Everyday Warmth and Dumplings

A warm family can talk about anything when they're together.

Chi Wangyue hadn't expected Gu Shuoxing to be such a chatterbox. But from a distance, he actually seemed quite cute.

He kept it to himself and didn't say anything. He nodded in perfect unison with Senior Brother Yan, instantly agreeing.

"It's a really, really big porcelain doll that even bubbles."

An initial impression is generated, and what follows is a series of random additions to that impression.

While listening silently to her second senior brother's eloquent explanation of his "travels," Chi Wangyue quietly finished her pearl soup.

Yan Tianhua went to work, and some things would be better paired with some appropriate pastries.

This is his new product.

He never imagined that anyone would like him so much.

More than the warmth in his heart, he hoped that the person in front of him would eat better!

He added some light and refreshing ingredients to make a "mint dumpling". The mint dumpling was small and had a slightly moon-green color, and its taste was quite unique.

Without thinking, Chi Wangyue took a sip of the "sweet and happy, reunited" little bead soup and swallowed it in one gulp.

He gave a satisfied smile.

Gu Shuoxing hesitated for a moment, but since there was still plenty left, he openly took a few portions and ate them to try.

"It was tough. Adhering to the principle of 'not wasting food,' he forced himself to finish the whole meal. It was like returning home to his hometown, meeting an old friend in a foreign land. The sense of loss was difficult to overcome once it was gone. But thankfully, it was only for a while."

It was a short while, a moment of heartache, a tough guy shedding tears. That's all.

Chi Wangyue looked at the expression on her second brother's face and blinked innocently. "It's none of my business. You're the one who wants to eat!"

Gu Shuoxing.

Getting back to the main point, why is the channel temporarily unavailable?

Yan Tianhua replied, "I'm not your master, how would I know?"

Gu Shuoxing murmured, "If you don't know, how would I know? Besides, I only recently came back!"

Chi Wangyue secretly asked Xiao Huli, "Why?"

"That might be due to the plot. The protagonist's original destiny was to hone his skills throughout his life—hone his skills—hone his skills—and ultimately achieve the Great Dao. In other words, even if the host is not present, the plot will continue."

Chi Wangyue succinctly summarized, "Therefore, this is fate."

"But I don't believe in fate."

Xiao Huli blinked, trying to bluff her way out of it, "Hmm? But this isn't fate! It's destiny, a predetermined cause and effect. How can one achieve enlightenment without enduring hardship and trials?"

Chi Wangyue asked with a smile, "If he was originally destined to achieve the Path of Ruthlessness, then is the process in between important?"

Cause and effect, reasoning from cause to effect, and effect to cause.

Chi Wangyue added, "Some people value the process, while others value the result more. So, which group are you?"

Xiao Huli pondered deeply, but was unknowingly led astray: "If we only look at the final result, most things have little interest in a fate that has already been determined. I think it should be the process. If any variable occurs along the path, countless possibilities will arise, and our task is to choose the one that resonates most with the essential world."

Chi Wangyue humbly asked, "Then, what is the essence of the world?"

Xiao Huli replied, "It's xx and xxxx, right?"

Chi Wangyue was unusually speechless.

All right.

When it comes to food, Gu Shuoxing is a man of principle, believing in "sharing the good times and the bad." He wrapped up the extra portions he had taken earlier in paper.

Chi Wangyue looked at Gu Shuoxing, who was "in deep trouble".

"What's wrong, Chi Wangyue?" Gu Shuoxing's cheerful voice rang out, and Chi Wangyue gradually came back to her senses.

"It's nothing. But, senior brother, are you going to give the extra part to someone?" he asked without much expectation.

Without thinking, Gu Shuoxing replied, "Yes, bring it to Master."

Chi Wangyue nodded. "Okay."

Gu Shuoxing continued, "Aren't you going to ask why?"

"No need to ask, I guessed it. If it was Master who asked you to do it, there would be no need. It's most likely just your own nature, Second Brother."

Gu Shuoxing did not answer for a moment.

Silence is golden.

But it doesn't exist.

A moment later, the second son laughed, "Little Mochizuki is so clever!"

Yan Tianhua glanced at the second brother without showing any emotion; he had already handed over all the food he had prepared to Chi Laosan. Chi Laosan was cooking very quickly, and it was almost finished.

Yan Tianhua estimated the amount and stopped when it was about right.

You can't get fat in one bite. You should do things with moderation. One step more or less is neither too much nor too little. You should know when to stop.

The second child's arrival seemed dramatic and unexpected, yet surprisingly down-to-earth.

He's just back and not familiar with things yet, so he wants to reconnect with his fellow disciples. If it doesn't work out, so be it. It's normal for him to have a balanced view of friendship, with gains and losses.

Asking "Why is the channel not working?" is purely to create a topic of conversation, not to seek attention. He doesn't need attention; he is the external spokesperson for attention.

Gu Shuoxing is the type of person who lets go once he has almost achieved his goal.

He bid farewell with great pride.

"Goodbye, fellow disciples."

Yan Tianhua turned to see him off, and Chi Wangyue followed. The two of them watched a figure slowly disappear into the distance.

"...Is there something you need?" Yan Tianhua replied dryly.

"I think so." Chi Wangyue's eyes flickered as she secretly made her own calculations.

Some tricks should never be spoken out!

Chi Wangyue thought to herself.

"Shouldn't we go see Master? After all, the Sect Competition is coming up soon. I haven't seen Junior Brother Xie Cuo from last time, and I haven't heard from him apologize."

