Li Wu had no memories from before the age of five.
Not that there were none at all, but they were faint and blurred, much like his name shrouded in heavy fog. Even the faces of his parents were indistinct, as if he stood on the shore while they drifted at the bottom of a lake, always distorted by unreal ripples.
Perhaps it was due to overwhelming pain or the passage of too much time. After losing both parents, his mind had selectively dulled that period and those two figures.
He only remembered that day when his grandfather instructed him to watch the house before heading to the county town.
His expression was grave, burdened with worries, like the sky heavy with storm clouds.
After his grandfather left, Li Wu crouched by the fish pond, watching a school of silvery fry dart back and forth. He reached in to catch or startle them, and they scattered swiftly.
Then it began to rain, the reed leaves rustling loudly under the downpour. He dashed home, his shoes splattered with mud and his hair soaked.
The shoes—blue sneakers—had been brought back by his parents for the New Year. They were a bit too big and stiff, chafing his feet, but he cherished them nonetheless, usually storing them carefully under his bed and only daring to wear them for running on dry ridges on clear days.
Seeing the sky clear and bright today, Li Wu had taken them out.
He never expected such unpredictable, wretched weather.
Filled with regret and heartache, afraid of his grandfather’s scolding, he waited for the rain to stop, then painstakingly fetched half a bucket of mountain spring water. Crouching by the door, holding back tears, he scrubbed the shoes with a loofah.
Fortunately, the shoes were rinsed clean and restored to their original state. He sighed in relief and hung them high on the windowsill to dry.
As dusk fell,
Li Wu cooked cornmeal porridge and kept it warm in the pot, waiting to eat with his grandfather upon his return.
He lit a candle lamp, not daring to close the door, afraid his grandfather’s aging eyes might fail to recognize the house in the dark.
Sitting on the doorstep, he gazed at the distant, pitch-black mountains, which seemed to undulate like a night sea.
Soon, several figures hurried over from nearby, calling his name loudly.
The slender boy quickly stood up, eyes wide, unsure what to do.
As they approached, he recognized them as men from the village, with Uncle Chen being the only familiar face.
They pushed a handcart, their steps anxious, with what seemed to be a person lying on it.
Li Wu rushed over and, by the light of their flashlights, saw that it was his grandfather.
The old man’s eyes were closed, like withered, aged wood, devoid of vitality.
Terrified and shocked, tears welled up instantly. Clutching the cart, Li Wu stammered, "What’s wrong with my grandpa…"
Uncle Chen looked at him, his expression grim, hesitating to speak.
Another young man impatiently said, "He’s not dead, just fainted—where’s the bed?!"
Li Wu hastily wiped his wet face and led them inside.
They carried his grandfather—one supporting his shoulders, the other his legs—and laid him on the bed at home.
After covering his grandfather with a thin quilt, Uncle Chen crouched down and handed Li Wu a plastic bag marked with the health center’s logo, containing several boxes and bottles of medicine. "Remember to give your grandfather his medicine."
He took them out one by one, explaining how to administer them. Li Wu clenched his jaw, nodding firmly, committing it all to memory.
Uncle Chen wiped the remaining moisture from the corner of Li Wu’s eye, stared at his young face, and ultimately said nothing.
That night, his aunt and uncle also arrived.
His aunt wailed mournfully in front of the house all night, as if her cries could tear the wind open.
It was from them that Li Wu learned his migrant-worker parents had been in a severe accident—their bus had plunged into a mountain ravine, leaving both unrecognizable. His grandfather had gone to the county to identify them and had collapsed on the spot from overwhelming grief.At five years old, Li Wu had no clear understanding of death.
All night long, he remained dazed and numb, curled into a small ball as he sat vigil by his grandfather's bedside, clinging to what felt like the last warmth in the world.
His aunt wailed to him repeatedly: "Li Wu, my nephew... what are we going to do... you've lost your parents... you no longer have parents..."
He never got to see them one last time.
Of course, ever since he could remember, he had seen them very rarely. Only during holidays would his parents return home, staying for just a couple of days before leaving again, leaving behind some rice and flour, some old and new clothes and toys. He had a red plastic toy car they had given him years ago, which he treasured dearly, keeping it by his pillow as if racing against time.
A week later, his parents were buried in the most frugal manner possible, with even their tombstones made of wood, their names written side by side, the characters destined to weather away soon.
