Tang San returned with the basin and placed it beside Xiao Wu's bed.
His body trembled slightly; even fetching water had left him drenched in sweat.
"Xiao Wu, the water's ready."
"Thank you," she replied lightly, not even looking at him.
"It's fine… as long as you're happy."
Xiao Wu dipped her toes toward the water—then instantly pulled them back.
"Hiss—! You bastard!"
Tang San snapped out of his daze. "W-What's wrong?"
"Why is this cold water?!" she snapped. "What if I get sick?"
"I—I'll take care of you if you do—"
"So you did it on purpose?" Xiao Wu stared at him coldly.
"No! I'll change it right now!" Tang San panicked.
"Hmph. Go, then."
Xiao Wu lay back down, staring at the ceiling.
The second time, Tang San brought hot water—but Xiao Wu was still dissatisfied.
To be honest… it was too hot.
When she put on her shoes and said she would do it herself, Tang San immediately refused.
"I'll go, I'll go!"
He said he also wanted to soak his own feet and would fetch water along the way.
Without waiting for a response, he hurried off again.
After he left, Xiao Wu's voice rang out.
"Wang Sheng!"
"Huh? Sister Xiao Wu, what's wrong?" Wang Sheng asked with a flattering smile. After all, even Third Brother had become weak and submissive—how could he dare offend her?
"When he comes back," Xiao Wu said calmly, "tell him not to bother me. I'm going to sleep."
She paused, then glanced at Wang Sheng strangely.
"And one more thing."
"Yes?" Wang Sheng was completely confused.
"Didn't you smell a latrine stench on him?"
Her lips curled slightly. "Tell him to wash himself clean. Otherwise, he's not allowed to enter Dormitory Seven. Understand?"
"I understand! I understand!" Wang Sheng nodded vigorously.
After giving her instructions, Xiao Wu covered her mouth and yawned. She was truly sleepy.
Anyway, Tang San couldn't escape.
She would deal with him slowly.
Clutching the blanket Ye Qiu had bought for her, Xiao Wu slowly closed her eyes.
This time, Tang San was smarter.
When he returned, he carried cold water in one hand and hot water in the other, planning to mix them as needed.
Unfortunately, Xiao Wu had already fallen asleep.
After learning of her instructions from Wang Sheng, he didn't resist at all—because it was true.
When he recalled what he had seen in the teacher's cubicle that night… the scene nearly left him speechless.
Xiao Wu made me wash myself clean…
That means she cares about me, right?
Tang San slept very late that night.
But he was happy.
Little did he know—this was only the first night.
Starlight never fails those who journey far.
In the dead of night, with no one around, Ye Qiu—assisted by the ten-year-old soul beast Iron Hoof Horse—arrived at the entrance of Biyou Village.
He dismounted.
His martial spirit appeared, and the Iron Hoof Horse vanished into a vortex.
Looking at the familiar village entrance, Ye Qiu didn't linger. As he walked, he realized that nearly three years had passed since he last left this place.
The stone house at the edge of the village wasn't as dilapidated as he had imagined.
Perhaps Village Chief Zhang often came to look after it.
Ye Qiu stood beneath the peach tree for a long time before opening the door.
There wasn't much dust inside, and the layout was almost identical to when he left.
The wooden rocking horse he had made for Xiao Wu was still there.
He took a blanket from his Divine Space, spread it on the bed, and made do for the night.
Early in the morning, Ye Qiu was awakened by an old voice outside.
"Hey, Old Ye… it's me again, Old Zhang. I wonder how your grandson is doing in Notting…"
Old Zhang.
Click.
Ye Qiu opened the creaking wooden door and saw Old Man Zhang sitting beneath the peach tree, drinking homemade fruit wine—taking a sip, then spilling half of it.
"Grandpa Zhang!" Ye Qiu called out.
"Huh?" Old Zhang blinked. "Old Ye, did you hear that brat's voice? Am I drunk?"
He looked suspiciously at the wine jar in his hand. He hadn't drunk much—surely it couldn't be that bad.
"Grandpa Zhang, you're not drunk," Ye Qiu said with a smile. "I'm really back."
He crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe.
"Hey!" Old Zhang rubbed his eyes hard, forgetting even his cane as he staggered forward.
"Ye Qiu! You're really back?!"
"Of course," Ye Qiu stepped forward and supported him.
"Haha…" Old Zhang laughed, grabbing his arms and shoulders. "You've grown taller—and much more handsome!"
Before he could finish praising him, he began complaining.
"When did you come back? You didn't even come to see me! What, do you think this old man is trying to climb social ladders?"
"Grandpa Zhang," Ye Qiu said helplessly, "I arrived in the middle of the night. How could I disturb you?"
He bent down, picked up the fallen cane, and placed it back in Old Zhang's hand.
"Hmph. Fine, you pass," Old Zhang tugged his gray beard.
Ignoring Ye Qiu's eye roll, he pulled him along.
"Come on, let's go to my place for breakfast. I'll get you something good!"
"Of course!" Ye Qiu patted his stomach. "I didn't eat last night."
"Then go pay your respects to Old Ye first. I'll go tell your aunt."
"Alright. Please be careful."
Watching the old man slowly walk away, Ye Qiu smiled.
Everything was still so familiar.
The taste of home.
After finding some incense sticks, Ye Qiu sat where Old Zhang had been earlier.
He knelt upright beneath the peach tree, raised the incense above his head, and lit one stick with each kowtow.
Leaning against the tree, he spoke softly.
"Grandpa… these past few years…"
"I met a girl. She was very cute and well-behaved…"
"I met Jerry and his wife. They were kind and compassionate…"
"I encountered the Tang father and son. It was dangerous—but I survived…"
"I became a Soul Master. I'm still weak… but I'm growing."
He spoke for a long time.
When he finally rose, he headed toward the village chief's house.
Old Zhang and his wife were incredibly hospitable. Though it was breakfast, the spread was unusually lavish.
Of course—it would have been better without braised rabbit meat.
"Xiao Qiu, eat more," Aunt Zhang said warmly, placing the best rabbit leg into his bowl.
"Look at how skinny you are!"
Ye Qiu smiled and accepted it.
"Hehe…" Old Zhang chuckled.
"It's a coincidence, really. Today is the same day—nine years ago—that Old Ye found you. Your aunt remembered, so she slaughtered the rabbit she bought yesterday to celebrate your birthday."
"Thank you, Auntie…" Ye Qiu's eyes reddened.
These ordinary people—at the very bottom of the continent—made him feel something he hadn't felt in a long time.
Warmth.
"Alright, alright," Aunt Zhang waved her hand. "Eat your food. Don't make the child cry."
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If you like this story please give this poor soul some power stones 🙏