Fang Lingxue's Support

After a while, a rumbling sound broke the silence.

Dad, Qin Ziming, burst into laughter. "Time to eat, time to eat. Qin Heng, hurry and buy some meat. Today brings double happiness—we're having a good meal!"

"I already brought some back."

Qin Heng took out the steak he had packed at noon.

The steak was huge, larger than his palm, nearly two centimeters thick. One piece alone could fill an ordinary adult.

It was not much when split among the family, but with a few side dishes, chopped up and stir-fried, it still made for a very decent dinner.

"Eh? What kind of meat is this? Why is it purple?"

Fang Lingxue looked at the steak with a curious expression.

Qin Heng replied, "I brought it back from the Military Canteen on the Border Wall. According to one of the soldiers, it seems to be Wilderness Area Monster meat. Its nutritional value is much higher than the pork and chicken we buy at the market. After eating it, you'll have strength you can't use up!"

"Monster meat? I really haven't tried that before! Is it really that amazing?" Qin Ziming's eyes widened.

"Of course. I had some at noon, and it felt great. You can try something new today and see how it tastes. If there's a chance later, we can eat it every day!" Qin Heng said with a smile as he carried the steak into the kitchen.

Fang Lingxue went into the kitchen to help. The two worked together, one washing vegetables while the other cut meat, one lighting the stove while the other added seasoning. They coordinated perfectly.

The two parents watched from the doorway, unable to stop smiling, their eyes filled with satisfaction.

That look made it seem as though they were already hoping to hold grandchildren.

Before long, dinner was ready.

The family sat together and ate happily.

Qin Heng told them about some of the things that had happened during today's assessment.

But he did not mention a single word about what he had seen and heard at the Border Wall. He did not want his family, who were ordinary people, to know how terrifying the Wilderness Area outside was.

After dinner, the young couple washed the pots and dishes together.

Once the kitchen had been cleaned, Qin Heng came out carrying a bag of trash. "Dad, Mom, watch some TV by yourselves. I'll take Ling Xue home and be back soon."

"It's fine if you don't come back," Dad said with a chuckle.

"Exactly. You're nearly old enough to get your marriage certificate. Living together is perfectly normal," Mom agreed.

"Uh..."

Qin Heng glanced at Fang Lingxue.

Fang Lingxue's face reddened. She turned her head away and pretended not to hear.

"Ahem..."

Qin Heng felt a little awkward.

The two went downstairs together.

After throwing out the kitchen trash, Qin Heng got back on his bicycle and carried Fang Lingxue toward her home.

The Slum District was lively at night. Some people were beating their children, some were cursing their husbands, and some were throwing drunken fits...

Qin Heng and Fang Lingxue chatted idly as they passed through the noisy streets and alleys, riding in the slightly cool night breeze. The atmosphere was peaceful.

Before long, they arrived.

"I'll walk you up," Qin Heng said.

Fang Lingxue raised her eyes to look at his face and asked softly, "Do you want to stay over at my place?"

Qin Heng thought, Wasn't that an obvious question?

"I do. So will you let me stay?" he asked in return.

Seeing the expectant look on his face, Fang Lingxue's lips curved as she lightly laughed. "No!"

"Huh? Why?" Qin Heng did not understand.

If she truly did not want to, she definitely would not have brought it up.

Since she had mentioned it, she must have been looking forward to it, at least a little, deep down.

That "no" was probably her trying to lure him in by playing hard to get!

Qin Heng thought to himself.

With a mischievous expression, Fang Lingxue raised a hand and tapped his head. "Because you've only just begun cultivating the Innate Fetal Breathing Art. I asked Uncle Ye, and he said the first week gives the best cultivation results. The most important thing for you right now is to seize the opportunity and improve yourself first, not think about naughty things. As for me... I'm not going anywhere. Sooner or later, I'll be yours."

Qin Heng: ...

He had thought of many possible reasons, but this was the one he had never expected.

"Going upstairs for a little while won't delay my cultivation..." he muttered.

Fang Lingxue blinked. "You... can only last a little while?"

"I!"

The moment Qin Heng heard that, he immediately felt challenged.

He really wanted to prove himself.

But Fang Lingxue did not give him the chance. With a light laugh, she said, "Go back and cultivate. I'm still waiting for you to make a name for yourself with one brilliant feat and become the strongest martial artist in the world."

After saying that, she stood on tiptoe and quickly kissed Qin Heng on the lips, then turned and fled.

Her faint fragrance lingered around his nose, and the image of the girl running away with light steps was branded into his mind.

Qin Heng curled his lips. "You're deliberately whetting my appetite. That's too much."

Forget it. Cultivation came first.

Passing the assessment was only the beginning. If he wanted to become a powerful martial artist and make a fortune, he still had to keep working hard without stopping.

Qin Heng got on his bicycle and headed back the way he had come.

Upstairs.

Fang Lingxue watched his figure leave through the window. As he disappeared into the alley, a satisfied smile appeared on her lips.

Bzz~

At that moment, a vibration sounded.

Her phone rang.

She picked it up and looked.

The screen lit up, displaying a line of text.

Uncle Ye: Qin Heng is not on Heavenly Dao Martial Hall's elite list this year. There are rumors that he took a divine medicine, and the rumors are spreading rapidly. Many people believe them.

Fang Lingxue frowned. "What are they doing? With Qin Heng's background, how could he possibly have anything to do with divine medicine?"

She replied: Someone is spreading rumors to frame him?

Uncle Ye replied: Yes. It should be Wang Jianming's grandnephew, Wang Peng, causing trouble.

"Wang Peng again..."

Fang Lingxue's fingers tightened, and she gritted her teeth.

She immediately replied: Ignore him. True gold fears no fire. The people at Heavenly Dao Martial Hall aren't fools. They'll soon realize how capable Qin Heng is.

Uncle Ye did not continue discussing the matter. After a while, he sent another message asking: Miss, when are you coming home? The boss has already severely punished the eldest young master. After so many years, shouldn't your anger have faded by now?

Fang Lingxue frowned and quickly replied: This isn't anger—it's a blood feud! Don't mention them to me again, or I won't acknowledge even you.

Uncle Ye remained silent for a long time.

More than ten minutes later, he finally sent another message: There are some things Uncle can't help you with. But if you need anything in life, you must tell me. Uncle will always be your support.

"Thank you."

Fang Lingxue replied with two words.

Then she put down her phone and gazed at the small patch of starry sky outside the window, sinking into her memories.

The Slum District was somewhat noisy at night, but it was as though she could not hear it. The world she perceived was utterly silent.

"Mom..."

"I miss you so much."

"Your daughter is useless. I don't have the ability to avenge you."

"But I've found someone to rely on. He's outstanding, so you don't have to worry about me anymore."

"If one day Qin Heng can become a Martial God, I'll ask him to kill all those hateful people."

"If he can't... then please forgive your unfilial daughter."

"After all... Qin Heng is only one person. I don't want to drag him down with me."

Inside the small room, the girl murmured soundlessly, her eyes shimmering with tears.