Gu Anxi looked at him and stuttered after a while, "Dad Bo, is that term, ’frail and elderly,’ used like this?"
Bo Nianyao felt quite embarrassed. By rights, Bo Qing was his peer, so he should be the one to go into battle. However, he had devoted his life to dicine and wasn’t a martial arts genius like Xichen.
He touched his nose and cleared his throat lightly. "What can I do if I can’t beat him? Perhaps I would have been confident in the past, but not since learning that Bo Qing is the boss of Dark."
Gu Anxi simply acknowledged, "Alright."
She then glanced at Bo Xichen. "Uncle, are you sure about this?"
Bo Xichen smiled faintly. "More or less."
The petite milk sprite fell silent, then focused on roasting the boar at she held, which her uncle had brought back. Bo Nianyao had sliced it into pieces and sprinkled it with spices. Now half-cooked, it slled absolutely delicious.
She licked her lips, drawn by the aroma, and took a small bite when the at was nearly done. It’s so fragrant.
The "frail and elderly" Bo Nianyao glanced at her and offered his skewer. "Anxi, your piece is almost burnt. Try mine."
The petite milk sprite looked, and indeed, the piece Bo Nianyao had grilled was golden brown and crispy—a heavenly delight with every bite.
After a bite, she urged Bo Xichen to try it too. "This is really delicious, Uncle. Have a taste."
Bo Xichen took a bite and smiled. "The flavor is very good."
Gu Anxi then handed all her at to Bo Nianyao to roast, rubbing her hands together in anticipation while she waited.
Bo Nianyao smiled, diligently ensuring the two younger ones ate their fill.
After eating, Gu Anxi leaned against an old, broken sofa. Bo Xichen rested behind her, conserving his energy for the impending fierce battle.
After a long while, Gu Anxi, still leaning against him, asked in a very soft voice, "Uncle, what will happen to Second Uncle after this is resolved?" Her voice was so quiet that Bo Xichen might have missed it if he hadn’t been paying close attention.
He pondered for a mont before replying in a hoarse whisper, "Anxi, would you feel sorry for him?"
The petite milk sprite sniffled, admitting rather weakly, "Maybe."
She glanced towards Bo Nianyao, who was sitting in front of the shabby shack, smoking, his expression heavy with thought.
The petite milk sprite then said softly, "Dad Bo might be sad."
Bo Xichen reached out and gently stroked her small head. "I’ll go check on him."
She nodded, watching him rise to his feet.
Bo Xichen slowly walked towards the doorway where Bo Nianyao sat before a cluster of green bamboo, quietly smoking, his brow furrowed as he puffed out clouds of smoke.
Bo Xichen sat down beside him and patted his pockets, but found no cigarettes.
Bo Nianyao glanced at him and offered one from his own pack. Bo Xichen lit it and exhaled a long stream of smoke.
Bo Nianyao smiled faintly. "Why aren’t you with Anxi?"
Bo Xichen continued to smoke. After a mont, he said, "Anxi asked earlier what will happen to Second Uncle."
Bo Nianyao fiddled with his cigarette case. After a long pause, he looked into the distance and sighed softly. "Xichen, in my heart, your Second Uncle is much younger than I am. I practically raised him myself, almost like a son. I never imagined he would harbor such resentnt towards ."
He shook his head and sighed again. "If I had known then what would happen, I would rather not have given him any hope."
Bo Xichen gently placed his hand on the back of his father’s, saying nothing.
Bo Nianyao spoke softly again, "And this ti... he can’t be spared. I don’t have the face to ask for his life to be saved, either. Ambition has cost too many lives."
He paused before slowly continuing, "He’s thrown Beicheng into turmoil."
Bo Xichen also gazed into the distance, a faint smile on his lips. "With Second Uncle’s temperant, even if he were imprisoned, it would likely be a fate worse than death for him."
Bo Nianyao patted his son’s shoulder in return, consoling him. "Leave it to Jingyao. At least he’ll ensure Second Uncle retains so dignity in the end."
As he spoke, sadness welled up in him again. "Soone like Min Xin can still have a decent outco if they withdraw in ti. At worst, they just retire... But your Second Uncle..."
He looked at Bo Xichen again. "Let be alone for a while."
Bo Xichen nodded, patted his father’s shoulder once more, and walked back into the shack.
As soon as he sat down, the petite milk sprite asked softly, "Is he very sad?"
Bo Xichen nodded and said quietly, "It’s always hard to let go. Second Uncle has been by Father’s side since he was less than ten."
"Oh, I see," Gu Anxi murmured, snuggling closer to him. "Uncle, you have to be careful tomorrow, okay? I’ll be watching."
Bo Xichen nodded.
The three of them remained hidden there, from dawn till dusk, and from dusk till late into the night.
Just as dawn was about to break, Bo Nianyao, who had been resting with his eyes closed, conserving his energy, opened them and said quietly, "Let’s go!"
Gu Anxi and Bo Xichen slowly rose, following Bo Nianyao. However, they had only taken a few steps when Bo Qing’s voice ca from outside the house: "Big Brother, there’s no need."
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