Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Regardless of the elderly employee's enthusiasm in Taicang Sect, her friends were indeed capable. They had turned the courtyard into the desired state Wei Xi had wished for, even surpassing Mike's efficiency in flattering.

Shuo Zong scooped up a handful. The loose spirit soil was mixed with ordinary earth, unremarkable in appearance but exuding a serene fragrance.

This reminded him of the past, causing his eyes to darken slightly.

In truth, many years ago, spirit soil wasn't considered a rare treasure. At least to him, it was insignificant. Larger immortal mountains and major sects could even gather enough to cultivate medicinal herbs on their own spirit fields.

But times had changed. After the collapse of the Heavenly Dao, numerous rules in the world had shifted. Spirit stones, spirit soil, and countless heavenly treasures vanished alongside those once-thriving cultivation sects. Their hidden immortal caves within mountain protection formations lost their concealment due to insufficient spiritual energy, exposing them to mortal eyes, turning them into bustling tourist attractions.

So how did Wei Xi manage to preserve this bit of spirit soil?

Shuo Zong looked at Wei Xi, who had cheerfully retrieved his small basket from his room. Reaching inside, he pulled out a handful of—

A plant called Yanzhu, found deep within spirit mountains, known for its ability to alleviate worries and induce peaceful sleep...

Shuo Zong stared at the bunch of Yanzhu that Wei Xi held carelessly like weeds. They had started to wither due to neglect in the basket for too long. "..."

Wei Xi called out to the group, "Now that we've finished digging the pits, come on, Wanrong, let's plant the seedlings while your friends are here."

Shu Wanrong: "..."

The ladies were surprised and asked Shu Wanrong, "Eh? Is this your eldest son? Why does he call you by your name directly?"

Shu Wanrong fell silent for a moment before she struggled to respond, "...Our family has a more equal relationship. We don't differentiate like that, and we all call each other by our names."

Due to his natural command, these ladies who had just rested were suddenly made to till the land again, turning Wei's courtyard into a spring planting scene filled with rustic charm.

Confused, the ladies thought, Weren't we drinking coffee just now? Why are we doing this?

However, as they saw their fair fingers digging in the soil under the lamplight, their initial confusion was quickly replaced by a more pressing question. After all, the soil of the Wei family was truly miraculous. Although they didn't know its exact composition, its remarkable nourishing effects were enough to demonstrate its extraordinariness. They had been digging holes in the earth all day, and although their skin, which came into contact with the soil, wasn't as smooth and fair as Shu Wanrong's left hand due to the dilution of the spiritual soil, they still felt as if they had just completed an expensive facial mask treatment, with every pore brimming with moisture. They had plenty of money and had tried all sorts of beauty treatments. Apart from regular medical aesthetics, some even flew regularly to Rotorua for volcanic mud baths. But even the renowned beauty volcanic mud of Rotorua had never given them such visible results.

Thus, although they didn't understand why they were working, everyone was more interested in asking Wei Xi where he got the soil from than rebelling against being enslaved.

Wouldn't the effects be even more significant if they could fly straight to the source and luxuriously bathe in it?

When asked about the origin of the soil, Wei Xi seemed completely clueless—of course, the soil was dug from the ground.

Despite his blindness, Wei Dedao, that old fusspot, wasn't completely useless. Apart from preaching to the beasts in the mountains, he had also cultivated a considerable flower garden on the peak, growing vegetables and medicinal herbs.

After all, Wei Xi only knew how to hunt and was clueless about identifying vegetables. He ate anything without discrimination. After Wei Dedao found a deadly hemlock among the plants that Wei Xi had brought home, he strictly prohibited his disciple from bringing wild vegetables back.

Unfortunately, his health had been deteriorating, making it increasingly difficult for him to tend to the plants. Though Wei Xi despised him, being nagged at every day wasn't a pleasant experience either. Therefore, when Wei Dedao leaned on his hoe, feigning weakness, Wei Xi would usually lend a hand.

Of course, this help came with a price. Taking advantage of the fact that Wei Dedao couldn't see, Wei Xi snacked on the produce while helping out.

That old man was so oblivious!

