Today, he brought a live wild boar, its four hooves tied with ropes and its snout covered with a sack. He simply instructed the kitchen to prepare wild boar meat for the day and then sat under the shade of a tree, sipping pear juice. There were no large wild animals in the vicinity, so no one knew where this live boar had come from.
The boar was enormous, and the cook had no idea how to handle it. Slaughtering pigs was the job of professional butchers—who would kill an entire pig just for a piece of meat, let alone a wild boar?
Seeing the servants gathered around the boar, pointing and whispering but making no move to act, Qibiao stood up from the shade. He ordered the cook to bring out a large basin, drew a short dagger from his boot, and was about to stab the boar in the neck when he caught sight of a small figure emerging from behind a curtain. He immediately tucked the dagger into his sleeve and called out, “Qi Shi.”
“Here. What are your orders, Young Master Qi?”
Though Qi Shi was now an ordinary servant of the Lin family, she still couldn’t shake old habits, often lingering in unseen corners when idle. Old Lady Liu disapproved of this behavior, and Qi Shi herself knew it was improper. However, Lin Fang understood and stopped Liu from scolding her, allowing Qi Shi to adapt gradually.
Since she was now a servant of the Lin family, she had to address her former master with his surname—a rule Qibiao himself had set.
When Qi Shi appeared, Qibiao instructed, “Take the boar to the riverbank to slaughter it. Remember to keep the blood.”
Qi Shi clasped her fists in salute but suddenly realized her mistake. She awkwardly switched to a curtsy, her movements stiff and unnatural, amusing Lin Fang, who said, “Qi Shi, you may use your usual greeting with Young Master Qi. No need to force a change.”
“Yes,” Qi Shi replied, relieved. She then asked, “Sixth Miss, Young Master Qi has ordered me to slaughter the boar.”
Lin Fang wasn’t surprised that a slender, petite woman like Qi Shi could handle a boar weighing hundreds of pounds. She nodded and added, “Go ahead. Remember to keep the offal and clean it thoroughly.”
Having only seen wild boars on TV before, Lin Fang was curious about the live one before her. Dragging her weak legs, she slowly stepped out for a closer look but quickly lost interest. After giving her orders, she turned to go back inside.
“Offal is filthy. Why keep it?” Qibiao asked.
Lin Fang turned back. Though no one else voiced agreement, their expressions mirrored the same question. Feeling too impatient to explain, Lin Fang simply said, “Just keep it,” and moved to enter the house.
Xian’er had already lifted the bamboo curtain when Lin Fang turned around again. “Bring flour and salt. For the harder-to-clean parts of the offal, scrub them several times with flour and salt.”
With that, she went inside, leaving the servants exchanging bewildered glances.
As the small figure disappeared behind the bamboo curtain, Qibiao stared intently at the swaying strands until they stilled. Only then did he turn away. Qi Shi had already carried the boar out of the courtyard, while the other servants hurried to the kitchen to gather tools before heading to the riverbank.
Qibiao took a few steps to follow but hadn’t even reached the gate when Lin Wu entered the courtyard, a backpack slung over his shoulder and clutched tightly to his chest. Spotting Qibiao, his face lit up. “Yi-ge! I was just looking for you. Could you do me a favor?”
In her previous life, Lin Fang’s family had been poor when she was young, only buying meat—and cheap offal at that—during festivals. Later, as their circumstances improved, meat became a daily staple, but Lin Fang developed a peculiar fondness for organ meats, loving their chewy texture. She’d often wheedle her family into buying offal, and they indulged her.
In fact, as their fortunes rose and societal trends shifted, some offal became pricier than meat itself. But her family spoiled her, never minding the cost.
Once, during a hospital stay for heart trouble, a blood test revealed alarmingly high cholesterol. Her attending physician, who’d treated her before, scolded, “If you want an early death, keep eating offal.” Only then did her family learn that organ meats, rich in cholesterol, couldn’t be consumed freely.
After that, no matter how Lin Fang begged, pouted, or threw tantrums, her family refused to buy offal. Even during festivals, when local customs dictated small purchases, they strictly rationed her portions, leaving her perpetually unsatisfied.
In college, her second brother moved to her university’s city to look after her. Occasionally, she’d sneak off to the cafeteria for a plate of offal, guilt gnawing at her each time but never enough to curb her cravings.
