"Really? Hehe…"
Wang Gensheng felt embarrassed after being praised.
Aside from Datou, no one had ever complimented him like that before.
Scratching his head, he laughed foolishly and said,
"Tomorrow, let's build the 'Bamboo House' together. This time we'll bring it back home directly, so we won't have to worry about it getting damaged anymore."
Qin Yi's expression froze for a moment. He sighed helplessly.
"Tomorrow… between breakfast and dinner, just like today, I still won't have time to go play at the wasteland in the east of the village."
"Ah? Like today? You won't go tomorrow either? Then… what about the day after tomorrow?"
The disappointment on Wang Gensheng's face was impossible to hide. It even showed in his eyes.
"The day after tomorrow won't work either. In fact… from now on, it won't work anymore. From now on, during that time, I'll always have something to do."
Although it was cruel, that was the truth.
Rather than letting Wang Gensheng be disappointed again and again, it was better to explain everything clearly at once.
Better a short pain than a long one.
Wang Gensheng's eyes immediately turned red.
Datou was his only good friend.
When everyone else isolated him, Datou was the one who came to his side.
Even when facing threats, he never backed down.
He had even helped him solve the threat from Dashan—something Wang Gensheng once thought impossible.
They also shared the same hobby: building the "Bamboo House."
Their personalities got along well…
Although they had only known each other for a short time, to Wang Gensheng, Datou had already become the most important person in his life besides his father.
"Can't you go?" Wang Gensheng pleaded with a choked voice.
Seeing Wang Gensheng like this, Qin Yi truly wanted to nod and agree.
But…
He could only shake his head.
Still, he explained it in a way Wang Gensheng could understand.
"Just like how you follow your father to learn how to build the 'Bamboo House', and later you'll learn carpentry… I'm now following the Young Master to study even more powerful knowledge. It's very important to me. I can't give it up just because I want to play… I hope you can understand."
"But… but when I follow my father to learn how to build the 'Bamboo House', it doesn't stop me from playing."
After imagining himself in the situation, Wang Gensheng somewhat understood—but still not completely.
"That's because you haven't truly started learning yet. Once you really begin learning, you won't have time to play anymore."
"You're even younger than me. If I can't, then why can you?"
Wang Gensheng didn't believe it.
According to his logic, it actually made sense.
Qin Yi obviously couldn't tell the truth, so he followed Wang Gensheng's reasoning instead.
"That's because what your father teaches requires strength. You're too small and don't have enough strength yet, so you can't start. What I'm learning doesn't require strength, so I can."
Wang Gensheng was completely confused by the explanation. He kept blinking, wanting to argue but not knowing how to respond.
Suddenly, he seemed to think of something and revealed a proud smile.
"You're lying! How could there be a craft that doesn't require strength?"
That was a matter of knowledge.
Qin Yi shook his head helplessly.
But when he realized Wang Gensheng was accusing him of lying—questioning his character—he became angry.
Qin Yi had never lied to anyone.
"There is! Reading and writing! If you don't believe me, go home and ask your father!"
"Liar! Big liar! Waaa—!"
Wang Gensheng hadn't expected Datou to shout at him. Crying, he picked up the Mobile Foundation and ran away.
Qin Yi watched his disappearing back, then turned around angrily and sat down with his back to the courtyard gate, muttering nonstop.
"I'm not a liar."
"You're just ignorant."
"Idiot."
Shuanzi and Zhuzi had been standing nearby, watching the entire scene unfold.
After enjoying the drama, confusion appeared in their eyes.
Zhuzi stepped forward and asked,
"Datou, didn't Father say we weren't allowed to talk about anything related to the Young Master? But just now you…"
"Oh, yesterday it was Grandpa Huang who said we couldn't talk about it. But today the Young Master personally said it's okay."
Zhuzi didn't know who those two people were, but he only trusted his father.
"But Father said…"
Qin Yi looked at his foolish little brother helplessly and explained,
"Yesterday Grandpa Huang said not to talk about it, so Father told us the same. But Grandpa Huang also listens to the Young Master. Since the Young Master has spoken, Father will naturally change his decision."
"Is that so…?"
Zhuzi scratched his head, still unsure.
At that moment, a huge shadow suddenly appeared before him.
When he looked up and saw it was his father, he shouted nervously,
"Father!"
Qin Yong frowned slightly and waved his hand.
"You two go play."
Zhuzi quickly ran back to the corner with Shuanzi to continue playing with the mud.
Seeing Qin Yong's serious expression, Qin Yi quickly stood up straight.
"Father."
"The Young Master really said it's okay… to talk about it outside?" Qin Yong asked solemnly.
Qin Yi blinked and nodded.
"Yes. If you don't believe me, you can ask Grandpa Huang. He nodded too."
Qin Yong didn't understand the reason behind it, but he still nodded.
"Since the Young Master has spoken, then we will follow his decision."
He then crouched down so that his eyes were level with Qin Yi's.
"Datou, I know you're smart and understand limits. But you should still be careful… trouble comes from the mouth. If it's not necessary, it's better not to talk about the Young Master's matters."
Qin Yi immediately nodded with a firm gaze.
"Yes, Father. I know what's important."
Qin Yong stared at him for a moment longer before standing up and returning to his work.
As soon as Qin Yong left, Zhuzi secretly glanced toward the kitchen—where their father was helping their mother start the fire—then ran back to Qin Yi and whispered,
"What did Father say?"
Qin Yi replied proudly,
"Of course he agreed! I already told you—since the Young Master said it, how could Father oppose it?"
Zhuzi looked at Qin Yi with admiration.
Before, he had never noticed it.
But ever since the Young Master arrived, Father's attitude had changed.
And Datou had changed too.
He had become more and more impressive—even able to talk to Father almost like an equal.
That was Zhuzi's greatest dream.
Yet he knew clearly that it was impossible before becoming an adult.
But his younger brother—two years younger than him—had already achieved it.
How could he not feel jealous?
However, curiosity about the Young Master quickly suppressed that feeling.
"Datou, since we can talk about it now, hurry and tell us! I'm dying of curiosity."
Seeing Shuanzi quietly moving closer as well, Qin Yi cleared his throat and said,
"Then let's start with breakfast. You have no idea what the Young Master eats for breakfast. Let me tell you…"
(End of Chapter)