Chapter 7: Make the Most of Training

Ning Ye held Ning Silang’s hand and said, “Uncle Silang, don’t worry. I was out hunting in the forest yesterday and only returned tonight after selling some of the game.”

Hearing this, Ning Silang grew even more concerned. He circled around Ning Ye a few times, making sure there were no injuries before finally relaxing.

“You’re so reckless, boy,” Ning Silang grumbled. “I never saw you this capable before. What if something happened? How would I explain it to our ancestors of the Ning family?”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Silang. If I didn’t have confidence, I wouldn’t be doing anything dangerous. Let’s stop standing at the village entrance—let’s go home first.”

Ning Silang seemed like he wanted to say more but ultimately held back. He understood that his boy had grown up; some things no longer needed to be said aloud.

As soon as they entered the house, Ning Ye opened the sack on his back. Inside were some slightly yellowed bags of flour, capturing Ning Silang’s full attention.

“You didn’t spend all your earnings just on flour, did you? You know that with that money, you could buy at least two big bags of corn?”

“Don’t worry, Uncle,” Ning Ye said. “I won this flour in a bet. It’s a big bag we won’t finish, so you can take half of it.”

Ning Silang waved his hand repeatedly. “No, no. With three mouths to feed, this bag of flour will only last about a month and a half. I can’t take your things.”

Ning Ye found a smaller sack and poured out half the flour, firmly pressing it into Ning Silang’s hands. “Uncle, our family doesn’t need to exchange formalities. I know well how you’ve cared for me all these years. This is just half a bag of flour.”

Sighing, Ning Silang said, “You’ve really grown up. Alright, I’ll accept half the flour.”

Ning Ye smiled. “That’s better. Uncle, you came to see me for something else, didn’t you?”

Ning Silang nodded. “Well, there’s a mining job over in Dongxiang that needs some men. I wasn’t sure if you wanted to come with me.”

Ning Ye was slightly taken aback. Dongxiang was over two hundred miles away, and it had a moderate-sized iron mine. He’d never heard of anyone recruiting from so far off before.

In the past, traveling far for a chance to earn money was no problem, but now Ning Ye felt that the opportunity was likely right at their doorstep. Going elsewhere seemed like needless effort.

He grabbed Ning Silang’s hand and said, “Uncle, if you trust me and wait a few more days, who knows—great fortune might be just around the corner.”

Ning Silang looked at him skeptically. “Did the county town issue some new notice or something?”

“Don’t worry about that, Uncle. In no more than three days, you’ll understand.”

Ning Ye spoke with such conviction that Ning Silang had no choice but to believe him. For his part, he didn’t want to travel so far anyway; there was family to care for.

They had hurried back early that morning without eating, so Ning Ye planned to stay and share a meal with Ning Silang.

But when it came time to cook, he realized no one else but himself knew how to prepare food.

Lin Qinshu stood shyly at the kitchen door. “Husband, give me some time. I promise I’ll learn to cook.”

Ning Ye laughed. “My fault—I forgot that a refined young lady like you, who’s never had to do housework, wouldn’t know how to cook. I’ll take care of it.”

“Are you serious? A real man shouldn’t be in the kitchen,” she teased.

Ning Ye gently flicked her delicate nose. “Not sarcasm. If those soft, fair hands get soiled, that would be a real tragedy.”

Lin Qinshu pouted lightly. “Husband, I’m not a child anymore!”

Ning Ye tenderly put a hand on her shoulder. “Here, you only need to do what you want. I won’t force you to do anything else. As long as you’re happy.”

With that, he gently nudged her out of the kitchen. It was clear he didn’t intend to let her do any cooking.

Lin Qinshu seemed dazed, as if still floating in the honeyed warmth of genuine affection. True feelings could be the most overwhelming of all.

Making noodles was effortless for Ning Ye. In no time, a steaming bowl was ready to serve.

When Ning Ye brought the noodles out, the once shabby house had been tidied up beautifully.

It was obvious that Xiao Qing and Xiao Yuan had done the cleaning, as they were quite skilled at such chores.

After the meal, Ning Ye went to exercise alone in the courtyard. Regaining strength required patience and consistent effort.

While Ning Ye was busy, Lin Qinshu and the others felt somewhat idle. The house was small and bare, leaving little to occupy them, even handicrafts seemed out of reach.

As for the silver coins Ning Ye had brought back, after his morning exercise he spent half on various meats.

For three days, they lived in eating, drinking, and training. When the third day arrived, Ning Ye prepared to head back to Qingyuan County.

The weakness in his body had completely vanished. Though full strength would take more time, he was already satisfied.

Originally, Ning Ye planned to go alone, but Lin Qinshu wanted to accompany him to buy some cloth in town, at least to have something to do.

Ning Ye wasn’t skilled with needlework, so early that morning they set out for the county.

Upon entering the city, a soldier guarding the gates greeted Ning Ye. Ning Ye recognized him as one of the personal guards who had accompanied Lin Changhe that day.

After a courteous nod, Ning Ye went straight into town. Compared to before, Qingyuan County was now bustling with many more people.

Death was terrifying, but starvation was even more so. Few could remain rational in the face of hunger.

Since the recruitment notice had been posted, those with no other options saw it as a blessing.

Ning Ye navigated through the throng at the county office, where the entrance was completely packed.

The recruitment was being handled by Xu Sanguan, who seemed overwhelmed and irritated by the crowd.

Rather than brave volunteers, it looked more like a mass of starving souls fleeing death.

Ning Ye wasn’t in a hurry. He turned to take Lin Qinshu to browse the tailor shops. In this situation, it was pointless to try speaking with anyone yet.

They picked a decent-looking tailor shop and stepped inside.

This caught the attention of Hu Erbiao, who had been utterly captivated by Lin Qinshu since their last encounter—his soul seemed completely ensnared.