At sunset, Xiao Jinfeng closed the shop and took the two younger ones back to Xiao Jingting’s house.
“I’m making dumplings.,” Xiao Jingting said enthusiastically as he rolled out the dough, his eyes shining.
Xiao Jinfeng asked curiously, “Dumplings?”
Xiao Jingting nodded and said, “Yes!”
“What are they?” Xiao Jinfeng asked.
“They are a kind of food I saw in ancient texts,” Xiao Jingting explained simply.
Xiao Xiaofan ran over to Xiao Jingting, stood on tiptoes, and leaned on the stove, his eyes full of anticipation.
Xiao Jingting noticed that in this world, people focused more on cultivation, and the food in those restaurants focused more on preserving spiritual energy. There wasn’t much attention to the taste of the food. Xiao Jingting, who was a foodie in his past life, couldn’t stand it.
“Mu’an has a poor appetite, so I want to make something delicious for him,” Xiao Jingting said as he rolled the flour dough.
Xiao Jingting licked his lips, thinking to himself, ‘In this world, there aren’t even dumplings. The most common food is barbecue. Although the barbecue skills of some people in this world are indeed top-notch, eating too much of it can get boring. After being in this world for so long, he hadn’t even eaten dumplings yet.’
Xiao Jinfeng touched his nose and looked at Xiao Jingting’s appearance of a devoted husband, feeling that he had been neglectful compared to his younger brother. He didn’t seem to be a good husband like his brother.
“Dad, are you making it specifically for Mom? But you always eat more than Mom!” Xiao Xiaofan tilted his head and asked.
Xiao Jingting: “…”
Xiao Jingting glanced at Xiao Xiaofan and said impatiently, “That’s because your mom can’t eat much, and we shouldn’t waste food. Besides, you’ve been eating a lot too!”
Xiao Xiaofan chuckled awkwardly and scratched his head, saying, “I do a lot of physical work every day, so I get hungry!”
Xiao Jingting: “…” Well, he’s already hired child labor; he can’t let the child labor go hungry.
“Did anything happen at the store today?” Xiao Jingting asked casually.
“Yes! Yes!” Xiao Xiaofan said excitedly.
“Oh, what happened?” Xiao Jingting asked.
“Second Uncle went to recruit people but didn’t find anyone. Second Uncle is too picky,” Xiao Xiaofan said.
Xiao Jinfeng: “…”
“Anything else?” Xiao Jingting asked.
“Someone came and said that Uncle is sick,” Xiao Xiaofan said, dancing with excitement.
Xiao Jinfeng “…”
Uncle Qingyan is sick?
Xiao Jingting looked at Xiao Jinfeng and asked, “What’s going on?”
“Today, Zhou Kangqi came to cause trouble. He said that Xiao Qingyan was able to advance to the sixth level of Qi refinement because he took a Breaking Spirit Pill.”
“Uncle took medicine. Uncle is really stupid. I knew that taking medicine is not good, but he still took it,” Xiao Xiaofan said disdainfully.
Xiao Jingting: “…”
Taking pills is not the same as taking drugs!
“Is it not good to take pills so early?” Xiao Jingting asked.
Xiao Jinfeng nodded and said, “It’s not good; it will affect future cultivation. However, pills are indeed good things. Actually, if there are enough pills to support it, taking more pills isn’t a problem.”
“It is said that in some more advanced places of cultivation, some cultivators with poor talent can start taking various pills from the first or second level of Qi refinement and break through to the Foundation Building stage directly. However, pills in our realm are very rare, and after breaking through with pills, they will need to use higher-grade pills next time, making it more difficult to increase their cultivation level in the future,” Xiao Jinfeng explained.
Xiao Jingting thought for a moment and said, “Father, Mother probably doesn’t know.”
‘Xiao Jinfeng nodded and said, “Probably not, but what Zhou Kangqi said might not be true.”
Xiao Xiaofan bounced around and asked, “Dad, when can we eat them?”
‘Xiao Jingting looked at Xiao Xiaofan and thought, “This little fellow, he’s so simple-minded. He doesn’t worry about anything except eating. Even if the sky were to fall, he’d probably just lament that there’s nothing left to eat.”
Xiao Jinfeng looked at Xiao Xiaofan and comforted him, saying, “It’ll be ready soon. We can eat in a little while.”
Xiao Xiaofan said excitedly, “Really? That’s great!”
Xiao Jingting: “…”
“Second Brother, I made quite a lot. Why don’t you call Second Sister-in-law to join us?” Xiao Jingting suggested.
