My Taoist nun girlfriend is from the Republic of China era, 1942.

Chapter 167 Disciple and Son

On the last day before winter break, Tang Wen, unusually generous, hosted a gathering at a small restaurant near the school, inviting several of her best friends.

"Come on, let's celebrate getting through those inhumane final exams!" Li Tong exclaimed, raising her drink.

The group laughed and clinked glasses, chatting about everything under the sun, but the conversation inevitably turned to the upcoming Spring Festival holiday.

"My mom already bought my ticket, I'm going home tomorrow." Zhang Yufei said with longing.

"When are you leaving, Xiao Miao?" Li Tong nudged Chen Xiaomiao's arm.

"Me? My family is all in Jiangcheng," Chen Xiaomiao answered honestly, taking small bites of her food.

"That's true." Li Tong nodded, then turned to Tang Wen: "Wenwen, have you bought your tickets yet?"

Tang Wen shook her head: "I'm not going home for the Chinese New Year."

"What?"

“I found a part-time job in Shanghai, from Lunar New Year’s Eve to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, paying 500 yuan a day, plus room and board.”

"Holy crap! Five hundred a day?!" Li Tong's eyes widened. "That's 3000 in six days!"

"If you want to go, I can ask around for you."

"Let's skip it, I'd rather go home and collect a couple more red envelopes..."

Everyone was chattering away, but Chen Xiaomiao didn't say much.

After the dinner party ended, Chen Xiaomiao returned home to find Lu Yuan sitting on the living room floor mat with Lu Yang in his arms.

She changed her shoes, went forward to take her son from Lu Yuan, and casually mentioned what happened at the dinner table.

"I reckon Tang Wen's family situation isn't very good..."

"What, you want to help her?"

Chen Xiaomiao sat down next to Lu Yuan, holding her son.

"I just think... look, we don't lack anything right now, so helping her out shouldn't be too much trouble, right?"

“It’s no trouble.” Lu Yuan shook his head, then leaned closer to his son and made a face. “But it’s unnecessary.”

Why?

"Helping friends isn't something to rush into. She can earn money on her own, so why should we?"

Chen Xiaomiao didn't say anything more; she actually understood the reasoning behind it.

But I still feel sorry for Tang Wen, a young woman, who doesn't go home for the New Year and travels so far to earn money...

"By the way, I have something to tell you. We're not spending Chinese New Year in Jiangcheng this year."

"Ah, where are you going?"

"capital."

Why?

"I expect a lot of people will come to wish me a Happy New Year this year, and I can't avoid it."

Lu Yuan sighed helplessly and continued, "If we stay in Jiangcheng, the constant comings and goings in the neighborhood will be too conspicuous and annoying."

Chen Xiaomiao wasn't interested in these complicated details; she only cared about the practical question: "What about Grandpa and Grandma?"

"Grandma's research project recently yielded results, and she's going to Germany to attend a medical exchange conference. Grandpa is going with her. I've arranged the plane tickets and hotels, so it'll be a good opportunity for them to travel around Europe."

"Okay, then that's fine."

Chen Xiaomiao felt relieved and nodded.

It doesn't really matter to her where she spends the Lunar New Year.

As long as the man and the child are by your side, anywhere is home.

……

On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, Lu Yuan, his family of three, along with Erbaiwu, arrived in the capital by private plane.

At the gate, the fifty-something-year-old butler, Uncle Qian, dressed in a dark gray Zhongshan suit, waited with a smile.

The car door opened, and Lu Yuan got out first.

Uncle Qian immediately stepped forward and bowed slightly: "Sir."

Immediately afterwards, Chen Xiaomiao, carrying Lu Yang who was wrapped up like a little rice dumpling, also got off the car.

"Madam, Happy New Year." He bowed again, his attitude respectful but not obsequious.

Butler Qian Bo knew that the boss had a family, and now he finally met him in person.

"Happy New Year, Happy New Year."