After graduation, while working at a hospital, she read medical books in her spare time and finally understood cholesterol’s role—and the dangers of excess.
Cholesterol is vital to human health.
First, it’s an essential component of cell membranes, crucial for permeability, nerve insulation, and protecting cells from toxins.
Second, the immune system relies on cholesterol to perform its three key functions: defense against infection, self-regulation, and immune surveillance.
Third, cholesterol is the foundation for steroid hormones, which govern physiological activity, electrolyte balance, and reproduction. A lack of cholesterol would impair healthy development.
There’s “bad” cholesterol (LDL, low-density lipoprotein) and “good” cholesterol (HDL, high-density lipoprotein). LDL makes up about two-thirds of total cholesterol. While the body needs some LDL, excess can infiltrate artery walls, forming plaques that block blood flow, leading to coronary disease, strokes, or sudden death from ruptured plaques. HDL, about one-third of total cholesterol, transports excess cholesterol from arteries back to the liver. Another blood lipid, triglycerides, can elevate LDL levels, acting as its accomplice. High cholesterol typically refers to elevated total cholesterol or triglycerides.
Lin Fang strained to recall more, but her memories blurred—perhaps later years held nothing worth remembering, or time had simply eroded them.
In this world, she hadn’t yet tasted offal. She’d once subtly asked Old Lady Liu why they never ate things like pork liver. Liu replied that such fare was considered filthy, its dishes foul-smelling and unpalatable—only the desperately poor would buy it.
Lin Fang knew the stench came from improper preparation and overly simple seasoning. Though she knew how to fix it, appearing as a child, she didn’t want to attract undue attention by performing culinary miracles.
Now, with a live wild boar before her, letting this chance slip would haunt her sleepless nights. An occasional meal of offal, not consumed in excess, posed little harm and could even supplement essential nutrients.
As for Qibiao, hearing Lin Wu’s request, he remained silent, waiting for the boy to continue.
Lin Wu carefully placed the bundle on the stone table, then gently removed his backpack, sighing in relief. “Second Brother wanted to take the family’s *Year of Joy* painting as a clay figurine when he left but couldn’t manage it. I’ve made one these past few days. Once it dries by term start, I’ll paint it. Could you have someone deliver it to him?”
Qibiao glanced at the backpack Lin Wu treated so preciously, his eyes questioning.
Lin Wu chuckled. “The *Year of Joy* was painted by Fourth Aunt Guo. Little Sister named it, and Mother put it away—I don’t know where.”
As he spoke, Lin Wu retrieved a small parcel from his backpack, setting it on the table before unwrapping it to reveal a heartwarming family scene.
A small courtyard, houses on three sides and a gate on the fourth. At its center, three children tumbled together.
The eldest boy lay on his back, a mischievous grin on his face, while a girl with countless tiny braids sprawled atop him, her head resting on his chest as she laughed at another boy beside them. The smaller boy, seemingly tripped unexpectedly, faced the eldest, mouth open in protest.
Before the main house, a middle-aged couple stood. The man had one arm around the woman’s shoulders, the other pointing at the children as he laughed uproariously. The woman reached forward as if to scoop up a child, her face alight with amusement.
A closer look revealed the five figures were none other than Dalang’s family.
Qibiao bent for a better view, but Lin Wu covered the figurine with the cloth. “Yi-ge, it can’t dry in direct sun or it’ll crack. I’ll take it inside to dry slowly.”
Though his room was just steps away, Lin Wu meticulously repacked the figurine, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and cradled the bundle as he headed inside. His room, the best-ventilated, housed a large cabinet specifically for drying sun-sensitive items.
Repeating the unpacking ritual, he gently placed the figurine on a shelf in the small kiln, finally at ease. Until it dried completely, he’d rotate it periodically for even curing.
Deprived of a proper look, Qibiao felt an odd emptiness. After a moment, he turned toward the riverbank but found himself restless. Instead, he wandered down the brick path leading to the village school where Lin Fang taught.
After summer break began, Lin Fang had assigned Old Lady Lan to tend Lin Cuiping’s courtyard, cleaning daily in case of guests. The rest of Lan’s time was spent assisting Lin Fang’s parents with clerical tasks. Still, Lan insisted on visiting the school daily, tidying it inside and out as if classes were in session.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage