Although only one student was recruited last weekend, Su Xi, as the ‘teacher’, still got up early that day as she had already made an appointment with the old man.

Su Xi decided to go out earlier than last week. When she was on her way, Su Xi ran into Su Jingcheng who had worked overtime at the company and had only returned home.

“Brother, good morning.” Su Xi greeted Su Jingcheng, or was it more appropriate to say good night?

“Did you stay up all night?” Su Xi looked at Su Jingcheng’s tired face with dark circles under his eyes, and asked with some concern.

Yesterday, Su Jingcheng said that he had to work overtime so Su Xi waited for him at home, however, Su Jingcheng didn’t come back even until 12 o’clock. Su Xi became too sleepy so she went to bed.

“En, there’s some difficult issues that need to be dealt with.” Su Jingcheng put down the coat in his hand and walked over to rub Su Xi’s head.

“Has everything been dealt with?” Su Xi looked nervous.

Su Jingcheng actually wanted to say that children shouldn’t worry so much, but seeing his sister being very nervous for him, Su Jingcheng felt comforted in his heart.

“Everything has been handled, Xixi doesn’t have to worry.”

“That’s good.” Su Xi nodded solemnly, then looked up at Su Jingcheng and asked, “Have you eaten yet?”

Immediately, Su Xi thought that Su Jingcheng definitely hasn’t had breakfast yet as he just came back, however, it doesn’t seem like the right time to eat.

“There’s milk in the kitchen, I’ll go and warm up a glass for you!”

“Okay.” Su Jingcheng smiled. It feels good to have a small padded jacket^[1]metaphor for daughters, who are often considerate and heartwarming, and therefore are compared to a ‘padded jacket in winter’ for parents at home.

———

Not long after, Su Xi brought out a cup of warm milk from the kitchen and handed it over to Su Jingcheng. “I also added sugar in it.”

Su Jingcheng: “……” No wonder, it’s too sweet.

However, in order not to dampen the enthusiasm of a certain girl, Su Jingcheng still drank the sweet milk calmly.

“All right, you should go up to sleep now.” Su Xi took the empty glass from Su Jingcheng’s hand and said with a ‘housekeeper’ attitude.

Su Jingcheng suppressed a smile and nodded. “Okay.”

———

Su Jingcheng got up to walk upstairs.

He was originally happy. He thought that Su Xi would go up with him, but after taking two steps, he noticed that there was no movement behind him so he stopped and turned his head to look, only to find that Su Xi not only didn’t follow him, but was also taking a bag and looking like she was going out.

“Where are you going?” Asked Su Jingcheng.

Su Xi halted. “The park!”

Su Jingcheng: “What are you going there for?”

Su Xi: “Um…… to exercise.”

“Really. Time is running out, I’m leaving. Good night, Brother.” Throwing out that sentence, Su Xi trotted all the way out the door, completely oblivious to the ‘I’m not buying it’ expression on Su Jingcheng’s face at that moment.

———

Dong Wenqi had something to do at home today, so only Su Xi came. 

When they arrived at the park, Su Xi asked the driver to leave first and got out of the car to walk to the previous location.

Seeing thirty to forty old men and women standing on the field not far away, Su Xi’s eyes flashed with disbelief. She almost thought she had gone to the wrong place.

“Good morning, Little Master.” At this time, the old man from last time came out from the crowd and called out to Su Xi.

“Grandpa, you’re also early. Did…… Did you call these people?” Su Xi asked the other party uncertainly.

“Yeah, these are old neighbors who live in the same compound as me.” After a pause, the old man smiled and added, “Didn’t I promise you last time that I would bring some of my neighbors along? Why? Did Little Master think I was lying to you?”

Su Xi: “No.” She just didn’t expect the old man to have such a wide range of contacts and such a great appeal. He said a ‘few neighbors’, but he could actually bring so many people.

“Thank you.” Su Xi thanked the other party.

Hearing this, the old man smiled.

“What’s there to thank us for? We should be the ones thanking you. Our old bones will really rust if we don’t practice.”

“That’s right, Old Master Wei talked so much about you, Little Friend, that we are all intrigued. That’s why we followed here.” Behind the old man, several other elderly people came over and echoed.

“Yeah, I’m here to take a look too. If it’s really good, I’m also bringing some of my old sisters.”

In fact, when everyone saw such a small child like Su Xi, they really didn’t believe that Su Xi could have the ability to teach them. They were mostly giving Old Wei face.

They live in the same compound and Old Master Wei was their leader, so everyone listens to him on these matters.

“Don’t worry, as long as you persist exercising, it will definitely be of great help.” Su Xi assured everyone.

Although Su Xi thinks that her master was a big scammer in most cases, the Tai Chi exercises taught by him were still very effective. Before that, Su Xi watched a few elderly people practice with her master and their health became better and better.

