After finishing work, Old Chen carried Xi Xi and, braving the wind and snow, set off on the journey home with Li Che and Zhang Ya.
To prevent Xi Xi from being afflicted by the harsh weather, Old Chen even directly used his Inner Strength to dispel the cold, ensuring that not a single snowflake landed on the little girl.
Back in their humble earthen house, Zhang Ya and Li Che became busy with preparations, naturally wanting to show good hospitality since Old Chen was there to protect them.
They cooked fine wine and dishes and enjoyed a hearty dinner together.
“Xiao Ya’s cooking is not bad, not bad at all. In the future, if Old Chen comes over for meals, I’m certainly in for a treat,” Old Chen said.
Old Chen ate his food and drank his wine, his eyes squinting happily.
Meanwhile, Xi Xi sat in the wooden baby chair Li Che had made for her, waving her arms, seeming to want a taste of Old Chen’s gourd wine as well.
Li Che joined Old Chen for a few drinks but did not drink much more after that.
After all, he had to stay alert tonight due to worries about the followers of the Spirit Infant Sect getting desperate.
After dinner, Old Chen played with Xi Xi while Li Che sat under the oil lamp in the chair, pulling out the wood he had brought from the wood carving shop to practice carving and try making mechanisms.
Maybe because they had grown closer, during a break in the drinking, Old Chen told Li Che that he wouldn’t charge him for borrowing “Tang’s Mechanism Essentials.”
Li Che, now a formal Wood Carver, although not short of fifty coins, appreciated Old Chen’s gesture and thanked him with a toast.
Even after finishing the Sleeve Crossbow, Li Che didn’t stop. He planned to make two more sets, one to hide in his other sleeve and another for his wife, Zhang Ya, just in case.
Sure enough, after one production of Sleeve Crossbow, the maturity of his Dao Fruit could no longer increase. If he wanted to further mature the Dao Fruit, he would have to make other mechanisms.
The wind and snow were intense, howling wildly outside the house.
The oil lamp’s wick flickered inside, casting wavering shadows.
In the middle of the night.
While watching over Xi Xi, who was sleeping, Old Chen suddenly narrowed his eyes and silently left the house, leaping onto the roof in one move.
His strong vital energy roared like an angry dragon amidst the wind and snow.
Several approaching silhouettes, sensing Old Chen’s presence, did not hesitate and turned to flee.
Old Chen’s face darkened. The followers of the Spirit Infant Sect were indeed crazy, daring to commit acts of violence in the dead of night.
“One Sinew Transforming, four Skin Refinements… this lineup… If Old Chen weren’t here tonight, young A Che might not be able to protect Xi Xi…”
Old Chen pulled out the stopper of his gourd and took a swig of wine.
His eyes blazed with intense fierceness.
Spirit Infant Sect…
They had indeed turned Fei Lei City into a mess.
Returning inside, Old Chen nodded at Li Che and then went back to the sleeping Xi Xi’s side.
Li Che’s hand clutched the carving knife, his veins bulging like dragons, and after a long time, he slowly exhaled and settled down to continue carving.
This kindness from Old Chen today was something Li Che would remember.
…
…
The next day, the weather cleared up, no longer windy or snowy.
Zhang Ya got up early to start packing, preparing for moving.
Although her husband hadn’t said much, she, being as observant as she was, realized the danger threatening their small home when they had to invite Master Chen to stay over.
Therefore, she felt no sadness about moving, only the desire to quickly move into the courtyard of Xu’s Wood Carving Shop.
There weren’t many things in the earthen house. Some daily necessities were piled up, loaded onto a donkey cart, and pulled towards Xu’s Wood Carving Shop.
The neighbors looked on at this scene, poking their heads out one by one, watching with surprise and envy.
“Moving out, huh… This family is about to rise high and leave our little corner,” one of them said.
“I heard that Che has become a formal wood carving master from working as a mover at Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop… He’s going to make a lot of money now!” another added.
“You can tell Che was bound to succeed! Now he’s become a Wood Carver, and I heard that a single carving from a Wood Carver can sell for ten pieces of silver!”
“It’s different now, they’re not from our world anymore.”
…
The neighbors murmured enviously, showing varying reactions as they watched the donkey cart crush the pristine snow underfoot, disappearing around the corner of the alley.
Upon arriving at the wood carving shop, they went straight inside.
Li Che did not see the Third Shopkeeper, but he did meet an old man dressed in fine clothes, looking like a steward, holding a set of keys.
“Master Li, the shopkeeper asked me to wait for you and accompany you to choose a housing unit,” the steward said with a smile, then he turned to look at Chen Dabao holding Xi Xi.
“Oh, Master Chen is here too?”
Old Chen smiled, “Old Sun, just take A Che directly to the two-room housing unit across from my place. We’ll be neighbors!”
The steward, known as Old Sun, smiled broadly, “That sounds great, follow me this way.”
