Chapter 2913

Chapter 2913: Five Years in a Flash

Cheng Junnan never expected Old Master Cheng to like Yan Xiwan so much.

Not only was Cheng Junnan surprised, but Yan Tieniu and his wife, Wang Suyan, were equally astonished.

They had agreed to let Yan Xiwan become Cheng Junnan’s goddaughter because they felt Cheng Junnan was a man worth befriending. They valued him as a person, never intending to climb the social ladder by attaching themselves to the Cheng family.

“What? Can’t I be a good grandfather? Do you despise this old bone?” Old Master Cheng saw his son and Yan Tieniu’s couple staring in disbelief, so he immediately put on a dramatic act.

Cheng Junnan gave a bitter smile. “It’s not that, Father. But is it really appropriate for you to do this?”

“What’s inappropriate? Your goddaughter is my god-granddaughter. It’s such simple logic that everyone understands,” Old Master Cheng answered directly.

Fine. Since it was decided, and the guests were present, they naturally couldn’t say much more.

Cheng Junnan had to yield, allowing Yan Xiwan to formally acknowledge her new grandfather first.

Yan Xiwan had no objection to gaining another grandfather. Even if she did, it wouldn’t be her own opinion that mattered.

And so, Yan Xiwan became a precious daughter of the Cheng family.

With the Cheng family in the Imperial Capital gaining a new daughter, those who mattered naturally found out.

After establishing the godparent relationship with the Chengs, Yan Xiwan began preparing to return home.

She needed to visit Old Yuan for a trip to receive new lessons before going back.

From then on, communication between master and disciple would happen through letters, except during holidays.

When Yan Xiwan and her group returned, they brought many local specialties from the Imperial Capital.

Since Yan Xiwan had left on leave, she had agreed with the Chengs to visit the Imperial Capital during holidays to see them.

However, Cheng Jianrong was very unhappy. she had finally gained a little sister, only for her to leave after just a few days.

Fortunately, Yan Xiwan promised her she would come to the Imperial Capital whenever she had free time, which finally comforted this little brother.

For this return trip, Cheng Junnan bought them sleeper tickets again.

Although there were three people, two adults and one child, Yan Xiwan was exempt from the ticket fee, so only two tickets were needed.

“Brother Niu, next time you come, I’ll take you around the Imperial Capital properly,” Cheng Junnan said. He greatly appreciated Yan Tieniu.

Yan Tieniu was truly a smart man.

“Alright,” Yan Tieniu agreed without being polite. Now that the two families were true relatives, excessive politeness was unnecessary.

Cheng Junnan added, “Brother Niu, if you need anything, find the train conductor. The conductor of this train is a former friend of mine, so don’t worry about troubling anyone.”

Since they were now insiders, Cheng Junnan naturally shared some connections suitable for Yan Tieniu to know.

“Alright,” Yan Tieniu agreed again.

After all, this was the goodwill of his daughter’s godfather. Yan Tieniu wouldn’t refuse such kindness casually.

Cheng Junnan bought a bag of fruit at the station for them to eat on the road. Once everything was arranged, he reluctantly said to Yan Xiwan, “Guai Guai, tell your godfather when the holidays start. I’ll come to pick you up then.”

“Okay,” Yan Xiwan replied obediently.

“Actually, in my opinion, you might as well come to the Imperial Capital to study,” Cheng Junnan said.

Yan Xiwan gave Cheng Junnan a cute smile. “I will take the university entrance exam for the Imperial Capital in the future. But I can’t come now, or my grandparents and great-grandmother will miss me.”

If Yan Xiwan had said she couldn’t bear to leave her parents, Cheng Junnan might have teased her about the mountain village. But since she mentioned the elders missing her, she had no reason to tease, no matter how much she wanted to.

After returning to Yan Village, Yan Xiwan did not mention her time in the Imperial Capital. Time passed unnoticed until Yan Xiwan turned ten.

Over these years, Yan Xiwan attended school regularly. Even so, she was already a first-year middle school student.

Middle school education now was not compulsory like in later times. Students had to pass entrance exams. Those who failed would go to work after primary school.

However, Yan Xiwan’s grades were always first place, so entering middle school was very easy for her.

“Middle school requires going to the county town. These days, the county is unsafe,” Yan Tieniu said to Yan Zhong.

Things seemed to be getting more chaotic lately, with news of various incidents in the county.

“I also think going to the county is inappropriate, but we don’t have a middle school here,” Yan Zhong said, frowning slightly.

Yan Tieniu said, “That’s exactly what I wanted to say. Guai Guai’s godfather and master both hope she goes to the Imperial Capital. After all, the Imperial Capital is under the Emperor’s protection. Even if it’s chaotic, it’s better than here. Most importantly, middle and high schools there are still operating, unlike here, where they exist in name only.”

Yan Zhong took a puff of her tobacco and pondered for a moment. “Sending Guai Guai to the Imperial Capital is good. This child clearly has a special background. She shouldn’t be trapped in this small mountain village.”

