In the small room, Xu Yuan let out a soft sigh.
Back when the family had still been doing well, the original owner had attended a private school. Afterward, he had to fend for himself outside with nothing but his young body.
His elder brother felt somewhat guilty about it. He always believed that an elder brother was like a father, yet he had failed to offer much help.
But Xu Yuan knew full well that, in times like these, being able to enter the Shangyang Family was already an excellent choice.
Once news that one could learn martial arts was released, even getting a job here as a Laborer would probably become something people fought tooth and nail for.
"Hah!"
Having shaken off those unpleasant emotions, Xu Yuan slowly exhaled.
He then went to the back courtyard where the firewood was piled, casually split several large logs into wooden rods, and began practicing the Tai Chi Exercise.
Due to his aptitude, he had encountered many problems with the stance practice. Naturally, Master Feng could not explain every single one to him.
After all, the reason the Shangyang Family was willing to teach Laborers was to sift out pearls from the sand.
If he went asking whenever he did not understand something, it would be fine once or twice. But if he did it too often, others would think his aptitude was terrible and might simply choose to give up on him.
So, he could only draw inferences from one example to another—improve his aptitude first, then practice the stance work.
Now that he had finally found some spare time, he naturally could not waste even a moment of it.
His movements were neither hurried nor slow, every stance and strike displaying practiced familiarity.
Before long, Xu Yuan immersed himself in it.
After an unknown amount of time had passed, he suddenly looked up and saw his elder brother studying him curiously.
"Brother, why didn't you call me?" Seeing the probing look in Xu Zheng's eyes, Xu Yuan could not help smiling.
"Wasn't I watching you practice so intently?"
Xu Zheng's gaze flickered as he waved a hand. "Get ready to eat. Your sister-in-law is back too."
The two brothers entered the main room, where a young woman was seated at the square table.
She was only a little over twenty. Her skin had a wheat-colored tan, and though she wore no makeup, it could not conceal her delicate beauty.
When she saw him enter, she gave him an indifferent glance before looking away, a trace of disdain seeming to linger in her eyes.
"Hello, Sister-in-law."
Xu Yuan gave an awkward smile. Seeing her displeasure, he casually took a few bites of rice, set down the fresh meat, and ignored his elder brother's attempts to keep him. Using affairs at the manor as an excuse, he prepared to leave.
"Wait."
Xu Zheng suddenly called out to him, picked up a bundle from the side, and handed it over. "There are some clothes inside. The weather has been getting colder lately, so make sure you don't catch a cold."
Xu Yuan nodded at him. "Thank you, Brother. Then I'll be going."
"Mm. You're alone at the manor, so be more tactful when handling things. When you speak with others, remember to choose pleasant words. No one dislikes hearing kind words. Remember..."
As Xu Yuan listened, his eyes inexplicably began to sting. He hurriedly interrupted him. "Enough, enough. Why have you become as nagging as Mother? I'm leaving."
"Hah!"
When he reached the alley, Xu Yuan's expression was complicated. Feeling the hard spot in the bundle, he took it out and saw three qian of broken silver hidden beneath the old clothes.
At that moment, his sister-in-law's indistinct arguing drifted over from behind him.
"So you're the righteous one now? You only earn three qian a month doing odd jobs, and with one wave of your hand, you've given it all away? The Xu family was drowning in debt, yet I still married into it. I must have been blind!"
"Don't we still have some spare money? Besides, he's my only younger brother. Look how thin he is. What's wrong with me helping him out a little as his elder brother?"
"That brother of yours won't learn a proper trade, but instead runs off to do menial work. What great prospects could he possibly have in the future?"
"You don't know this, but A-Yuan said there's an opportunity to learn martial arts at the manor now."
"Learn martial arts? Auntie Wang next door has a nephew who practiced for half a year and couldn't squeeze out a thing. And your brother is such a block of elm wood..."
"Enough. At worst, I'll take on more work. I won't let you go hungry..."
