He got up, intending to practice his martial arts, but after encountering Di Mingjue, he completely forgot about it.
Xingxing dared not lie, and replied honestly, "Not yet."
"It's getting late, we can start now." Ye Shaoting said, looking at the sun high in the sky.
In reality, he was urging him to practice, but what he actually wanted was to keep him away from Xiao Ran.
Xingxing understood everything and dared not disobey Ye Shaoting's arrangements. He nodded and left the living room.
Ye Shaoting turned his attention back to Xiao Ran.
Seeing how strict Ye Shaoting was with Xingxing, Xiao Ran developed a sense of fear towards him. When he saw Ye Shaoting's gaze, he immediately turned his face away.
His hidden thoughts were evident on his face. Ye Shaoting, unconcerned with his emotions, turned and left his presence.
After the person left, Xiao Ran breathed a sigh of relief.
In the courtyard.
Ye Chenhan stood before the flowerbed, his eyes fixed on Xingxing, whose movements were always a bit off.
"Put more force into your arm!"
His reminder caused the stick in Xingxing's hand to drop to the ground. As the stick bounced, it hit his instep.
The pain shot to his heart, and tears welled up in Xingxing's eyes.
In the beginning of his training, his body was often injured. Major injuries were almost always followed by minor ones, and his entire body, except for his face, was covered in wounds.
He feigned a lack of pain and walked lightly to Ye Shaoting. "I'm sorry, it's just that my basic skills have regressed due to my lack of recent practice."
"You have indeed regressed a lot recently," Ye Shaoting said. "You're barely focused when you practice, always appearing preoccupied. Are you troubled by something? Or did something unhappy happen at school?"
Xingxing lowered his head. He didn't want to lie, but he also couldn't reveal the real reason. His best response was silence.
"Xingxing, I'm asking you a question!" Ye Shaoting reprimanded. "What's been going on with you lately? You're not serious during practice, and you won't speak when I ask you questions. You must explain yourself properly today."
How could he explain?
If he said it was because of Ye Ziyu's matters, what would Ye Shaoting think?
He had repeatedly warned him not to get involved in anything concerning Di Mingjue, especially not to care about him. Now, not only did he care, but his concern was causing him to forget his own responsibilities.
"It's just that my studies have been very demanding recently, and I haven't had time to practice, which has led to a regression in my basic skills. I was afraid you would be angry and didn't know how to explain it to you," Xingxing said nervously.
Did Ye Shaoting not know whether what he said was true?
"Settle your emotions properly and don't let any chaotic matters affect what you need to do," Ye Shaoting said, his words carrying a double meaning.
Having followed him since he could remember, even Ye Qianzhi and Shen Meixiu didn't understand Ye Shaoting as well as Xingxing did. He knew this was a warning, and the next time, Ye Shaoting would not speak so kindly.
Xingxing nodded. "Stepfather, please don't worry. I will adjust myself as soon as possible and won't make you worry anymore."
"Alright, just keep it in mind. It's still early, go practice for a while longer."
"Okay."
After Ye Shaoting left, Xingxing did not carelessly complete his task. The desire to avenge his parents was etched into his bones. Every time Ye Shaoting reminded him, his hatred grew like a seedling that shoots up with sunlight.
The stick, under the sunlight, whirled with a whistling sound. Xingxing was drenched in sweat, and his outer shirt was soaked.
"Xingxing."
It had been three hours since he left the living room. The sun was high in the sky, and the heat was palpable just standing outside, let alone continuously swinging the stick.
Seeing that he received no response, Xiao Ran stepped into the flowerbed and took a shortcut to reach him.