Chapter 21: Life Is Going Just Fine

Lin Yu swung his axe repeatedly, each strike landing with a dull thud as wood shavings gradually piled up around his feet. Fine beads of sweat broke out on his forehead, trickling down his cheeks to soak into the parched earth.

Felling a tree is a technical craft, far more complex than it appears. For instance, Lin Yu first used his axe to carve a notch into one side of the trunk; this was to ensure the tree would fall in the intended direction once cut. The direction of the fall had been carefully calculated—it could not crash into the nearby fields, nor could it block the path, and it had to be positioned for convenient transportation. All of this required experience.

Uncle Zhao watched Lin Yu from the sidelines, nodding in approval from time to time. "This boy may look lean, but he’s got strength and grit." With that, he picked up a saw and, alongside Uncle Li, prepared to begin the cross-cutting work near the notch Lin Yu had carved.

Uncle Li and Uncle Zhao stood on opposite sides of the trunk, gripping the ends of the saw firmly, and began a rhythmic motion. The "creak-creak" of the saw echoed across the quiet hillside, sounding like an ancient work chant. Their movements were perfectly synchronized; their bodies swayed in time with the saw, muscles taut, displaying the seasoned skill born of years of labor.

Their motions were fluid and rhythmic, each pull perfectly timed. The saw bit steadily into the trunk, emitting a faint, rhythmic rasp. As the cut deepened, wood shavings fell like fine snow. Beads of sweat began to bead on Uncle Li's forehead; he gritted his teeth, his arm muscles trembling slightly from the strain, yet the saw remained steady. Uncle Zhao was under similar pressure, his eyes fixed intently on the cut, his breathing becoming heavy as he poured all his strength into every stroke.

When the cut reached about a third of the trunk's diameter, a faint, intermittent "crackling" sound emerged from within. Uncle Li stopped immediately and looked up to observe the canopy, while Uncle Zhao tensed, his eyes locked on the tree without blinking. After a moment, confirming there was no immediate danger, they carefully resumed their work, though at a significantly slower pace.

Wang Yufen and Lin Yao stood a short distance away, watching the men intently. They were filled with both anticipation for securing the timber and anxiety for everyone’s safety. Wang Yufen’s hands were clasped tightly together, her lips trembling as if she wanted to say something but held it back. Lin Yao watched the adults work with wide, curious eyes, occasionally whispering questions to her mother about the tree-felling process.

As the saw bit deeper into the trunk, the great poplar seemed to sense its impending fate, its branches swaying gently in the breeze as if making a final struggle.

"Give it a little more!" Uncle Li shouted. "The tree is about to fall!"

Hearing this, Lin Yu quickly grabbed his axe and retreated to a safe area, standing with his mother and sister, his eyes fixed on the poplar, ready to respond to any eventuality. Uncle Zhao and Uncle Li pulled the saw with renewed intensity, their faces set in grim concentration, sweat soaking through their shirts until the fabric clung to their backs.

Finally, with a dull, thunderous crash, the first poplar swayed and fell in the predetermined direction, kicking up a cloud of dust. Everyone let out a sigh of relief, wearing expressions of satisfaction.

After a brief rest, they moved on to the second poplar without delay and began their work anew.

Two hours later, both trees had been felled, sawed into logs, and loaded onto the donkey cart. The cart was small, and once both trees were loaded, Wang Yufen and Lin Yao had no choice but to sit atop the logs.

***

Lin Yu calculated the total and, after paying, prepared to depart.

"Yufen, watch yourself on the way back. I don't know if we’ll ever see each other again after this," Aunt Wang said, her voice choking with emotion as she held Wang Yufen’s hand.

"Third Sister, don't say that. It’s not actually that far; I’ll come back when I have time. After all, I still have one left here." At this, a look of helplessness and sorrow crossed Wang Yufen’s face. She had originally intended to visit her son, but after Lin Yu’s confrontation with Yang Shulin at the poplar grove, she dared not go.

"Don't worry, I’ll help look after your son," Aunt Wang comforted her. "He’s the only boy in that family; his grandparents dote on him. You don’t need to worry."

Only then did Wang Yufen’s expression soften.