The compensation money vanished without a trace.
His aunt's family built a new house and had children, always claiming they were too busy to care about him and his grandfather.
His grandfather, overwhelmed by grief, grew weaker by the day. At first, he could still walk shakily with a wooden stick that Li Wu had selected from the mountains and polished for him. But after a fall, his grandfather became completely bedridden and unable to care for himself.
Li Wu, who had just started first grade, had to temporarily drop out of school. With his small frame, he replaced the wooden cane, becoming his grandfather's support.
Every night after his grandfather fell asleep, Li Wu would light a short, stout candle and sit on a small stool to read, learn characters, and practice arithmetic.
This was one of the few joys in his otherwise bleak life.
After a few days of devoted care, his grandfather noticed something was wrong and asked why he wasn't going to school.
Li Wu paused before replying, "I can study at home."
Tears streamed down his grandfather's wrinkled face. "It's all my fault. I've ruined your chance to get an education."
Li Wu pressed his lips together until they turned pale, holding back the tears that threatened to spill.
From that moment on, Li Wu grew silent and resilient, learning to endure hardship without complaint. His grandfather had no one else to rely on for the rest of his life, and Li Wu could not afford to collapse or run away.
The first turning point after his parents' death came when a village official surnamed Yan was assigned to their village. He placed great emphasis on the area's backward education system, going to great lengths to persuade families to send their children to school. However, the remote mountainous location meant few villagers had the foresight to prioritize education, as most had children merely to help support the family.
After hearing about Li Minghe's family's plight, Yan visited them personally and offered assistance.
Li Wu, who was eager to learn, became a beneficiary of the national poverty alleviation policy.
In the second semester of first grade, Li Wu returned to school.
To make it easier for the child to study, Uncle Yan paid out of his own pocket to hire an electrician to install lighting in their home. With a click, warm light filled the room, and Li Wu no longer had to study by candlelight.
For the first time since his parents' passing, Li Wu smiled, his teeth showing and tears glistening in his eyes.
From elementary school through middle school, over the years, except during holidays when he accompanied his grandfather for check-ups, Li Wu would trek for hours along rugged mountain paths every day, rain or shine, from dawn till dusk, just to attend school in the county town.
Through the cycles of seasons, under scorching suns and heavy snow, the young boy's palms and soles became calloused, yet he felt immensely happy, never once complaining of pain or hardship.After the middle school entrance exams, Director Yan, who had always shown great concern for the grandfather and grandson, visited their home again. He vowed earnestly to Li Minghe, "Old Li, don't you worry. I'm working hard to find a sponsor for your grandson. With grades this good, he's bound to get into university—he must get into university! He'll surely become a pillar of our nation!"
True to his word, the grassroots official delivered on his promise within days.
It was one of the dog days of summer. The sun blazed like fire, and even the lush mountains felt stifling and scorching.
Li Wu was sitting by the door, scrubbing his grandfather's clothes, when he spotted three figures approaching from afar along the mountain path. Leading the way was Uncle Yan, followed by a man and a woman. The man wore a baseball cap, while the woman held a parasol. They looked like a perfect pair, glowing from a distance, so bright and pristine they seemed out of place in this dull, unremarkable mountain village.
Director Yan kept turning back to chat with them, smiling incessantly, almost obsequiously.
Li Wu guessed these were the sponsors his grandfather had mentioned. A mix of inferiority, bitterness, and shame washed over him. His face flushed with heat, and the boy hurriedly wrung out the clothes, emptied the washbasin, carried it inside, and hid in his grandfather's room.
Anxious and unsettled, fine beads of sweat formed on his temples. If not for his grandfather's deep slumber, he would have been pacing back and forth.
Hiding behind the door, he heard a clear male voice ask Uncle Yan, "Where's the kid?"
Uncle Yan called out in the local dialect, "Old Li—where's your grandson—"
Li Wu's heart raced wildly, his hands and feet fumbling nervously. Afraid his grandfather would be disturbed, he decided to face them alone. Smoothing his clothes, he gritted his teeth and cautiously cracked open the door.
The door was old and poorly maintained, creaking loudly.
Li Wu's ears burned with embarrassment as he hastily looked up.
His first glance met the young woman in the middle, who stood closest to the door. Her skin was fair, her gaze haughty and aloof, like a magnolia blooming on a high branch.
