"If someone like Mianmian is considered mediocre, then wouldn't there be no intelligent people in this world?"

Shen Xingmian's previously drooping head immediately perked up, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Xiao Yanyue, and she couldn't help but grin as she asked, "Really?"

"Yes, really." Xiao Yanyue nodded firmly.

"Ah, I knew Dao Dao was the best! Don't worry, I'll always protect you. If anyone dares to bully you, this genius will be the first to object!"

Although he didn't quite understand some of the words she occasionally used, it didn't stop him from sensing Shen Xingmian's emotions at that moment—a feeling of boundless pride and a desire to protect him.

He felt somewhat resentful that she still needed protection in her eyes, yet he was also content with her selfless protection.

Humans are truly contradictory.

The two didn't go into the room, but sat under a grape vine. There were still some grapes on the vine, and Shen Xingmian, in a good mood, curiously picked one to eat.

It almost made her teeth ache from the sourness.

She scrunched up her face, spat out a mouthful of water, and then gulped down two mouthfuls before complaining, "Everyone says that unpolluted, all-natural fruits taste good, but this is awfully sour."

"Hey, Daodao, you've only ever eaten strawberries, but you've never seen how they're grown, right? I'll grow one for you and show you."

Shen Xingmian became interested, as she hadn't used her supernatural abilities yet and was quite full of them.

But instead of suddenly deciding to plant it outside, she took out a flowerpot, filled it with soil, and planted a strawberry vine inside.

Next, she began to infuse the strawberry vines with wood-based supernatural abilities.

With the infusion of supernatural power, the strawberry vines grew little by little, sprouting clusters of flower buds, followed by small white flowers, unripe little strawberries, and then large, bright red strawberries.

She felt she still had power left over even after ripening all the little strawberries.

It seems our recent efforts have paid off; the reserves have increased.

She picked the largest grape and handed it to Xiao Yanyue, asking proudly, "How is it? Isn't it beautiful? Not only beautiful, but also delicious! Unlike those rotten grapes, which are so sour!"

As if worried that her expression wouldn't be enough to convey her disgust, she glared fiercely at the grapevine.

"The family has been waiting for your harvest for almost half a year, and this is how you repay them? Do you have any respect for this land? Do you have any respect for the rainwater we drank? Do you have any respect for the sun we basked in? Honestly!"

Shen Xingmian grumbled angrily.

To Xiao Yanyue, that appearance was simply adorable.

Over the past few days, he has accepted the fact that his ankle is fully healed and will no longer be unable to walk properly due to the fear in his heart.

Therefore, he began to put all his effort into practicing martial arts.

With a great teacher who imparts knowledge without reservation, and with her cousin Mianmian practicing with her from time to time, her progress can be described as rapid as leaps and bounds.

His goal in learning martial arts now is completely different from before. Back then, he learned riding and archery mainly to perform for people, especially for his grandfather.

Now, he is fighting for a way to survive and protect those he wants to protect.

The learning outcomes will naturally be different.

However, he didn't tell Mianmian about this progress, as the joy brought by phased achievements is ultimately limited.

He hoped that one day in the future, he could give her a huge surprise.

The two sat together sharing the bowl of strawberries, and even though they felt they were almost full, there were still quite a few strawberries left.

Has Daodao ever eaten strawberries before?

"Never."

"That's probably because they don't have it here, otherwise the royal family would definitely have access to it. This business could be started in the future. Hehe, another way to make money!"

"Won't it be very hard for Mianmian?"

He had always been worried about this issue. Everything that grows must eventually decline. He really didn't know what Mianmian's ability consumed.

If it were her, he would rather she didn't earn money.

"It's not hard work, it's just a small thing." Shen Xingmian completely failed to grasp the deeper meaning in his words.

As for what is being consumed, it's probably those who die in the apocalypse. That kind of apocalypse truly feels like "sacrificing the world for the people."

well.

Before long, Shen Xingyan ran out looking for the two of them. Everyone in her family was older than her and could discipline her, but these two were younger than her and never restricted her.

She naturally liked these two "younger sisters" very much.

It wasn't that she didn't understand imperial power, but she was still young and hadn't been deeply corrupted by it, so her relationship with Xiao Yanyue was no different from her relationship with Shen Xingmian.

Extremely natural.

Xiao Yanyue was willing to contact her for one reason, and another reason, of course, was that she was currently the only one who could spar with him.

Once he grows taller and his martial arts skills improve, he should be able to go find Mianmian's older cousin.

He was really looking forward to that day.

Before long, the adults, having finished their conversation, came out and began to process the cartload of game, planning to celebrate that evening.

Although they ate very well along the way, it was a rare opportunity for family to reunite, and it would be difficult to express their joy without celebrating.

Because there were still her second uncle's men in the courtyard, although they were all trustworthy, it depended on the situation, so Shen Xingmian did not go to help. Instead, she just watched the excitement from the sidelines like an ordinary child.

Occasionally, if I see a place where someone is needed, I'll run over and lend a hand, and then continue to wander around the yard.

Seeing that he had nothing to do, Xiao Yanyue practiced his swordsmanship in a secluded spot in the backyard. He had been exceptionally diligent lately and had never slacked off.

Even when he couldn't use his skills inside the carriage, he was still familiarizing himself with internal energy cultivation techniques.

Speaking of which, martial arts generals use wide and sweeping moves, while internal energy cultivation methods are generally more highly regarded by people in the martial arts world.

These mental techniques of his were not taught by Shen Zhiheng, because Shen Zhiheng himself did not follow this approach.

After he wrote down the mental cultivation method from memory, he showed it to Shen Zhiheng and Shen Yunqi, but both of them said that they were only at the beginner level and could not teach him much more.

It would be best to find a master in the martial arts world in the future, and not to act recklessly on your own.

But Xiao Yanyue couldn't wait that long. Not to mention where to find such a master, even if she did find one, the person might not be willing to go to such a harsh and cold place as the Northern Border.

He could only practice based on his own understanding for the time being.

Familiarize yourself with it first; maybe later an expert will give you a few pointers, and you'll understand everything.

Therefore, during this period, Xiao Yanyue was not only busy on the surface, but also very busy in her mind, and had no time to think about anything else.

The task of mastering the skill alone exhausted him.

Shen Xingmian didn't know at first, but when she saw that whenever the carriage stopped, the child would either practice on his own or spar with his cousin, she guessed his eagerness.

She admires hardworking people, so she occasionally checks on his physical condition, worried that the intensity might be too high and he might injure himself.

With her around, no matter what kind of injury it is, it can be completely healed.

Oh my, she's practically a walking nanny!