Little Zhi obediently closed his eyes and soon began to breathe evenly.

Xiqiu gently stroked his head, recalling his demeanor during the game just now. He seemed very much like Fourth Master Xiao, appearing indifferent and lazy, yet once he got started, he could always handle things with ease... She smiled slightly and kissed Little Zhi’s cheek, secretly pondering whether to start his enlightenment sooner.

Xing and Min walked side by side toward the outer courtyard, chatting as they went, "Tomorrow, Second Young Master Tang has invited us to his house to admire the flowers. There’s a banquet set in the waterside pavilion in the backyard. Shall we go together?"

"I’m not going," Min waved his hand, "Second Brother can go." He did not extend the invitation.

Xing pulled him, urging, "Everyone knows you and is very curious; they all want to meet you." Pausing, he continued, "The other day, Mr. Tang and Mr. Wu saw my painting of the spring river at night and praised it highly. I told them my painting was not half as good as yours, and they were amazed." Saying this, he looked at Sheng as if seeking affirmation, "Brother, am I right?"

"Mm!" Sheng nodded, turning to Min, "What’s interesting about staying home all day? Mother says we should make more friends, which will be beneficial in official circles in the future. If you stay at home and don’t socialize, even if you achieve great success, without friends to congratulate and share, what’s the point?"

Min was somewhat swayed, hesitating for a moment before responding to the two, "Then... I’ll consult with Mother first and get back to you both."

They agreed.

In the evening, after seeing Xing and Sheng off, Min accompanied Xiqiu and Fourth Master Xiao for tea, watching Little Zhi repeatedly tossing arrows into the pot in the room. He wanted to speak but hesitated...

Xiqiu looked at him, puzzled, and asked, "What’s wrong, is there something on your mind?"

Min was stunned, thought for a moment, then shook his head, "No... nothing." Although Mother treated him well, she had never taken him out to meet guests. Even visits to Grandfather’s house had become less frequent in recent years. Secretly, although he didn’t particularly like his maternal grandfather, the strange expression, deep gaze during each encounter made him... find it hard to comprehend.

Perhaps Mother sensed it too? Or could it be that Mother didn’t want him to go out either?

He sighed silently, set down his teacup, and stood up, "Father, Mother, I’ll retire for the night."

Xiqiu glanced at Fourth Master Xiao, who showed no signs of noticing Min’s discomfort, and stood up, saying, "Alright, go rest early then." She accompanied him to the door, "Xing will come by tomorrow. Do you want to ask Mr. Ji for half a day’s leave?"

Min walked out with Xiqiu, shaking his head, "It’s better not to, sir wants to start discussing the Analects tomorrow; I don’t want to miss it..." Pausing, he added, "They visit often; half a day doesn’t matter much."

Min matured earlier than typical children, which sometimes made Xiqiu feel powerless. She tried hard for years, hoping he’d be as carefree and lively as other kids. Although he had changed in recent years and wouldn’t dwell on things, he still had a heavier heart compared to Xing and Sheng.

"Make your own decision," Xiqiu smiled, as she did before, and gently ruffled his topknot, "Take care on the road."

Min nodded, replied, "Mother, you should rest early too." Xiqiu smiled lightly, and turning to Erquan waiting outside, instructed, "Your mother mentioned you’ll return home tomorrow, are carpenters coming? Are you assisting?"

"Yes!" Erquan, in the voice-changing stage, spoke hoarsely, "Mother said some things need moving; I’m going to help." Pausing, he added, "I’ll be back in the afternoon."

Xiqiu nodded, smiling, "No rush! Our Erquan is growing up, able to help with things at home."

Erquan chuckled shyly.

"Off you go." Xiqiu gestured, Min bowed and left the courtyard directly.

Xiqiu watched Min exit, then returned inside to see Little Zhi still playing the game, even adjusting the distance further, focused on trying and trying again.

"What’s wrong? Is there a problem?" Fourth Master Xiao asked as she entered. Xiqiu frowned and replied, "I don’t know; he seems troubled, but doesn’t express it even when probed." She sighed.

Fourth Master Xiao paused and responded, "Ask Xing tomorrow; they’re of similar age and should know if anything’s up." Pausing again, he added, "Or ask Mr. Ji."

Maybe this highlights the difference between mother and father; Xiqiu always felt the child belonged to her, believing she should be the first to know of any issue. When she wasn’t, she felt a sense of loss, thinking her child was growing apart and she wasn’t the first confidant anymore.

Sighing deeply, she said, "I shall observe more!" hoping Min would share in time.

"Alright, alright!" Fourth Master Xiao walked over and patted Little Zhi’s small bottom, "Enough for tonight; go to sleep." Little Zhi frowned, "Look, Father; when up close, I always score, but at a distance, I don’t." Pausing, he added, "That’s why I need to practice more, to succeed from here."

Fourth Master Xiao measured the distance, refrained from urging him and, hands behind his back, nodded, "Show me your technique." hinting at guidance.

Little Zhi beamed, rolled up his sleeves, and tossed an arrow. He looked up at Fourth Master Xiao, "Is my posture right?"

Fourth Master Xiao frowned, bent down, and adjusted his arm, "Raise your hand higher, keep your back straight..." Following the advice, Little Zhi tried again but missed and turned to Fourth Master Xiao with a questioning look...

Xiqiu chuckled at his expression, warning, "What kind of look is that? Don’t look at Father like that!"

"Father’s advice is wrong!" Little Zhi tilted his head, "Raising it so high makes aiming harder!" and his reasoning wasn’t unfounded.

Fourth Master Xiao scoffed, "Let me show you," grabbed three arrows from the table, stepped back a few paces, instructing, "Aim not with your eyes, but with feeling!" Then, the three arrows smoothly landed in the pot.

"Dad, that’s amazing!" Little Zhi shifted from doubt, "What do you mean by feeling?"

Fourth Master Xiao tapped his son’s nose, "Who was questioning me just now, hmm?"

Little Zhi chuckled, hugged Fourth Master Xiao’s leg, head up, smiling broadly, "A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!"

Xiqiu laughed aloud, tapped her son’s forehead, "You little trickster."

The next afternoon, Xing and Sheng came to the residence to pick up Min. Unexpectedly, Xing asked Xiqiu with a clueless expression, "Didn’t you know, aunty? Did Third Brother not tell you?"