Chapter 180: Chapter 180

Xu Qingxue was utterly shocked.

Her fifth sister, Xu Feiyan, had only started martial arts training a year ago. Just six months prior, when they last chatted online, Xu Feiyan had barely reached the Ming Jin Beginner stage, the very basics of martial arts.

At that time, Xu Qingxue herself had already been at Ming Jin Late Stage.

Yet in just half a year, Xu Feiyan had leaped an entire major realm—from Ming Jin Beginner straight to An Jin Beginner!

Xu Feiyan had no formal master. She had only been learning casually from that self-proclaimed “Queen Sister” of hers.

And what about Xu Qingxue?

Her own master was a Hua Jin Peak expert—one of the strongest in the martial world.

Compared to Xu Feiyan’s progress, Xu Qingxue felt like all her training had been wasted.

Suddenly, she noticed Xu Feiyan’s aura fluctuating wildly.

“Oh no… I can’t hold it back anymore!”

As soon as Xu Feiyan spoke, an even more terrifying pressure erupted from her body—

She had been stuck at An Jin Beginner for a while now, but after snacking on those mysterious treats Xu Hao gave her (the ones that “boosted cultivation”), breaking through felt effortless.

Grinning, Xu Feiyan skipped over to Xu Qingxue.

“Thanks, Fourth Sis! That little spar just helped me break through again!”

Xu Qingxue’s mind went numb.

First, her fifth sister jumped a whole realm in half a year.

Now she was breaking through mid-battle like it was nothing?

Since when was advancing this easy?!

Her master had always praised her as a “once-in-a-generation talent,” but compared to Xu Feiyan… she might as well be trash.

Xu Feiyan tilted her head. “So… are we still fighting, Fourth Sis?”

I’ll fight you to the death!

Humiliated, Xu Qingxue lashed out—but Xu Feiyan dodged with fluid grace, her movements razor-sharp.

Xu Qingxue’s eyes widened.

This wasn’t just empty strength. Xu Feiyan’s combat instincts were polished, her reflexes honed.

“How…?” Xu Qingxue demanded. “Six months ago, you were just a beginner!”

“Natural genius, I guess~” Xu Feiyan flicked her hair smugly.

Xu Shiqing and Xu Huayi, who had been watching, finally stepped in.

“Don’t let her fool you, Fourth Sis. Dad taught her everything.”

“Yeah, she improved this fast because of his personal training.”

Xu Qingxue’s disbelief deepened.

Xu Hao? Teaching martial arts?

The man she knew was just a businessman—a shrewd one, but utterly ordinary in strength.

Even if he’d somehow dabbled in martial arts…

To produce a monster like Xu Feiyan in months?

Not even her Hua Jin Peak master could do that!

Xu Feiyan shot her sisters a glare for spoiling her fun, then sighed.

“Fine, the truth is… Dad’s teaching methods are just that good.”

Her eyes glowed with reverence as she remembered Xu Hao’s guidance.

Faced with all three sisters’ insistence, Xu Qingxue’s skepticism wavered.

As they continued touring the villa, Xu Qingxue froze at the sight of an unfinished painting on an easel—a Tiger Descending the Mountain.

Though incomplete, the raw ferocity leaped off the canvas. The beast’s aura was so vivid, she almost heard its roar.

“Who… painted this?” she whispered, trembling.

Xu Shiqing blushed. “It’s… mine.”

Xu Qingxue nearly choked.

This was masterpiece tier—beyond anything modern “great artists” could produce.

Xu Shiqing shyly pulled out more completed works, each more breathtaking than the last.

Before Xu Qingxue could recover, Xu Huayi dragged her to a calligraphy desk.

“Now judge these characters, Fourth Sis!”

The poem “Ascend the Summit, See How Small Peaks Bow” was rendered in strokes so powerful, they seemed to move.

Xu Qingxue’s voice shook. “Don’t tell me… you wrote this?”

Xu Huayi pouted. “You praised Sixth Sis so much! What about me?”

“But… how?!” Xu Qingxue was drowning in shock.

The twins giggled. “We told you—Dad taught us!”

She’d seen her sisters gush about him in the group chats but assumed they were exaggerating.

He trained Xu Feiyan into a martial prodigy.

Guided Xu Shiqing to painting mastery.

Taught Xu Huayi god-tier calligraphy.

Since when was he this capable?!

And the surprises kept coming.

As they approached the villa, an exquisite piano melody floated through the air—flawless, world-class technique.

Xu Qingxue didn’t need to ask.

This was Third Sister, Xu Hongzhuang.

She’d listened to her recordings online, but live?

“Dad taught her too,” the twins said in unison, grinning.

“Even the lyrics he wrote for her became hits.”

Finally, they stepped inside—where even more shocks awaited.

The moment Xu Qingxue stepped into the living room, an intoxicating aroma of tea enveloped her.

Her eyes lit up instantly.

Having spent the past two years on the mountain with her master, her leisure activities had been limited. Her master was a tea connoisseur, and she’d picked up a thing or two.