“All right, let’s get started then.” After practicing here, she was planning to go and try on another place.

“Yes, how do you want to start, girl? Are we doing it right here?”

“It’s too small here, isn’t it? I don’t think we’ll even be able to stretch our legs if we stand in a row.”

“It’s really a bit small.”

So many people came all at once, which was indeed beyond Su Xi’s initial expectations.

“Let’s go and find a bigger place.”

“Everywhere in this park is taken up by various groups and it’s even the peak period of morning exercise. Where will we find extra space?”

“Then why not go to our own compound to practice?” Someone suggested.

“That’s a good suggestion. Isn’t there a big square in the middle of our houses? It’s big and clean, the perfect place to practice.”

“That’s right, it’s also convenient to do it in our own place. It just depends on whether the girl is willing to walk a couple more steps with us.”

Old Master Wei also thought this proposal was good, so he said to Su Xi, “Little Master.”

“Grandpa, you should just call me by my name, I’m Su Xi.”

Su Xi? Why does this name sound familiar? Old Master Wei tried to recall it for a while but couldn’t remember where he heard this name.

“Haha, then in that case I’ll call you Teacher Xiao Xi.”

Su Xi: “……” There’s no need to add teacher.

“There is a large space in front of our houses that is well preserved and it’s not far away from here. It’s in this park, just behind the memorial hall. It only takes a few minutes to walk there. If Teacher Xiao Xi doesn’t mind, why don’t you come with us and have a look?”

“Why, are you afraid that we old fellows will kidnap you?” Seeing Su Xi’s troubled face, Old Master Wei joked.

“No, let’s go and have a look.” Su Xi replied. The elderly people in front of her didn’t look like they were lying. Su Xi wasn’t worried about any accidents. She just didn’t imagine that there was actually a residential area inside the park? She hadn’t heard Dong Wenqi say anything about it before.

The old people led Su Xi to where they lived, and when they got to the place they mentioned, Su Xi finally knew what ‘an altogether different world’ means.

The entrance passage was in a very inconspicuous place next to the memorial hall, looking very secluded with a long pine and cypress path.

What surprised Su Xi the most was that there were actually quite a few people standing guard along the way. Seeing the old people coming back, the guards saluted.

“This is where we live.” Old Master Wei introduced to Su Xi.

Following the direction of the old man’s finger was a large place. It looks about the same size as Jingyuan, but has a completely different feel.

There’s a playground, a ping-pong table, a chess table, and even a small yard for growing vegetables. There were also more than forty similar houses standing behind, all of which were two or three story buildings that look solemn and have a strong sense of the times.

And in front of the houses, as the elderly people said, there was a large open space.

“Teacher Xiao Xi, how is this place? Is it suitable?” Old Master Wei asked.

“It’s great. Then let’s start straightaway.” Su Xi put away the trace of curiosity in her heart and said seriously, “I’ll first explain the main points and then I will do it for you to see. After that, we will start with the most basic ones.”

Su Xi began her career teaching Tai Chi.

At first, everyone didn’t take Su Xi’s words to heart, but after they really started to practice with Su Xi, they gradually realized that it was genuine.

The eyes of everyone looking at Su Xi also changed from the initial suspicion, to surprise, and then to eagerness.

After practicing the moves, a group of old men and women gathered around Su Xi.

“How come it’s over? No more practice?”

“Yeah, I’m just getting the feel for it.”

Some people still wanted more.

“Grandpa’s and Grandma’s must be tired. Let’s stop here for today. I will gradually teach everyone later on.” Su Xi said with a smile, intending to teach everyone step by step.

“Okay, okay, then you must remember to come tomorrow.”

“This set of health-preserving Tai Chi is really good. Where did you learn it, Teacher Xiao Xi? How long have you been practicing?”

Su Xi: “I learned it from my master and have been practicing for many years.”

“Then Teacher Xiao Xi’s master must be an expert.”

“He must be. This exercise is great. I feel so much better after practicing just a few movements.”

“Isn’t that right? After practicing, my waist is no longer sore and my legs are no longer painful. If I continue to practice for a long time, I may be able to strengthen my body, cure diseases, and prolong my life.”

Su Xi: “It’s not that exaggerated, but if you keep practicing, it will definitely be beneficial to you.”

“Haha, Teacher Xiao Xi has said so, it must be certain. I’ll call my family’s Old Zhang over tomorrow, so that he won’t spend all his time at home messing with his broken fish, making his eyes blurry and his neck hurt.”

“I’m going to call some of my old pals too.”

The elderly people were very active, and before Su Xi could organize her words, everyone had already paid the tuition fee to Su Xi.