Pampered and privileged—that was the only phrase Li Wu could summon in that moment.
The instant their eyes met, her scrutiny intensified, turning into a condescending appraisal.
Growing even more uneasy, Li Wu quickly averted his gaze, pushed the door open, and stepped out.
All three pairs of eyes fixed on him at once. Li Wu kept his head bowed, his scalp tingling slightly, too timid to meet their stares.
"Is this him?" The man removed his hat and fanned himself.
Uncle Yan nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes." He pointed enthusiastically and introduced them one by one: "Li Wu, this is Mr. Wu, and this is Miss Cen. They've come all the way from Yi City just for you. After learning about your situation, they're very keen to sponsor you."
Li Wu's brow furrowed with unease as he greeted them stiffly and timidly.
The man chuckled lightly, teasing, "This is the first time I've heard such standard Mandarin since we arrived."
"Of course," Yan Changsheng's voice brimmed with pride. "This boy has been properly educated all along."
The man took out a pack of tissues, offered one to Li Wu, and said kindly, "Wipe your face—you're drenched in sweat."
Li Wu didn't move.
Yan Changsheng urged, "Take it! Hurry and thank this big brother."
Li Wu murmured his thanks, quickly wiped his entire face, and gently crumpled the tissue in his hand.
The man offered another tissue to the woman beside him. "Would you like one too?"
The woman didn't budge, seemingly irritated, and hissed through clenched teeth, "Not necessary."
The man laughed coaxingly, "Your nose is sweating—your makeup might run."
Still, she refused to oblige. The man had no choice but to give up and wiped his own face instead.Yan Changsheng smiled and gestured for them to sit. The woman was initially reluctant, but eventually gave in to her husband's persuasion and took a seat.
Li Wu glanced at them briefly, fetched two bowls, and went into another room intending to draw two bowls of mountain spring water from the vat.
He had planned to scoop it directly, but remembering the woman's fastidious demeanor, he carefully rinsed the bowls twice before filling them with water and carrying them over.
The man was gentle and refined, chatting amiably with Yan Changsheng.
The woman sat upright, her expression bored and even slightly impatient. Li Wu's heart tightened, his thin lips pressed together as he cautiously placed the bowl before her, afraid to spill even a drop.
He could feel her scrutinizing him—not with any particular intent, yet intensely oppressive.
He felt as if needles were pricking his back, not daring to breathe too loudly. Only when he straightened up did he release a slow, drawn-out breath.
The woman said thank you, but never touched the bowl of water from start to finish. Her hands remained clasped on her knees, and she seemed afraid even her clothes might brush against the table, as if the entire room were filled with deadly germs—including him.
Standing by the table, no matter how uncomfortable he felt, Li Wu maintained his composure and posture. After all, he was the one seeking help.
His steady demeanor won their favor; at the very least, the man was impressed with him. After signing the contract on the spot, the man even insisted on taking a photo with him.
Li Wu disliked having his picture taken.
There wasn't a single photo in his home.
Yet he obediently stood between them.
Director Yan urged them to smile, but Li Wu couldn't muster one.
Long ago, smiling had become an exceedingly rare expression for him. When hardship turns into instinct, it weighs down the corners of the mouth, sealing away all joy.
The couple didn't stay long. Before leaving, Li Wu bowed deeply and expressed his sincere gratitude.
After seeing them off, Director Yan returned to the house, handed him the contract, and told him to remember the names and contact information of his benefactors.
"Wu Fu"
"Cen Jin"
These two people who supported his continued education—he would engrave their names firmly in his heart, forever grateful.
Because education was his only hope and way out.
He firmly believed he could rise above his circumstances, take his grandfather out of the mountains, secure a better life, buy him a wheelchair, and provide him with the best medical care.
But Li Wu never lived to see that day.
Just after starting his second year of high school, his grandfather passed away—suddenly and silently. It was a weekend. Li Wu had fed him dinner, helped him lie down, then eaten and washed the dishes himself. When he returned, the old man had closed his eyes as if asleep, but no matter how he called, he wouldn't wake up.
Li Wu stood by the bed, stunned and motionless for a long time.
Half an hour later, he had to accept reality. Grief flooded him completely. He leaned over his grandfather's body and wept with suppressed sobs.
