Qingyi Lang, Be My Son! (Seeking Follow-ups, Monthly Votes)

The night was deep, and all was silent. The entire Konohagakure was enveloped in the heavy darkness.

Looking out, sparse lights shone through the windows of the scattered houses. A few dog barks echoed from afar, while the chirping of insects among the grass roots beneath the trees rose and fell in an unending chorus.

Uchiha Ao, with the two youngsters Orochimaru and Might Duy, strolled along the main road of Konohagakure, guiding them as they walked.

"Orochimaru, several of your movements are still not quite standard. When you come tomorrow, I'll properly train you."

"Yes, Teacher." Orochimaru, always half a step behind, nodded heavily.

Ao continued, "Duy, although you've almost mastered the Substitution Technique, there are still areas that need improvement. Remember to practice diligently as I instructed when you get home."

"Okay, Brother Sou." Duy replied.

As they talked, the group arrived at a road intersection.

"Alright."

Ao waved his hand. "Let's part ways here today. Tomorrow, same time, same place."

"Teacher Sou, Brother Sou, take care."

Orochimaru and Might Duy replied in unison.

Grumble~~

Just then, a sound came from Duy's stomach.

A cool night breeze, mixed with a few fallen autumn leaves, blew past...

"..."

The three stood frozen, staring at each other.

"Uh."

Ao scratched his head, embarrassed. "Are you guys hungry?"

"Mm."

Both nodded heavily at the same time.

"My goodness."

Ao helplessly held his forehead. "I forgot you two didn't have dinner. Let's go, I'll take you to the ramen shop nearby for a bowl of ramen."

As for Qingyi Lang, he could wait a while longer. After all, his nephew also needed a good scolding.

"Yay!"

The two little ones jumped up happily, "Thank you, Teacher Sou, for treating us."

At this moment, Orochimaru's smile seemed to carry a bit more sincerity. This was the first time he had eaten with someone else in a month.

Although his parents were elite ninja in the village, the greater their ability, the greater their responsibility. They rarely had time to accompany him throughout the year.

"Let's go!"

Looking at the two little ones' cheerful smiles, Sou seemed to be infected by their emotions. He placed a hand on each of their heads and shouted heartily:

"You can order whatever you want to eat today. Tonight's bill is on me, Young Master Sou!"

Orochimaru and Dai exchanged a smile, "Thank you, Teacher Sou!"

Although the two little ones had different personalities, they had established a slight bond during the afternoon training session with Sou, sharing a similar plight.

Afterward, Sou led them into a ramen shop called "Zero Joy." The shop owner's appearance was very similar to the original Ichiraku owner.

As expected, the ramen from this owner's shop was delicious, even making the somewhat reserved Orochimaru eat two or three bowls. As for Dai, there was no need to mention him; he downed six or seven bowls of ramen.

After filling the two little ones up, Sou bid them farewell and walked alone down the brightly lit central commercial street.

Not far away, he saw Qingyi Lang squatting by the entrance of the "Charcoal Flame Soul" barbecue restaurant, his mouth watering profusely as he inhaled the aroma of meat wafting from inside.

Seeing this, an idea struck Sou, and a mischievous smile appeared on his lips.

He hid in a street corner, a burst of white mist erupted, and then a slightly plump figure emerged from the alley.

"Hey."

He reached Qingyi Lang's back in a few steps, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said in a deep voice, "Excuse me, sir, you've been standing at my shop's entrance and affecting my business. Could you please move along?"

"Ah?"

Qingyi Lang's face turned red, and he quickly stood up and bowed, "I'm sorry, I was waiting for a friend."

Saying that, he was about to leave.

As he walked, he muttered, "This damned Sou, he really tricked me. Just wait until I get back and deal with him!"

"Wait, sir."

The "barbecue shop owner" suddenly called out to him, smiling, "My shop recently launched a promotion. If you complete it, you can eat all the barbecue in my shop for free."

"Hm?"

Qingyi Lang's expression shifted upon hearing this, and he quickly turned back, "There's such a good thing? What kind of promotion is it?"

"You just need to..."

Sou played coy.

Gulp!

Qingyi Lang swallowed, then said, "All you need to do is..."

Bang!

White mist scattered.

Sou, restored to his original appearance, smiled like a doting father. "All you need to do is call me Dad!"

"Damn it."

Qingyi Lang realized what was happening and cursed, "I knew it was you, you brat! Come here and die!"

The two fought for a long time, leaving Qingyi Lang panting on the spot. Sou, on the other hand, looked like he hadn't broken a sweat, leaning against the wall and digging his ear with his little finger.

"Haa... pant... I... finally... understand... why you could complete the mission. With your Beast Stamina, who the hell could outrun you!"

Sou flexed his bicep and retorted, "You know nothing. Your Dad here relies on strength!"

But the kid was actually right. Without that stamina, he would have been skinned alive by Kinkaku Ginkaku back in the Land of Iron.

"Yeah, yeah, you're amazing."

Qingyi Lang replied perfunctorily, then put on a triumphant smile. "Anyway, after running around with you, I'm starving. I'm definitely going to feast on you today."

"Holy crap, Qingyi Lang, you've gotten wicked!"

"Tch, after hanging out with a scoundrel like you for so long, it's hard not to."

