Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Sparring and Becoming Godfamily

But suddenly, Xu Huaian started smashing his head against a tree like a madman, as if he didn’t care about his own life.

It was as if there was something on his head, or maybe he was in terrible pain.

“Ah!”

Seeing how out of control he was, Gu Qinghuan didn’t dare provoke him any further. She quickly took out the medicine and spiritual spring water she had prepared from her space, ready to help him regain his senses.

At that moment, a shout came from the distance: “Qinghuan! Where are you?”

The two kids had run into Ji Linhai on their way home.

Since the two families had been interacting a lot lately, the kids weren’t afraid of him anymore.

Ji Linhai had heard that Xu Huaian was having another episode and hurried over to help after asking for their general location.

Gu Qinghuan recognized Ji Linhai’s voice and wondered why he was here.

But his timing was perfect. She’d been worrying about how to get the water into Xu Huaian’s mouth—at this angle, pouring it would just spill all over him.

“I’m over here!”

While waiting, she swapped the basin of water she’d just prepared for a kettle.

Ji Linhai quickly followed her voice to them.

As soon as he arrived, he saw Xu Huaian clutching a tree, banging his head against it over and over. Both the tree and his forehead were smeared with blood—a truly disturbing sight.

“Brother Ji, you’re just in time. Could you help me restrain him for a few seconds? I’ll give him this medicine and water, and he’ll be fine in a bit.”

“Alright, I’ll grab him from behind. You get ready.” Ji Linhai rolled up his sleeves and walked over, muttering as he approached, “Sorry about this, Huaian.”

With that, he grabbed Xu Huaian’s hands from behind and pulled them in tight, even thoughtfully hooking one of Xu Huaian’s legs with his foot to stop him from kicking, giving Gu Qinghuan time to act.

Xu Huaian was a bit dazed when he was first grabbed, and the aftereffects of banging his head left him slow to react.

Gu Qinghuan took the chance to shove the medicine into his mouth and forced down a mouthful of spiritual spring water.

Xu Huaian could only swallow reflexively. The next second, he broke free from Ji Linhai’s hold and started fighting him.

To her surprise, Ji Linhai, despite his age and the streaks of gray in his hair, was actually quite skilled—he could go toe-to-toe with Xu Huaian.

(Ji Linhai’s inner monologue: What do you mean “despite his age”? I’m only in my early forties! I just look a bit older, that’s all.)

As Xu Huaian and Ji Linhai sparred, Xu Huaian gradually regained his senses.

But since he’d finally met such a worthy opponent, he got excited. The two of them fought harder and harder, thoroughly enjoying the match.

Gu Qinghuan saw that Xu Huaian was no longer fighting with the same wild aggression as before and figured he must have recovered. Relieved, she simply plopped down on the ground to watch the two of them spar.

Poor Ji Linhai—he hadn’t exercised in years, and his body couldn’t keep up with the younger man. He finally got a chance to show his skills, only to get thoroughly beaten. Still, a man can’t admit defeat, so he kept going, determined not to lose too badly.

When they finally finished, both men were drenched in sweat, lying on the ground, unable to move.

“Brother Ji, were you in the military too?” Xu Huaian felt like many of his moves were familiar.

Ji Linhai neither confirmed nor denied it.

“Kid from the Xu family, you nearly broke my old back. You’d better carry me home later.”

“No problem.”

The two exchanged a smile.

That evening, Gu Qinghuan made braised pork, chicken and potatoes, and rice, and quietly invited the two men from the cowshed over for dinner.

Old Master Ji had long since recovered from his illness. Thanks to Gu Qinghuan’s spiritual spring water, he felt better than ever these days.

After their afternoon fight, the two men ate like bottomless pits. Fortunately, Gu Qinghuan had anticipated this and cooked plenty.

Old Master Ji was very fond of the two children. As soon as he arrived, he gave them each a big red envelope and kept piling food onto their plates during dinner.

The kids were well-mannered and thanked him, even giving him food in return.

The old man and the kids got along very well.

Old Master Ji’s biggest regret in life was probably not having any grandchildren. He only had Ji Linhai, and their family line was a single branch.

When Ji Linhai was young, he was rebellious and refused to get married no matter what the family did. They couldn’t change his mind.

Now, the old man had come to terms with it, but he still felt a pang of envy when he saw other people’s children. He really liked kids.

Ji Linhai noticed his father’s gaze lingering on the two children and understood what was on his mind.

“Dad, since you like these two kids so much, why not make them your god-grandchildren? It’s not like I’m ever going to give you grandkids,” Ji Linhai said, half-joking.

Old Master Ji glared at him, but he was clearly tempted.

Still, he refused. “No, with our current status, we shouldn’t drag those kids down.”

“Haha, you’re right, I misspoke. Forget I said anything.”

Ji Linhai realized he’d spoken out of turn. It was just that he truly saw Xu Huaian’s family as friends, and being with them made him almost forget his own situation.

Gu Qinghuan, on the other hand, thought this would be a good connection. The old man and his son would be rehabilitated in a couple of years anyway, and then their rise would be inevitable.

It would give the kids two more protectors.

She was just thinking this when—

Xu Huaian spoke up first.

“Don’t say that. Why wait? Let’s settle it today.

Da Bao, Bei Bei, you’ve already accepted the red envelopes. Hurry and kowtow to your god-grandfather.”

Xu Huaian understood that the old man and his son were no ordinary people. After spending time with them, he found their character and conduct impeccable, so he was happy to form this bond and give his children a backup plan.

The two kids immediately got down from the table, knelt before Old Master Ji, and kowtowed three times without hesitation.

Seeing how serious Xu Huaian and Gu Qinghuan were, with no hint of disdain for their status, Ji Linhai and Old Master Ji both breathed a sigh of relief.

They should have known—when Old Master Ji was gravely ill before, the couple had never looked down on them, and they certainly wouldn’t now.

Since that was the case, nothing could be better.

Old Master Ji quickly helped the children up.

“Good kids, good.”

Gu Qinghuan poured two cups of tea.

“Old Master, our conditions are limited, so let them serve you tea. From now on, we’re family.”

“I don’t mind, I don’t mind. You’re all good kids.” Old Master Ji was in high spirits.

He never expected that, at the lowest point in his life, he would find such genuine affection.

Each child offered him a cup of tea. “Grandpa, please have some tea.”

“Ah, good, good! Grandpa will give you proper gifts for this another day,” Old Master Ji said happily, drinking it all in one go.

Da Bao said sensibly, “Grandpa, you already gave us red envelopes. You don’t need to spend any more.”

Bei Bei chimed in, “That’s right!”

Old Master Ji was even happier, his face wrinkled with joy.

Although the children grew up in the countryside, they were well brought up and not greedy.

Just for that, he should give them a big gift.

He was already an old man with one foot in the grave, but never expected to have grandchildren after all. He was overjoyed!"

"Chapter 83: Xu Meiling Is Pregnant