Zhou You rolled his eyes, countering, "Couldn't it be that they saw I was wealthy and tried to befriend me?"

"All the better. If they're good to you, show them kindness in return. If they mistreat you, we'll cut ties. After all, you still have me," Shao Qi reassured.

For some reason, Zhou You was deeply moved upon hearing these words. He knew he could manage alone, but hearing Shao Qi say "you still have me" made his heart race. Was this what feeling secure was like?

After acquiring the spiritual water, Zhou Yichen couldn't wait to return home. His residence was in a luxurious villa district at the heart of Yang City, where every mansion stood grand and spacious, a clear indicator of affluence.

Upon entering, he asked the butler, "Is my father home yet?"

"Not yet. Mr. Zhou should be home around six."

Leaving his bag behind, Zhou Yichen rushed upstairs, instructing the butler, "I'm going to the training room. Ensure no one disturbs me."

"Young Master, wouldn't you prefer to dine first before proceeding?"

"No, I'll eat when I'm out," said Zhou Yichen, his urgency palpable. Though regarded as a prodigy by many, only he knew the stagnation he felt over the past year in his training. Even his father would occasionally quip, "Genius is but a façade, appealing yet ineffective. True success is what defines a genius."

Should he ever be surpassed by his peers in the future, he'd face relentless ridicule and mockery.

Zhou Yichen's master was Tong Liwei, president of the Yangcheng Martial Arts Association and head of the Yueyang Sect. The Yueyang Sect taught a diverse range of martial arts including knife, sword, and spear techniques. However, they were most renowned for their internal cultivation technique – the Yin-Yang Scripture, an ancient eight-tiered method. Zhou had reached the second tier.

He recalled his master saying that if he had the spiritual water to enhance his physique, he could swiftly break through to the third tier, and perhaps even become a martial arts master, securing his position as the undisputed best among his peers.

Uncertain about the quality of the spiritual water in the jade vial, Zhou Yichen reckoned that since it was diluted, he might need to consume more. He emptied the vial in one gulp and tossed it aside.

Moments after swallowing, he felt a burning sensation spread from his stomach throughout his body. Every vein and meridian throbbed with excruciating pain.

"It's more potent than I expected," Zhou Yichen marveled at the effect of the spiritual water. The sensation resembled the widening of his meridians by external force. The pain was fierce, but he knew he had to persevere, so much so that he bit his lip without relenting.

And now, there was no turning back. Waves of heat surged through his body, his clothes soaked in sweat. He felt weak, parched, and disoriented, wanting to call for help but unable to muster a voice.

When Zhou's parents returned home and found out he was meditating in the training room, they didn't disturb him. He had locked himself in for days before, so they weren't particularly concerned.

The next morning, Zhou You saw Shao Qi, dressed impeccably in a suit, standing at his door. His hair was meticulously styled, giving him the demeanor of a corporate magnate.

"Such a grand appearance?" Zhou You was taken aback by Shao Qi's transformation, unable to shift his gaze.

Walking in, Shao Qi handed him a set of clothes, "Get up, change, and be quick. The car's waiting. After grooming, we'll grab breakfast. It's the weekend, so we should visit him before he goes out and avoids us."

Zhou You, who was full of confidence yesterday, was feeling a bit anxious as the reality of the situation set in.

The suit Shao Qi prepared for him was a deep blue pinstripe, fitting perfectly. There was no tie, as this wasn't a wedding – no need for formality.

After breakfast, Zhou You saw two top-tier luxury cars parked outside, with his friends waiting inside.

"Is everyone coming?" Zhou You asked in shock, "Won't this be too intimidating?"

Shao Qi explained, "We have different roles – drivers, bodyguards. It's normal to have many people."

"And what's your role?" Zhou You teased.

"Me? Obviously the boyfriend," Shao Qi quipped. "If he turns out to be your real father, I might as well get acquainted with my future in-laws."

Zhou You chuckled, realizing it was just a joke, but it did help lighten the mood.

Everyone knew that Zhou You was possibly meeting a relative. The grand arrangement was almost like they were about to crash a party rather than pay a simple visit.

They input the address into the GPS and drove towards the city center, stopping at the entrance of a villa complex. The security guards halted them, refusing entry upon realizing they weren't residents.

"Could you please contact Judge Zhou for permission?" One guard, sensing the importance of the visitors, hesitated.

"Judge Zhou?" Zhou You wondered if the young Zhou he had met was that ten-year-old judge.

"We don't have his number. Can you please connect us through the intercom?" Zhou You politely asked.

The guard, judging Zhou You's appearance to be trustworthy, obliged. After connecting the call, he cautiously relayed, "Mr. Wu, there are visitors outside asking to see Judge Zhou."

"My master is occupied today and won't be seeing any visitors." Wu, the butler, glanced at the worried couple in the living room, realizing their main concern was for the young master. They were hardly in a mood to entertain.

Zhou You took the phone and spoke directly, "Hello, I'm Zhou You. Please convey my greetings to Judge Zhou. If he refuses to see us, we'll leave immediately."

A pang of recognition hit Wu, the butler. Having served in this household for almost a decade, he had heard of Zhou You. He'd seen his master secretly shed tears over a photograph of Zhou on more than one occasion.