Chapter 1441 - 1404: Home of Cannon Fodder 12
Chapter 1441: Chapter 1404: Home of Cannon Fodder 12
Early in the morning, after Xiao Yuan sent the children off, a guest arrived at home.
Bao Bufen, who hadn’t shown up for several days, personally came to visit.
Bao Bufen was a rather elegant-looking middle-aged man. He wore a light gray silk shirt and black suit pants, with glasses perched on his nose. At first glance, he looked like a scholar, not at all like a real estate businessman from a small county.
Xiao Yuan saw Bao Bufen from the upstairs window.
As Bao Bufen climbed the stairs, Xiao Yuan activated the array set up in the house.
Bao Bufen actually had some doubts about Xiao Yuan’s abilities.
But the issues in his house had already led him to invite many so-called skilled masters, including those from the Provincial City, but none of them could figure out what the problem was. Some masters performed rituals, but problems still arose at home, driving Bao Bufen to distraction.
He was really out of options and had to personally visit this renowned Master Xiao.
As he entered the community where the Xiao Family lived, Bao Bufen started having second thoughts.
He had met many masters, who generally had their own shops. Moreover, these masters were not short on money, and even the houses they lived in were quite impressive.
Yet this Master Xiao lived in such an old and dilapidated residential area. Was he a fraud, or was he truly a hidden master living among the common people?
Bao Bufen climbed to the third floor and knocked on the door of Xiao Yuan’s house.
After several knocks without response, Bao Bufen respectfully said, "I am Bao Hua, here to pay my respects to Master Xiao."
As soon as he said this, the door opened.
Moreover, the door opened by itself, with no one behind it.
Sweat started forming on Bao Bufen’s forehead.
He dared not wipe the sweat, and stepped inside.
Once inside, Bao Bufen closed the door: "Is Master Xiao here?"
As soon as the door was closed, Bao Bufen’s view changed.
When he first entered, he saw a small living room, with an old-fashioned sofa set, a marble coffee table, a wooden TV stand, and a twenty-nine-inch TV used for over a decade.
This was truly a very ordinary living room, even smaller and older in furniture than those of many households in the county.
But now, Bao Bufen’s eyes beheld a peach blossom forest full of birdsong.
This was not an illusion, nor a projection effect; it was a very real peach blossom forest.
He could even feel the spring breeze blowing, smell the scent of peach blossoms, see the green grass, and feel the tingling sensation of grass brushing against his legs, dew droplets falling from the grass blades.
The originally small living room was now an extraordinarily large peach blossom forest, with breathtaking scenery.
Bao Bufen had been to resorts and tourist attractions and seen large peach forests, but none could compare to this peach forest of the Xiao Family.
The peach trees were lush, with layers of peach blossoms cascading down like pink clouds; Bao Bufen could find no words in his mind to describe the beauty of this peach forest.
"You’ve come."
In his mix of fright and joy, Bao Bufen saw someone descend from a large peach tree.
The person wore a white robe, and although his hair was short, his posture was graceful, and his appearance so handsome it made others feel inadequate.
What amazed Bao Bufen the most was the aura of immortality around this person, standing before you, you would truly believe he was an immortal descended to earth.
"Are you Master Xiao?"
This time, Bao Bufen fully believed what Liu San had said; Master Xiao was truly an authentic, incredibly powerful master with Taoist skills.
"Sit down."
Xiao Yuan smiled and pointed under the tree.
He himself sat cross-legged on the ground first.
Bao Bufen quickly sat down as well.
With a wave of Xiao Yuan’s hand, a stone table appeared between them, with a pot of tea and two teacups on it.
"Have a cup of tea to moisten your throat first."
Xiao Yuan poured a cup of tea for Bao Bufen, who hastily took it.
"Master, this time I..."
Xiao Yuan raised a hand: "I already know your situation, but as I told Liu San before, I’ve touched upon the true path of Taoist skills and don’t want to waste time on mundane affairs."
