Chapter 41: Encouraging Words
Yang Zhengshan checked the Mystical Spring and found no changes, so he took a jug of spring water and walked out of the room to boil the water.
Just as the water was about to boil, he heard a loud commotion in the courtyard.
“Dad, Dad!!”
Yang Mingzhi ran into the main hall, beaming with excitement.
“What’s going on?” Yang Zhengshan asked, not looking up from the spring water.
“I’ve become a warrior!” Yang Mingzhi exclaimed, standing in front of him with a proud expression.
However, Yang Zhengshan only glanced at him and responded with two words.
“Not bad!”
Yang Mingzhi’s face fell, expecting more enthusiasm.
“Not bad?” Yang Mingzhi repeated, feeling neglected.
Yang Zhengshan waved his hand impatiently and said, “I know! Since you’ve become a warrior, you must work even harder! Don’t slack off!”
Yang Mingzhi becoming a warrior was worth celebrating, of course. However, the problem was that the Yang family already had two warriors, and the village had four. When Yang Mingcheng first became a warrior, the whole family was thrilled and held a grand celebration. Later, when Yang Mingwu became a warrior, the reaction was more subdued due to the Hu tribe’s invasion and Yang Mingcheng’s precedent. Now, with Yang Mingzhi, it was even less significant.
In Yang Zhengshan’s eyes, Yang Mingzhi’s achievement was expected. Yang Mingzhi drank diluted Spirit Spring water every day, and sometimes Yang Zhengshan would even use regular Spirit Spring water to make tea for him. If he couldn’t become a warrior with that, then there was no need to continue practicing martial arts.
So, Yang Mingzhi’s accomplishment didn’t bring any surprise or excitement to Yang Zhengshan.
However, Yang Mingzhi looked crestfallen and asked, “Dad, aren’t you happy about my achievement?”
Yang Zhengshan shook his head, puzzled. “What do you mean? I said it’s not bad!”
“But, but you’re not enthusiastic at all!” Yang Mingzhi felt ignored.
Yang Zhengshan saw his pitiful expression and sighed. Ah, okay.
Yang Zhengshan comforted him, saying, “I believe in you! I’m confident you’ll become an excellent warrior!”
“Really?” Yang Mingzhi’s eyes lit up.
“Of course! As long as you persevere, I believe you’ll become a renowned warrior!” Yang Zhengshan’s words were filled with expectation and admiration.
Yang Mingzhi’s face glowed with excitement, and he exclaimed, “I’ll definitely become a renowned warrior!”
The usually clever Yang Mingzhi was now flighty and excited.
He even started practicing his gunplay in the courtyard, much to the confusion of the family members.
Yang Zhengshan’s lips curled up slightly, thinking that this batch of encouraging words was quite effective.
After Yang Mingzhi finished his gunplay, the family gathered to enjoy the boiled spring water. Yang Zhengshan was generous with the tea, and not only the three brothers but also Wangshi, Li Shi, and Lin Zhanyu were able to enjoy a cup.
Yang Zhengshan wouldn’t say that the tea had any special benefits; he just let them try it.
Grandson Yang Chengyi asked for more, and Yang Zhengshan smiled and gave him a piece of malt sugar instead.
The sugar was sweet, and the little one’s face lit up.
Yang Zhengshan didn’t neglect the other grandchildren, and while Wangshi and the others were cooking, he secretly fed them a few sips of Spirit Spring water in his room.
The little ones couldn’t drink too much, so a few sips were enough.
Yang Chengyi, who was one and a half years old, was already speaking clearly and asked for more.
Yang Zhengshan laughed and gave him the rest of the tea, and Yang Chengyi happily drank it all up.
“Grandpa, carry me!” Yang Chengyi begged, and Yang Zhengshan had no choice but to oblige.
He had to keep an eye on the two little ones, preventing them from crawling to the edge of the bed.
It was fortunate that there were many people at home to help with childcare; otherwise, it would be a daunting task.
As Yang Zhengshan sat on the bed, playing with the children, he couldn’t help but think that this batch of encouraging words was indeed effective.
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