Yu Xiaogang's presence at the noodle stand was so utterly unexpected that for a moment, the entire world seemed to be so small.
Tang San had to admit, if only to himself, a certain grudging respect for the master's persistence. He had genuinely lost count of how many times he had politely but firmly refused Yu Xiaogang's request to become his disciple.
The man's dedication to his theories, if not his social graces, was praiseworthy.
But the most profound shock was reserved for Yu Tianxin. His mind reeled. Of all the people to encounter in this backwater city, at this common food stall, it had to be him—the family disgrace.
A silent, desperate prayer shot through his mind: Heaven, do not let our relationship be exposed. The good impression, the fragile respect he had managed to build with Mei through his actions (and despite his words), felt poised to crumble into dust.
He vividly remembered his father's cold, disappointed words about this very uncle, the one who had disgraced their prestigious name with his so-called "theories" and subsequent banishment.
Yu Xiaogang, recovering from his own shock with a visible effort, quickly sidestepped his nephew and moved to Tang San's side, completely refocusing.
"Tang San," he began again, his voice regaining its scholarly intensity, though a new layer of strain was evident.
"Consider the opportunity. My research into spirit theory is unparalleled. I can provide you with a foundational understanding that will allow your control-system abilities to flourish in ways you cannot yet imagine. Your spirits are a historical anomaly; they require specialized guidance that only I can provide."
Tang San, ever polite, set his chopsticks down neatly. "Master Yu, I thank you for your high opinion. But my path is my own to walk. I must decline, again."
Undeterred, Yu Xiaogang changed tactics. "Is it resources? Connections? I may appear a simple scholar, but my background—"
It was at this moment that Yu Xiaogang, perhaps feeling his previous arguments held no weight, made a fatal miscalculation. He drew himself up, attempting to project an aura of latent authority.
"Let us not forget that I am the son of the leader of the Blue Tyrant Lightning Dragon Sect. My connections, while I may choose not to flaunt them, are substantial. With my endorsement—"
"SHUT UP!"
The words erupted from Yu Tianxin like a thunderclap. He had been sitting rigidly, fists clenched under the table, his face pale. The mention of the sect name was the final straw.
He shot to his feet, his chair screeching backwards, his finger pointing accusingly at his uncle. All eyes in the noodle stand were now openly staring.
"Stop this! Accept his refusal and leave with what little dignity you have left!" Yu Tianxin's voice trembled with a mixture of fury and profound embarrassment.
"Do not dare drag the sect's name through the mud to bolster your failed theories! You banished yourself. You have no right to speak on behalf of the sect anymore, especially not in public! And especially not in front of—"
His eyes flickered to Mei for a fraction of a second, the unspoken 'her' hanging in the air, amplifying his humiliation.
Yu Xiaogang was taken aback, turning fully to face his nephew's wrath. For a brief moment, a flicker of anger and spite crossed his features before it was buried beneath a defensive sternness.
"Tianxin, this is not the place for this discussion. I am merely—"
But the dam had broken. Xiao Wu, who was often slow to pick up on subtle social cues, had her head tilted, her eyes darting between the two men with dawning comprehension.
The same surname…
"Hey," she interjected, her blunt voice cutting through the tension. "Are you two... related?"
The question landed in the sudden silence with the weight of a boulder. Yu Tianxin flinched. The secret was out. His shoulders slumped in defeat. There was no hiding it now.
"He is my uncle," Yu Tianxin admitted through gritted teeth, his gaze fixed on the floor.
"The one who abandoned his duties and his family name to pursue foolish theories that brought him nothing but ridicule."
The words were harsh, parroted from his father, but they were the only shield he had left.
Well, that explains a lot, Ai commented in Mei's mind, her tone a mix of surprise and grim understanding.
The pride, the insecurity… it runs in the family, just in different forms.
A wave of murmurs passed through the other patrons. The name "Blue Tyrant Lightning Dragon Sect" was being whispered with a mixture of awe and derision, now linked directly to the disheveled scholar being publicly scolded by his own nephew.
