Chapter Eight: Testing Strength Through Force

“Let’s keep Xiaoshan at home, shall we?” Ruoxi clung to Lin Feng’s arm, swinging it as she spoke.

She explained Xiaoshan’s background to Lin Feng, who simply grunted, his expression grave for a moment before it relaxed again.

“Well? Can we?” Ruoxi wheedled, shaking his arm coquettishly.

“What would you have him do at home?” Lin Feng smiled as he asked.

“That…” Ruoxi tilted her head, thinking hard, but found herself unable to come up with any task.

“Could I sweep the floors?” Xiaoshan volunteered quickly.

“The housekeeper already does the sweeping,” Lin Feng replied mercilessly, rejecting him outright.

“Then…” Xiaoshan wracked his brain, but realized he had little experience of life—there was almost nothing he knew how to do.

“You can be a sparring partner,” Lin Feng said bluntly, as if, should Xiaoshan refuse, he would shut the door in his face.

“Alright!” Xiaoshan’s voice unconsciously rose. He straightened his back, feeling that he could live up to the job, to this vocation.

“Spar with me,” Lin Feng suddenly declared, his gaze fixed on Xiaoshan.

Ruoxi’s face fell as she looked at Lin Feng, sensing he was not joking in the least.

“Dad! You can’t be serious! You won’t beat him to death, will you?” Ruoxi’s voice trembled as she protested, her worry plain for all to see.

“I’m not joking. I won’t kill him. At worst, he’ll be bedridden for a month or so.” Lin Feng’s tone was resolute, leaving no room for doubt.

“Dad!” Ruoxi cried out again, clearly unhappy with the decision.

“Out you go. The rest is between men.” Lin Feng nudged Ruoxi, wanting him to leave so their conversation would not be disturbed.

Ruoxi huffed in displeasure, stormed out of the courtyard, and retreated to the main hall, where she could still see their figures from afar.

As Ruoxi left, Xiaoshan sensed a change in Lin Feng’s aura—it was now far more commanding. Perhaps before, he had merely exuded the air of a father, but now, he had become a true master, his face fierce and forbidding, as though he might erupt into violence at any moment.

“You understand what I’ve said, don’t you? Being my sparring partner inevitably means injury. No one in this town wants the job anymore—they’re all at least twenty years older than Ruoxi. Ruoxi is already twelve. If you want to back out now, it’s not too late. But if you regret it after you’re already crippled, it will be too late.” Lin Feng’s expression was grave.

“I’m willing,” Xiaoshan replied firmly. He knew what the consequences might be, but felt certain he would not regret his choice. In the days to come, he believed he would stand by his decision rather than bow his head in remorse, blaming himself for not choosing wisely and losing his composure beneath such pressure.

“I don’t know who you are, where you’re from, or why you came here,” Lin Feng continued with unwavering confidence. “All I know is, since you’re here, you’ll follow my rules.”

“Come here.” Lin Feng beckoned him closer.

Xiaoshan hesitated briefly, then stepped forward and stopped at arm’s length.

“Your chest looks quite sturdy,” Lin Feng remarked, placing a hand on Xiaoshan’s chest. “Let’s see if it can withstand a strike from me.” His words were sharp and unyielding.

Before Xiaoshan could react, Lin Feng’s hand drew back just a little, and his palm struck Xiaoshan’s chest.

The blow was swift as wind, sudden as lightning. A falling leaf drifted by, and Xiaoshan was already flying out of the courtyard, landing hard on the blue stone slabs.

A few leaves fluttered down, coming to rest on his chest.

Even as Xiaoshan was flung from the courtyard, Lin Feng sat unmoved at its center, not having shifted an inch.

Ruoxi saw Xiaoshan hurled from the courtyard and immediately rushed to his side, shaking him, finding him motionless.

Her eyes brimmed with tears.

“Ow! That hurts!” Xiaoshan rubbed his chest with his left hand, baring his teeth in a grimace of pain.

“Thank goodness! I’m just glad you’re alright!” Ruoxi’s eyes were still wet, but she broke into a smile as she spoke.

“Can you get up?” she asked anxiously.

“I’ll try.” Xiaoshan pressed both hands to the ground, and Ruoxi supported his shoulder, helping him rise. Xiaoshan bared his teeth in pain as he stood, and Ruoxi felt both relief and worry.

“It doesn’t seem that bad,” Xiaoshan said, his voice trembling as he looked at Ruoxi.

Ruoxi felt like laughing and crying at once, thinking Xiaoshan was celebrating too soon.

“Don’t be so quick to rejoice—this is only the beginning. You’ve much hardship ahead,” Lin Feng declared, rising with his hands clasped behind his back. “Aunt Mei! Arrange for him to stay in the first room of the west wing.” With that, he strode away along the blue stone path, leaving the courtyard.

“Yes, sir!” Aunt Mei answered at once, her expression a little surprised. The first room of the west wing was usually reserved for important guests. Was he such a person?

Suppressing her curiosity, Aunt Mei turned to Xiaoshan and Ruoxi. “Miss, young master, let’s go.”

Xiaoshan gave a faint reply, and with Ruoxi’s support, stood up. Limping, he followed Aunt Mei toward the west wing.