Chapter 75
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Tiger’s mother fell ill the night after leaving Pei Yunshu’s place. Upon hearing the news, Pei Yunshu brought some medicinal herbs to check on her.
However, Tiger’s mother was extremely terrified and couldn’t stop screaming upon seeing Pei Yunshu. Feeling awkward, Tiger had to lead Pei Yunshu out of the house.
“Teacher Pei,” the boy who had been taught by Pei Yunshu during their free time spoke respectfully, “My dad says my mom is under some kind of evil influence. She’ll be fine in a few days; Teacher’s medicine won’t be needed.”
Tiger scratched his head, looking embarrassed with a round face, “Teacher, take the medicine back.”
Pei Yunshu shook his head, patted Tiger’s head, and asked, “Did your mom encounter anything when she came back yesterday?”
Tiger thought for a moment, shaking his head, “I don’t know, but when I saw my mom, she had already fallen to the ground.”
Pei Yunshu nodded, left Tiger’s home, and then posted a calming talisman in a corner before heading home.
Zhuyou waited outside the mansion, sitting on the steps with an expressionless face, gazing into the distance.
Pei Yunshu could see him from afar, quickened his pace, and approached, saying, “Is Yunjiao waiting for Daddy to come back?”
Zhuyou nodded, stood up, and was about to open his arms to rush into Pei Yunshu’s embrace but suddenly froze, his eyebrows furrowing.
Pei Yunshu, ready to embrace him, asked, “What’s wrong?”
Zhuyou grabbed Pei Yunshu’s hand, sniffed it lightly, and his expression changed abruptly, “Daddy!”
He was furious and aggrieved, “You touched other kids!”
Pei Yunshu was speechless; he couldn’t help but laugh, “Daddy just touched the heads of other kids.”
Zhuyou’s eyes fluctuated, full of deep emotions. Daddy touched other kids, but Daddy didn’t think he was wrong.
The child next to Pei Yunshu’s thigh was surrounded by a strong aura. Pei Yunshu had long been accustomed to his appearance, but Zhuyou, who was supposed to be so small, where did this hostility come from?
Crouching down curiously, Pei Yunshu held Zhuyou’s hand and looked into his eyes, comforting him, “Daddy will try not to touch other kids in the future, okay?”
Looking at Pei Yunshu, Zhuyou asked seriously, “Does Daddy keep his promises?”
With such seriousness, Pei Yunshu hesitated for a while. As Zhuyou’s expression was about to turn cold, he finally nodded, “Daddy keeps his promises.”
Zhuyou’s eyes softened, and he flashed a bright smile at Pei Yunshu, hugging him, “Daddy is really good. It would be even better if Daddy gave me another kiss.”
Raising an eyebrow, Pei Yunshu carried him, pretending not to catch his meaning, “Daddy being this good is enough. Being too good is unnecessary.”
Zhuyou sighed, buried his face in Pei Yunshu’s neck, and took a deep breath.
Pei Yunshu felt ticklish; he dodged and jokingly scolded, “Don’t be naughty.”
***
After half a month, Zhuyou began to grow rapidly, changing his appearance almost every day. In just two or three days, he had grown to the height of Pei Yunshu’s waist.
Nanxi Town is too remote, and matters of the cultivation world are like ghosts and gods to them. With Zhuyou undergoing such a significant change, some people are growing increasingly terrified, thinking that he has become a monster.
Pei Yunshu decided to sell the courtyard and moved to another, even more remote village with Zhuyou.
When they left, Zhuyou insisted that Pei Yunshu take away the swing and all the used items from the courtyard. Remarkably, Zhuyou could recall every item Pei Yunshu touched, listing them without missing anything, and Pei Yunshu stored them all in his bag.
Contrary to Pei Yunshu’s concerns about Zhuyou’s rapid growth, Zhuyou felt a subtle excitement and anticipation. If he could grow this fast, he could protect Daddy. When he became taller than Daddy in the future, he could hold Daddy in his arms.
