"Having a game of Gomoku is enough."
"Then I can buy delicious food for Qing Jun."
"Master’s snacks are the most delicious things in the world."
"There can be... as long as the Xu Family is there, no one will look down on Qing Jun..."
"Qing Jun understands..."
"What do you understand?"
"Just know it."
The little girl lowered her head, silently stretched out her hands, and feebly pushed Chen Ye out of the kitchen,
"Master is the most despicable person in the world. Not allowed to eat Qing Jun’s things..."
...
The little girl was not very strong, but Chen Ye followed her force and exited the kitchen.
He leaned on the door frame, looking at Qing Jun who was angrily turning her back to him, her small shoulders shaking slightly, clearly crying again.
Alas...
Qing Jun, so timid and loves to cry.
What should she do when she goes to the Xu Family?
Especially that Xu Qingsong, unfriendly.
The so-called hidden illness he mentioned, its treatment might not be as simple as he said.
Qing Jun’s illness surely needs to be prepared in advance.
But specific matters should still be communicated with Mao Qingzhu before making a decision.
After all, in the Xu Family, Mao Qingzhu should be the only one who still cares about Qing Jun.
"Qing Jun,"
Chen Ye softened his voice,
"Master is not trying to drive you away. It’s just... after all, the Xu Family is your relatives. Master hopes Qing Jun can know that she still has another home, and also... people who care about you."
Qing Jun did not turn back, her muffled voice came from the kitchen, "Qing Jun doesn’t care! Qing Jun only wants Sister and Sister Qiuyun! Those people didn’t want Qing Jun before, and now they want to take Qing Jun back. They are bad people! Master is also a bad person! Want to give Qing Jun to the bad people!"
"Master..."
Zhiwei, at some point, had also come to the kitchen door, she looked at Chen Ye, then at Qing Jun who was still turned away from them, her shoulders still trembling slightly.
The older girl softly said, "Master, Qing Jun... is just scared."
Chen Ye nodded, he understood naturally.
If Qing Jun were a bit older, it would be easier to say.
But Qing Jun is just a little girl.
Returning to the Xu Family like this,
Is equivalent to being "abandoned" by "family" to a completely unfamiliar place.
Even though she has a fondness for Mao Qingzhu, this thin affection cannot provide a sense of security at all.
Chen Ye sighed, pretending to be relaxed:
"Silly, why are you crying, Master didn’t say for sure that you must be sent back."
"Master promises you, as long as Qing Jun is unwilling, no one can take you away. Master will always be with Qing Jun, until Qing Jun grows up, until Qing Jun no longer needs Master."
The sobbing in the kitchen gradually subsided.
Only a faint sniffling sound remained from time to time.
With puffy eyes, her voice hoarse, she asked, "Master... really... really won’t deceive Qing Jun, will he?"
"When did Master ever deceive you?" Chen Ye asked back, pretending to be stern.
Qing Jun’s little mouth pouted, as if about to accuse Master of past "misdeeds," but swallowed the words back.
She sniffled, softly saying, "Then... then pinky promise!"
Chen Ye chuckled, extending his little finger: "Alright, pinky promise."
A large and a small hand’s little fingers hooked together, gently swaying.
"Pinky promise, hang up, a hundred years, no changing!" Qing Jun recited in her childish voice, finally with a smile on her face again.
Chen Ye said firmly: "Qing Jun is Master’s disciple, how could Master not want Qing Jun? Unless... unless one day Qing Jun grows up and doesn’t want to follow this old man as Master anymore."
"No way!" Qing Jun immediately retorted, her little head shaking like a rattle, "Qing Jun will always follow Master! Because... because Sister is here! No one can steal Master!"
"Then... then what if Master gets a wife in the future?"
Chen Ye asked mischievously, remembering Qing Jun’s previous shocking remark of "making Aunt Mao Master’s wife," he couldn’t help teasing her.
"Wife?"
Qing Jun was startled, a puzzled expression appearing on her little face.
She tilted her little head, thought for a moment, and then said in an exceptionally serious tone: "Then... then Qing Jun will drive the wife away together with Sister! Master is Qing Jun and Sister’s!"
Chen Ye didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, this little girl wants me to serve them both forever?
Didn’t she previously consider finding a wife for Master? How come she’s changed her mind now...
If the two little girls were to live apart, wouldn’t they tear me in two?
"Alright, alright, let’s not talk about this anymore."
Chen Ye rubbed Qing Jun’s hair, changing the subject,
"The fish is about to get cold. If you don’t eat it soon, Master will finish it all by himself."
"Ah! My fish!" Qing Jun then remembered the delicious sweet and sour fish, hurriedly struggling out of Chen Ye’s arms and rushing towards the stove.
Watching Qing Jun regain her liveliness, the heavy stone in Chen Ye’s heart finally settled down.
Xu Qingsong’s words, he will remember, but he still needs to consider them carefully.
...
The little girl was exhausted today, both mentally and physically, and Chen Ye soon coaxed her to sleep.
He sat alone in Luoli Courtyard, lost in thought.
The Xu Family...
Although the Xu Family is not as prestigious as the Bai Family, and not a Golden Core clan.
But under the governance of Lingyin Sect, they are still a cultivation clan with some repute.
Especially Xu Qingjun’s lineage, it is extraordinary.
Her father, Xu Buhui, is at Foundation Establishment First Layer.
Her elder brother, Xu Qingyun, even more remarkable, is a True Disciple of Lingyin Sect, at Foundation Establishment Fourth-Layer, the future successor of the Xu Family.
Her second brother, Xu Qingsong, also exceptionally gifted, is at Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer.
Along with Mao Qingzhu, there are as many as three Foundation Establishment cultivators in this lineage.
"However... the dust has not yet settled, there’s no need to fight to the death with the Xu Family. Ultimately, Qing Jun is also someone of the Xu Family."
With this thought, Chen Ye grew more troubled.