"Let me tell you, yesterday was an eye-opener. I never expected this little boy—" Charlotte’s mother suddenly cut herself off, instinctively covering her mouth with her hand. Charlotte was utterly confused, unable to grasp what game her mother was playing. She urged her, "Mother, what's wrong? What exactly did you and Father see?"
"I remember now, this matter is supposed to be kept secret, I can't tell you!" Charlotte’s mother gave an apologetic smile, having almost forgotten in her moment of excitement.
Ugh!
Charlotte suddenly felt an urge to bang her head against a wall. The feeling was unbearable—her interest had been fully ignited, only to be met with such a statement. Wasn't this deliberately torturous?
But Charlotte didn't press the issue further, knowing Zhong Shenxiu’s temperament. If she forced her mother to reveal it, she might offend Zhong Shenxiu, which was something she desperately wanted to avoid!
"Daughter, this matter is settled. The customs of the tribe must not be broken, and besides, it’s not bad for the little boy to have you; it’s a good match for you!" Charlotte’s mother said earnestly, trying to comfort her.
In truth, Charlotte had long since come to terms with it and didn't need any further coaxing. If she spoke her mind, she actually felt quite positively about Zhong Shenxiu. Most importantly, there was absolutely only one Zhong Shenxiu in this world. Dan wouldn’t find anyone comparable; it was a case of ‘no other shop once you leave this village.’ Perhaps her subconscious had already begun leaning in that direction!
"Daughter, you must be gentler in the future; you can't be as wild as you were when you were little! Most importantly, you have to treat Little Xiu well and not throw any tantrums. I think Little Xiu is a good person," Charlotte’s mother continued.
Charlotte broke out in a cold sweat, thinking, Even if I wanted to throw a tantrum, would I dare?
In front of Zhong Shenxiu, she was practically a model well-behaved girl, and she genuinely had changed a lot. At least she was more ladylike than before!
Afterward, mother and daughter switched to hushed, secret whispers. Although the conversation made Charlotte blush furiously, she nodded repeatedly, appearing receptive to the advice.
Meanwhile, Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, led by Charlotte’s younger brother, were wandering around.
Although the tribe wasn't large, the area was vast; every household possessed a spacious courtyard filled with numerous buildings inside.
As they walked, Charlotte’s brother acted as their enthusiastic guide. To be honest, he found the whole situation novel; he never imagined his older sister would end up with this little boy, nor that their parents would be so overwhelmingly supportive!
Come to think of it, although Charlotte’s brother was simple-minded, he wasn’t foolish. It was only because he looked rather sturdy and thick-headed that they nicknamed him ‘Little Tiger.’ His actual name was quite grand: Mike!
"That's our tribe's little schoolhouse ahead!" Mike pointed forward with a nostalgic expression.
Both he and Charlotte had studied there as children, and it held many cherished memories of their early years.
Zhong Shenxiu followed his gaze and saw a large yard enclosed by rough timber. Sounds of children playing and laughing drifted from within; they seemed to be engaged in some sort of game.
The corner of Zhong Shenxiu’s mouth twitched, revealing a meaningful smile. Without a word, he walked directly toward the schoolhouse.
Passing through the main gate, they discovered a group of children around six or seven years old undergoing strength training. Despite their small arms and legs, they possessed surprising strength, managing to lift stones weighing about forty jin. From this, it was clear that Charlotte’s strength was inherited; it seemed all the children here possessed this ability!
In front of this group stood a middle-aged man, presumably the teacher instructing them.
The middle-aged man had already noticed the trio and walked over.
"Mike, why are you here?" the middle-aged man asked with a smile.
In their small tribe, almost everyone knew each other, even the children!
"Uncle Qiaoji, I'm just looking around!" Mike smiled sheepishly, a little embarrassed.
"Oh? Who are these two children?" Qiaoji looked down at Zhong Shenxiu and Robin.
"Uh... they are my sister's—" Mike suddenly felt that stating it was improper, so he quickly corrected himself, "They came with my sister!"
"Oh! They are guests, feel free to look around!" Qiaoji was quite welcoming.
Just then, a childish voice suddenly piped up, "Uncle Qiaoji, look! I can lift this stone now!"
Looking over, they saw a boy about Robin’s height holding a stone several times larger than him aloft with both hands. Though his face was flushed red, his grip was remarkably steady.
At this, the other children stopped their practice, all looking at the boy with envious eyes. Among the children, this boy possessed the greatest strength and was clearly the most talented!