But this fragrance—this was something else. It surpassed even her master’s skill.

Who’s the tea master here?

Her gaze quickly landed on the figure gracefully brewing tea at the table—Xiao Wanling, Third Sister Xu Hongzhuang’s best friend.

“Wanling-jie, you read our minds! Thank you for the tea!”

Xu Shiqing poured several cups and handed one to Xu Qingxue.

“Fourth Sis, try this. Wanling-jie learned directly from Dad—her tea art is incredible.”

Xu Qingxue’s jaw nearly dropped.

And his student outperforms my master?

Skeptical, she accepted the cup, silently reassuring herself:

Maybe it’s all show—pleasant smell, mediocre taste.

She took a cautious sip.

The moment the liquid touched her tongue, a symphony of sweetness and richness exploded, leaving an endless aftertaste.

The flavor matched the aroma—perfect. Every aspect dwarfed her master’s brews.

“What’s got everyone so lively?”

A melodious voice rang out.

There, descending the stairs with regal poise, was a stunning noblewoman—her pregnant belly prominent.

“Su Mama! Why’d you come down alone? You should’ve called us to help!”

“Yeah! You’re our top-priority protectee now. If anything happens, Dad will skin us alive!”

Xu Shiqing and Xu Huayi rushed to support Su Wanqiu, fussing over her every step.

“I’m not that fragile,” Su Wanqiu sighed, though warmth flooded her heart.

Their filial care was touching.

Xu Qingxue’s voice trembled.

Memories flashed—how Xu Hao had abused and neglected them as children, while Su Wanqiu, their glamorous stepmother, had been their sole comfort.

Xu Qingxue had always cherished her. During her mountain seclusion, aside from missing her sisters, Su Wanqiu had been her deepest longing.

Yet now, reunited, she faced this shocking sight:

Her stepmother… was pregnant.

Back when she lived here, Xu Hao had treated Su Wanqiu just as horribly as he’d treated them—cold indifference punctuated by cruelty.

Su Wanqiu glowed with happiness. Their reconciliation was evident.

She’s even willing to bear his child.

“Qingxue! You’re back!” Su Wanqiu spotted her, smiling warmly. “Stay this time. Your sisters missed you terribly.”

Xu Qingxue’s eyes darted away.

Her grudge against Xu Hao remained. Living here? Impossible.

But that was between her and Xu Hao—no reason to take it out on her sisters or stepmother.

Gently, she hugged Su Wanqiu, careful of her belly.

“Su Mama… how far along are you?”

“Six months.” Su Wanqiu caressed her bump, radiating joy.

“You must rest properly now, it’s a critical phase,” Xu Qingxue said sternly. “I’ll prescribe some prenatal herbs to ensure a safe delivery.”

“Save it, Fourth Sis. Dad’s already stocked enough prenatal medicine to last years.”

“He gave her medicine? Those back-alley ‘doctors’ are quacks! Western drugs especially can harm the baby!”

Xu Huayi rolled her eyes.

“Who said he bought it? Dad formulated the prescriptions himself.”

Xu Hao… practicing medicine on a pregnant woman?

“Dad’s amazing at medicine,” Xu Shiqing chimed in. “Last week, he fixed my stiff neck with just a few massages.”

Xu Qingxue scoffed internally.

If he knows martial arts, understanding pressure points is basic. That’s not ‘medicine.’

Panicked, she grabbed Su Wanqiu’s wrist to check her pulse.

As her fingers pressed against the veins, her expression cycled through shock, confusion, and awe.

Finally, she released Su Wanqiu’s hand, silent.

“Well?” Su Wanqiu asked, curious. She knew Xu Qingxue had studied medicine.

Taking a deep breath, Xu Qingxue spoke slowly:

“Su Mama… My diagnosis confirms you and the baby are exceptionally healthy. No complications whatsoever.”

Not just her sisters—even Su Wanqiu and the fetus were in peak condition, immune to ailments.

How did Xu Hao achieve this? What miraculous drugs did he use?

Yet after her announcement, the room fell silent—then erupted.

“Fourth Sis! Did you just say daughter?! I knew it! I’m not the youngest anymore!” Xu Huayi danced gleefully.

“Fourth Sis, you’re dead,” Xu Feiyan said gravely. “Dad never told Su Mama the baby’s gender. He’ll punish you for spilling it.”

Xu Shiqing nodded mournfully. “RIP, Fourth Sis.”

“You… didn’t know the gender?”

Their stares answered her.

Of course. Xu Hao had kept it secret to avoid stressing Su Wanqiu.

And she’d just blurted it out.

Guilt-ridden, she turned to Su Wanqiu. “Su Mama, I’m so sorry—”

Su Wanqiu patted her head, unfazed.

“Don’t worry. Your dad always says he’ll love the child regardless.”

Truthfully, she didn’t mind.

As long as Xu Hao cherished her, a daughter might even earn more of his doting.

Just as the family’s laughter filled the air—

The front door swung open.

Father and daughter stood face-to-face, sparks ready to fly.