Three years

Nanshan Province, Qingshan Town.

It was three years after he began keeping his diary.

Eight-year-old Yu Daoyi—our little “Cabbage”—was staring blankly at his own reflection in the small pond within the courtyard.

“Truly, I possess a beauty that can cause fish to sink and birds to fall, that can eclipse the moon and shame flowers. Bah, bah, bah, let’s be honest—I have an extraordinary presence and outstanding looks!” Yu Daoyi gazed at his reflection with immense satisfaction.

Of course, while the eight-year-old Yu Daoyi could already be considered neat and delicate in appearance, the claims of “extraordinary presence” and “outstanding looks” were pure rhetorical flourish. What eight-year-old could possibly exude an extraordinary aura?

“Father, I seriously think we need to consult a physician. After all, he’s my brother. If he goes blind at such a young age, it’ll be quite troublesome in the future.” Sitting beside him, little Yunfan regarded his brother with undisguised disdain. Since he could remember, he’d had a hard time accepting that such a person was his brother.

“Excuse me? Little brother, do you have some misunderstanding about your brother’s looks?”

“Ugly,” Yunfan replied coldly, without even turning his head.

“Excuse me? Little one, I’ll give you a chance to rephrase that.”

The five-year-old Yunfan furrowed his tiny brows, pondering for a moment before heaving a deep sigh.

“Hmm, you’re just uniquely ugly.”

“Unique?”

“Uniquely ugly.”

“Father, could you please step aside? As the elder brother, I believe it is my duty to occasionally foster brotherly affection.”

“Yesterday morning, I saw you sneaking into Father’s study, and then—”

“Ahem, ahem! Little brother, weren’t you clamoring the other day to eat cakes from Cloud Treasure Restaurant? I heard the Seven Luminaries Chamber’s branch just got in a new batch of trinkets. As your one and only brother, I thought it necessary—hey, hey! Father, stop pulling my ear, it hurts! Let’s talk this out, can’t we just sit down and discuss things like father and son?”

“You rascal! I’ve been secretly saving up my private stash for more than half a year! Do you know how hard it is to save even a little, right under your mother’s nose? No wonder she knew about my secret hoard!”

“No, Father, it wasn’t me! Little brother framed me! How could I possibly know where you hid your money? Please stop pulling my ear, it’s about to come off!”

“I heard Mother tell my brother that if he could find your stash, she’d double his allowance next month,” Yunfan said, sitting by the pond and gazing into the distance, his expression as calm as ever.

You little traitor!

“Outrageous! As my son, instead of helping your old man, you side with the enemy?!”

“Father, don’t listen to him, he’s making things up! Please, Father! Even a tiger doesn’t eat its own cubs!” Cabbage cried out urgently, but was answered only by a shrill scream: “Aah!”

Half an hour later.

Yu Daoyi, battered and bruised, sat by the pond alongside his little brother, gazing up at the sky with a complicated expression.

June 20th. Clear skies, gentle breeze, not a cloud in sight.

Father, deceived by a villain’s slander, has punished me most grievously. Though I pleaded my case in every way, he would not listen—an obstinate old turtle reciting scriptures. In the end, I was baptized by the love of my dear father.

He confiscated all my allowance for this month, next month, the month after, even up to half a year—said it was to be contributed to the public good.

He even threatened that if Mother so much as heard a whisper of this, he’d show me just why the flowers bloom so red.

Ha! Men.

Yu Daoyi turned to look at his brother with a complex gaze, then slowly rose to his feet. I have no desire to see this heartless little traitor again!

Damn, that hurts like hell.

Supper.

Mother seemed long accustomed to her lively and lovable eldest son showing up covered in bruises from time to time. She barely spared him a glance. Oh, and she was often in on the beatings herself.

“After supper, you two come to my study,” Father said, looking at the pair.

“No, your eldest son is now battered and bruised, his heart especially riddled with wounds. I don’t wish to see Father’s handsome face,” Cabbage refused outright.

“It’s about cultivation.”

“Father, for some reason, I’ve just realized how dashing and charming you remain to this day—truly captivating. Might your humble son have the honor of receiving your wise instruction tonight?” Cabbage had no shame at all.

