"Haha, Wang Hao, you made it, I’ve heard all about your exploits, gotta say you’re quite something, even an old fox like Cheng Yin was outwitted by you so miserably!"

When there were no other people around, Uncle Shen didn’t call him Young Master Wang Hao, because that title would feel too distant.

"It’s his own fault for constantly looking for trouble with me; I just walked the path he laid out, that’s all."

Uncle Shen was an elder after all, so Wang Hao spoke with much humility.

"Mr. Wen came back very early today; you should hurry inside!"

Uncle Shen was busy pruning and styling his favorite plants, so he didn’t accompany Wang Hao in. After all, they were all like family now, and since it was Wen Yonglin who had personally asked Wang Hao to come over, there was no need to announce his arrival.

"Big brother Hao, you’re back!"

As soon as he stepped through the front door of the hall, Qi Shihan rushed over.

"Huh? How come you got off school so early today?"

Wang Hao was a bit surprised to see Qi Shihan and glanced at the time; school should have just ended, so how come Qi Shihan was already home?

"You’re really forgetful, today is the weekend, even if there’s school we’re supposed to rest, okay?"

Wen Zicong still had that superior air about him, seeming not to be very fond of Wang Hao, and gave him a disdainful look from where he sat on the sofa.

Had Wen Zicong not mentioned it, Wang Hao would have really forgotten what day of the week it was. He wasn’t working or studying, if there was something to do, he’d just go do it, without keeping track of the days of the week.

"Anyway, congratulations on defeating Cheng Yin today. Here, have an orange as a reward!"

Just moments ago, Wen Zicong had been giving Wang Hao a hard time, and now his attitude had taken a complete 180-degree turn.

This made Wang Hao feel quite uncomfortable, since typically only when Wen Xiaowei was around would Wen Zicong show this kind of attitude in front of Wang Hao, otherwise he acted as if he was looking at his mortal enemy.

Today, he was even offering Wang Hao an orange, which really was a first.

"Aren’t you close with Cheng Lei? How come you seem so happy to hear that his dad got taken down by me?"

Wang Hao asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Close my ass!"

"Zi Cong, don’t swear at home!"

"Pfft, what I mean is I thought Cheng Lei was a good brother, but he played me for a fool. He even gave me a doll filled with drugs last time."

"That almost got me killed. Why should I speak up for him? Do I look like a fool to you?"

Hearing Qi Shihan’s scolding, Wen Zicong suddenly became as obedient as when he saw Wen Xiaowei, and quickly corrected his language, which yet again took Wang Hao by surprise.

Had only a few days passed for Wen Zicong to change so much? Qi Shihan could tame this arrogant young master?

In fact, Wang Hao could tell that Wen Zicong wasn’t stupid; he was just going through puberty and was a bit rebellious. Everyone goes through that phase when they’re young; he should be over it after a while.

"As long as you know who’s good for you, that’s what matters!"

Listening to Wen Zicong’s words, Wang Hao also felt quite heartened.

"It’s not like it’s you who’s good to me anyway!"

Wen Zicong still harbored a grudge about being hit the first time they met, and therefore his attitude towards Wang Hao remained hot and cold.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Wen Zicong pulled out his phone, saw that the game had updated, and left Wang Hao behind.

"Sister Shi Han, the game is updated, let’s get another round in quick!"

"Sure, it’s a good chance for revenge!"

Saying that, Qi Shihan also took out her phone and went off to play games with Wen Zicong.

It sounded like they were talking about ’chicken-eating’, the name of a game currently popular among young people.

But Wang Hao wasn’t interested in playing games, and watching the two young men play so passionately, he couldn’t join in and could only go to Wen Yonglin’s study to find him.

However, on the other hand, Wang Hao used to worry that Qi Shihan, living in the Wen Family home, would feel like she was living under someone else’s roof; but now, seeing her getting along so harmoniously with the Wen Family’s most temperamental member, Wen Zicong.

For a time, Wang Hao also gave up the idea of buying a house.

After all, in Zao City, only in the Wen Family did Qi Shihan have the protection of Wen Yonglin, which was safer than her living alone outside.

"Wang Hao is here? Come in and sit for a while!"

Wen Yonglin was sitting at his desk at the time, wearing a pair of glasses and studying the animal hide Wang Hao had given him very seriously, clearly loving it, always coming into the study to research it when he had free time.

"You little guy, you fought a handsome battle this time. It seems that this time Cheng Yin wants to overcome you unless he uses his power in the military."

"But the military is a very strict place with very clear discipline, not something he can wield whenever he wishes."

After putting away the animal hide, Wen Yonglin said with a chuckle.

Wang Hao knew this inwardly without Wen Yonglin saying so and wasn’t worried in the slightest.

"By the way, has Xiaowei come to see you recently?"

Wen Yonglin suddenly asked.

"Yes, she asked me to call her ’Martial Arts’ and said she wanted to participate in the national competition, claiming it was to fulfill her mother’s dying wish. What’s all that about?"

Wang Hao simply conveyed the message; after all, Wen Xiaowei hadn’t told him not to tell Wen Yonglin.

But upon hearing this, Wen Yonglin drew a long sigh and fell silent, though he seemed somewhat displeased.

Seeing this, Wang Hao wondered if he had said something wrong; he had never seen Wen Yonglin look so upset before.

"Uncle Wen, I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong just now? It’s strange of me to speak without thinking; if I’ve offended you, please don’t take it to heart."

Wang Hao respected Wen Yonglin greatly and quickly offered his apologies.

"It’s nothing, you didn’t say anything wrong. I just thought of Xiaowei’s mother, and I feel a bit guilty inside." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Wen Yonglin closed his eyes and sighed deeply again, trying hard to keep his tears from falling.

"It’s all my fault; I’m the one who caused the death of Xiaowei’s mother."

"Uncle Wen, what do you mean by that?"

Wang Hao was puzzled. How could Wen Yonglin have caused the death of Wen Xiaowei’s mother? If he had intended to kill her, he wouldn’t be so heartbroken mentioning her now, would he?

"That’s a long story!"

Wen Yonglin hesitated for a while before speaking.

"Bi Xia was also a child I adopted, not much different from Da Wu and Xiao Wu. I remember she was only six years old when I adopted her, and I always treated her like my own daughter."

"The little girl didn’t like reading and writing, but she loved playing with swords and practicing martial arts. I indulged her at that time, finding her a dedicated master, Shen Bo."

"I remember Shen Bo has been with me since then; it’s been so many years in the blink of an eye. Bi Xia’s child Xiaowei has grown up so big already."

"Back then, information wasn’t as readily available as it is now, but we had no idea how this young girl came across a martial arts competition notice and nagged at home every day to participate and compete for the championship."

"However, she only got second place in three consecutive martial arts competitions. But being strong-willed, she set a very strict training regimen for herself after turning sixteen."

"She vowed that she would not participate in any other martial arts competition until her plan was completed."

Wang Hao was engrossed in listening, but Wen Yonglin paused for a moment, as if recalling past happy moments, and a smile of happiness began to spread across his face.

"So, what happened after that?"

Eagerly, Wang Hao asked.