Thinking this, Wei Xi felt quite pleased with himself. Whenever he sneaked a bite, he would turn around stealthily to check, only to find Wei Dedao standing behind him with a gentle smile in his unfocused eyes. He must have noticed nothing!

However, despite his pride, he still disliked these chores and always did them begrudgingly.

Oddly enough, as he passed by the garden with his basket on his back before leaving, he found himself staring blankly at the seedlings Wei Dedao had recently planted. His mind was flooded with Wei Dedao's usual nagging, which he couldn't shake off.

Without any rational reason, he ended up filling his basket with those heavy and useless things. As he leaped through the forest, he felt increasingly annoyed.

As for why he asked Shu Wanrong to scatter the soil in the yard – honestly, he just did it on impulse without knowing why.

In front of the women who had eagerly offered to help, he naturally told the truth: "It was brought out from the mountains."

The ladies were thrilled and asked which mountain range or scenic spot it came from. Wei Xi didn't know the name of the peak he and Wei Dedao had been on, so he was about to reply when his second disciple's cold voice rang out before him: "This is a mineral soil found only on Mount Muzhuobale in the Himalayas."

Wei Xi: ????

Everyone turned to look, and the handsome young man was leaning casually against the courtyard wall, quietly studying a plant between his fingers.

Ah...

The women were all momentarily stunned, instantly believing without question. As for this Muzhuobale Peak, they searched their phones to find out more about its beauty benefits—

Muzhuobale Peak, also known as Namjagbarwa, was covered in glaciers and extremely difficult to climb, claiming the lives of countless mountaineers. Thus, it had another very special name: Killer Peak.

The ladies exchanged glances and fell silent.

Maybe... maybe they should just forget it.

******

Planting was no small task. Eventually, everyone from the Wei family rushed out to lend a hand, except for Wei Tianyi, who stubbornly hid in his study. With Mike's efficient digging, the entire yard was abuzz with activity for hours until the job was finally completed.

The servants handled the labor well, but the accustomed ladies of leisure were suffering. Their afternoon delight of chatting over coffee and beauty treatments was long forgotten. If not for Shu Wanrong silently working alongside them, they might have already made their excuses and left.

After tirelessly filling the last corner with soil and seeds, the exhausted socialites could barely stand straight. At the sight of Wei Xi attempting to give them more orders, they hastily claimed urgent matters at home and departed.

By then, Shu Wanrong had become utterly numb. It was unclear whether her husband's black eyes or seeing her friends being bossed around by her stepson affected her more. Unity Yi, a polite young man, discreetly asked his master, "Master, these people have been helping us all day. Shouldn't we do something to show our appreciation?"

Show our appreciation?

Wei Xi realized that she was right. These women, though taken in by Shu Wanrong to work, were not members of their Taicang Sect. It was only fair to offer them some compensation.

However, the Taicang Sect was still in its infancy and had conducted only a few transactions. Their funds were limited, making him reluctant to part with his money.

Thus, he looked around and plucked a few blades of grass, approaching the departing noblewomen to distribute them with polite words, "You've worked hard. Please accept these violet stalks as a token of appreciation. They can help calm the mind, promote restful sleep, and alleviate worries."

The noblewomen, receiving what resembled chives, responded, "...Is that so?"

Shu Wanrong watched her friends leave with almost panicked figures, unable to hold back a long sob under the cover of night. It was over; she would never be able to show her face in social circles again.

At that moment, Wei Xi tapped me on the shoulder. Turning my head, I saw him nodding at me with a look of profound satisfaction.

"Wanrong, your friends are impressive. They work efficiently. If you have the chance, do invite them over for a visit more often."

Shu Wanrong: "..."

Uh...

As an accomplished translator of danmei fantasy novels, I'm currently immersed in the translation of a captivating tale that seamlessly weaves together elements of danmei and the mystical realm. The following passage, rich with the essence of these genres, is elegantly rendered into English:

As Liu entered his own home and handed his bag to the butler, he felt an overwhelming sense of relief, as if he had just escaped a perilous ordeal.

