Under the osmanthus tree.

Ever since he learned that Wen Yubai knew martial arts, the young man insisted on learning from him.

Wen Yubai couldn't refuse him, so she picked up a tree branch, flicked her wrist, and twirled it a few times.

"Your father is the leader of the martial arts alliance, why do you need to learn from me?" Wen Yubai stopped his stance and asked him.

Yun Jiming said with a long face, "My parents are too strict. Look at my brother, he has to get up before dawn to practice martial arts, and he's exhausted like a dog. I don't want to suffer like that."

Wen Yubai tossed him the branch, a half-smile on his face.

"So I won't be strict? Starting tomorrow, you'll get up at dawn and start practicing horse stance."

"No!"

Yun Jiming yelled and pounced on him, grabbing his arm. "Yu Bai, you can't be so cruel to me!"

Wen Yubai tried to pull his arm away, "Call me brother."

"don't want!"

Wen Yubai had no choice but to try to improve the kid's martial arts skills.

Yun Jiming, after all, came from a family of martial artists and had seen a lot of martial arts.

He couldn't recognize any of the moves Wen Yubai used; he only felt they were incredibly exquisite, yet so difficult.

The boy, drenched in sweat and panting, asked:

"Yu Bai, what's the name of that sword technique you just used?"

Wen Yubai handed over a handkerchief, "The Nine Forms of Xuantian."

Yun Jiming thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Never heard of it. That swordsmanship is amazing. Who taught you your martial arts?"

Wen Yubai's gaze drifted into the distance, a hint of nostalgia rising in his eyes.

"It was taught to me by several elders whom I greatly respect."

Yun Jiming's eyes lit up. "A reclusive master? I'm so glad I chose you. Maybe in a few years I'll be even more amazing than my brother."

"Stop talking nonsense and keep practicing." Wen Yubai tapped his head.

"Let's eat first."

A clear voice came from the doorway.

Then another boy walked in, still wearing an apron. He looked young and inexperienced, but much more mature than Yun Jiming.

Upon seeing his elder brother, Yun Jiming cheered, "You're here!"

Yun Zhaoting smiled helplessly, watching his younger brother's hurried figure, then turned to look at Wen Yubai standing under the osmanthus tree.

Initially, he was worried about his younger brother causing trouble outside, so he asked his parents for permission to come and check on him.

After a while, I became quite familiar with Manager Wen.

Sometimes when he came over and saw them practicing swordsmanship in the yard, he would quietly go to the kitchen to start a fire and cook.

By the time the two finished practicing, the food was still steaming hot.

Over time, it became a habit.

-

A few years later.

The osmanthus tree in the backyard has blossomed again, and the fallen flowers have covered the ground.

The boy from before has grown up, and his features are incredibly refined.

When he smiles, the corners of his eyes slant slightly upwards, giving him a somewhat flamboyant air.

Wen Yubai was busy in the kitchen, and the soup in the pot was bubbling away.

When Yun Jiming strolled in, he gestured to show his height.

He realized that he had unknowingly grown to be half a head taller than Wen Yubai.

But Wen Yubai's appearance seems to have never changed.

Time has left no trace on his face; he looks like a god.

He couldn't help but step forward, wrap his arms around the immortal's waist from behind, and affectionately nuzzle his chin against his shoulder.

"Yu Bai~"

Wen Yubai had already noticed him coming in, and his hands didn't stop moving.

"Okay, go out and play for a while, don't get in the way here."

Yun Jiming not only didn't let go, but instead hugged her even tighter, laughing as he led her out of the kitchen.

"No, my brother is here too. He can handle the cooking. We'll go outside and wait."

Yun Zhaoting, who had just entered: ...

We really didn't beat him enough before. Is it too late to get a younger brother now?

He took a deep breath, walked over and took the kitchen knife from Wen Yubai's hand, and said gently:

"I'll do it. The inn is closed today, you should rest too."

Wen Yubai nodded and pulled away the arms that were wrapped around him.

"You stay and help too, don't even think about slacking off."

"Okay, whatever you say."

Wen Yubai went to the backyard and lay down on the rocking chair.

The autumn sun was pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold. He closed his eyes and squinted for a while.

A gentle breeze blew by, and a few osmanthus blossoms drifted down, landing in his hair and on his shoulders.

When Yun Zhaoting finished his work and came out, this was the scene he saw.

He stopped in his tracks and stood there quietly watching.

At this moment, Wen Yubai opened his eyes, his gaze clear, and looked at the newcomer.

Yun Zhaoting stepped forward. "Yu Bai, the food is ready. Let's eat."

Wen Yubai sat up, patted the osmanthus blossoms off his clothes, and casually joked.

"You used to call me 'brother' respectfully when you were little, but now you've really learned bad habits from Jiming."

Yun Zhaoting smiled but didn't say anything.

Yun Jiming's noisy voice could be heard coming from inside.

"Yu Bai, brother, I've already set out the dishes, stop whispering."

-

"With the border war raging, my brother is planning to join the army."

When Yun Jiming brought this news, his voice was muffled, and his eyebrows were drooping.

Before leaving, Yun Zhaoting brought several jars of fine wine to say goodbye.

The three of them set up a wine table under the osmanthus tree in the backyard.

Wen Yubai asked, "Why do you suddenly want to join the army?"

