Ye Qing grabbed a napkin off the table to clean the oil stains on his shirt.

Wang Ma witnessed the accident that occurred. Ye Qing was a talented young man working under the Fourth Young Master. Only those most capable and reliable could have the chance to serve the head of the family. Taking two steps forward, she asked, “Ye Qing, how old are you this year?”

“I’m 27. Why is Wang Ma asking me this?” Ye Qing enquired as he wiped the oil stains.

Wang Ma was 50 years old this year. A 27-year-old man was but a child in her eyes. As if coaxing a small animal, she asked, “Have you thought about starting a family?”

Ye Qing nearly burst into laughter. “It’s not like Wang Ma doesn’t know. I don’t even have a girlfriend. What more a family?”

“That’s alright. Wang Ma shall help you find one. What do you think?”

“Sure,” Ye Qing answered, not thinking that Wang Ma was being serious.

Wang Ma immediately perked up when she saw Ye Qing nod. “How about Lizhi? What do you think of her? You do like Lizhi, don’t you? She’s only 25. She’s pretty and diligent. If you’d like, I could play matchmaker for you two.”

Ye Qing paused mid-wipe and stared at Wang Ma. Seeing that she did not look like she was joking, he smiled somewhat hesitantly, “Wang Ma, Lizhi doesn’t like people like me. You don’t have to trouble yourself.”

“Hey, you brat, how do you know that Lizhi doesn’t like someone of your nature?” Wang Ma rebutted unhappily.

“A few years ago, I heard Lizhi and Shi Yan talking. Shi Yan asked who she would pick to be her boyfriend if she were to pick one from among the Ye brothers. Lizhi didn’t respond. It means she doesn’t like men like us.”

Hearing this, Wang Ma grew confused. When did this happen? Why did she not know about it?

“Then, do you like girls like Lizhi?” Wang Ma asked.

“What’s the use of me liking her? I’m not going to talk to you anymore. I still have urgent matters to attend to, and I need to speak with Ye Luo.”

Ye Qing hurried away, covering a great distance with his large strides.

Wang Ma watched Ye Qing retreat down the hallway. It seemed like she ought to have a word with Lizhi. Busying herself with empty bowls and other utensils, Wang Ma shuffled to the kitchen, a plan forming in her mind. She would need all her wits about her to help these two lovebirds.

–

Afternoon.

At the airport…

Before boarding the plane, Qin Shu called Fu Tingyu. When the line connected, she said,” I’m off! I’m boarding the plane now. I’ll see you when I see you.”

So soon?

Fu Tingyu stopped flipping through the documents in his hands. It was too late to ask her to stay. He still hadn’t had enough fun yet! Last night could not have been more than an appetiser…

“Be careful on the road. Call me when you get there.”

“Okay, take care of Xiao Jiu. Please don’t yell or be too hard on him; he’s still a child no matter how mature he may seem.”

“I’ll listen to my wife. I won’t scold him.”

“If you have time, spend more time with him. Don’t pressure him into doing things he doesn’t want to do.”

If only to appease his wife, he complied, saying, “I know. I’ll listen to my wife.” After all, what she did not know would not hurt her.

While outwardly agreeing with his wife, he kept his true thoughts to himself. How could he retire quickly and spend his days with his wife if he did not put any pressure on Xiao Jiu? It was wholly unacceptable in his mind.

“While I’m away, try and cultivate your relationship with him. You’re his father; you should foster a bond with your son. Don’t miss me too much. Hopefully, I won’t be away for too long…”

“What about your poos husband? Wouldn’t I be all alone without you accompanying me at night? What if I die without your love?

Shi Yan had just pushed open the door and entered when he heard such melodramatic words, the coffee cup in his hands nearly spilling. Why did he feel that the Fourth Young Master was like a husband who had suffered a deep grievance?

He eyed the piping cup of coffee wearily as he considered his options. His decision was the most obvious. Closing the door behind him, Shi Yan left to perform his other duties. He would return later when the Fourth Young Master was not shamelessly flirting with his wife while at work.

Qin Shu scolded her husband, calling him a shameless ruffian in her heart. “Too bad!”

“Babe, shouldn’t you feel sorry for your hubby? I must be the only man with a wife who would abandon him before things got good…”

“Ha. Ha. I forgot to remind you. Don’t overexert yourself, or you’ll be injured. Again.”

