Yuan River

The sun is rising slowly, as in the past, shining brightly between the sky and the earth.It's only a pity that the youth is fleeting, the rivers are broken, the sun and the moon are colorless, and the flowers are gone.

"Ache! Ache is back!" Someone suddenly called out.

"The patriarch brought Ache back!"

"It's saved now! They're back!"

An uplifting atmosphere quickly flowed through the tribe.Everyone scrambled to poke their heads out to catch a glimpse of Li Che who had returned.

A large group of women flocked to Li Che and raised their hands: "I lost weight. How have you been at the source for the past few years? I will stay this time..."

Li Che was at a loss for what to do in embarrassment, while anxiously searching for the familiar girl with his eyes.

"Li Xin. Is Li Xin there?" Not seeing her, Li Che had no choice but to ask the aunts.

"Don't mention her name." The women hurriedly stopped him.

"why?"

"She was possessed by a demon."

"Where is she now?"

"The firewood room."

Li Che pushed away the aunts who were watching, and went straight to the woodshed.

"Ah Che, you shouldn't have gone to see her!" the aunts behind them yelled endlessly.

Li Che couldn't help but push open the door of the firewood room.The dust accumulated on the firewood made him cough repeatedly.The haggard and pale Li Xin was tied with ropes.She raised her eyes to look at him, but her brows were suddenly as lively as yesterday:

"you're back?"

"Li Xin, what's wrong with you?" Li Che's heart was pierced.

"The ghost is on me."

"Hey, don't mention the words of those fools. What happened?"

"In this world, where there are gods, there are ghosts. Is there any problem?"

"I'm asking, what happened between you in the past three years?"

Li Xin hesitated for a moment, then said eloquently: "That year, just a few days after you left, the old patriarch fell ill. When he was dying, he claimed that you were his own son and I was a witch. Next, Years of drought, people talked a lot, gathered people to protest from time to time, and strongly demanded that Li Bin burn me to death. But Li Bin resolutely opposed it and just imprisoned me."

"Is the old patriarch crazy? Framed his own flesh and blood one after another?"

"Brother Ah Che, listen: In the past, you were the one who threatened Li Bin's status. Later, this person became me."

"Li Xin, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have run away alone. I should have stayed and protected you."

"Brother Ah Che, don't be like this. I'm still alive to see you. I'm really, really happy."

Li Xin fell silent.She gently rested her head on Li Che's chest, and heard his heart beating vigorously there.He hugged her whole into his arms, using his own body temperature to convey some warmth to her.

"Li Xin, marry me. I will protect you from now on." Li Che whispered next to Li Xin's face.

"Brother, look behind you first." Li Xin raised her head.

Li Che turned his head when he heard the words, and saw Li Bin standing behind him without saying a word, so frightened that he quickly let go of his arms around Li Xin.

"What are you doing?" There was no warmth in Li Bin's cold tone.

"Brother, I haven't asked what you're doing yet!" Li Che became furious when he heard this, "How could you imprison your own sister in this kind of place alone?"

"I'm the patriarch, I can do whatever I want! Li Che, get out!"

Li Che stared straight into Li Bin's eyes for a full quarter of an hour, and Li Bin returned the same sharp stare back.Li Che suddenly felt that Li Bin in front of him was strange to him.

With a cold snort, Li Che bumped away from Li Bin and left angrily.

"Brother, why don't you explain to him?" Li Xin shrugged helplessly.

"It's not necessary." Li Bin said bitterly.

Li Che came to the river beach in anger.The bulging pebbles scratched his feet, and the splashing waves wet his feet.Once, and also here, he and Li Bin got stuck in the mud, and then Li Bin risked his life to rescue him.

Not long ago, the two met to go fishing in the lower reaches of the Yuan River, but later parted ways due to a misunderstanding.

At first, Li Bin patted him on the shoulder and said that he would treat him as a brother from then on.

Li Bin.He respects and admires his elder brother.

How could he treat their sister like this?If he were Li Bin, he would definitely give up the position of patriarch immediately and take Li Xinyuan with him, so what's the matter?

Li Che secretly made up his mind that he must bring Li Xin back to the upstream tribe in the future.

"According to Ah Che's instructions, we will work together to attack a demonic agricultural tribe and regain the sacred water source. So, brothers, come and listen to my deployment without delay." Li Bin returned to the center of the tribe, Calm and composed, with a dignified appearance, he just waited for people to gather around, "The time to attack is tomorrow night. We will first send a person to infiltrate their tribe, first to spy on the enemy, and second, to set fire inside. But, who will be the one?" What about internal response?"

"I come!"

Everyone turned their heads in unison, only to see that it was Li Che who was hiding behind who answered.

"I have a request. After the matter is completed, on the day when the flow of the Yuan River resumes, I beg the patriarch to release Li Xin." Li Che said neither humble nor overbearing to Shang Li Bin's deep eyes.

"This..." Li Bin was obviously a little embarrassed.

"Brother, don't you trust me?"

"Well, if the water flow returns to normal levels, there is no need to imprison Li Xin. I promise you, we will leave tomorrow. I hope you don't let me down." Li Bin's dark eyes flashed a hint of amusement.

In the dead of night, the moon and stars are rare.The cold wind blew across the dry riverbed, making ghostly roars.Tonight, everyone goes to bed early, because we have to go on the road tomorrow.

Li Che took advantage of the night and tiptoed to the woodshed.Unexpectedly, on the way, he bumped into Li Bin.

