Time passed quietly, and soon it was evening. As usual, Qin Xu called a halt to Qin Yi's training. Qin Yi followed his routine: he drank a bowl of nourishing soup, changed his clothes, and left the village west courtyard.
After escorting Qin Yi home, Huang Lao noticed Qin Xu standing at the doorway, lost in thought. Concerned, he asked, "Master, what are you thinking about?"
Qin Xu paused, hesitating for a moment as he looked at his most trusted companion, then asked, "Huang Lao, tell me… what makes the best teacher?"
Huang Lao exhaled softly in relief.
Fortunately, the Master wasn't lost in painful memories again.
The best teacher… He must be reflecting on Qin Yi's training progress. Indeed, Qin Yi had once again captured his attention and admiration.
Huang Lao smiled and replied, "A good teacher, like yourself?"
Qin Xu chuckled and shook his head.
Huang Lao raised an eyebrow, thinking carefully. "An enemy?"
For Huang Lao, the best teacher could very well be the enemy.
Qin Xu shook his head again. "Not complete."
Huang Lao was stunned—his first answer had been wrong? Determined to guess again, he proposed:
"Parents?"
"Comrades?"
"Willpower?"
"Faith?"
He even went through "heritage" and "resources," yet each time, Qin Xu shook his head. Finally, Huang Lao admitted defeat.
"Master, I can't think of it. What do you consider the best teacher?"
Qin Xu's gaze deepened. "Environment! Environment is the best teacher."
Environment?
At first, Huang Lao did not fully grasp the meaning. But the more he pondered, the more he realized Qin Xu was absolutely right.
Environment isn't just natural surroundings. It includes life circumstances, training conditions, family, and growth environment.
In fact, all the things he had guessed earlier could be considered part of the environment. No wonder Qin Xu had repeatedly rejected the other answers—they were incomplete.
As the person who knew Qin Xu best, Huang Lao hesitated before asking, "Master… are you saying you want—"
Qin Xu slowly looked around the small courtyard where Qin Yi had lived for two years and nodded gently.
"The environment in Qinjia Village is no longer suitable for Da Tou's growth."
Especially now, with Qin Wei having become a Postnatal Martial Artist.
"Master, where do you plan to go?"
"For now, the county town will do."
"I understand, Master. I will start preparations immediately."
"Yes, have it ready in half a month."
"Understood, Master."
…
Back at home, Qin Yi noticed that Zhuzi was not playing as usual but standing in his original spot, lifting a stone weight.
For a moment, Qin Yi couldn't even tell if it was Zhuzi or Chu Zi—it was a confusing sight.
"Second Brother, what are you doing?"
Zhuzi lowered the stone weight and looked up at Qin Yi, now towering a head above him. Awkwardly, he greeted, "Da Tou, you're back."
Da Tou had grown so fast—two years younger, yet now taller than him. Chu Zi had to look up to his younger brother. Who could understand this?
Since Shuanzhi left, Zhuzi seemed to have grown up in a sudden way. No longer avoiding responsibility, no longer acting childish.
"Second Brother, the training camp isn't as scary as Father said. You don't need to worry," Qin Yi said, noticing Zhuzi's sadness, offering comfort.
"I know, Da Tou… it's just… I'm not used to it. I already miss Big Brother…" Zhuzi's eyes turned red as he spoke.
Seeing his brother on the verge of tears, Qin Yi sighed inwardly.
Since birth, he had watched Shuanzhi and Zhuzi grow inseparable—playing and sleeping together. Now, with Shuanzhi gone to the training camp, only Zhuzi remained.
Zhuzi drew a deep breath, forcing back tears. "I'm fine, Da Tou. You always go play with Wang Gensheng anyway. Don't worry about me, just go."
Turning his back, Zhuzi lifted the stone weight.
Qin Yi shook his head, exasperated at the so-called pride of his childish elder brother. Yet beneath the annoyance, a warm feeling flowed through him.
"I know, Second Brother. Training must be gradual. Don't push yourself—rest when tired. I'll tell Mother and then go play with Wang Gensheng."
Qin Yi understood that staying there would only make Zhuzi remember their elder brother, and his stubbornness would hurt him. It was better to leave.
Returning home to fetch his tools, he informed Mother, then went to Wang Carpenter's house as usual.
Because he came often, Qin Yi did not wait for anyone to answer—he called, "Aunt Hui, I'm here!"—and entered.
The courtyard had changed completely in two years. Originally messy, part of it a workshop, wood shavings scattered everywhere. Since marrying Aunt Hui, Wang Carpenter had expanded the space, building a workshop specifically for carpentry.
"Aunt Hui, making shoes again?"
"Da Tou is here. Gensheng is inside—go on in."
Aunt Hui, sitting under a tree, glanced at the children playing in the corner—a little girl around eight or nine and an eight-month-old boy—but did not move, casually acknowledging Qin Yi.
The little girl shouted, "Cousin, you're here!"
"Nan Nan, still playing with Wutong, huh?" Qin Yi smiled and greeted her, then walked into the workshop.
Aunt Hui glanced once at him, then resumed playing with Wutong. She knew a young girl's little schemes couldn't escape her notice. Adolescence was natural.
And in Qinjia Village, Da Tou was admired by more than just Nan Nan. But none could match him—his future would extend far beyond the village, and beyond the other boys from the training camp.
Still, Aunt Hui did not stop him. She understood that in a few years, Da Tou would leave, likely never returning, just like the other martial artists from the camp. Nan Nan would naturally move on. Let this be a beautiful dream for the boy.