Elder Lu's gaze narrowed like a hawk spotting a snake in the grass "Why do you ask about my granddaughter?"
His voice was sharp, loaded with suspicion "Brat!"
"Stay away from my little girl"
In his eyes she just sweet little girl who a kind, innocent. Not someone to be messed with by a brat like Wang Jie
Wang Jie held up his hands, trying to look completely harmless "Ah haha, Elder Lu, don't misunderstand It's nothing like that"
'If only you knew…' Wang Jie thought to himself, but kept his expression pure and clean, like a monk on a pilgrimage.
"It's just… she gave me a pill the other day"
Elder Lu blinked, then squinted like he smelled a fart "A pill? What pill?"
"Small, blue, bitter… very bitter" Wang Jie said, rubbing his chin "Thought it might've been one of yours..."
Elder Lu's face twisted into a scowl "That little—!"
But sighed remembering her innocent face "that pill was for you, yes, but not for her to give"
He stared toward him "I made it to suppress your damn overactive Yang Qi so you don't burn yourself or others every time here and there"
Wang Jie blinked innocently "Ah! You are too harsh"
Though It didn't work though not even close considering his previous night.
Elder Lu growled under his breath, shaking his head "That girl… always poking her nose where it doesn't belong"
He waved a hand dismissively "She left the city yesterday. Won't be back for two months. she went for some work. Probably halfway to Wuxing Empire by now"
"Wuxing Empire"
Two months? That's a long time to wait to suck more Yin Qi
He bowed respectfully "Thanks, Elder Lu. I'll be going now Don't want to disturb your… herbal schedule"
Elder Lu didn't pay attention to him and sighed stroking his beard "My little girl she really work too much"
Wang Jie scoffed inwardly 'Tsk! this old bastard"
But when Wang Jie turned to leave Elder Lu suddenly froze, eyes narrowing like a predator sensing something strange. His gaze snapped toward Wang Jie and locked onto him. The old man's brows furrowed sharply
"...Wait a moment."
Wang Jie blinked "Hm?"
Elder Lu stood from his chair, walking closer, eyes scanning Wang Jie's body with precision. His expression turned grave "Your meridians… they've expanded. Your Qi flow is faster, cleaner"
"....."
"....."
"Did you broke through"
Wang Jie's smile didn't budge, but inside he was cursing "Oh? Really? Must've been… something in the air" He turned a bit to the side, inching toward the door
Elder Lu's eyes sharpened like a blade "You brat wh… What did you take?"
But Wang Jie was already halfway out the door. Wang Jie gave a completely blank expression and laughed lightly "Haha… maybe I just had a good night's sleep?"
"You—!"
Without another word, Wang Jie turned and slipped out of the hall like a man dodging a debt collector. On the other Elder Lu kept froze there in a shocked and irritated expression.
****
[Outside Elder Lu's Residence]
Wu Jian was leaning against a tree, arms crossed, face lazy. He looked up when Wang Jie emerged.
"Yo, Brother Jie. Still alive, huh?"
Wang Jie gave him a glance
"huh?"
Wu Jian raised an eyebrow "'stay away from my little girl' Didn't he give you the speech?"
"How did know"
"You are really daring to have affair with his granddaughter What if he discovered"
A chill rushed through Wang Jie 'This Wu Jian suddenly became too frank'
And unfortunately he was only one who know about his each and every affair. Wang Jie sighed deeply "Let's just go home before he throws a pill bottle at me"
*****
[Wang Jie's Manor]
The sky was streaked with gold and orange. A gentle breeze rustled the trees outside the manor walls. On the balcony, Wang Jie leaned against the railing, sipping tea, finally starting to feel a bit normal again. Peaceful.
Then came the familiar loud voice behind him.
"Brat!"
Wang Jie didn't even flinch. He turned his head lazily.
"Third Uncle."
Yushang, his third uncle, walked over with a wide grin. The man was barrel-chested, with laugh lines around his eyes and the energy of someone half his age. His robes were always a bit loose, and his beard never quite trimmed properly.
He clapped Wang Jie on the back so hard it nearly spilled the tea "I felt your breakthrough from across the manor! You really shook everything Hahahaha! Finally, after years of stagnating like a dried-up fish, you're back on track!"
Wang Jie snorted dramatically "Thanks for the support, Uncle, its really touching"
Yushang busted into laughter again "Hahaha!"
But in a while as his laughter faded Yushang leaned on the railing beside him, looking out at the city below. The wind blew through his hair as he sighed "If your father was still around, he'd be pouring wine by now. Your second uncle too… and your mother, she would've cried her eyes out, then fed you twenty dishes"
Wang Jie stayed quiet for a moment. His grip on the teacup tightened just slightly Then he smiled faintly "They'd be happy"
Yushang nodded then smirked "Well, I'm happy enough for all of them Look at you, standing taller, jaw sharper, eyes glowing like a kid who finally got laid—"
"Uncle"
"—I'm joking, I'm joking" Yushang waved it off "Mostly"
They both laughed Yushang turned to face him fully.
"So… breakthrough aside, tell me—got your eye on anyone yet?"
Wang Jie raised an eyebrow "What, like a marriage proposal?"
"Pfft! You think I'm your grandma?" Yushang elbowed him "Just asking if you're chasing any young maiden lately"
Wang Jie looked out into the horizon confused "not yet"
Yushang leaned in, grinning "Yeah yeah, I know who you like"
"...You what?"
Yushang smirked wickedly "You've liked Miss Wei since you were a little runt. Don't think I didn't see the way you stared at her when she came first time in manor. Beautiful, graceful, young... if I were your age—"
"Uncle" Wang Jie cut him off, turning to him with a horrified look "I was just 7 years back then"
Yushang threw his head back and laughed "Hahaha!"
Wang Jie groaned and rubbed his forehead "What kind of messed up joke is that?"
Yushang slapped his knee, doubled over in laughter "Exactly! Love grows from long-term bonds! Hahahaha!"
"You're insane"
"Just sayin'—if she did show interest, would you refuse?"
Wang Jie turned away dramatically "I'm not answering that"
"So you wouldn't refuse—got it"
"Uncle!!"
The two stood in silence after that, the teasing settling into warmth. Yushang's smile mellowed, his voice growing softer "Truthfully though… I'm proud of you, Jie"
Wang Jie glanced over "You've been through a lot but you didn't crumble. You're still standing… even if a little crooked"
Wang Jie looked down at his tea, voice quiet "Well I've got a long way to go"
Yushang nodded "You'll get there Just don't forget to live a little on the way" and then grinned "And maybe try not to flirt with every girl who breathes"
Wang Jie sipped his tea without replying
Yushang squinted "Wait, did you already—"
"Don't"
"Hahaha!"