"Uncle."
Upon entering the room, Chen Ming saw his nephew Chen Lide, who had just turned five, acting like a little adult as he solemnly greeted him.
"Ah, it's Xiao De."
He smiled, intending to hug him, but suddenly remembered he had just come out of the prison and hadn't bathed yet, so he opted to pat the little guy's head instead, "Haven't seen you for months, and you've grown taller."
Beside them was the nursemaid holding his little niece Chen Lirong, just ten months old. She wasn't afraid of strangers and was staring at him with her big, black eyes.
His sister-in-law Wei said, "A Ming, you should go bathe and change first, the water is ready. Just get rid of the clothes you're wearing, let Sister Fu take them to burn."
"Okay."
Chen Ming returned to his own small courtyard, where a large tub was prepared for him to soak in.
It's worth noting that the Chen Family's conditions were quite decent. In this era, having a compound with two entrances and using a wooden tub for bathing was better than most families.
…
After bathing, Chen Ming put on new clothes, feeling much more refreshed.
Soon, a maid brought him his lunch.
After eating, he started practicing martial arts in the courtyard.
The main technique he practiced was the "Three Talents Fist," which refers to the triad of Heaven, Earth, and Man, essentially a beginner's fist technique. He was most familiar with it.
He practiced all afternoon and only stopped when someone called him for dinner near dusk.
Chen Ming opened his panel to check, but his proficiency hadn't increased.
He shook his head, "At this rate, when will I ever become an expert?"
The original owner truly had poor talent.
"I still need the system to help."
He began to ponder.
…
Dinner was quite plentiful, with the main dish being a plate of braised pork hocks placed before Chen Ming.
His sister-in-law Wei hadn't taken a bite.
His nephew Chen Lide looked at the plate of meat, swallowed a bit but didn't dare to take any.
"You've suffered these past few days inside."
His brother Chen Rui picked the most fatty piece and placed it in his bowl, "Eat more."
"Thank you, big brother."
Chen Ming didn't stand on ceremony, eating until his mouth was greasy.
He was indeed starving; the prison food was comparable to pig slop, and he hadn't eaten much.
After eating a few pieces, he served a piece to his sister-in-law and another to his nephew, "You eat too."
Wei was stunned and somewhat at a loss. It was the first time her brother-in-law had served her food.
Previously, Chen Ming never showed her a good face—she knew perfectly well that it was because he thought she persuaded her husband to cut off his martial arts funding.
Although she had privately complained about the high costs of his martial arts training, she really had no part in it.
Little adult Chen Lide looked at the meat, then at his father, hesitating whether to eat it or not, feeling conflicted with drool at the corner of his mouth.
Chen Rui spoke up, "Eat."
Wei picked up the meat and ate it, remembering the grievances over the years, and felt her nose turn sore, nearly tearing up.
Chen Lide ate the meat, looking satisfied.
…
After dinner, the two brothers spoke in the study.
Chen Ming explained, "Brother, I was framed."
He recounted the entire situation.
After listening, Chen Rui said, "Ultimately, you acted recklessly, which led to this disaster..."
He regretted saying it as soon as the words left his mouth, knowing his brother didn't like to hear such things.
Chen Ming wore an expression of being taught, "Brother's words are a lesson."
The response was completely unexpected for Chen Rui, who felt gratified.
Having gone through the first tribulation, A Ming finally could accept advice, which was a good thing.
Chen Ming asked about the main issue, "Brother, how much money did you spend getting me out this time?"
"Don't worry about that; as long as we brothers work together, we'll earn it back." Chen Rui didn't tell him but instead asked, "What are your plans next? Why not help out at the pharmacy?"
Chen Ming shook his head, "No, we can't put all our eggs in one basket. I need to find another livelihood. I'm planning to seek opportunities with my master."
Chen Rui understood the logic, but who would dare to employ him after such a trouble?
Back when they went to study martial arts with Master Huo, there was a prior agreement where they paid to learn without a formal master-disciple relationship. They could leave at any time and weren't allowed to act in Master Huo's name.
Would Master Huo, who was very protective of his reputation, accept him?
"Alright." Chen Rui didn't dampen his spirit; he had to let him try.
…
Chen Ming rested at home for two days and on the third day, brought gifts to visit his master, Huo Chengkun.
As a result, he was given a cold shoulder.
Undeterred, he visited again the next day but still couldn't get in.
Thus, for several days, he visited the Huo Mansion daily.
On the fifth day, he was finally allowed in and saw Huo Chengkun in the main hall.
Huo Chengkun was over sixty, his hair grizzled, yet his physique remained robust. He held a pipe, puffing away, with a forlorn expression, resembling an old farmer. No trace of a martial artist at all.
"I'm no longer your master, so why have you come?"
He began by distancing their relationship.
Chen Ming bowed respectfully, "Once a master, forever like a father. Even if you don't acknowledge me, disciple still respects you."
Huo Chengkun raised an eyebrow, his cloudy eyes assessing him, his tone softened slightly, "These years, you indeed haven't been idle at Jin Yuansheng. Alright, leave the gift and you can go."
He was about to get up.
Chen Ming quickly said, "I hear you've recently taken on some junior disciples; why don't I help in sparring with them?"
"It's not necessary."
"I don't want any payment." Chen Ming knew where his master's weaknesses were.
"Oh?"
Huo Chengkun indeed became interested, "Then what do you want?"
Chen Ming said, "Just that Senior Brother occasionally gives me some pointers."
Huo Chengkun shook his head, "Your talent is ordinary, and you've wasted years; you won't achieve much in this life. Why keep wasting time?"
"I've already broken through the second layer of 'Iron Horse Stance'."
"Oh?"
Huo Chengkun approached and grabbed his wrist, his eyes brightening slightly, "You've really broken through, seems you haven't been idle all these years."
"Please, master, help me."
Chen Ming bowed again.
Huo Chengkun hesitated, then suddenly heard a cough from behind the screen, prompting him to say, "Fine, a teacher-student relationship is still a relationship."
This was considered an agreement.
Chen Ming was overjoyed and quickly thanked him, "Thank you, master."
Huo Chengkun's face stern, "Don't celebrate too soon; I haven't finished speaking. Those troubles of yours, make sure they don't involve my disciples, or else don't blame me for turning hostile."
He promised, "Rest assured, master, my mess won't affect you or the junior disciples."
"Also, don't call me master."
"Yes, Mr. Huo."
Seeing him so obedient, Huo Chengkun relaxed a bit, saying, "Alright, you can go back now and return tomorrow."
"Yes."
Chen Ming finally took his leave.
Once he left, a sweet-looking seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl emerged from behind the screen, hugging Huo Chengkun's arm, smiling playfully, "Grandfather, I knew you'd help."
She was Huo Chengkun's granddaughter, Huo Qianqian.
Huo Chengkun grunted, "If it weren't for considering his deceased grandfather, I'd be too lazy to bother with his fate. Qianqian, remember not to spread kindness aimlessly, as you'll face retribution."
Huo Qianqian said coquettishly, "I was asked to help after all. This way, Xinyi can make amends for her guilt towards Chen Ming and can peacefully marry someone else."
Zhang Xinyi was her close friend, originally engaged to Chen Ming,
When Chen Ming got into trouble, Zhang Family responded swiftly, immediately went to Chen Family to break off the engagement.
Zhang Xinyi felt guilty about it, and upon hearing Chen Ming was being cold-shouldered at Huo Family, she sought help from Huo Qianqian.
That's why today's events transpired.