Zen and Jingyi was sitting beneath a tree with a bench constructed under it to take advantage of its shade. It many had purple flowers with sunny yellow centers amongst its green foliage. The ground was littered with these purple flowers and leaves, wafting the air in its natural fragrance.

Zen sat hunched, his head resting on his hand with a bored look on his face. Jingyi looked equally bored, but she sat straight up with her legs crossed.

Zen looked out and saw his mother pass by. She glared at him and he shot straight up and sighed. He better put in some effort before his mother killed him.

“So, No Bichi, where you from?” Zen said.

“My name is Choi Jingyi!”

“Yeah, yeah, so where are you from?”

“The North Bull Province,” she said. “Do you know of it?”

“No.”

She sighed, “So you do not travel much.”

“I travel!” he said. “I wouldn’t be as strong as I am if I didn’t get around.”

“Strong? Aren’t you a master?”

Zen’s shoulders puffed out in pride, “I am.”

“Rank 1, right?”

“Yes,” he nodded, his smile getting wider.

“Oh, well then you’re not very strong.”

Zen deflated, “Huh?”

“I am a Master Rank 2 and I am not even trying to get stronger,” she said, in a tone of both annoyance and disappointment.

“Strength is not all about the ki you have, its about how you use what you have to win a fight.”

“Really?” she said, sceptically. “Sounds like something someone weak would say.”

“What?” he said, shooting his feet and surprising her fine. “Fine then, spar with me.”

“What? You want to fight with me?”

“Yes,” he said, taking a fighting stance.

“No. How childish!”

“What?”

“I was trying to ascertain your strength.” She said. “It is the duty of the man to protect his wife.”

“I’m not protecting you,” he said. “You’re a cultivator also, so you should be able to fight.”

They both rolled their eyes at each other.

“So?” Ling smiled at her son, Shibi was sitting near her. “Can I pick or what? She’s quite the beaut, hey kiddo?”

“Y-Yeah, Mom. You know how to pick.”

“Ha ha!” she said. “See, I told you Shibi!”

Shibi snorted.

“Shibi was saying you prefer girls with much more muscles and a little more hairy.” Ling said.

“Mom,” Zen began, folding his arms, “I have nothing in common with this girl.”

“What?”

“See?” Shibi said. “Zen want hairy girl. Zen want girl with muscles.”

“That’s not what I mean!” Zen said.

“What do you mean, then?” Ling said.

“I mean… she’s great and all but…” Zen stumbled on his words, “I don’t think she is the one for me. We have no common ground.”

“Common ground?” she said. “What are you talking about? You think I had any common ground when I met your father? He was the most annoying person I had met but a certain even ensured we understood each other better and soon enough we fell… well, you know.”

Zen looked down, “I don’t know, Mom.”

“Zen should fight her.” Shibi said. “Zen and wife will bond after fight.”

“Right?” Zen said. “I tried but she was not interested in sparring.”

Ling flicked his forehead.

“Ouch!” he grabbed his forehead.

“Are you seriously taking romance advise from a gorilla?” she said. “Look, trust your mother. We’re going to have a party soon, there’ll be dancing, singing and you two will bond then.”

“A… A party?” Zen sighed. “Is it going to be one of those fancy dress parties!”

“Yes, everyone will be coming!”

“Aww no!” he whined.

“Trust me, Kiddo.” She said. “And after the party, you and Choi Jingyi will be deeply in love!”