Yin Qinghe's mindset had actually undergone quite a significant change over this period.
After Master Zhao lost contact, many talented alchemists cultivated by Danxin Herb Hall were poached by other pharmacies.
So from the beginning, she offered Qin Yu great incentives, all to make him stay.
Doing nothing for a whole year and still earning sixty lower grade spirit stones—if that's not a bribe, what is?!
She hadn't expected there would be an unexpected gain.
If Qin Yu truly values loyalty and righteousness, then naturally, she could…
Cultivate him without reservation.
Of course, she still needs to observe him for some time before knowing whether he's just pretending.
"Agreed!"
"Thank you, Master's wife!"
Qin Yu's face was full of delight, thanking her repeatedly.
"After you pay your respects and offer tea, I'll have someone accompany you to bring your wife and child here."
Then they entered the main hall, Yin Qinghe seated herself in the chief spot. Because of this movement, her clothes were pulled tight in places, outlining a graceful curve.
It was truly a breathtaking sight.
Qin Yu, afraid to offend, kept his gaze lowered, but accidentally caught sight of this scene.
Hiss!
He quickly averted his gaze elsewhere.
If he lost composure in front of Master's wife, that would not be good.
Soon, everything was ready. It wasn't too grand, since Danxin Herb Hall was in its current situation. Yin Qinghe hadn't invited anyone else for witness.
"Disciple Qin Yu, offers tea to Master's wife!"
Qin Yu respectfully presented Yin Qinghe with a cup of tea.
After the simple apprenticeship ceremony,
Yin Qinghe had the Shopkeeper personally accompany Qin Yu for a walk to Spring Rain Lane.
Although Danxin Herb Hall is weakened, its foundation remains. After so many years, they still have some connections; those people wouldn't dare to act too ugly.
With the Shopkeeper there, nothing should happen.
Right after Qin Yu left, Zhao Mengli asked Yin Qinghe, "Mother, I've gained another junior brother? Where do you plan for him to stay?"
Danxin Herb Hall has quarters set aside for alchemy apprentices.
But Qin Yu's identity is different, and Yin Qinghe couldn't help but be a bit partial. She worried if word got out, Qin Yu would be poached by other pharmacies.
Recalling she wanted to observe him, she quickly decided, "There's a room in the side yard. Have it cleaned up, and let Qin Yu move in."
Zhao Mengli was surprised: "Mother, you're letting Junior Brother Qin live in the same courtyard as us?"
"What's wrong with that? Your Junior Brother Qin is talented; perhaps he'll be useful when you get along."
Yin Qinghe didn't explain the real reason to her.
"Besides, that surnamed Cheng swallowed up several of our pharmacies! Now there's nowhere else to place your junior brother and his family."
"Mother, don't worry. When Father comes back, those people won't dare to act up!"
Sigh!
Yin Qinghe sighed long in her heart.
It's because he couldn't come back that those people dare to cause trouble!
Zhao Mengli is still young and can't shoulder Danxin Herb Hall. As for herself, truly becoming an alchemist still seemed so far away.
Yin Qinghe's talent in spiritual power isn't low, but she's limited by her root bone, so she fears…
...
At this moment, Qin Yu didn't know he'd already been thoroughly arranged by his newly acknowledged Master's wife.
Wang Bu was still waiting.
Seeing Qin Yu accompanied by the Danxin Herb Hall Shopkeeper, he understood everything at once.
Looks like he's been chosen.
With this step, Qin Yu was no longer part of the lower ranks; at least in the eyes of those loose cultivators outside the city, he'd already become an alchemy apprentice high above.
But five months ago, he was still a junior cultivator too timid to even leave his house.
Wang Bu was filled with emotion, but didn't show it.
"Grandpa Wang."
Qin Yu still addressed him respectfully upon seeing him.
If it weren't for Wang Bu escorting him, he might not even have made it safely through Spring Rain Lane yesterday.
"No, no, I dare not!"
This old cultivator in the Qi Refining Sixth Layer waved his hands repeatedly, unwilling to accept that title anymore.
Now Qin Yu truly felt the gap between the status of an alchemy apprentice and a regular cultivator.
"Grandpa Wang, if you ever need anything, you can come to Danxin Herb Hall and find me."
Knowing Wang Bu wasn't good with words, Qin Yu finished speaking, and followed the Shopkeeper towards Spring Rain Lane.
Even without Wang Bu by his side, he encountered no robbers.
Though the Shopkeeper was a stranger, anyone could tell from his attire that his status was not simple.
Clearly, Qin Yu wasn't the only careful one in this lane; those reckless types couldn't have survived this long!
Such a pity!
Qin Yu had originally wanted to vent his anger.
For one, he didn't know who was secretly trying to act against him; for another, he'd likely never cross paths with them again.
Forget it!
If he ever finds out who those people are, it won't be too late to deal with them then.
He believed that after today, news of him becoming an alchemy apprentice would spread through Spring Rain Lane, enough to make those guys anxious.
Inside the house.
Ever since Qin Yu left, Lin Qianqian and her sister had been worried sick, unable to calm their minds enough for cultivation.
They kept their window cracked just a little, instantly closing it whenever someone walked by.
Until they saw Qin Yu and the Shopkeeper approaching.
"Sister, Brother-in-law is back!"
Lin Shuishui was excited, grabbing the equally thrilled Lin Qianqian's arm and shaking it nonstop.
Qin Yu had just opened the door…
"Brother-in-law!"
"Husband!"
The Danxin Herb Hall Shopkeeper saw clearly—the girl calling Brother-in-law ran right into Qin Yu's arms.
What's going on?
The little sister and brother-in-law are this close?
He recalled what Yin Qinghe had told him before leaving, but kept his expression neutral, quietly observing from the side.
"Down, down."
Qin Yu pretended to scold, but even with a stern face, it didn't help at all. Lin Shuishui, though she got out of his arms, still clung to him.
All thanks to Lin Qianqian doting on her sister.
She was always fond of running to Qin Yu's bed even normally; now, in front of outsiders, she didn't hold back at all.
It was clear that Qin Yu had become… the dearest person in her heart.
Once inside, Qin Yu hugged Lin Qianqian, then said, "Pack up your things, we're moving!"
"Husband?"
Lin Qianqian froze for a moment, suddenly feeling a strange… anxiety.
"Together!"
Qin Yu understood the worry in her eyes, spoke with extra emphasis, and even glared at her.
Would he ever abandon his sister-in-law?!
"Thank…"
Lin Qianqian wanted to say something, but was stopped by his glare. The young wife was so touched, her eyes started to fill with tears as she pulled her sister along to pack up.
[Lin Qianqian Romantic Point: 80 (Heartfelt)]
Wow, a direct increase of fifteen Romantic Points!
Heartfelt.
From this moment forward, Lin Qianqian's heart was entirely tied to Qin Yu, this feeling even surpassed her bond with her sister Lin Shuishui.
Qin Yu then realized, his young wife had always worried he'd abandon Lin Shuishui.
Perhaps this was why he'd never fully accepted Lin Shuishui before.