Volume One, Chapter 13: Acknowledging You as My Big Brother

On Xiao Ning’s face, the earlier expression of grievance and anger vanished instantly, replaced by an unparalleled calmness and a hint of... delight? Without a word, he naturally extended his hand and accepted the invisible “ten taels of silver,” solemnly tucking it into the equally worn inner pocket of his shabby garment.

Then, under Lu Sheng’s stunned gaze, Xiao Ning straightened his small frame and, with a solemn expression, cupped his fist toward Lu Sheng. His clear, bright eyes were filled with sincere admiration, even flickering with a slight glow:

“Big Brother! Generous! Magnanimous! A true hero and gentleman!”

Lu Sheng was a bit dizzy from this sudden address of “Big Brother” and the string of heartfelt praises hitting him straight in the heart. He stammered instinctively, “Who... who’s your big brother...?”

But Xiao Ning paid no mind and continued, his eyes locked on Lu Sheng with reverence, his small mouth rattling rapidly:

“To be honest, Big Brother! I, your little brother Xiao Ning, have been wandering the jianghu since I was two years old! Over these eight years, I’ve traveled far and wide, encountering countless so-called distinguished people! I’ve tested many with this ‘Mo He Le’!”

“There were the greedy ones! The violent ones! And those who thought they were above all!”

“But only you, Big Brother! You are truly one of a kind!”

“You’re not only magnanimous, open, and generous, but also remarkably handsome and exceptional!” (emphasized here) “Your heart is upright! When faced with ‘treasures,’ you neither covet nor snatch! When confronted with misunderstandings and compensation demands, you show no evasion! Instead, you generously offer recompense, even doubling it!”

Xiao Ning took a deep breath as if summoning all his strength and declared resolutely:

“Big Brother! Your noble spirit—honest and indifferent to money—is utterly admirable! After eight years in the jianghu, today I finally meet a true gentleman! You are the only Big Brother I recognize in this life!”

(Xiao Ning’s inner thoughts: In my past life, I was a master sycophant at work; now, precisely channeling that skill into the children’s market yields outstanding results!)

***

This torrent of high-purity, dense, and precise flattery came crashing down like the Yellow River from the sky, hitting exactly the most ticklish spot deep within young Master Lu Sheng’s heart!

A strong tingling sensation shot from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Lu Sheng felt as if he were treading on clouds—light, dazed, and dizzy. All his pent-up frustration, irritation, embarrassment, and shame vanished in an instant, replaced by an unprecedented warm, soothing comfort.

His face flushed as red as a fully cooked prawn, the blackish red tinged with uncontrollable excitement. At last, he understood what the books meant by “mountains and flowing water meeting a kindred spirit”!

So that’s it! This little brat isn’t stupid; he has a keen eye! He is genuinely captivated by my personal charm! Finally, someone recognizes this hidden gem beneath the dust! He is truly a shrewd and discerning person! My impulsive outing today was well worth it! Absolutely worth it!

Lu Sheng even straightened his slightly plump frame involuntarily, trying desperately to suppress the smug smile tugging at his lips, but it still curled upward. His eyes flickered shyly as he murmured softly, “Actually... I’m not that outstanding...” Yet the pleasure in his tone was impossible to hide. His demeanor showed he had fully accepted the role of “Big Brother.”

(Xiao Ning’s inner thoughts: Done! As expected, the key to handling a tsundere rich kid is to praise him like a child—exaggerated and sincere! Adults need dignity, kids need face; just satisfy that!)

Just as Xiao Ning was about to strike while the iron was hot and add more fuel to the fire, a loud call came from afar, booming:

“Ning wa—! Stop playing there! Come quickly! We’re supposed to find your grandmother by the city gate. Look at the sky—it’s almost dark!”

Xiao Ning turned and replied, “Alright! Coming, Uncle!” Though a bit reluctant to be interrupted, he knew today’s success far exceeded expectations.

He immediately jogged toward his uncle but suddenly stopped after a few steps, whirled around, and, with a solemn expression written all over his small face, loudly declared to Lu Sheng, still basking in joy and recognition on the stone steps:

“Big Brother! I, your little brother Xiao Ning, live ten miles west of the city in Xiao Family Village! The third house on the east side of the village, the one with the big locust tree in front! Uh... the one with the lowest lintel!” He described his humble home carefully, fearing Lu Sheng wouldn’t remember. “Today I really have urgent business! Big Brother, you are the most outstanding, open-hearted, and worthy Big Brother in my heart! I will come to see you again someday!”

Having said this, he waved vigorously at Lu Sheng before turning around, glancing back repeatedly as he ran toward the donkey cart where his impatient uncle was already seated.

***

Lu Sheng stood where he was, watching the small figure disappear into the bustling crowd, a foolish grin still lingering on his face.

“Big Brother...” he murmured softly, feeling the lingering euphoria like a layer of golden honey coating the tip of his heart—sweet to the point of weakness.

He looked down at his empty palm and thought of that clever, lively little brother (though he felt the “big brother” title came too early and wasn’t sure about accepting payment yet), the keen insight (seeing through his raw jade nature at a glance), and the final admiring gaze...

Lu Sheng instinctively lifted his chin, striving to embody the calm dignity of a “Big Brother.” He hummed in a tone both like a reply and a self-affirmation toward the direction Xiao Ning had vanished:

“Got it! Go on! Next time, I... cough, Big Brother will send someone to find you!” In his mind, he was already planning whether to truly give the discerning little brother ten taels of silver next time... no, twenty! That would truly show Big Brother’s generosity!

After all, being so sincerely admired felt... utterly wonderful!

Meanwhile, in the shadow of a narrow, inconspicuous alley diagonally opposite, an elderly man dressed in a faded but neatly starched silk robe, with a kind face but sharp eyes, quietly observed the scene.

He watched his young master’s rare, genuine radiant smile, saw him standing tall despite being alone, and heard his muttered “Big Brother” and “send someone to find you”...

The man’s tense nerves, strained all day, finally eased slightly. Gazing toward the direction Xiao Ning had disappeared, a faint, subtle gleam flickered in his cloudy old eyes. He whispered to two vigilant bodyguards hidden in the shadows behind him:

“Go, inquire. That young man at the market steps who spoke to our young master and called himself Xiao Ning—find out whose child he is. Xiao Family Village... third house on the east side, with the big locust tree in front...”

“Yes, steward,” the bodyguards replied softly, silently melting into the crowd.