She rubbed her aching back, recalling the exhausting day at the Wei family's residence. She couldn't help but shiver, finding Shu Wanrong's eldest son truly terrifying. He commanded guests to work as if it was the most rightful thing in the world. Shu Wanrong seemed to dote on her son excessively, not even bothering to intervene or offer a gentle reminder. As a result, she couldn't bring herself to refuse and could only bury herself in the tasks at hand.

From the staircase came the husband's astonished inquiry, "Why are you so late? Did you fall into a mud puddle? You're utterly filthy."

Liu was too exhausted to bother with words; he waved his hand in silence, "It's a long story, and such an absurd day it has been."

The husband hurried to catch up, taking in her appearance with growing disbelief. Noticing the object she was holding in her hand, he inquired, "Why do you have a leek in your grasp?"

Mrs. Liu glanced at the grass leaf in her hand, her expression of speechlessness intensifying. After entering the room, she casually placed it on the bedside table. "Shu Wanrong's eldest son gave it to me. He said it could help with sleep or some other nonsense. Who knows what gibberish he was talking. I smelled it on the way and it didn't seem like chives, but I have no idea what it is. Don't worry about it. I'll take a shower first and talk to you later."

Her husband responded with an "oh," then pulled back the covers and sat on the bed, starting to type on his laptop.

Seeing this, Mrs. Liu couldn't help but frown and advise, "Don't look at the computer anymore. You're already having trouble sleeping. You'll just end up more awake if you keep going."

Her husband raised a hand to massage his nose bridge, smiling helplessly while fatigue lingered in his brows. "Alright, I know what's best. Go ahead and shower. I'll be done soon."

The moment the bathroom door closed, Mr. Liu's smile vanished, replaced by a deep sense of melancholy.

He knew his wife's concern was out of love, but how could he control his inability to sleep? The work pressure was immense; when he closed his eyes, his mind was flooded with business data and social connections. This overwhelming complexity was like a mountain pressing down on him, leaving him no respite. He hadn't been able to sleep naturally for more than four hours without sleeping pills in who knew how long. As a result, his mood had deteriorated, and depressive symptoms had begun to plague him, pushing him to the brink of breakdown at every moment.

Raising a family was no easy task!

He blinked his dry eyes, suppressing the recurring thoughts of escape that had lately plagued his mind. He randomly typed a string of numbers on the keyboard. Suddenly, a faint fragrance wafted into his nostrils. The scent slowly infiltrated his nasal passages, filling his brain, and for a brief moment, he experienced a rare sense of tranquility.

It was like the blossoming flowers of spring, the gentle stream of summer, the autumnal maple leaves covering mountains, and the endless snow-capped peaks.

Confused, he turned his head to see the chive leaf, still carrying a bit of soil, lying quietly beside the bedside lamp.

Madam Liu was exhausted and frustrated, and even the newfound smoothness of her complexion after washing her face couldn't lift her spirits. Her husband, Liu Wen, was in the investment business, with a sprawling operation that brought in a lot of money but also multiplied his responsibilities. In recent years, the market had been sluggish, causing Liu Wen to work tirelessly from dawn till dusk, logging over fourteen hours a day. Every morning when she opened her eyes, he was already working, and every night when she closed them, he was still at it. In nearly a year, she had never caught him sleeping. Once, she even found a half-empty bottle of sleeping pills in a drawer!

How could his health withstand this?

Wringing out her damp hair, she opened the bathroom door, determined to make her husband a soothing cup of warm milk later to help him sleep. However, the cold air from the room greeted her, but the sound of typing that should have been present was absent.

Huh?

Madam Liu tiptoed softly, peering into the room. In the next moment, the towel she was using to dry her hair slipped from her hands and fell to the ground.

The bedside lamp was still on, and the computer screen saver glowed on the carpet by the bed. Her husband, who had been working before she went to take a bath, was now sprawled across the covers, snoring gently with an open mouth in a rhythmic and even pattern.

In his outstretched left hand, he clutched an unremarkable little leek.

*****

Liu Wen slept for a full twelve hours. If not for a concerned subordinate calling him, worried about his tardiness, he might have slept through the entire day.

The moment he opened his eyes, he felt the world around him was bright and vivid, and his mood soared like the sunbeams filtering through the curtains into the room.

