Rong Lianhu strode forward, bowed deeply, and said excitedly, "Master, what brings you here?"

The visitor laughed and said, "Of course I've come to see my future disciple."

Actually, he had foreseen the appearance of his disciple's destiny, and the connection to this destiny came from Rong Lianhu, so he came looking for him.

That smile shattered most of his image as a reclusive sage.

Rong Lianhu was startled and hurriedly asked, "Master, is the disciple you're talking about my Jiaojiao?"

"Of course, otherwise you would think it was some old blockhead like you who looks older than me."

“But you are my master…” Rong Lianhu said, feeling wronged.

The man waved his hand: "You're not qualified to be my apprentice. The reason I said that to the soldier on guard is so that it would be easier to contact you."

Seeing that Rong Lianhu was about to speak, he raised his hand to stop him: "We can talk about it at your house first."

Rong Lianhu was stunned for a moment, then realized what he meant and hurriedly nodded: "Okay, Master, please come with me."

The middle-aged man glared at him: "I told you not to call me master. You look about the same age as me, it makes me sound old."

Rong Lianhu wasn't afraid of him and said with a sneer, "I've seen you look like this since I was a few years old. Aren't you old yet? Besides, you haven't even told me your name. What else can I call you if not Master?"

Facing the person who had once carefully taught him to read and write and to practice martial arts, Rong Lianhu unconsciously became a little mischievous.

The middle-aged man sneered, "For the sake of my future disciple, I may tell you. Listen carefully, my real name is Leng Muqing, also known as 'Master Qingxuanzi'."

Rong Lianhu muttered, "No wonder he's so free."

Qing Xuanzi glared at him and asked, "What did you say?"

Rong Lianhu immediately backed down: "No, I didn't say anything. Master, please come with me, I'll take you home right away."

Qing Xuanzi was too lazy to correct him on how he addressed him, so he lifted his foot and followed him away.

All the way, I listened to Rong Lianhu chattering about his experiences over the past twenty years since we parted ways. He didn't seem like a man nearing forty at all; instead, he seemed like a young man.

Qing Xuanzi did not interrupt him, and even nodded or shook his head from time to time in cooperation.

When I got home, it was already time to prepare dinner.

Fu Ya was busy in the kitchen when she heard the noise. She quickly peeked out and saw a strange middle-aged man following behind Rong Lianhu. A look of doubt appeared on her face.

"Lian Hu, this is..."

Rong Lianhu hurriedly introduced, "This is my master, Qing Xuanzi, whom I mentioned to you last night. Wife, come and pay your respects."

Fu Ya was taken aback for a moment, but quickly recovered and walked over, bowing slightly: "Hello Master, I am Fu Ya, thank you for coming to see us."

Qing Xuanzi nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Fu Ya, and he smiled slightly: "What a shrewd and capable wife. Lian Hu has good taste."

Fu Ya blushed slightly and said softly, "Master, you flatter me."

The master looked around but couldn't find the person he wanted to see, so he asked, "Where is my disciple? Bring him to me."

Fu Ya was baffled. Wasn't Rong Lianhu right here?

Looking at her husband, she saw him scratching his head sheepishly and saying, "Well, my master only taught me skills, but he hasn't acknowledged me as his disciple yet."

But in his heart, Qing Xuanzi was his master, even more important than his parents.

Fu Ya's eyes lit up: "Are you talking about our daughter?"

Rong Lianhu nodded, and Fu Ya said, "Jiaojiao was taken out to play by her two older brothers. Master, please sit down. I'll go find the child."

Fu Ya turned to leave, but Qing Xuanzi stopped her with a smile and said, "No need to go."

The couple looked at Qing Xuanzi with suspicion. What was going on? He was the one who wanted to see his disciple just now, and now he was blocking their search.

Rong Lianhu laughed and said, "Since Master says it's not necessary, then I won't go. Wife, could you please pour Master a cup of tea?" He then fawned over Qing Xuanzi, saying, "Master, please have a seat."

No matter what Qing Xuanzi said, he refused to change his form of address.

The two sat down at a small table in the courtyard. Fu Ya poured them two glasses of cool boiled water, preparing to go find the child.

Just as I turned around, a burst of cheerful laughter came from outside. Then I saw Rong Jiaojiao sitting in a stroller, being pushed back by her two older brothers, leaving a trail of happy laughter in her wake.

Upon entering the courtyard and seeing strangers, the two brothers stopped laughing and greeted their parents: "Mom and Dad, we've brought our little sister back."

Rong Lianhu beckoned and said, "Come here, let me introduce you, this is..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qing Xuanzi interrupted him: "Just call me Uncle Qing Xuan."

After saying that, ignoring the expressions of the family, he got up and went to the stroller, reaching out to Rong Jiaojiao: "Come on, let Master hold you."

Rong Zhigao quickly said, "Uncle Qingxuan, Jiaojiao is shy with strangers, no..."

Before he could finish speaking, the little girl stretched out her two tiny hands and began babbling baby talk to the unfamiliar uncle.

Qing Xuanzi laughed and picked her up: "Since you let me hold you, it means you've agreed to be my disciple. Little girl, you can't go back on your word."

Rong Jiaojiao looked at Qing Xuanzi with bright eyes, giggling as she reached out to grab his face, making little noises.

Qing Xuanzi chuckled and gently stroked Rong Jiaojiao's head, his eyes filled with affection: "As expected of my disciple, she is full of intelligence."

Fu Ya and Rong Lianhu exchanged a glance, unsure whether to be happy or worried.

Qing Xuanzi knew their concerns, but he didn't explain. Some things sound more like a cover-up the more you explain them, so it's better to prove them with actions.

Rong Lianhu said to Fu Ya, "Let's cook first, and then ask Master what happened after we've eaten."

"OK."

Fu Ya nodded, turned around and went back to the kitchen to continue preparing dinner.

Her hands kept moving, but her mind was still on Qing Xuanzi's sudden appearance and the inexplicable closeness between him and Rong Jiaojiao, as if they were truly destined to be together.

Although Qing Xuanzi seemed kind and approachable, Fu Ya was still somewhat uneasy.

She didn't know what this "Master Qingxuanzi" would bring them, nor how it would change her daughter's future.

Dinner was prepared quickly. Because Qing Xuanzi's arrival was sudden, no dishes were prepared, so they could only cook what they had at home.

Fu Ya invited her family to sit down, and Qing Xuanzi was also seated in the place of honor.

Rong Lianhu and Fu Ya sat on either side, while Rong Zhigao and Rong Zhiyuan sat opposite them with curiosity and awe.

Rong Jiaojiao was held in Qing Xuanzi's arms. The little girl was completely unguarded with this unfamiliar "Uncle Qing Xuan," and instead happily wiggled in his arms, making cheerful babbling sounds.

Qing Xuanzi looked at Rong Jiaojiao with loving eyes, gently patting her back to calm her down.

Fu Ya watched this scene and couldn't help but feel a little envious.

After dinner, the atmosphere became slightly awkward. Rong Lianhu broke the silence and instructed his two sons to water the vegetable garden.