Chapter 1262: Father and Daughter

What your father and elder brother mean is to have you restore the medicine supply, persist for a few more years, and only after the Chen Clan stabilizes will we discuss this matter; the Chen Clan side has already begun training pill refiners, and new pill refiners will appear soon.

But training pill refiners takes time, you know—not everyone is a monster like you, nor does everyone have Xiao Qian'er's outstanding talent for pill refining, able to enter the field quickly; those the Chen Clan is training are still young and need time to grow.

What about Xiao Qian'er's side—can you go talk to her?

Third Uncle Chen Shen didn't dare to speak, fearing to provoke Aunt Yu'er's anger and thus earn her blame.

Xiao Qian'er finally managed to rest after so many years of diligent work, with no time off, having given a great deal for the Chen Clan; just as she stopped, you urge her daughter to refine pills—isn't that forcing her daughter to be a beast of burden? Would Liu Yuer agree?

Chen Chuyang spread his hands: 'Third Uncle, you need to personally tell Aunt Yu'er, or else tell Xiao Qian'er; if they agree, I have no objection. I think Xiao Qian'er has overworked these years and needs proper rest, to adjust her mindset and focus on her own cultivation—her realm has fallen far behind and needs to be made up.'

I won't play the villain; if anyone has to, let you do it—whoever objects, let them speak up.

He won't do anything that offends people, not even for Third Uncle.

Chen Chuyang isn't stupid either; he won't make his elder brother and father take the blame, but will go up the mountain himself to speak face‑to‑face, believing that Third Aunt will surely see the greater good—then the one she blames won't be him, but his father and elder brother.

That's enough; that's exactly the effect Chen Chuyang wants.

"Eh?" Third Uncle Chen Shen knew this brat wouldn't fall for it, and sighed, "Ah."

"Xiao Qian'er is my daughter; they've given me this task—do you think they'd go up the mountain looking for someone to blame?"

Chen Chuyang laughed and shook his head: "Of course not—so, Third Uncle, since you've accepted this task, you must go take the scolding."

Wanting him to take the scolding is impossible.

Chen Chuyang isn't stupid either—how would he foolishly go looking for a scolding?

"Ah, Nephew Chuyang, my good nephew, you won't help Third Uncle either? Back then, Third Uncle sacrificed a great deal for you, even willing to forgo his own cultivation to give you spirit stones; now your wings are hardened, you don't need Third Uncle anymore, and you start despising me."

"Third Uncle, I've suffered so much over these years."

Third Uncle's acting has improved quickly, but it's a shame he's up against Chen Chuyang—this trick won't work on him.

"Enough, Third Uncle, stop the act—you should go persuade Third Aunt instead." Chen Chuyang waved his hand and turned to leave.

Third Uncle wanted to reach out and pull him back, but couldn't.

He could only manage a bitter smile, turn and go down the mountain to his room, where Liu Yuer had already prepared food and drink—a lavish spread; his son Chen Chuhuo was waiting early, Xiao Qian'er brought her younger sister Wang Shu to play, and Qing Meng was also there, joining in.

The three of them gathered together to romp, having finally found an opportunity, they naturally wouldn't miss it.

Actually, it was Wang Shu and Qing Meng playing together; Xiao Qian'er watched their figures and smiled faintly.

Watching from afar, she stared at the scene, dazed.

Third Uncle walked up beside her, she didn't notice, and Chen Shen said softly, "Isn't it moving?"

Xiao Qian'er turned her head and gave a small smile: "Mm."

"Back then, you were just this big when you came up the mountain—still shy, and it took a while to adjust to the new life."

"Every time I see them, I think of how you were back then, and of your mother."

"Life on Longshe Shan is peaceful and suits you; living here lets you avoid all schemes and plots. Whenever I think back to when I sent you up the mountain, I feel grateful."

"If I brought you back to the Chen Clan, I'm afraid you wouldn't have this kind of freedom and happiness now."

Although the Chen Clan is good, after all it's a clan—staying there would actually be worse for them.

Where there are many people, there naturally appear some good and bad individuals; what they do and say can wound a child's heart.

"Every clan has its dark side, and the Chen Clan is no exception."

"These years, you've worked hard."

Chen Shen suddenly sighed, feeling sorry for Xiao Qian'er's hardships over these years, which he had seen with his own eyes.

Xiao Qian'er smiled again, facing the sunlight, her smile like warm sunshine.

"Not hard, I feel happy." Xiao Qian'er murmured, "I like refining pills, I like that kind of life—just me, not involved in those things, doing whatever I want."

"Refining pills is what I wanted to learn myself; my master nurtured me, you gave me a new life and existence, and contributing to the Chen Clan is also appropriate."

"Without you, my mother and I might have died back then inside Longshe Cheng."

"These years, my mother has been very happy, and so have I."

These years, Mother has been very happy, and I am very happy too.

Xiao Qian'er whispered her thanks, the voice very low and soft.

Yet it weighed as much as a thousand catties, pressing heavily on Chen Shen's heart.

Chen Shen turned his head to gaze at this grown‑up daughter—once a little girl, now tall and graceful, bearing a resemblance to her mother in her youth; years of pill refining have made her gaze extraordinarily resolute.

Chen Shen tilted his head, gazing at this grown daughter, the little girl of before, now tall and graceful, bearing some resemblance to her mother in her youth; years of Pill Refining life have made her gaze extremely resolute.

He instinctively rubbed the back of his head, gave an embarrassed smile: "No need to thank me—this is what I ought to do; I am your mother's husband, after all, and naturally I should give her a happy life."

"These years have been the most fulfilling and happiest of my life."

"Before, without Yuer by my side, I muddled through, thinking I'd just go on like that; only after meeting you did I feel I'd truly come alive, and found a real life."

Before, without Yu'er by my side, I was always muddled, I thought I'd just go on like that; after meeting you all, I only then felt I came alive, only then did I find true life.

Deep inside, he also wanted to thank Yuer.

Thank this daughter.

Xiao Qian'er tilted her head, looking at Chen Shen in surprise—these were their heartfelt words, spoken for the first time.

Back when Xiao Qian'er was little, she didn't understand many things, so naturally they wouldn't tell her so much.

Xiao Qian'er always thought she and her mother were causing him trouble, but over these years Chen Shen has been very good to her mother—excellent, in fact—and she saw it with her own eyes; otherwise she wouldn't have stayed peacefully in the Pill Refining Hall refining pills, and likewise Chen Shen treats her very well.

Like a father, he considers everything, including her future and her feelings.

"If we're talking about thanks, then I should be thanking you." Chen Shen reached out his hand.

Xiao Qian'er blinked, then reached out; their hands clasped, just as when they first went up the mountain.

Chen Shen held her hand the same way, bringing her up the mountain.

At the doorway, Liu Yuer watched this scene, her eyes blurred with tears.

At the doorway, Liu Yuer watched this scene, tears blurring in her eye sockets.

Chen Chuhao instinctively raised his head, watching this scene, and revealed a smile.

On the mountain, Chen Chuyang's mouth curled up.