20: First Crisis

The setting sun filtered through mottled leaves, casting light upon a warm little house. This was Ouyang Zixin's home—not large, but filled with the essence of life. The courtyard was planted with various unknown small flowers, colorful and swaying gently in the breeze.

“Little Brother Xiao Yu, come in quickly, no need to be formal,” Ouyang Zixin greeted warmly.

Shen Guyan feigned shyness as he walked into the house. Looking at the cozy surroundings, a timid smile appeared on his face.

“Your home is decorated very beautifully,” Shen Guyan complimented politely.

“Oh, why so formal! Come and sit, Teacher has made some snacks.” Hong Ying walked out of the kitchen carrying a plate of snacks, speaking with a smile.

It was a plate full of Blue Silver Grass Braised Rabbit Tenderloin.

The aroma of roasted meat instantly filled the room, and Ouyang Zixin's eyes lit up immediately.

“Mom, you're so biased. You rarely make this normally,” Ouyang Zixin pouted in dissatisfaction.

“Thank you, Teacher.” Shen Guyan chuckled, picked up a piece of tenderloin, and held it to Ouyang Zixin's lips.

Ouyang Zixin took a bite without hesitation, a satisfied expression appearing on her face. “So delicious!”

Looking at her daughter's cute appearance, Hong Ying couldn't help but laugh. “Eat slowly, there’s plenty. No one is going to snatch it from you.”

“Xiao Yu is the guest, hurry and taste Teacher's cooking.”

Shen Guyan also picked up a piece and stuffed it into his mouth, his face immediately showing a look of surprise.

The taste was unexpectedly good.

“How is it, good right?” Ouyang Zixin smiled proudly. “My mom's cooking is excellent.”

After eating the snacks, Ouyang Zixin took Shen Guyan to her room. The room was filled with various mecha models and some design drawings she had drawn herself.

“Wow, did you make all of these, Sister Zixin?” Shen Guyan looked at the models in amazement, his eyes full of envy.

“Yes, I want to become a powerful Mecha Designer in the future,” Ouyang Zixin said proudly.

She picked up a model and explained the structure and principles of the mecha to Shen Guyan. Shen Guyan listened with great interest, occasionally asking questions about details, and Ouyang Zixin answered them all patiently.

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was night. The moon's afterglow spilled into the courtyard, and the house was brightly lit. Hong Ying had prepared a sumptuous dinner, and the three of them sat around the dining table, laughter and chatter constant.

“Xiao Yu, come, eat more.” Hong Ying kept serving food onto Shen Guyan's plate.

“Thank you, Teacher, I can do it myself.” Although Shen Guyan was young, influenced by his upbringing in the Shen Family, his words and deeds were very proper.

“Heehee, Xiao Yu really is a Young Master from those noble families,” Ouyang Zixin couldn't help but tease.

To this, Shen Guyan only gave a non-committal smile. A person who pays attention to etiquette will not cause resentment no matter where they go.

“Speaking of which, Sister Zixin, which academy do you attend?” Shen Guyan asked casually.

“Take a guess?” Ouyang Zixin gave a mysterious smile first, then continued before Shen Guyan could answer, “But I'm about to graduate from the Elementary Department soon, and next I'm preparing to report to Donghai Academy in Donghai City.”

“Donghai City?” Shen Guyan was startled, and relevant information quickly surfaced in his mind.

Donghai City. The second-largest coastal city in the Sun Moon Federation's East Sea. An important city for ports, maritime transport, and marine resource development.

This city has a permanent population of over three million and is very wealthy thanks to its utilization of marine resources. Even in the entire Sun Moon Federation, it counts as a second-tier city.

Donghai City has a long history, and the cityscape still maintains a simple, ancient style. In the last few hundred years, the Sun Moon Federation has paid special attention to the protection of ancient buildings. Therefore, in this ancient city, many buildings over a thousand years old can be seen.

