Chapter 8: Sister, Why Would You Peek at Your Brother

 

Chapter 8: Sister, Why Would You Peek at Your Brother

(T/N: After sitting in the draft half-completed for the past week, it is finally done. Bear in mind that this is currently a passion project and I don't have much free time, so don't expect a stable release. Once again, I can't guarantee anything.

To the person that had been commenting, I do read them and it brightened my day. You know who you are. Thank you. Anyway, enjoy the release.)

Under the deafening silence, the aunt was the first to react as she yelled out in a shrill voice. “Nian’er…”

The parents worked together and rescued their dearest son that had zero desire to live. The aunt held the son and cried her heart out, while the second uncle stood aside and sighed deeply.

Xu Qi'An stared at the petrified cousin brother of his, he understood how Xu Xing’Nian felt deep within his heart.

A young man would be in the worst spot when they were: caught by their parents doing the ‘barrel cleaning’ using both hands; being heard clearly when sneakily commenting about a female teacher’s big *ss; being called out for a cringey smut story that they wrote privately.

(T/N: I wonder why was it so specific. Author’s past experience maybe? :^) )

Each of the aforementioned matter would be incredibly shameful to a person.

‘I am a trained professional. I will not laugh no mater how funny…’ Xu Qi'An had giggled at the side.

Xu Ling’Yue turned around and begrudgingly pouted at the elder brother (Xu Qi'An), silently berating him for gloating at the poor guy. Xu Ling’Yin planned to ask for candies from the elder brother, but had refrained from doing so after seeing what happened.

Xu Xing’Nian was indeed a scholar. He quickly thought of a solution with his quick wit. Hence, he rolled his eyes and flopped his body, rapidly losing consciousness.

…

In the courtyard that belonged to Xu Qi'An, he took off his clothes and soaked inside a wooden bathtub within his small house. The cool water soaked through his pores and relaxed his body.

Him at the peak of the Body-Refinement Stage was incredibly resistant to cold.

The biggest advantage of a martial artist was that their bodies were tough and could be ‘handled roughly’ (sexual innuendo that’s lost in translation.)

After being relieved from the life or death crisis, he could finally settle down. He thought of some philosophical questions about life.

‘Why were there no memories of the original host when the body was about to die or lose consciousness in that cell?’

Xu Qi'An knew exactly how he died in his past life, which was most probably caused by alcohol poisoning. But the original host did not seem to have any recollection about how he died.

As for Xu Qi'An himself, it was probably alcohol poisoning. He drank too much alcohol because he had been promoted and let himself go too much.

After quitting from the police force, he chose to start his own business. He was taught a painful lesson by society at the second year, then came to terms and started working from the bottom.

He became a foolhardy wage slave.

Utilizing his talent to grind out work hours, and his technique in ‘handling his desires in an empty room with one hand’, he finally impressed his boss. He was promoted and given a greater salary, successfully turning himself into a middle-classed citizen.

He went outside jubilantly and brought a few friends to celebrate in the bar. Since he could clearly grasp the future that he desired at this point. Which was to pay his mortgage, afford to marry, have a wife with beautiful children… as long as the neighbor was not an ugly bastard, he would have a good life ahead of him.

Bang! He slammed his palm onto the water surface, causing a big splash and was annoyed. “I worked hard to achieve a middle-class status, only to be smacked in the face by destiny. Now being sent to this feudal society… what shitty luck.”

“There’s still 60 thousand dollars’ worth of down-payment in my bank account. The saddest part of it is none other than losing all money while still being alive? No, no way, it is that the person is dead but all his money still remains…”

“Whatever, consider it my inheritance to my parents. Don’t know if the inheritance tax is high… Give me another season and I’ll reach Challenger.” (Highest competitive rank in League of Legends.)

“Shit. There’s 120 GBs of ‘homework’ that I hadn’t deleted in my hard drive…”

‘If my parents had discovered it, I might as well be erased from existence!!’

He somehow fell asleep. The sky had darkened as he woke up.

His whole body was pale from soaking in water and his fingers were creased. Xu Qi'An put on clean clothes and tied his hair in front of a copper mirror.

Within the reflection, it showed the face of a young lad. Bushy dark brows and sharp eyes. Due to the fact that he practiced martial arts for a long time, the shape of his face was sharp and rigid.

“Although it was not comparable to the face in my past life, which was handsomer that Tony Leung on a good day and better than Louis Koo on the worst day—the most attractive face that would shock the CCP itself; this face is acceptable too…” Xu Qi'An nodded silently.

(T/N: google the names if you’re interested, the author actually wrote all that lmao.)

Moreover, his body was way stronger to the one he had in his past life.

At least, he was a martial artist here.

“But that may not be a good thing, I’d rather transmigrate to the actual ancient times on Earth. Everyone would have the same physical ability over there. Unlike this place that is filled with talented fighters. Maybe my head would’ve been lopped off here before I could even react.”

There were not only Yao Guai tribes in this world. There were also numerous cultivation systems. Aside from cultivating as a martial artist that belonged to no specific faction; there were also practitioners of the arts, Buddhists, Daoists, sorcerers and voodoo artists (aka gu artists from south-asian myths).

600 years ago, when Great Feng was founded, the 1^st director of the Astronomy Directorate had classified tiers for each cultivation system.

