Uncle Lu Yi

Night fell, and moonlight flowed like water.

At the entrance of the Jing Family Restaurant, Lu Mingyuan rubbed his slightly protruding belly and ambled out of the restaurant. Then he waved goodbye to Jing Zhi, who was standing at the entrance watching him, and set off for home.

Why was it so late?

As Lu Mingyuan put it: Ah, what could I do? I was at my future mother-in-law's house. How could I not eat?

And he had to eat well and fill his stomach, too. Otherwise, his future mother-in-law wouldn't let him leave. Fortunately, Lu Mingyuan wasn't much of a drinker; otherwise, Jing Zhi would have had to help him home.

Although, for now, she was only his almost-mother-in-law.

But it wouldn't be long. In a few days, Lu Mingyuan and Jing Zhi would be engaged, and then they really would be one family. So Lu Mingyuan hadn't felt the need to stand on ceremony.

Besides, he wasn't just eating and drinking for free. Whenever the Jing family needed help, he did what he could. He'd helped with the busy farming season, occasionally worked as a waiter at the restaurant, and tutored little Jing Yue in her homework. He'd done all of that.

What could he do? If he wanted to marry someone's precious daughter, he had to put in a little effort. He couldn't expect to get something for nothing.

Lu Mingyuan didn't mind. These were things a son-in-law ought to do.

Actually, his situation was already much better than most.

He remembered how, in his previous life, every time the farming season rolled around, some young women would say they needed a boyfriend. What they really wanted was to trick someone into providing free labor, helping them harvest wheat, dig up potatoes, or even pick corn.

Compared with that, Lu Mingyuan really was lucky.

At least he and Jing Zhi had been betrothed as children, and he'd already won her heart. Unlike those other guys, who got dumped with a "we're not right for each other" as soon as the harvest was over.

How miserable!

By now, the sky had grown completely dark, but the streets of Changfeng City were still brightly lit.

The large red lanterns hanging on either side of the street weren't as dazzling as the electric lights from his previous life. But in a setting like ancient times, having such a spectacle was already quite extraordinary, a clear sign of how prosperous and lively the city was.

Great Gan had abolished the curfew long ago, so the streets were still packed with people, bustling with activity.

Some were out enjoying the night scenery, some were shopping, some were buying groceries, and some were sampling street food... In short, there were all sorts of people.

"Roasted sweet potatoes! Hot, steaming sweet potatoes..."

"Buns! Freshly baked meat buns, just one copper coin each!"

"Flatbreads for sale! Flatbreads!"

"Come, take a look! Try one! Buy a candy figurine for the little ones."

All kinds of hawkers called out along the street, their cries rising and falling in an endless stream.

Immersed in the noise, Lu Mingyuan felt as if he'd returned to the snack street from his previous life. The same racket, the same flavors.

He swallowed several times, his mouth watering.

Unfortunately, his future mother-in-law had been so hospitable, and he'd eaten so much. Otherwise, Lu Mingyuan would definitely have gone back to fetch his A-Zhi and swept through the whole snack street with her.

But if they couldn't do it this time, they could go next time.

It wasn't as if the street would run away.

Just then, a troop of soldiers in armor, carrying long spears, came marching over. The pedestrians promptly moved aside, clearing a long path for them.

Seeing this, Lu Mingyuan quickly got out of their way, too.

It wasn't that he was afraid of them.

The soldiers were just the city's patrol, there to protect the residents' safety. So everyone was grateful to them and willingly gave them the right of way. Few people would deliberately block their path.

As he watched the patrol march by, a strange look flickered in Lu Mingyuan's eyes.

If...

If his father hadn't met with disaster all those years ago, he would probably be part of this patrol now.

His father hadn't had any particular skills, so the patrol would have been the best choice for him.

As far as Lu Mingyuan knew, most local veterans joined the patrol after retiring from the military, continuing to safeguard order and stability in the city.

Only a few who had inherited a family craft or learned other skills in the army chose different ways to make a living, such as opening a shop or starting a martial arts school...

