Jiang Shaoqing suddenly sat up from the snow, not daring to disobey.
The crucial point was that Grandma Wang's sweet potato pancakes were incredibly delicious, especially when fresh from the oven.
They were so good, they were beyond words.
Soft, fragrant, and glutinous, they were impossible to find in the city.
Grandma Wang had one excellent quality: after chasing him, she would always cook him a hearty meal to replenish his spent calories.
"Thank you, Grandma Wang!" But could you please not chase me like this next time?
Heavens, over the past few months, Grandma Wang's speed in chasing him had only increased.
"Remember to pick them up," Grandma Wang said before returning with her cleaver.
Her house and the Daoist priest's home were separated by a flat area.
This flat area was where Grandma Wang usually dried her beans.
Living in the mountains, they rarely ventured out, living self-sufficiently and leading a relatively easy life.
"Heh heh..." The Daoist priest chuckled. "This Cuihua, she clearly planted it for me, but she's just stubborn about it."
Bai Yuchen: "..." So embarrassing.
He should remind his master that someone was behind him.
"Master," Bai Yuchen couldn't help but call out, afraid his master might say something truly earth-shattering.
The old man had been in a good mood lately; perhaps something good had happened?
He and Shaoqing had been researching for days but couldn't figure it out.
The Daoist priest turned, saw Mu Jiuchen, and suddenly smiled. "It's Shaoqing's parents who have arrived. Come in quickly."
Mu Jiuchen frowned slightly and said, "Apologies for the intrusion."
"No intrusion, no intrusion. Come in. You've arrived at the perfect time. The snow this year is a bit too much; we haven't even been able to buy our New Year's goods." The Daoist priest returned to his usual aloof demeanor.
Mu Jiuchen felt that only Cuihua next door could make him chortle with glee.
As they reached the courtyard, Mu Jiuchen set down the items he brought. He had brought a lot, unwilling to let his child suffer, even if it meant inconveniencing himself.
He had brought many things: cotton-padded clothes and trousers for the three of them. It would only get warmer after the true start of spring. He also brought items needed for the New Year.
Shaoqing had mentioned they ate meat, so he had also brought a lot of meat and seafood.
The Daoist priest looked at the spread on the table and was very pleased. "Young man, you are thoughtful."
This New Year should be a good one.
Mu Jiuchen: "..."
"Daoist priest, hello, I am Shaoqing's mother, Jiang Nuan. Thank you for your guidance of Shaoqing!" Jiang Nuan expressed her sincere gratitude. Shaoqing would only get better in the future.
The Daoist priest looked at Jiang Nuan, and a flicker of surprise crossed his sharp eyes. "Girl, you are facing a misfortune involving bloodshed this year. Would you like to stay on the mountain to take refuge? You can avoid it here."
Jiang YuKuo and Jiang SiYun looked at their mother nervously.
Mu Jiuchen, meanwhile, watched Jiang Nuan.
Jiang Nuan's gaze flickered, and she said with a smile, "Don't worry, Daoist priest, I will surely turn misfortune into fortune."
"Indeed, you have an extraordinary appearance and extraordinary abilities; you can turn misfortune into fortune, but it will be difficult." The Daoist priest looked deeply at Jiang Nuan. No wonder Shaoqing possessed unusual abilities; his mother was no ordinary person.
A spiritual body not bound by the five elements, tsk tsk tsk, a blessed destiny!
Mu Jiuchen looked at the Daoist priest and said anxiously, "Daoist priest, are there any ways to resolve this?"
The Daoist priest smiled and said, "Your arrival here has helped resolve her bloodshed misfortune, but it still depends on her."
After speaking, the Daoist priest went to a corner and plucked a few strange leaves for Jiang Nuan. "I can tell you are lacking wood. I hope this can help you."
"Thank you!" Jiang Nuan carefully put the leaves away. These were no ordinary leaves.
Mu Jiuchen embraced her tenderly, wondering what she would face next.
"Ah, ah... Dad, Mom, Brother, Yunyun, you're here." Jiang Shaoqing excitedly ran into his father's arms.
He was wearing a rural-style, army-green cotton coat, very thick, making him look like a rice dumpling.
Only his bright, lively eyes were visible, making him particularly adorable.
"Dad, I missed you all so much."
Jiang Shaoqing held his father's neck with a beaming smile.
In the days without his parents, he held onto one belief: regardless of whether anyone doted on him, he would be the one who doted on himself the most.
Mu Jiuchen held his son, feeling that he had grown much taller and gained weight. His fair, tender skin had turned a tanned wheat color from the sun and wind in the mountains, but he looked very healthy.
"Dad, what delicious food did you bring me? Did you bring my favorite dried small fish? Did you bring my favorite sour date candies? Did you bring my favorite fried chicken...?"
Before Mu Jiuchen could speak, he heard the Daoist priest's voice.
"Shaoqing, saying that makes it sound like I've mistreated you."
Jiang Shaoqing quickly shook his head with a smile. "Master, no, no, I absolutely didn't mean that. I just want to taste something from home. I can't even swallow the cured meat on your roof. You try to roast it, but you end up burning the meat. I'd rather eat something with a hometown flavor."
After coming here, he realized his master was a fake Daoist; he ate everything except beef and mutton.
"Oh! Then I'll try your hometown flavors later too." The Daoist priest smiled at Mu Jiuchen.
"You can leave now. Time is up. Come back next spring. Your frequent appearances will block Shaoqing's luck."
Mu Jiuchen: "..."
"Daoist priest, we've been here for less than 5 minutes since we arrived."
The Daoist priest chuckled. "It's just enduring for three years. These three years are very important. You can only visit for five minutes. Shaoqing's luck depends entirely on accumulating it over these few years, so please leave quickly."
The Daoist priest changed his tune as swiftly as flipping a hand.
Mu Jiuchen: "..."
Jiang Nuan looked at Shaoqing and said, "Sweetie, study hard and listen to your master."
Shaoqing was unhappy. His master had said his parents would visit today, but he didn't say they would only stay for five minutes.
"Master..."
"Alright, you can call each other every day later. I've worked hard to gather your luck; it cannot have any problems during these three years."
Mu Jiuchen and Jiang Nuan, half-believing, half-doubting, finally left.
The moment the courtyard gate closed.
Jiang Shaoqing glared fiercely at his master.
The Daoist priest smiled helplessly. "You kid, your parents could visit for 5 minutes, but Yuchen's parents can only visit for three minutes. Because you're younger, you get this good treatment."
"Your father, who is he? An entrepreneur on the global rich list, considered a business prodigy by the entire world. I want you to become like your father; honor and reputation will be easily attainable."
"You and your senior brother are excellent talents I've chosen from billions of people. You two must prove yourselves to me. After I'm gone, I hope you will also be like those successful individuals, with a net worth of hundreds of billions. Combined with your own luck and innate golden fingers, it can bring about earth-shattering changes in your future lives. This is my lifelong wish."
Jiang Shaoqing: "..."
Bai Yuchen: "..."
Bai Yuchen swallowed. "Master, your wishes are too grand."
The Daoist priest looked at him and smiled mysteriously. "Kid, have confidence in yourself. Master won't misjudge people."
After speaking, he looked greedily at the delicacies on the stone table, realizing they were all his.
With that thought, he picked up the snacks and turned to go inside. They were all his.