Picked Up a Little Ancestor

Ji Yuchen, a young man with no memory of his past, awakens in a dense forest after falling from an unknown height. He discovers he has amnesia, retaining only basic life skills and knowledge but lacking any personal history, identity, or recollection of how he arrived in this location. While attempting to navigate the wilderness and find civilization, he is nearly struck by an arrow shot from the surrounding trees. He is found by Xu Chuang, a rugged, muscular hunter in his early twenties who lives in the remote Qiantang Village at the foot of Funiu Mountain. Xu Chuang, who uses the name Xu Chuang in town but is known as Dali in the village, carries the injured Ji Yuchen down the mountain after discovering a fracture in his arm. Ji Yuchen, attracted to Xu Chuang’s appearance and kindness, agrees to stay at his home temporarily while recovering and seeking answers about his identity.

At Xu Chuang’s modest brick courtyard home, Ji Yuchen learns that Xu Chuang lives alone after his parents died in a mountain accident a few years prior. Xu Chuang’s gentle nature contrasts with his tough exterior, and he cares for Ji Yuchen’s wounds with professional thoroughness. Ji Yuchen adopts the temporary name Jiu’er, given to him by Xu Chuang based on the date he was found. The two establish a domestic routine, with Ji Yuchen adjusting to rural life, including enduring the early morning crowing of a neighbor’s rooster and suffering a severe sunburn after a trip to the river to collect snails. Xu Chuang builds Ji Yuchen a wooden chair and tends to his injuries, while Ji Yuchen attempts to contribute by helping with household chores and attempting to quiet the noisy rooster by secretly feeding it corn at night.

Seeking to resolve his amnesia, Xu Chuang takes Ji Yuchen to the county town for medical examinations. The hospital tests reveal no physical abnormalities in Ji Yuchen’s brain, leaving his memory loss unexplained. They then visit the police station, where Ji Yuchen’s fingerprints and photo are recorded in case his identity is matched with missing persons reports. The police officer warns Xu Chuang about recent trafficking cases involving young men, adding a layer of tension to their situation. Despite the lack of immediate answers, Xu Chuang insists that Ji Yuchen stay with him until his family is found, expressing a growing emotional attachment to the amnesiac.

As days pass, the relationship between the two deepens. Ji Yuchen becomes increasingly dependent on Xu Chuang’s care, while Xu Chuang finds himself looking forward to Ji Yuchen’s presence, viewing him as a companion who fills the emptiness left by his parents’ death. The narrative explores their daily interactions, from sharing meals and working in the fields to quiet moments of intimacy and concern. Ji Yuchen’s past remains a mystery, with no clues emerging from his condition or the police records, leaving both characters in a state of suspended uncertainty. The story focuses on the development of their bond within the rustic setting, highlighting the contrast between Ji Yuchen’s delicate, urban-like demeanor and Xu Chuang’s sturdy, rural lifestyle, as they navigate the challenges of Ji Yuchen’s condition and the isolation of village life.