In the Zhang family's antique shop in Beili.
"Old Zhang, how long has it been since Xiao Tian went out?"
Li Xueqin stood in front of Zhang Xiangtian, looking at him on the recliner, her voice laced with worry.
"It must be two or three months, quite a while. His master visits often, and so does Tuan Tuan. She hasn't been here for the past week. Tell me, are you forcing her to play chess with you?"
Li Xueqin pointed at Zhang Xiangtian, her eyes filled with exasperation.
This guy, constantly pestering others to play chess. Now Tuan Tuan isn't coming anymore. Losing a well-behaved granddaughter, how boring.
"I don't know either. I haven't been playing much chess lately. Besides, Tuan Tuan might have other things to do. We can't keep her with us all the time."
Zhang Xiangtian spread his hands helplessly.
"And now Xiao Tian isn't back, and no one is home. Sigh, I wish I had sent Xiao Tian abroad earlier. These things wouldn't have happened then."
As Li Xueqin lamented, she looked at the empty house, feeling a sense of desolation.
"Mom, what bad things are you saying about me again?"
Just as Li Xueqin was grumbling.
Suddenly, a voice echoed from outside the door.
Zhang Tian's figure slowly appeared.
"Ding-dong."
The doorbell rang.
Li Xueqin and her cheap dad both stood up.
A hint of surprise appeared in their eyes.
"Oh my god, Xiao Tian, why are you back? No, you're actually back! Come in quickly. You don't have time to come back. Why didn't you call?"
Li Xueqin, beaming with excitement, ran over and hugged Zhang Tian.
A familiar warmth enveloped him.
Zhang Tian gently patted his mother's back.
"Mom, I came back as soon as I could. Are you and Dad alright?"
Zhang Tian said with a smile.
Only in the Taoist sect would Zhang Tian lower all his defenses and obediently be a good child.
"Of course. What could possibly happen to our family? You brat, you've been gone for quite a while this time. Were you in any danger?"
Zhang Xiangtian also came out.
He patted Zhang Tian's clothes, which were already free of dust, and examined him closely. Only after confirming he was fine did they breathe a sigh of relief.
"I'm fine. What could happen to me?"
"Oh right, Dad and Mom, I brought some local specialties from Nanyun."
As Zhang Tian spoke, he waved his hand, and the vegetables, food, fruits, and clothes he had bought in Nanyun all appeared.
Seeing Zhang Tian conjure so many items out of thin air didn't surprise them much.
After all, with a monster like Tuan Tuan living with them, it wasn't unusual for Zhang Tian to have a Qiankun bag.
Li Xueqin merely glanced at the large pile of local specialties on the ground.
"It's good that you're alright. Bringing things doesn't matter."
"Old Zhang, why aren't you moving the things inside?"
Li Xueqin looked at Zhang Tian and sternly addressed her cheap dad.
"Mom, we can't be too bossy."
"It'll cause wrinkles, so this time, I specifically brought you some magical pills. If you take them, you can extend your lifespan."
As Zhang Tian spoke, he took out ordinary Qi Gathering Pills.
Zhang Tian worried that if his parents, who didn't cultivate, ate top-grade Qi Gathering Pills, they might get hurt.
So, Zhang Tian took out the most ordinary ones.
"Men palm outside, women palm inside. You should know this rule, Xiao Tian, right?"
His mother gave Zhang Tian a sideway glance.
Zhang Tian smiled and tucked the medicine bottle into his mother's hand.
"Mom, stop talking so much. I'm hungry."
Zhang Tian said sheepishly.
"Alright, I'll cook. By the way, where's Qilin? I don't see him."
Li Xueqin looked around, not finding Zhang Qilin, and her heart grew concerned.
The Zhang family valued loyalty and kinship the most. Zhang Qilin had become part of Zhang Tian's family, so his mother naturally cared about him.
"He'll be back soon. Mom, you go cook first."
Zhang Tian patted his mother's shoulder.
Li Xueqin nodded, rolled up her sleeves.
"Xiao Tian, Mom is happy today. I'll make you a Manchu Han Imperial Feast."
Li Xueqin said heartily, already rushing into the kitchen.
"You brat, bringing so many things back, and I have to organize it all. Can't I get a chance to relax?"
Her dad grumbled as he moved the items Zhang Tian brought back.
Zhang Tian couldn't help but smile.
He knew that in Beili, an antique shop operating on Zhang Tian's scale would certainly have no shortage of connections.
His father was no ordinary person either. He had been quite successful in his youth, but at home, he was like a mouse seeing a cat, completely obeying his wife.
This was love taken to the extreme.
"Dad, you're enjoying it too, aren't you? Work hard, and Mom will give you extra chicken legs tonight."
Zhang Tian chuckled.
"You brat."
Zhang Xiangtian said, then continued his work.
Zhang Tian, meanwhile, took over the old man's job of guarding the door.
Sitting in the recliner, Zhang Tian looked at the small wooden door of the antique shop. Scenes from two years ago flickered through his mind.
It was the first time he met Fatty. The guy, travel-worn, a naive fool from who knows where, had come to sell him a jade pendant.
Eventually, Zhang Tian got to know Fatty, and his extraordinary life began.
"Qilin, how's it going?"
Zhang Tian spoke softly.
It sounded as if he was talking to himself.
The golden sunlight fell on Zhang Tian's face, casting a faint halo. His brow was slightly raised.
This was his posture when relaxed.
"Mmm, this bottle of pills is ready."
Zhang Qilin's voice came through.
"Don't practice for now. We're home. Mom will cook later, let's eat first."
Zhang Tian said.
His voice wasn't loud.
"Okay."
Zhang Qilin said nothing more, just one word. Then Zhang Tian teleported him out.
Zhang Qilin was wearing a black robe, just as before.
"I'll go change."
After Zhang Qilin came out, he headed straight for his room.
After all, wearing this outfit would worry Zhang Tian's mother and the others.
Zhang Tian said nothing, just watched Zhang Qilin vault over the wall into the house.
He enjoyed the sunlight streaming in from outside.
Zhang Tian felt even more at ease.
"Living this kind of life isn't bad either."
Murmuring, Zhang Tian actually fell asleep on the recliner.
Unsure how long had passed.
The sun was almost setting, and the sky was painted with an orange glow.
Suddenly, the small wooden door of the antique shop let out a clear sound.
"Ding-dong."
Along with the sound, a voice also emerged.
"Excuse me, is the boss here?"
The voice was clear and carried a hint of coolness.
Zhang Tian slowly opened his eyes.
His gaze shifted to the newcomer.
He instinctively spoke.
"Look around freely if you need anything. Come find me to buy it after you've decided."
Zhang Tian said casually.
"Zhang Tian!"
But before Zhang Tian could finish, a familiar voice called out.
Zhang Tian leaped up, looking at the person before him.
The newcomer was dressed in a plain white robe, with golden hairpins adorning her head, meticulously dressed.
A look of pleasant surprise appeared on her delicate face.
Looking at the person in front of him, Zhang Tian was also a little surprised.
"Huo Xiuxiu?"
Zhang Tian exclaimed.
Did Huo Xiuxiu not know this was his home?
And judging by her expression, she didn't seem to know he was here.
Did she have something important to do by coming here?