Fellow Daoist! That scoundrel has written a new book again.

Chapter 222 Zhu Wuyao

Zhu Wuyao returned to Biyi City.

She stood beside the academy in the city, looking around. Perhaps because her hometown had changed so much, she felt a little lost for a moment.

The old lady carrying tofu walked by recognized her.

Upon seeing Zhu Wuyao, he was filled with surprise, which quickly turned into a friendly smile.

"Oh! The eldest daughter of the Zhu family is back!"

"Your parents have been talking about you these past few days, and your sister is also saying that when she grows up she wants to be like you, travel around, and write a biography... Oh right, a travelogue!"

"How's your book coming along?"

Zhu Wuyao looked at the somewhat familiar-looking old woman in front of him and remembered that she was Granny Sun, who ran a dye shop.

She smiled and patted the bag behind her, saying:

"I've almost finished writing the travelogue. Now that I'm back in Biyi City, I want to find a bookstore to print it."

"Are my sister and the others home?"

Grandma Sun laughed heartily and said:

"It just so happens that a knife peddler has recently come and been wandering around our Biyi City for several days. Today, I'm going to your house."

A knife-selling man?

Zhu Wuyao certainly knows about this industry.

Based on her observations from her many years of travels, these so-called "knife-on-delivery" merchants would give her a divination while giving her a knife, and only after many years, when the divination came true, would they come to collect the money for the knife.

But there is another rumor that the knife seller was good at physiognomy.

If you see a place with good fortune, you can go there and buy knives on credit.

Although I don't know which version is true, it concerns my family, so I can't be careless.

She said immediately:

"Aunt Sun, my travelogue will be printed in a couple of days. I'll send you a copy. I have to go home now!"

After saying that, she slung her bag over her shoulder and ran towards home.

She could still faintly hear Aunt Sun's voice behind her, telling her to be careful not to fall.

But I wish you a long-awaited return home, even without an invitation.

Her younger sister was still waiting for her at home. She had been traveling for many years and had a lot of novelties in her luggage.

Oh right, and Mom and Dad too.

Mom and Dad...?

Zhu Wuyao suddenly stopped.

This instinctive, abrupt, and awkward form of address made her feel a little uncomfortable.

"Father, Mother, why did that older sister run here and suddenly stop?"

The young couple who were paying at the sugar painting stall glanced over at their child's innocent words.

They smiled, patted the child's head, and said gently:

"That girl has probably been away from home for too long and has forgotten how to get back."

"Oh... I have a bad memory too. So when I grow up, I'll stay here forever and never go out!"

These words not only amused the sugar painting stall owner, but also made the painting vendor next to him smile and glance over.

Zhu Wuyao's head was throbbing, as if he was struggling to wake up from the dream.

She suddenly looked up and surveyed her surroundings.

Is this the City of Wings?

No, this is a glimpse into the diverse lives of people in Lake Feidu!

Once this was realized, the confusion was instantly shattered.

So this is what life is like; this is what assimilation is all about...

Recalling the feeling of being assimilated, Zhu Wuyao felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

Zhu Wuyao walked forward a step and opened his bag.

I discovered there were actually several travelogues inside, and upon flipping through them—

Zhu Wuyao fell into an eerie silence.

No wonder Zilong said that the more alienated and less connected a person is to the world, the easier it is for them to remain clear-headed...

The Bermuda Triangle, crop circles, and now the Loch Ness Monster?!

Even if she doesn't come to her senses because of the different ways she addresses her parents, when she gets home and opens the travelogue in her luggage, she will definitely feel an extremely strong sense of incongruity.

To be honest, Zhu Wuyao is already feeling a strong sense of being pulled out of character.

She sighed.

I carefully put away the travelogue and the little trinkets I had packed for my sister.

Continue walking towards "home".

In both her lives, she had never called anyone "father" or "mother." This kind of complex and diverse character setting is just too hard to get used to.

Before I even opened the door, I could hear the knife seller spouting nonsense.

Zhu Wuyao's brow twitched; that familiar voice...

"Gentlemen, your daughters are currently in school and need this precious sword to strengthen their bodies!"

Then came two "swish" sounds.

It seemed to be a demonstration, showcasing that majestic and imposing sword.

Is this... selling knives on credit?!

"Yes!"

A man's voice rang out, seemingly very agreeable, as he asked his wife for her advice:

“Our Meng is old enough to learn martial arts, but it’s a bit of a problem if she does it for nothing…”

The woman's gentle voice rang out, and she said:

"Young lady, we have two daughters, and it wouldn't be right to favor one over the other. If you'd like to buy this knife, what's the price?"

"Huh...? When did you have two daughters?"

The woman seemed somewhat displeased.

"Miss Ye, you've inquired about quite a few things in the city these past few days. They say I only have one daughter?"

"Huh? No—"

Zhu Wuyao pushed open the door and entered, interrupting Ye Xiaozhou, saying:

"Father, Mother, I'm back."

Hearing that familiar voice, the three of them looked over at the same time.

"Ah Yao!" The woman's voice rang out in surprise. She rushed forward and embraced Zhu Wuyao tightly, saying:

"I missed you so much, Mom! You've lost so much weight! I've been so worried. I'm just glad you're safe and sound..."

Zhu Wuyao was somewhat taken aback.

After a long while, she came to her senses, somewhat awkwardly embraced the woman, and said:

"I am OK."

Her father, amidst the multitude of people, was also surprised and delighted, saying that he would go buy some meat to stew and have a family reunion dinner that night.

Zhu Wuyao felt a little uncomfortable; she felt uneasy all over, but she couldn't very well push the person away.

It was Ye Xiaozhou, who looked surprised, who came to her rescue.

"Hey, hey, hey, are you guys still buying or not?!"

The woman then remembered that there were other people present. Slightly embarrassed, she released Zhu Wuyao and said:

“My eldest daughter is back, so I’ll let her come and choose which one is suitable.”

Seeing Ye Xiaozhou looking this way, seemingly wondering if she had lost her memory.

Zhu Wuyao gave her a look.

The two successfully exchanged the secret code.

Pretending to choose a knife, Ye Xiaozhou put away the pile of things, stood up, and said:

"Alright, I'm off then. I heard that the Xulan Winery has some good wine. I'll have to go check it out tonight."

They quietly arranged a meeting place.

After Ye Xiaozhou left, Zhu Wuyao was taken to her room by her "parents".

Even after being away from her hometown for many years, her room remains clean and dust-free.

Seeing the woman about to boil water, Zhu Wuyao suddenly called out to her—

"Mother, why is my name Zhu Wuyao?"

The woman paused slightly, then said with a smile:

"I've been away from home for so long, how could I have forgotten all this?"

"You were sickly as a child, so we named you 'Wu Yao' (meaning 'no premature death'), hoping to keep you alive."

Zhu Wuyao lowered his head and smiled.

So, it turns out that here it's not "Zhu Wuyao" but "Zhu Wuyao"...

A difference of just one word can have completely different meanings.

What a wonderful wish...

May you live a long and healthy life.