Chen Xiaomiao, holding the child, felt somewhat uncomfortable being addressed as "Madam".

As the group entered the house, Uncle Qian naturally took the luggage from Lu Yuan and arranged for two servants to come and help.

"I'll take Yangyang inside to change his diaper first." Chen Xiaomiao carried the baby into the bedroom first.

In the living room, Uncle Qian helped Lu Yuan take off his coat and hang it up. He then tentatively asked, "Sir, does Madam... have any special preferences, habits, or dietary restrictions? I'd like to inform the servants in advance."

Lu Yuan chuckled softly: "Uncle Qian, just order whatever you like. She's not picky about food; she'll eat well as long as it's hot."

Also, don't keep calling her "Madam," it will annoy her.

Call her Miss Chen, or just Xiao Miao, it's fine. Also, please explain the situation to the rest of the family.

"Okay, sir."

Uncle Qian respectfully agreed.

Around noon, Lu Yuan and Chen Xiaomiao went to the restaurant for lunch.

"Sir, Miss Chen."

Uncle Qian stood aside, his posture just right: "The chef for the New Year's Eve dinner has been found. Today, let their team try making a few home-style dishes. You two can taste their skills. If they don't suit your taste, I'll find a way to adjust them."

Lu Yuan glanced at the menu and saw that there were four dishes in total.

Half of it is authentic Henan cuisine, and the other half is Hunan cuisine.

Lu Yuan knew that Uncle Qian had put in a lot of effort.

Chen Xiaomiao's accent goes without saying.

My hometown, Ezhou, has a mixed flavor profile, with sweet in the south, salty in the north, spicy in the east, and sour in the west, which is indeed difficult to please.

Uncle Qian must have remembered his preference for spicy food when eating noodles, so he simply invited a Hunan cuisine chef from a neighboring province.

Chen Xiaomiao didn't think about all those complicated details; her attention was completely drawn to the bowl of soup on the table.

"Huh, is this hot and sour soup?"

She picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful, and put it in her mouth, her eyes shining.

The broth is thick and flavorful, with a numbing, spicy, salty, and fragrant taste that unfolds layer by layer on the tongue. The beef is stewed until tender, and paired with chewy gluten and refreshing wood ear mushrooms, one bite and every pore on your body feels relaxed.

"middle!"

Chen Xiaomiao sighed with satisfaction, then buried her head and took a big gulp: "This soup is really good, it's more fragrant than any I've had before!"

Lu Yuan was delighted to hear this.

He's a chef who gets paid a yearly salary, how could his hot and sour soup not be delicious...?

After lunch, Lu Yuan and Chen Xiaomiao drove to Bai Jing's residence in the capital to pick up their apprentice Lü Jiaxin, as well as Niu Niu and Huang Jietao.

"Master! Grandmaster!"

As soon as Lü Jiaxin got into the car, she greeted everyone cheerfully, immediately mimicking her master's elegant Central Plains accent.

Where is my junior brother?

"Sleep at home, I'll take you back to check on things later."

"middle!"

Lu Yuan started the car and asked, "Where would you like to go for a stroll?"

"Forbidden City!"

Lü Jiaxin answered first, pointing to the Huang siblings: "This is the first time that Brother Jietao and Sister Niuniu have come to the capital. Let's take them to broaden their horizons!"

Chen Xiaomiao lightly tapped her apprentice's forehead and said irritably, "Don't make decisions for others!"

Huang Jietao chimed in, "Let's listen to Jiaxin."

In the year of his second year of junior high, Huang Jietao had grown quite a bit taller. He looked energetic in his clean down jacket, and his smile was genuine.

The master and apprentice had both been to the Forbidden City more than once, so they naturally became tour guides.

"The Forbidden City is also called the Purple Forbidden City. Look at the color of these walls; they are purplish-red. 'Purple' represents the Purple Palace constellation, the place where the stars in the sky live. Since the emperor called himself the Son of Heaven, his residence naturally had to be the same as that in the heavens..."

