X-Dragon Era

Chapter 86 Night Talk in the Alley

Slowly straightening up, Xin Yun smiled and said, "So, do you believe we mean no harm now?"

Although unwilling, Ming Xuan knew that he was indeed no match for the other party. Not to mention that they wouldn't give him a chance to summon his dragon, but even if he could, what then? He knew his own business best, and his dragon was simply too weak.

Ming Xuan slowly lowered his guard, sized up Xin Yun from head to toe, then looked at Yi Luo Xiang and Yan Qingying by the bed, and cautiously said, "Who exactly are you, and what brings you to my home?"

Just as Ming Xuan finished speaking, his mother finally came to her senses and chided, "Child, where are your manners? Guests should be treated with hospitality. Haven't I always taught you to attend to visitors this way?"

"Uh..." Upon hearing his mother's words, Ming Xuan was taken aback, and then obediently bowed his head without saying a word.

Seeing this scene, Ming Xuan's mother turned with a smile, and said to Xin Yun and the others, "Although we're not sure of your intentions, since you're here, you are our guests. Everyone please have a seat. I'll prepare a few dishes, and we can all eat together here shortly."

Xin Yun nodded and replied, "Since that's the case, we shall trouble Auntie."

The woman beamed with joy, hardly remembering when they last had guests over. Although worried about the lack of fine food, she knew that since the others had agreed to stay, they wouldn't mind how fancy the meal was, as long as it was clean.

Keep in mind, though just a vegetable vendor, the woman had sharpened her ability to gauge people over many years. Without going into details, just the clothes on these youngsters were clearly valuable. Their willingness to dine here was a sign of respect for her.

The woman quickly began to bustle about, and soon... a large bowl of vegetable soup and a big pot of millet rice were ready. She served them in several bowls placed on the table and cheerfully invited everyone to eat.

Following the woman's invitation, Xin Yun and the others did not stand on ceremony. They took their seats at the table, picked up bowls and chopsticks, and began to eat. It must be said that although the dishes and tableware were plain and unadorned, they were exceptionally clean and tidy. The dishes, despite their simplicity, were light and tasty, stimulating everyone's appetite.

A large pot of rice and a big bowl of vegetable soup were soon devoured by the five individuals, leaving them with full, rounded bellies. Although there was nothing exquisite to eat, Xin Yun could assert that this was the most satisfying meal he had had in a long time.

After genuinely thanking Ming Xuan's mother, she, filled with apologies, told them she had to set up a stall at the night market and thus couldn't stay at home to keep them company. However, since Ming Xuan didn't have anything to do, he would take care of everyone.

With the woman's departure, Ming Xuan, the usually silent young man, entered a state of silence. The entire room fell quiet, and it was clear... it wasn't that he didn't want to entertain them; rather, he simply had no idea how to host or communicate with them.

Indeed, many people who appear aloof on the outside are just like that. It's not that they want to be aloof; they just don't know how to approach or communicate with others, and so they seem colder as a result.

Watching as the sky outside gradually darkened, Xin Yun stood up and said to Ming Xuan, "It's too dark in the house. Let's go out for a walk, and by the way... I have some things I want to tell you."

Ming Xuan looked up at Xin Yun, then silently nodded his head. Seeing this, Xin Yun gestured for the two girls to wait in the room, and then the two men walked out of the room, one in front of the other.

In the dark alleyway, not far from Ming Xuan's home, there was a green stone bench against the wall. Led by Xin Yun, the two of them sat down on the stone.

After a long silence, Xin Yun began, "I've heard a bit about your situation, so I came to take a look."

Ming Xuan's body suddenly tensed, and he said in a deep voice, "What? Do you pity me?"

"Nonsense!" Hearing Ming Xuan's words, Xin Yun snapped back angrily.

Before coming, Xin Yun had already determined the approach: to find an opening, it wouldn't work through Ming Xuan; although the kid had always been bullied, his personality was extremely stubborn and obstinate. If one really had to find his weak spot, it would be his mother.

Upon hearing Xin Yun's angry rebuke, Ming Xuan abruptly stood up, his personality had always been unyielding. If he had been willing to compromise, he wouldn't have suffered so much humiliation; it was entirely due to his nature.

However, Xin Yun didn't give him the chance to lash out, continuing to bark angrily, "I pity you my ass. So what if you, a man, get bullied? Who hasn't been bullied? As long as you train hard, you can settle the score in the future. Do you need anyone's pity?"

Hearing Xin Yun's words, Ming Xuan was rendered speechless. That's right... This was the best portrayal of his inner self. All along, he had persisted, thinking to himself, what did being bullied amount to? Sooner or later, he would repay it all.

Most importantly, from Xin Yun's words, he heard respect. Xin Yun treated him as an equal, and didn't look down on him for his weakness, nor did he offer any pity of a charitable nature, which Ming Xuan loathed the most.

Seeing Ming Xuan's slightly relaxed expression, Xin Yun continued, "I don't pity you; there's nothing about you that warrants pity. What you're going through now is just toughening you up. The one I pity is your mother!"

"Mother..." At the mention of his mother by Xin Yun, the previously fiery Ming Xuan immediately deflated, slumping back onto the stone bench with a dejected gaze fixed on the ground, unable to utter a word.

Staring intently at Ming Xuan, Xin Yun went on, "Your mother really is a good woman. She loves your father deeply, and you too. You should know that with her qualities, she could have easily remarried, but she chose not to because of her love for your father and for you.

Even moving away from her hometown for your education, she busies herself without rest in this strange city—what a magnificent woman..."

"Plip... plop... plip... plop..." As Xin Yun spoke, Ming Xuan still hung his head, silent, but large tears steadily began to fall.

In truth, Ming Xuan was all too aware of everything Xin Yun spoke of, but what could he do? He was just a twelve or thirteen-year-old child, able to summon his own dragon but one of the weakest sort, unable even to defeat ordinary Wild Dragons; what could he possibly do?

Watching Ming Xuan's tearful demeanor, Xin Yun nodded slightly to himself, recognizing the boy's filial piety and his understanding of his parents' struggles. It was indeed this strong love for his parents that spurred him to strive so hard.

Xin Yun continued, "During the day, she goes out to help at stalls to earn your tuition and food. At night, she heads to noisy night markets, busy herself to earn a bit more for your living expenses. You know, these aren't things a fragile woman should be doing. If this goes on, before long, she'll age and her health will deteriorate. Don't you feel heartache at all about this?"

"Creak..." Hearing Xin Yun's words, Ming Xuan clenched his fists tightly, still refusing to lift his head, but now his tears flowed even more freely and rapidly...

With a sigh, Xin Yun spoke calmly, "Have you seen your mother's hands? Hands that should be fair and plump are now wrinkled from being exposed to the sun and the frost, especially the cracked lines in her palms, oozing with blood. Have you seen all this?"

"Huff!" Finally, Ming Xuan could sit no longer. He sprang to his feet, the veins in his neck bulging as he roared at Xin Yun, "I know, I know! I know it all... but what can I do? I'm just a kid, and I want to change our situation, but what can I do? Tell me what to do!"

Seeing Ming Xuan finally getting emotional, Xin Yun started to smile. He wasn't afraid of Ming Xuan staying silent; the problem would be if he just sat there without saying a word. Now that he was stirred up, things would be easier to handle.