Yuehan, after walking for five minutes, finally reached the top of the hill. The air was cool, and the faint rustle of grass whispered beneath his feet. Before him stretched a wide, open grassland, glowing under the soft light of the setting sun.
For a moment, he simply stood there, watching. The horizon blazed with shades of gold and crimson, clouds drifting lazily through the dying light. Yuehan was completely mesmerized—so much that he forgot Tang San was standing right beside him.
"Yuehan, you okay?" Tang San asked, patting his shoulder.
The touch snapped Yuehan out of his trance. He blinked, then smiled faintly. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just… the sunset is beautiful here." A small teardrop glimmered at the corner of his eye.
Tang San chuckled. "You always were the sentimental one."
"Maybe," Yuehan replied softly. "Tang San, how abo—"
One Month Later
A month passed in the blink of an eye. Yuehan, Tang San, and Xiao Wu could be seen arriving back at the academy gates, their journey's dust still clinging to their clothes.
"I'll be gone next week before school starts," Yuehan said as he hopped off the carriage.
"Okay," Tang San replied with a smile. "Just make sure you're back before classes begin."
After parting ways, Yuehan wandered through town, the familiar streets bustling with early autumn energy. He was searching for the local woodshed, and after a few minutes of walking, he found himself at the lumber mill. Piles of freshly cut logs lay stacked neatly, the scent of pine thick in the air.
He purchased two six-foot logs and borrowed a sled to carry them. The weight slowed his pace, but eventually he reached one of the few woodworking shops in the city—a place that had become almost a second home. Here, the owner allowed Yuehan to use the equipment for free, as long as he helped the workers when needed.
"I see you're back in town," a tanned, broad-shouldered man called out as Yuehan entered. His arms were thick with muscle, his voice carrying the warmth of familiarity.
"Yeah," Yuehan replied with a grin, "we decided to come back a week early to finish some things."
He made his way to the back of the shop and eyed the logs. After a few attempts, he realized he couldn't lift them. The man laughed, shaking his head.
"I told you, you need to build your body," the uncle teased, easily hefting both logs and placing them on the worktable.
"I'm trying," Yuehan said, embarrassed. "It doesn't happen overnight."
"You'll get there someday—keep working with logs like these, and your strength will come," the uncle said, settling into a wooden chair.
Yuehan tied the logs to the table with rope and began laying out his woodworking tools. "Is there anything I need to help with before I start shaving these down?"
"Yeah," the uncle replied. "I need you to help Bob, my new worker, get used to handling customers."
Yuehan sighed. "How am I supposed to help with that? I've barely talked to them myself."
"Just try," the uncle said with a smirk. "You were great with the customers at last year's Dragon Boat Festival."
"Yeah, but all I did was ask what size boat they wanted and what kind of design they preferred," Yuehan argued, stepping out of the woodworking area and into the front of the shop.
"That's pretty much what you'll be doing this time," the uncle said. "Except now it's not just boats—it's furniture, tools, and other items too."
"Easier said than done," Yuehan muttered, shaking his head. "I'm only here a few hours a week, unlike you."
The two of them continued their friendly bickering as they prepared the shop for the day. The smell of freshly cut wood filled the air, and sunlight streamed through the open windows, glinting off sawdust floating like tiny flecks of gold. By the time the new worker arrived, the shop was alive with chatter, laughter, and the rhythmic sounds of craft and camaraderie.