Era of Magic and Martial Arts-Chapter 90 - 77: Harmony? (Double-Length - )

Feng Yuhuai: "Dad, I’m only a first-year in college, it’ll take me years to finish university. Even if I want to help in between, I’m afraid it’s going to be hard. It’ll still depend on you and my brother."

"It used to be just you supporting the family, Dad. Now that things are like this, let Feng Mu be your helping hand, supporting the family together for a few years. Once I finish my studies, I can take the burden off your hands."

"Dad, I know you don’t think much of Feng Mu, but when things get tough at home, we need to work together and put our hearts toward the same goal."

Feng Ju’s expression shifted back and forth, as though he realized something.

He slowly withdrew his palm, placing his rough hand on his daughter’s head. Feng Yuhuai leaned in affectionately as Feng Ju let out a long sigh: "I just didn’t get it for a moment, Yuhuai. You’re right, in the coming years, I ought to treat your brother better."

Feng Yuhuai gave a pitiful smile: "Don’t worry, Dad. After these few years, our family will get better. Once I graduate from university, I can take us all to the Upper City. By then, maybe we can even get your arm reattached."

Listening to his daughter’s filial and ambitious words, Feng Ju felt comforted. His remorse lingered but was largely replaced by a resolve not to fall.

Even for the sake of this daughter, he couldn’t give up and collapse here.

"Bring the food, I’m hungry," Feng Ju said to Wang Xiuli.

Wang Xiuli responded quickly, wiping her tears and bringing the half-spilled rice to Feng Ju’s mouth.

After Feng Ju finished eating under Wang Xiuli’s care, Feng Yuhuai hesitated and said: "Dad, I have to hurry back to school for class. The students in the advanced class are all very capable, and with exams coming up, I have to work twice as hard. I can’t fall back to the regular class."

"I’ll come back to the hospital after school..."

Feng Ju interrupted Feng Yuhuai, forcing a smile: "You are the family’s hope, don’t waste time here. No need to come after school; your mom can take care of me."

Feng Yuhuai’s lips twitched, words caught in her throat.

Feng Ju seemed to think of something and added: "Listen, just come to the hospital next weekend."

Feng Yuhuai had no choice but to agree, then left the ward, washed away her tear stains in the restroom, and casually headed to school.

In the ward, Feng Ju said to Wang Xiuli with relief: "Good thing we have Yuhuai; if it were just Feng Mu, I probably couldn’t rest even in death."

Wang Xiuli opened her mouth but, seeing the bloodstained gauze on her husband’s severed arm, ultimately said nothing for her son.

Feng Ju: "This way, you go meet Feng Mu at home in a couple of days and tell him. Let him keep a little of his monthly paycheck, and the rest should go to you for household expenses."

"He’s closer to you, so you talk to him about the family’s future difficulties."

Wang Xiuli was silent for three seconds before nodding: "Isn’t Feng Mu’s job at the incineration plant something you set up for him?"

Feng Ju sneered: "If he wants to work there, let him. I’m in no condition to manage him. Favors are limited and shouldn’t be wasted on him."

Before Wang Xiuli could speak, Feng Ju continued with a set face: "From what Yuhuai said, the stress in the advanced class is quite high. I need someone to go to the Patrol Office this week to trade in my merit points as soon as possible, to get the Bone Refining Pill for Yuhuai next weekend."

"In case the Patrol Office no longer acknowledges me as a cripple in the future."

"Don’t mention this to that unfilial son, you hear?"

On the ride in a taxi, Feng Yuhuai was touching up her makeup with a compact mirror in the backseat, her brows still carrying a hint of future worry, cleverly concealed by her exceptional makeup skills.

"Dad wants me to come by the hospital this weekend, probably to pick up the Bone Refining Pill," Feng Yuhuai thought to herself, feeling a sense of pride.

Compared to her dull-witted and useless brother Feng Mu, she truly believed she was the beautiful, clever, sweet-mouthed genius sister.

"It’s hard to believe Feng Mu and I are even the same breed, from the same parents."

