An Hong was jolly seeing the children he was proud of. But the slight haggard looks of An Bing Qing made him fall in distress, "Qing'er, daddy thought you will be in at most a week. You are thinner and your skin..."
"Do I look so bad? I will be back after grooming a little". She touched her tender face and said with shock.
"Master, Bing Er is preparing master's bath already. Bing San is choosing clothes and Bing Si is with the dinner arrangements", Bing Nan who has been following behind An Hong said respectfully.
"Ah, you stay here in case something was to be needed", she just cast Bing Nan a slight glimpse before striding to her chamber.
An Hong who had things to say was left in place.
Behind, a mocking voice was heard, "Father mustn't have said that".
An Hong reacted and glared at him, "You brat... Yu Yong this is your fault".
An Yu Yong shook his head snappily, "It was obviously father who scared little sister away".
"If father say it's your fault, then it is yours".
"Hmju, I was having a joyous conversation. Sigh, this handsome young master has to wait now. Bing Nan, bring us some refreshments please".
"Yes".
"I don't know how I give life to a stinky brat like you. At least, I have my precious pearl", An Hong harrumphed at An Yu Yong behaviour. This guy liked to act like a player and lacked manners. Moreover, such a grown up man has such devilish looks and charming grandeur. Even if he was An family's young master, he feared for his well-being. Thanks to heavens, his stinky son has been born with outstanding talent.
An Yu Yong rolled his eyes but didn't say more as he took seat in front of an agar wood table beside a pear tree.
A quarter of an hour later, An Bing Qing came to her backyard. Tea and appetizers had already been served. The environment was cold, and the father and son duo didn't exchange words; but thanks to their good looks and opposite manners, it wasn't heavy.
She joked, "Tsk, whichever saw this will think we are holding a funeral in my backyard".
An Yu Yong nodded, "Ah, we are holding one. Father killed the mood".
An Hong stared at him deeply, his eyes conveyed his thoughts. He then looked towards An Bing Qing who was seated beside An Yu Yong and opposite him and said, "Before dinner is brought, here there is; it's the present for your birthday. Tsk, you two weren't here to celebrate..."
Before An Hong could say more, An Bing Qing reached his side swiftly; she gave him a strong hug and said, "Thank you daddy. Bing Qing was wrong. Bing Qing wasn't careful and didn't feel time flow".
"Then, where is mine?" An Yu Yong meddled between An Hong and An Bing Qing.
"Hmph! I have just thrown it away!"
"That's mean". He turned to face An Bing Qing and said with reproach, "Little sister, see what you caused. Now, you must give me two presents; one won't be enough this time".
An Bing Qing was about to reply but it was An Hong voice the one was heard, "Qing'er has been busy, just look how thin she is now and do you want her to spare you her precious time? Here, you must be satisfied with mine". An Hong placed another little jade box beside An Bing Qing's. An Yu Yong's had purple patterns while An Bing Qing's had silver ones.
"Oh, eldest brother you see, daddy hasn't forgotten you. Daddy, if Bing Qing didn't give her present; daddy won't receive his as well". An Bing Qing took out two handkerchiefs and two carvings. "As daddy said, Bing Qing didn't have much time and can only do this. Here daddy, the white handkerchief with red flames embroidered and the little carving of a coiling dragon is yours. This white handkerchief with green bamboos and purple petals along this sphere with the moon and sun carved is yours, eldest brother".
"This is unjust, why father receive presents in our birthday when little sister doesn't give me one in his?!" Still, he happily took his presents. He watched the fine embroidery and praised, "Little sister needlework has truly improved. In the future you will be able to make robes and the sort".
"That's because I'm first in my Qing'ers heart", An Hong first retorted An Yu Yong and then follow his praise, "Of course, her embroidering is the best. But don't dare to ask unreasonable things; even if she can, is pretty much of work. But my daughter; if you have time, remember that daddy is first".
"All right, daddy will forever be the first". She said with a spoiled smile before a cunning light shinned through her eyes, "But Bing Qing must also be the first in daddy's heart. Daddy hasn't forgotten his promise to Bing Qing, right?"
"Promise? What promise?" An Yu Yong asked with interest while playing with his little jade box with purple patterns.
An Hong also looked puzzled towards his naughty daughter.
Looking at the bewilderment of An Hong, An Bing Qing pouted her mouth, "Does father forgot that I will also go to the Ghost Forest Competition?"
"You… You can't go, even if is just to watch the fun… that is too dangerous!" An Yu Yong hastily said in disapproval.
"Cough, I really said so… but I also said that you can only go if you break through…"
"Ha ha, Bing Qing knows", and she spread her aura with a victorious smile.
"Qing'er… you, you are a six-gate Mundane cultivator!" An Hong almost jumped to his feet.
An Yu Yong was also shocked, he knew her little sister talent wasn't good. In fact, he blamed himself a little; as twins sharing the same space, he knew one tended to take part of the things the other must have had. That is why he was serious as he cultivated; it wasn't for his clan but to protect his beautiful little sister.
"Yes. I'm also going, right?" An Bing Qing questioned as if afraid his father will take back his promise.