Chapter 54 The Reason Zhou Qinglang Lived in the Cellar

"Ooh ooh! Ooh ooh!"
The little golden monkey set down the golden bowl and cried out in delight.
It only made such a noise when it was truly happy.
This meant it not only liked the girl, but perhaps even wished to live with her.
A complex expression crossed Zhou Qinglang’s face.
He hadn’t expected that in just half a day, the little monkey he had raised since infancy would betray him.
He had found the golden monkey by chance in the mountains three months ago.
At that time, he had not yet been injured, and his sight was unimpaired.
The newborn monkey, blood-streaked, had lain in the underbrush, uttering weak cries for help.
He had carefully picked it up, and after much effort, saved its life.
Because of this, the little monkey was deeply attached to him, regarding him as its father.
Twenty days ago, he had business in the capital and left the monkey in a friend’s care.
When he returned to the institute deep in the mountains, he learned from his superior that an enemy spy had infiltrated the institute.
The spy had not yet been found, but the institute’s confidential documents were in danger.
His superior trusted him and gave him a secret mission: to transfer all the documents out in secret.
But during the transfer, a friend accidentally discovered him and hurriedly called the guards.
He could not explain himself to everyone, so he had to fight his way out with the documents in his pack.
Though skilled, he could not withstand an assault by dozens.
Badly wounded, he fled in panic with the documents and the monkey.
During the escape, he slipped and tumbled down a slope, striking the back of his head on a large rock, which rendered him suddenly blind.
Fearing pursuit, he stumbled onward for days without rest.
At last, after crossing several mountains, he collapsed at the entrance of a cave from exhaustion.
When he awoke, the little monkey was tugging his hand, leading him inside.
Only then did he realize the clever creature had found a hidden cellar.
By feel, he discovered the place was filled with gold, silver, jewels, ancient paintings, calligraphy, and some supplies—clearly left by someone long ago.
He explored further and found another exit that led to an abandoned wooden house.
But the house was on the far side of the mountain, and village children sometimes came to play nearby.
To avoid discovery, he sent the monkey out to play tricks and scare people away.
For half a month, he had hidden in the cellar to recover from his wounds.
Though his injuries healed slowly, he dared not venture out.
He was now a wanted man.
He could not go to the hospital, nor return to the institute, nor be found by anyone.
All he could do was wait—wait for his superiors to uncover the spy, capture them, and send someone to find him.
He had thought all would go smoothly, but unexpectedly a young woman assigned to rural work arrived at the wooden house.

From her words, it seemed she wasn’t afraid of the house’s ghostly rumors.
She had already discovered the little monkey.
If she was clever, she might guess he was the one behind it all.
The work permit he had shown her was genuine.
Last year, to make his work easier, he had applied for it.
He had always carried it but never used it—until today.
He hoped it might confuse her a little.
But...
Though the cellar beneath the house was well insulated for sound, over time, the presence of someone below might be noticed.
Zhou Qinglang felt a headache coming on.
Had he not lost his sight, he could have settled anywhere.
Now, unable to move freely, and with the cellar stocked for living, he was loath to leave.
Perhaps life in the cellar had grown too dull.
The little monkey constantly tried to sneak out to play.
Usually wary of humans, it had somehow grown fond of one.
Zhou Qinglang did not know that the monkey was simply too greedy.
Lin Xiaodou, with her innate affinity for animals, naturally attracted the little monkey.
But even more, the bananas and peaches in her hands were irresistible.
Grown in her magical space, the food was delicious beyond compare.
After tasting them once, the little monkey was hooked.
Zhou Qinglang was unaware of this, but he had decided to set the monkey free.
"Little rascal, it’s me who’s holding you back. If you want to find her, go ahead."
Despite his limited mobility, his senses were sharper than most.
He always foraged wild fruits and vegetables himself near the cave.
Even without the monkey, he could survive alone.
Hearing his master’s intention to abandon it, the little golden monkey cried out in protest, rubbing its furry head against him.
Whenever it did wrong, it would act cutesy to soften his heart.
Feeling the little creature’s affection, Zhou Qinglang paused, the furrows on his brow smoothing, a gentle smile curving his lips.
He patted the monkey’s head and said softly,
"Don’t worry—as long as you don’t leave me, I won’t abandon you."
"Hum hum hum~"

The little monkey cuddled into him, acting spoiled.
Zhou Qinglang laughed, picked it up, and felt his way to the table.
"Alright, it’s almost midday—time for lunch."
He took a few wild fruits from the table, handing one to the monkey and biting into one himself.
After half a month of eating nothing but wild fruits and vegetables, he had grown much thinner.
But he had no choice—he’d never learned to cook.
Now, blind, he hadn’t tasted a hot meal in days.
His greatest wish now was simply a bowl of hot soup.
Raised in luxury from childhood, he had never imagined he would fall to such straits.
"Heh... truly, fate toys with men..."
With a bitter laugh, Zhou Qinglang was lost in melancholy.
Suddenly, there was a series of sputtering sounds beside him.
The little monkey, after a bite of wild fruit, spat it out in disgust.
"What’s wrong—is the fruit that bad?"
The monkey called out, tugging his hand and pointing upward.
He understood instantly. "You mean, you like the food that girl gave you?"
The little monkey nodded furiously, waving its furry paws.
Yes, yes! The bananas and peaches from that human were delicious!
He could not see, but he could sense the monkey’s excitement.
"Then go on, and be on your best behavior."
The monkey leapt up and bounded toward the stairs.
"Wait," Zhou Qinglang called, stopping it, and stuffed the remaining wild fruits into its arms.
"If you take her food, you must give something in return. Take these wild fruits to her."
At these words, the little monkey’s round eyes rolled.
Reciprocate?
Its gaze landed on a wooden chest brimming with gold and jewels.
Before leaving, it quietly took a string of beads.
She was a woman—she would surely like such things, wouldn’t she?
The little rascal had no idea that this act would bring all kinds of trouble...