Young Master from the City

Bibi Dong took the box and looked at her teacher's upright figure as he carried the heavy bundle in one hand. Her heart felt warm.

She jogged two steps to catch up, and the three of them headed grandly toward the village entrance.

As soon as the three approached the large locust tree at the village entrance, they saw several aunties sitting in the shade, sewing shoe soles as they chatted.

"Hm, isn't that Xiao Xi from Old Bi's family?" A round-faced auntie spotted him first and called out.

"It really is Xiao Xi. Didn't this child go to Yelin City to see the lantern festival? Why is he back so soon?"

Another tall, thin auntie set down her needlework and looked over curiously.

The aunties' gazes quickly shifted away from Bibi Xi and landed on the people behind him.

Oh my, this was something else!

On the left walked a girl in purple, pretty as could be.

Her skin was as fair as a freshly peeled egg, her violet eyes seemed to speak, and she had a lovely figure. One look at the fabric of her clothes told them they were goods from the city.

The young master on the right was even more extraordinary!

Though he wore plain azure cloth robes, there was his air, his upright bearing, and that handsome face that made it impossible to look away...

Goodness, he looked like an immortal who had stepped out of a painting.

"Xiao Xi!" The round-faced auntie was the first to lose patience and called out, "These two are...?"

Bibi Xi had been waiting for this moment.

He puffed out his chest and said, "Aunties, this is my older sister—my biological older sister. I found her!"

"What?!"

All three aunties sprang to their feet at once, nearly knocking over their sewing baskets.

"Your older sister? The daughter who got separated from your family more than ten years ago?"

At that moment, the tall, thin auntie hurried over and carefully examined Bibi Dong. "She does... she really does look like her. Those features look so much like Xiulan's."

Xiulan was Bibi Dong's mother.

Aunt Wang, the round-faced auntie, had already moved close to Bibi Dong and looked her over from every angle.

"You've grown so much and turned out so beautiful. Your parents have missed you so badly these years that their hair has turned white."

Surrounded by the aunties and listening to their simple, heartfelt concern, Bibi Dong could only nod stiffly.

Then the plump auntie could not help glancing curiously at Qian Xunji, who had been standing quietly to one side. "And this young master is...?"

The next second, every gaze focused on him.

Bibi Xi spoke before his sister could. "He's my sister's friend, from Spirit City."

"Spirit City?" The three aunties gasped.

That was the sacred land of Soul Masters, a place rumored to be full of important figures.

When they looked at Qian Xunji again, their eyes held not only amazement but also several more degrees of reverence.

Anyone who came from such a place could not possibly be ordinary.

And then there was his bearing, and his looks.

The plump auntie lowered her voice. "Xiao Xi, tell Auntie the truth. Is he really just a friend?"

"Would an ordinary friend travel all the way to this little mountain village of ours and bring so many things?"

Aunt Li leaned in as well. "If you ask me, he's probably the future son-in-law."

Bibi Dong was close enough to hear every word of their whispers. Her cheeks burned as she quietly tugged on her brother's sleeve.

"It's all your fault! Introducing him like that!"

But Bibi Xi pretended not to notice and said to the aunties with a grin, "Aunties, you carry on. We need to get home quickly. My parents are still waiting."

"Go on, go on! When your parents see their daughter, who knows how happy they'll be."

The aunties hurriedly made way, but their eyes continued following the three figures as they left, their mouths clicking in wonder.

Even after they had gone far away, they could still hear the discussion behind them.

"..."

Bibi Dong secretly glanced up at Qian Xunji beside her.

Only to find that the corners of her teacher's lips were slightly raised, as if he was... in quite a good mood?

"Teacher, don't listen to their nonsense..."

"Nonsense?"

"Which part did they get wrong?"

"..."

Bibi Dong realized she had no reply at all.

The teacher and disciple followed Bibi Xi around several turns and through a patch of vegetable fields, until a typical farmhouse courtyard appeared before them.

The earthen-brick walls were somewhat weathered, but neatly repaired.

The courtyard gate was a simple wooden fence, standing open.

On one side of the yard was a chicken coop, where several Soul Flower Chickens were pecking at feed.

On the other side was a vegetable patch planted with scallions, garlic, and greens.

Directly across from the gate stood three earthen-brick, tile-roofed rooms. Thin smoke drifted lazily from the chimney.

When they reached the courtyard entrance, Qian Xunji stopped.

"Dong'er, you two go in first."

"I'll take a look around nearby."

Bibi Dong froze. "Teacher, aren't you coming in with us?"

"Your family has not seen one another for ten years. You must have much to say."

"If an outsider like me goes in now, I'll only make you feel restrained."

"After you've had time to reunite, I'll pay a formal visit later."

His thoughtfulness warmed Bibi Dong's heart, but before she could speak, Bibi Xi beside her had already started shouting.

"Brother Qian, what are you saying? What do you mean, 'outsider'?"

"Won't you be family someday too?"

"Right, Sister?"

Bibi Dong glared at Bibi Xi. "M-Maybe..."

Seeing this, Qian Xunji no longer declined. "All right, then we'll go in together."

Bibi Xi chuckled and was the first to push open the fence gate. He then went to the front door and grasped its wooden handle.

"I'll go in first. You wait outside for a moment. Come in when I call you, and we'll give Mom and Dad a surprise."

Bibi Dong nodded nervously. More than ten years had passed, yet the voices beyond the door were so familiar and so strange.

Her father's rough voice with its slight local accent, her mother's gentle replies... everything felt like yesterday, yet also like another lifetime.

"Creak."

The wooden door opened.

"Dad, Mom, I'm back." Bibi Xi slipped inside and casually pulled the door mostly shut, leaving a narrow crack.

Bi Dashan's surprised voice came from inside. "Xiao Xi? Why are you back so soon?"

"That's right. Didn't you say you were going to stay for several days?"

"Don't tell me you spent all your money already. Hmm, what are all those things in your hands?"

"Of course, they're some gifts I bought."

"But I also brought someone for you to meet."

Liu Xiulan asked curiously, "Who is it? Don't tell me it's your girlfriend?"