"Master."
Bao Bufen, in desperation, knelt down with a thud: "Please save the lives of our family; I really have no other way. If there was even the slightest solution, I wouldn’t bother you, but I really..."
Speaking, Bao Bufen began to cry.
"If you don’t help, our family truly has no way out. Master, please, save us."
Xiao Yuan sat cross-legged, eyes closed when Bao Bufen knelt.
This further strengthened Bao Bufen’s resolve.
He was convinced Xiao Yuan was the one who could save him and that Xiao Yuan was without a doubt a reclusive master, a true hermit indifferent to fame and gain.
The more he thought this way, the less willing he was to get up.
"Master, as long as you save me, I am willing to offer all my possessions."
This was Bao Bufen’s true sentiment; the issues in his home truly left him with no choice. He was fully aware that money was just an external thing, while life was what truly mattered; without life, what use is money?
Xiao Yuan shook his head: "It’s not about the money."
The sound of knocking resounded now.
In an instant, the view in front of Bao Bufen changed; the gorgeous peach blossom forest was gone, and he was now kneeling on the living room floor, while Xiao Yuan sat cross-legged on the sofa.
"A Yuan, are you home?"
Xiao Yuan’s aloofness and ethereal aura as an immortal were gone.
He showed a slight smile, which added a touch of warmth to his countenance: "Yes, come in."
As Xiao Yuan spoke, he extended a hand, and Bao Bufen felt a powerful force lift him, making him stand up.
The door opened, revealing the face of a slightly plump middle-aged woman.
The middle-aged woman’s features were actually quite delicate, and she had a good demeanor, just a bit plump, which made her look a little chubby and gave her more approachability.
"There’s a guest in the house."
Of course, this middle-aged woman was Anning.
Anning smiled as she entered and greeted Bao Bufen: "Hello."
Bao Bufen quickly replied: "Hello, hello."
Xiao Yuan pulled Anning to his side to introduce her: "This is Boss Bao."
He pointed to Anning: "This is my wife."
Bao Bufen immediately waved his hand: "I don’t deserve the title of boss; sister-in-law, just call me Little Bao."
Anning smiled and shook hands with Bao Bufen: "Take a seat, I’ll make you some tea."
Bao Bufen dared not inconvenience Anning. He realized this handsome and seemingly aloof master truly cared for his seemingly ordinary wife. He could sense that when Xiao Yuan looked at Anning, his brows and eyes were full of smiles, and his gaze was brimming with tender affection.
Bao Bufen knew the breakthrough for his family’s situation lay with Mrs. Xiao.
"I dare not trouble sister-in-law; to be honest, I’m really at my wit’s end before coming to Master Xiao for help. At home..."
Bao Bufen recounted the problems his family had faced over the past days, speaking as he cried: "I have just the one son; we raised him with the utmost care, and he turned out well—not only a good student but also handsome and filial—yet unexpectedly... There’s also my father, and my wife; tell me, what should I do if something happens to them? What reason do I have to live?"
Anning felt a twinge of empathy, her eyes too reddening: "The poor child, you don’t know, I also have four kids at home. As parents, I really understand your feelings; if something happened to our kids, I couldn’t live either."
"Yes, that’s why I came for help; unfortunately, the master wishes to retire..."
Bao Bufen cautiously glanced at Xiao Yuan.
Anning also looked at Xiao Yuan, while wiping her tears, and said: "A Yuan, Little Bao is really pitiful; if not for anything else, just because he’s so filial and loves his children, help them out. Speaking of which, this is also doing good deeds, it’s a great merit."
"This..."
Xiao Yuan pondered.
Anning went over and took Xiao Yuan’s hand: "A Yuan, please help him."
Xiao Yuan was a bit troubled but sighed under Anning’s plea: "Alright, alright, I didn’t want to meddle in these matters again, but since my wife pleaded for you, I’ll help you this once."
Bao Bufen was overjoyed.