Zhao Dayong knew that Li had left the house, but he still didn't move.
He was tired and didn't want to care about or ask anything; he just wanted to get a good night's sleep.
As I was thinking about it, I actually fell into a deep sleep.
When he woke up and saw the food in front of him, he rubbed his eyes and looked at Li Shi in disbelief.
"You've been working so hard lately, eat something and nourish yourself. I'll make dumplings for you tomorrow."
His wife's sudden change caught him completely off guard. What? Has she suddenly realized how capable and important he is? Or has she only just noticed his recent lack of energy?
Enough, Zhao Dayong told himself not to think too much. He was in poor health and couldn't afford to think too much.
Aren't you going to eat?
"I'm perfectly healthy and don't need any supplements. You should eat now."
In the end, Zhao Dayong couldn't bear to eat it all by himself. He shared a few bites of the steamed egg custard with his little girl and a few bites with Li Shi. He also gave one of the pancakes to Dazhuzi and shared the other among the three of them.
If I had to pick the best time to eat these past few years, it would definitely be around the time my mother was sick and during her funeral.
The third son was willing to spend money; during those days, he ate only refined grains, and every meal included meat, chicken, and eggs.
He lived the life of a god, eating fine grains every day and having meat at every meal.
It was a day that he and his father never dared to imagine in their entire lives!
………………
After the snow stopped, Zhao Xiaoyu and Xiao Lei planned to take their daughter to a temple. They had been feeling uneasy these past few days and would not feel at ease unless they went to the mountain to pray.
"Take it easy on the road. If it's difficult, come back and go again in the spring, okay?"
Zhao Xiaoyu nodded, saying that if the steps were too slippery, it would be impossible to risk going up the mountain.
There probably aren't many people going up the mountain right now, and the steps should be covered in snow so they won't be slippery.
"Father and Mother, please take good care of our eldest son. We'll be right back."
The eldest grandson doesn't need their care at all; he can take good care of himself.
"Go quickly, and come back soon."
There were already quite a few people at the foot of the mountain where the temple was located. The couple looked at each other and realized that it would be difficult to climb the mountain this time, as so many people had been walking back and forth, and the mountain path must be difficult to walk on.
"Mom, I want to eat sugar painting."
Despite the cold weather, many people were still setting up stalls at the foot of the mountain, probably because it's almost the end of the year and everyone wants to go up the mountain to pray for blessings. The temple will only be even more popular during the Lunar New Year.
The little girl tugged at her mother's clothes, "Mommy, I want to eat a little rabbit."
Zhao Xiaoyu looked in the direction her daughter was pointing and saw a small stall selling sugar figurines.
"Xiao Lei, go over there and buy some sugar figurines."
Buy a few more, one for my son and one for the neighbor's child.
After buying the rabbit-shaped sugar figurine, Zhao Qixi licked it slowly, saying, "Let's not go up the mountain today. It's cold and the ground is likely to freeze, making the road very slippery."
They're not in a hurry; there's really no need for them to take any risks.
Zhao Xiaoyu admired those who continued to climb the mountain; they were truly determined.
"Okay, let's go home."
Just then, a slightly hoarse and somewhat ethereal voice rang out from the side, “May the Heavenly Venerable grant you boundless blessings… Young friend, judging from your appearance, you seem to have some affinity with my Taoist sect.”
Who is it?
What the heck?
Zhao Xiaoyu followed the sound and found an old man at the fortune-telling stall staring at her daughter like a wolf eyeing meat, his eyes gleaming.
The man was wearing a faded blue Taoist robe, and looked to be around fifty years old. His hair and beard were almost entirely white.
She stared intently at her daughter.
Zhao Xiaoyu pulled the child into her arms, and Xiao Lei frowned, instinctively stepping in front of Qi Xi.
The old Taoist priest seemed unconcerned about their precautions, his gaze passing over Xiao Lei and continuing to stare at the girl behind him.
"No, no, it is not an offense. I am Xuanweizi, a wandering Taoist who has come here."
This little girl… her mind is clear and her aura is pure, subtly different from ordinary people, showing signs of 'spiritual insight'. Such talent is one in a million; it would be a real pity if it were confined to the mortal world.”
What kind of nonsense is this?
His daughter is not a female Taoist priest!
Zhao Xiaoyu's heart sank, and she instinctively hugged her daughter even tighter.
She knew her daughter was different, but she never expected the Taoist priest to be able to see her difference at a glance. Where did this person come from? He must be no ordinary person!
No matter who he is, he shouldn't even think about hurting her daughter in the slightest.
"Xiao Lei, let's go home. Don't listen to his nonsense here."
Zhao Qixi peeked her head out from behind her father's back, curiously examining the Taoist priest. She didn't dislike the aura emanating from him, so he shouldn't be a bad person.
Xiao Lei's expression instantly turned cold. "Daoist, you must have misjudged. My daughter is young and naive, just an ordinary child with nothing special about her. We are just passing by, so there's no need for you to worry about her."
Xuanweizi stroked his long, snow-white beard, his face showing no sign of offense or anger, but rather a knowing smile. He seemed to have anticipated this reaction.
"You two need not be so wary. I have no ill intentions; I am merely eager to hunt and cannot bear to see a precious gem go to waste."
"Young friend, have you ever... seen things that others cannot see? Or heard sounds that others cannot hear?" Xuanweizi suddenly softened his voice and asked Qixi gently.
Zhao Xiaoyu and Xiao Lei's hearts jumped into their throats.
Before Zhao Qixi could speak, Zhao Xiaoyu pulled her into her arms again. Seeing her mother so nervous, the little girl blinked and shut her mouth.
Mother is very uneasy now. What is she uneasy about?
Should she tell her mother that the old man wasn't a bad person?
"This humble Taoist has been wandering the world, always seeking a direct disciple, but I have yet to find a suitable and destined person. Now I see that your daughter is quite pleasing to the eye, I wonder if it is possible to..."
"No, don't even think about my daughter. She will never cultivate Taoism or become a Taoist priest."
This person is crazy! He knows how hard, tiring, and difficult it is to be a Taoist priest. Qi Xi would never do that!
All she wants is to be an ordinary person, living a peaceful and happy life!
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