Days passed fairly quickly as everyone slowly started to return back to their regular duties. The long lines of unattended customers soon dwindled down and the practitioners sent over to the slums had already returned from the event, bringing along the positive news that this month’s objectives were achieved. A representative of the village council has done their part for its people and their reputation.

Certainly, this meant YaoMing was once again preoccupied with piles of paperwork. For ShiYan’s routine downtime spent with her father at his study, he had to send her out to leave him be for the next couple of days. However, she resisted, and failed.

There she now stood at the other end of the corridor that led into his study. Having personally been carried out by her father, the first time that he had ever done so in her life.

“Father…”

Her face was a blend of delightful surprise and cringeworthy bewilderment.

“Oh well, as long as I like it, it’s fine to improve, father.” Pouting at his non-present self, ShiYan shifted her attention to herself.

‘What shall I do now?’ She thought.

The sun was still a long way from sunset and the gates to the Xu pharmacy were closed for the day.

‘It would be quite some time until dinner. So…Oh! Shall I see what ReZhui and Eddisson are up to?’ She perked up with glee.

Determined, ShiYan dashed across the estate to her aunt’s room, where ReZhui and Eddisson told her that they would always be there. Eyeing that recognisable entrance, ShiYan readied her excitement before she slammed the doors wide open.

“Guys, what’s up!”

A rush of youthful energy entered the dead room, startling Eddisson and TianXing.

“ShiYan!”

“S-S-ShiYan?”

Came their responses in unison.

“...”

“...”

Turning back to one another, the mother and son were wordless at their synchronization. However, TianXing quickly broke out of that moment and followed up her statement.

“Arhm, anyhow, ShiYan, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be with Eldest Brother?”

Eddisson nodded as well.

“Father said he was busy, so…I came here because I’ve nothing else to do.”

“Anything else?” TianXing smirked.

“...I’m also curious about what those two are learning from you.”

“How adorable, ShiYan.”

“...”

Throughout her session with her Father and at dinner, YaoMing slowly told her everything that was said back at the carriage. For ReZhui, he somewhat felt jealous that she could hear all this without the pressure of a potentially furious YaoMing seated at the side of herself.

Once finished, ShiYan sometimes made trips to TianXing and introduced herself properly but the number of those encounters would now only fill a hand. Other times, she was focused at the pharmacy or spent hours helping out in that office under his guidance. The fact that TianXing herself rarely took a step outside the guest room furthered the lack of interaction between the two. Hence, the aunt and niece were frankly not on the closest of relationships, though both are determined to resolve that. Today’s one such opportunity.

“So those are my reasons, could I join them too?”

Giving herself time to consider, TianXing then shuffled to the side, giving her space beside her.

“Take a chair from the corner, ShiYan.”

Immediately, she followed her instructions and sat on the new round table. Though ShiYan had her earlier doubts about those pimples and dark spots, her father dispelled any worries, telling her it wasn’t infectious through touch besides bodily fluids.

Now, TianXing donned another soft white robe and her black long hair flowed gracefully down her recovering body.

“...That’s a lot of books.” ShiYan commented at a glance.

“Are you frightened, ShiYan?” TianXing teased.

“Nope, I saw Father’s desk. He’s much worse.”

“It’s a natural thing, ShiYan.”

“But…”

“Yes?”

Showing her a questionable expression, ShiYan pointed somewhere for her aunt to see her point. It was beside her and Eddisson.

“What happened to ReZhui?”

“...”

ShiYan saw a lifeless boy. His face was flat on the table’s surface and his usually tidied hair had thick strands all over his texts with his bun loosened significantly. She also could have sworn that she saw steam emerging out of his head.

“...”

Unfazed, TianXing turned back to her.

“Did you just notice that, ShiYan?”

“I had my suspicions at first, mainly because ReZhui would always be the first to loudly wave back in this sort of scenario.”

“...I guess he’s too exhausted to even realize.” Her aunt smiled.

“Then, why is Eddisson…”

“I-I’m vine, ShiYan. I juess I just understand ghese sudjects much faster dhan ReZhui does.”

Eddisson meekly answered her. But, she was more interested in another much major matter.

“Eddi?! Y-you can now speak mandarin?”

“Ah-ah…I-”

In the background, his mother looked on with pride.

“-I am still yearning. My focabulary is still weak and I am sure that I pissed some tones just now.”

“That doesn’t matter, Eddi. I don’t even know a single word of english.”

“No…I-”

“Enough, Eddisson, just accept ShiYan’s compliment and be proud of it.”

“U-Understood, Mother.” And he got back to his writing.

“...?”

“Don’t worry, ShiYan. It’s just an old habit for him to talk with me solely in english.”

“Alright then. Say, what happened to ReZhui? Should we wake him up?”

Reaching out to grab one of his books, TianXing replied, “What a child he is, I’ll admit. ReZhui may have the passion that leads the path amidst absolute darkness, a source of shining hope, yet, he’s surely not the brightest mind in the shed.”

TianXing placed the textbook in front of ShiYan. A roughed up manual with multiple folds and ink splats.

