Chapter 84: Return by Night

Returning to his own room, Xiao Weiguo lay on the bed, savoring the softness of the mattress, and let out a comfortable sigh. Feeling bored, he summoned his little dog, Lucky, into reality, then took out the milk Lucky hadn’t finished last time and played with him in the room, enjoying this rare tranquility.

Thinking back, ever since his rebirth, Xiao Weiguo had felt a pressing urgency within. From a farm boy who nearly died of fever, he had become a full-fledged procurement officer at a state-owned factory, now owning both a car and a house in the city. He dared not relax for a single moment.

At last, his foundation was somewhat stable and he could afford a brief respite. Yet, this was only on a personal level; there were still countless tasks ahead. After all, the era’s greatest enemy had not yet arrived. The coming years would pose the greatest challenge not only to him but to all the people.

Moreover, his family had not seen any improvement. His younger siblings were still stuck in the countryside, barely scraping by, at risk of missing out on schooling if he wasn’t vigilant. He had much left to do.

Since he was their eldest brother and now had the ability, it was only natural to help his original family, to assist his closest kin. This was no act of saintliness but simply human decency—the most basic moral obligation.

Of course, if one’s family brought immense suffering, it was best to keep as much distance as possible. When his stepmother was around, Xiao Weiguo chose to stay away. Only by distancing oneself from such a toxic family could one hope to turn the tide; otherwise, one would eventually be drained dry, reduced to nothing but a battery for an unhealthy household.

Pulling himself from these thoughts, Xiao Weiguo continued to tease Lucky. Ever since the little dog had drunk well water, he seemed noticeably smarter; Xiao Weiguo would have to observe him over time.

He returned Lucky to the courtyard in his spatial realm, deciding that it would be better for Lucky to grow up there for now, unless a suitable opportunity arose to bring him out.

Xiao Weiguo pondered what to do tomorrow. Saturday, he was going to the zoo with Izumi Suzuran; Sunday, he would attend Li Daniu’s wedding. With nothing planned for tomorrow, he could return home and share the good news of his official employment with his grandparents.

He imagined they would be delighted. He had previously mentioned that they could visit his little house in Beijing if there was an opportunity; his grandparents hadn’t been to the city in many years, and his younger siblings had never been.

Excited by these thoughts, Xiao Weiguo found himself unable to sleep. It was only eight in the evening; he got up, dressed, and decided to head home immediately. By returning tonight, he could bring them to Beijing first thing in the morning, wasting no time. If he waited until tomorrow, there would be no time left.

Besides, the autumn harvest in the village was over, so it was a good time to take leave.

Xiao Weiguo dug out a flashlight powered by a size-one battery—a second-hand item he’d bought from a commission shop when he first acquired the house, perfect for cycling at night.

He locked his door, tied the flashlight to the bike’s handlebars with a string, and pushed his bike out of the compound.

The residents of the compound usually retired early; it was an era when everyone went to bed soon after washing up, and children abounded.

With anticipation and excitement, Xiao Weiguo cycled toward the Xiao family commune. The moonlight tonight was bright, illuminating the road almost like dusk and making the journey much easier.

As he reached a winding path atop a small hill, Xiao Weiguo sensed something watching him. He stopped and turned, spotting six green beads floating amidst the thorns. The sight sent cold sweat pouring down his back and beads forming on his forehead.

What could it be? He hurriedly mounted his bicycle to ride away. At that moment, three wild wolves burst from the thicket, racing toward him, faster than his bike.

Realizing they were wolves, Xiao Weiguo recalled his grandfather’s warnings: never travel the hills at night. By day, the land belonged to people; at night, it belonged to animals. He hadn’t believed it before, but now he did.

He quickly stopped and positioned his bike in front of him. When the wolves closed to within ten meters, he focused his mind and instantly transported them into his spatial realm, suspending them mid-air.

Terrified, Xiao Weiguo realized that without his spatial ability, he would have met a grisly end tonight.

With a wave of bitterness, he willed the wolves to their demise from outside, then carefully dismembered their pelts, meat, and legs, storing the bounty in the thatched warehouse of his hilltop courtyard.

The three wolf pelts could be made into warm winter clothing, famed for their insulation.

Even in death, the wolves could not fathom how their last battle ended so one-sidedly.

Xiao Weiguo got back on the road, but the shock lingered. Without his spatial realm, he would likely have become wolf food tonight.

This incident made him deeply aware of the importance of the spatial realm’s range. If it were still just a meter, he would have been gravely injured; even ten meters felt unsafe—a second’s delay could have spelled disaster.

The land in his spatial realm had expanded a hundredfold, but the maximum range of his mental command only increased tenfold. It didn’t seem proportional, and Xiao Weiguo sensed there was much room left to grow.

Regaining his composure, he continued cycling toward the brigade.

Arriving at his grandfather’s courtyard, he saw the house was dark and guessed his grandparents had gone to sleep.

He pushed his bike inside; in the countryside, gates were rarely closed, embodying the ideal of a society where lost items were returned and doors remained open at night.

Back then, it worked. But in the eighties, as reform and opening up took hold, petty theft became rampant in neighboring villages, and the spread of private property led to locked gates once again.

Xiao Weiguo parked his bike and called out for his grandfather and grandmother.

At their age, they needed little sleep. Xiao Tieniu, hearing sounds in the courtyard, immediately got up and dressed.

Grandmother lit the kerosene lamp.

Xiao Tieniu called from the courtyard, “Who’s there?”

Xiao Weiguo replied, “Grandpa, it’s me—Weiguo.”

Hearing their grandson had returned so late, his grandparents hurried outside. Grandmother scolded, “Why are you traveling at night? What if you run into wolves?”

As she spoke, she reached out to smack Xiao Weiguo on the head.

Xiao Weiguo quickly lowered his head, letting her hit him.

Lately, Xiao Weiguo had noticed he was growing taller—likely thanks to improved nutrition. At sixteen, he still had plenty of room to grow.