Not only the tuition fee, Su Xi also received a lot of gifts, including fruit pastries and surprisingly, Chinese medicinal herbs. Su Xi had learned from her master and could recognize all of it. There were several of them that were of great value.

“It’s a little token of appreciation from everyone so you shouldn’t refuse and just take it. However, it’s inconvenient for you to carry such a big pile of things. Wait for a while, I’ll find someone to help you carry it.” Old Master Wei enthusiastically said on the side.

It was hard for Su Xi to refuse, so she nodded her head in response. In order to express her gratitude, Su Xi recommended her master’s health regimen to the elderly people.

Not long after, the helper Old Master Wei mentioned arrived.

“Grandpa, why are you so anxious to call me home?”

Listening to the voice coming from behind, Su Xi felt it was familiar.

“Honestly, come if you’re called. Why are you asking so many questions?” Old Master Wei said bluntly, then pointed to the pile of presents next to him. “Can you see these? Help Teacher Xiao Xi deliver these to the place she wanted.”

“Right, I almost forgot to introduce, this little master is here to teach me how to practice Tai Chi.”

“Su Xi?!” Seeing Su Xi, the boy was startled.

Su Xi was also surprised to see the other party. She did not expect to meet Wei Shaoyuan here.

“You two know each other?” Old Master Wei asked when he saw the two people’s reactions.

“En.” Wei Shaoyuan nodded, then added, “This is Brother Su’s younger sister, Su Xi. We’re in the same year at the same school.”

“Su Xi, why are you here?” Wei Shaoyuan looked at Su Xi and asked in a friendly tone mixed with pleasant surprise.

“What’s wrong with being here? I’m telling you, this is the Tai Chi master that your grandfather hired after a lot of effort!” Old Master Wei interrupted.

It’s just that he didn’t expect this teacher to know his grandson, and according to this kid’s words, Su Xi was even the younger sister of Wei Dongzhou’s friend.

But this was even better. Since they know her, they might be able to ask Teacher Xiao Xi to give him an occasional lesson. Then he would be the best practitioner in their compound!

Moreover, Old Master Wei was quite fond of this girl from the bottom of his heart.

He had no idea that Su Xi and his grandson knew each other. Old Master Wei thought that this girl was pretty good. It’s rare for a child of this age to be so calm and devoted to something, and even do it so well. Her name was down-to-earth, and she’s a contentious girl.

The boy from the Su family found his younger sister a while back and Old Master Wei heard about it from Wei Dongzhou.

That boy Su Jingcheng wasn’t bad and his sister was even better.

His family’s little grandson doesn’t usually see any friends and his personality was very dull. Now he had a companion of the same age, having more contact was always good.

Old Master Wei nodded secretly, already having his own thoughts.

“Grandpa, what did you say are needed to be moved?” Wei Shaoyuan asked.

“Just those things, can’t you move them anytime? Why are young people always in a rush?” Old Master Wei said with a disdainful look at his grandson.

Wei Shaoyuan: “……” You were clearly in a hurry before.

“Didn’t I teach you how to treat guests when they come?”

“This is Xiao Xi’s first time visiting us. Take her out for a walk and introduce her to others.” Old Master Wei had lived most of his life and thought he was very accurate in judging people. Su Xi, this child, had a good character, and in his heart, the old man hoped that his grandson could get along well with Su Xi. It was good to make more friends.

———

Old Master Wei went back to rest while Wei Shaoyuan led Su Xi around the compound.

Su Xi originally thought that the other party meant to take her for a casual walk, but who knew that Wei Shaoyuan would actually led her around the compound seriously, and even gave Su Xi a detailed introduction of each place?

“This side is the playground. There was a basketball court here in the past but it was later dug into a fish pond. Over there is the residential area. Our house is the one on the easternmost side. Further back, there’s a garden about the same size as the previous one in front. It used to be a flower garden, but it was later turned into a herb garden by grandpa and several other elders.”

“Are there a lot of herbs growing?” Su Xi asked.

“Not exactly……” Most of the things planted by the old men died and only goji berries survived, producing a few sparse fruits every year.

“That-, do you want to take a look?” Wei Shaoyuan couldn’t help asking when he found Su Xi’s eyes were glowing with curiosity.

“May I?”

“Of course.” It was he who was worried that Su Xi would be disappointed when she saw the place.

———

Wei Shaoyuan took Su Xi around the compound for a long time. When it was almost noon, Old Master Wei wanted to keep Su Xi for lunch, but Su Xi still refused the other party’s offer after thinking about it.

“Thank you, Grandpa Wei. I’ll take your offer next time. I have to go back today because if I don’t, my brother will be worried.”

The main reason was that Su Xi told Su Jingcheng that she was going for a stroll at the park and her statement won’t hold true if she go back late.

