“Hang up. I will forward you the methodology,” Qiao Qing replied.
Luo Chen, “Okay.”
After hanging up his phone, it didn’t take long for him to receive a message from Qiao Qing.
He took his cellphone and went straight to Luo Xingqian’s room, “Bro, Qingqing messaged me!”
Luo Xingqian ditched his work laptop and got off his chair.
He took over the cell and then nodded.
Then, with much curiosity, he looked at Luo Chen, “Chen, are you sure you want to learn ancient martial arts?”
Luo Chen said, “of course! That’s where my biggest passion lies! You don’t let me race cars, don’t let me go bungee jumping, you ban me from all sorts of extreme sports. This is the least you can do for me!”
Luo Xingqian stared at him for a while and then finally sighed, “Alright.”
Luo Chen smiled right away, “Thank you, brother!”
Luo Xingqian smiled while he shook his head. Then, he marched into Luo Chen’s room.
Luo Chen watched him move around until the bathtub was filled with black juice from the medicinal ingredients. By then, an hour had already passed.
Luo Xingqian washed his hands, “Soak in it for an hour. Just rinse off before you sleep.”
“Oh, oh.” Luo Chen responded and began to strip.
When Luo Xingqian turned around, he saw that Luo Chen had basically stripped naked.
He shifted his gaze, quickly walked out of the bathroom, and shut the door.
Luo Chen had an unusual look on his face, “Before, we’d bathe together. We are blood brothers, why’s he acting embarrassed? It’s not like I have a body part that he doesn’t have.”
Luo Xingqian’s footsteps paused as he bitterly smiled. His fingers then pressed into his temples before he walked away in giant leaps.
*
That night, Qiao Qing slept restlessly.
In her dream, there were rows of shuddering injectors, lines of undistinguishable zombie-like bodies, and a series of terrifying and strange-looking faces.
In the end, a rush of sparks shot up the sky.
Qiao Qing sat up straight. She touched her forehead and found it to be covered with cold sweat.
She looked at the clock; it was 3 in the morning.
She had lost all desire to sleep.
She got off the bed and slowly walked to her study room to read some medical books.
At 4 am, He Wanqing got up to drink water and coincidentally found the study room light to still be on.
She pushed open the door and found Qiao Qing sitting behind her desk with a book. Her eyes immediately turned hot with tears.
“Baby, why aren’t you sleeping? Mommy told you that I don’t care about grades. There’s no need for you to tire yourself out so much. What if you hurt your health over this?”
Qiao Qing knew right away she had misunderstood and explained helplessly, “Mom, I can’t sleep, that’s all.”
He Wanqing felt like she was only saying that because she didn’t want her to worry.
She sniffed and said, “Baby, do you understand the book you are reading? How about I hire you a tutor?”
Qiao Qing answered, “I understand it. I don’t need a tutor.”
Since Qiao Qing answered without hesitation, He Wanqing thought she was being unrealistic.
So she decided she would hire someone suitable soon. She will take action proactively then spring this on Qiao Qing.
“Baby, don’t stay up too late. If you are tired, know to take a break.”
Qiao Qing nodded, “yeah.”
Then, she indulged herself in her book.
She continued to read until it was morning. When she heard the birds chirping outside, Qiao Qing stretched her body and went downstairs.
The moment she was about to step outside for a stroll, she saw an unwelcomed guest out her door.
“Qingqing baby, I came back!”
Qiao Qing slammed the door shut and walked upstairs.
He Wanqing heard the chaos and walked over, “What is it, baby? How is it outside?”
Qiao Qing had a look of collectedness, “A random salesperson. Let’s ignore her.”
“Despite so, let’s not lock the poor woman out. What is she selling? Last time, someone sold me a shoulder massager. I used it and liked it.”
Qiao Qing then said, “This person sells fake goods. We don’t need to answer.”
“Oh.”
He Wanqing nodded. She was about to leave and take care of her own business when she heard loud banging on the door.
“Qingqing baby! Open the door! Let me in!”