Thanks to the remaining funds from his sponsors, Li Wu was able to erect a much more dignified gravestone for his grandfather than his parents had.
The forest was quiet, with only the chirping of birds. Li Wu sat expressionless before the grave, repeatedly recalling his grandfather's final words.
Back then, the old man seemed to have a premonition. His last words to Li Wu were spoken with a smile: "Hurry up and do your homework. Don't worry about me."
Li Wu retorted unhappily, "How could I not worry about you?"
He had intended to carry his grandfather into the city on his back.
But in the end, he could no longer care for him. That dream would never be realized.
The young man's heart shattered, his lips trembling uncontrollably. A withered leaf drifted slowly down before him. In that moment, a chill enveloped his entire body, and he truly understood the meaning of loss.From this day forward, he had no home, no family left in this world. Who was there left to strive for, to charge ahead without hesitation?
Li Wu, overwhelmed, curled his body forward like a bow that had lost its arrow and could no longer unleash its strength. He wiped his face haphazardly with his palms and wept bitterly in the cold autumn wind.
After his grandfather passed away, a disheartened Li Wu moved in with his aunt.
He had long foreseen how this selfish woman would despise him, but he didn’t want to let down Yan Village Chief’s kindness.
Even as her treatment of him grew increasingly harsh, as long as he could still study and had something to strive for, he could endure the humiliation and persevere.
One evening, while watering vegetables in the field, his aunt stood with one hand on her hip, chewing an apple, and remarked casually, "I spoke with your uncle. He found you a job in Pengcheng. There’s no point in continuing your studies—it’s a waste of money. How many kids from around here have ever made it big by going to school? I haven’t seen a single one in all my life."
Li Wu was shocked and confused. "Why won’t you let me go to school?"
His aunt retorted, "Why? Aren’t you ashamed? Living here, eating and drinking for free every day?"
Li Wu dropped the bucket. Water gushed out, soaking his shoes, but he didn’t even notice. He demanded, "Haven’t I been helping you with work? Didn’t I give you my financial aid?"
His aunt picked up a carrying pole, threatening to hit him. "That money is for taking care of a troublesome nephew like you, not for you to sit around all day reading! Without us, you’d be starving!"
...
That night, Li Wu tossed and turned, torn violently between his ideals and reality. He finally managed to fall asleep in the early hours and dreamed of his grandfather speaking to him face to face, urging him to study hard and never give up. The old man’s face was gaunt, but his eyes were unusually resolute.
Early the next morning, Li Wu went to the village committee for help, only to find that Uncle Yan had gone to the county for a meeting and wouldn’t be back for several days.
Anxious and desperate, Li Wu wandered aimlessly at the village entrance like a trapped animal with nowhere to turn.
Suddenly, two names surfaced in his mind. After a moment of stunned realization, as if finding light in darkness, he hurriedly stopped a passing man, clinging to him like a floating plank, and asked to borrow his phone.
The man glanced at him a few times and agreed.
Li Wu dialed the number. When the call connected, the voice sounded like Mr. Wu’s, but his attitude was completely different from over a year ago.
After Li Wu explained his situation, the man’s amiable tone vanished, replaced by an icy refusal.
He said he was still at work and gave Li Wu a new contact number, telling him to seek help from his long-separated wife.
After hanging up, Li Wu’s heart sank to the depths. He pleaded with the phone’s owner, who finally agreed to give him two more minutes.
Taking a deep breath, Li Wu rallied his spirits and hastily dialed the new number.
The woman answered surprisingly quickly but was unusually irritable. A sharp female voice exploded in his ear almost instantly: "Didn’t I tell you not to call—"
Startled, Li Wu didn’t dare speak for a moment.
His jaw tightened briefly, his Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and he asked cautiously, "Is this Ms. Cen Jin?"
The woman’s tone suddenly calmed, becoming indifferent. "Yes, who is this?"
"I…" Li Wu opened his mouth but couldn’t form words. After a moment, he cast aside hesitation and fear, clenched his hand at his side into a fist, and declared his name firmly and resolutely: "I am Li Wu."
How could one live in this world merely submitting and surviving?From that day on, even when standing alone with his solitary shadow, facing rugged paths filled with thorns, he, Li Wu, vowed to firmly grasp his own destiny in his hands, never yielding, conquering all in his path.
OpenNovel