Xiao Yan, burdened with worries, had just arrived at his usual training spot when he spotted a graceful figure in the distance. He froze for a moment, then, after coming to his senses, happily raised a hand and shouted.
"Uncle! Uncle!"
Only after hearing Xiao Yan's call did Yang Chen turn around. Smiling, he looked Xiao Yan over, then nodded warmly and praised him.
"It hasn't been long since we last met, yet you've already reached the fourth stage of Dou Qi. At next year's coming-of-age ceremony, you might even break through to become a Dou Zhe. Training all this time must have been hard, hasn't it?"
That warm smile, like a spring breeze, instantly filled Xiao Yan's heart with motivation, washing away much of his previous resentment. He quickly smiled and shook his head.
"Hehe, it wasn't hard. What do these hardships amount to? I'll definitely work hard to become stronger in the future—strong enough to be like you, Uncle!"
"Ha ha, your uncle's little bit of strength is nothing. In the future, you must surpass me, understand?"
Seeing the unusual determination in Xiao Yan's eyes, Yang Chen's smile widened. He reached out and patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, gesturing for him to sit down with him on the grass before softly explaining.
"Xiao Yan, do you blame your uncle for making that Three-Year Agreement for you without asking for your consent?"
"No. I understand it all. Uncle did it for my own good. Three years from now, I definitely won't lose!"
Xiao Yan shook his head slightly. Though he was the third son, he was upright in character and understood his uncle's intentions. Even if he had not understood, he would not have blamed his uncle. Without his uncle, who knew what humiliation he would have suffered that day?