Qin Yi had been in a state of constant excitement, and he didn't notice anything unusual about his parents. The fact that he could practice martial arts and had been granted full autonomy was like a double blessing. He spent the entire day smiling, elated beyond measure.
That night, just thinking about starting training with the Young Master tomorrow, he tossed and turned in bed, too excited to sleep.
As a result, he overslept the next morning.
Normally, he woke before dawn. Today, he was awakened by the sounds of Zhuzi and Shuzi playing and bickering.
By the time he opened his eyes, the sun was already high in the sky, and breakfast at home was nearly ready.
Seeing the sun, Qin Yi hurriedly dressed in a flustered rush, hopping out of bed while putting on his shoes as he ran. He called out to his mother in the kitchen:
"I'm heading out!"
Then, like the wind, he dashed out of the house.
Zhen Niang, hearing the commotion, stepped out of the kitchen just in time to see his back. She shook her head:
"This child, really…"
The Master had said he would treat Big Head like an adult.
But do adults behave like this?
Rushing about, disheveled, without a proper composure.
Qin Yi ran to the side gate of the West Mansion, about to knock, when the door automatically swung open.
As expected, it was Huang Lao who had opened it.
"Sorry I'm late," Qin Yi bowed quickly, apologizing to Huang Lao.
"You're not late," Huang Lao replied in his usual calm tone.
But Qin Yi no longer felt fear; he smiled and walked inside, following Huang Lao while looking around the courtyard curiously. He asked in his naturally familiar, childish voice:
"Grandpa, what should I call you?"
"My surname is Huang."
"Grandpa Huang, have you started preparing breakfast? I can light the fire. I'll help you."
Huang Lao, voice unchanged, said,
"No need."
"No need? Breakfast is ready? I'm really sorry. I was too excited last night and went to bed very late, which is why I overslept. Normally, I wake up early—before dawn—to help my mother. You can ask her, I've always helped her early in the morning."
Listening to Qin Yi chatter non-stop in his cute, high-pitched voice, Huang Lao couldn't help but think: Why didn't I notice yesterday that this little fellow is such a talker?
Huang Lao then led Qin Yi to another small courtyard, which appeared to be where the Young Master resided.
"You're so small, and yet you're already doing chores?" Huang Lao did not speak; it was the Young Master who spoke.
Only then did Qin Yi notice Qin Xu, wrapped in a black fur coat, lying lazily on a soft couch under the eaves, basking in the sun.
Qin Yi hurriedly bowed to Qin Xu in greeting.
Qin Xu waved his hand, dismissing the formality. Qin Yi then replied:
"Please don't misunderstand, Young Master. My mother didn't ask me to do chores—I wanted to help her. But she always said I was too small to help. A few days ago, she not only stopped me from helping but even made me leave the house to go play in the eastern fields with my two brothers…"
At this, Qin Yi pouted slightly, showing his disapproval of his mother's actions.
Huang Lao, silently standing aside as background, looked at Qin Yi in surprise.
Unexpectedly, this little fellow was so bold. Not only was he familiar and talkative with Huang Lao, but also with the Young Master.
So chatty! Truly rare.
Hearing this, Qin Xu was reminded of the time his father sent him to the cadet training camp of a branch family. He had been very confused and even argued with his father. Only later, when he grew older, did he understand his father's careful intentions.
"You have a good mother," Qin Xu said.
Qin Yi nodded firmly:
"Yes, and I also have a good father, two good brothers, and two good friends who are like true siblings."
Hearing Qin Yi's earnest, childish voice and seeing his serious expression, Qin Xu smiled:
"Really? Then you are truly rich."
"Rich?"
Qin Xu had only said it casually, but hearing Qin Yi recount it, he realized he had used the word rich—a word full of genuine admiration.
It made him think of his own parents, brothers, and friends, stirring a flood of emotions:
"Yes… rich."
Even richer than he was.
Qin Yi scratched his head.
This Young Master really was sentimental, wasn't he?
Just chatting, and suddenly he became so reflective.
Qin Yi's eyes darted, recalling his father's ways with his mother, and he quickly shifted the topic:
"By the way, breakfast? Is it ready? Why haven't we eaten yet? I'm so hungry."
Sure enough, Qin Yi's words brought Qin Xu's attention back. He smiled and called softly:
"Huang Lao."
Huang Lao retrieved a jade vial from his bosom, opened it, and sprinkled a tiny amount of green powder into a teacup on the low side table next to the couch. He then poured half a cup of hot water from a nearby kettle.
Curious, Qin Yi leaned forward, propping himself against the table—almost the same height as him—and peered at the cup. The liquid inside had turned green.
He sniffed it and caught a strong, herbal aroma.
"So fragrant!"
The herbal fragrance was magical. Just a single whiff made his mouth water, and his stomach growled uncontrollably.
It felt as if every cell in his body was roaring, demanding that he drink it.
"Look at how eager you are. Drink it quickly," Qin Xu said, shaking his head and smiling at Qin Yi's reaction.
Huang Lao pushed the cup toward Qin Yi. Qin Xu, carefully holding his own cup, sipped slowly.
"Slurp~ ah!"
"Delicious, really delicious."
Watching Qin Xu sip slowly despite clearly enjoying it, Qin Yi nodded in approval.
He understood: this Nourishing Essence Soup was immensely tempting to someone tasting it for the first time.
Even if Qin Yi had gulped it down greedily, no one would have blamed him—it was a natural instinct, the body's strongest demand for energy nourishment.
Unexpectedly, this little fellow's willpower was so strong at such a young age.
The more he witnessed, the more impressive Qin Yi became.
Huang Lao, standing aside, also began to regard Qin Yi with newfound respect.
Qin Yi, unaware of their thoughts, felt the longing from each cell, though it wasn't overwhelming.
When he finally drank it, he felt a faint, imperceptible warmth flowing from his stomach into his bloodstream, spreading throughout his body.
However, compared with the warmth felt when his skill had reached LV1, this was far weaker.
Not to mention the warmth of reaching LV2.
(End of Chapter 23)