“The foundations of the world around you…” She read the black brush font title.

“As you can see, ShiYan, it’s quite the book, don’t you think?”

“Extremely.”

“ReZhui took a week to finish this. Eddisson had three.”

“I suspect that Elder brother will be drowning in work for approximately a week’s time.”

“...”

“Could you complete this before then?”

“Let’s see, Aunt He. I may not be Eddisson’s level, but I can vouch otherwise against ReZhui. I’ll defeat him!”

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“Oh my…” TianXing sneered.

.

.

.

“Father!” The young daughter slammed her hands onto the round clothed table.

“...?”

Finishing the last of his food before swallowing, YaoMing then laid his bowl of rice and gave back a frustrated glare.

“We’re eating, ShiYan. You do not have to scream.”

“Please let me stay and help out, Father!”

“...”

Eyeing the boys on the other side of the table, YaoMing asked them, “What did she do this evening?”

ReZhui, fresh from his much needed nap, returned an unknowing expression as he continued to chew on his food.

“I have no idea, Mr Xu…I was fast asleep.”

On the other hand, Eddisson quickly summarized what happened earlier.

“...Like what Eddi said, Father. I can’t stand going to Aunt He’s classes anymore.”

“If so, ShiYan, you can decide not to go and rest until dinner. No one’s forcing you.”

“No, I can’t allow that.”

“Unless you are trying to convince me to allow you entry to my office, I will consider some leniency and thought.”

“But Father…”

Turning back to the boys and her, YaoMing realized something that he would usually never take note of.

“ShiYan?”

“Yes, father?!”

“What do you find hard in social studies?”

“I find memorizing herbs and medicinal routines much easier than assumptions of people and scenarios of events for the most part.”

“...ShiYan, I think that’s what you call critical thought.”

“Yes, and I am not so keen on that.”

“Well, at least you started somewhere. The time you spent with Xiao Tian was useful, wasn’t it?”

“I…cannot say that I gained nothing.”

“Hence, you just have to take it in at your own pace, besides your lack of passion for it.”

Yaoming then raised his chopsticks and consumed another beef dumpling.

“Anyhow, you would soon feel at ease once you do so. ReZhui?”

“Y-yes…Mr Xu?”

Alerted by his sudden calling, ReZhui nearly choked on his rice.

“It’s important news for you. I just received a letter from Elder Woo.”

“Does that mean-”

“Yes, your father is coming to town for some business so he asked me to inform you that he will soon be picking you up for home. Everyone misses you, is what he wrote.”

“I see! Alright then, I can’t wait to return home!”

He immediately sat up in joy.

“No pressure, ReZhui. You can come and go as you please as long as you inform me about the details.”

“So, when is he arriving here?”

“Tomorrow at midday.” YaoMing poured himself another cup of tea.

“Midday…I suppose he is going to do some shopping beforewards.”

“As one should, ReZhui, and I already instructed the servants to pack up the little luggage you brought here.”

“Understood…”

ReZhui soon fell into deep thought.

Somewhat curious, YaoMing inquired about him. “What else is bothering you, ReZhui?”

“Oh it’s nothing, Mr Xu…” He averted his gaze. “Actually, I hope you would allow this request.”

“Speak.”

“Do you mind if I bring ShiYan and Eddi along?”

“...”

“Erhm…”

“What for though?”

“...It’s…Ah…I want them over for some fun at my place.”

“...That’s it?”

“Yes…”

“...” YaoMing turned to his daughter. “What do you say, ShiYan?”

“Yes! I want to, Father!”

“...” YaoMing staggered back.

“Please…”

“...Eddisson?”

Even with his mouth full, Eddisson instantly nodded with admirable vigor. Those two really agreed with this proposal. On the other hand, this also meant TianXing could rest more fulfillingly and he could work without disturbance.

‘It’s a tolerable excursion.’ Yaoming thought. “Alright, the three of you, I will permit it.”

With that news, the children’s eyes sparkled brighter with excitement.

“But, that’s if Mr Zhang would agree with this.”

“...!”

In the end, the entire dining experience grew rather gloomy pretty quickly.

.

.

.

That night, the three children slept later than usual. For ReZhui, it was the anticipation of introducing his newfound close friends with his family that kept him awake. Both Eddisson and ShiYan returned to their respective parents and quickly arranged the appropriate luggage needed for the stay at the mountainous Bai village.

Time flew fast and midday finally arrived.

At the front gates to the courtyard, YaoMing kept watch as the children fiddled around with their packed goods. Sun shone overhead and his eyes squinted. Once they opened, YaoMing suddenly made out the wide outline of a wagon and a familiar man of huge bulk charging towards him. Turning on his heel, he alerted the kids.

“Get ready, everyone-!”

At that moment, the loud huffs of horses interrupted him and the carriage roughly stopped steps away from the entrance.

“...”

With a rocking of the wagon, the grunts of a farmer could be heard as he landed hard onto the stone road. Dusting himself off, the farmer then greeted YaoMing with a light bow.

“It's a pleasure to meet you once again, YaoMing. How long has it been since then? I do hope you find ReZhui’s stay meaningful and please forgive him if he did cause any inconvenience.”

