Who Stole My Eggs?

However, Xie Zuo was a little curious. This was the first time he saw someone about to die of illness, so he squatted in front of Lu Laosan and observed him.

Shi Yuan also came over, observed for a while, and frowned, “I don’t think he has a normal disease. It seems more like he’s been sucked dry of blood by a demon and is on the brink of exhaustion.”

Hearing this, Lu Laosan tried his best to nod and make an “ahhh” sound.

“He doesn’t have much flesh on his body. What kind of demon would like him?” Xie Zuo said with disdain.

Shi Yuan rolled his eyes at him, “Not all demons are picky eaters. Is there something wrong with that pretty widow? She seems to have had several husbands die.”

Lu Laosan had fear in his eyes and began to nod again.

Shi Yuan pointed his palm down, directed at Lu Laosan’s heart, and shouted: “Broken!”

A lotus-shaped seal hit Lu Laosan, and his whole body twitched violently. Then, black evil energy gathered from his limbs. When it reached the heart, it transformed into a ferocious face, coming out and being swallowed by the seal.

“Sure enough, he has been eroded by the evil spirit.” Shi Yuan exclaimed, “Huo Er, come and see!”

Xie Zuo touched his chin, finding the little monk quite intriguing.

Huo Yao came over, not even glancing at Lu Laosan, “He was deceived by demons due to his evil intentions and weak will. He brought this upon himself.”

Shi Yuan glanced sideways, “Are you talking about Lu Laosan or yourself?”

Huo Yao fell silent.

Xie Zuo didn’t quite understand what Huo Yao intended. He initially thought he was going to save Lu Laosan, but when someone came, Huo Yao seemed indifferent, as if he were waiting for something.

Shi Yuan held his chin, looking at Lu Laosan with concern. “His energy has been sucked dry, and even demonic energy can’t save him. Poor Lu Xiaopang, he really has no father now.”

Xie Zuo remarked, “Didn’t he abandon his wife and son a long time ago? It’s the same whether Lu Xiaopang has a father or not.”

“You don’t understand,” Shi Yuan sighed, “Lu Laosan loved Lu Xiaopang very much back then. After he left, Lu Xiaopang often missed him. Well, it’s a mix of love and hate. Anyway, Lu Xiaopang definitely doesn’t want Lu Laosan to die.”

Xie Zuo pondered these words, realizing that human emotions were truly complicated. When he looked up, he saw Lu Xiaopang poking around.

“What are you doing? Why don’t you come in?” Xie Zuo asked.

Lu Xiaopang, with a red nose from crying, hesitated. He stuck his head out for a while, then retracted it.

After dilly-dallying for a bit, Lu Xiaopang entered the courtyard with his hands behind his back. He walked slowly to Huo Yao and asked, “Uncle Huo, can my father be saved?”

“Do you want him to live?”

“Well…” Tears welled up in Lu Xiaopang’s eyes again, “I’m quite angry that he doesn’t want us anymore. But… he loved me a lot before. My mother and I certainly don’t want him to die so early. Uncle Huo, can he be saved?”

Lu Xiaopang stretched out his hand in front of Huo Yao, presenting the Beiyuan Snow Lotus.

“It can be saved,” Huo Yao said, “Are you sure you want to use it and not buy a bigger house for your mother?”

Lu Xiaopang’s fat face wrinkled, “You must not let my mother know, otherwise she will beat me to death! I will work hard to make money and change it for her later.”

“Okay,” Huo Yao accepted the snow lotus. “Come with me, and I will teach you how to cook snow lotus.”

“Yeah!”

Lu Xiaopang jumped up and followed Huo Yao into the kitchen.

Xie Zuo observed Lu Xiaopang and noticed a circle of white light appearing on his body. “What is that?”

Shi Yuan sighed, “That is the light of merit. Lu Xiaopang is young, but he is kind-hearted and generous. He knows how to repay kindness and not too entangled in past resentments. I am ashamed of myself for not having such a big heart… This child has a future!”

.

Beiyuan Snow Lotus lived up to its name of ‘Yang-returning grass’. After drinking a bowl of Snow Lotus soup, Lu Laosan’s life was saved.

He spent seven days recuperating at Huo Yao’s place. During these seven days, Lu Xiaopang secretly visited him every day.

Xie Zuo felt that Aunt Lu knew about Lu Xiaopang’s treatment of Lu Laosan. She quietly put out more sesame seeds than before.

Seven days later, Lu Laosan recovered. After this incident, he completely repented, sincerely confessed, and apologized to Aunt Lu. He was forgiven by both Aunt Lu and Lu Xiaopang. Subsequently, he left the village with other villagers seeking work opportunities.

Aunt Lu’s heart knot was relieved, and she no longer scolded and hit her son all day long. She returned to her former cheerful self and even began to go on blind dates, preparing to find a second spring in her life.

Huo Yao wrote a letter of recommendation for Lu Xiaopang, enabling him to attend the best private school in the city with waived tuition fees. This made Aunt Lu excitedly kowtow to him several times.

Xie Zuo heard the private school was opened by Emperor Wenchang’s attendant, making it extraordinary. Lu Xiaopang could learn both literature and martial arts, ensuring a prosperous official career.

That evening, the sky was adorned with a sunset. Xie Zuo leaned on the door frame to admire it when Huo Yao approached.

Xie Zuo glanced at him; his eyes still fixed on the gorgeous sunset.

During these days, they had been getting along without disturbing each other.

“I’m sorry, I misunderstood you before,” Huo Yao said in a deep voice.

Xie Zuo’s heart felt like a newborn bird suddenly fluttering its wings and becoming full. He turned to look at Huo Yao, “I forgive you, Great Thunder Deity.”