Journey to the West: The Immortal Clan Begins by Feeding Monkeys at Five Elements Mountain

Chapter 32 The Fruit Thief

In the past two years, the Jiang family's life has indeed become increasingly smooth.

The crops in the field are growing well, with rolling green waves and ears of wheat so full they seem to bend the stalks.

The fruit trees on those few acres of land at the foot of the mountain are bearing more and more fruit each year, with peaches and plums vying for beauty and fragrance filling the branches.

The medicinal herbs gradually mature and become more valuable with age.

That was a pile of silver, the foundation of the Jiang family's livelihood.

My family members are also very healthy and rarely get sick.

Especially the youngest daughter, Jiang Xi, who has always had good genes, and has also benefited from a combination of medicinal diets and medicinal baths.

Having mastered the basics of martial arts early on, his every move now subtly carries the aura of a martial artist.

In another year or two, even her mother, Liu Xiulian, might not be a match for her.

As for the youngest son, Jiang Liang, he was doing very well in the county commandant's office.

That solid work ethic earned him a reputation among the wealthy young men who came from prominent families.

Right now, Jiang Yi's biggest worry is not the harvest in the fields, but the medicinal bath recipe used at home.

Five hundred coins for a dose. In the old days, when I used it, the heat would rush through my body and make me feel comfortable all over, and even walking would feel a little lighter.

But now that the whole family has become more skilled, the potency of the herbal medicine seems to have diminished.

Soaking in it is similar to taking a hot bath; at most, it can dispel cold and refresh you.

Breathing techniques and stance training are quite similar.

Now that I've mastered the basics of martial arts, have a firm stance, and can control my breathing, it's like hitting an invisible bottleneck, leaving me stuck and unable to move forward or backward.

Improving physical health goes without saying.

But to say it can "prolong life" is just wishful thinking.

With his current physique, if Jiang Yi were to hang a hunting knife and carry a bow and arrows, he might not be unable to defeat a bear if he encountered one on the mountain.

But when I think of the tragic scene I saw on the mountain that year, the momentum, the scene... I can't help but feel a little longing.

Jiang Yi is not a greedy person.

With a life like this, free from worries about food and clothing, with promising children and good health, they are the envy of their neighbors.

But that lingering thought in my heart is like the moon reflected in an old well—it doesn't shine on people, yet it stirs their hearts.

Before her thoughts could settle, her little daughter, Jiang Xi, had already run out the door.

Kids this age can't stay at home.

With its two chubby little legs frolicking, it headed straight for the foot of the back mountain, towards its own orchard.

They're probably just craving something sweet and want to see if any fruit has a red edge to satisfy their craving.

But as soon as they got close to the edge of the garden, they saw someone loitering outside the fence.

It was a thin, small boy, about the same age as her, whose eyes darted around as he peered inside.

Jiang Xi's possessive nature immediately flared up.

It's our own garden, our own fruit orchard; how can we allow outsiders to peek in?
So the little one pursed his lips, tightened his round face, puffed out his cheeks, and rushed over.

He muttered to himself as he ran, looking like he was about to confront someone.

The boy was clean; his clothes were faded from washing, but he dressed neatly.

With distinct features and a handsome frame, he doesn't look like a village kid at first glance.

He listened to the noise behind him, but seemed completely ignoring it.

He was still tiptoeing and peering intently into the orchard.

Jiang Xi got even angrier when she saw that he ignored her.

He immediately rushed forward, stretched out his little hand, and was about to push the "unyielding" boy away.

But once they started fighting, the young man proved to be no pushover.

Although he was thin, he was steady on his feet. With a slight shift in his body, he deftly dodged her and, with a quick push, neutralized her force.

The two of them took turns trying out different moves, and although there was no set pattern, they still managed to come and go in their own way.

You push me, I block you, you chase me, I retreat; in just a few moves, we've already exchanged seven or eight blows.

The irony is that, in this back-and-forth exchange, neither side could gain the upper hand.

You can't push me, and I can't stop you.