"Obo, how many times have I told you? You cannot talk or get distracted during practice," Qiaoji hurried over, though a smile already graced his face. He was naturally delighted that this little boy, Obo, might have achieved another breakthrough.
Obo steadily set the stone down, then looked up proudly at the other children, his expression seeming to declare: I am the strongest here; none of you can compare to me!
"Uncle Qiaoji, am I amazing?" Obo asked Qiaoji, who was approaching.
"Amazing, but you mustn't become arrogant, you understand?" Qiaoji said with a chuckle, glancing at the stone on the ground.
He was quite astonished; he hadn't expected Obo, at such a young age, to be able to lift seventy jin. He was truly a genius in their tribe. He even surpassed Charlotte when she was known as the 'Little Wild Girl.' If nurtured properly, he would surely become the pride of the tribe in the future!
"Uncle Qiaoji, am I the most amazing person?" Obo asked, two dimples appearing as he smiled.
"You mustn't think that way. There are always stronger people in this world; one mountain is higher than the next river. Only through unceasing effort can one continuously grow stronger," Qiaoji earnestly cautioned, afraid that Obo would be corrupted by empty praise too soon.
However, Obo tilted his head, looking at Qiaoji with confusion. He clearly hadn't grasped the meaning behind Qiaoji’s words. It was normal given his age!
Qiaoji let out a wry smile and then continued, "Remember what Uncle says now, and you will understand later!"
"Uncle Qiaoji, who are those two children? Why haven't I seen them before? Are they here to study too?" Obo asked curiously, his eyes fixed directly on Zhong Shenxiu and Robin!
In their small tribe, the arrival of a stranger was a notable event, especially for the children.
At this moment, Zhong Shenxiu seemed completely unaware of the child’s scrutiny, as his eyes were locked onto a massive boulder, his face alight with joy.
He truly hadn't expected such a harvest in this place. Zhong Shenxiu was so thrilled he almost pounced forward to claim the boulder as his own!
As an expert, he recognized the boulder instantly as a "Wind Howling Stone," possessing the attribute of Wind. It could be refined into a protective magical artifact or forged into a formidable weapon. Zhong Shenxiu had once helped a sect master use this very stone to craft a magical artifact called the 'Wind Profound Wheel,' which was rumored to later become the sect's foundational treasure!
Magical artifacts refined from this "Wind Howling Stone" had a distinct characteristic: they emitted sharp, whistling sounds when used—hence the name!
He never thought he would encounter such a stone in such a small place; it felt like destiny’s arrangement!
What truly astonished Zhong Shenxiu was the sheer size of this "Wind Howling Stone"—it was nearly as large as a small hut!
Qiaoji didn't know what Zhong Shenxiu was thinking. He assumed the boy was simply shy and hesitant to approach, so he beckoned to Mike. "Mike, come here for a moment. The two young friends should come too!"
Zhong Shenxiu retracted his gaze and walked over with Mike, a cunning smile playing on his lips, contemplating something unknown.
"Mike, how about showing these younger siblings a trick or two?" Qiaoji asked with a smile. He intended to use this to curb Obo’s pride and also to help Zhong Shenxiu and Robin become less restrained.
Mike looked a little embarrassed and smiled sheepishly.
"Come on, everyone give a warm welcome! Let your Brother Mike show you something," Qiaoji began mobilizing the crowd.
These children were easily stirred up and immediately shouted excitedly, "Brother Mike, do one! Brother Mike, do one!" They clapped their little hands as they cheered!
Mike couldn't refuse and finally demonstrated: he lifted a massive stone weighing nearly three hundred jin!
The group of children gasped in admiring astonishment, and even Obo stared blankly.
"Well? What do you say, aren't you brothers strong?" Qiaoji asked.
"Amazing," the children replied in unison, drawing out the syllables in their childish voices.
Qiaoji then looked over at Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, but to his dismay, he noticed both children remained utterly unfazed, as if none of this spectacle warranted any surprise!
As he wondered why, Obo suddenly voiced his dissatisfaction, "When I grow up to be as big as Brother Mike, I can lift stones that heavy too!"
Qiaoji smiled but said nothing.
Just then, Obo walked toward Zhong Shenxiu and Robin and announced, "I'm very strong! I can lift stones that big!"
He pointed as he spoke! Ah, how children love to compare themselves!
Silence. Neither Zhong Shenxiu nor Robin spoke.
"I will definitely become the strongest when I grow up!" Obo pouted, mumbling.
"Is lifting stones very impressive?" Robin finally spoke, and under the puzzled gaze of everyone present, she walked toward the massive stone Mike had just set down...