Flatter enough and you get everything you want.

Father: “…….”

Mother: “…….”

Yunfan: “…….”

How did I end up with a son like this?

That night, during the hour of the dog.

Yu Daoyi and his treacherous little brother arrived together, their eyes shining with excitement. Their delight was impossible to hide.

“My brother, do you know? Soon, the world will witness the birth of a peerless genius. He’ll struggle wits and strength with all manner of evil forces, and in the end, he’ll become the world’s most powerful!”

Hehe.

A mysterious old man in a ring, a pet divine beast—there’s plenty to look forward to.

Pill refining, forging, formation magic—master of all trades.

Plenty of ideas, loads of luck, even useless skills can turn to gold.

With a mighty aura and unmatched charisma, I’ll gather little brothers and beauties alike.

Yunfan watched his brother, nicknamed Cabbage, grinning like a fool. For some reason, he suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

Meanwhile, Yu Daoyi was utterly oblivious to his own lack of self-awareness. With his penchant for courting disaster, he’d be lucky to survive three episodes in a TV drama, not even counting the opening and closing credits.

“My dear brother, please, just try to stay alive.”

What?

The Yu estate, situated on the northwest street of Qingshan Town, covered several hectares. Alongside the Wang, Song, and Lin families, they were considered one of the town’s four great houses—a true local magnate, though they kept a low profile and were seldom mentioned by the townsfolk.

Within the estate, one could see towers and pavilions everywhere, lush greenery and dense bamboo arranged with careful artistry, the whole place exuding an air of classical sophistication.

Outside the study, the door was gently pushed open, releasing a faint scent of ink and books. Shelves were stacked high with volumes, and a sandalwood desk bore a complete set of scholarly implements.

Heh.

Stubborn little Cabbage had snuck in here more times than he could count. It wasn’t just the set of writing tools on the desk—even the books on the shelves were new to him; when he’d come to “copy and study” (not pilfer the secret stash, certainly not), the shelves had been almost bare, with only a book or two scattered about. His father always praised his “talent,” but if one considered the man’s actual education—well, even Cabbage’s own name was nothing to boast about.

Looking at the study now, so transformed, he suddenly felt it unfamiliar. Was Father really trying to convince his two sons he was a learned scholar? As if he didn’t realize his image had already collapsed beyond repair.

Yu Daoyi, oblivious to his own lack of self-awareness, wisely kept silent. If for no other reason, then to avoid a second beating today.

The two brothers saw their father standing with his hands behind his back, admiring an ink painting on the wall, the air fragrant with sandalwood. For a moment, it really did have a certain cultivated charm.

Time passed in silence. Yu Daoyi dared not speak, lest he invite another beating. Father, maintaining the airs of a sage, waited for his sons to break the silence. Little brother kept his usual aloof demeanor, quietly watching, as if to say, “If you ignore me, I’ll ignore you.”

Eventually—

“So, well, I do need to save a bit of face as your father. We can’t just stand here forever, can we?”

What?

Cabbage, quick on the uptake, glanced at his father, his mouth twitching.

He suddenly felt the urge to hit someone—a pity he’d lose the fight.

He said nothing, pulled his little brother out of the room, and closed the door behind him.

Knock, knock. A tapping at the door.

“Father, Daoyi and my brother come to visit late at night. Do you have a moment?”

“Mmm,” came Father’s gentle reply from within.

They entered. Once again, Father was standing with his back to them, admiring the ink painting—at that moment, he truly looked like an immortal sage.

“Such heroic bearing, such extraordinary presence—what immortal could this be, appearing in my father’s study?” Yu Daoyi stared in awe, his expression filled with disbelief.

Putting on an act was exhausting.

Father turned slowly, exuding the air of an immortal (if you didn’t know better).

“Haha, Daoyi, we’re father and son—no need to be so formal.”

Damn.

“F-Father? I must have been mistaken. I didn’t realize such an otherworldly figure was you. Truly, your appearance has opened my eyes,” Yu Daoyi said, eyes wide with even greater disbelief.

He quickly followed it up with another round of shameless flattery.

Yunfan watched the performance between the two, his gaze empty and desolate, as if his whole world had turned to ash.

Truly, what a tragedy!