Twilight enshrouded Linghuan Village, where the houses stood in picturesque disorder, embraced by a gentle layer of mist. Eighteen-year-old Lin Feng stood in his small courtyard, gazing at the clouds on the horizon dyed orange-red by the setting sun, his heart filled with a yearning for the outside world. He was agile and well-built, his eyes sparkling with cleverness and curiosity, and his short, jet-black hair fluttered softly in the breeze. Lin Feng's parents were ordinary villagers who made their living by farming. Though their life was simple and plain, they showered Lin Feng with boundless love.
"Feng'er, dinner is ready!" His mother's voice drifted from inside the house, gentle and warm. Lin Feng acknowledged her with a shout and turned to step inside. The family sat gathered around the dining table, the rich aroma of food filling the air. As his father ate, he cautioned Lin Feng, "The areas around the village haven't been very peaceful lately. If you go out to play, don't run too far." With his mouth full of food, Lin Feng muttered a vague assent, his mind preoccupied with his own thoughts.
That night, Lin Feng lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. Quietly, he got up and walked to the window. The moonlight spilled across his face, etching the resolute contours of his profile. "I must go out and see the world, to find my own destiny," he vowed silently to himself.
Chapter 227