Time-Traveling Love

Old Madam Xu ordered her four sons, Guili, Guipeng, Guizhen, and Guitang, to set up a shelter by the Moon River, providing Liu Bugun a place to rest. She reassured him that their family would take care of his meals. Xu Puran and Xu Zhizhou, upon hearing the news, came to the riverbank. Liu Bugun bowed deeply to Xu Puran, “I greet my father-in-law.” “No need for formalities, my son-in-law. My daughter is stubborn; she must have caused you trouble,” Xu Puran said, helping Liu Bugun up. “No, it’s my fault for not being able to protect her, which led to her severe injury,” Liu Bugun said, exhausted. “Brother-in-law, don’t blame yourself anymore. I know my sister well; it’s her recklessness that led to this,” Xu Zhizhou added. “No, no, it was indeed my negligence that caused her injury.” “Don’t blame yourself anymore, son-in-law. If not for my daughter leaving home without permission, we wouldn’t have reached this point. After receiving your letter and knowing you were by her side, I was at ease. Your wife is now your responsibility, to scold or to praise,” Xu Puran said. Liu Bugun shook his head, looking at Caitong in the river. The Bodhisattva had said that Caitong would wake up after lying in the river for twenty-one days, but how many days had passed? Liu Bugun was anxious, unable to eat or sleep well, his face showing exhaustion. He prayed daily, holding Caitong’s hand, hoping for divine intervention to save her. Xu Zhizhou saw the giant bird beside Liu Bugun and reached out to touch it. “Caw-” Dapeng screeched, extending its sharp claws, scratching Xu Zhizhou’s hand.