Xiao Jinfeng, who was already tempted, readily agreed when he heard Xiao Jingting’s suggestion.
By the time Mu Shuyu arrived, the dumplings were already on the table.
Xiao Xiaofan held his bowl, bit into the dumplings, and ate with relish.
Xu Mu’an ate the dumplings with an expression of profound amazement in his eyes.
Xiao Xiaodong ate with some elegance, but his speed might have been faster than Xiao Xiaofan’s.
Perhaps noticing that Xiao Xiaodong had finished his second bowl, Xiao Xiaofan ate in a fluster, splashing soup onto his face from time to time.
“Jingting, you’re really amazing!” This brother of his, now he can handle both the living room and the kitchen.
On the other side of the Xiao family, things were already chaotic.
…
Xiao Family’s main hall.
“Xiao Qingyan advanced by taking pills?” Xiao Muhong asked Sun Miaomiao
Sun Miao Miao nodded and said, “Yes!”
Xiao Muhong said maliciously, “No wonder he suddenly advanced. So, that’s how it is.”
Xiao Muhong thought to himself: If Xiao Qingyan were to remain stuck at the sixth level of Qi refinement, that would be ridiculous. During this period of time, Xiao Qingyan had always acted superior when he saw him. What a joke! He’s just relying on pills. There’s nothing remarkable about that.
“He probably did this without Xiao Linfeng’s knowledge.” If Xiao Linfeng knew, he would definitely stop him.
Xiao Muhong nodded and said, “He’s taken the pills. He won’t be able to throw them up now.”
Sun Miao Miao squinted her eyes, thinking to heerself: Because Xiao Qingyan advanced to the sixth level, Zheng Peier has been arrogant lately. Whenever I encounter her, she always has nothing good to say. If this woman finds out that Xiao Qingyan’s cultivation was boosted by pills, her expression will be very interesting. Recently, everything has been making her feel upset. Finally, there’s something that will make her feel better.
“Xiao Qingyan should have been pressured by Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng to make such a choice.” Xiao Muhong said.
Sun Miao Miao nodded and said, “I think so too.”
“Should we tell Xiao Linfeng about this?” Xiao Muhong asked.
Xiao Qingyan’s advancement to the sixth level of Qi refinement would be a disappointment to Xiao Linfeng if he found out. However, if Xiao Linfeng knew, Xiao Jingting might benefit.
Sun Miao Miao shrugged and said, “I’m afraid we don’t need to tell him. The news has probably already reached his ears.”
Xiao Muhong thought for a moment, thinking to himself: Yes! Xiao Linfeng and Wang Lu’s information network is probably even more efficient than ours.
…
Xiao Linfeng’s study.
“Qingyan, did you advance by taking pills?” Xiao Linfeng looked at Xiao Qingyan, his expression unfriendly.
Xiao Qingyan replied sullenly, “Father, who told you? Was it Second Brother or Third Brother?”
Xiao Linfeng looked at Xiao Qingyan’s defiant expression and said impatiently, “Why do you care who told me? I’m asking you, did you or did you not?”
Xiao Qingyan nodded and said, “Yes, Father. Actually, there’s nothing wrong with advancing by taking pills. After all, I still advanced. Why make such a fuss? These pills aren’t something everyone can buy. The academy restricts each student to purchasing only one pill.”
Xiao Linfeng said irritably, “How much effort have your mother and I put into you? And yet you don’t appreciate it at all.”
“Father, I just took one pill, what’s the big deal? Why are you bringing up appreciation?” Xiao Qingyan said somewhat aggrievedly.
Xiao Linfeng, with a dark expression, said, “You still haven’t learned your lesson. What kind of pill did you take? The Breaking Spirit Pill? How could you take such a pill at the fifth level of Qi refinement? If you were going to take it, you should have waited until the sixth level.”
Xiao Qingyan narrowed his eyes and said, “It’s not much different. It’s just one level.”
“What do you mean not much different? How could you be so reckless?” Xiao Linfeng scolded.
Xiao Qingyan’s face darkened as he said, “Father, do you think I’m useless and regret spending so much effort on me?”
“You little rascal, get out!” Xiao Linfeng shouted angrily.
Xiao Qingyan left with a sullen expression.
Wang Lu looked at Xiao Linfeng, who was still seething with anger, and sighed. She didn’t know what to say.
“This damn brat, even at this point, he still has this attitude,” Xiao Linfeng gritted his teeth in frustration.
