Tauber lay on the cane recliner under the pear tree in full bloom. Mrs. Yi sat beside him.

“One day last week, I felt it coming. I had finished my tea and picked up Ancient Egyptian Civilization. After I read a few lines, my vision blurred. Someone behind the house was calling me, ‘Tauber, Tauber,’ and the voice was familiar. I thought, Was that it? I didn’t expect its voice to be familiar. I’ve enjoyed life long enough. Now it had come. I felt relieved. Then someone tugged at me, and I woke up again. I found that I was the only one in the room, and the book was still on the table. So I picked up the book and continued reading. It looks like it will be gentle. Won’t it?”

“I’m sure it will, Tauber, because you’ve already rehearsed for it. I’m not worried at all for you. Niulan Mountain will help you. I just hope you are happy every day. Please tell me, Tauber, do you think our civilization in Yun Village is the kind of civilization that will have a future?”

“Of course. People in Yun Village are working on it, and I believe in them.”

They fell silent. Later, Tauber and Mrs. Yi agreed that they would meet under the pear tree in the future after they were separated, and continue to discuss this profound topic that brought them so much happiness.

Talking with Tauber was Mrs. Yi’s favorite thing to do, and she wished she could be like him someday. In general, Tauber’s terminal illness was not a punishment for him but rather a reward for his hard work in life. How contented and grateful he had been during his last ten years on the mountain! The mountain had already seeped into his body and soul before he melted into it. With such a full life, what else could one want?

“Woman, did you say Tauber would give us his cabin when he died?”

“Yes. But we may not be able to enjoy it. Living in the mountains isn’t convenient, especially as we get older and need help which we can’t afford,” Mrs. Yi said.

“Yes, we don’t have that kind of money. Living in the village is just fine.”

“A lot of people care about us here. Our life is so secure, and we’re so good at taking care of ourselves. We’ll probably never get sick even at the very end.”

Mrs. Yi smiled as she daydreamed about their old age. Yun Village was home. They should be all right. People and things would never get lost in Yun Village. Hadn’t even Gray’s second aunt returned to visit? At night, the mountains were so alive! Tauber was blessed.

“Oh—Ah—!” Mrs. Yi groaned.

“What’s the matter? What happened, woman?” Mr. Yi ran over and asked.

“I tried acupuncture on myself. I was afraid Grandma Mao couldn’t stand it.”

“Are you sure now?” Mr. Yi’s voice quivered.

“Yes, I am.”

After extracting the silver needle, Mrs. Yi felt happy for Grandma Mao, and for the success of her treatment plan.