"Uncle Shi!"
Seeing the imposing middle-aged man entering the back yard, Feng Qing'an, who was playing with the puppy, stood up and called out. Er Pang by his side also stood up quickly, looking quite obedient.
"Dad, you're back!"
"Qing'an, among this litter of puppies, have you found one you like?"
As a hunter who is ranked among the top in Shili Fengjiagang, he didn't even look at his son. He squeezed out a stiff smile on his slightly cold face, making himself look a little more amiable.
"Just this one."
Feng Qing'an indicated the furball in his hand.
"This pup is quite affectionate towards me."
"Qing'an, you are lucky. As soon as you arrived, you picked out the best in this litter."
Feng Shi swept a glance at the puppy in Feng Qing'an's hand, then looked at the few little furballs sucking milk from their mother in the kennel, and laughed.
"Is that so? I must be really lucky then!"
A smile appeared on Feng Qing'an's face. He wasn't sure if it was the best puppy or not, but all the compliments were certainly pleasing to hear.
"Uncle Shi, how much for this puppy?"
"What are you talking about? You've grown up with my son Er Pang; it's unnecessary to mention money. If you like this puppy, take it with you when it's weaned."
Feng Shi waved his hand heartily.
"Well…"
Feng Qing'an hesitated for a bit. He was aware that these puppies, bred from wolves, constituted a significant source of income for Er Pang's family.
"Qing'an, if you want to pay for it, just return the puppy. I'm not giving it up!"
"Then I'll brazenly accept it!"
Feng Qing'an knew it well. They didn't care about the money from a puppy; what they wanted was the goodwill.
Debts of favor are hard to repay, but if he managed to get a method of cultivation because of this puppy in the future, he would definitely reciprocate when he was able to, especially considering their years of friendship.
"That's more like it. You guys keep playing here. Come have lunch at my place later. There will be plenty of game."
A satisfied smile appeared on Feng Shi's face. He left the backyard cheerfully, not giving Feng Qing'an a chance to refuse.
"I suppose I'll get a beating when I go back home after lunch!"
Feng Qing'an weighed between enjoying game and getting beaten, then decisively made his choice.
"But it's worth it!"
Why refuse the offer of meat? And it's just a beating, he can endure it.
"Where have you been? Why are you just coming back now?"
When Feng Qing'an came home, his stomach full, as expected, he saw Yin Shi who was boiling with anger and holding a broom in her hand.
"I went to Er Pang's house and had a meal!"
Feng Qing'an let out a loud burp that smelled like meat, and the taste of wild boar and pheasant lingered in his mind.
"Is our home short of food that you need to go to someone else's house to eat in broad daylight?"
Upon hearing Feng Qing'an's words, Yin Shi's face instantly darkened.
"Er Pang's family had wild boar meat! And his dad roasted me a rabbit!"
Feng Qing'an glanced at the broom in his mother's hand, felt the dangerous aura, and thought it'd be better if he went out and played for the afternoon before coming back. Although he couldn't escape from a beating, the strength used in the afternoon and evening would be significantly different.
"You little gluttonous rascal!"
Seeing Feng Qing'an trying to run away, Yin Shi rushed up in two strides. How could the full and satisfied Feng Qing'an run anymore? Soon, cries of a child echoed in the yard.
Time flies, and a few months quietly passed. One day, Feng Qing'an, carrying a book bag and returning from the village school, left Er Pang's house with a plump furball following at his feet.
"Little Black, when can you be weaned?"
Feng Qing'an bent down, picked up the puppy that was particularly close to him, and asked. He had not yet completed his task for the system, but after this much time, his mood had calmed down and he was no longer in such a hurry.
"Woof woof!"
In response to Feng Qing'an's question, the puppy named Little Black barked innocently.
"Go home and nurse, stop following me. Once you're weaned, you can follow me!"
Feng Qing'an took the puppy back to the kennel, and after struggling for a while, he reluctantly headed home, frequently looking back.
When he reached the door of his house, he found that a horse-drawn carriage was parked firmly in front of the front gate. The coachman turned around and shouted at the interior of the carriage, then jumped down. The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and a familiar figure appeared in Feng Qing'an's sight.
It was a handsome, growing teenager with a smooth face that was still juvenile, but no hint of effeminacy was visible. He had a calm and composed demeanor.
"Big Brother!"
Feng Qing'an exclaimed in surprise. The teenager in a light green robe looked at Feng Qing'an and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Little Brother An!"
Probably because Feng Qing'an's voice was so loud, or the noise of the carriage stopping at the gate alerted the people in the yard, and Yin Shi appeared at the gate of the yard. When she saw her eldest son, whom she hadn't seen for half a year, the corners of her eyes immediately became wet,
"Zhi'er!"
"Mother, I'm back!"
Feng Qingping smiled as usual.
"And who is this?"
Yin Shi looked at the tall and muscular coachman behind her elder son. Even as a rural woman, she could acutely perceive that the coachman who drove for her elder son was extraordinary.
"Madam, I am Young Master Feng's attendant."
"Attendant?"
Looking at the coachman who, despite his plain clothes, couldn't conceal his muscular body, Yin Shi was taken aback for a moment, and then seemingly realized something, becoming more enthusiastic,
"You must have escorted my Zhi'er all the way back here. Please come in. Have you eaten? I'll go make lunch for you."
"Thank you for your kindness, Madam. I'm just doing my duty. I won't trouble you further. Today I have safely delivered the young master. In a few days, when the young master is to go to the Capital City, please let me know. I will come to drive the carriage."
The coachman answered neatly, denying Yin Shi's offer, and then jumped onto the carriage without waiting for Yin Shi to respond, and left the gate of Feng Mansion, in spite of the gloomy twilight.
"Hey, it's already dark. Even if they're in a hurry, they should stay for the night and leave tomorrow!"
Yin Shi shouted at the departing carriage, a little flustered.
"Mother, they have their own arrangements. Don't worry about it."
"What are you talking about? They escorted you all the way back; we should at least invite them in for a meal."
"Right, I wanted to, but they refused!"
Feng Qingping gave a bitter smile and helped Yin Shi into the yard. Meanwhile, Feng Qing'an stood aside, lost in thought, watching the direction the carriage had left.
As the carriage left the village, the coachman who had seemed to disappear somewhere in the village appeared and followed. More and more knights gathered around the carriage as it proceeded on its return journey. The night wind blew, lifting the robe of the knights, revealing the chilling moonlight reflected by their cold chain armor.