On the other side, Xiao Fan returned home from the library and happened to run into his father as he was coming out the door.
He had a bag in his hand and seemed to be heading to work.
Compared with before, the middle-aged man looked much more haggard. The weariness in his eyes and the faint dark circles beneath them were practically unthinkable for a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator.
But, not wanting his son to worry, he forced a smile.
"You're back, Xiao Fan."
"Dad, are you heading to work?" Xiao Fan asked calmly.
It sounded like the sort of casual question neighbors might toss out to each other, carrying a faint sense of distance to anyone who heard it.
The middle-aged man froze for a moment, and his smile turned strained.
"Mm." He nodded slightly, then added with concern, "I just made something to eat. Remember to heat it up yourself."
Then he took some high-denomination Spirit Coins from the bag in his hand.
"Take this money. Buy yourself whatever you want to eat, or go out for a walk and relax."
"No need." Xiao Fan didn't reach for it. "Save it for Big Brother."
With that, he walked past the frozen middle-aged man, opened the door, and went inside.
Having just acquired the Cang Race's combat arts, he couldn't wait to enter the Trial Space and give them a proper try.
Bang!
The door shut.
The middle-aged man opened his mouth, but said nothing. He put the Spirit Coins back in his bag, then walked away with heavy steps. From a distance, his figure seemed to stoop a little more.
But Xiao Fan didn't seem to realize that there was anything wrong with what he had just done.
As soon as he entered, he hurried to his