“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

This famous quote was extremely relevant at Zi Yang’s house this new year.

A lot of things were supposed to have their beginnings this year.

Two days have passed since Zi Ming’s last wish was denied and he sulked continuously.

Considering that it was New Years tomorrow which was also celebrated as Zi Ming’s birthday, Zi Yang decided to have a talk with Zi Ming tonight.

Before that though, he had to pick up his birthday present.

So, in the afternoon – he informed Yi Feng who came to help out in the center today and went out for his business.

Yi Feng had just started coming to the center to help out in evenings after school and on school leaves.

His father strongly pushed him to work part-time and even though he did not know why he had to work part-time; he was sensible enough to obey his father’s words.

Listening to Zi Yang talking about picking up Zi Ming’s birthday present; Yi Feng was also confused.

As far as he knew, Zi Ming’s birthday had already passed a few days ago and there was no celebration that day.

He knew of this because Yi Hai today him that that day was Zi Ming’s birthday.

He asked Aunt Mei was helping take care of the newborn baby pandas from the panda couple.

Aunt Mei smile while working paused and then became a little forced when she heard his question.

She then explained, “It was because Yi Nuo, Zi Ming’s mother died at childbirth. So, Zi Yang does not want to remember that day for two purposes.

Both brothers remember their mother that day and Zi Yang celebrates Zi Ming’s birthday every new year – as if to tell Zi Ming – that he was the new beginning in his life.

Zi Ming doesn’t understand much now. He thinks he has two birthdays – one for people to wish and other for people to celebrate and give gifts.”

Mei Li still can’t forget Yi Nuo. Even if four years have passed, she was her partner after all. The other beast partners are also not left behind here. Some were sent to the wild, some chose to accompany Yi Nuo.

Only she was left by her to take care of her babies as their godmother.

Yi Feng was also affectionate by nature. He couldn’t help but hug Aunt Mei slightly to relieve her of sadness.

“Oh kid, it’s okay. It happens sometimes. So, how’s Yi Xin doing? Still busy with his regiment?”

Yi Feng pouted slightly.

“Yes, he says he will come for the birthday celebration tomorrow. Until then, we, the Yi brothers stay here with Zi brothers.”

Aunt Mei laughed softly.

The Yi brothers sure have grown onto the Zi brothers since that fight.

She was happy to have the boys have friends.

She didn’t worry about Zi Ming. Zi Yang’s nature ensures that he would have no problem in anything and same goes with making friends.

She worried about her Yang’er. He was too mature for his age.

He hardly ever had the time to enjoy life.

She has already made a decision to change things starting this year.

She was going to announce the decision at the new year’s party.

The afternoon passed and a dark blue hue covered the sky as the snow hailed arrival of the last night of the year.

Everyone ate light dinner and slept to welcome the new day and new year tomorrow.

But before that, Zi Yang promised Zi Ming to go shopping together if he also wore his chosen clothes all year round.

Zi Ming was happy to agree.

Zi Ming decided to buy clothes with Zi Yang tomorrow morning to wear in the celebration tomorrow.

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What the sweet and gullible Zi Ming didn’t know was he tricked again by his elder brother.

New Years’ Day.

Jan 1, 2036.

Bai Tu woke up, kicked her blanket and went to her daughter’s room to wish her a very happy new year.

Lan Yun was woken by his kick and was befuddled for a moment. Then, she was immediately enraged at this daughter-control nincompoop.

Which husband doesn’t kiss his wife a happy new year first. Only this fool would first run to his daughter.

Forget it. She covered herself with a blanket and slept again.

Bai Tu didn’t know his wife’s rich inner drama.

He came to her daughter and kissed her softly and wished him a good morning.

Looking at her daughter rubbing her bleary eyes, Bai Tu has already made a very important decision.

That creep Yi Hai is always hanging around his daughter. He has decided to separate them and he’s made a perfect plan.

He’s going to announce his decision at the Zi Ming’s birthday party tonight.

