One o’clock.
---------------
"Master..." Chuxia sat next to Old Master Qi, grinning ingratiatingly, "I’ve finished the materials you gave , and I fully understand them."
Slightly surprised, Old Master Qi glanced at Chuxia and finally had a faint smile in his eyes: "Good, after we finish eating, I’ll test you. If you pass, you’ll officially be a disciple of the Qi Family."
"When I said I was studying dicine to take care of my family, you promised that no matter what mistakes I made, you would recognize as your disciple..." Chuxia looked displeased, "Were you just teasing all this ti?"
"Hehe...hehe..." Old Master Qi chuckled awkwardly, then quickly made an excuse for himself, "It was because Grandpa Wan upset , otherwise how could I forget such an important thing?"
"How did Grandpa Wan upset you?" Finally seizing an opportunity, Chuxia wasn’t about to miss it and looked at Old Master Qi with curiosity, "It’s rare to see you so angry, and besides, Grandpa Wan isn’t soone who enjoys provoking others."
Old Master Qi gave her a sidelong glance: "Are you saying I like provoking people?"
Spreading her hands, Chuxia looked at him innocently: "Master, whether or not you want to admit it, the fact is, your temper is sowhat more volatile than Grandpa Wan’s..."
"He acts like a pushover, and when it cos to serious matters, he just backs down like a coward..." Old Master Qi snorted, "If you side with him again, don’t bother being my disciple."
Chuxia looked speechless: "Master, you shouldn’t be like this. If sothing isn’t said to your liking, you’re ready to kick out. This is a trick only kids would like, right?"
"You’re getting more and more daring. Do you even see as your master?"
"This is what they call honest advice being hard to take, Master. Surely you don’t prefer those who are sweet-talkers and backstabbers, do you?"
Old Master Qi: "..."
Old Madam Qi happened to co over and saw the interaction between the two, and asked her brother with a smile, "Doesn’t Zhao think that this disciple was a great choice?"
"Not bad..." The stern face of Old Master Qi finally softened, "I was planning to scare her a bit, but why did you expose ?"
"Do you really think you could scare her..." Old Madam Qi shook her head helplessly, "I think if you keep it up, she’ll be the one scaring you."
"I wouldn’t dare do that?" Chuxia promptly disassociated herself, "Aunt, even if you lent so guts, I wouldn’t dare scare Master. Besides, I’m not afraid of Master trying to scare . He promised a long ti ago that no matter what mistakes I make, he won’t kick out. And even if Master goes back on his word, I’m not afraid, because I have you, Aunt."
"She is my sister, do you think she would side with you?" Old Master Qi glanced at her lightly, "Don’t you think she holds you in higher regard than ?"
"Master, are you jealous of ?"
"Stop flattering yourself. I’m just reminding you to know your place."
"Oh oh oh..." Chuxia nodded repeatedly, "Rest assured, I’ll definitely know my place. I absolutely won’t be conceited enough to think Aunt would be closer to than to you." She hesitated for a mont, then grinned, "But Master, you’re a bit different today. While the food isn’t ready yet, you could chat with and Aunt."
"Hmph!" The old man snorted coldly and got up to leave.
Chuxia stuck her tongue out: "Uh oh, now Master’s really angry."
"Ignore him..." Old Madam Qi sighed softly, "That’s just how he is. He seems to have a bad temper and can’t show a good face to anyone, but in reality, he feels deeper than anyone else. So many years have passed, but he still can’t let go. Sigh, I wonder if he can untie this knot in this life."
"Sigh..." Chuxia sighed as well but didn’t know what to say. The reason she joked around with Old Master Qi was to try to get him to willingly face the past he couldn’t let go of.
That’s how people are; the more they avoid sothing, the harder it is to move past it. When they can talk about it calmly one day, that’s when the problem is already solved.
To solve a problem, you naturally have to face it. If you don’t face it, you’ll never solve it. But Old Master Qi is clearly still avoiding it. As a younger generation, this is all she can do. Pushing further wouldn’t be appropriate.
"It’s okay, so many years have passed..." After a pause, Old Madam Qi said, "Looking at it from another perspective, having soone you always think about in a lifeti is also a blessing."
"It is." Chuxia thought of saying, "It also depends on whether the other person is worth it," but the words changed unconsciously at the tip of her tongue. Who doesn’t understand the real truth?
"Whether the other person is worth it or not, having beautiful mories in your heart is worth it."
Having her innermost thoughts guessed correctly, Chuxia laughed awkwardly: "Aunt, you’re amazing. How did you know that’s what I was thinking?"
Old Madam Qi looked at her with amusent, "Did you think your aunt is truly senile? Yes, I’m indirectly comforting myself, but that’s just how Inzhi is. To live happily, I can only use this thod."