After their farewells, they boarded the cart. Just as Lin Yu was about to crack the whip to drive the donkey forward, he saw Yang Shulin approaching. By now, the man had largely sobered up, and from a distance, he began to curse loudly: "You wretched woman! Why aren't you home working? What are you doing here? And you, you little brat, you dare to lay a hand on me? Just wait, I’ll beat you to death shortly!"

His face was flushed a deep red, the veins in his neck bulging. Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, accompanied by a spray of spittle. His savage appearance was like a beast, provoked and baring its claws as it lunged toward its prey.

Seeing this, Lin Yao shrank into Wang Yufen’s arms in terror. Lin Yu cracked the whip sharply, striking the donkey. The animal, feeling the pain, immediately surged forward, pulling the cart with it.

Seeing the cart pulling away, a desperate Yang Shulin tried to scramble onto the back to teach the mother and children a lesson. He climbed clumsily, his body swaying, nearly slipping several times.

Just as one of his legs hooked over the edge of the cart, Lin Yu’s gaze turned icy. Like an enraged leopard, he raised his whip with lightning speed. With a sharp "crack," the lash bit into Yang Shulin’s arm like a bolt of lightning. Yelling in pain, Yang Shulin recoiled, lost his balance, and tumbled off the cart, crashing heavily into the dirt.

Refusing to give up, he struggled to his feet, ignoring his bruises, and stumbled after the cart. But having just sobered up, his footing was unsteady, and the fall had left him dizzy; he could not pick up speed. Watching the cart grow smaller in the distance, he was purple with rage, veins pulsing on his forehead, his feet stomping the ground as he cursed, "You’ll starve out there sooner or later! You’ll be back begging me to take you in!"

Hearing the curses, Lin Yu replied, "Don't you worry about us; we’re doing just fine. Your mockery is as worthless as the weeds by the roadside. From now on, you walk your path, and we’ll walk ours. Don’t ever bother us again, or I won’t be as merciful as I was today."

Lin Yu’s voice was firm and powerful, his gaze filled with fearlessness and resolve, and he snapped his whip in the air, adding an intimidating weight to his words.

***

At this moment, Aunt Wang crossed her arms, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips. "Yang Shulin, stop your blathering. Yufen’s family is doing just fine. They aren't just eating their fill; they’re having white flour buns. They came back just to buy wood; it has nothing to do with you, so stop being so delusional."

Upon hearing this, Yang Shulin looked as if he had heard a fairy tale. His eyes widened, his mouth hung open, and his face was a mask of disbelief. "Eating white flour buns? Who are you trying to fool?"

"Hmph. Believe it or don't. They have the money to buy two trees—do you think they’re doing poorly?" Aunt Wang rolled her eyes and continued, "Look at you—lazy, good-for-nothing, notorious for ten miles around, plus you drink and beat your wife. What decent woman would ever marry you? You might as well get used to being a bachelor for the rest of your life!"

Aunt Wang walked away after speaking, leaving Yang Shulin standing there, red-faced and stunned.

The donkey cart traveled slowly along the rugged road. Lin Yu sat steadily on the shaft, the reins swaying gently with the donkey’s gait. His gaze was fixed firmly ahead, his posture upright, as if he could carry the weight of a peaceful sky even on this bumpy journey.

On the cart, Wang Yufen’s brows were tightly knit, her eyes full of worry. She folded her hands nervously, her lips trembling as she occasionally looked back to see if Yang Shulin was following, her heart still in a state of turmoil. "Xiaoyu, after that lash today, he certainly won't let this go. What are we going to do?"

Lin Yao, tucked in her mother’s arms, pouted, her small face flushed with indignation. "He deserved it! He always bullied Mom and hit Brother. He’s a big bad guy!" She waved her small fists, as if cheering for her brother’s heroic act.

Lin Yu turned slightly to look at his mother, his expression one of comfort. "Mom, don't worry. Our village is far from theirs; he won't be able to find us. Even if he does, do you think he’ll be allowed to run wild in our village? I’m grown up now. I have the ability to protect you and my sister; I won't let anyone bully us ever again."

His words were firm and powerful, serving as a reassurance to his mother.

Watching her son’s confident demeanor, the anxiety in Wang Yufen’s heart eased slightly. She sighed softly and reached out to stroke Lin Yao’s hair. "I hope so. I just hope we can live our lives in peace from now on."

Lin Yu gently flicked the reins to speed up the donkey, and the dust kicked up by the animal’s hooves swirled in their wake.