He knew that Zui'Er must be crying, which gave him a bit of a headache.
Then he looked around and suddenly said, "Mrs. Zhao, where are you going?"
As soon as the words were spoken, Zui'Er got up quickly as if shocked by electricity. Upon seeing the empty alley, she realized she had been tricked.
However, Zui'Er wasn't annoyed and didn't even bother to wipe her tears but smiled broadly.
"Ya, you must be hungry. Hurry up and change clothes inside. I'll cook for you!"
As she spoke, she took Zhao Ya's bag and walked into the house eagerly.
Watching Zui'Er's back, Zhao Ya smiled faintly.
He knew this girl hadn't had it easy these past days. After all, he had been away for several days, and the journey was delayed due to heavy snow.
So, she was this emotional upon their reunion.
However, that hug just now also stirred something in Zhao Ya's heart.
Suppressing his thoughts, Zhao Ya returned to the house where a neat stack of clothes, even socks, were prepared for him at the bedside.
After changing, Zui'Er's meal was ready.
The two sat face to face and began eating. As they ate, Zui'Er chatted non-stop, her cheeks rosy with happiness.
Zhao Ya didn't say anything, just maintained a smile throughout and listened quietly.
In the dead of night.
Zui'Er had fallen deeply asleep, while Zhao Ya stood in the courtyard still practicing martial arts.
During his days escorting, Zhao Ya only practiced the Five Tiger Fist in his spare moments but didn't touch the Eight Vajra Skills.
After all, it was his greatest trump card. Although it might be of little use even if others learned it, Zhao Ya still avoided displaying it in front of others.
Upon returning home, Zhao Ya naturally had to first practice the Eight Vajra Skills.
After practicing, Zhao Ya felt refreshed, with his whole body's meridians subtly vibrating.
Zhao Ya's heart stirred.
Recently, this feeling of having his whole body's meridians synchronized was becoming increasingly evident.
This clearly was a sign of an impending breakthrough.
Once he broke through, he would become a Martial Artist in the Muscle Strengthening Realm.
Even though this level of strength wasn't that high in Jianghu, it still provided a measure of self-defense.
The key was, from the time Zhao Ya began training until now, it had only been about six months, and this progress was astonishing.
Zhao Ya took a deep breath, practiced another set of Five Tiger Fist, then felt his whole body heat up, with Qi Blood boiling.
Seizing this moment, Zhao Ya took out the Meteorite Iron Saber, first caressing it tenderly, then gently drew it from its sheath.
The manufacturing craftsmanship of this Meteorite Iron Saber was incredibly exquisite, with a very reasonable handle design.
Holding the saber, Zhao Ya felt that its weight and length were just right, as if tailor-made for him.
Zhao Ya took a deep breath and began practicing the Gale Saber Technique.
The more he practiced, the more he felt that this treasured saber fit him like a glove, until he felt a sense of unity between himself and the saber.
Driven by enthusiasm, Zhao Ya straightforwardly used the Grasshopper body technique, swirling around the courtyard.
Only to see overlapping saber shadows, the whistling of saber winds, as if a gale had swept through the small courtyard, even knocking a lot of the snow off the eaves.
Suddenly.
Zhao Ya spun around and slashed down at a large vat filled with water in the courtyard.
With a crisp crackle, the Meteorite Iron Saber sliced cleanly through, leaving a crack in the middle of the vat.
The crack rapidly widened and then split into two, slowly collapsing apart.
[Gale Saber Technique Proficiency +20]
Zhao Ya sheathed the saber, his eyes filled with delight.
Not only because of the increase in proficiency but more importantly, due to the growth in his own strength.
Bear in mind, this vat was about the size of a millstone, and the water inside had already frozen, making it extremely solid.
Yet, with one slash, he split it in half, and the cut surface was smooth as a mirror, showing its sharpness.
Zhao Ya's confidence soared.
Even though he hadn't broken through yet, with this saber in hand, his strength could even surpass that of a general Second Realm Martial Artist.
Zhao Ya caressed the saber affectionately, but also reminded himself secretly.
He mustn't get carried away, especially since he couldn't casually show this saber to others. After all, the Iron Forging Manor was still in pursuit of this treasured saber.
If news got out, it would be extremely disadvantageous for him.
Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, he mustn't use this saber. Once used, all potential threats must be eliminated completely.
Having made up his mind, Zhao Ya put the saber away and then fell into a deep sleep.
The recent hustle and bustle made Zhao Ya sleep particularly soundly.
It wasn't until the next morning that Zhao Ya was awakened by the sound of Zui'Er making breakfast.
After breakfast, Zui'Er was about to wash Zhao Ya's changed clothes, but Zhao Ya stopped her.
"Forget it, those few clothes can be washed anytime. Come on, let's go to the market."
"Why go to the market?"
"To buy things, of course!"
With the year-end approaching, the long-depressed market finally showed some vitality.
Zhao Ya took Zui'Er on a buying spree, getting rice, flour, grains, and oil, among other things.
The main thing was clothing.
Zhao Ya took Zui'Er to a clothing shop, and despite her protests, he firmly bought her several sets of new clothes.
At noon, Zhao Ya also took Zui'Er to a well-known restaurant and treated her to a meal, then carried bags full of items back home.
"Go try them on!" Zhao Ya said.
In this era, clothing shops didn't have fitting rooms, so they could only be tried on at home.
Zui'Er nodded shyly and turned to enter the house.
A moment later, Zui'Er lifted the curtain and walked out bashfully.
"Do... do I look good?"
Zhao Ya looked up, and his eyes lit up.
Now Zui'Er was taller and a bit plumper than before, which made her shed some childlike innocence and gain a bit of youthful vitality.
Especially after changing into new clothes, her natural elegance was even more captivating, leaving Zhao Ya momentarily dazed.
"You look great!" Zhao Ya said sincerely.
Zui'Er's face lit up with joy, then she lowered her head and said somewhat heartbrokenly, "But it's just too expensive!"
Zhao Ya smiled faintly, "It's not expensive at all. Remember, as long as you're beautiful, your brother Ya can afford a few sets of clothes for you!"
Zui'Er's eyes curved with laughter.
"Okay, I understand."
The escort agency had given Zhao Ya a holiday, so he didn't go anywhere in the days leading up to the New Year, focusing solely on practicing at home.
Finally, it was New Year's Eve.
Early that morning, Zui'Er got up and started preparing, chopping meat and mixing spices, busy as ever.
Zhao Ya originally wanted to help but was pushed away by Zui'Er.
In her words, such tasks were for women, and Zhao Ya's help wasn't needed.
With no other choice, Zhao Ya started hanging up couplets and lanterns.
By evening, red lanterns hung high in the courtyard, and the couplets on the doorframes added a festive touch to the atmosphere.
At this moment, Zui'Er had also finished preparing the meal.
A large table full of dishes, with steaming dumplings in the center.
Zhao Ya and Zui'Er sat across from each other, each pouring a bowl of liquor.
"Happy New Year!"
After clinking glasses, they drank simultaneously and exchanged smiles.
At that moment, someone outside set off fireworks.
"It's New Year!" Zui'Er's little face was flushed, and she gazed dreamily at the fireworks blossoming endlessly in the sky.
"Yes, it's the New Year!" Zhao Ya said.
At that moment, the firelight in the furnace danced, and the cold wind howled outside the window.
Zhao Ya suddenly felt a sense of home.