After Shen Guyan graduated from the Elementary Department, he would naturally enter the Intermediate Division. Although he wasn't sure which academy the Family intended to arrange for him, it definitely wouldn't be worse than Donghai Academy.

Of course, that was all three years away. Shortly after that, he would also participate in that so-called Youth Genius Competition to make a name for himself.

“Congratulations, Donghai Academy is quite famous and is indeed very good,” Shen Guyan said casually.

Hong Ying's cooking was very good, and Shen Guyan rarely ate until he was ninety percent full before finally putting down his utensils with satisfaction.

“Let's go, I'll take you out for a stroll after the meal.” Seeing Shen Guyan finish eating, Ouyang Zixin excitedly grabbed his hand and stood up.

“You two, don't run too far. It won't be easy for me to give an account to his sister then,” Hong Ying instructed softly while clearing the dishes.

“Got it!”

Ouyang Zixin pulled Shen Guyan and ran quickly out of the house.

“This child...” Hong Ying shook her head and continued clearing the table.

Creak—

Not long after, the gate to the Ouyang Family courtyard was opened again.

“Did you forget something? You child, really...” Hong Ying's tone was doting. She placed the dishes in the sink and was about to look toward the door.

Several figures had appeared in the small courtyard at some unknown time.

“You...”

—

As the neon lights first came on, Beihai City was enveloped in a brilliant glow. The bustle of the night market surged like a tide. Ouyang Zixin lightly held Shen Guyan's hand, weaving through the bustling crowd.

Shen Guyan rarely came out to play. In the cognition of this old man who had lived two lives, moments of relaxation like this were also a part of his Cultivation.

On both sides of the street, various stalls were scattered in an orderly fashion. Multicolored signs flickered in the night sky like stars fallen to earth. Food on the grills sizzled with oil, its aroma wafting everywhere and making people's mouths water. The vendors' shouts rose one after another, intertwining with the laughter of diners to form a vibrant urban symphony.

Ouyang Zixin pulled Shen Guyan to a stop in front of a sugar painting stall. They watched the old master skillfully scoop up sugar syrup with a spoon and quickly outline various exquisite patterns on a stone slab.

“Boss, I want a Phoenix!” Ouyang Zixin said with sparkling eyes, her face brimming with childlike excitement.

“Here.” Shen Guyan silently paid the bill.

After getting the sugar painting, Ouyang Zixin held it up like a child, tasting it carefully as she walked. From time to time, she would even give Shen Guyan a bite, making him feel a bit embarrassed.

The two continued forward and passed a stall selling small accessories. Ouyang Zixin was attracted by a string of crystal-clear pearl bracelets. The vendor introduced them enthusiastically. Seeing her unable to put it down, Shen Guyan bought it without a second word.

“Little Brother Xiao Yu, I couldn't tell, but your Family background is quite substantial!” Ouyang Zixin couldn't help but tease upon seeing this.

“To me, these things aren't expensive. Since you like it, I bought it.” Shen Guyan laughed in spite of himself. How much money could two children under ten years old spend on shopping?

Ouyang Zixin happily put the bracelet on her wrist and waved it at Shen Guyan, her smile brighter than the lights of the night market.

Shen Guyan dazed slightly as he watched, then couldn't help but reach out to brush away a few strands of hair from the girl's forehead.

In the distance, the sea breeze from Beihai blew gently, carrying a hint of saltiness that merged wonderfully with the mundane atmosphere of the night market. Ouyang Zixin and Shen Guyan walked side-by-side in this night market full of life, enjoying this peaceful and beautiful night.

“It's getting late, let's head back,” Shen Guyan reminded, glancing at a clock on a nearby shop.

Hearing this, Ouyang Zixin slapped her forehead. “Oh right, I almost forgot, your sister is coming to pick you up!”

With that, the two accelerated their pace back. In less than half an hour, they returned to the vicinity of Ouyang Zixin's home.

“Wait.” Shen Guyan suddenly stepped forward and reached out his hand to stop Ouyang Zixin.

It was an instinct branded deep within his Soul—danger ahead!