Xu Yuan pressed his lips together, but he did not go back to break up the argument, lest he worsen the conflict between husband and wife.
Although his sister-in-law had always looked down on him, he still greatly admired her.
She had been betrothed to his elder brother since they were young.
After the Xu family fell into ruin, she had not renounced the marriage agreement. Instead, she married his elder brother with her dowry, and much of the family's previous debt had been paid off with that dowry.
"I heard that once one reaches the First Meridian Realm, one can become a household retainer. The monthly stipend should be quite generous then."
He clenched his fists, his gaze resolute. Martial arts... only martial arts could change his circumstances!
Xu Yuan closed his eyes and looked at the System Panel in his mind.
[Name: Xu Yuan] [Skills: Tai Chi Exercise (Minor Accomplishment 8%) Stone Platform Stance Practice (Beginner 2%)] [Aptitude: 3 (Ordinary Talent)]
"There's still plenty of time today. Once I return to the manor, I'll keep practicing!"
Xu Yuan glanced at the sky, then hurried through the streets and alleys back to the Shangyang Family.
Once inside the manor, many Laborers had already returned home. Taking advantage of their free time, they were steadily practicing their stance work in the courtyard.
Of course, there was also a small group merely sitting in the distance watching. Laughter and chatter occasionally drifted over, and they appeared utterly relaxed, clearly lacking the drive to practice martial arts.
"Brother Xu, you're back?"
At that moment, a booming voice rang out. Li Shan strolled over, and judging by his expression, he was clearly in high spirits.
"Just got back." Xu Yuan nodded.
"When I went home this time, I got some money from my family. I'm planning to try that Meridian Nourishing Soup. Want to come with me?"
Meridian Nourishing Soup?
Xu Yuan's heart stirred as well, but when he thought of his shriveled purse, he shook his head and declined. "Forget it. I can't afford it."
At those words, Li Shan's thick brows furrowed. After struggling for a while, he seemed to make up his mind. "Brother Xu, if you're short on money, I can scrape some together for you."
His father ran a modest business at home and had taught him since childhood that one must make friends far and wide, because wherever there were people, there were connections and circles.
Relationships between people were like a seesaw. They had to prop each other up so neither side fell; perhaps someday, when trouble came, someone could give you a lift.
Over the past two days, he had noticed that although Xu Yuan was quiet, he handled matters calmly and methodically. It suited his temperament very well.
His father probably would not blame him for spending a little money on this.
"Thanks, Brother Li." Xu Yuan gave him a surprised look, then politely declined. "Not for now. If I need it, I won't stand on ceremony with you."
Seeing this, Li Shan did not insist further, and the two went their separate ways.
Seeing that the kitchen was closed and dinner had not yet been served, Xu Yuan went alone to a secluded corner.
Once he was sure no one was paying attention, he immediately assumed his stance and diligently practiced the exercise.
After repeating several sets, his whole body was steaming with heat and slick with sweat, but his stomach felt increasingly empty.
So he could only practice for a while, then rest for a while, lest he exhaust himself completely.
It was not until the hour of the Rooster was approaching and the sky had begun to darken.
Xu Yuan finally drew in his movements with heavy breaths, then slowly walked out of the corner, preparing to eat.
By then, the Laborers had gradually gathered together as well.
Li Shan was among them. When he saw Xu Yuan, his eyes lit up, and he hurried over to whisper mysteriously, "Brother Xu, this Meridian Nourishing Soup is truly incredible!"
"I'd been feeling cold and a little weak, but after one bowl, guess what happened? My entire body became as hot as if I'd just stepped out of a steamer, and I felt like I had strength that would never run out!"
"No wonder Master Feng said it was best to practice stance work together with this soup. It really does twice the work for half the effort!" By the end, Li Shan's face was full of wonder.
Xu Yuan felt envious as he listened, but the fierce hunger surging from his belly made his head spin even more.
Honestly.
Brother, you smell amazing!
Before you continue