Wang Lu looked at Xiao Linfeng and said, “Come on, calm down. It’s already done. Getting angry won’t help. If the eldest son really can’t live up to expectations, supporting the third son will be the same. Even if the eldest son took the Breaking Spirit Pill, advancing to the seventh level of Qi refinement should still be possible. With this level of strength, being an elder in the family would be enough.”
Xiao Linfeng said with a stern face, “I originally planned for him to reach at least the ninth level of Qi refinement. Since things have come to this, let him be.”
…
Zheng Peier waited outside early. “How did it go?”
Xiao Qingyan shook his head and said, “It’s nothing. It’s just that Father probably heard some gossip and got angry with me. It must be Second Brother, Third Brother, and our parents saying something.”
Xiao Qingyan clenched his fists. After returning to the academy, Xiao Qingyan had also been diligently cultivating for a while, but found little progress.
Xiao Qingyan’s mood was already bad, and at this time, someone kept whispering in his ear, saying how amazing his two younger brothers were. They hadn’t relied on the family much, yet they were at the fifth level of Qi refinement and had earned a share of the family business.
Xiao Qingyan listened with great dissatisfaction. In a fit of anger, he bought pills from the academy and, sure enough, advanced to the sixth level of Qi refinement.
Zheng Peier hesitated and said, “Did you really take pills?”
Xiao Qingyan looked at Zheng Peier’s nervous expression and said discontentedly, “Yes! I did. What’s the matter?”
Zheng Peier shook her head and said, “Nothing.”
Xiao Qingyan snorted and said, “It must be Xiao Jingting or Xiao Jinfeng who poisoned Father’s mind.”
“Qingyan, I heard that prematurely taking pills will make cultivation more difficult in the future,” Zheng Peier said hesitantly.
Xiao Qingyan waved his hand indifferently and said, “It’s fine. That’s just a sensational rumor. It won’t have much impact.”
Zheng Peier felt a little uneasy in her heart, but she maintained a smile on her face and said, “Oh, that’s good then.”
Xiao Qingyan said angrily, “I’m annoyed. I’m leaving.”
Zheng Peier watched Xiao Qingyan’s departing figure and closed her eyes. How did she end up with such an idiot? Xiao Linfeng was probably going crazy.
…
Xiao Yuerong ran out and looked at Zheng Peier’s unpleasant expression. “Mother, are you okay?”
Zheng Peier shook her head and said, “I’m fine.”
“Mother, that silly kid said that Third Uncle always makes delicious food at home.” Xiao Yuerong said enviously.
Zheng Peier said irritably, “Just eating, eating, eating. That’s all you know.”
Xiao Yuerong pouted and said petulantly, “But Mother, you used to say that the silly kid is just a fool and not even worthy of carrying my shoes. But he eats better than me, dresses better than me, and even has more pocket money than me.”
Zheng Peier was taken aback by Xiao Yuerong’s words. Indeed, the silly kid was living much better than her own son now.
“Little brother, why don’t you keep quiet for a moment,” Xiao Yuefeng said coldly.
Xiao Yuerong glanced at Xiao Yuefeng and awkwardly closed his mouth. Xiao Yuerong might be the dominant one in the Xiao family, but he still feared his older brother.
“Mother, Grandpa and Grandma don’t look too pleased. They called Father over. Did Father do something wrong?” Xiao Yuefeng asked.
Zheng Peier shook her head and replied, “No, he didn’t.”
“But I heard from my cousins that Father used inappropriate methods to advance to the sixth level of Qi refinement, prematurely exhausting his future potential. It will be difficult for him to advance to the seventh level now. Grandpa and Grandma are probably going to change their focus and start prioritizing Third Uncle. They might focus on cultivating him more in the future,” Xiao Yuefeng said.
Zheng Peier looked at Xiao Yuefeng and asked, “Where did you hear that from?”
“A few of my cousins said so,” Xiao Yuefeng replied.
Zheng Peier frowned inwardly. The news spread so quickly, even the younger generation in the family knew about it, and they all seemed to think that Xiao Qingyan was inadequate.
“Mother, what my cousins said isn’t true, right?” Xiao Yuefeng asked.
Zheng Peier gritted her teeth. The Breaking Spirit Pill was such a precious pill, and not many people had taken it. It was hard to determine its true effectiveness.
It would now depend on the intentions of Father and Mother. However, considering that Father and Mother had already been favoring Xiao Jingfeng and Xiao Jingting, this incident would likely only increase their dissatisfaction with Qingyan.
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