With her hands behind her back, Lü Jiaxin shook her head and showed off the knowledge she had learned from watching short videos.

"Let me ask you again, what are the feng shui considerations for the layout of the Forbidden City?" Chen Xiaomiao took the opportunity to test his apprentice.

Lu Jiaxin looked troubled for a moment.

"Have you read the feng shui theory I specially wrote for you?"

"Master, isn't it because I have too much homework during winter break..."

"Okay, remember that!"

Chen Xiaomiao sighed and began to teach on the spot: "Look at the layout of this palace. The central axis is clear and the left and right sides are symmetrical. This is the point."

The dragon vein's energy comes from Jingshan Park, passes through the Shenwu Gate, and runs south along the central axis, traversing the entire imperial city. The emperor sits on the dragon throne in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, precisely at the point where this vital energy is strongest, capable of suppressing the nation's fortune.

She pointed to the stone carvings on the steps in front of the main hall.

"Look again, it's carved with flowing clouds and nine dragons. Nine is the largest of the yang numbers, so it's called the supreme ruler."

Every brick and every tile in this place, wherever it's placed and which direction it faces, has a purpose; it wasn't built randomly.

Lu Jiaxin listened in a daze, then stopped showing off and obediently stepped back to become a listener.

After leaving the Forbidden City, it was nearly dusk. The group accompanied the Huang siblings, who were visiting the capital for the first time, to a well-known, time-honored roast duck restaurant.

After the food was served, Chen Xiaomiao and Niu Niu ate with great relish.

In contrast, the other two teenagers seemed less interested.

Huang Jietao remained the same as always, his back ramrod straight, his chopsticks held perfectly, taking only a tiny bit of each item, chewing slowly and deliberately, as if he were completing a task.

Lü Jiaxin, on the other hand, seemed rather uninterested and had little appetite.

Seeing this, Lu Yuan put down his chopsticks and casually asked, "What's wrong? Doesn't it suit your taste?"

Huang Jietao quickly put down his chopsticks and replied, "No, I've almost finished eating."

Lü Jiaxin didn't say anything, she just pouted.

“Master,” she suddenly looked up at Lu Yuan, “are we spending the New Year with you this year?”

Lu Yuan nodded: "Yes, your dad will only come over on the first day of the Lunar New Year."

Lu Jiaxin's face fell, and she slammed her chopsticks on the table, bursting out with resentment.

“Sigh… Except for the year I was born, when he spent New Year’s Eve with my mother and me, he has been in Huangya Village every year since then.”

I was so excited about bringing us to the capital this year so the three of us could have a proper New Year's celebration. Turns out it was all for nothing!

His words were barbed and sarcastic.

Lu Yuan was both amused and exasperated.

Lu Lei has his own family, and the existence of Bai Jing and Jia Xin is ultimately something that can't be brought up in public.

What can an outsider like him say?

Chen Xiaomiao looked at this and then at that, not quite understanding why her little apprentice was suddenly unhappy.

In her opinion, the roast duck was ridiculously expensive, and the biggest problem was that she couldn't finish it.

She deftly picked up a thin pancake, spread it in her palm, spread the sweet bean sauce evenly with chopsticks, added a few green scallion shreds and cucumber strips, and finally picked up two slices of braised duck meat, carefully rolled them up, and handed them to Lü Jiaxin's mouth.

"Stop chattering all the time while you're eating, what kind of behavior is that? Open your mouth!"

Lü Jiaxin instinctively opened her mouth, only to have it stuffed full.

The aroma of duck meat, mixed with the salty and sweet sauce, exploded in my mouth, and I chewed with my cheeks bulging.

After swallowing what was in her mouth, the little girl's eyes lit up, and she immediately had a new idea.

"Master, when are you going to Huangya Village?"

"I'm guessing it's the second or third year of junior high, what's up?" Chen Xiaomiao was busy rolling up a roll for Niu Niu.

