Hubbub

A group of people chatted and laughed, creating a lively atmosphere while a few children became waiters, pouring tea and water.

After three rounds of drinks and five flavors of dishes, Liu Yuxin, who abstained from alcohol, was once again persuaded by Liu Xuning to have a drink.

Although it appeared unintentional, it was actually intentional. After consuming the alcohol, Liu Yuxin started acting crazy under its influence.

She clung onto Tang Xiaoyu and cursed him as a scumbag and a heartless man.

Instead of stopping her, the group of people watched the scene with relish, occasionally criticizing Tang Xiaoyu.

Lin Sanmei glared at him fiercely and said, "I never expected you to be such a person. I must have been blind to marry you."

Tang Xiaoyu cried with a mournful face, "I didn't do anything! Is it wrong to be too charming?"

Xie Wanying retorted, "Then why did you get so close to her? Your words sound nice, but your actions are despicable."

Liu Xuning also spoke up, "Xiaoyu! I have to say this, what you did was improper. You didn't have any ulterior motives, but your excessive care and assistance to Liu Yuxin, don't you know that women can't withstand such emotions and temptations?"

"Yes, yes, Sister Yuxin was heartbroken because of you for a long time!" Li Zijie chimed in.

Tang Xiaoyu shrugged, "My children are already grown up. What do you expect me to do? Should I marry her too? Sanmei would skin me alive."

Lin Sanmei declared, "I don't care. After Dou Dou gets married, I will follow Wanying to Fengxi Sect and fight for the orthodox path."

Fighting for the orthodox path was just an excuse. The real reason was to secure a good position for her own child. How could Tang Xiaoyu not know?

He simply felt that it was unnecessary, merely an extra step.

Liu Yuxin, embracing Tang Xiaoyu, spoke drunkenly, "You heartless scumbag! I want to have ten or eight children with you. I'll exhaust you."

Tang Xiaoyu broke out in a cold sweat. The thing he feared the most right now was children. He barely managed with six children, but another ten or eight? He might as well be dead.

With a serious expression, he said, "I think it's much simpler to conquer the world than to deal with marriage. It's so difficult."

"As a man, if you don't have money, you worry about your children suffering in the future. If you have money, you worry about them going astray. If you can't earn money, they say I'm incapable. If you can earn money, they say I lack taste."

"As a father, when your child is young, you worry about their education. When they grow a little older, you worry about their future. And you're even more afraid of their youthful ignorance, accusing you of favoritism."

"After going through all the trouble of raising children, you worry about them marrying the wrong person or having the wrong spouse. It could lead to severing the father-son relationship."

"After finally getting married and having children, you worry about not being able to take care of each grandchild."

Tang Xiaoyu felt hopeless, "It's difficult, being human is difficult, being a man is difficult, being a married man with children is even more difficult."

Tang Xiaoqin asked in confusion, "Then why did you encourage us to get married and have children?"

Tang Xiaoyu shamelessly replied, "Because I want more people to suffer like me! That way, I'll feel balanced and won't appear as an outcast."

"Shameless."

"Despicable."

"Vulgar."

The group of people angrily cursed at him.

Tang Xiaoyu lightly slapped Liu Yuxin, causing her to faint. Everyone looked at her with sympathy, "Sorry, my technique is a bit rusty."

"Everyone, let's not get worked up. Since Sanmei wants to go to Fengxi Sect, I've decided..."

Tang Xiaoyu happily exclaimed, "Brother, are you also coming back with us? That's great! I've been tired of sitting in the position of the Holy Lord."

Tang Xiaoyu waved his hand and said, "That's why I've decided to pursue poetry and distant places."

Everyone rolled their eyes at him and said, "Whatever."

Tang Xiaoxue stepped forward to mediate, "Don't mind him. He changes his mind every second."

"When we first met him, he had the appearance of someone who had seen through the world, but then he showed a cold and ruthless side. Now he's just... as he would put it, a fool."

Everyone looked Tang Xiaoyu up and down and nodded in agreement, saying, "Indeed."

Tang Xiaoyu was at a loss for words, feeling exasperated. "People change, you know!"

Tang Xiaoqin sneered and said, "Say whatever you want. As long as you're happy."

Tang Xiaoyu suddenly didn't feel like talking anymore.

Then, a group of people started discussing how to deal with the group of bald donkeys from the West.

Tang Xiaoyu, uninterested, went to play with his own children.

"Koko, do you want to wander the world with your old man, performing chivalrous deeds?"

The little girl shook her head and said, "No, I want to go with Auntie and fight the bald donkeys."

"Duo Duo, come with your old man!"

Tang Duoduo gave him a scornful look and said, "I'm the one destined to be the Holy Lord. How could I go with you to be a hero in the mortal world?"