Qin Shu hung up before Fu Tingyu could say anything more to embarrass her or himself. Fu Tingyu would behave like an ill-bred ruffian whenever they spoke on the phone, his words growing more shameless with each exchange.

“Ye Luo, we’re leaving. Please get the bags.”

Ye Luo carried President Ba with one hand, using his other for the suitcase, following closely behind Qin Shu.

–

Nightfall.

At the dining table…

Dinner was not the same without his wife.

Even eating was a laborious affair.

Xiao Jiu was a chip off the old block, practically a miniature version of Fu Tingyu. They sat at opposite ends of the table, eating their dinner in silence.

The father and son did not speak.

When the dinner was over, Xiao Jiu washed down dinner with a glass of water, wiping away the excess with a napkin. “Father, Mother is not at home tonight.”

Fu Tingyu put down his cutlery and said, “Yes. I wish to speak to you later. Come to my study after dinner.”

Xiao Jiu had a bad feeling. “Why do you want to see me in your study?”

Fu Tingyu looked up at Xiao Jiu. “You have been slacking off a lot during my absence, so I want to make sure you’re doing your studying properly. If there’s anything you don’t know or understand, you may ask me.”

His father’s words disgruntled Xiao Jiu, and he complained, “I’m going to practice coding tonight. Father, you can’t take away my private time.”

“There’s no need to rush coding. I’m sure you’ve already learnt the basics. You can have as much time to yourself as you want when you become an adult and take charge of things. Whatever you decide to do then is none of my concern,” Fu Tingyu answered faintly.

“Father is bullying me! I’m going to call Mother.”

Xiao Jiu whipped out his phone and dialled his mother’s number.

No sooner had Xiao Jiu dialled his mother’s number than he realised he was no longer holding on to his phone. Fu Tingyu had confiscated his phone and was now toying with it in his hands; the sight caused him to gnash his teeth in hatred.

In a deep, menacing voice, Fu Tingyu threatened, “If you dare to complain to your mother, I’ll teach you a lesson you’ll never forget.”

Xiao Jiu straightened his back and said, “If you dare to hit me, I’ll tell my mother.”

Fu Tingyu was amused, but he still kept a straight face. “Is that all you can do? Please don’t let outsiders know you’re my son. I wouldn’t want to live with the embarrassment.”

“If I go out, I’ll say that I’m my mother’s son. I won’t mention you. I wouldn’t want anyone to mistake me for your son; that would be an utter disgrace to my mother’s good name.”

“…”

“I’m confiscating your phone. Follow me upstairs,” Fu Tingyu said, his tone brokering no room for argument.

Fu Tingyu got up, walking unhurriedly.

Xiao Jiu sighed. His mother was not home, and his father had gone mad.

He followed his father upstairs, helpless. Looking at Fu Tingyu, who was walking in front, he said, “Father, I would like to speak to you.”

Fu Tingyu’s reply came short and clipped, “If you have something to say, say it quickly.”

Xiao Jiu kept up with his father despite his much shorter strides, “I miss Grandfather. I hope he’ll return soon…”

Fu Tingyu scoffed. “There’s no use in flattering him. Your grandfather is still a thousand miles away.”

Xiao Jiu sulked, refusing to respond.

–

They arrived at the Ancient City of Wind and Moon around 3 am.

Qin Shu drank in the familiar sights. Some of her happiest memories were of her time in this city. Just as her mother once said: Martial arts is a path of hardship, one of suffering, but it is also a path proving the reality of life.

Fengyue Inn never closed; they were open 24 hours a day.

It was her Inn of choice.

The next morning, Qin Shu and Ye Luo went up the mountain.

When they reached the foot of the mountain, Qin Shu realised that apart from the outer formation, the inner formation had been disabled.

Without the formation, she could easily climb Mount Qi, spending less than three hours to reach its summit.

Just as she stepped into the forbidden area of the Celestial Sect, two tall guards appeared in front of her. They were the two guards she had met previously.

“Miss Qin, what brings you here?”

Qin Shu did not state her purpose for going there. Instead, she said, “I’ve lived here for more than three years. Can’t I return to my old home every once in a while?”

The two of them looked at each other and nodded. “Of course.”

The guards stepped aside, allowing her entry.

Qin Shu ignored them and entered the compound with Ye Luo.

She had lived there for more than three years. Although many years had passed since then, it did nothing to stifle the sense of familiarity she had growing up in this place.