Nearby, Xie Cuo, who was being punished in the bamboo forest, unsurprisingly sneezed and subconsciously said, "Is this ever going to end?"

Me, a mere passerby, accidentally staging an accident—is that not allowed? It seems absolutely not.

Xie Cuo, you definitely won't use "tricks" again next time, right?

The children chattered excitedly.

Xie Cuo stared at them with fierce eyes.

They rolled down like little black powder balls.

That's a very vivid description.

Xie Cuo said in a somewhat harsh tone, "Of course, who can fall into the same pit twice? I'm not someone with particularly bad luck."

Chi Wangyue mentioned the "helper" Xie Cuo, whom he had never met, but he was grateful to him.

After all, anyone who can help him is considered a "good person," and this Xie, who is repeatedly mentioned and used to boost his presence, has suddenly plummeted to a negative value in the hearts of all the fellow disciples who love him.

Yan Tianhua asked doubtfully, "The Sect Grand Competition is held every six months. Last time, you only participated in the monthly test, which happened to coincide with the Double Six Month Grand Selection. These two combined are no less important than the Grand Competition, which is why some people have some bad ideas."

He thought for a moment and added, "As the saying goes, 'A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit.' We've already had a bad time, so next time, let's try to avoid such an irreversible situation from happening again."

Chi Wangyue replied obediently, "Okay."

Yan Tianhua brought up the matter of the "Grand Competition" again, saying, "I need to discuss it with my master."

Chi Wangyue nodded, "Okay! Can I go too?"

Yan Tianhua's tone was gentle yet firm: "Of course, why not?"

"Then let's go later!"

Yan Tianhua was puzzled when a question mark appeared before his eyes.

Chi Wangyue didn't find it surprising that she thought it was cute.

"As expected, the second brother is currently in Master's Fengyue Pavilion." Chi Wangyue feigned a solemn expression.

As someone who was always by their side, Yan Tianhua naturally heard that the second son was going to deliver some pastries to the criminals' relatives.

By the way, let's find out about the current situation of our sect.

On the way, the second brother, "Gu Shuoxing," looked at the Fengyue Pavilion, which seemed both far away and close at hand, and energetically stepped over one bluestone step after another.

"We're almost there."

The family members of the criminals were prepared.

He anticipated that his second son would come looking for him.

That means yes.

They gambled based on their long-standing relationship as master and apprentice.

He was fortunate enough to make the right bet.

(100% certain, the light may be late, but it will never fail to arrive. He is just as radiant and cheerful as ever.)

"Hmm?" Xing Juan was resting.

The wind chimes swayed gently, signaling the arrival of guests.

The guests are not in a hurry, and the host is even more composed.

It wasn't until a loud "Master!!!" that Xing Juan's pride began to crumble slightly.

"His good apprentices have no choice but to accept it."

Gu Shuoxing took two steps in three, his movements were very light and quick, without the slightest hesitation.

"Master, look, what is this?" Gu Shuoxing shook the mint-wrapped dumpling in front of Xing Juan.

"Hmm? You brought me food again?" Xing Juan's face showed no sign of seriousness, but she thought to herself, "Are you going to eat the food you brought? Anyway, I appreciate the thought, but I'll leave the food here for now."

He was afraid of hurting people's feelings.

In his childhood dream, he held a small blue flower that he had found on some unknown mountain. He held it in his hands and presented it to him. Before Xing Juan could say anything, the little boy had already imagined many sad stories.

A person in tears.

"well--"

Gu Shuoxing said lazily, "I'm back. Did Master miss me?"

"..." You say you want to, so I do."

Xing Juan remained silent, and Gu Shuoxing opened the paper.

"Come on, have one, try it. Your senior brother's creations are always top-notch. I'm just a rough man; I've never been able to appreciate these delicate pastries."

Xing Juan stared at him and asked in an unfriendly tone, "Just a boor?"

Gu Shuoxing quickly changed his tune, saying, "I'm a good person, a really good person."

Xing Juan ignored the self-deprecating Gu and looked at his packaging. Although it was quite exquisite, the color was a bit greenish. He ate it slowly.

After a while, they came to the conclusion that "it's not bad".

Gu Shuoxing shared without any hesitation, "Boss, it's made with xxxx materials. I don't know how to make these things, but if Master wants to eat them, he can just ask for them."

Xing Juan looked at the carefree Gu Shuoxing. He wanted to speak but then shut up. In the end, all the words got stuck in his throat.

Gu Shuoxing still brought up this topic to ask his "precious daughter," his tone somewhat mysterious: "Master, do you know that recently, we can no longer use the secret passage, and we have to climb the stairs to death, mainly because it costs two thousand each time. As for me, I'm fine, but if it were someone weak and sickly, they would definitely collapse from exhaustion."

"刑眷".

Weak and sickly / destined to / collapse from exhaustion.

Two thousand per step.

Xing Juan replied casually, "With your health, you'd be exhausted after just two thousand?"

Looking at the second son nodding frantically in front of him.

Xing Juan gave an answer: "You, don't get so close."

As for the passageway, I can tell you it's temporarily closed. The reason is none of your concern, but I can assure you it will be repaired in three months. However, it will also be decommissioned sometime sometime in three months.

"Oh... three months. If a month has thirty days, then three months is ninety days. Ninety x two thousand equals? 180,000."

?

"We have to climb 180,000 steps QAQ~"

Xing Juan looked at his second son, who looked dejected, and said, "...Yes."

180,000 steps, are you tired? Of course!

Unless, of course, props can be used.

However, the rules of Ruthless Peak prohibit the borrowing of any props.

TAT Okay.