Chu Qingyao covered her head, glaring at Chu Shaoye. "Brother, you're so boring. I just want a beautiful Natal Spirit Beast. Wouldn't it be great if I could contract a powerful Spirit Beast later to protect me?"
Lan Fang happened to walk out of the kitchen and let out a merciless laugh upon hearing Chu Qingyao's words.
"Oh, talking big without even knowing if you have the Spirit Master qualification. Only a Tier 2 Spirit Master can contract a second Spirit Beast. If you can become a Tier 1 Spirit Master, your mother here will burn incense in gratitude."
Chu Qingyao stomped her foot, a bit angry. "Hmph, how can you look down on your own daughter, Mom? I have a feeling I can definitely become a Spirit Master, even stronger than Dad."
"Oh my," Lan Fang laughed, "my daughter is really something."
She wanted to mock her a bit more but was pulled back by Chu Wangshan.
Chu Wangshan chuckled, "I think our Yaoyao has the makings of a Spirit Master. But even if she doesn't become one, it's fine. Getting married, having children, and living a peaceful and happy life in our village is also good."
Chu Qingyao pouted, "I don't want to get married. The boys in our village can't even compare to a single finger of my brother. I don't want to marry them."
Lan Fang rolled her eyes, "You're just a country girl yourself, and you're already looking down on others."
Chu Wangshan laughed, trying to smooth things over, "Then our Yaoyao should strive to become a powerful Spirit Master, go to the city, and you'll surely find a perfect husband to your liking."
Chu Qingyao thought seriously for a moment, then shook her head, "No, no matter who it is, they can't compare to Dad and Brother. I don't want to marry."
Chu Wangshan, the old father, was delighted by his daughter's words, unable to suppress the smile on his face.
Seeing his smug look, Lan Fang couldn't help but laugh and scold, "Stop grinning and quickly cut a piece of meat. I'm waiting to cook."
Chu Qingyao went over and leaned on Lan Fang's back, acting spoiled, "Mom, I want to eat stir-fried pig heart with chili."
Lan Fang tapped her forehead, laughing and scolding, "You little foodie, always thinking about eating."
Hearing his precious daughter's request, Chu Wangshan quickly cut out the pig heart and tossed it into Lan Fang's basin, then turned to ask Chu Shaoye, "Son, which part do you want to eat?"
Chu Shaoye thought for a moment, "Cut some pig liver to stir-fry together."
Chu Wangshan agreed and swiftly cut a piece of pig liver. The whole liver was too large to finish in one meal.
Lan Fang carried the basin back to the kitchen to cook, and Chu Qingyao happily followed, "Mom, I'll help you cook."
Chu Shaoye moved the dining table and chairs from inside the house to the courtyard, setting up the bowls and chopsticks.
It was late spring, early summer, and the days were getting hot. By evening, it would become quite cool, making dining in the courtyard more comfortable than inside.
Lan Fang was quick with her hands, and soon the meal was ready. Chu Wangshan had also finished preparing the pork, sorting it into several basins.
Chu Shaoye helped carry the meat basins into the kitchen for storage, and the family washed their hands before starting the meal.
A few stars dotted the sky, and the small farmhouse courtyard was filled with laughter and the aroma of food. Chu Shaoye smiled, feeling that although he had no blood ties with the Chu family, family was not solely determined by blood.
Being able to share a simple meal with family like this, he thought, was perhaps the happiest thing in the world.
*
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Today was the day when the village children who had turned twelve would go to town to test their talents and summon their Natal Spirit Beasts.
Early in the morning, Lan Fang woke the two children and handed them new clothes.
She had started making clothes for them three months ago, as this was a big day for the children, and they needed to look grand to avoid being looked down upon in town.
Chu Qingyao's outfit was a blue dress with ribbons at the cuffs, collar, and waist, styled after the fashionable dresses in town, elegant and beautiful.
Chu Shaoye's was still a black outfit, but Lan Fang had specially bought silver thread to embroider cloud patterns on the cuffs and hem, understated yet luxurious.
After changing, the two stood side by side. Chu Qingyao twirled with her skirt, "Mom, do I look good?"
Lan Fang couldn't stop smiling at her grown-up children, "You both look wonderful."
Indeed, the children she raised were truly beautiful, with elegance and grace. Who would guess these two children, exuding such nobility, came from a small mountain village?
Chu Wangshan called from the courtyard gate, "Are you ready? It's time to go."
The two responded, walked out of the courtyard, and climbed onto the cart.
The cart was large, with benches on both sides, seating about ten people. It was pulled by Chu Wangshan's Natal Spirit Pet, the One-Eyed Ox. The One-Eyed Ox looked like a regular yellow ox but had only one eye, located in the center of its forehead.
The One-Eyed Ox was a Tier 1 Spirit Beast, not much stronger in combat than a regular ox, but much more intelligent and gentle-tempered.
Chu Wangshan became the village chief not only because he was honest and just but also because he had a Natal Spirit Pet, barely qualifying as a Spirit Master.
Riding on the One-Eyed Ox, Chu Wangshan didn't need a whip to drive the cart; a word was enough. "Big Yellow, let's go to Changgen's house first."
The One-Eyed Ox mooed in response and started walking toward Changgen's house.
This year, the village had eight children who had turned twelve, including Chu Shaoye and Chu Qingyao, along with four boys and two girls.
One of the girls was Chu Qingyu, with whom Chu Qingyao had the best relationship. Seeing her, she called out, "Qingyu, come sit with us."
Chu Qingyu climbed onto the cart and sat next to Chu Qingyao. She looked at Chu Qingyao's new dress with some envy, "Yaoyao, your new dress is so beautiful."
"My mom made it for me," Chu Qingyao said happily. "Your hairband is also lovely. Did Aunt Qian embroider it for you?"
Chu Qingyu touched the hairband on her head. Her father had passed away when she was five, leaving only her and her mother to depend on each other. Life was tough, and it was hard enough to have enough to eat, let alone make a new set of clothes, so she only had this new hairband.
The hairband was a blue base with two vividly embroidered little white fish, exquisite and elegant, perfectly matching Chu Qingyu's gentle and graceful temperament.
Chu Qingyu said a bit shyly, "I recently sold some embroidery work. If you like, I'll make one for you too when we get back."
Chu Qingyao linked her arm with hers, affectionately saying, "Qingyu, you're amazing, making money on your own. Then I won't be polite. I want one with blue wisteria flowers."
Chu Qingyu smiled and nodded. She sneaked a glance at Chu Shaoye, who was sitting on the other side of Chu Qingyao. He was resting with his eyes closed, seemingly not paying attention to their conversation.
Chu Qingyu let out a small breath, unsure if she felt disappointed or relieved.
Even though they grew up in the same village, she always felt Chu Shaoye was different from them. It wasn't just because he was handsome or because he was an outstanding hunter at a young age, but something about his aura.
He was like a swan soaring high in the sky, with an unreachable distance between him and her, standing on the ground.