Chapter 57.3

“Chuchu, come here. Let me feel your bones.” Wei Ling didn’t immediately agree just because Chuchu was his little brother-in-law and Qin Qingman had asked.

“Oh.”

Chuchu obediently got up and stood in front of Wei Ling.

Though he didn’t understand why Brother-in-law wanted to feel his bones, he still showed an obedient attitude.

Wei Ling extended his hand and carefully felt the child’s bones.

He didn’t just feel Chuchu’s limbs, but also his spine, neck, and even his round little head.

Wei Ling’s expression was extremely serious. 

When Qin Qingman looked at Wei Ling in this state, she wouldn’t naïvely believe it was some mystical “bone-touching to determine talent” trope found in later martial arts novels. She was more inclined to think that Wei Ling was inspecting the child’s physical development to create a targeted training plan based on specific conditions. 

After all, it was clear at a glance that Chuchu’s growth was an issue. 

If his bones were fragile, not only would training be unsuitable, but even enlisting in the military in the future would likely be impossible. 

Wei Ling conducted the examination thoroughly, taking several minutes to complete it. Afterward, he gave Qin Qingman, who was watching with concern, a slight nod. 

Although the child’s stature was small compared to his peers, his skeletal condition was not problematic. 

His development in the womb had been excellent, but postnatal nutrition had been insufficient, leading to delayed growth. Wei Ling believed that now, with an improved supply of meat, eggs, and other nutritional resources, the child would be able to catch up within a few years and undergo a second growth spurt. 

At that time, although Chuchu’s height might not rival Wei Ling’s, it was still possible for him to grow close to 1.8 meters tall. 

Qin Qingman had been carefully observing Wei Ling’s expression. Seeing his nod, she finally felt a true sense of relief. 

She then reached out and gently ruffled the small head that was tilted upward toward her. 

Chuchu, being small for his age, always had to look up at others, whether it was at the standing Qin Qingman and Wei Ling or even at the two of them sitting down when he was nearby. 

“Brother-in-law?” 

Although Chuchu’s head was being ruffled by Qin Qingman, his gaze was fixed on Wei Ling. 

He was waiting for Wei Ling’s definitive answer. 

“Yes. I can teach you today. First, I’ll unblock your meridians.” Wei Ling said as he got off the kang bed. 

Standing tall, Wei Ling didn’t touch the ceiling while standing on the kang, but he wasn’t far from it either. So, he simply stepped down, put on his shoes, and then grabbed Chuchu to perform a vigorous session of meridian stimulation and bone adjustment. 

At only five years old, Chuchu had never endured such pain before. 

His large eyes immediately filled with tears. 

But no matter how much his eyes brimmed with tears, he bit his lip tightly and refused to make a sound. Having just demonstrated his determination in front of his brother-in-law and Big Sister, how could he possibly cry out now? Chuchu knew he had to endure.

“The path you chose is one you must walk, even if it brings tears.” Qin Qingman thought as she looked at the tears welling in the child’s eyes and the fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. She could see how much Chuchu was struggling, but in the end, she simply watched without intervening. 

She trusted Wei Ling’s judgment and knew he would never harm Chuchu. 

Chuchu was still young, so Wei Ling didn’t prolong the meridian-opening session. After five minutes, he finally stopped. 

As soon as Wei Ling let go, Chuchu collapsed onto the kang bed. 

The discomfort was unbearable. Not only did his limbs feel painfully sore and swollen, but his very bones seemed to ache. Every single finger trembled slightly, and he had no strength left in his body. He felt so weak that even wiping away the tears threatening to roll down his cheeks seemed like an impossible task. 

Seeing Chuchu unable to move, Qin Qingman had already anticipated this reaction. 

The moment he collapsed on the kang, she immediately reached out with the handkerchief she had prepared. 

With tenderness and care, Qin Qingman wiped away the tears from Chuchu’s eyes and the sweat from his forehead. 

“Big Sis.” Chuchu called softly, looking at her. In that moment, her gentle care overlapped in his mind with the figure of his late mother, who had always nurtured him with the same kindness. 

“My Chuchu is the best.” Qin Qingman said gently as she stroked his head. The soft feel of his hair filled her heart with warmth and affection. 

Standing nearby, Wei Ling silently watched the sibling-like bond between Qin Qingman and Chuchu, unsure if he should interrupt the moment. 

