Maple Ridge was a remote, old-fashioned village, but not completely cut off from the modern world. Power lines ran through it, and the rough mountain road leading in had been paved with concrete. Occasionally a tractor or three-wheeler could be seen rumbling in or out.
The entire village was nestled among mountains, higher in the north and lower in the south, built against the hills and beside water. A clear, greenish stream cascaded down from the high peaks like liquid jade, splitting into two branches as it flowed through the village, nourishing generation after generation of residents.
By the time they got off the train, night had almost fallen. Evelyn and Noah stayed at a hotel for the night and set out the next day for Maple Ridge.
They first took over an hour's bus ride, then walked a long stretch of mountain path before they finally saw the outline of the village. Noah's legs were shaking with exhaustion. He panted heavily for a while, then looked back at Evelyn only to find her staring coldly at the village ahead, as if she hated everything about this place.
"Eve, you don't like it here?" Noah asked, puzzled.
"Let's keep walking. I'll tell you later."
"Okay…"
As they entered the village, they could see a few villagers working in the fields and mountains. By the roadside an old man was struggling to drag two thick logs. Noah walked over and offered politely, "Let me help you with that, sir."
"Oh, thank you, young man."
After taking the logs from the old man, the latter asked eagerly, "Haven't seen you around before. Whose relative are you, young man?"
The village had no tourist attractions. Strangers who came were usually relatives of villagers who had left long ago or merchants from nearby towns buying local goods.
"I'm…" Noah realized he hadn't asked his sister for his aunt's name. He turned back, about to ask Evelyn, but saw her expression had turned even colder, completely devoid of warmth.
"Claire Thompson."
"Claire Thompson, huh? Her house is right next to mine. You…" The old man seemed to recognize the voice. He recalled the unclean child from that woman's family, turned around, and looked at Evelyn behind them. The more he looked, the more familiar she seemed.
"My name is… Evelyn Miller."
"You… you're that whore's bastard! How dare you come back here!" The old man pointed at Evelyn and cursed viciously.
"Watch your mouth," Noah snapped, knocking the old man's hand away and stepping in front of him, his face dark with anger. "Show some respect, old man."
"Hmph. So you're with her. Disgraceful trash."
The old man angrily picked up the logs Noah had dropped and walked off, still cursing under his breath.
Noah turned back to Evelyn with concern. "Eve, are you okay?"
"It's fine. I've heard those words too many times. They don't affect me anymore."
"Then should we…" He couldn't help worrying. Although he didn't know the full story of Evelyn's past, it was clear the villagers were very hostile toward her. Forcing their way into this place might bring danger later.
"Let's go. There's nothing to be afraid of." Evelyn closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and spoke calmly.
The old man lived right next to Aunt Claire's house. Since they were heading the same way, they kept some distance before Noah followed beside Evelyn at a slow pace.
Along the way they encountered villagers in small groups. Some glared at them with clear disgust and whispered among themselves. Others, who perhaps didn't recognize her, only gave them casual glances.
Evelyn ignored the blatant stares completely. She walked the long concrete road and stopped in front of a small three-story building.
The house was built with concrete bricks. The doors and windows used the same security doors and glass as city homes. The roof was covered with red tiles. It had none of the old, dated feel of the village, making it look like one of the wealthier households here.
Noah knocked on the door. The person who opened it was a middle-aged man with a beard, rough features, and sallow skin, as if he had endured many hardships.
"Long time no see, Uncle Dale," Evelyn said coldly, without any warmth.
The man looked at them, his brows furrowing slightly before relaxing again. His voice was completely emotionless.
There was no joy of a long-awaited reunion, no warmth of family coming together. "You're back. Come in."
Inside, the furniture looked quite old. The square table and bamboo chairs showed the marks of time. A thin layer of dust covered the counter, as if all their money had gone into building the new house and there was nothing left for new furnishings.
"Uncle Dale, where's Aunt Claire?"
"Follow me." The man led the way upstairs. His voice drifted back from ahead. "So this is… their biological son?"
"Yes…"
"Hello, Uncle Dale. I'm Noah Miller," Noah said politely.
"You've grown so big. Time really flies."
In the second-floor bedroom lay a thin, haggard woman. Her skin had an unhealthy pallor and her breathing was weak and labored. Yet her facial features were still delicate, hinting at the beauty she must have possessed when young.
Seeing them, the woman struggled to sit up, a weak smile appearing on her gaunt face. "Eve, it's been so long."
The cold, indifferent aura around Evelyn melted away instantly. She knelt beside the bed, a rare look of sorrow and helplessness flashing across her face. Her voice even carried a slight choke.
"Aunt Claire… what happened to you?"
"I got sick. I'm getting old and couldn't fight it off." Aunt Claire coughed a couple of times as she spoke.
"I'll take you to the hospital in the city, to a big hospital. They'll be able to treat you."
"It's no use. We already went. The doctors were very clear. It's the same anywhere." The woman gave a faint smile and reached out to wipe away the tear that had gathered at the corner of Evelyn's eye. "The reason I asked you to come back this time was that I wanted to see you one last time. But your aunt couldn't bear to have you suffer those people's scorn and insults again, so I didn't tell you the truth. If you hadn't come, living well over there and completely forgetting this place would have been fine too."
She shifted her gaze to Noah. A gentle light gradually appeared in her eyes. "You must be Nate. This should be our first meeting. Eve used to mention you often on the phone."
"Aunt Claire," Noah also knelt beside the bed and spoke softly.
"You're so handsome. As expected of their child. You're already an adult, right?"
"I turned twenty this year. I'm studying at Loane University."
"Loane… that's a big city. You've done very well." Aunt Claire composed herself and took Noah's hand, speaking very earnestly. "I heard about what happened to your family ten years ago. My condolences."
"It's okay, Aunt Claire. It's all in the past."
"Your father was a genuinely good man. He shouldn't have met with such a fate. As for your parents… they were willing to adopt Eve and take her away from here. They truly changed her life. I hope you can thank them for me."
"I will. I definitely will. Aunt Claire, please take care of yourself."
"From now on, Eve is in your hands, Nate."