Looking at Zui’Er’s serious face, Zhao Ya couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
"Don’t worry, it may be worth some money, but it’s nothing to your Brother Ya. You’re just starting out, and if your energy and nutrition can’t keep up, you’ll be wasting a lot of time. So, take it and listen to me."
Zui’Er hesitated for a moment before accepting the jerky.
"Alright then."
"Alright, go rest quickly."
The night passed without words, and it was dawn the next day.
Zhao Ya got up early, but after he finished washing up, he found that Zui’Er was still not up. He couldn’t help but feel puzzled, so he asked through the curtain.
"Zui’Er, aren’t you awake yet?"
"I’m awake, Brother Ya." A timid voice came from inside the room.
"Then why are you still not up? Are you sick?"
Zhao Ya felt anxious in his heart, lifted the curtain, and walked in.
Since Zui’Er started living in the inner room, Zhao Ya rarely came in. As he entered, a delicate fragrance unique to a young girl greeted his nose.
And with the morning light filtering through the window, Zhao Ya saw Zui’Er lying on the bed, her cheeks flushed red and tears in her eyes.
Zhao Ya hurried to the bedside, "What’s wrong? Where do you feel uncomfortable?"
Zui’Er’s face turned even redder, "I... I can’t move. My whole body aches terribly, especially my legs, they feel like they’re not my own."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ya suddenly realized and then started laughing.
"Brother Ya, why are you laughing? What’s wrong with me?" Zui’Er asked, feeling wronged.
"It’s nothing, you just haven’t exercised much before, and after suddenly practicing last night, your body couldn’t take it. Just rest for a day and you’ll be fine." Zhao Ya comforted her.
Zui’Er finally felt relieved, "That’s good. I thought I was seriously ill just now!"
Then she looked at Zhao Ya with some embarrassment.
"Brother Ya, I’m sorry. I can’t move at all now, so I can’t make breakfast for you!"
Zhao Ya reached out, pinched her cheek fondly, and laughed: "It’s alright, no need to apologize. I’ll go buy breakfast outside. What would you like to eat?"
"Anything is fine."
"Then let’s get some buns."
With that, Zhao Ya turned and left, while Zui’Er lay in bed, her heart suddenly feeling sweet.
Brother Ya is so considerate!
And just now, when he pinched my cheek, his gaze could melt someone.
But my hair isn’t combed, and my face isn’t washed, I must look awful!
Thinking of this, Zui’Er pulled the quilt over her head, full of embarrassment and annoyance.
Zhao Ya returned with steaming meat buns, serving Zui’Er first before devouring the rest himself.
"Just lie down properly, I’ll bring you lunch later." Zhao Ya instructed.
"Isn’t that too much trouble? I should be able to get up soon."
But Zhao Ya didn’t let her argue, turned around, and locked the door before heading to the Escort Agency.
The Changlong Escort Agency was uneventful as usual. After leisurely spending the morning, it was lunchtime. Zhao Ya packed his lunch and poured the Great Nourishing Soup into a flask before heading home.
"Hey Zhao, where are you going?" Tan Dong asked as he saw him leaving.
"Going home for lunch!" Zhao Ya replied succinctly.
"Going home for lunch? Why go home all of a sudden? Is your wife sick?" Tan Dong asked, puzzled.
"She’s not sick, just a bit uncomfortable."
"Is it serious? Should we get a doctor? I know some famous ones." Tan Dong became serious.
In these times, illness wasn’t a joke; even a common cold could be fatal.
"Uh... not that serious, she was just tired last night and couldn’t get up this morning. She’ll be fine after some rest." Zhao Ya said.
"Oh, so that’s it!"
Understanding dawned on Tan Dong, then he patted Zhao Ya’s shoulder suggestively.
"Ahem, Zhao, take it easy, okay? You’re built like an ox; be careful not to wear out the field."
Zhao Ya: "..."
Though that guy’s winking was annoying, Zhao Ya was too lazy to explain, as such things only got more confusing when explained.
Everyone knew that Zui’Er had been living with him for a long time, so claiming innocence would be hard to believe.
When Zhao Ya returned home, Zui’Er had already gotten out of bed and was slowly tidying the room.
Zhao Ya let her drink some Great Nourishing Soup and eat some meat provided by the Escort Agency.
He didn’t dare let her eat too much, as it was almost as nourishing as ginseng for her condition.
Eating too much might have adverse effects.
Seeing Zui’Er looking better, Zhao Ya put on the Iron and Tin Stele and returned to the Escort Agency.
In the afternoon, Zhao Ya practiced the pole running in the martial arts field of the Escort Agency.
The martial arts field of the Changlong Escort Agency was large and well-equipped, with several types of wooden stakes like the Plum Blossom Stakes, Running Horse Stake, Nine Palace Stance, and others.
Zhao Ya first started with the simplest Running Horse Stake.
In the past, this kind of Running Horse Stake would be a piece of cake for Zhao Ya.
But wearing the full set of Iron and Tin Stele increased the difficulty significantly.
Zhao Ya had to precisely control his strength to avoid falling off.
After a round of Running Horse Stake, Zhao Ya was slightly sweating but only took a short break before diving back into his training.
From this day onwards, Zhao Ya spent his days at the Escort Agency practicing pole running and body techniques, and his nights teaching Zui’Er martial arts while practicing his own skills. Life was simple and fulfilling.
And so, a month passed.
The weather gradually warmed, snow and ice melted, plants sprouted, and spring finally arrived.
The poor who barely survived the long winter breathed a sigh of relief.
Compared to the harsh winter, the warmth of spring at least gave them more hope to live.
One day, after finishing work, Zhao Ya was on his way home.
If you observed closely, you would find that every step Zhao Ya took contained a hidden rhythm, and though his steps seemed slow, they were actually quite fast.
In that month, except for sleeping at night, Zhao Ya wore the Iron and Tin Stele at all times.
Even while walking, he would secretly use the Lightweight Body Technique to temper himself.
With such diligence and effort, Zhao Ya’s lightweight body technique improved by leaps and bounds.
[Swallow’s Three Dips proficiency increased by 3]
After a line of notification, Zhao Ya opened the attribute panel.
Name: Zhao Ya. Age: 17. Remaining life: 43 (+127 days) years
Skills: Eight Vajra Skills (Mastery 1989/2000) Five Tiger Fist (Refined Skill 123/5000) Gale Saber Technique (Mastery 1890/2000) Lightweight Grasshopper Skill (Mastery 878/2000) Swallow’s Three Dips (Mastery 31/2000)
[Heart Unlock Progress: 28%]
Both the Eight Vajra Skills and the Gale Saber Technique were on the verge of breakthrough, and the Five Tiger Fist had become Zhao Ya’s first martial art to reach the Refined Skill realm.