? That’s good, very good."

As he spoke, Liang Man Cang washed his hands in a wooden basin filled with water. He pulled over a bamboo chair for Grandpa to sit on. Then, he walked under the eaves and rummaged inside a hole in the wall, pulling out a small plastic bag. Inside was half a bag of dry tobacco and a stack of square paper slips cut from a student’s notebook. Man Cang squatted next to Grandpa, took a slip of paper, and rolled a cigarette, handing it to him first. Then he rolled another for himself, stuck it in his mouth, struck a match, and lit both their cigarettes.

Xiao Man watched from the side, trying not to laugh, but Man Cang shooed her away. "They’re all working in the backyard. Go find Xiu and play!"

Grandpa also said, "Go on, go play for a bit. We adults need to talk."

Xiao Man set down her basket and ran into the house. She had to cross the main hall and go out the back door to reach the backyard.

In her past life, after Uncle Man Cang had saved her from the river, Xiao Man had also visited his home. However, it wasn’t Liu Fengying and Mo Guoqiang who brought her to thank him. She had come on her own out of gratitude. She would stop by to see them whenever she was passing through to gather pig feed or work in the fields. She would chat with Liang Xiuzhen and Liang Xiuzhu and help with small chores, like carrying a few buckets of water. When the two sisters helped Aunt Liang wash her hair or bathe, she would lend a hand.

Uncle Man Cang’s wife, Aunt Liang, had become paralyzed and bedridden after giving birth to their youngest child. That was five or six years ago.

In her past life, Aunt Liang passed away when Xiao Man was thirteen or fourteen. Uncle Man Cang never remarried. He toiled away, farming and working side jobs, all by himself. He earned money to pay off debts, support his elders, and send his children to school. All four of his children were gifted students. His eldest son, Liang Xiuming, and second son, Liang Xiuyong, both got into university. His two daughters were admitted to a teachers’ college and a finance school, respectively. But just when his children were finally able to repay him, he couldn’t enjoy it. He fell ill and died within a few days.

As Xiao Man crossed the main hall, she faintly heard a sigh from the east room. She stopped and called out, "Auntie, it’s me, Xiao Man."

Aunt Liang’s voice was weak and faint, but her words were polite, just as in her previous life. "Xiao Man, is... is that Guo Qiang’s Xiao Man? Ah, I’m sorry... This auntie can’t get up to greet you... I’m so sorry!"

"It’s okay, Auntie. I came with my Grandpa. The last time I fell in the river, it was Uncle Man Cang who saved me, so Grandpa came specially to thank him. You probably don’t know yet, do you, Auntie? I’m living with my Grandpa and Grandma now," Xiao Man said.

"I know. Your Uncle Man Cang told me. He said you were given to your Grandpa and Grandma and even moved into a new house. That’s wonderful! Your Grandpa is too kind. We’re all neighbors here. Anyone would have lent a hand. What’s there to thank him for?"

"No, no, we must. Auntie, Uncle Man Cang told me to go play with Xiu. They’re all working out back, so no one might be able to look after you. Auntie, are you thirsty? Why don’t I pour you a bowl of water? It’ll save Xiu a trip later."

"Oh, you child, you’re so thoughtful. Alright then, pour your auntie a drink of water before you go."

There wasn’t even a table in the room, only a single stool placed by the head of the bed. On it sat a bowl and a few small paper packets containing Aunt Liang’s medicine. Xiao Man squatted down and shook the thermos next to the stool. It was still half full. Shielding the thermos from Aunt Liang’s view with her body, she poured some spiritual spring water into it. Only then did she pour out a large bowlful and hand it to Aunt Liang to drink.

Aunt Liang was indeed thirsty. She drank it all in one go and sighed, "Thank you for your trouble. Go on now, go play with Xiu. It’s not good for you to stay in here for too long."

"Okay, then you get some rest, Auntie. I’m going now." Xiao Man took the bowl, placed it back on the stool, and then closed the door before heading to the backyard.