If Daddy was bullied and cried, he could discipline those who bullied Daddy and then hug Daddy and comfort him. After Daddy stopped crying, he could ask for a kiss.
Just thinking about it made him extremely eager and excited.
The two of them quickly found another secluded place. Pei Yunshu wasn’t unwilling to take Zhuyou to more bustling towns; it was just that Zhuyou was currently in a critical period after shedding his skin, and Pei Yunshu couldn’t afford to be careless.
The more remote the place, the harder it was for others to find, and the safer it was.
The new village they settled in was called Peach Blossom Village, although there were no peach blossoms or inns. While Zhuyou was growing, Pei Yunshu, who took charge, decided to practice his culinary skills beyond roasting chicken.
On the first day in Peach Blossom Village, Zhuyou was sent to the private school run by the village scholar. When he returned, his face wore a stern expression as he followed Pei Yunshu’s scent to the kitchen. His first words were, “Daddy, I don’t want to study.”
The moment the words fell, Pei Yunshu looked up.
Pei Yunshu, with flour on his hands and a few smudges on his face, appeared less composed than usual, adding a touch of cuteness.
“Hmm?” Pei Yunshu kneaded the dough a couple of times before realizing what Zhuyou had said. He looked at Zhuyou, adopting an expectant expression, “Give Daddy a reason.”
Had he grown tired of studying after just a few days?
Originally, Zhuyou wanted to say that what the scholar taught was too old-fashioned and simple for him, but as he looked at the flour on Pei Yunshu’s face, he blurted out, “Because Zhuyou misses Daddy, and it hurts in my heart when I sit in the classroom thinking about Daddy.”
Pei Yunshu burst into laughter.
Zhuyou’s face turned strange, glancing sideways at Pei Yunshu. Now appearing to be around ten years old, he had already become shy, and a faint blush appeared on his face. He wanted to see Pei Yunshu’s expression but didn’t dare to look directly at him.
Suppressing his laughter, Pei Yunshu pretended to be pleased, “Does Zhuyou miss Daddy so much?”
Zhuyou twisted and fidgeted, “Mmm.”
Pei Yunshu put down the dough, showing an indulgent smile, “Zhuyou is so filial. Daddy is deeply moved. However, Daddy can’t be an indulgent father, so what Zhuyou said, Daddy can’t agree to it.”
Zhuyou no longer cared about what he said.
Watching Pei Yunshu approach, Zhuyou reached out to wipe off the flour on his face and tasted it, saying, “Daddy, the flour is sweet.”
Pei Yunshu thought he was hungry, “Wait a moment. Daddy will make cooked noodles for you within an hour.”
Saying that, he went to knead the dough with a troubled expression.
Zhuyou stood by the door, quietly watching him. His eyes became softer, and when Pei Yunshu finished kneading the dough, he also went in to help.
The next day, after Zhuyou went to the private school, Pei Yunshu went out to the pond to catch a fish.
Last night, the neighbor was making fish soup, and it smelled delicious. Pei Yunshu compared that to his meager dinner, which consisted mainly of thin soup and noodles, making it extremely frugal.
Peach Blossom Village had a network of intersecting streams, and fish were abundant. Pei Yunshu effortlessly caught a fish. However, on the way back, he caught a faint whiff of blood.
His brows furrowed slightly as he followed the scent of blood. Behind the concealment of the trees, there was an intermittent trail of blood that disappeared into the jungle from the grass.
Pei Yunshu sighed inwardly, lightly tapped the fish basket, and it flew back home on its own. He followed the bloodstains, pushing aside layers of concealment, and found a severely injured person beneath a tree.
The person, clad in dark robes soaked in blood, had a stern and pale face, currently unconscious. Pei Yunshu stopped the bleeding, fed him a pill, and covered him with a light layer of spiritual energy to save his life.
The man was still unconscious, and Pei Yunshu politely said, “My child at home is truly unpredictable. I won’t bring you back; please forgive me.”
On the way back, Pei Yunshu used several purification techniques. This time, Zhuyou didn’t notice anything. He squatted beside Pei Yunshu, staring intently at him grilling the fish. When he tasted it, his facial features relaxed, and he said to Pei Yunshu, “Daddy, I want to eat chicken.”
