Wang Juan blushed at Chen Chuanwu's blunt words. Her maidenly modesty made her lower her head and turn away, not daring to look at Chen Chuanwu.
Chen Chuanwu was suddenly at a loss.
What did Wang Juan mean? Did she agree or not?
"Um... Juan... if you think it's too sudden, you can think about it... I'll wait for your word..."
In the end, Chen Chuanwu chickened out. Originally, his father, Chen Changsheng, had told him that after confessing, he should put the ring on Wang Juan's hand and then give her a big hug!
But Chen Chuanwu was, after all, a pure young man in love for the first time; he couldn't be so smooth. He was extremely nervous!
"Oh! Remember to ask my father!"
Wang Juan was a cheerful girl after all, and she had long since set her heart on Chen Chuanwu. Seeing him acting like a block of wood and about to back down...
Immediately, Wang Juan became proactive.
She snatched the wooden box containing the ring, stole a glance at Chen Chuanwu's excited eyes—her face turning even redder—and then ran off.
Chen Chuanwu watched Wang Juan's retreating figure and chuckled foolishly. He thought to himself that the method his father taught him for chasing girls really worked!
Indeed!
It was Chen Changsheng's idea to have Chen Chuanwu take the initiative to confess. Seeing that his eldest son had reached adulthood and with only twelve years of Lifespan remaining, Chen Changsheng urgently needed descendants to increase his Lifespan.
But Chen Chuanwu was like a block of wood when it came to romance. Left with no choice, Chen Changsheng had to teach him some techniques for pursuing girls and force him to confess.
"I'll go home and tell Dad to go to Master Wang's place to propose, hehehe!"
Chen Chuanwu looked like a fox that had successfully stolen a chicken, a look of secret joy on his face. Thinking that he was about to marry Wang Juan, the joy in his heart was unstoppable.
Thus, he hurried back to his home at War Horse Slope.
Five years had passed. Although the Chen Family Courtyard House hadn't changed much, the people inside were vastly different.
As soon as Chen Chuanwu returned home, he saw Chen Chuanwen holding a steel saber, performing the Five Tigers Gate-Severing Saber with great vigor. However, Chen Chuanwu felt that his brother's saber technique had become more sinister and ruthless!
"Big brother, you're back! Spar with me again. I don't believe that even though we're both in the Bone Refining Realm, I still can't beat you!"
Chuanwen's eyes lit up when he saw his big brother. Over the past five years, with an ample supply of medicinal decoctions, Chuanwen had also advanced to the Bone Refining Realm!
Eighteen-year-old Chen Chuanwen was in high spirits. He wasn't as burly as Chen Chuanwu, looking a bit thinner, and his features inherited some of Yi Lian's refinement.
But the occasional glint in his eyes suggested a hidden sharpness within this lean and refined youth.
"Go away! Even if you practice for another five years, you won't be my match. I have something to discuss with Dad; I don't have time to play with you!"
Chen Chuanwu waved his hand, brushing Chuanwen aside. Over these five years, Chuanwu had cultivated diligently. Coupled with the Blood-Qi Pills and other supplements Chen Changsheng and the Iron Spear Hall Master had been buying for him, he had naturally entered the Bone Tempering Realm and become a true expert in the county.
Chen Chuanwen wasn't annoyed at being brushed aside. With a mischievous smile, he followed Chen Chuanwu, looking like he was waiting for a good show.
"Dad is in the backyard teaching Chuanjie the Stake Stance!"
Hearing this, Chen Chuanwu didn't care about the mischievous Chuanwen and hurried toward the backyard.
In the backyard, Chen Changsheng, now nearly forty, was teaching Chuanjie the Stake Stance!
Although Chen Changsheng was thirty-nine, he still looked like a fit thirty-year-old man. This was naturally the benefit of practicing martial arts. Five years had passed, and although Chen Changsheng's Aptitude was poor, he had still reached the Flesh Refining Realm through medicinal supplements.
Beside him, the delicate-looking boy acting like a good little child was naturally his nine-year-old son, Chuanjie.
Chuanjie held a fist stance. Even though his body was aching and sweat was dripping from his head, he still gritted his teeth and held on.
Chen Changsheng watched with satisfaction. His third son's Aptitude was no worse than Chuanwu's, and he possessed a resilient will; he was definitely a talent worth nurturing.
It was just that his looks were too delicate—prettier than an average girl. He would likely attract many romantic entanglements when he grew up; whether that would be a blessing or a curse remained to be seen.
"Dad, I have something to discuss with you!"
As soon as Chen Chuanwu entered the backyard, he shouted anxiously to Chen Changsheng.
Chen Changsheng first let Chuanjie rest, then slowly picked up his teacup and asked with a smile:
"What? Did it work?"
Chuanwu's confession today was encouraged by Chen Changsheng. He knew the feelings between the two children very well, so he had already anticipated the outcome.
"Juaner accepted my gift, but she said she has to tell her father. I figured it would be more appropriate for you to step in, Dad!"
Speaking of his marriage, Chen Chuanwu was a bit embarrassed.
"Haha, Eldest, you're finally getting married. If you didn't, I thought you were going to stay a bachelor. Chuanjie, go ask your big brother for Wedding Candy!"
"Wedding Candy? Big brother, give me Wedding Candy! When you marry a wife, you can't forget your little brother, ya!"
Hearing the news of Chen Chuanwu's marriage, Chen Chuanwen immediately started heckling, and Chuanjie's eyes lit up at the mention of candy, clinging to Chuanwu's arm.
"Oh... don't mess around, we're talking business! Dad, what do you think?"
Chen Chuanwu was only thinking about the proposal now; he had no heart for playing with his brothers!
"Alright, stop it! How about this: Eldest, get ready. Tomorrow I'll go to the Wang Family to propose for you. You two are finally going to make it official!"
Chen Changsheng said with a smile. He had waited so long for his sons to start expanding the Family. He had been eyeing the treasures in his Family Treasure Trove for a long time!
"Second son, go dig up those two jars of strong chinese liquor I buried five years ago. I'll need them for the proposal tomorrow."
"And Second son, you'd better find a girl soon too. After your big brother gets married, it'll be your turn. You'd better put some effort into it!"
Seeing Chuanwen heckling, Chen Changsheng felt a headache. This second son was too independent; finding a wife for him would likely be a hassle!
"Haha! Second brother, get married quickly so I can eat more Wedding Candy!"
Hearing about his own marriage, Chuanwen's face immediately fell. Only Chuanjie clapped his hands happily at the thought of Wedding Candy.
"Eat, eat, eat, that's all you know! Third brother, today I'll test your Martial Skill!"
Chen Chuanwen was a bit mean-spirited. Seeing Chuanjie so happy while he was annoyed, he used the excuse of testing Martial Skills to give Chuanjie a little beating.
Chen Changsheng didn't mind the children's playing. He went back to the room to discuss the eldest son's marriage with his wife.
Proposing, the banquet, the betrothal gifts—there was a lot to arrange, and he couldn't do it all himself. Besides, he couldn't leave the mother out of such a big matter.
After all, his wife was also a Martial Artist in the Flesh Refining Realm, and she was quite strong when it came to hitting people!