The group entered the large courtyard of the shop and walked through the narrow lanes between high walls, quickly arriving at the residential area, seeing several houses aligned along both sides of the alley.
Xu’s Wood Carving Shop was vast, occupying a wide area!
After all, the Xu family was wealthy and powerful. They also practiced martial arts and mastered Inner Strength. Having developed in Fei Lei City for over two hundred years, they possessed deep foundations.
They were bigger landowners than even the large landowners, naturally having amassed quite a bit of land.
The steward, Old Sun, used a key to unlock the door and pushed it open, shaking off the snow piled on the roof, revealing a spacious courtyard covered in thick snow.
“Master Li, please take a look. If you are not satisfied, we can look at other courtyards.”
The steward, Old Sun, looked at Li Che with a demeanor that was both gentle and respectful.
Being able to become a formal wood carving master from a laborer required an exceptionally high wood carving talent. Becoming the steward of Xu’s Wood Carving Shop meant he had the necessary discernment; he would not commit the folly of offending others lightly.
Li Che led Zhang Ya into the courtyard and inspected it carefully. His long-tense emotions finally relaxed.
A smile formed on his lips, “Good, very good.”
Zhang Ya, too, looked at the bright and luxurious courtyard in a daze and disbelief. Compared to the small clay house they had lived in before, this was so much better!
“Let’s have Uncle and his family over for a housewarming feast in a couple of days. We can consider ourselves settled in then.”
After viewing the house, Zhang Ya nestled in Li Che’s arms, her eyes shimmering slightly.
Her husband had promised her a good life, and now… it had finally come true.
Life was slowly getting better!
“You two clean up the courtyard a bit, and then move in properly. Old Man XiXi has taken the little ones home to play. Once you’re done, come over for dinner. I’ll arrange a table at the Spring Breeze Building just across your courtyard,”
Chen Dabao, holding Xi Xi, shouted a few times and then returned to his own courtyard.
Being so close, they could even hear the giggling laughter of Xi Xi and Chen Dabao playing.
Li Che smiled knowingly, “I didn’t expect Old Chen and Xi Xi to get along so well…”
“Master Chen is really nice. With him taking care of Xi Xi, we can also rest easy while we clean up…” Zhang Ya said with a pursed lip smile.
The couple exchanged a glance, then began to busily tidy up the courtyard.
…
…
Time does not stand still, the seasons flow like a river.
Moments scatter like wood shavings under the carving knife, unnoticed as they fill the ground.
Xi Xi turned one year old.
Inside the courtyard.
The chill of autumn had just passed, and the stark winter snow had already begun to drift down, piling up in the courtyard like soft white cotton.
Li Che and Old Chen sat by the stove, atop which warm aged yellow wine was being heated. The table was laid with sliced braised beef and pig’s ears mixed with coriander and minced garlic, exuding a delicious aroma.
In the courtyard, one-year-old Xi Xi was running around joyfully, chasing after the falling snow, using the wooden walker that Li Che had made for her.
Old Chen looked at Xi Xi with adoration, not moving his eyes away, “Oh, my little Stinky Xi, it’s snowing outside. It’s cold, come back inside to play.”
“Uncle Chen, it’s fine. Let her run around a bit. She’ll get tired and it will be easier to put her to sleep at night. Otherwise, she’s too energetic and stays awake with her eyes wide as copper bells,” Zhang Ya said with a laugh, bringing out a plate of steaming fried edamame from the kitchen.
“Heh, Xi Xi is one year old now. Were you really not thinking of hosting a feast? Old man, I must let Xi Xi receive presents in style… I’ve called several other old fellows around, you’ve got to host a few tables!”
Old Chen grabbed some edamame, eating and chuckling.
Li Che originally did not want to host a first birthday party. Even though they had moved to the large courtyard of the shop nearly a year ago and the Spirit Infant Sect had been quiet, he remained vigilant deep inside.
And the closer it got to Xi Xi’s first birthday, the more vigilant Li Che became.
After all… Lei Chunlan had specifically targeted one-year-old infants in the past!
However, after discussing it with his wife, they decided to have the first birthday party after all, mainly because the courtyard was spacious enough and hosting it at home would naturally be safe.
After heating the old yellow wine, he poured a cup for Old Chen.
Li Che also poured himself a cup and took a sip; the fragrance of the wine spread warmth, dispelling the winter chill.
Suddenly, Li Che felt a slight vibration in his heart.
Images immediately appeared before his eyes.
On the vast land, a towering treasure tree, lush with branches and leaves, slowly bore a colorful fruit that shimmered and sparkled, reflecting the many scenes of Xi Xi’s growth over the past year.
Li Che’s eyes lit up instantly.
A long-missed anticipation finally blossomed at this moment.
Xi Xi is one, the second Dao Fruit…
has arrived.
…
[Your daughter is one year old, safe and sound. You receive a Dao Fruit, “Dragon Elephant Vajra”]
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