ReZhui watched as his father smiled with confidence. Dressed in a familiar outfit of handsewn brown and white Hanfu tunic and baggy black pants, he now had a different aura around him.

“Hahaha, likewise, GuoZhao. However, you truly underestimated your very son as you have raised him very well. He’s a disciple worthy of his master’s pride.”

“...” Both father and son felt heartstrucken by that declaration and ReZhui had his ears flush a little.

“Very well, YaoMing. I trust your word that ReZhui is just as what you said.”

“Thank you.” YaoMing saluted a hand greeting back.

“Anyways, I have some stuff remaining to trade with. How are the goods I sent several weeks back?” Mr Zhang headed for his wagon full of bought supplies and his own selling items.

“It’s a good thing I came prepared.” YaoMing then gestured for the servants who pulled out a small cart. “They sold high above the market price for their origins of foraging. You could say those fox pelts, especially, are a collectors item.”

Returning back with the aforementioned goods, Mr Zhang placed them into the cart, securing the trade. YaoMing gladly handed him several wrapped documents and a large pouch of silver taels.

“I unilaterally decided to split 20 to 80 respectively. Consider your majority share a sign of good will from the Xu household.”

“...I understand.” Now finished with business, Mr Zhang approached ReZhui and his friends.

Kneeling in front of him, Mr Zhang patted ReZhui on his shoulder; his coarse hands touched worn clothes. They met eye to eye.

“Hello young man, did you miss me?”

“...Pa!”

Instantly, ReZhui ran forward into a warm embrace.

“...”

To which Mr Zhang readily accepted his advances. Surprisingly, he felt that ReZhui had grown significantly taller over the past weeks. Emotions spilt over as Mr Zhang decided to conclude their last dispute.

“ReZhui, I…would like to apologize for what I said-”

“Don’t be, Pa.”

“Huh!” He was shocked at his response.

“...”

Once the duo let go of one another, ReZhui gave his father a calm expression.

“Pa, I’m glad that I had you as my father. The means to which you sacrifice your pride, the stress of being a Chieftain and the responsibilities of a father, you had it all and I only burdened it further.”

“ReZhui…” Mr Zhang could not believe what he was saying. In the background, YaoMing grinned at his benefactor.

“But, I changed! I visited the slums of DongBu. I learnt about the faraway city of ShanWei where men of color roam about with swords and guns. I was told of a wider world outside of the Middle Kingdom.”

“...”

“So, Pa, whenever there’s another time that bastard mayor comes to cause trouble, I will be there to save you from him. It’s a promise.”

ReZhui smiled in between dripping tears. Clenched fist raised.

“ReZhui.”

Mr Zhang ruffled up his youthful black hair. “That’s my boy. I’m so proud of you…and thank you.”

“...YES!”

The two held on to their last hug before YaoMing soon intertwined.

“Erhm!”

“Oh, YaoMing.”

“Mr Xu?”

Averting his gaze, YaoMing added, “...Sorry for interrupting your moment but I believe you must reach home before sunset, correct?”

“That’s the plan but a small delay wouldn’t matter much.”

“Well this does, GuoZhao. ReZhui’s new friend and ShiYan insisted that they tag along.”

“Oh.”

“Will you then?”

“The more the merrier, YaoMing. We would love to have them.”

“Then that settles it.”

Afterwards, ShiYan greeted Mr Zhang and joined ReZhui at the back of the cart. That’s when Eddisson approached him…

“N-nice to meet you, ReZhui’s father. My name’s Eddisson He…a-and I’m nine years old.”

“...”

Large icy blue eyes, pale skin, natural blonde hair.

Being a reclusive mountain farmer all his life, Mr Zhang froze in shock. He was seeing something that he had never known existed before. But thankfully, YaoMing was there to smooth tensions down.

“Now, now, Eddisson, you already did your best and uncle over here has welcomed you.”

“Really…?”

“Yes, so go join the rest, alright?”

With a gentle push, YaoMing sent Eddisson on his way before turning back to his friend.

“Steady yourself, GuoZhao. He’s just like any other kid of the Middle Kingdom.”

“B-but his appearance…Is he ill?”

“Trust me with this, GuoZhao. Just treat him like your ordinary boy and everything will fall into place very soon. Eddisson’s just the offspring of a foreign man.”

“...How did ReZhui get to know him?”

“Ha! It’s quite the unbelievable story that I would love to share with you in detail over a cup of tea…but, now’s not the time, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it’s getting late soon…One last question though, YaoMing.”

“Speak it.”

“...What was ReZhui's reaction to all…this?”

“From what I saw, he was never stunned by Eddisson’s unique appearance initially. Moreover, he defended Eddisson against people that ostracized him. Regardless of any differences, he will always hold out a helping hand to anyone he deems good.”

“Wow…”

ReZhui did better than his own father.

“Talk about maturity.” He scowled.

“Yes indeed, my disciple is quite the eccentric individual, but that doesn’t mean I should call his actions humourous, wouldn’t I? After all, I still think he is a man of good moral character that people should follow more often for society to change for the better.”