Pei Yunshu was tired of roasting chicken, but it seemed Zhuyou never grew tired of it. Pei Yunshu nodded, “We’ll make it tomorrow.”
Zhuyou couldn’t help but lift the corners of his mouth. The older he became, the colder he appeared, but in front of Pei Yunshu, he remained adorable and soft in his entire heart.
After dinner, Zhuyou always pounced into Pei Yunshu’s arms. Even though he had grown taller, Pei Yunshu still felt he looked like a five or six-year-old in his heart.
After washing the dishes, Zhuyou dragged Pei Yunshu to bathe with him. Zhuyou was completely naked, while Pei Yunshu was still wearing an undershirt, washing his soapy hands in the water.
Suddenly, Zhuyou said, “Daddy, the lady in the private school had a baby girl.”
“Really?” Pei Yunshu’s face appeared particularly gentle under the dim yellow light. “Then, Daddy will prepare a gift tomorrow for you to take to the teacher.”
Zhuyou mumbled in agreement and continued, “The scholar took us to see his little daughter, and we saw the lady feeding the baby.”
Pei Yunshu said, “It’s impolite to watch.”
Zhuyou followed up with the last question, “Do all babies need to drink milk?”
“Of course,” Pei Yunshu said, “Babies don’t have teeth yet, so what else should they eat?”
Zhuyou said, “I’ve never tried it.”
Pei Yunshu looked at him strangely.
Whether due to the steam or shyness, Zhuyou’s face appeared slightly red. He looked at Pei Yunshu and suddenly reached out boldly, touching Pei Yunshu’s chest.
“Daddy, when I was little, did you let me drink milk?”
Pei Yunshu was momentarily stunned, then his entire face turned red.
He sat up abruptly, scolded Zhuyou hastily with a “Nonsense,” stumbled over a wooden stool, and rushed out of the bathhouse.
Zhuyou watched Pei Yunshu’s departing figure, feeling a tickle in his throat. He scratched it and realized that he had grown a bit taller, and his Adam’s apple had emerged.
That’s great.
***
Pei Yunshu hadn’t recovered from Zhuyou’s question and ended up avoiding him. He only came out after Zhuyou went to the private school, intending to hunt a couple of chickens on the mountain.
On his way back from the foot of the mountain, he keenly sensed that something was amiss in Peach Blossom Village. People from every household had come out, chatting with curiosity.
Pei Yunshu approached a peasant and asked, “Big brother, has something happened?”
The peasant responded with a curious tone, “I heard that the general passing through here is sending people to inquire in each household. It seems that someone in our Peach Blossom Village saved the injured general, and now the general is looking for his savior.”
Thanking the peasant, Pei Yunshu bypassed the villagers who had gathered in groups and quickly returned home.
He had just poured a glass of water, not yet taken a sip when he heard a knocking on the door, accompanied by a loud urging, “Open the door inside, we have some questions to ask.”
Pei Yunshu sighed, finished his water, and then cast an illusion on himself before going to open the door.
Outside stood two soldiers, sweat beads covering their faces. Impatiently fanning themselves with their hands, they saw that the person opening the door was an old man with a white beard. Their expressions immediately became serious, and one of them asked loudly, “Old man, do you have a young person skilled in medicine at home?”
Pei Yunshu lowered his voice, “There is no young person.”
“Are you the only elderly person?” The soldier glanced behind him and couldn’t help showing a hint of sympathy. “Do you have a child at home?”
Pei Yunshu replied, “Only a small grandson.”
After noting this information, the two soldiers left. Pei Yunshu returned to the courtyard, and after a while, the soldiers returned, knocking on the door again. Carrying a shoulder pole, each of them held two buckets of clear water. After filling Pei Yunshu’s water tank, they finally left.
Pei Yunshu looked at the nearly overflowing water tank and then back at his current appearance. A smile couldn’t help but appear on his face, lifting his mood.
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