Douluo: A Century-old Legend I Am the Second Uncle Chenxin

Chapter 1919 Understanding Each Other
Zhu Yanfeng exhaled a long smoke ring and chuckled, "Young Master sees things clearly. That old bastard Ye Zhengxin has raised a fine daughter. This girl... was known for her cleverness in the village back then, and now her mind and methods are even better than before."

Dugu Fu was the first to come to his senses: "So that's how it is. 'Among the trees and geese, there will be changes of dragons and snakes.' Young Master, your previous words were full of hidden meanings."

He analyzed rapidly: "Firstly, it refers to Dou Congtong's own talent and ability to adapt to changing circumstances; secondly, it refers to Madam Lin's handling strategy today; and thirdly, it also alludes to the future path of their family of three. No matter what Dou Jing ultimately chooses, the mother and daughter have already gained a possible new life for their family of three through today's 'change'!"

Zhu Yanfeng glanced at Zhu Wuneng and snorted with a hint of disdain: "Xiao Fu is right, his insight is much better than yours. Wuneng, are you still confused?"

Zhu Wuneng was suddenly jolted awake when his grandfather called his name: "Huh?! So she was acting the whole time?! Young Master, you...you were acting too?! Are you two putting on an act here?!"

Chen Xiaojun picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said calmly, "It's not as bad as acting. Looking at the whole process, it was just a willing buyer and a willing seller, each getting what they needed. It was nothing more than a tacit transaction based on mutual needs."

He paused, his tone becoming somewhat serious: "However, there's one thing, and it's not an act."

Zhu Wuneng immediately pressed, "Which point?"

"Dou Congtong's soul power level," Chen Xiaojun said with a faint smile.

Chen Mu suddenly realized, clapped his hands and laughed, "I understand! Sixth Brother, your move was a brilliant one, exposing their predicament and regaining the initiative. Coercion and enticement, you've used both of these tactics to perfection!"

Chen Shurui was somewhat taken aback and couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "As expected of the adult world, full of twists and turns, and intrigue... even more complicated than soul skills."

He wasn't wrong at all. Chen Xiaojun's current analysis and explanation is teaching them how adults behave.

Just then, a clear, melodious sound, like ice spring water striking jade, rang out, attracting everyone's attention.

"You're putting pressure on Mrs. Lin."

It's Xiaoyi.

Her almond-shaped eyes looked calmly at Chen Xiaojun.

The carriage fell silent instantly.

The composed demeanor on Chen Xiaojun's face vanished, replaced by a rare, radiant smile brimming with youthful spirit, brightening the entire carriage.

"I guess so," he readily admitted, then asked Xiaoyi with interest, "What do you think of her?"

Xiao Yi's long eyelashes trembled slightly as she gazed at the fleeting street scenes outside the car window.

After a moment, she withdrew her gaze, her cherry lips parted slightly, and her tone remained cool and aloof:
"It's alright, you can use it for now."

This assessment is extremely brief.

Chen Xiaojun's smile deepened, and he replied knowingly, "Very well."

Hearing this conversation, Zhu Wuneng scratched his head and asked, "Young Master, Sister Xiaoyi! What kind of riddles are you two playing now?" Zhu Yanfeng glared at her irritably, then smacked Zhu Wuneng on the forehead with his pipe, making Zhu Wuneng cry out "Ouch!" and shrink back, clutching his head.

"Is it any of your business? The young master and the other man are talking, and you're just going to be the one listening!"

Zhu Yanfeng exhaled a smoke ring, his cloudy old eyes filled with disdain. "When it's time for you to know, you'll know. Now, shut up and think carefully about your performance today!"

……

Dou Congtong stared blankly at her mother: "So... your active cooperation in exposing my true situation... was also based on the same mentality?!"

Ye Sirong rubbed her temples wearily, her composure and dignity that she maintained in the hall crumbling, revealing a deep weariness and a hint of vulnerability.

Her tone softened: "Yes. Your talent is the last trump card that God has bestowed upon my mother and me. This will be a significant bargaining chip, making the Chen family willing to accept us and... truly consider your father's matter and our future in a better and more trustworthy position. Isn't Young Master Xiaojun's final promise regarding your martial soul a signal of recognition and investment?"

"Moreover, three years ago, your father said that it was Barton who stopped Blood Fang from sending you to the Spirit Hall, which is why the plan was eventually abandoned."

Ye Sirong's eyes turned icy cold. "But this matter is like a thorn stuck in my heart. Barton might be able to stop Blood Fang once, but can he stop him a second time? Can we pin our hopes on his character years later? The Spirit Hall... what kind of place is that?! If my daughter and I are really sent there, we will be like lambs to the slaughter, our lives in our own hands!"

"Now that the Bone-Digging Gang is gone, your father's past identity is ultimately dishonorable, and the Dou family is like a rootless duckweed. We need a powerful backer even more. In this dog-eat-dog world, without a strong backer, even if we have some strength, we will face endless troubles."

She sighed and continued, "As for your martial soul, I've studied it for many years. Young Master Xiaojun said he'd consider the attribute evolution path... I've thought about that too. But..."

She gave a wry smile and shook her head. "Evolving into a King-level Martial Soul is something I've fantasized about to some extent, but as for a Super Martial Soul, it has never even crossed my mind. It's not a height that can be reached through mere fantasy."

“Our Dou family… is ultimately a small family with limited resources. Although your father has tried his best to provide for you over the years, I don’t even have a 50% chance of helping you break through to the ninth rank of your martial spirit. Not to mention that your father has lost power, and we even have to worry about what will happen next… once your talent is exposed, it might attract even greater covetousness and unforeseen events.”

"However, today, Young Master Xiaojun not only pinpointed the problem accurately, but also, with such calm, certainty, and matter-of-fact demeanor, depicted the landscape of King-level Martial Souls and even Super Martial Souls..."

Ye Sirong rubbed her temples. "This vision, this perspective, this confidence... it's astonishing. The Chen family has undergone tremendous changes in recent years, far beyond my imagination! It seems that the clan has truly been transformed."

“So that’s how it is…” Dou Congtong murmured.

For the first time, she clearly realized what profound calculations and astonishing courage this usually gentle and quiet mother possessed.

She finally understood why her father always listened to her mother.

In the face of life and death, the mother's wisdom and decisiveness far surpassed his.

Looking at her daughter's complicated gaze, Ye Sirong gently patted the back of her hand and smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry, Tong'er. We've... temporarily overcome the most difficult hurdle."

(End of this chapter)