Chen Xun looked Su Mei over.
Su Mei truly had a naturally alluring charm. Every gesture and movement of hers radiated seductiveness and grace.
No wonder all the young men in Dahe Village were infatuated with her.
However, Chen Xun had little interest in such things. Now that he knew this world had the Martial Dao, he naturally put it first.
As for romance, he could think about that later.
And there was no need to mention the matter of her borrowing his seed.
“Sister Su Mei, did you come here to see me?”
Chen Xun walked straight over and asked.
“Yes, Brother Xun. I have something to discuss with you.”
Seeing Chen Xun approach, a shy look appeared on Su Mei’s face, but she still spoke with restraint.
Chen Xun glanced at Su Mei and paused.
Then he said, “Come in and talk.”
He led Su Mei into the courtyard residence.
By then, Chen Rou had finished washing the clothes and come out from inside.
She looked at the two of them, then lowered her head without saying anything.
She knew a little about what was going on, but it was an adults’ matter, and she didn’t dare say much.
Chen Xun said nothing either.
He invited Su Mei to sit down.
Su Mei sat down. After hesitating for a moment, she spoke directly.
“Brother Xun, I won’t beat around the bush. Second Brother Sun asked me to come.”
Chen Xun nodded. He had guessed as much.
“He asked me to find out what you’ve decided about what Widow Chen said…”
With every sentence, Su Mei’s face grew a little more bashful.
Hearing this, Chen Xun remained calm, lightly tapping his fingers on the stone table.
“Second Brother Sun saved my life.”
Chen Xun paused.
Then he continued.
“I’m deeply grateful to him.”
“But I can’t agree to what Second Brother Sun proposed.”
The bashfulness in Su Mei’s eyes gave way to a pallor.
She visibly grew dejected.
Was she not attractive enough?
Or did Brother Xun look down on her…
Chen Xun said nothing more.
Without drawing attention to it, he slid the hand beneath his sleeve slightly forward.
The next moment, Su Mei felt something appear in her palm.
The cold touch made her pause in surprise.
She looked down.
“This is…” She nearly cried out.
But Chen Xun immediately raised a finger to his lips, signaling her to be quiet.
Su Mei quickly closed her mouth.
“I can’t accept this. It’s too much, and it’s not easy for you to earn money…”
“Take it. Second Brother Sun is in trouble now, and as his brother, I ought to lend him a hand.”
“Besides, I can hunt in the mountains, so I’m not short of silver. Don’t worry. It’s only two taels of silver—a small token of my goodwill.”
“But…” Su Mei still seemed reluctant.
“If you don’t take it, you’re looking down on me as your sworn brother.” Chen Xun’s expression turned stern.
Su Mei had no choice but to accept the silver.
“You should head back now, Sister Su Mei, before people start gossiping.”
Chen Xun said.
“All right. Thank you, Brother Xun!”
Su Mei spoke earnestly.
Chen Xun merely nodded lightly and said nothing more.
Su Mei left soon after.
But Chen Xun still heard some gossip.
“Damn it, she actually said I can’t last long! Those gossipy women!”
Chen Xun cursed inwardly, but paid it no mind.
Trying to explain now would only make things worse.
It was only two taels of silver. Whether it would help them get through this difficult time was up to their fate.
Chen Xun gave it no further thought and called to Chen Rou.
“Xiao Rou, come cook this rice.”
Chen Xun took out the rice and meat from the disguised woodpile.
“That’s so much meat!” Chen Rou’s eyes widened in surprise.
“That’s right. Cook the rice and meat—make plenty. We’re having a good meal today,” Chen Xun said with a smile.
Chen Rou choked up at his words.
She looked at Chen Xun, her eyes filled with unease.
In an instant, she thought of how Niu Er had forcibly dragged away the Li family’s daughter today.
Her voice even carried a hint of tears.
“Brother…”
Chen Xun rubbed his brow.
He naturally knew what Chen Rou was thinking.
The girl had become a little too easily frightened.
He immediately spoke bluntly.
“Don’t worry. I can go hunting, and this money is what I earned.”
“I can handle the gambling debt. I won’t sell you, so you don’t need to worry.”
“But…” Chen Rou hesitated.
“Hurry and make dinner.”
Chen Xun urged her on.
“All right! I believe you, Brother!” Chen Rou nodded her little head firmly.
She wiped away a tear and smiled.
Then she picked up the things and turned to leave.
A young girl’s emotions came and went quickly.
Chen Xun could only shake his head lightly.
He looked at the bow and arrows in his hands, gripped them, and went to the backyard.
He hooked his fingers around the bowstring. The next moment, an iron arrow shot out with a sharp crack.
It struck the tree trunk, burying itself three inches into the wood!
🟡Archery +1.🟨
“This is promising!”
“Even though a shot into empty space only gives one point of proficiency, I can build it up little by little!”
He gave it no further thought and continued practicing.
An arrow flew out and landed in empty space.
This time, he gained no proficiency.
He had done that on purpose to test it.
It seemed that he only gained the corresponding proficiency when he hit a target.
“That’ll do, then.”
He nodded.
It only took one hundred points of proficiency to advance from Archery Initiation to minor mastery.
By the time Chen Rou came to call him for dinner, his proficiency had already reached halfway.
“Looks like reaching minor mastery in Archery today won’t be a problem.”
“But that’s not the important thing. Can I build proficiency in Xingyi Fist too?”
His heart grew heated with anticipation.
Xingyi Fist was the very foundation of his survival!
Only with such a skill could he have real confidence!
It was also the foundation of the Martial Dao!
But there was no need to rush just yet.
He had been exhausted all day. If he rashly practiced Xingyi Fist, it might backfire, especially since his qi and blood were severely depleted.
Archery also took physical strength.
Besides, he had carried his prey a long way along the mountain trail.
He would have to replenish his qi and blood before practicing.
“Go ahead and eat. Why aren’t you eating? What are you looking at me for?”
Chen Xun said with a smile, urging her on.
Chen Rou stared at the meat in front of her, swallowing repeatedly, her face full of longing, but she still didn’t dare reach for it.
Only after Chen Xun gave her permission did she start to raise her hand, though she still hesitated.
Chen Xun immediately picked up a large piece of meat and put it in her bowl.
“Eat up. Don’t be shy. We’ll have some today, and I’ll buy more tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Brother.”
Still just a young girl, she couldn’t help wolfing it down.
She ate as she cried.
She could no longer remember the last time she had eaten meat.
As for Chen Xun, he too ate heartily, replenishing his qi and blood.
The meat had only been boiled with a little salt, but it was still delicious.
Their circumstances were limited; this was the best they could do.
He felt his strength and qi and blood gradually recovering.
Soon, he finished eating and stood up.
“I’ll practice Xingyi Fist first!”