"Take me with you, I've never been to my father's hometown before, I want to go and have a look."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan immediately looked up at him, his tone serious.

"Don't cause trouble for your dad!"

Lu Jiaxin shrank back as Lu Yuan glared at her, realizing that there was no room for negotiation.

Reluctantly, she stuck her tongue out at him and focused on eating the roast duck in front of her.

After finishing their meal, the group returned to their lodgings.

Uncle Qian had already prepared hot tea and fruit.

Chen Xiaomiao carried Lu Yang into and out of the house. The little guy had just woken up and was curiously looking around at the unfamiliar people and environment.

Fortunately, being in her familiar mother's arms, she didn't make much of a fuss.

Lü Jiaxin eagerly approached, reaching out her finger to poke him but hesitating to do so.

"Come here, take a look at your junior brother."

Chen Xiaomiao pushed her son towards her apprentice.

Lu Jiaxin craned her neck and examined him carefully for a long time before suddenly speaking with a serious expression: "Master... why do Junior Brother's eyes look so small?"
"He doesn't resemble you at all, nor does he resemble my master."

Chen Xiaomiao was both amused and exasperated. She raised her hand and lightly flicked her forehead, saying, "Go away, how can you talk about your junior brother like that! He's still young, he hasn't grown up yet!"

Lu Jiaxin covered her forehead, sighed deeply with a serious expression, and said with the air of a little adult, "Ah, I finally understand why only children don't want a second child."

With a biological son now in the family, my disciple, whom I finally managed to recruit, will have to take a slightly lower place in status…

These words left Chen Xiaomiao speechless, unsure how to refute them.

Seeing this, Lü Jiaxin became even more enthusiastic and asked again, "Master, when Junior Brother grows up, will you teach him fortune telling?"

"Definitely." Mentioning this, Chen Xiaomiao hummed proudly twice: "My son is destined to do this job. It would be a pity if he didn't learn it."

"Then you can't steal the skills!" Lü Jiaxin immediately became vigilant, afraid that she would be treated differently: "You can't just teach him and not me, leaving all the family skills to your own son!"

Chen Xiaomiao was amused and exasperated by her possessive little act towards food.

"You should memorize the Qian, Kun, Kan, and Li hexagrams from the Book of Changes that I taught you first. You're always thinking about wishful thinking."

Upon hearing that the topic of reciting texts was being brought up, Lü Jiaxin immediately wilted and quickly changed the subject: "Master, where's 'Two Hundred and Fifty'? I can't find it."

"Awooo... Achoo!"

The idiot who was running around in the backyard suddenly shivered and sneezed, realizing that something terrible was about to happen...

Around 10 p.m., Bai Jing drove over to pick up the three children.

"See you tomorrow, Master!"

See you tomorrow.

After the children left, the large house instantly fell silent.

Lu Yuan turned around and saw Chen Xiaomiao holding her son, standing in the middle of the living room, staring blankly at the empty house.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Chen Xiaomiao came to her senses and gently rocked Lu Yang in her arms: "I just feel that it's more lively when there are more people at home."

Lu Yuan walked over, wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, and gently rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Let's have more children, it will get more and more lively in the future."

Chen Xiaomiao's cheeks flushed slightly, and she softly hummed in agreement.

After feeding Lu Yang and putting him to sleep, the two went back to the bedroom to sleep.

Chen Xiaomiao yawned as she climbed into bed, snuggled under the covers, and snuggled closer to Lu Yuan.

"Go to sleep."

"Ah."

After a brief silence, Chen Xiaomiao suddenly spoke again.

"Lu Yuan."

"Ok?"

"So, what do you think will happen to Jiaxin in the future?"

"she?"

Lu Yuan closed his eyes and lazily yawned: "She's more sensible than her mother and more shrewd than her father. Don't worry, she won't suffer any losses."

"I hope..."

Being both a teacher and a mother is a first for Chen Xiaomiao, and she doesn't know if she can do it well.

(End of this chapter)