"Never mind, if Feng Mu can hand over his pay to the family in the coming years, focusing only on supporting me through school, once I become someone important, it’s not impossible to take care of them slightly."

"To prevent anyone from calling me ungrateful and oblivious to familial ties, oh, why couldn’t I have just been born into a wealthy family in the Upper City? Then I’d be a renowned and admired talent."

"Instead of now, having to painstakingly maintain family harmony for tuition and living expenses."

"Ah, the worries on the growth path of a talented beauty, who even understands~"

The taxi stopped at the school gate, where a stocky boy with a few pimples on his face was looking around with his phone out.

Seeing Feng Yuhuai getting off, he hurried over and paid for the taxi without hesitation.

"Thank you, Yang Tuo. I forgot my wallet. I’ll pay you back later," Feng Yuhuai apologized with gratitude.

"No need, no need, it’s nothing." Yang Tuo scratched his head, looking slightly foolish. "By the way, haven’t you set up a mobile wallet? Then you wouldn’t have to worry about forgetting your wallet."

Mobile wallets are trendy in Lower City, but not everyone can open one. The bank account linked with the mobile wallet needs to have savings over a certain threshold.

Feng Yuhuai’s expression stiffened slightly. Although her everyday outfits appeared exquisite, they were just regular brands. Her natural beauty and fashion sense made her stand out, unlike Yang Tuo, who was draped in expensive designer labels.

The only thing she had in common with Yang Tuo was the holographic wristwatch, a gift she begged Feng Ju for after getting into the advanced class.

Feeling a bit of shame and anger, she maintained a smiling facade and softly said, "My family’s situation is average, and maybe the bank wouldn’t let me open a mobile wallet."

Yang Tuo’s face fell, finally realizing his blunder.

He wanted badly to offer to help Yuhuai set up a mobile wallet the next day, but his own wallet was linked to his mother’s card. His personal account, while having some pocket money, was nowhere near the required threshold for the service.

Besides, even if he had the money, he wouldn’t link Yuhuai to his own account. Although he was infatuated with her, he wasn’t entirely out of his mind.

Yang Tuo laughed awkwardly: "That was my bad, how about I treat you to dinner tomorrow? There’s a new restaurant in town with organic dishes, not the 3D-printed ones. I heard it’s super delicious; let’s try it out."

Feng Yuhuai was aware of Yang Tuo’s intentions, and previously she would have outright refused, not even accepting his offer to pay the taxi fare.

But today’s family incident changed her thoughts, and she considered opening a small window for Yang Tuo. After all, her pocket money would decrease significantly in the future, urgently requiring a willing male classmate or two to share some of the burden.

Offering a little sweetness without promising anything in return seemed feasible.

That’s what Feng Yuhuai thought, and she planned on acting that way, but pretended to be coy, saying: "Forget it, with exams coming, every minute counts for my training. I can grab a quick bite at school."

Yang Tuo felt a hint of urgency, believing that Yuhuai asking him to pay the taxi today was a good sign. Otherwise, why him and not someone else?

He sensed a small favor owed in his favor; surely it wasn’t just because she thought he had money without the brains to use it wisely.

Hoping to seize the moment and touch her heart, he said: "If not dinner, then let’s go to Martial Arts Street. Azure Dragon Martial Arts Hall is recruiting new students. It’s very famous, you know."

"In our class and other schools, many students from the advanced classes go to Azure Dragon Martial Arts Hall."

"The environment and facilities there are excellent, and some instructors are as good as, if not better than, the trainers or coaches at school. Most importantly, you can practice against many skilled students and quickly gain real combat experience."

Yuhuai seemed intrigued but hesitant: "I’ve heard of Azure Dragon Martial Arts Hall, but isn’t membership expensive? I’ve overspent recently..."

Though Yang Tuo winced internally, looking at Yuhuai’s lovely face and clear eyes, he bravely said: "It’s fine, it’s a small sum. As long as you want to go, I’ll cover it."

Yuhuai smiled brightly: "Alright, Yang Tuo, thank you. You’re such a great person."

Yang Tuo’s face beamed with a radiant smile, happily walking side by side with Feng Yuhuai onto the campus.

....