He will warn Yi Xin to control his monkey there.

At Beast Regiment’s border control, Yi Xin sneezed.

Was someone speaking ill of him? Could it be that the capital Yi family slandering his branch to extract some joke for the new year?

Those evil beasts.

Two smoke guns ejected from Yi Xin’s nose.

Do they think that cheating his branch out of resources and territory would make us bow heads?

Before Yi Xin had to bow heads under the heaves.

But now his sons don’t have to.

He was going to make his sons capable enough to reach the capital and live a life that snobbish family could only envy from afar.

He had already made a decision.

He was going to take the opportunity to make his request at the birthday party this evening.

All his subsequent decisions will have to wait.

No body would have thought that a simple New Year Celebration would get embroiled in so many decisions.

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That evening, at the Zi’s residence.

The new year lights were set up.

The center workers had also helped a little to cook for the New Year celebration.

Most everyone Zi Yang knew and was grateful for was invited.

Local aunties who were involved with the center – Aunt Ying, Aunt Jo etc.

Neighbors who he owed favors to – Uncle Bai, Aunt Jing, Aunt Jing’s housekeeper Miss Ling, even their leafed had trut had a separate invitation.

The recently made friends with Zi brothers and their seniors – Yi Hai, Yi Feng and their dad, Yi Xin, Jian Guo and his supervisor Master Meng Yijun.

Finally in attendance were the hosts: Zi Yang, Zi Ming, Uncle Baize and Mama Mei.

The guests had already started coming up. First to come was unexpectedly Master Meng and Jian Guo.

Master Meng was appreciative of Zi Yang’s quick mind and his talent for potion science but considering that he could not channel qi – he had to regretfully suppress his desire to officially accept him as his apprentice.

“Teacher, you’re here. Here.”

Zi Yang guided him to his table and carefully served him.

They did not have the name of a master and apprentice but Zi Yang respected him a lot and called him ‘teacher’.

Master Meng never looked down on him for delving into potions even though he could not channel spiritual qi. He guided him patiently and always helped him understand concepts.

Zi Yang was grateful for such a dedicated teacher.

Master Meng did not sit directly but looked at Zi Yang with some regret and said, “Zi Yang, how about you consider this again? Even if I can’t accept you as a disciple due to your deficiency – it does not prevent me to keep looking for solutions.”

It turns out Master Meng had recently received an invitation from the Plateau of Emptiness – everyone knows what that is – the residence of the Void Empress to join them as a resident potion master.

He wanted to take Zi Yang and Zi Ming away.

He really like Zi Yang’s talent as well his character.

He wanted to help him with all his strength to regain his ability to channel spiritual qi.

But Zi Yang couldn’t leave the town yet. Even with the assurance of his teacher, he couldn’t go to a new city without any standing by gambling on his and Zi Ming’s life like that.

Zi Yang showed a wry smile and said, “Teacher, you know…”

Master Meng was also a little annoyed, “I know. Your brother’s young and you don’t trust this teacher enough having known each other for only more than a year…”

Zi Yang denied with all his strength, “no, teacher. It’s not….”

Master Meng cut him off again and said, “Alright, no issues. Leave it at that. Jian Guo gave the presents to your junior brother.”

“Yes teacher.”, Jian Guo then came to Zi Yang and presented all the gifts.

Master Meng said again, “Even if I can’t accept you as a disciple due to Meng’s ancestral restrictions, I can accept you as a provisional student. When I find a cure at Void Empress’ place, I will return to take you in as an apprentice.”

Jian Guo followed, “Junior brother, this is Master’s shop’s usage rights and your identification plaque as Meng’s provisional student. With these, you can have some help in the potion master circle in Jade Cloud City.”

Master Meng literally handed over everything he had in the city to Zi Yang – although only usage rights – but all his research and resources he left were still there. Property is never a big thing for professionals.

He didn’t give that – presumably because he couldn’t because of some reasons.

Zi Yang was touched.

This was his first teacher in this life.