---
Wei Jun waved a hand. "No need to rush. The good ones last a lifetime; it's worth waiting for."
Liu De smiled, a touch of relief in his voice.
"Th–That's true. Wei Jun's bow's been with him since before we got married."
Han Yan glanced at it, noting the polished wood and the careful repairs along the limbs.
"Really. It shows," he murmured.
Wei Jun chuckled quietly.
"Then I'll make sure Old Guo sets one aside for you later."
Han Yan stood and adjusted the bamboo basket in his hand.
"Thank you, Wei Jun. I'll definitely return these in the afternoon."
Wei Jun nodded, his expression thoughtful, as if weighing his words before speaking.
"You should be careful out there. Yesterday, I spotted some tracks I didn't recognize larger than anything I've seen before and it's definitely not the kind that should be seen anywhere near the village mountain."
He paused, frowning slightly. "I'll inform the village chief to gather a few men later to check the area, just in case."
Han Yan nodded seriously.
"I'll make sure I keep to the edge of the forest."
He turned toward the doorway ready to leave, Liu De hesitated before speaking again.
"Ah… Han Yan," he called softly.
When Han Yan looked back, the ger smiled faintly, his voice quiet but sincere.
"I… I'm glad you came to us. I was getting worried we couldn't keep our promise. And… thank you again, truly."
Han Yan's gaze softened.
"Then I guess we are even."
Liu De's cheeks flushed slightly, but he laughed quietly.
"M–Maybe so. Still, I hope you bring something good back."
Han Yan gave a small nod.
"If I do, I'll make sure to share a portion."
Wei Jun chuckled, saying jokingly "I'll hold you to that."
Han Yan paused for a moment, then said with a small smile.
"When Wei Fan's feeling better, you can bring him over sometime. Our little Dong Hai's around his age they could play together. Xin'er doesn't talk much with others, but he's gentle. He'd be glad for the company."
Liu De blinked, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before a faint blush colored his cheeks.
"Ah… I remember him," he said softly, voice carrying that small, shy tremor of his. "That sounds nice. I–If I have the chance, I'll stop by with Ah-Fan."
Han Yan's lips curved faintly, his tone light but warm.
"He'd like that."
Wei Jun's gaze shifted between them, understanding quietly dawning as he caught Han Yan's meaning. "It's rare for Ah-Fan to have someone his age to play with. I'll definitely let De'er and Ah-Fan visit."
With that, Han Yan stepped outside.
The bamboo basket hung lightly from one hand, the bow resting against his shoulder.
The afternoon wind brushed through the trees, carrying the faint scent of firewood.
The day stretched quietly ahead and somewhere in the woods, something was waiting for him.
Liu De lingered at the doorway, his slender frame outlined by the warm light within.
Loose strands of hair brushed his cheeks as he watched Han Yan's figure fade beyond the fence.
He stood quietly for a while before speaking.
"Jun-ge… Han Yan seems… different."
Wei Jun looked up from the table.
"Different how?"
Liu De hesitated, fingers twisting lightly at his sleeve.
"Before… he barely spoke. Always kept his head down. Whenever Madam Wei scolded him, he just stood there and took it."
He paused, brow furrowing slightly.
"But when he helped me yesterday, he… he seemed different somehow. For a moment, I almost didn't recognize him."
Wei Jun sighed thoughtfully.
"Maybe something in him changed when he decided to separate from the Han household. Some people only breathe freely after they walk away."
Liu De nodded slightly.
"Mn…"
Wei Jun chuckled lowly, resting a hand on his shoulder.
"Come on, De'er. Ah-Fan's waiting for us."
"Ah... r-right," Liu De said quickly, glancing once more outside before stepping back into the soft warmth of their home.
---
Han Yan adjusted the weight of the large bamboo basket on his back and shifted the bow resting against his shoulder.
He took a slow breath, letting the mountain air fill his lungs crisp, damp, and tinged with the faint scent of pine.
Mist hung low, coiling around the roots of towering trees like strands of silver thread as he stepped onto the narrow mountain trail.
The path was uneven, littered with fallen leaves and the faint scent of damp earth.
Wei Jun's warning echoed in his mind.
Though at that time, he'd only nodded in agreement, pretending to take the warning to heart. But in fact, the thought of turning back never crossed his mind.
The moment Wei Jun mentioned the strange tracks, a spark of curiosity and something close to excitement had already taken root in him.
If the beast was truly that large, it might be a wild bear or one of the deep forest beasts hunters whispered about in low voices when trading their catches in the more prosperous villages in the countryside.
From the original body's memories, Han Yan knew what such a find was worth, even if it was very dangerous.
A bear's pelt in good condition could fetch ninety or even a hundred taels of silver more if it was thick with winter fur and free of scars.
Its gallbladder was coveted by medicine sellers, while the claws and teeth were prized by craftsmen who carved charms and ornaments from them.
Even the bones could be sold for a few extra coins. It was the kind of hunt that could change a man's fortune overnight.
With that much money, Han Yan could more than double the ten taels of silver already kept away in his room. Silver like that meant comfort and the freedom to get whatever he needed without counting every copper coin or wearing the same patched coat through another winter.
The path narrowed as he climbed higher, the air growing cooler and the sounds of the village fading behind him. Sunlight streamed through the thick canopy, spilling in golden ribbons that danced across the mossy ground.
The trees there were ancient tall and broad, with bark dark as old iron and leaves that shimmered like jade when the light caught them. Birds flitted between branches, their calls echoing softly through the still air.
A gentle rustle drew his attention.
Off the path, half-hidden among wild shrubs, hung clusters of small red berries shanmei, mountain strawberries.
Their color glowed vividly against the green.
Han Yan crouched down and studied them, the corners of his mouth curving slightly. Strawberries, he thought. Though these look smaller than the ones he knew from the modern world.
He plucked them carefully, mindful not to let the juice touch his fingers. A little farther on, he spotted yangtao hanging from a crooked branch star-shaped fruits, pale yellow with faint ridges.
He remembered seeing them too, though the scent here was richer, more fragrant, almost like honey. Beyond that, near a cluster of rocks, grew several baili guo pear-fruits with smooth ivory skins that glistened faintly in the light.
Han Yan placed them neatly into his bamboo basket, arranging them as if afraid they might bruise.
The higher he climbed, the quieter the forest became. Maple trees began to appear among the old growth, their broad leaves glowing a warm green under the sunlight.
When the breeze passed through, the branches swayed lightly, and the leaves rustled together in a soft, pleasant sound.
The air carried the faint scent of sap and earth, fresh and clean.
It was a simple kind of quiet the kind that belonged to the mountains, unbothered and endless.
He moved on knowing somewhere in this vast mountain, the original Han Yan had stumbled upon a small patch of white flowers a hush of brightness amid the green, as sunlight poured over the petals and bees wandered through the warm air in slow, drowsy loops.
---