Eventually, the scurrilous rumors reached the ears of Donghai Lin's parents.
Lin Han was totally fine shrugging off his shoulders whereas it was not the same for Donghai Lin's mother Xuan Xuan. The first part of the rumors was a piece of happy news but the last part struck her mind hard as if the sky was falling on her.
She cooked up a plan and immediately rushed out of her chamber.
It was already the 6th day and just like other days, the twins were engaged in a spar with Donghai Lin while executing the Eight Drunken Styles.
Hui Lang, the white puppy watched their duel carefully and he was awed to see the improvement in the twins.
"Indeed, their martial aptitudes are truly perverse. It has only been 6 days and their improvement in the Eight Styles almost touches the boundary of each Styles' intents*. Bravo! They are indeed the blood sisters of my Martial Uncle Lin." With his inner voice, he muttered in Archaic Noble Beast Tongue.
Yes, each of the fists, kick styles, and the sword style of the Eight Drunken Immortal Styles had their unique Intents.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
In the meantime, someone gently knocked on the door and Xuan Xuan's voice came from just behind that door, "Dong Er, it's your ma. Can you open the door for me?"
Donghai Lin dodged the twin's triple combo attacks masterfully and said, "Ma!... Sweethearts, let's take a break here."
He scuttled forward, approached the door, opened it, and asked, beaming: "Ma, please come in."
"Chan Er, this is our only chance given by heaven itself. Let's do our deathlock pincer attack, now." Xuan Er, the playful one whispered.
"Aaya!" The twins made a warcry all at once, dashed at Donghai Lin, and slashed him with their wooden swords; one aiming at his waist while the other lower at his knees.
It was as if Donghai Lin had an eye on his back as he turned around and reacted by jumping up in the air.
"Chan Er now!" Xuan Er, the playful one yelled, jumped up and landed on Chan Er's shoulders, then she made a donkey posture with her hands on Chan Er's shoulders and said while kicking her legs aiming at Donghai Lin who was vulnerable in the air: "Donkey's Double Kicks Style!"
'Hee-hee, what a good combo? But, I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed.' Donghai Lin praised them and was about to counterattack.
But unexpectedly, their mother Xuan Xuan entered the fray, jumped up, and caught her hands. Then she said scolding them, "Girls! Did I tell you repeatedly not to bother your Gege like this? Hmph, even teaming up to sneak an attack on him."
"Eh, ma, it's not their fault. I'm just teaching them some of my martial styles." Donghai Lin pacified her and then he craned his head at them and asked with a smile that was hardly a smile, "Did I tell you that we are having a break?"
Xuan Er, the playful one went behind Chan Er and said while pouting cutely, "As if we have agreed to that. Meh!" And she stuck out her tongue, giving a goofy face.
"Xuan Er!" Xuan Xuan called her with a deeper tone.
"Forget it, ma. They are just being playful. So, is there something you need me to do?" Donghai Lin asked, coming straight to the point.
Xuan Xuan made a long sigh and responded, "Dong Er, you're spoiling the twins too much."
"As if I won't. They are too adorable." Donghai Lin responded with a chuckle making her all smile from ear to ear.
"Ah, I almost forgot!" Xuan Xuan exclaimed in anticipation. Then she said, directing outside the door, "Alright, you can bring them here."
Three maids came inside with a large plate of bundles of clothes on them. They bowed at them and stayed behind Xuan Xuan.
"Dong Er, since you're going to leave me by tomorrow, ma bring you your dresses. And I don't know which colors you prefer so I bring almost all the robes in your size." Xuan Xuan said, picked up a red Daoist robe, and asked, "Do you like this purple one?"
Donghai Lin approached and said, "Thanks ma, I'll pick myself."
He saw a lot of luxurious-looking silk robes in different colors. Then he picked five Daoist robes which didn't look too tacky or neither too simple-looking.
"These five are up to my liking." He said, carried them, and then placed them neatly in his drawer.
'Ugh! It's a failure. Alright, the next plan then.' Xuan Xuan said in her head.
She then turned to the three maids and said, "Well, bring those steam pork buns here."
The three maids scuttled out of the door and hurried back inside with a basket each in their hands and kept before the floor.
"Dong Er, I bring your favorite Steam Pork buns too. Come and have some." Xuan Xuan said with a cheering tone.
"Steam pork buns!" The twins yelled and dashed toward her excitedly.
"Ma, give me one. I'm the first here." Xuan Er, the playful one said, extending her plumb small hand to her.
"No, I'm the first. Give one to me first." Chan Er said as she extended her hand a tad bit faster than Xuan Er.
Then the twin glared at each other and began to quarrel among them.
Xuan Xuan, the mother crouched and said in a calm tone, "Nope! None of you can get one."
"Why? Ma, don't you love Xuan Er and Chan Er anymore?" Xuan Er said while pouting cutely with all teary eyes. It was the same reaction for Chan Er.
"Girls, stop playing games with me. You're not getting one because they are meant to be only for your Gege." Xuan Xuan responded with a determined tone but there was playfulness in her eyes.
Hearing her words and tones, it was Chan Er who began to wail loudly. But it was as if either they were twins having shared their emotions or if it was contagious, Chan Er also began to sob and her cry began louder and louder.
Donghai Lin approached from behind them and called in his gentlest tone, "Xuan Er, Chan Er!"
"Wah!" The two wailed even louder, turned around, and hugged him.
"There, there- tell Gege. Who is making my two Sugar Boggers cry?" Donghai Lin said padding on their backs.
"Wah-ahh-wah, Ge-ge, it's ma. She hic-hic- refuses to give us a Steam Pork bun." Xuan Er said, with tears and snorts.
"Eh, ma is just joking with you. Right, ma?" Donghai Lin said, winking at his mother.