"Relax," Ye Yang nodded.

He knew why his wife and his youngest brother were worried. He would be extra careful even if they had not told him to.

After all, he would not want to upset his family!

Liu Duo and Ye Ling kept nagging as they followed him to the foot of the hill.

"Go home." Ye Yang stopped, his eyes looking ahead. "I'll be careful."

If they continued to follow him, they would venture into the depths too.

The two behind him examined the thicket in front of them and felt the urge to avoid it at all costs. It felt like a venomous snake would attack them at any time.

"Yang, remember what we told you. Safety first," Liu Duo said, holding his hand. From the very beginning, she had never wanted him to take the risk.

"Yang, we don't need large-sized game to sell for money anymore. Hunt something smaller. You have to take care, and come back safely," Ye Ling said, slightly frowning. He, too, did not want Yang to take the risk.

Ye Yang was not annoyed at all by his family's repetitive nagging. In fact, it was a nice, warm feeling he felt.

With his lips curled up, he said, "Go home."

Then he waved back at them and headed up the hill.

If they had continued, they would be talking until noon.

Liu Duo and Ye Ling caught on. They stopped following him.

Instead, they shouted with all their might all the way until the man's figure disappeared within the woods. "Yang, you really have to be careful! Come back home in three days!"

And then they paused and stared blankly at the trees.

"Let's go home, Ling. Yang will return in three days, right?" Liu Duo looked sideways at Ye Ling.

Ye Yang would not appear even if they kept staring ahead.

"Yes, let's go." Ye Ling nodded before taking one last look at the hill. "Duo Er, after Yang returns from his hunt this time, we won't let him do it again, alright?"

He looked sternly at her.

Yang wanted to get some good game for Liu Duo after she became pregnant. They could not argue with him, so they agreed.

They had seen him off into the hills many times, but this time they felt that something bad might happen.

Something worth panicking over!

"Of course!" Liu Duo promised without hesitation.

"When Yang comes back, we'll hide all his hunting equipment. Better yet, let's dispose of it!"

"Sure, I second that proposal," Ye Ling replied with a smile.

He'd had the idea since he was a wee lad. He tried it before but it never worked out.

He believed he could succeed with his wife!

And so, the two held hands and made their way home.

...

In the capital, Dongfang Ming was looking at his account book in the yard. Without lifting his head, he asked, "Has Brother Wang left?"

Ming Yan, who was keeping watch next to them, quickly reported, "No! Master Wang has been kneeling the whole time. He has not touched the food we prepared for him, not even the water."

There was nothing he could do. The man would not be persuaded.

Dongfang Ming frowned, feeling fretful!

Was this a coercion?

He knew this was asking for the impossible, yet he went along with it anyway! Would a good friend do this?

Dongfang Ming sighed and stretched his brows. He said, "Tell him, no matter how long he kneels, I won't give in! Keep at it, and we'll no longer be friends!