Volume One: A Youth Enters the World Chapter Fourteen: Expressing Gratitude

As dusk fell, the younger members of the Zhou family gradually departed. Fang Tian had spent the entire day guiding them, even continuing his explanations of martial techniques through their mealtime. When he finally finished, he slumped to the ground, visibly exhausted. Zhou Quan walked over to the stone table nearby, poured a cup of water, and handed it to Fang Tian. Fang Tian gratefully accepted the cup, draining it in one gulp before expressing his thanks. “Thank you, Zhou Quan.”

“It’s the least I can do. After guiding everyone all day, you must be tired. You should go back and rest soon.”

Fang Tian truly felt weary—after talking non-stop for an entire day, he worried that if he continued, he might not make it through. He found himself thinking that cultivation was actually less exhausting than teaching like this.

By now, only the two of them remained in the martial training ground. Fang Tian, seeing that it was getting late, stood up and said, “Zhou Quan, I’ll be going now. You should head back early as well.”

“Alright, Brother Fang Tian. I learned quite a bit just listening on the side today. I’ll have to ponder it more tonight—cultivation must be seized at every moment. If only you were one of my Zhou family, I wouldn’t have to work so hard.”

Zhou Quan paused, as if something had come to mind. “Oh, right—Brother Fang Tian, last time at dinner, I remember you got drunk and it was Little Die who took you home. Have you thanked her yet?”

“You were dead drunk, and she really struggled to get you back. If you don’t thank her, that just wouldn’t be right.”

Fang Tian looked surprised. “Little Die? You mean the family head’s daughter? She was the one who took me home?”

“That’s right! You didn’t know? Ah, well, you were out cold at the time, so it’s understandable you don’t remember. Now that you know, you should find a chance to thank her.”

“Even if you hadn’t been drunk, you ought to pay her a visit. After all, you met her at the dinner table already.”

Zhou Quan’s look was less than innocent as he raised his eyebrows meaningfully, making Fang Tian feel uneasy.

Still, now that he knew, he agreed that he should pay her a visit. Otherwise, their next meeting might be awkward. Yet he suddenly recalled that strange sensation of being pressed down by something that night, and his expression turned odd. Zhou Quan noticed and asked, “What’s the matter? You seem distracted.”

“It’s nothing.”

Then Fang Tian thought of something. “By the way, Zhou Quan, why haven’t I seen Zhou Xiaodie training here?”

Zhou Quan, seeing Fang Tian take the initiative to ask, assumed he was finally interested in Zhou Xiaodie and replied, “That’s because Little Die’s cultivation level isn’t high enough. For this tri-family competition, the family head only allows those above the fifth level of Spirit Guidance to participate. She’s only at the fourth, so the family head didn’t let her join us for training.”

“To be honest, Little Die’s talent for cultivation isn’t high. The family head saw that her progress was slow and decided not to have her prepare with us for the competition. He said there’s no point if her level doesn’t improve—better she just focus on being a proper young lady and wait for a good marriage.”

“They even argued about this. Little Die, upset, threw her sword on the ground and stormed off. The family head watched her leave and sighed before walking away himself.”

“In truth, it’s because the family head cares for her. If she had talent, he’d let her train, but seeing she doesn’t, he can’t bear to see her suffer. But Little Die doesn’t see it that way; she thinks her father looks down on her abilities.”

“To this day, there’s still a bit of tension between them.”

“But their relationship isn’t truly strained. It’s just that Little Die hasn’t come here since, and usually trains quietly in her own courtyard.”

“I’ve been sneaking over these past days to check on her and even spar with her. She’s very diligent—she believes that even without talent, hard work will eventually let her improve her level.”

As Zhou Quan rambled on about Zhou Xiaodie, Fang Tian finally understood why the young lady of the Zhou family didn’t appear here.

He glanced up at the sky. The round moon was already bright, the surroundings growing darker and quieter.

It was late. No longer wishing to listen to Zhou Quan’s chatter, Fang Tian made his farewells and prepared to leave. Zhou Quan, seeing this, gave him one last reminder. “Make sure you visit her when you have the time!”

“I will,” Fang Tian assured him.

“Good, I’ll head back too. See you.”

“See you.”

With their departure, the training ground grew silent and empty.

The next morning, after a night’s rest and remembering Zhou Quan’s words, Fang Tian did not go to the training ground to guide the Zhou family juniors. Instead, he prepared himself to visit the young lady of the Zhou family.

At the training ground, seeing that Fang Tian was absent, the others all turned to Zhou Quan for an explanation. Zhou Quan, knowing full well where Fang Tian had gone, was pleased. At least the boy wasn’t too dense—his words had finally gotten through. If Fang Tian hadn’t caught on by now, then his head would truly be made of wood.

