Rong Yu returned home, but despite the satisfaction of standing his ground against Rong Muchun, he couldn’t shake the bitterness in his heart.
Ungrateful—that was the only word to describe them. His father, Rong Zhiyuan, had treated them well when he was alive, and this was how they repaid his kindness?
Rong Yu shook his head, pushing the thoughts aside. He would remember this insult, but there was no point in dwelling on it now. There would come a time to settle these accounts properly.
Weary from the day’s events, he dozed off at the stone table in the courtyard.
He wasn’t sure how long he’d been asleep when the sound of knocking roused him.
Rong Yu jolted upright, his heart skipping a beat. Could it be the Fifth Elder’s maid, returning with another set of demands?
Approaching the door cautiously, he peeked through the crack and was startled to see familiar faces. When he opened the door, four figures stood before him.
The first two were the old man in black and the young girl in the yellow dress he had noticed earlier at his uncle’s house.
The other two were far more familiar. One was a thin, middle-aged man with a stern expression and the faint scent of fish clinging to him—his uncle, Xu Changtai. Beside him was a tall young man with a warm, easy smile, his cousin Xu Guanting.
“Uncle, Brother Ting!” Rong Yu exclaimed, surprised.
Guanting stepped forward and patted Rong Yu’s shoulder affectionately. “Xiao Yu, it’s been too long.”
Xu Changtai, usually stern and serious, allowed a small smile to break through.
Rong Yu turned to the old man in black and finally placed him. Ning Xilin, a manager overseeing the mortal branch of their family. Though not a cultivator, Xilin wielded considerable influence within his domain.
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“Uncle Xilin,” Rong Yu greeted him, nodding respectfully. “I didn’t greet you earlier—I hope you’ll forgive me.”
Xilin, flattered by the acknowledgment, waved it off with a chuckle. “You embarrass me, Xiao Yu.”
The old man turned to the girl in the yellow dress. “Xiaoyu, greet your uncle properly.”
The girl’s large, curious eyes studied Rong Yu before she offered a crisp, “Uncle.”
Xilin smiled proudly. “This is my granddaughter, Xiaoyu. She’s been living away from the family, but she recently returned after being tested for spiritual roots. We finally have another cultivator in our lineage!”
Rong Yu nodded, understanding now why Xilin had appeared so pleased earlier. Cultivators were rare among the Ning family’s vast mortal bloodlines. The addition of even one could significantly elevate a family’s standing.
He turned back to Xilin. “Uncle Xilin, you’re not here to try and persuade me to give up the shop, are you?”
Xilin shook his head quickly. “Of course not. Frankly, I agree that Muchun’s behavior was out of line.”
Relieved, Rong Yu invited them inside.
After they settled in, Rong Yu moved to pour tea, but Xu Changtai stopped him with a firm gesture. Reaching into his robes, he pulled out a small cloth bag and handed it to Rong Yu.
Puzzled, Rong Yu opened the bag to reveal a pile of thumb-sized emerald stones radiating pure spiritual energy. Spirit stones—one hundred of them.
Rong Yu’s eyes widened. “Uncle…?”
Xu Changtai sighed. “Xiao Yu, I can’t do much to help you in this matter, but take these. It’s not much, but it should ease your burden for now.”
For a moment, Rong Yu was too stunned to speak. He knew how difficult life had been for Xu Changtai’s family. As a small offshoot of the Ning family, reliant on aquaculture for their livelihood, they struggled to make ends meet. The hundred spirit stones in his hands represented a fortune they likely couldn’t spare.
His cousin Guanting stepped forward, his expression serious. “Xiao Yu, don’t hesitate. Your father helped us countless times. Now it’s our turn to repay that kindness.” He gently pushed the bag into Rong Yu’s hands.
A wave of warmth washed over Rong Yu. Swallowing hard, he nodded. “Thank you, Uncle, Brother Ting. I’ll repay this kindness someday.”
Xu Changtai waved dismissively. “No need for that. Just focus on getting through this mess.”
At this point, Xilin cleared his throat and pulled out another, smaller bag. “Xiao Yu, thanks to your father’s support, I was able to rise to my current position. Here are thirty spirit stones from me. Take them—they’re nothing compared to what Zhiyuan did for me.”
Rong Yu accepted the gift with a deep bow. He realized now that Xilin must have noticed his predicament at Muchun’s house and rallied Xu Changtai to help.
For the first time in a long while, Rong Yu felt a sense of support, a reminder that not everyone in this family was driven by selfish ambition.