Under the weight of public scrutiny and his nephew's scathing words, Yu Xiaogang's resolve finally cracked. The fire in his eyes dimmed.
He looked from Yu Tianxin's furious, mortified face to Tang San's impassive one, and then at the watching crowd. He had lost.
To push further would only deepen the humiliation for everyone, especially for the nephew who clearly wished he were anywhere else.
"…I see," Yu Xiaogang said, his voice quiet and defeated. He gave Tang San a stiff, formal bow.
"I… apologize for the interruption. I will… take my leave." and walked out of the noodle stand, a solitary figure swallowed by the busy street.
The aftermath was a pool of uncomfortable silence. Yu Tianxin remained standing, his breath coming in short gasps, his face a mask of shame.
And as Yu Tianxin paid for the food as an apology for his outburst. They went to wait for the previous carriage.
The arrogant young master was gone, replaced by a deeply embarrassed boy whose family scandal had been laid bare for all to see.
Then, he did something that shocked Tang San and Xiao Wu to their core. He turned to them and, with a visible effort, bowed his head.
"I… I apologize for my uncle's behavior," he said, his voice low but clear. "And for the disruption. It was… unbecoming."
This simple act, this lowering of his head from the boy who had been nothing but prideful since the moment they met, was more impactful than any boast or display of power.
Tang San saw the genuine mortification in his eyes. Xiao Wu, whose anger had been so quick to ignite, found it just as quick to dissipate in the face of such a sincere apology.
"There is no need for you to apologize for his actions," Tang San replied, his tone fair. "He is his own man."
"Yeah," Xiao Wu added, her voice uncharacteristically soft. "We get it. Family can be… complicated."
Seeing the conflict resolved, Mei felt a wave of relief and happiness. The tension that had plagued their entire meal was finally dissolving.
Now's your chance! Ai chirped in her mind.
A little physical gratitude! He did save you, and he just took a major blow to his pride. A hug would be perfect! Show him there are no hard feelings!
As Yu Tianxin straightened up, Mei stepped forward. "Thank you, Young Master Yu," she said, her smile warm and genuine.
"For everything. For saving me, and for… well, for this." Then, before he could react, she leaned in and gave him a brief, gentle hug.
The effect was instantaneous and total. Yu Tianxin froze solid. Every muscle in his body locked. His brain short-circuited.
The feel of her arms around him, the scent of her hair, the softness of the contact—it was a sensory overload that completely overwrote his embarrassment and shame.
A blush of a different, more flustered nature exploded across his face, turning it a shade of red far deeper than any tomato. He stood there, rigid and wide-eyed, unable to move or speak.
This profound, flustered reaction did not go unnoticed. Tang San and Xiao Wu exchanged a knowing look.
The pieces clicked into place: the earlier jealousy, the possessive comments, the now-blushing statue.
The reason for Yu Tianxin's erratic behavior around Mei suddenly became crystal clear.
As Mei stepped back, Yu Tianxin remained frozen, a testament to the power of a simple hug. Liu Xiu, who had been observing the entire scene with his usual calm, finally stepped in. He placed a firm hand on his student's shoulder.
"Young Master," he said, his voice gently breaking the spell. "The carriage is ready. It is time for us to depart for Thunder City."
Yu Tianxin jolted back to reality. He gave a jerky, uncoordinated nod, still unable to form words.
With one last, flustered glance at Mei and a more composed nod to Tang San and Xiao Wu, he allowed Liu Xiu to guide him away, his mind undoubtedly a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
As they watched the carriage disappear down the street, the atmosphere around Mei, Tang San, and Xiao Wu was finally, truly calm.
"Well," Xiao Wu said, breaking the silence with a grin. "That was… a lot."
"Indeed," Tang San agreed, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Mei simply smiled, looking at the space where the carriage had been. Her journey home had been far more eventful than she could have ever imagined, but it had ended with new understandings, mended fences, and the promise of interesting days to come.
Somewhere in the Spirit City
Xie Xue, who was meditating, opened his eyes and looked up at the sky."I feel a disturbance in the force. As if I lost a battle." He contemplated for a while and went back to mediating.