“Really?”

Zhao Chenhai asked excitedly.

“Yes, really. Although you are younger than your Fourth Uncle, you are outstanding in many ways. If you work hard, you might even surpass your Fourth Uncle in this second phase.”

“Your explosive power and endurance are both impressive. You only fall short in age and height. If you were as old as your Fourth Uncle, you might not lose at all.”

Lin Yuxin nodded in praise.

She wasn’t exaggerating—she had noticed earlier that Zhao Chenhai was an exceptional talent.

If nurtured properly, he could very well become the next War God.

“Alright, I’ll do my best!”

Zhao Chenhai clenched his fists, his face full of excitement.

“Next is our Fifth Cousin. You should continue training with the same method, but you don’t need the medicinal bath. I will prescribe some dietary supplements for you instead. You’re still young, so food-based nourishment is best for now. Keep practicing regularly, and in a few years, you can train more effectively.”

Lin Yuxin spoke gently to Zhao Chenfeng.

The five-year-old Zhao Chenfeng didn’t fully understand what Yuxin meant, but he knew she was looking out for him, so he obediently nodded.

“Okay! I will listen to Sister Yuxin!”

“Good boy!”

Lin Yuxin reached out and ruffled his hair affectionately.

After that, she wrote a new prescription and handed it to Fourth Uncle. Then, she left with her Eldest Cousin to check on his leg injury.

Their grandfather didn’t follow them but asked Fourth Uncle to accompany them in case they needed assistance.

Eldest Cousin’s residence was within his mother’s courtyard.

Since the Zhao family was a large clan and had not separated their households, even though Eldest Cousin was an adult, he still lived in the same courtyard.

When they entered, they saw his mother, Shi Hui, sitting in the courtyard doing embroidery.

Her calm face carried a hint of sadness, but she still exuded the grace of a noble lady.

Eldest Cousin paused when he saw his mother, trying to mask the pain in his injured leg.

He maintained a composed expression and walked toward her.

“Mother.”

“Aunt.”

“Sister-in-law.”

Lin Yuxin and Zhao Yinglan followed suit, respectfully greeting her.

“What brings you all here? Come, have a seat!”

Shi Hui put down her embroidery and warmly invited them to sit.

“Aunt, you’re busy?”

Lin Yuxin sat down obediently, while Zhao Yinglan remained standing.

“Not really, just passing time by embroidering. Did you come with Xi’er (Eldest Cousin) for something?”

Shi Hui gazed gently at Lin Yuxin.

She had a feeling that her son wouldn’t bring Yuxin along unless there was a reason.

Lin Yuxin didn’t respond immediately; instead, she looked at Eldest Cousin, unsure if he wanted his mother to know.

So, she waited for him to speak first.

Shi Hui followed her gaze and looked at her son, confusion growing in her eyes.

Zhao Chenxi clenched and unclenched his fists, seeming to struggle with his decision. Just as he was about to speak, Lin Yuxin’s voice cut in.

“Aunt, it’s nothing major. Eldest Cousin didn’t perform well in today’s training test, so he asked me to check on his condition.”

Seeing his hesitation, Lin Yuxin stepped in to help him out.

Everyone has their own burdens and secrets.

She understood that.

“I see. Alright then, go inside. I’ll have Lan’er attend to you.”

Shi Hui nodded and didn’t press further.

Instead, she arranged a room for them and assigned a maid to prevent any gossip.

She could tell her son had something on his mind but wasn’t ready to say it. A heavy feeling settled in her heart—she knew she had neglected him for too long.

“Alright, let’s go, Eldest Cousin!”

Lin Yuxin had already spent too much time here today; she needed to wrap things up soon or she wouldn’t make it home before dark.

“Mm.”

Zhao Chenxi seemed even more nervous in front of his mother, perhaps because of his secret.

He quickly nodded and strode inside.

Lin Yuxin bowed to Shi Hui before following him in.

Zhao Yinglan also entered and found a place to sit.

Once inside, Lin Yuxin crouched down, pressing on Zhao Chenxi’s leg a few times to examine his condition.

Then, she took out her silver needles and inserted a few into his leg before speaking.

“It’s nothing serious. This is just a muscle contusion. Originally, a few acupuncture sessions and some medicine would have healed it, but you missed the best treatment window. After dragging it out for so many years, the injury has now become chronic muscle damage.”

“For the next three months, you must stop training. I will perform acupuncture on you for a few days, and then you’ll need to use the medicinal plaster I prepare. That should help you recover. But during this time, you absolutely must avoid intense physical activity, or you might end up with a permanent limp.”

Lin Yuxin spoke seriously.

“Got it. I’ll remember that. Thank you, Yuxin.”

Zhao Chenxi nodded solemnly, truly taking her words to heart.

“Eldest Cousin, thanking me feels too formal, don’t you think?”

Lin Yuxin frowned at him, pretending to be upset. She had spent the whole day helping him, yet he still treated her like an outsider!

“Hehe! Alright, that was my mistake! From now on, if you ever need anything, just ask. I will always help you!”

Zhao Chenxi chuckled, finding her serious expression rather endearing. He quickly apologized, realizing his words had been too distant.

“That’s more like it!”

Lin Yuxin nodded in satisfaction, then wrote a prescription and handed it to him. She stood up and said:

“Eldest Cousin, take this medicine for three days, then stop. After that, only apply the medicinal plaster. But remember, do not overexert your leg. Alright, I’ll be heading out now.”

As she reached the door, she suddenly turned back and smiled warmly.

“Eldest Cousin, don’t keep everything bottled up inside. It’s okay to vent or talk to someone. You don’t have to bear everything alone—family can share your burdens too. If you ever need someone to talk to, you can always come to me. I promise to be a good listener.”

She waved goodbye and walked out.

She hoped her words would help her cousin let go of the darkness in his heart. She could tell that he had been suppressing something for a long time. If he didn’t release it, it would only hurt him in the long run.

As Zhao Yinglan followed her out, he patted Zhao Chenxi’s shoulder and said encouragingly,

“You still have us!”

Then, he hurried after Lin Yuxin. He had barely done anything today—if his father found out, he would probably get scolded again.

Zhao Chenxi stood still, watching their figures disappear.

His lips trembled, his hands clenched tightly, and his eyes turned red.

It was a long while before he finally relaxed his grip.

He let out a bitter smile.

A grown man like him wasn’t even as insightful as a young girl.

But he just couldn’t let it go.

He would never forget that fateful day when his father’s death was announced.

That same day, he was bullied, forced to limp home, only to see his mother utterly devastated, crying until she nearly fainted.

It was then that he realized his family was broken.

He had lost his father.

That day, he didn’t dare mention his injured leg.

He endured the pain, standing by his mother’s side through the mourning rituals, holding strong as they sent his father to his final rest.