“Father, you can’t say that. Everyone in Yan Village likes Guai Guai,” Yan Tieniu said. This was not false.

The people of Yan Village truly liked Yan Xiwan. First, she was indeed well-behaved and sensible from a young age. Second, her academic performance was excellent.

The villagers knew that although this was a gray period, it would eventually pass. Knowledge would be the foundation for survival, so they highly valued children who studied well.

Yan Xiwan herself, having successfully completed the Foundation Establishment stage, viewed many things with detachment.

Yes, the only thing that made her happy over these years was the successful completion of her Foundation Establishment.

However, she noticed one thing: the spiritual energy in this world seemed to be slowly decreasing. At this rate, it would likely disappear completely sooner or later. When that happened, she would have to rely solely on spirit stones for cultivation.

Fortunately, her life space was abundant with spirit stones, spirit water, and spirit plants. Even if spiritual energy disappeared one day, she wouldn’t worry about lacking it.

However, there was still some time before spiritual energy vanished completely. Based on the current rate of loss, Yan Xiwan estimated it would take at least thirty years for all spiritual energy to disappear.

But why was the spiritual energy disappearing? Yan Xiwan was truly curious.

For now, even if she found it strange, investigating would take time.

Naturally, Yan Tieniu and others did not know about Yan Xiwan’s Foundation Establishment. However, they did notice that her aura seemed more ethereal.

This description wasn’t quite accurate. In simpler terms, Yan Xiwan now had more of a fairy-like quality, as if she might vanish at any moment.

Of course, this disappearance didn’t mean she would be gone, but rather that she seemed ready to fly away.

Because of this, the Yan family felt that Yan Xiwan’s background was likely not simple.

“Mainly, Guai Guai’s master said her foundation is extremely solid. If she stays in Yan Village, it will be difficult for her to further study medical knowledge. Therefore, she wants to take her personally,” Yan Tieniu told Yan Zhong the main reason.

Old Yuan in the Imperial Capital only treated a limited number of patients. Although he was a traditional Chinese medicine doctor, no one dared to attack him. Instead, many people protected him.

After all, people eat grains and vegetables, and no one is immune to illness. Forming a good connection with him was very beneficial.

So, even if Yan Xiwan went to the Imperial Capital, she would not only be safe but also well-protected.

“In that case, let’s send Guai Guai to the Imperial Capital,” Yan Zhong finally decided.

“Some time ago, Junnan told me that the high school near his home is still in session. I’m thinking of sending Yangtian there too. First, he can take care of Guai Guai. Second, it prevents them from being schemed against,” Yan Tieniu said seriously.

Yan Tieniu had three sons. Yan Zhicheng, after graduating from high school, entered the Industry and Agriculture University with the help of the Cheng family. After graduation, he was assigned to work at a unit affiliated with a research institute in the Imperial Capital.

Yan Zhixin, after graduating from high school, directly joined a combat team. Currently, only Yan Zhishan and Yan Xiwan were at home.

“You only have these two children left. Do you really plan to send them both away?” Yan Zhong glanced at Yan Tieniu.

“Just because they are sent away, does that mean they are not my children?” Yan Tieniu didn’t care at all. “Besides, the situation outside is getting more chaotic. Although Yan Village is safe, people always try to scheme against the villagers. Those with ability are temporarily sending their children away to avoid trouble. I naturally need to make plans for them too.”

Yan Tieniu continued, “Besides, these children are not poor students. Each of them has good grades.”

It had to be said, Yan Tieniu hit the nail on the head. The Yan family children were all capable of studying well.

“In that case, let them both go to the Imperial Capital,” Yan Zhong said. Others had no connections, but since they did, they should go out.

Don’t think the outside world is chaotic. The Imperial Capital is under the Emperor’s protection. Who dares to cause trouble? So, going to the Imperial Capital was the best option.

If one couldn’t go to the Imperial Capital, then hiding in the countryside was the alternative.

Now, because of the Cheng family, Yan Tieniu could send his children to the Imperial Capital, so he naturally would.

If Yan Tieniu, as a father, didn’t mind the separation from his flesh and blood, then Yan Zhong, as a grandfather, would certainly not oppose it.

“In that case, let the siblings both go to the Imperial Capital. Since Miaozi is also in the Imperial Capital, let him look after them more,” Yan Zhong said. Then he added, “Has Caotou written?”

“He wrote half a month ago. He hasn’t come yet,” Yan Tieniu said. Knowing that joining the combat team meant missions, Yan Tieniu was not unreasonable.

Yan Zhong nodded. “Since we are sending them, prepare early. Remember to tell Guai Guai and the siblings early.”

Yan Tieu nodded and returned home. When the siblings came back, he told them about the matter.

“The conditions in the Imperial Capital are more stable than in our county. So, I’ve decided to send you both to the Imperial Capital,” Yan Tieniu said.

“Father, I have no objection to sending Guai Guai. Why do I have to go? I can attend high school in the county,” Yan Zhishan said.