Xu Qi'An was considered the 9^th tier (lowest), Body-Refinement Stage; the second uncle was the 8^th tier (2^nd lowest) Qi-Refinement Stage; while the 7^th tier would be called the Spirit-Refinement Stage.

Xu Qi'An did not know of the remainder.

But when it came to the cultivation of the practitioners in the Astronomy Directorate, Xu Qi'An knew quite a bit.

Because the Astronomy Directorate had a cultivation system that was unique to the Great Feng Empire, and they operated in a high-profile manner. Also, the various creations from the inventions and innovations of the 6^th tier practitioners, the Alchemists had assimilated into the common people’s homes.

Cultivation system for the practitioner of the arts: 9^th tier, Healer; 8^th tier, Qi Examiner; 7^th tier, Feng’Shui Master; 6^th tier, Alchemist.

Xu Qi'An was also unsure of what came after.

As for the other cultivation systems, Xu Qi'An that was born and raised in the capital city had little information about it.

At this time, a lady wearing green attire had entered the yard, she was the close handmaid of his aunt, name Lü’e (绿娥).

“Eldest lad, the master called you over for dinner.” Lü’e carried a hint of joy on her brows, but her eyes were filled with exhaustion and fatigue.

She had been sold in the Xu Family since she was 10 years old to serve the aunt. After the catastrophe landed on the family, all the servants were dismissed. She had been worried about her future lifelihood.

She had not imagined that the family had recovered after 5 days. She had heard it from the eldest lady that it was all made possible through the accomplishments of Xu Qi'An, the eldest lad of the family.

She was a dazzling young maid that was only 18 years old, she currently looked slightly shy and timid as she stood in front of Xu Qi'An.

“Uh, don’t call me ‘eldest lad’.” Xu Qi'An was embarrassed.

“But the eldest lad is the eldest lad.” Lü’e muttered.

‘Whatever, my surname isn’t Wu anyway.’

(T/N: Chinese joke lost in translation. Joke implying that a husband that is cucked by another man.)

Both of them left the courtyard and entered the Xu manor. Lü’e hesitated before saying, “Just now, the master and the madam was arguing.”

“What’s up?” Xu Qi'An asked.

“About that, the madam insists on knowing who had switched the tax silver, asking who did it. The master could not answer. There was a back and forth and then they started arguing.” Lü’e whispered, “Eldest Lad, you must know about it, right?”

On the way home, Xu Qi'An had told the second uncle that the tax silver was not robbed but switched with fakes beforehand.

At that time, the aunt had not said a thing but she apparently had kept that information to heart.

…

In the inner hall.

Just as Xu Qi'An crossed the door threshold, he heard wails. The tiny Xu Ling’Yin raised her arms backwards, tilting forwards with her head raised—deploying a sonic attack towards her mother.

Second uncle was calmly sipping on alcohol while Xu Ling’Yue ate rice with her head lowered. Meanwhile, Xu Xing’Nian had not recovered from having his scholarly persona ruined, he ate in silence.

The aunt had facepalmed herself and looked annoyed. Seeing that Lü’e had came over, she immediately ordered, “Bring her away!”

Xu Qi'An glanced at the wailing younger sister and spoke politely, “What’s going on?”

“Mommy lied. Mommy said if we can go home, she would bring me to GuiYue Restaurant.” The brat cried, “Daddy just said GuiYue Restaurant.”

GuiYue Restaurant was the top dining establishment in the capital city, everyone who patronized the place were influential people. They do not serve commoners and wealthy businessmen.

As a dull kid that could not even remember her brother and sister’s names, she could somehow remember the name of GuiYue Restaurant because she had eaten there once.

It would seem that the kid was not dumb, but instead she had utilized her talents in the wrong place.

‘Old Xu, you’re the man, knowing how to transfer aggro. You’d even use your own daughter as a tool.’ Xu Qi'An looked at Xu Ping'Zhi that was leisurely sipping on alcohol, and the aunt that was about to have a migraine.

Yet, the little kid was the pride and joy of the aunt.

“It was impulsive words from me back then, since we were at that state…” the aunt sighed.

“You’d even lie to a toddler. The aunty does not honor her promises.” Xu Qi'An instinctually antagonized her, angering the beautiful woman to the point that she could not catch her breath.

“Big bro, big bro bring me there!” Looking at Xu Qi'An’s sincere expression and the fact that he defended her, the little kid joyously ran to Xu Qi'An. She grabbed onto his trousers and crawled up his leg.

‘GuiYue Restaurant, minimum spending of 1 silver tael per person…’ Xu Qi'An spoke solemnly, “Lü’e, remove her presence!”

The little kid was snatched away.

The aunt kicked her husband and sneakily gestured at Xu Qi'An with the corner of her mouth.

Xu Ping'Zhi felt embarrassed and glanced at the knowledgeable son. Sadly, Xu Xing’Nian was dead internally from shame. The dead could not speak, but could only eat rice.

The food tasted normal. Chiefly, there was no flavorful broth prepared since the family had just made it home. Xu Qi'An felt like he was chewing wax as he ate. He then exasperatedly glanced at the dazzling beauty. “Ling’Yue, why would you keep peeking at your brother?”