Henry Foster glanced at William Clark, who was putting on an innocent face, and laughed, scolding, “You rascal, your studies are good, but you’re too mischievous. You need to develop in all areas: moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor.”

Looking at his student, Henry Foster couldn’t help but feel both amused and exasperated. William Clark’s academic performance was beyond reproach—not just one of the best in the town’s elementary school, but also among the top in the county. But he just didn’t focus on proper learning; his mind was always on playing.

Still, teachers always have a soft spot for students with good grades. Though he spoke harshly, he was fond of him at heart. After calling in the parents a few times, Henry Foster had actually become friends with Edward Clark.

Like Edward Clark, Henry Foster was also an educated youth from elsewhere. But since he found a partner locally, he didn’t return to Shanghai. From the late seventies until now, he had been teaching at the elementary school.

Seeing Henry Foster’s expression, Edward Clark smiled and said, “Teacher Yu, did this kid get into trouble again? If you don’t discipline him for three days, he’ll tear the roof off. Just treat him as your own child—don’t go easy on him when you need to teach him a lesson…”

“Come on, Dad, I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”

William Clark glanced a bit guiltily at his teacher, but he also knew that ever since the homeroom teacher became friends with his old man, he hadn’t tattled much. Looks like he’d get away with it again today.

“Let’s eat, let’s eat. Come on, Old Ye, let’s have a drink first.”

Sure enough, Henry Foster didn’t mention what happened at school. Once the kids gathered around the table, he picked up his glass filled with liquor and clinked it with Edward Clark.

“This liquor… it’s got no kick. Erguotou is still the real stuff.” After downing a glass, Edward Clark shook his head. As if remembering something, his eyes dimmed a little.

Henry Foster put down his glass and said, “Old Ye, I actually have something I wanted to talk to you about.”

While the adults drank and chatted, the kids weren’t idle. Their chopsticks flew as they first grabbed a piece of fish and stuffed it in their mouths, then buried a slice of eel in their bowls, all the while eyeing their next target—each one like a little wolf cub.

“Dad, Teacher Yu, we’re full.” Three to five minutes later, the dishes on the table were swept clean. William Clark patted his little belly and stood up, eyes glancing toward the door.

“You little rascals, each one eats more than the last.”

Looking at the empty bowls on the table, Edward Clark laughed and scolded, then stood up and said, “Go out and play, all of you. Teacher Yu, I’ll fry up some peanuts. Take your time with what you wanted to say.”

……

Although no one in Lizhuang had a TV yet, summer nights in the countryside were still lively. After dinner, people came out to chat and cool off, and the croaking of frogs and chirping of insects in the fields added a touch of vitality to the little village.

“Brother Yezi, let me have a look.”

Under the window of a small courtyard house, three little heads were squeezed together, peeking inside. By the moonlight outside, they could just make out the white, naked body in the unlit room.

Though they weren’t old enough for any physical changes yet, it was great material for bragging at school. So whenever Johnny wasn’t home, the kids never tired of this activity.

“You little brats, are you looking for trouble?”

Just as William Clark and the others were quietly debating whether the mole on Johnny’s wife’s butt was on the left or right, a sudden shout exploded from the courtyard gate.

“Damn it, Henry, didn’t you say Johnny wouldn’t be back until midnight? If I’d known, I would’ve cast a divination myself.”

William Clark knew Johnny’s temper. If they got caught, he’d make sure the whole village knew. He didn’t think that just because he’d helped Johnny carry chickens at his wedding, he’d get any special treatment.

Seeing Johnny blocking the courtyard gate, the kids scattered like startled birds, running off in all directions. The village walls were only about a meter high—even Little Henry could climb over them.

Just as William Clark reached the wall, he heard Henry yelp in pain behind him. Turning back, he saw Johnny twisting Henry’s ear, making him howl with his mouth wide open.

“That idiot…”

William Clark muttered under his breath, but didn’t slow down at all. He pressed his right hand on the mud wall, which was about as tall as he was, leapt up, and nimbly flipped over.

“Sigh, guess I’ll go to Master’s place tonight.”

After leaving Johnny’s yard, William Clark didn’t go home. Instead, he ran straight toward the hillside behind the village. He didn’t want to get beaten on the first day of vacation. It wouldn’t hurt to hide out in the mountains for a few days until his dad cooled off.

Although Maoshan was dense with tall trees, William Clark wasn’t afraid. He’d dared to venture into the old forests on the mountain since he was five. He just happened to climb the wrong peak once and, by chance, met an old Taoist priest who called himself Li in a dilapidated, abandoned temple, and was tricked into becoming his disciple.

William Clark didn’t know how old Mr. Thompson was, but the old priest often said that back when Commander Chen Yi was fighting guerrillas in Maoshan, he used to call him “uncle.”

When William Clark was little, he didn’t know who Commander Chen was, but after starting school and learning about Chen Yi’s background, he often teased the old priest for bragging. The old priest never got angry, just smiled without saying a word.