"So that's where you were sneaking out every night, brother."
"What are you doing here? I thought you were a thief and tried to rob us." He told her staggered. Then he placed the shovel back in its place.
"How did you even know that I was sneaking in? There are no windows here and I didn't even let a sound out. What's more important. What were you doing here? Because you definitely weren't searching for ways to improve herbs plantation." She said.
"Sigh, Lihua it's complicated. But I guess I have to tell you. I trust you won't tell this to anyone." He told her. "Hmpf, you better be. If you couldn't trust me, you wouldn't be able to trust anyone in this world." She replied irritated.
"I was cultivating." Xing replied with a straight face. To that, well, she started laughing. "Hahaha, you were probably doing some indecent stuff. You should have come up with something better. You can tell me the truth. Don't worry, I won't laugh." Her answer angered him a little bit. 'Who does she think I am?' He pondered. But he quickly wiped it out of his mind and smirked. "Wanna bet?"
She stopped laughing "What are the rewards?" She asked. "If you win. I will do anything you want, as long as it's within my range." "What if I lose?" "Dunno, think about something." She was quickly lost in her thoughts. Thirty seconds had passed until words left her mouth. "I will admit that you're the best brother." "Aren't I already one?" "That's true. Then I will do the same thing as you. I will do anything you want." Then Lihua swiftly added. "Of course don't even think about something impropriety."
Now it was his time to laugh "Who would even think about doing something impropriety with you, little girl" She pouted and hit him in the chest "How could you say something like this? You meanie!" He already had something in his mind but didn't dare to say it. So he just hugged her gently.
When she calmed down, he finally said "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. You are beautiful!" When a woman throws a tantrum, the best option is to always apologize and compliment her. "So, do we have a bet?" He asked not much time later. "Mhm." She nodded.
He went to the shelf. After moving a few things around, he took out a box. He opened it and withdraw a scroll. Xing gave it to her and she quickly started reading it. Yes, she knew how to read. Even though they were farmers, they weren't poor. Otherwise, how would they be able to expand their lands and have spirit herbs? Of course, they weren't rich either. They were somewhere in the middle. So they could afford basic education.
"You were right, I guess it's my loss then." She said a little bit saddened. He didn't know why she was, but he should be glad he didn't know.
"Wow, how did you get that thing?" She questioned. "Well, I got it by chance, when I was plowing that hill on our farm." Xing told her. "Wow, you must have been born under a lucky star. But why didn't you say anything about that?" Lihua didn't know what to think about this. "As you saw this cultivation technique has two parts. And the first one apparently is forgotten." He told her. After that, he explained everything to her and even showed her the letter.
"Now I understand. But why didn't you just teach us the second part?" He thought for a bit and said "That might sound selfish. But I'm currently not able to cultivate properly. As I'm cultivating the first part. So I didn't want someone to have leverage over me." "Oh, I understand" And she began leaving.
"Lihua, where are you going?" He asked. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone about this." Xing became stunned. "Don't you want to cultivate?" She looked at him. "Is that a question? But you said that you don't want anyone to use the second part? And no one should learn about the first one?" She asked, with her heart beating rapidly "But you already know about this. And besides, you will be practicing the first part. And you should know by now, it's more important than the second." She was flabbergasted "Really? Can I?" He only nodded.
"Big brother, I love you" Lihua hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. His face became red, but he quickly calmed down. "Ultimately I'm your best brother, aren't I?" She agreed with him. "Yes, you are!"
"Then what are you waiting for? Comprehend this cultivation technique!" She kissed him once again and began comprehending it. He too started his cultivation.
Time passed quickly. Before they knew it, it was already morning. "I finally did it" She said "Heh, calm down, that was the easiest part. Let's come back for now" He said and both of them came back.
Time passed, and it was an uneventful day. Night came quickly. Which both of them were waiting for. When everyone was asleep, they came back to the shed.
"Okay, time for the hard part. Try to feel qi in the air. It would be best if you could empty your mind." He told her and gave her some tips. After that, he began his cultivation.
Approximately forty-five minutes later Lihua said something. "I did it. I was able to sense it. Now I only need to form a needle and let it pierce me." She told him not so happily. "Good, do your best. And remember try to form a needle as close to perfection as you can. When you will be reaching your limit, just let me know." "Yes, brother. I will."
Almost five hours passed when she finally said something. "Brother, I'm almost there." He opened his eyes and gave her the rolled-up cloth "Put this in your mouth and hug me. Because it will hurt you like you were dying." She became scared. But in the end, she did as he said.
Not even fifteen minutes passed when he squinted his eyes. He was using his qi sense. He saw her needle and although it wasn't as good as his. He knew what was coming.
"Mhm." She bit the fabric hard and tightened her grip around him. Xing stroked her back. He knew how painful it was.
It took her five minutes to settle down. She looked at him teary-eyed. "Thank you. I would be much worse if you wouldn't be here with me." He smiled and kissed her forehead.
'She must be talented. It didn't take her much more time than it took me. Otherwise, it would mean that both of us aren't talented. I hope that isn't the case.' In reality, she needed a little less than double his time. But somehow he didn't register that. "Time to go to bed. We will have plenty of time to cultivate later." To which she nodded.
They came back and lay on the bed. Lihua hugged him and whispered. "You are the best!" Quickly after they fell asleep.
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Here's a funny story. Today I was contacted by Good novels or something like that in the comments section. They even offered me money. The comment was deleted but I could still see it in the author's inbox. If there's an author here let me know if you have a similar situation. Because for me it feels like a scam. Even if it isn't, I'm good here. My top priority is to reach as many people as possible. And finally, get to know what they think about this novel. After that I can care about money. Anyway, it's time for my catchphrase. As always, sorry for all my mistakes, and have a nice day!