Chapter 30: The Old Master Always Makes a Fuss

Liu Shen, upon hearing that Old Master Song was so talkative because of the "Art of the Pure Youth" manual, couldn't help but feel curious.

"Xueyan should have mentioned it to you. That manual was something I found in my early years for my son Quan..." Master Song leaned back in his chair and spoke to himself, "I only had Quan when I was already in middle age. I spoiled him from a young age, and it ruined him."

"I had him practice martial arts—not for great achievements, only so he could build up his strength and maintain his health. But he couldn't endure the hardship, missed his chance, and then he was gone..."

"When one grows old, the mind starts to wander..."

"Especially in recent years, I've often wondered, if I’d been stricter with Quan in the past, forcing him to train, what might things be like now?"

He let out a bitter laugh, sighing, "I never imagined that today, my wish would be realized in you instead. In you, I see the path I wished for Quan to walk, the path he never took."

"Such is fate..."

Liu Shen looked at the old man, who seemed to radiate loneliness from every pore, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say...

Should he pity him? But he was just a dock laborer, a nobody—what right did he have to pity a renowned and wealthy man of Heyang County?

Should he envy him? But seeing this old gentleman, who had schemed his whole life, now left with no one by his side, lonely and desolate, envy was impossible too...

"To tell you the truth, Master Song," Liu Shen pondered for a moment before speaking. "Just now, I was thinking, if you wouldn't mind, I would be willing to recognize you as my foster father, and see to your care in your old age and after your passing."

Master Song’s face twitched at these words, and he asked casually, "And now?"

"Now?" Liu Shen shrugged helplessly. "Now that I know you truly dislike me, if I were to bring it up again, wouldn't that make you even more annoyed? Naturally, I can’t say it anymore."

Master Song just looked at him, his gaze downcast. After a long silence, he nodded faintly and said with a sense of loss, "Some fates are simply missed like this."

"Indeed..." Liu Shen clasped his hands and bowed formally. "I will always remember your guidance, sir. If there’s nothing else, I won’t stay to trouble you further."

"I know you’re not the ungrateful sort," Master Song said. He made no move to keep him, only adding, "If, in the future, Xueyan truly ends up with you, I hope you’ll remember today’s kindness and never betray her."

"You're joking, sir." Liu Shen grinned, brimming with youthful confidence. "Kindness is one thing, affection is another. Even without your kindness today, I would never betray Madame Xueyan’s feelings."

With that, he cupped his hands in farewell, turned, and left.

Beside the tea table…

Master Song sat quietly, watching his departing figure. In that silhouette, he seemed to see the poise his own son never possessed, the image of the son he might have raised had he been stricter.

He laughed softly, then called out to the retreating figure, "Remember well the words you’ve come to understand—they’ll be useful on your path ahead!"

"I will never forget them, sir!"

That figure grew smaller in the fine, endless drizzle, the sound of his voice fading away with the rain...

As soon as Liu Shen left the inner quarters, he saw a graceful figure holding an oil-paper umbrella, waiting for him amid the misty rain.

Pei Xueyan hurried forward, holding the umbrella over his head, and asked with concern, "The old master didn’t make things difficult for you, did he?"

"He was quite kind," Liu Shen replied, glancing around to make sure no one was near. Then, with a playful tone, he teased, "Only, when I said I wanted to marry the Song family’s daughter, he nearly whacked me with his cane."

"You..." At these words, Pei Xueyan’s ears turned crimson. She wanted to pinch him in retaliation, but remembering her earlier failed attempt, she instead rose on tiptoe and gave his ear a fierce twist.

Liu Shen yelped, "Spare me, young madame!" She realized this was too intimate and quickly let go, huffing softly.

Pei Xueyan glanced around, lowered her voice, and scolded, "Say one more word of nonsense and you’ll regret it."

"Alright, alright..." Liu Shen rubbed his ear and muttered under his breath about her strength, then changed the subject. "The old master probably has things to say to you now. I’ll take my leave."

"Fine, go get soaked in the rain then..." Pei Xueyan shot him a look and, in a huff, walked back into the house with the umbrella.

Liu Shen chuckled, thinking that a little rain was nothing compared to his daily cold baths, and strode out into the downpour, leaving Song’s residence behind.

No sooner had he left than Pei Xueyan came running out with the umbrella again. Seeing only empty rain and no sign of him, she stood there in a daze...

"Did he really leave? Did I make him angry?" she wondered.

At that moment, an old, weary voice came from behind her: "Stop looking, he’s gone..."

Master Song stepped out, supporting himself with his cane and holding an umbrella. Watching the flowers and plants sway in the autumn rain, he sighed, "That lad is as robust as an ox. Besides, once you’ve started on the ‘Art of the Pure Youth,’ neither cold nor heat can harm you. A little rain means nothing to him—it’s no different than a bath."

Pei Xueyan, flustered at being found, gripped her umbrella tightly and muttered, "Father, what are you talking about?"

"My eyes may be old, but they’re not blind," Master Song glanced at her, half amused. "Besides, the boy just told me himself that he’s interested in you, so there’s nothing to hide."

"I..." Pei Xueyan was both embarrassed and annoyed.

She had thought Liu Shen was only joking about marriage, but judging by her father’s tone, the rascal had really brought it up? Who in their right mind would propose to the Song family in front of Old Master Song—didn’t he fear for his life?

Did he... like her that much?

Her mind was a bit dazed at the thought.

Unaware of her inner turmoil, Master Song asked calmly, "I just want to know, Xueyan, what do you think?"

"I... I... I..." Pei Xueyan stammered, mouth dry, unable to form an answer after three tries.

"Or is the boy just being foolishly infatuated?" Master Song said with a wry smile. Then he added, "If you really don’t feel anything for him, just say so. I can settle this matter for you..."

"No!!" At the words "settle this matter," Pei Xueyan’s face went white. She couldn’t help but imagine her father sending someone to kill Liu Shen. She had been about to say they were just friends, but now quickly changed her tune: "I... I... I do have a bit of affection for him."

Master Song couldn’t help but sigh at her bashfulness and gently advised, "Xueyan, that boy is too clever—not the honest sort. You won’t be able to handle him."

"Huh..." Pei Xueyan blinked in confusion. "Liu Shen is clever, yes, but he’s been a dock laborer for years and is still a pure youth. How is he not honest?"

"Silly girl," Master Song said, seeing her focus was entirely in the wrong place. He could only smile wryly.

"Men are only truly honest when lying in their coffins," he went on, looking at her innocent expression with some exasperation. "I’ve seen many people in my life. That boy is no easy mark. If he ever achieves anything, there will surely be no shortage of women around him."

"Xueyan, I won’t say much, but you must remember this..." He spoke with heartfelt seriousness. "Any woman who appears at his side in the future may be your potential rival. You should treat her as such, understand?"

"Alright..." Pei Xueyan obediently nodded, though in her heart she thought otherwise: he’s seventeen and still a pure youth. If it weren’t for me, meeting a woman at the docks would be a rare event. Besides, now that he’s practicing the ‘Art of the Pure Youth,’ unless he wishes to ruin his cultivation, there’s no need to worry about women at all.

After a moment’s thought, Pei Xueyan concluded in her heart: Father really doesn’t understand Liu Shen—he’s just scaring me for nothing...