CHAPTER 1116: CHAPTER 1072: YESTERDAY CANNOT BE PURSUED, TODAY MUST BE CHERISHED

If I really used Weit Liaozi to explain the military situation to Zhang Fei, Chen Xi estimated that even if Zhuge Liang possessed him, he still wouldn’t get through to Zhang Fei.

As for the pre-battle prep, battle planning, and post-battle reflection covered in those three points, it didn’t matter whether Zhang Fei understood them or not. Just doing as told would be sufficient. Military strategy, once taken to the battlefield repeatedly, would eventually be comprehended, progressing from learning to understanding, and from understanding to transcendence.

After all, Zhang Fei was to practice against the Hu People, not Cao Cao. Even with bonuses like famine or fighting to the death, it wouldn’t be too difficult. As he fought, he’d get the hang of it and naturally handle it well then.

Although Zhang Fei didn’t understand these things, he still rigidly memorized them. As for comprehension, that would be a matter for the battlefield.

Afterwards, the two of them chatted about other matters. Zhang Fei once again invited Chen Xi for some food and drink, but realizing there was already a welcome banquet for Taishi Ci and Chen Dao that evening, Chen Xi unceremoniously declined.

Feeling a bit embarrassed to stay longer, Zhang Fei left shortly after. Once Zhang Fei was gone, Chen Xi sat back in his lounge chair, pulled the blanket over himself, and Zhen Mi leisurely walked out from the hall.

In fact, Zhang Fei’s talk about a ’big niece’ was meant for Chen Xi to hear. Keen-eared and sharp-eyed, Zhang Fei could also hear Zhen Mi and Chen Xi’s voices through a wall. Those words earlier were purely to tease Chen Xi.

"Zichuan, what book are you reading?" Zhen Mi asked curiously, pressing down on Chen Xi’s shoulder and looking at the book in his hand.

"Reading a book I wrote." Chen Xi raised the book for Zhen Mi to see. It was a printed book, though Chen Xi still occasionally read it.

"The amount of wealth isn’t fixed but is..." Zhen Mi bent down slightly, reading the text in Chen Xi’s book.

"Upon careful review, I find it quite biased. Previously, I didn’t notice while going through it once, but now, reading it closely, I spot certain issues. Written words need time to settle; they can’t be penned hastily," Chen Xi said with a smile. "At this level, if it weren’t in this era, it would be just consumption."

"It’s already quite impressive," Zhen Mi said cheerfully. "At least you’ve put your thoughts in writing, and it’s well done; Zichuan, what did you name the daughter?"

"The daughter, huh? I’ve never seen her since birth, but I’ve named her Chen Qian. What do you think?" Chen Xi lay back on the chair, too lazy to lift his head, extending his hand behind but hitting only air.

"I’m not that little girl anymore; you can’t treat me like that," Zhen Mi teased, shifting her weight back and taking a few steps backward with a giggle.

"Not much bigger, in every way," Chen Xi laughed. "My wife and daughter are coming. Are you prepared?"

"Probably many things I did before will be seen as ill-intentioned by Elder Sister Fan," Zhen Mi said with some frustration, though not much worry. Since Chen Xi promised, there’d be a result. She then remembered something, took two steps forward, and said, "Zichuan, do you think we should tidy the furniture and everything at home first?"

"Let’s leave it as it is. The furniture here at Mount Tai was arranged by Jian’er. Yours is here, and when we get to Chang’an, let Ran’er arrange it once. That’s it," Chen Xi said casually. Everything was set, no need to fuss, and besides, Chen Xi always thought Zhen Mi arranged furniture better than Fan Jian.

"So Lady Lan is more important after all, right? After all, she was the woman who went through the hardest times with you," Zhen Mi said with a moment of silence, then smiled. Although slightly unwilling, cherishing old ties is a good habit.

"If I have to say, it’s probably a feeling of not forgetting friends made in hardships and not dismissing a wife garnered in poverty. Naming Chen Lan as the legal wife did put some pressure on me back then, but well..." Chen Xi recalled the days when only he, Chen Lan, and the housekeeper were left in the Chen Family. The old Chen Xi’s legacy to him was perhaps only that unwavering determination.

As for the Fan Family, in the legacy Chen Xi inherited, there was some detachment. After all, Fan Liang hadn’t visited for years, but later actions by Fan Liang consoled the departed spirit of his former self, resolving past grievances, albeit without that childhood feeling.

"Actually, Zichuan, I want to know who I am in your eyes." Zhen Mi hesitated and then asked this risky question.

She couldn’t help but feel uneasy, needing to know. Though Liu Liang’s hints led Zhen Mi to gather some truth from scattered happenings.

"Why are you so interested in this question? At least now I see you," Chen Xi said helplessly, appearing a bit embarrassed. Shaking his head, he cleared his mind, then pointed at his eyes, "Look, right now, I only have you in my eyes."

Although Zhen Mi felt pleased, she feigned dissatisfaction on the surface and grabbed Chen Xi’s shoulder, "I’m happy you say that, but I want to know who you saw in me at first."

Chen Xi’s expression fell, looking a bit gloomy. However, the past is unchangeable; what’s gone is gone. He’s moved out from the shadow and even named his daughter Chen Qian again, so what is there not to say?

"Forget it if you don’t want to say," Zhen Mi sighed, though she’d pieced most of it together. Still, she hoped to confirm it, as Chen Xi carried a heavenly guise, knowing from birth.

"Haven’t you already guessed?" Chen Xi said helplessly, pulling Zhen Mi to sit beside him. "Earlier, didn’t you specifically observe many people to see their gaze and mine at you? I’ve never concealed it in this aspect."

Zhen Mi felt a headache, pressing her temples, smoothing her hair, and after a while, pointed at herself, "Daughter?"

"What do you think?" Chen Xi replied with a hint of teasing, fully stepping out of the shadows. After all, his former self was essentially gone. If not for Zhen Mi’s probing, he’d hardly react.

"Chen Qian? The timing of your outburst last time matched exactly!" Zhen Mi raised her eyebrow and questioned.

"I never said that," Chen Xi turned his head nonchalantly, avoiding a direct answer.

"No wonder my mother said your gaze at me was just like hers at me. You fraud," Zhen Mi said with discontent.

Chen Xi looked up at Zhen Mi standing beside him, pointed at his clear eyes, "At that time, we had separated, just hadn’t moved on. But I’ve moved on now."

Then, as if not finished, or hinting, "Today’s moment is but a fleeting period." (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) and vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)