Tang Xiaoyu then turned to Tang Wenwen and said, "Wenwen, come with your old man to pursue poetry and distant places!"

Upon hearing about poetry and distant places, Tang Wenwen asked, "Father, can you write poetry? I don't believe that you're pursuing poetry and distant places with your mediocre handwriting."

Tang Xiaoyu rolled up his sleeves and said, "I won't hold back. You all don't know that I'm a person of great talent and extensive learning."

While others show off and pretend to be extraordinary outside, Tang Xiaoyu is different. He shows off and pretends to be extraordinary at home. He wants to establish a tall and mighty image in the hearts of his children.

His children sighed and said, "Father, you should give up! We know you well."

There is a limit to endurance. Tang Xiaoyu decided to quote some poetry and phrases from ancient times.

With hands behind his back, he looked up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle and said, "Wenwen, do you know why I want you all to study?"

"Don't you say it's so that we won't end up like idiots, only able to say 'Damn, she's so beautiful' when we see a beauty?"

Tang Xiaoyu tugged at the corner of his mouth and said seriously, "That's just to make it easier for you to understand. Why do we study? Listen carefully."

"To establish a benevolent heart for the heavens and the earth, to give purpose to the people's lives, to inherit the wisdom of the sages of the past, and to bring everlasting peace to the world."

These few lines are known to avid readers of novels, and Tang Xiaoyu is no exception.

Tang Xiaoyu looked at Tang Wenwen deeply and asked, "Have you remembered?"

Tang Wenwen clasped his hands and said, "I have remembered, Father. From now on, this will be the goal of my efforts."

Tang Xiaoyu nodded with satisfaction and said, "Very well. Accompany me outside to see the hardships of the world, so that you can better understand the meaning behind these lines."

Tang Wenwen respectfully said, "Yes, Father."

Tang Wenwen has loved literature since he was young. After hearing these few lines, he was shocked, as if he had found the direction for his efforts.

Tang Xiaoyu felt secretly delighted in his heart: "Finally, I've managed to deceive someone, and I even managed to deceive a girl to come along. Not bad, Third Brother. I've always liked the chivalrous characters in martial arts novels."

"Lele, didn't you want to become a female swordsman since you were little?"

Tang Lele pouted and replied, "Dad, I'm not as easily fooled as my younger brother. Don't try to get any ideas from me."

Tang Xiaoyu's face was filled with sorrow as he said, "I too once dreamt of wandering the world with a sword, but alas, I was too reckless and lacked the means."

"But I will never forget this verse: 'Ten steps to kill one man, a thousand miles without leaving a trace. After the deed is done, dusting off the clothes and vanishing, hiding my accomplishments and fame.'"

Tang Xiaoyu didn't actually know the entire poem, but he remembered these four lines.

Tang Wenwen applauded and exclaimed, "What a great poem! I never expected that beneath Father's carefree and uninhibited appearance, he would be so knowledgeable and talented."

Tang Xiaoyu waved his hand dismissively and said, "I originally intended to devote myself to a noble cause like the bright moon, but alas, the moon only shines on the ditches and canals."

Tang Xiaoyu looked pained and sighed, "Alas, how unfortunate! How sorrowful! How agonizing!"

His level of pretentiousness was off the charts, but Tang Wenwen comforted him admiringly, saying, "Father, there's no need to be sad. Third Sister is still savoring your poetry."

Tang Xiaoyu secretly glanced at his daughter and lamented, "Ah~ Flowers may bloom again, but people will never be young again."

Tang Lele was still immersed in the lines, "Ten steps to kill one man, a thousand miles without leaving a trace. After the deed is done, dusting off the clothes and vanishing."

When she heard her father say, "Flowers may bloom again, but people will never be young again," she suddenly realized.

She solemnly declared, "Father, I want to roam the world with you and witness the myriad of wonders it holds."

Tang Xiaoyu happily embraced his beloved daughter and said, "Truly, you are my little cotton jacket, far superior to certain individuals by several hundred times."

As he spoke, he glanced at Coco and Duo Duo, making his intentions clear.

With an unfriendly tone, he asked his fourth son, "Tian Tian, what about you?"

Tian Tian shrunk his neck, looked at his elder sister and younger sister, then turned to Tang Xiaoyu, Tang Lele, and Tang Wenwen with an uneasy gaze, stuttering, "I will follow Father's arrangements."

Tang Xiaoyu immediately transformed into a gentle and loving father, saying, "Truly, you are my good son."

He then put his arm around Tian Tian's shoulder and continued, "Follow Father, and I'll make sure you enjoy the finest things in life, living freely and without constraints. If you want to bully someone, go ahead and bully them."

Tang Duoduo hugged her younger sister tightly, fearing that her shapeless father would take her away too.

"Don't be afraid, little sister. Big sister will protect you."