He didn’t have to wait long. 

“Ah Ling.” Qin Qingman called, addressing Wei Ling. After finishing wiping Chuchu’s face and even the sweat on his back, she stepped aside to make space, knowing this was only the beginning. 

Wei Ling nodded to Qin Qingman before turning his gaze to Chuchu, who lay limply on the kang. His tone was serious as he called out, “Qin Yunchu.” He used the boy’s full name. 

Using someone’s full name was always a formal gesture. 

Chuchu froze for a moment, then quickly responded in a loud voice, “Yes!”

“Next time, you must answer ‘Present’ properly.” Wei Ling reminded Chuchu, initiating a strict militarized style of training. 

“Yes, Big Sis… Brother-in-law.” Chuchu replied, struggling to speak as he endured the aches in his body while climbing back up from the kang. 

Wei Ling chose not to correct Chuchu’s form of address. Chuchu wasn’t a soldier under his command, so calling him “Brother-in-law” was perfectly acceptable. 

“Put on your shoes and socks. I’ll teach you how to practice the horse stance now. You need to practice it every day, whether I’m home or not. And practicing the horse stance doesn’t require you to go outside; you can do it right here at home.” Wei Ling explained, his tone both stern and filled with detailed instructions. 

“Yes, Brother-in-law.” Chuchu responded, his voice resolute as he struggled to put on his shoes and stand before Wei Ling. 

Although his posture couldn’t match the precision of a trained soldier, it was impressive for a five-year-old attempting training for the first time. 

Wei Ling demonstrated the correct way to squat into a standard horse stance. 

Chuchu mimicked the movements earnestly, attempting to follow Wei Ling’s example. 

However, the moment he spread his legs apart, a sharp intake of breath escaped him. 

The soreness was overwhelming. It felt as though his limbs no longer belonged to him. 

“Keep your back straight, eyes forward, and legs at the proper angle…” Wei Ling instructed as he adjusted Chuchu’s stance. His hands supported the trembling boy, whose body quivered uncontrollably under the strain. 

Chuchu held back tears, gritting his teeth and enduring the pain. 

It hurt terribly. Every part of his body ached with an intense soreness. 

Wei Ling showed no mercy, nor did he immediately let go. He continued to hold Chuchu in the correct position for a full minute before finally releasing him. 

The moment Wei Ling let go, Chuchu immediately lost his balance and fell to the ground. 

The wooden floor wasn’t too painful. 

“Get up, keep going, until you can squat properly in the horse stance.” Wei Ling said, looking down at the child without offering a hand to help him. 

Chuchu looked at Wei Ling with a hint of grievance before finally trembling as he forced himself to get up and squat back into position. 

“I will guide you again. Pay attention and remember.” Wei Ling said. 

He took Chuchu’s hands and positioned him properly. Knowing it was Chuchu’s first time practicing the horse stance right after opening his meridians, Wei Ling didn’t expect him to hold the posture perfectly. After adjusting Chuchu’s form, he supported him for another minute before finally letting go. 

As soon as Wei Ling released his grip, Chuchu once again collapsed onto the floor. 

This time, without needing Wei Ling’s command, the child shakily climbed back up and continued practicing the horse stance. 

Again and again, Wei Ling corrected his posture, and again and again, Chuchu fell. 

After half an hour, Chuchu was drenched in sweat. His tears had long since flowed and dried, only to flow again. The intense, high-intensity training eventually turned his face beet red. 

“Stop. You did well. Tomorrow, practice once in the morning and once in the evening.” Wei Ling instructed as he prepared to leave. 

“Yes, Brother-in-law.” Chuchu responded loudly. 

Qin Qingman had already prepared bathwater for the child in the hall. She waited until the sweat had settled on Chuchu’s body before sending him off to bathe. 

Chuchu had no strength left, so it was Wei Ling who helped him bathe. 

Before he had even finished, Chuchu was so exhausted that he fell asleep in the middle of it. 

Later that night, as they lay together, Wei Ling held Qin Qingman and softly asked, “Wife, do you blame me?” 

“Without experiencing hardship, how can one see the rainbow?” Qin Qingman, having grown up in the countryside and worked her way up, understood that success came with hard work and struggle. 

“Wife, you’re so good.” Wei Ling said, smiling happily as he embraced her.