Back then, Li Tiezhu's father, Jing Zhi's father, and Lu Mingyuan's father had all enlisted together as close friends. One learned blacksmithing and opened a forge; one learned to cook and eventually worked his way up to a restaurant. The third was terribly unlucky and lost his life.

Sigh!

Watching the patrol, Lu Mingyuan sighed. He thought again of the memories buried deep in his heart. He no longer felt like admiring the scenery along the street, so he headed straight home.

The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, Lu Mingyuan made his way to the home of his second uncle, which was not far from his own.

His second uncle, Lu Yi, was a genuine, honest farmer. He had neither enlisted nor started a small business. All year long, he faced the loess with his back to the sky, tending the dozen or so mu of poor farmland the family owned.

It was the middle of the third month, the season for planting fruits and vegetables. Lu Mingyuan was afraid his second uncle would be busy heading to the fields, so he set out while the sky was only just beginning to brighten.

Fortunately, his second uncle hadn't left yet, and Lu Mingyuan caught him just in time.

As soon as he saw his second uncle, Lu Mingyuan got straight to the point and told him that he wanted to get engaged to Jing Zhi. His parents were both gone, so there was no one else he could turn to.

Lu Yi looked at his nephew, who seemed ordinary but radiated confidence. It felt as if, in the blink of an eye, the little boy who used to run after him begging for candied hawthorns had grown up and was ready to get engaged.

"I've met that Jing girl before. She's a good one.

"But Mingyuan, have you really made up your mind? You want to get engaged now? Your father and I were both over thirty, nearly forty, before we married. Isn't it a little early for you?"

Lu Mingyuan understood his second uncle's doubts.

In this life, food was plentiful, and thanks to the divine abilities of healers, most people could live past a hundred without illness or disaster. So getting married in one's thirties or forties was perfectly normal.

By contrast, cases like Lu Mingyuan and Jing Zhi, who got engaged at eighteen and would marry two years later, were rare.

But they were only rare, not unheard of, so there was nothing strange about it.

"Second Uncle, Jing Zhi and I grew up together. We've known each other for over ten years, so you don't need to worry about our feelings. We've talked this over many times, too. There's no need to worry."

Lu Yi knew all of this. He was also aware of their childhood betrothal. He'd only wanted Lu Mingyuan to think carefully because the two were still young, and their views might change. What if, in the future...

That would be a problem.

But when Lu Yi saw the determination in his nephew's eyes, he couldn't bring himself to say much more. He just repeated, "Good! That's good!"

Seeing that his second uncle had no objections, Lu Mingyuan breathed a sigh of relief.

When it came to marriage, it was always best to have the family's blessing.

Next, the uncle and nephew discussed the engagement arrangements, including the matchmaker, the gifts, the banquet, and all the other odds and ends.

Though these details were tedious, they were necessary. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Lu Mingyuan had no intention of throwing everything out and starting from scratch.

Nor was there any need.

When they were done, Lu Yi suddenly asked, "Mingyuan, you've already turned eighteen. How are things going with creating your divine ability?"

"I've nearly finished designing it. I should be done sometime in the next half a month."

Although he didn't know why his second uncle had suddenly asked, Lu Mingyuan didn't hide anything. He intended to make his divine ability public anyway, so there was no harm in telling his second uncle early.

Hearing Lu Mingyuan say he'd be done in another half a month, Lu Yi hurriedly said, "Mingyuan, you can't rush something like a divine ability. We have plenty of time, so be sure to think it through before deciding. You only get one free Divine Ability Stone."

Knowing his second uncle was worried that he'd waste this one and only chance, Lu Mingyuan reassured him. "Don't worry, Second Uncle. I started preparing for this divine ability years ago. It'll be fine. Just wait and watch your nephew sweep all before him."

"Good. Then I'll look forward to it.

"But you said years ago? You started that early? All right. You've always been clever, Mingyuan, and liked making your own decisions. I won't get in your way. As long as you've thought it through, that's what matters."

After a pause, Lu Yi asked, "By the way, Mingyuan, do you have enough Qi Luck Points? How many are you short? I'll make up the difference."