"Brother, you...you came to look for Li Xin too?" Li Che pulled out an embarrassed smile.

"No, I'm here to find you." Li Bin patted Li Che's shoulder lightly, just like before.

"what?"

"Is this girl really that important to you?"

"What are you talking about? She is my sister and your sister."

Li Bin was silent and he fell into that unforgettable memory.

That night is also like this night, dark and dull, for a thousand years in a flash.

"Bin'er, I might not make it to tomorrow." The old patriarch panted heavily, trying to squeeze out words with all his strength.

"Father, don't talk nonsense!" Li Bin was upset and terrified.

"Bin'er, don't laugh at me, I've lived my whole life, only regretting at this last moment."

"Father, do you have any regrets? I will help you finish it."

"I'm afraid you can't finish it. I want to see Xiang Zhi."

"This... dare to ask why?"

"It's been almost 30 years. Drinking water from the same river, I miss you and don't see you."

"It was you who drove her away. Since you missed her, why didn't you bring her back?"

"Because I'm afraid. I'm afraid that I'm not worthy, not worthy to be her lover, not worthy to be your patriarch. I'm afraid of being discovered, and I'm ruthless."

"Father, actually... I'm also afraid..."

"There's a soft spot in everyone's heart. It's the most vulnerable part of you, but it's also the most precious."

"Father, I will go find Xiang Shi for you now."

"Oh, I'm afraid it's too late." The old patriarch sighed deeply as if he was about to let go of years of depression, and then he closed his eyes comfortably and passed away.

In an instant, all the slander and resentment dissipated, and Li Bin froze on the spot.As long as he gets out of this tent, he is the patriarch of the tribe.Until now, he just wanted to hug himself tightly and cry bitterly.I don't know how Li Che felt when the old witch passed away?

Death is like a lamp going out, how many obsessions it takes away.Where is the softest place in your heart?

……

Li Bin put away his messy thoughts and questioned Li Che in front of him: "Li Che, are you a sister-in-law?"

"Do you want me to say that I am the brother who controls you? You asked me to marry her in the swamp before!" Li Che seemed to understand why Li Bin was angry, but he still refused to give up the dispute.

"That's because I thought I was going to die!"

There was no words for a while, the two stared with wide eyes.The autumn wind is howling, and the bright moon is in the sky.

"Why do people live?" Li Che asked suddenly.

"I don't know about others. But you and I have to do whatever it takes to keep the tribe that our father handed over to us."

"He is your father, not mine. I don't have the father who drove my mother away and framed my sister. Everything I did was for you, not for him!"

Li Bin!Surprised and inexplicable, with mixed flavors.He stretched out his hand, wanting to hug Li Che.But Li Che waved his hands wearily and walked away sullenly.

Li Bin watched Li Che go away reluctantly, and opened the curtain of the firewood room to enter alone: ​​"Li Xin, do the internal response for me."

"Why?" Li Xin asked casually.It was obvious that she hadn't fallen asleep just now, but heard the conversation of the two brothers in its entirety.

"I don't trust Li Che."

"Then you trust me?"

"We grew up together."

"Haha, it's not because of this."

"Well, this matter is about the life and death of the tribe, and your biological mother Mi is also in the tribe."

"Brother, you really look like my father."

"What?" Li Bin was taken aback.

"Brother, remember what I said tonight: Those who rule the world will be lonely and widowed."

Currently, the Li clan does not have a tent for Li Che to rest.Li Bin hadn't come back yet, Li Che was lying on Li Bin's bed alone, tossing and turning.The tiger skin placed on the bed made his whole body dry and hot.I don't know what Li Bin does on this couch on weekdays.

In the bottom of his heart, Li Che admitted with great reluctance that Li Bin was right this time—the water flow of the Yuan River is not enough to support everyone.If in the past, Li Che faced this situation, he would immediately run to the river to seek advice from the Primordial Spirit.It's just that today's year is not what it used to be.All things surfaced one by one - there were no ghosts and gods, but displaced people.

If the number of people Yuan He could support was limited, who would he most hope to survive?This is a cruel question.What does power mean - means the priority of existence.

While Li Che was thinking, Li Bin pushed the door open and entered.

"Huh? Brother?" After Li Che figured it out, he didn't feel as sullen as before, and took the initiative to talk to Li Bin, "By the way, do you want to learn how to grow rice in the future?"

"Okay, when we defeat the upstream tribe, you can teach me." Seeing this, Li Bin immediately approached with a playful smile.

"In terms of planting, Xiang Lin is the best at it."

"Oh, but he doesn't deserve to live."

"why?"

"He is Xiang's illegitimate son. His mother betrayed the Li tribe."

"But what does all this have to do with Xiang Lin?"

"It doesn't matter. But Xiang Lin seduced you, so he doesn't deserve to live."

"Li Bin! Are you a pervert!" Li Che became angry from embarrassment.

"If a pervert being in love with you is a pervert, then I guess I am."

Li Che was speechless for a while, turned over in anger, and fell asleep facing the inner wall.

Li Bin sighed softly, stared at Li Che's delicate and shy side face in the moonlight, suppressed the urge to move his hands up and down, pulled off the animal skin quilt, and covered Li Che up.Tomorrow morning, since ancient times, the first war between humans will kick off.They must recharge their batteries.

I am fascinated and can't be recruited, the rooster screams and the world is white.

Young people's minds should be clouded, who would like to sit and cry in the cold.