With a smirk, Zhou Quan mused, “A gentle lady is a gentleman’s delight!”

Still, he didn’t say much to the others, only stating that Fang Tian had other matters and wouldn’t be coming today.

Hearing this, the juniors all looked dejected, clearly disappointed. Sensing their lack of spirit, Zhou Quan decided to give them a pep talk. “Come on, don’t be so downcast! Fang Tian hasn’t disappeared for good. Just because he’s not here today doesn’t mean you can’t train. Wouldn’t it be better for him to see your progress when he returns? So get to work—don’t just stand around like fools, or you’ll make a laughingstock of yourselves.”

Hearing this, the juniors realized he was right. Their morale lifted and soon the training ground returned to its usual lively state, with everyone throwing themselves into practice. Zhou Quan, satisfied, joined them.

Meanwhile, Fang Tian stood before Zhou Xiaodie’s door, about to knock, when it opened slowly to reveal her maidservant.

The maid was startled to see Fang Tian at the door—the very youth whom the family head had honored at the banquet. What was he doing here? But she quickly composed herself and offered a polite bow. “Greetings, young master.”

Fang Tian raised a hand to indicate she needn’t be so formal, stepped forward, and spoke. “At the last banquet, I overindulged and your young lady escorted me home. I am deeply grateful for her kindness and have come today to thank her in person, as well as to pay my respects. Would you please announce me?”

Impressed by his courtesy, the maid replied, “Please wait here, young master. I’ll inform my lady at once.”

“Thank you.”

With that, the maid slipped into the courtyard. Soon she returned, saying, “My lady invites you in. Please follow me.”

“Very well.”

Fang Tian followed her inside and saw Zhou Xiaodie seated at her desk, absorbed in study. The maid poured him a cup of tea then quietly withdrew, leaving them alone.

Glancing at what Zhou Xiaodie was reading, Fang Tian used his spiritual power to see that it was a martial manual entitled “Flowing Wind Sword Technique.”

He found it admirable that she was so diligent in her studies. Out of courtesy, he cupped his hands and addressed her. “I am Fang Tian. Greetings, Miss Zhou.”

Zhou Xiaodie looked up at him. She no longer bore any trace of the embarrassment from that night, as if his drunken misstep had never occurred. She understood that his behavior had been nothing but the effect of too much wine, though what she thought that night was anyone’s guess.

She rose, set aside her book, approached him with a calm demeanor, and offered a formal greeting. “Xiaodie greets Young Master Fang. It is an honor.”

Fang Tian, knowing it was his duty to visit, said, “I came today mainly to thank you for escorting me home that night.”

“You’re too kind. It was no trouble at all—you were a guest, and it was only proper.”

Relieved that Zhou Xiaodie bore no grudge over that night, Fang Tian let the matter rest. Still, as a guest, he thought it best to keep the conversation going.

It occurred to him that Zhou Xiaodie struggled with cultivation; after all, he had just seen her studying a martial manual. Since he had already guided the Zhou family juniors, perhaps he could offer her some pointers as well. But he couldn’t be too direct, or she might take offense.

Having made up his mind, Fang Tian asked, “Miss Zhou, may I ask what you were reading just now?”

Zhou Xiaodie, pleased that he took an interest, replied, “I was reading a sword manual.”

“A sword manual? So you practice cultivation as well?”

This question seemed to touch a nerve—she bristled at the implication. “Do I not look like one? Or is my level so low that you can’t even tell?”

Realizing his question was ill-phrased, Fang Tian quickly apologized. “Forgive me. It’s just that I never saw you at the training ground and assumed you didn’t practice. My words were thoughtless—I hope you won’t take offense.”

Hearing his explanation, Zhou Xiaodie realized she had overreacted. With a hint of embarrassment, she said, “There’s no need to apologize, young master. I was at fault—I spoke too hastily. I recently quarreled with my father over my training, and I’m afraid my temper hasn’t cooled. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“So that’s how it is. Still, I was the one who offended you just now. I should apologize first.”

Seeing Fang Tian’s earnest manner, Zhou Xiaodie found it rather amusing and couldn’t help but smile.

Fang Tian, hearing her laughter, was puzzled. “Why are you laughing, Miss Zhou?”

Noticing his confusion, Zhou Xiaodie laughed again, but then composed herself. “There’s no need for such formality. Call me Xiaodie. You call my father Uncle Zhou, so I should call you Brother Fang Tian.”

Seeing that Zhou Xiaodie’s mood had lightened, Fang Tian relaxed. “If you say so, then I’ll call you Xiaodie.”

She looked at him with a twinkle in her eye. “Yes, Brother Fang Tian.”

Fang Tian scratched his head, bemused by how quick women’s moods could change. Still, seeing Zhou Xiaodie in good spirits, he decided not to dwell on it.