Chapter Eighty: The Coolest Weapon is a Brick
As night fell, Young Master Sang continued to tell Shi Qingyan stories about the vast green pastures.
For the past few days, Shi Qingyan had been dozing off after a short while of listening.
But today, she seemed especially engrossed.
Suddenly, after a while, she asked, “Daddy, do you think a big bad wolf would protect a little wolf?”
“Of course!”
Young Master Sang chuckled and ruffled her hair: “Don’t be fooled by the lazy, silly, and messy big bad wolves in stories.”
“As long as it’s to protect their own child, they can be heroes, standing in front of their little ones.”
Shi Qingyan listened intently, picturing a majestic big bad wolf wielding a sword, riding a white horse, valiantly protecting her amidst a blood-red sunset.
That image must be so cool.
They continued talking late into the night until Shi Qingyan finally succumbed to fatigue and fell asleep.
When she was finally asleep, Young Master Sang exchanged glances with Zhang Xiaoying.
Both sighed at the same time.
“Tomorrow… it’s the last day.”
“At first, I just wanted to help Senior Sister Shi a bit, see if I could change her views.”
“But now that it’s coming to an end, I find it hard to let go,” Young Master Sang said with a wistful shake of his head.
Zhang Xiaoying gazed lovingly at the sleeping girl, gently brushing her hair.
“Yeah… having a child is wonderful.”
“Don’t worry, we will have one.”
“Babies might take a while with cultivators, right?”
“Well, that’s okay. We just need to work harder; quantity can lead to quality!”
“The child is still here,” Zhang Xiaoying shot him a playful glare, her cheeks flushing a bit.
“It’s fine, she’s asleep.”
……
Shi Qingyan thought she would have nightmares again tonight, like she had every night since waking up from her fever.
But today was different.
Today, she didn’t dream at all.
When Shi Qingyan opened her eyes in the morning, her head felt heavy and muddled, as though she might be getting feverish again.
“Good morning, Mommy and Daddy…” she sleepily greeted Young Master Sang and Zhang Xiaoying as she stepped out of her room.
Yet, she found them already seated at the table.
Even her usually lazy second sister Si Jingzhu and her early-riser eldest sister Yan Rouwan were there.
A lavish breakfast was spread across the table, everyone, including two cats, was patiently waiting.
Shi Qingyan suddenly felt something was off.
“Why’s it so formal today?”
“Nothing, just everyone happened to wake up early,” Young Master Sang smiled, “Come eat, it’s all your favorite dishes.”
Shi Qingyan silently sat down at the table.
The food was indeed made to her taste.
While she ate, Young Master Sang asked, “Dear daughter, is there anywhere you want to visit today?”
“I took a day off today to spend with my precious daughter.”
Shi Qingyan thought for a moment and shook her head.
“Then let’s just go shopping together, the whole family.”
Young Master Sang glanced at Yan Rouwan.
She smiled back, indicating she had no plans for the day.
Hearing “shopping,” Shi Qingyan’s eyes lit up.
“Okay!” she cheered brightly.
——
In fact, since her fever, she hadn’t had a proper shopping trip.
Usually, she only helped Zhang Xiaoying buy groceries, rushing through the market without stopping to check out all the fun things.
But this time was different.
With Young Master Sang and Zhang Xiaoying firmly holding her hands, Si Jingzhu excitedly looked around, while Yan Rouwan quietly followed with two cats in her arms.
Whenever they saw interesting little trinkets, Young Master Sang would buy them for her.
If they found beautiful hairpins, Zhang Xiaoying would get them too.
It felt like every whim and pout could be answered.
Though Shi Qingyan still felt a bit dizzy since the morning, her happiness washed away all discomfort.
She wished this moment could last forever, like a never-ending dream.
……
In the midst of it all, Si Jingzhu dragged Zhang Xiaoying to buy candied fruit skewers, leaving Young Master Sang and Shi Qingyan waiting.
Shi Qingyan obediently held Young Master Sang’s hand, but her gaze wandered towards a small vendor nearby.
“Do you want this?” Young Master Sang pointed at a little mechanical bird.
Shi Qingyan nodded eagerly.
Without hesitation, he told her to wait and stepped forward to bargain with the vendor.
Left alone, Shi Qingyan shook her somewhat fuzzy head and started kicking the small stones at her feet.
Suddenly, she heard a sharp argument coming from nearby.
Curious, she looked up.
It was coming from an inn, with a sign that read “Pleasant Red Courtyard,” where some provocatively dressed women were hanging around the entrance.
A drunken man stood at the door, yelling indistinctly:
“…what’s with the innocent act… when have I, Master Huang, ever been short on your money?”
“Hey, Master Huang, that’s not it, but Xiao Hua is really feeling sick today…”
“Bullshit! Just because you drank with me, now she’s sick? Bring her out, let me see what’s wrong with her…”
Shi Qingyan didn’t get what they were fighting about.
But instinctively, she took a few steps back, terrified as she looked at the man.
Yes, that was the type of man from her nightmares.
Reeking of alcohol, furious, ready to hit and scold women.
It seemed to stir up some memories, making her head spin even more.
A chilly, damp feeling washed over her, causing her to shiver.
Meanwhile, a crowd had gathered around the Pleasant Red Courtyard to watch.
The man was too worked up to just curse the brothel madam; he started cursing at the onlookers too:
“Look, look! What are you staring at? Keep looking and I’ll stuff your heads into the pit!”
He glared at them menacingly.
His gaze landed on Shi Qingyan.
Seeing the little girl staring at him, he seemed infuriated and swaggered over.
“Whose wild child is this? Daring to stare at Master Huang?”
At that moment, Shi Qingyan felt a cold shiver run down her spine.
She squatted instinctively, huddling her head in fear.
She thought she was about to get hit again.
Just like in her nightmare.
…… No, wait.
Shi Qingyan, don’t be afraid.
Nightmares are nightmares; reality is reality.
In reality, she wouldn’t be abandoned. Her daddy would wield a sword, riding a white horse, protecting her from harm.
Just summon the courage and open your eyes.
You’ll see—
She took a deep breath and slowly opened her eyes a crack.
Suddenly, a light seemed to shine before her.
In that brightness, a man stood in front of her.
He wasn’t tall or formidable.
He wasn’t holding a sword or riding a white horse.
He looked a bit thin, appearing scholarly and kind, harmless.
But this seemingly powerless man was currently rolling up his sleeves like a thug, brandishing a brick in his hand.
“What the hell are you yelling about! Do you know you scared my daughter?”
The man still seemed stunned, as if he didn’t expect to be cursed out.
But the next moment, the brick had already smacked him on the head.
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