Chapter 56: Senior brother, I want to go for a walk by the lake with the protagonist.
The sun rose in the east, and Ye Anping, as usual, got up early according to his biological clock. He performed a quick set of boxing in the backyard of the physical therapy centre, bought breakfast at the local cafe, and then opened the centre’s doors.
After today, he no longer needed to worry about the Seven Killing Sect, as the Xuanxing Sect would willingly take responsibility for Wu You’s death. The only remaining matter was Junior Sister’s foundation building, but that was likely a few months away, and he wasn’t in a rush.
Lying on a rocking chair in the main hall, he passed the time. Soon, a flying sword descended at the entrance of the therapy centre.
Bai Yuexin, after her morning class, as usual, came over to assist, bringing along a younger junior brother who seemed about seventeen or eighteen years old, eager to experience physical therapy.
Looking at the junior brother, Ye Anping recalled him as a frequent visitor to the therapy centre since Bai Yuexin first brought him for a session.
It was unusual for him to come straight after morning classes. Usually, he visited in the afternoon.
“Welcome”, Ye Anping began, but before he could finish, the junior brother, who was Bai Yuexin’s disciple and a senior to Ye Anping, bowed ninety degrees, presenting a bottle of self-made Foundation Establishment Pill.
Ye Anping was puzzled, “What’s this?”
Xu, the disciple, approached and handed him the pill, saying, “This is a Foundation Establishment Pill I refined. I hope Young Master Ye doesn’t mind.”
Ye Anping stood up and declined, “Senior Xu, I can’t accept this.”
“Young Master Ye, please don’t be shy. It’s just a small token of gratitude,” Xu insisted.
Ye Anping was confused and glanced at Bai Yuexin, silently asking her to explain.
Bai Yuexin chuckled and explained, “Anping, Junior Brother Xu is here to thank you. Thanks to your physical therapy, he broke through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment last night. Accept it. He trained for two days and nights specifically for you.”
“Um?” Ye Anping was shocked.
“Junior Brother Xu had been stuck at the middle stage bottleneck for over twenty years. Despite trying various methods and seeking help from elders, he only made progress after a few sessions of physical therapy,” Bai Yuexin added.
Xu nodded, saying, “Indeed, I tried many methods over the past two decades, but your therapy was remarkably effective. After just one session, I felt that it might help me break through. Please accept this gift.”
Ye Anping was feeling compelled and accepted the pill, congratulating, “Congratulations, Senior Xu, on your successful breakthrough.”
“You’re welcome,” Xu replied.
The disciple with the surname Xu bowed politely, glanced at Bai Yuexin beside him, and said, “I came here seeking a quiet environment in the shop, specifically to express gratitude. Senior Sister Bai, Young Master Ye, I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll return in the afternoon.”
“Go ahead,” Bai Yuexin waved farewell.
“Alright, I won’t escort Senior Xu any further,” Ye Anping replied.
After watching Xu’s sword fly away from the main gate, Ye Anping lowered his head, unscrewed the pill bottle in his hand, and sniffed the Foundation Establishment Pill inside.
A medium to low-quality foundation-building pill. It was inadequate for his junior sister’s use, and holding onto it himself was of no use. He could either give it away or consider selling it.
Seeing his reaction, Bai Yuexin guessed that he didn’t appreciate the gift. She hugged him from behind and said with a smile, “Do you find it unsatisfactory? Why didn’t you mention it earlier?”
“I still have manners,” Ye Anping glanced at her, quickly breaking free from her embrace. “I hope Senior Bai can also show some manners and not hug me for no reason.”
“Oh…” Bai Yuexin puffed her cheeks, then smiled and said, “Anping, this is good now. If Junior Brother Xu reveals his breakthrough, your physical therapy centre will never lack customers. Right?”
“I prefer it to be a bit quiet now, leisurely,” Ye Anping replied.
“Running a business is better with more customers. If you can’t handle it, you can take the opportunity to raise prices. I think your prices are too low. How much do you earn in a month?” Bai Yuexin suggested.
“I’m not in a hurry. Are you in a hurry as an accountant?” Ye Anping retorted.
“What accountant?” Bai Yuexin grabbed his face. “I’m your older sister.”
Ye Anping shrugged. “Let’s see later. If there are more people, we can limit the quantity or raise prices.”
“Or…” Bai Yuexin paused and asked, “Can you teach me? If there are more people, I can help share the workload.”
“That’s not impossible,” Ye Anping admitted. “But it takes years to learn.”
“Without trying, how would you know? Maybe I have a talent,” Bai Yuexin said proudly. “Anping, don’t forget, despite my sister being defeated earlier, she’s still a genius with a single spiritual root!”
Observing her, Ye Anping remained silent for a while. Was she coming out of her shell?
What about his 20% off coupon?
Ye Anping sighed and said, “Another day. By the way—I’m going to stroll around Liuyue Lake with Miss Feng later. Can you help me watch the store?”
“Liuyue Lake? What are you doing there?” Bai Yuexin asked.
“Just taking a walk, having a heart-to-heart,” Ye Anping replied.
“Ah? Liuyue Lake? Are you two already a couple?” Bai Yuexin pouted.
“No,” Ye Anping clarified.
“If both of you are going to Liuyue Lake, isn’t that a sign of romance?” Bai Yuexin furrowed her brows. After thinking for a while, she said, “Anping, that Feng girl is undoubtedly beautiful and talented, but trust me, based on my years of judging people, she’s not suitable for you at all.”
Ye Anping wanted to compliment her good judgment, but he held back and simply said, “As I said, we’re just going for a walk.”
“I’m trying to advise you,” Bai Yuexin raised her index finger, giving a sermon. “When it comes to finding a girl, don’t just judge by appearance. Many girls are wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
“I know.”
“No… you don’t know. Let me tell you a story, sister…”
Bai Yuexin proceeded to share a local version of a story reminiscent of King Zhou and the Vixen, emphasising the idea that beautiful people often have deceitful hearts and that beauty could lead to trouble.
At lunchtime, Feng Yudie arrived. To avoid suspicion, Ye Anping had asked her to come to the physical therapy centre and act as if she were infatuated with him. However, she turned out to be shameless, consistently coming for lunch and even taking leftovers.
Feng Yudie was now dressed in an emerald green silk dress. Before she could speak, Xiao Tian, the small creature, flew over and sat on Ye Anping’s shoulder. It pointed at Feng Yudie and said, “Young Master Ye, we’re here again. Yudie is wearing the dress you sold her today. How beautiful it is. Why don’t you compliment her?”
“…”
Ye Anping was somewhat speechless. This unique little creature had an extraordinary amount of perseverance. Since the last encounter, it would sit on his shoulder and engage in constant conversation.
With no reaction from Ye Anping, Xiao Tian thought for a moment, then approached his ear and took a peek inside, displaying a surprised expression. “Wow~ Master Ye, how long has it been since you took out your earwax? What a big lump.”
“…”
As long as Ye Anping touched his ear, he would admit that he could see the wax in it before. However, he remembered cleaning his ears this morning, avoiding any discomfort caused by its comment.
Ignoring it seemed the best choice. The creature was indeed quite bothersome. On the other hand, acknowledging it would only make things worse. Ye Anping opted to continue ignoring it.