"Still talking about behind my back?" Old Master Qi sat back down and glared coldly at the two won.
"What do you want to say?" Old Madam Qi said with a smile, "Inzhi, everyone understands many things. Whether you cover it up or not, the result is the sa."
For once, Old Master Qi’s face flushed, and after a mont, he cleared his throat: "The food will be ready soon, go help set the table."
Since the old man didn’t want to dwell on this topic, Chuxia naturally wouldn’t continue to ask insensitively. She happily pulled Old Madam Qi to her feet to help tidy up the table.
During dinner, Old Madam Qi brought up the question that Sister-in-law Yin had previously wondered about, asking everyone to guess the real reason behind the siblings’ way of addressing each other.
Everyone was actually quite curious about this question, and if they weren’t afraid of any potential taboos, they would have asked long ago. Sister-in-law Yin asked today because her mind was a bit cluttered and she got caught up in the conversation.
Now that Old Madam Qi had brought it up herself, everyone shared the reasons they had pondered countless tis before.
"Is it because the age difference is small, and this way of addressing each other feels more intimate?" Zhao Yulan suggested first.
"No," Old Madam Qi shook her head, dismissing Zhao Yulan’s guess.
"Did you always call each other by na since childhood?" Lin Baohe guessed.
"No."
"To..." hesitating for a mont, Old Master Wan said, "To avoid gossip?"
Old Master Qi gave him a glare: "Be clearer."
"When you’re out, addressing each other this way, others naturally assu you are a couple, thus avoiding all kinds of nonsensical gossip. That’s what I an."
Old Master Wan expressed his hidden thoughts, and Old Master Qi snorted coldly: "Petty-minded!"
Old Master Wan: "..." Well, it seems he managed to offend this old brother today, so it’s better if he says a few words less.
Having all been rejected, everyone genuinely couldn’t think of any other reasons, so they looked at Old Madam Qi, asking for the answer.
The old lady just smiled: "Think about it so more, it really isn’t that complicated."
"Could it be that you called him old, Master?" Chuxia said uncertainly. This thought kept flashing in her mind, but in principle, she didn’t think it was possible.
"Hahaha..." Old Madam Qi laughed and patted Old Master Qi on the shoulder, "See, I told you, you chose the right disciple. She knows you incredibly well!"
Old Master Qi gave his sister a glare, then glared at Chuxia: "Is that the image you have of in your mind?"
"No, no..." Chuxia hurriedly shook her head, "I guessed this way because according to traditional Chinese dicine, forgetting one’s age and maintaining a youthful mindset is the secret to longevity. In this regard, you are a leader, so it is quite natural for you to do so."
Lying in her own bed at night, Chuxia was still rejoicing over her quick wit. Unexpectedly, after her explanation, not only did Old Master Qi stop being angry, but he was also so delighted that he didn’t make her life difficult during the post-al tests.
After rejoicing for a while, thinking about Old Master Qi’s actual situation, she felt a bit sorry for the old man.
An early romance from years ago, an insignificant affection that has consud his whole life. Actually, do you think he still likes his first love Qiao Suyun now?
The answer must be no.
The reason he’s so persistent is because that’s just his character; once he’s made up his mind about a person or a thing, he’ll give his all. If it’s hurtful, it’ll be rembered for a lifeti.
It’s not that he can’t handle things emotionally; he’s just too devoted. Even if betrayed, he won’t make room in his heart for soone else.
All of his mories are reserved for that person from the past.
Oh, the infatuated old man!
She couldn’t help him with anything else, so she planned to study hard and strive to be a disciple that would make him proud soday...
Just when she was lost in thought, Zhao Yulan ca in, smiling at her daughter: "Your dad went over to Old Master Wan’s."
"Then Mom, sleep with ." Chuxia quickly moved over, "It’s been a long ti since we’ve slept together. Today, let relive the feeling of being pampered by you again."
"When have I ever stopped pampering you?" Zhao Yulan got into bed, lovingly wrapped her daughter in her arms, "Don’t worry, Xiaomi will be fine. Since we haven’t heard anything yet, they probably haven’t found out any news."
"I know, I’m not worried."
"I’m your mother, how could I not know what you’re thinking?" Zhao Yulan sighed helplessly, "Chuxia, I’ve always hoped you could be stronger and more independent, but now, your strength and independence just make ache.
If there’s anything, talk to , even if I can’t help you or solve it, having and your dad to discuss and bear it together with you is sothing.
Otherwise, what’s the point of your dad and I staying by your side? You think we’re here just to enjoy life? Do you think your dad and I are such people?" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welco to vote for recomndations and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian), your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.)
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