The two little children finally stopped and looked at each other, both with a hint of surprise in their eyes. They hadn't expected to find a rival hiding in this rural village.

The young man seemed unwilling to linger, so he turned to the side and moved nimbly to the edge of the garden.

Although his expression was stubborn, there was a hidden intention to avoid him.

Jiang Xi was still shouting behind him, her voice childish but her manner fierce, trying to stop him from getting any closer to the fruit tree.

The two stood there, bickering, when suddenly footsteps sounded behind them.

Two figures stepped into the foot of the mountain one after the other, dressed in plain clothes, with indifferent expressions and a serious demeanor.

Upon seeing this, the boy paused, a hint of annoyance flashing across his face. He then deflated and his spirits sank.

Before anyone could get close, he stepped back, met the two men, and the three of them turned and went down the mountain without saying a word.

Jiang Xi then stopped and stood by the garden with her hands on her hips.

After watching the figures of those people walk away, he turned his head and glanced at his own fruit trees.

I was relieved to see that the trees were healthy, the fruit was good, and nothing had been stolen.

She picked a few fruits that were still green, held them in her arms, and ate them as she walked. They were so sour that she frowned, but she still couldn't bear to throw them away.

Just then, there was a rustling of grass behind them, and their elder brother, Jiang Ming, emerged from the mountain path, his hands empty.

Jiang Xi blinked, pursed her lips, and a hint of slyness appeared on her face.

He took a fruit out of his pocket, patted its fuzzy skin, and handed it to his brother.

She blinked, her bright eyes staring intently at him.

Jiang Ming knew exactly what the little girl was thinking.

He didn't say anything, but his hands did the trick; he took the fruit and took a bite.

After only a couple of chews, his face scrunched up, and his eyebrows and eyes almost twisted together.

He muttered something under his breath, but his tone betrayed a hidden smile.

Jiang Xi laughed so hard she almost fell over, her little body trembling with joy.

The brother and sister playfully bickered as they slowly made their way home.

As evening approached, wisps of smoke rose from the kitchen, and the family gathered around the dinner table, enjoying a harmonious and joyful time.

Jiang Xi was sitting on a small stool, talking animatedly about how she recognized the thief in the orchard that day, how she stopped the thief, and how she scared the thief away.

He used both hands and feet, gesturing quite skillfully, and at the end, he didn't forget to add a sentence:
"He ran away in fright as soon as he saw me!"

Her round face flushed red, radiating smugness.

After hearing this, Jiang Yi simply smiled and offered no further comment.

In this tiny village, everyone is a familiar face. If a kid gets a craving and sneaks into the orchard to steal a fruit, no one will take it seriously.

Liu Xiulian, however, found it amusing. She reached out and placed a chicken leg on her daughter's plate, smiling as she said:
"Our Xixi is really amazing."

The next morning, as dawn broke, the village was already bustling with activity.

Chickens, ducks, cattle, and sheep all came out of their cages, clucking and quacking.

The villagers, yawning, led their livestock, carried pitchforks, and headed towards the back mountain as usual.

Chickens and ducks roam freely, and cattle and sheep frolic merrily as we pass through the orchard belonging to the Jiang family.

While nibbling on grass and digging in the ground, they leave some "fertilizer" in the soil.

Jiang Yi was quite happy to get this fertilizer for free.

The ground is compacted every day, but it needs to be loosened every three to five days.

But today, among this flock of chickens and ducks, there's one that doesn't belong to the animal category.

A boy, crouching low, moved with very light steps, his head bowed low, as if afraid of being recognized.

Just as he was about to sneak into the orchard, a shadow suddenly darted out in front of him.

Jiang Xi stood in the middle of the path with her hands on her hips, looking very serious.

With a snort, her childish voice carried a hint of smugness, as if to say, "Just as I thought."

"I knew it! You haven't completely given up on your wicked intentions!"

She pointed with her little hand, tilted her head back, and tried to imitate an adult scolding someone, but she couldn't quite get the point across:

"Still trying to muddy the waters... trying to sneak around and steal fruit!"

(End of this chapter)