After dealing with his subordinates, he glanced at his phone and realized how long he had slept. Startled, he jumped out of bed and noticed his wife had been sitting beside him the whole time.

Discovering he was late, he didn't feel terrible at all. Instead, he smiled at his wife and asked, "What's going on? Didn't you have a card game today?"

Mrs. Liu shot her husband an annoyed look. "I was worried about you since you didn't wake up after so long! Is everything alright with you?"

Lost in thought, Liu Wen gazed at the ceiling of his room and muttered to himself, "Yeah, I haven't slept this soundly in ages. It feels like I'm back in my carefree youth, without any worries or even dreams. It's truly miraculous."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Liu fell silent. Her gaze slowly landed on the grass that her husband had been holding all night. The once fresh blade of grass was now turning yellow at its tip. Her expression shifted from disdain to astonishment as she said, "When Wei Xi's kid gave me this yesterday, he mentioned it could aid sleep and relieve stress. Could it be that this is the reason?"

Liu Wen held up the wild grass resembling chives, equally amazed. "If that's true, it's simply incredible..."

*****

Mrs. Liu promptly headed to the Wei residence, only to find that several of her lady friends had already arrived.

The Wei family's living room echoed with the chattering laughter of the noblewomen. Initially unsure why they were there, Mrs. Liu was startled after overhearing a few words upon taking her seat.

It turned out that her husband wasn't the only one enjoying restful sleep these past few days. Others who had received the grass from Wei Xi also experienced peaceful slumber. Mrs. Zheng, plagued by hair loss, was even more ecstatic. "Oh my, you have no idea. I've been suffering from insomnia ever since my menopause. You know how irritable one gets when they can't sleep. I used to lose my temper with my husband and kids every day. But these past few nights, I've been sleeping through until morning, and all my anger has vanished. Even my hairline seems to be growing new strands; perhaps it's thanks to that mud too."

Another friend chimed in, "Indeed, I don't suffer from insomnia, so I gave the herb to my mother-in-law. She's been in such a good mood lately, dragging me out every day to buy clothes and bags for me. Since I married my husband, when has she ever treated me so kindly? That's why I came here today, hoping to buy some of that herb from Wei Xi to send abroad for my son. He's under a lot of academic pressure overseas and hasn't had a good night's sleep in ages."

Hearing the chatter, Mrs. Liu was utterly astonished. At this moment, she confirmed her suspicions that she had held before arriving.

Despite being praised by her friends, Shu Wanrong didn't seem particularly delighted. Unity Yi was already beaming nearby, promoting their venture: "Is that so? That's fantastic! My master was also delighted to hear about it. However, my master mentioned that although the Avena plant is excellent, it tends to wither quickly after being harvested. Once it withers, it becomes useless. With everyone constantly buying it, the cost can add up. So, I suggested to my master that we create a relaxing tea corner in our courtyard at home. If all you ladies purchase a membership card from our Taicang Sect, you can bring your friends in for tea and conversation. The garden is filled with rare and exotic plants collected by my master, some of which have even more miraculous effects than the Avena. Spending time there might even cure your ailments without needing external remedies. Plus, with the membership card, you'll get a 10% discount on Avena purchases, and if you buy more, there might be additional perks in the future."

Upon hearing this, the ladies were overjoyed and applauded the idea.

A discount, 10% off, membership privileges, and the chance to enjoy tea and conversation in the garden – it was simply too good to be true!

Shu Wanrong: "..............."

In the evening, after Wei Tianyi finished work and returned home, he was greeted by a burst of ecstatic laughter as he pushed open the door.

Standing at the entrance of the courtyard, he fell silent for a moment. Unconsciously, he took two steps back and checked the house number to make sure that this was indeed his residence.

"..." Wei Tianyi turned to the ashen-faced House Manager Zhou and inquired, "What's going on here?"

House Manager Zhou replied, "Well, it's like this... Young Master has opened a... a leisure... leisure club here at home."

Upon hearing this, Wei Tianyi immediately flew into a rage. "Nonsense! Didn't Madam stop him?"

Housekeeper Zhou: "Well, it's like this. The first batch of members in Young Master's leisure club were actually friends of Madam."

Wei Tianyi: "..."

It's upside down, everything is upside down!