## 📖 Chapter 4 — Careful, the Moon Witnessed
After a long time admiring the space to calm himself down, Li Ke got to work.
He quickly exited the space and went to his courtyard to fetch his old war companion, an old shovel.
Soon he returned to the Alchemy Space, grabbed the book, and read it briefly.
Then he got to work, carefully reading the planting instructions and began planting.
All the Yin-attributed plants were planted under the moonlight.
The water-attributed plant was planted by the stream (if the riverbank is referred to as such, keep it).
The fire-attributed plant was planted closest to the edge near the sun.
And the others, he planted a bit away from the center, but still nearby — the center was a neutral place where moonlight and sunlight met.
The moss he placed far on the ground, so it wouldn't interfere with the germination of any other plants.
He left at least 10 meters of distance between each plant.
Sweaty, fatigued, and with sore shoulders and wrists, he finished planting everything.
Once he finished, he sighed. Don't overthink it — this soil is really tough to dig, especially the part near the water plant.
It was a pain in the neck. He got all dirty and even struggled because he kept slipping.
Also, he only planted all the seeds about 4 or 5 meters deep.
Li Ke was exhausted.
He soon exited the Alchemy Space.
It was already nighttime. He took a shower and went to sleep.
The sun rose and shone on the Liang Clan village. Li Ke was still sleeping when he heard knocks on the door.
"Damn it, why so early? I'm so tired."
Li Ke jumped out of bed and opened the door. There stood his father, imposing, but with a smile, he said:
"It's morning, little lazy one. Your older brothers have returned."
Li Ke's expression changed. Seeing this, Liang Zhenhai sighed and said:
"Not your third brother. Your two beloved brothers came to see you, Ke'er."
Li Ke felt relieved and excited. He replied:
"Father, let me just finish getting ready and I'll go greet my brothers."
Liang Zhenhai nodded. He had heard that Li Ke received gifts from the three main apothecary houses of the clan but did not ask about it.
Even in decline, these three houses were still highly regarded by the entire clan. After all, most of the clan's profit and sustenance came from them. So, when Li Ke received gifts from all three, his status was elevated.
The clan is united but not unified. Each house acts according to its own rules and has its own internal guidelines.
The ancestral houses that formed the current Liang Clan in this mountainous chain are: the house of the current patriarch, the three apothecary houses, Elder Liang Tianxu's house, and Elder Liang Ruiwen's house. Elder Liang Baofeng held his position as the second strongest in the clan and for having the support of the younger generation.
So, it's fair to say that Li Ke is the heir to nearly all the ancestral houses, as Elder Liang Tianxu supported him and even publicly stated that he wanted his granddaughter to marry him.
His granddaughter is 3 years older than Li Ke and currently belongs to a mini sect in the city, composed entirely of women.
Her name is Liang Meilan. She and Li Ke have a heated relationship, but Li Ke, even in a younger body and having died at 23 in his previous life, never dared to lay a hand on a girl under 18.
But their relationship improved when she turned 16. Let's go back a few years? When Liang Meilan turned 16, on her birthday:
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The sun was beginning to set, and the moon was rising into the sky. A beautiful night was forming.
Young Li Ke was leaning against a cherry tree, and in front of him stood a lively young girl.
Her long, straight black hair reached her waist. Her lips were ruby red, contrasting with her sapphire-green eyes. Her delicate white skin had a natural blush on her cheeks.
Her features were a perfect blend of East and West.
If Li Ke could rate her, she would be a 10/10 — on the same level of beauty as the greatest beauties from his previous world.
She looked at Li Ke tenderly, but her words nearly stabbed him.
"Li Ke, you're smarter, more cultured, more handsome, and more special than anyone my age, but I have a question."
So far, it was all compliments — music to Li Ke's ears. But then came the question:
"Li Ke, you must've noticed I like you. I asked my mother and did everything I could to attract you. Even though I've never been with anyone, I'm confident in my looks and talent."
She narrowed her eyes and stared into Li Ke's soul, saying:
"I've given you so many hints. Do you not like women?"
Li Ke went pale at that conclusion. What the hell, girl, you're underage. Want to call the FBI too?
Seeing Li Ke's reaction, she sighed and said:
"I knew it! Ugh, just my luck, the man I fall for..."
Li Ke interrupted her:
"Hey girl, don't test me. I haven't done anything to you, and despite all your teasing, I've held back because you're underage."
She rolled her eyes and said:
"You're younger than me and already old enough to marry!"
Li Ke didn't know how to explain. Just because something is legal doesn't mean it's morally right.
After all, 16 is old enough to know what you want from life, right? But having thoughts is one thing, acting on them is another.
The laws had let Li Ke go, but he hadn't let go of the laws. He was a law-abiding citizen who never did anything wrong. What he feared most was that the SWAT team would come all the way from the US just to arrest him in Brazil.
Pulling Li Ke out of his thoughts, the girl kissed him.
A clumsy kiss, her eyes wide open — clearly her first kiss.
Li Ke kissed her back. After a long kiss, the two parted.
She asked:
"How are you so good at this?"
He replied:
"Everyone has their talent."
He smiled at her, hugged her tightly, and said:
"You're going to be my woman. Just hang in there a little longer. I'm still very young, okay?"
She replied:
"Okay."
They stayed together a while longer before
parting ways.
In those days, Li Ke dreamed he was arrested by the FBI and had to escape from prison. He had that dream several times.