Ye Fan soared into the sky, gazing into the distance and scanning all directions. Yet, he saw nothing and departed with lingering doubts.
Over a month passed, and the stone village remained unchanged. When Ye Fan returned, Wang Shu and the uneducated youth were overcome with a mixture of delight and surprise.
"Brother Ye, you're finally back! I thought you had gone away for good."
"Brother Ye, where did you go? How could you have been gone for so long?"
During these past days, Ye Fan had been secluded deep within the mountains in an ancient mine, completely isolated from the outside world. Seeing his friends again filled his heart with joy. He laughed and said, "I told you I would return, and I have. I'll take you to gamble on stones and fulfill your long-held wish."
Fifth Grandpa Zhang heard the news and quickly rushed over, an excited expression on his old face, his voice trembling as he said, "You're back… It's good that you're back."