“Okay. Bring your brother next time to visit our house.” Old Master Wei said kindly to Su Xi, then glanced at his grandson, “Help Xiao Xi bring these things back, alright?”

Just as Su Xi was about to say that it was fine and that she could take the things herself, Wei Shaoyuan had already walked over to carry everything without saying a word.

……

“It must be heavy, let me take half of it.” Walking on the road, Su Xi glanced at Wei Shaoyuan several times, and finally couldn’t help but said.

As a result, Wei Shaoyuan rejected her within a second.

“No need. Not heavy. Very light.”

Su Xi: “……” Young man, do you think I’m blind and can’t see that your hands are shaking?

———

The two walked to the entrance of the park. Su Xi glanced at Wei Shaoyuan who was walking beside her and stretched out her hand. “Give them to me.”

Wei Shaoyuan: “It’s alright, it’s not heavy. You don’t need to carry them.”

Su Xi couldn’t help but smile. “I know. What I mean is that we’ve arrived. The driver will pick me up at that place ahead. He’ll be here soon.”

“Thank you.” Su Xi said, then she rummaged through the pile of gifts for a while before she found a few boxes and handed them to Wei Shaoyuan. “Here, these are good things. Add them to soup or porridge and cook them together to strengthen your body. The effect is particularly good.”

Her master would boil these for her to drink whenever he had cheated someone of money.

With a few boxes of strengthening herbs in his hand, Wei Shaoyuan said, “I……” don’t need it.

———

After saying goodbye to Wei Shaoyuan, Su Xi carried her things and walked towards the entrance, but before she had taken two steps, she unexpectedly bumped into Su Jingcheng.

Looking at Su Jingcheng, Su Xi was surprised.

“Why is Brother here?” Su Xi asked curiously with a hint of joy from seeing Su Jingcheng.

“The company has a plan to take this piece of land so I decided to come over to have a look.” Su Jingcheng quickly hid the guilt in his eyes and nonchalantly said without changing his face.

“I see……” Su Xi nodded, but thinking of the compound where Old Master Wei lived, Su Xi felt that she should remind Su Jingcheng that it was basically impossible for him to win this place.

“What’s in your hand?” Su Jingcheng asked as he stared at the piles of things in Su Xi’s hand.

“These? These are all given by Grandpa Wei, Brother Wei’s grandfather.”

“Old Master Wei?” Su Jingcheng showed a surprised expression.

“Hmm.” Su Xi nodded and briefly told Su Jingcheng about her encounter with Old Master Wei in the park and Wei Shaoyuan afterwards.

However, the matter of setting up a stall to teach Tai Chi was naturally skipped by Su Xi, and the pile of things in her hand all became given away by Old Master Wei.

Hearing his sister’s explanation, although Su Jingcheng didn’t understand why Old Master Wei would give Su Xi so many things at once, he still nodded.

“Did you remember to say thank you after receiving something from an elder?” Su Jingcheng emphasized to Su Xi.

In the back of his mind, he was thinking of taking Xixi to the Wei’s house for a formal visit and to bring a return gift.

“Yes, I did.”

“Brother, are you doing something tonight?” Su Xi asked as she approached and leaned over Su Jingcheng’s hand, looking at the new message on the other party’s phone.

“En, there’s a showcase and brand recruitment in the evening.”

“Is it for the Xinhua Street project?” Su Xi asked. She seemed to have seen the words ‘Xinhua Street’ on Su Jingcheng’s phone just now.

“Hmm.” Their opponent for this project was Shenxing Group. If they don’t put some work ahead, Suyuan might not be able to win against the other side.

“I’ll go too!”

“The event will be very late, why do you want to go?”

“Anyway, I want to go along.” Su Xi acted shamelessly in front of Su Jingcheng.

“Just let me go with you!” Su Xi grabbed Su Jingcheng’s arm and looked at him brightly.

Although Su Xi knew she couldn’t be of much help, but regarding this crucial project in the novel, Su Xi did not dare to take it lightly.

Su Jingcheng also noticed that Su Xi seemed to be very concerned about this matter.

After a moment’s hesitation, he finally nodded.

“You can go, but you have to finish your homework first, okay?”

“I know. I’ll get all my homework done!”

“Also, don’t run around when you get there. Tell me when you want to go home and I’ll bring you back.”

“Mmhmm!” Su Xi agreed without hesitation.

Su Jingcheng looked at Su Xi for another moment and the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but rise.

——At first, he was thinking whether his sister was really having a puppy love with some little bastard. He was worried and there’s a slight psychological imbalance in his heart.

But seeing Su Xi’s concern for the company and his own affairs, Su Jingcheng’s heart immediately felt better. It seems that his younger sister still cares about him very much.