Laughing and bickering, they casually entered a restaurant and found a corner to sit. Qingyi Lang skillfully placed his order, his movements fluid and practiced, clearly having planned it all out.

"Boss! Ten plates of Tokujo Gyukahana! Two plates of Thick Cut Beef Tongue! And a bottle of your strongest Sake!"

Qingyi Lang shouted, then looked at Sou and lowered his voice. "Hey, did you... find out anything this time? Is Cloud Village really going to attack?"

"Can't say for sure."

Sou replied vaguely, wiping his hands with a wet towel. "I heard Cloud Village is divided into two factions, and they're still deliberating internally."

There were too many people here, too many eyes and ears, so he couldn't say more and could only hint indirectly.

Soon, the Charcoal Grill was brought over, its scarlet embers radiating a scorching heat.

Qingyi Lang laid slices of Beef with clear snowflake patterns onto the grill. The high temperature instantly locked in the juices, fat sizzled on the grill, and the meat quickly curled and changed color, emitting a mouthwatering charred aroma.

"Sizzle--"

This voice was simply a balm for the soul.

"Here, drink." Qingyi Lang poured wine for the two of them. "This cup is to toast your survival."

Sou picked up his wine cup. The spicy liquid slid down his throat, like a ball of fire exploding in his stomach, dispelling the cold that had accumulated in his body.

After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food.

The empty plates on the table piled higher and higher, and Qingyi Lang's words gradually increased, but the atmosphere became somewhat heavy.

Qingyi Lang, who always wore a playful smile, now had flushed cheeks and his eyes were a little unfocused.

"Sou."

Qingyi Lang suddenly spoke, his voice a little slurred, with a hint of drunkenness.

"Hmm?"

Sou was picking up a piece of slightly burnt roasted mushroom. He stopped when he heard Qingyi Lang.

"Sometimes I wonder... this world is really f***ing unfair."

Qingyi Lang stared at the swirling wine in his cup, a self-deprecating bitter smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "We clearly grew up together.

You were the one who led the way when we snuck a peek at the older sister next door bathing when we were kids. We took the beating together when we were caught. How is it that in the blink of an eye, you've gone somewhere I can't see?"

"..."

Sou fell silent.

The Original Owner also peeked at people bathing?

Damn it, why didn't he remember something so important? I have no memory of it at all.

However, he didn't choose to interrupt rashly this time, just sat there and listened quietly.

He understood that the other person just needed someone to talk to right now.

"I went on a D-rank mission yesterday, helping a lady find her cat. That damn cat even scratched my face."

Qingyi Lang pointed to an almost invisible scratch on his face, his smile more bitter than a cry.

"I'm an Uchiha... but I can only do cat-finding missions to make a living. No matter how useless I am, this is all I can do, right?"

"...Don't belittle yourself."

Sou poured him another cup of wine, his expression serious. "Gongzhu, and your Sister, they all depend on you to live well in this world."

As someone who had been mediocre himself, he could actually understand Qingyi Lang's pain very well. In the Uchiha Clan, which extremely valued strength, mediocrity was an original sin.

Qingyi Lang hadn't stopped trying, but his talent had a ceiling. No matter how he struggled, he was always left far behind by those so-called geniuses.

If he hadn't had the help of his destiny, his current situation wouldn't be much better than Qingyi Lang's.

"Thanks..."

Qingyi Lang picked up his wine cup and downed it in one go. He lowered his head and said softly, "Even though you're usually a bit cynical... I know... Sou... you're a good person.

I'm genuinely happy for you that you've reached this point, buddy."

"..."

Sou was silent for a moment, then deliberately let out a "Hmph," laughing and cursing:

"You don't need to tell me that. I'm definitely a great guy. I don't need you to give me a 'good guy' card!

But... since you're so good at recognizing talent, I'll give you a chance. Introduce your sister to me."

"Get lost!"

As expected, upon hearing this, Qingyi Lang reacted as if jolted. His drunkenness immediately cleared by half, and he resumed his usual demeanor, retorting angrily:

"Go play somewhere else. My sister will never be with you, no matter who she's with!

Never mind my sister, my nephew would probably help you count the money even after you sold him.

And..."

Qingyi Lang then ranted for a long time before reaching for more wine to wet his throat and continue his tirade.

"...Wait!"

At this moment, Sou, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly reached out. He pushed aside the rising smoke from the grill and placed his hand on Qingyi Lang's as he was about to pour more wine.

His expression was hard to make out through the smoke.

"Wh... What is it?"

Qingyi Lang was stunned. He raised his head, his eyes hazy with drunkenness and confusion. "Are you angry because I cursed you, or are you worried about the cost of the wine? Don't worry, I have money..."

"Stop drinking. I have something to ask you."

At this moment, Sou's voice was not loud, but his eyes, flashing with red light, were like an ice blade that instantly pierced Qingyi Lang's heart.

He shivered all over, his drunkenness instantly clearing by more than half.

"Wh... What is it?"

"..."

Sou didn't answer immediately. He picked up the wine bottle, poured himself a cup, and slowly drank it down before saying softly:

"What if I said I have a way to stop you from looking for cats, and I can even get you into the Police Force..."

As he spoke, he put down the wine cup, leaned forward slightly, and his gaze was intense.

"Are you willing?"