Yun Jiming quickly answered, "I know! To establish loyalty and establish a career, to bring peace and stability to the country, my brother wants to do his part for the nation."

Yun Zhaoting did not deny it, but simply looked up at Wen Yubai.

"If I return victorious, would Yu Bai be willing to host a welcome-back banquet for me?"

Wen Yubai raised his glass, "Of course, swords and spears have no eyes on the battlefield, so please take care."

Yun Jiming also raised his wine glass, "Don't worry, my brother is highly skilled in martial arts. He will definitely return safely and in glory!"

The three of them clinked glasses in mid-air.

The boy was simple-minded and had a low alcohol tolerance; he fell asleep on the table after only a few drinks.

Wen Yubai saw Yun Zhaoting drinking one cup after another, and gently reminded him:

"You should drink less too. Drinking will lead to trouble. We have a long journey ahead tomorrow."

Yun Zhaoting's Adam's apple bobbed as he said, "Just this once."

Wen Yubai shook his head and got up, intending to help Yun Jiming to the guest room first.

As she walked past Yun Zhaoting, she was suddenly hugged.

Yun Zhaoting sat down, put his arm around his waist, and rested his forehead against his body.

Wen Yubai paused slightly, noticing the dampness on his clothes.

He raised his hand and ruffled Yun Zhaoting's hair.

"What's wrong? Are you reluctant to part with it?"

Yun Zhaoting gave a muffled "hmm" and tightened his arms.

"Yu Bai..."

"Um?"

"Yu Bai..."

"Are you feeling unwell?"

"Yu Bai..."

Wen Yubai had no choice but to stop responding. What was the point of talking to a drunkard?

Yun Jiming's eyelashes trembled slightly before he turned his face to the other side.

After a while, they turned back.

Then he swayed as he got up, walked behind Wen Yubai, and put his arm around him.

She buried her slightly flushed cheeks in his shoulder.

He rubbed his breath, which smelled of alcohol, against her ear.

"Yu Bai..."

-

Yun Jiming has always been self-aware.

He was not skilled enough, had a restless and impulsive nature, and never aspired to achieve anything great.

The Yun couple were well aware of their youngest son's temperament and did not force him to comply.

However, the youngest son often visited Wen Yubai's inn, which made him feel somewhat embarrassed, so the Yun family sent several more generous gifts.

Now it was Wen Yubai's turn to feel embarrassed.

Time flies, and another year has passed.

News of a great victory arrived from the frontier, and Yun Zhaoting returned in triumph.

It just so happens that the town is holding the Shangsi Festival. According to local custom, the girls will prepare sachets and give them to the men they like to express their feelings.

The street was bustling with activity. Wen Yubai sat by the window on the second floor of the teahouse, looking down.

Someone was dressed smartly and riding a spirited horse, full of vigor and ambition.

Colorful sachets were thrown at him, catching him off guard.

Wen Yubai couldn't help but chuckle.

As they were watching, Yun Zhaoting downstairs seemed to sense something and looked up.

He raised an eyebrow at Wen Yubai, a hint of amusement in his eyes, his lips seemingly saying:

Why are you just watching the show without saying anything?

Wen Yubai chuckled, wrapped the item in a handkerchief, and tossed it downstairs.

Yun Zhaoting caught it in mid-air, opened it, and inside was a warm steamed bun.

Wen Yubai's smiling voice came from upstairs:

"General, you must be tired from your journey. Please have something to eat first. The welcome wine is ready and waiting for you."

-

Yun Jiming wanted to venture into the martial world with Wen Yubai.

"Then what about my inn?"

Yun Jiming said matter-of-factly, "Leave it to my brother. Anyway, he won't start his job until the second half of the year, so he'll be free for a while."

Wen Yubai was amused by his childish plan and did not refuse directly.

Later, she finally gave in to the boy's persistent pleading.

He closed the inn and entered the world of martial arts.

But the adventures in the martial arts world are nothing like the carefree and unrestrained life depicted in traditional novels.

After the initial novelty wore off, the fatigue of the journey and the hardships of eating and sleeping outdoors gradually wore down Yun Jiming's enthusiasm.

One evening, the two rested on a grassy area in the mountains.

The setting sun painted the sky orange-red, and the evening breeze carried the scent of fresh grass.

Yun Jiming leaned lazily on Wen Yubai's shoulder, his voice listless.

"Yu Bai, the martial arts world doesn't seem so fun after all."

"Then let's go home?"

"Okay, let's go home together."

Wen Yubai looked down at him without saying a word.

She simply patted Yun Jiming's back gently, letting him lean against her.

As night deepened, starlight spread out.

Yun Jiming opened his blurry eyes and seemed to see Wen Yubai's figure walking into the distance.

It gradually became blurry.

Are you leaving?

The figure paused for a moment, then uttered a soft "Hmm".

The stars weep, our fate is shallow, our dreams are shattered.

He stood up in a hurry and chased after them.

No matter how hard he ran.

That figure continued to recede into the distance, growing fainter and fainter.

Finally, he tripped over a stone and fell to the ground.

"Yu Bai..."

The sound was swallowed by the wind, and no one responded.

Just then, a voice called out from behind.

"Clear and bright".

He turned around and saw his parents and brother waiting for him not far away.

His mother reached out her hand to him.

"Mr. Wen still has things to do, let's go home first."

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