Family Affection

Although a humble smile hung on the man's face, his eyes inadvertently darted around to every corner of the courtyard.

Li Jiwu walked to the center of the yard and clapped his hands, signaling everyone to stop their work.

The sound of forging hammers gradually died down, and everyone looked up at him.

"Everyone, I have come today to announce something."

Li Jiwu's voice was gentle and clear, carrying an air of genuine approachability.

"Steward Li has unfortunately passed away, and the Sword-Forging Courtyard cannot go a day without a leader. With my father's approval, Zhao Dezhu will temporarily act as steward, responsible for the daily affairs of the Sword-Forging Courtyard. Dezhu has worked under me for many years; he is diligent and steady, and I trust he will get along well with all of you."

After he finished speaking, he stepped aside to make room.

Zhao Dezhu stepped forward, cupped his hands toward the crowd, and beamed. "I am Zhao Dezhu. Being new here, I will rely on you masters for much guidance. If you have any needs in the future, just let me know, and I will do my best to take care of them for you."

The masters looked at one another. Some responded with a few low murmurs, while others simply nodded silently. Their attitude could not be called warm, but they could find no fault in his words.

After all, Steward Li had only been gone for a few days, and a new steward had been parachuted in—one who was clearly a man of the Second Young Master.

The men had their own thoughts, but naturally, they would not show them on their faces.

Shen Chu only glanced once before withdrawing his gaze, focusing back on the iron in his hands.

In his view, it made no difference who served as steward. Whether it was Steward Li or Zhao Dezhu, it did not affect his daily forging and martial arts practice.

Rather than worrying about these power struggles, he was better off forging more blades, practicing his fist techniques more often, and earning more money.

Bone structure, martial strength, cultivation methods, and silver—these were the things that truly belonged to him, and no one could snatch them away.

Sun Ping, standing to the side, also remained silent, keeping his head down as he went about his own work.

Zhao Dezhu's gaze swept across the courtyard, lingering on Sun Ping and Shen Chu for a moment before moving away as if nothing had happened.

He laughed and clapped his hands, saying loudly, "Alright, alright, everyone continue with your work; don't let this delay you. I will take some time today to familiarize myself with the environment. We can chat slowly if there is anything to discuss."

The men returned to their workstations one after another, and the sound of forging hammers rang out once more.

Li Jiwu stood in the courtyard, his gaze drifting over the backs of Sun Ping and Shen Chu with a faint, inscrutable smile on his lips before he turned and left.

Elsewhere.

"Father, is there something you need me for?"

Early in the morning, Li Chengwen had been summoned to Master Li's study, and he felt quite puzzled.

"Cough, cough. Eldest son, I have something to discuss with you..."

Master Li's expression was somewhat strange, and he stammered as he recounted the plan he had discussed with Madam Liu to Li Chengwen.

Originally, he had worried that calling his eldest son over to talk about going out on business would displease him.

After all, the steward of the Sword-Forging Courtyard had just died, and transferring someone away at such a time would make anyone feel that he, as a father, was deliberately pushing him aside.

However, to his surprise, the moment Li Chengwen heard he was to accompany him on a business trip, he first froze in place.

Then, his eyes reddened, and he rushed forward, threw his arms around Master Li, and burst into tears.

This embrace and outburst left Master Li completely at a loss.

He stood stiffly on the spot, his hands suspended in mid-air, not knowing where to put them.

"What are you doing!"

"Father!" Li Chengwen was a mess of snot and tears, crying with extreme grievance. "You are finally willing to take me! Do you know how long I have waited for this day!"

Master Li felt a jolt in his heart at the sight of his tears; all the scolding he had prepared was stuck in his throat.

Li Chengwen sobbed as he continued, "Ever since our family's situation improved, my younger brother was born, and Mother passed away, you haven't looked at me properly. You only have eyes for my brother, always thinking he is good at everything and that I am good for nothing. I know you despise me for being fat, for not reading well, and for being clumsy in speech and action, bringing shame upon you..."

The more he spoke, the sadder he became, and his tears flowed uncontrollably, soaking a large patch of Master Li's chest.

"But Father, I am your own son! I want to improve, and I want to share your burdens! As long as you are willing to take me and teach me, I will definitely learn well! I will never bring shame to you again!"

Master Li had originally harbored some calculations, but hearing these heartfelt words from his eldest son, he felt as if his chest had been struck hard by something.

He looked down at his fat son, who was sobbing uncontrollably on his shoulder, and suddenly remembered events from many years ago.

Back then, the Li Family had not yet prospered. He would take a young Chengwen through the streets to collect scrap metal, and the father and son would share a single bowl of plain noodles. The boy would always pick the slices of meat from the bowl and put them into his father's bowl, saying, "Father, you eat; I'm not hungry."

At that time, looking at this son, he had felt a love from the bottom of his heart.

But later, why did he find him more and more annoying, and find Li Jiwu more and more pleasing?

Could it be that all these years, he had truly been too biased?

Master Li's eyes suddenly felt a bit sore. He slowly raised his hand and clumsily patted Li Chengwen's back. "Alright, alright, you're a grown man, stop crying. Isn't it just taking you out to do some business? Is it worth crying like this?"

His words were stiff, but the force of his pats was exceptionally gentle.

"Go and pack up. In a few days, Father will take you out of town to negotiate a deal. Learn well on the road, and don't embarrass your old man."

Li Chengwen lifted his head from Master Li's embrace, wiped the tears and snot from his face with force, and nodded vigorously. "Yes! I'll go pack right now!"

Master Li watched his son, who was grinning like a fool, and felt both annoyed and amused.

"Get out, get out, hurry back and pack!"

On his way back, Li Chengwen walked with a spring in his step.

He rummaged through his chests and cabinets to find his most presentable clothes to change into, and he looked at himself in the bronze mirror again and again.

Although the figure in the mirror was still that round, chubby frame, he felt that he was exceptionally spirited today.

"Someone! Go to Zuixian Restaurant and order two of their best banquet tables to be delivered to the courtyard! I am hosting a feast tonight!"

As the news spread, the masters in the Sword-Forging Courtyard were pleasantly surprised. Although the eldest young master had been visiting often lately, this was the first time he was hosting a proper banquet.

By evening, the Sword-Forging Courtyard was brightly lit. The two tables were laden with chicken, duck, fish, meat, and seasonal vegetables. Several jars of fine wine had their mud seals broken, and the aroma of wine filled the air.

Li Chengwen sat in the seat of honor, his face glowing with health. He held his wine cup and toasted everyone one by one, repeating how happy he was.

"Come, come, everyone fill your cups! I am happy today! Father is finally willing to take me out to do business! What does this mean? It means Father still has me, his eldest son, in his heart!"

The masters raised their cups in succession to echo his sentiment:

"Congratulations, Eldest Young Master!"

"May the Eldest Young Master have a smooth journey and return with a great victory!"

"With the Eldest Young Master taking charge, this business will surely be settled perfectly!"