Wutan City, the Xiao Clan.
After everyone had been waiting dryly since early morning until past noon—solely because Qi Yan'er wanted to have lunch—they finally arrived at the grand hall of the Xiao Clan.
The hall was very spacious, and there were already quite a few people inside. These people were naturally the men, women, old, and young of the Xiao Clan whom Xiao Zhan had summoned long ago.
After everyone took their seats according to host and guest, Qi Yan'er sat down beside Nalan Yanran of her own accord and began eating delicious treats.
Nalan Yanran felt extremely puzzled by this. They had already eaten quite a bit while shopping earlier, yet this child's stomach seemed like a bottomless pit—no matter how much she ate, she never seemed full...
Xiao Zhan sat in the seat of honor, his gaze sweeping across the hall. When he discovered that his son, Xiao Yan, had still not arrived, his expression turned rather unsightly.
Not for any other reason. Because of this matter, the three old things sitting below would definitely make a mountain out of a molehill!
Sure enough, the three elders of the Xiao Clan sitting below wore smiles on their weathered faces, exchanging knowing glances with one another.
Meanwhile, led by the old steward, Xiao Yan had arrived outside the door.
"Knock, knock, knock."
After respectfully knocking a few times, Xiao Yan gently pushed the door open and walked in.
As he looked inside, the people he saw were the most familiar faces. His father and the three indifferent-faced elders were seated in the upper seats, while on the left side sat influential elders and outstanding younger members of the clan. On the other side sat three strangers.
"Distinguished guests!"
Xiao Yan's deep gaze swept over the three of them.
The old man among the three looked at the other two with a full smile, giving off a very approachable vibe. Yet the badge on his chest caused Xiao Yan's heart to sink.
Seven-Star Grand Master!
This amiable-looking old man was actually a Seven-Star Grand Master, two stars higher than his father. Truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover!
Beside the old man were a beautiful young lady and a pretty little girl!
A little girl!!
As everyone knew, Xiao Yan was a transmigrator. Although he was only in his teens now, his true age was at least close to forty! He held a very special... sentiment toward little girls.Taking a close look, Xiao Yan found the little girl to be truly adorable!
She wore two ponytails on her head, and traces of food still lingered on her delicate little mouth...
As she ate, she sensed someone looking at her, and raised her eyes to meet Xiao Yan's direct gaze.
Qi Yan'er was instantly filled with disgust, and pouted her little mouth:
"Pipsqueak...!"
"Uh..."
Baffled, Xiao Yan hurriedly shifted his gaze away with a guilty conscience.
He let his eyes fall upon the beautiful young girl.
This young girl was about the same age as him.
To his surprise, the girl's appearance was far more beautiful than many of the girls in the Xiao Clan.
Even Xiao Mei could not compare to her.
If there was anyone who could compare to her, it could only be Xun'er, who constantly called him "Brother Xiao Yan" with every breath.
Hanging from the girl's delicate earlobes were green jade pendants, which tinkled crisply as they swayed slightly, suddenly exuding a touch of elegance and nobility.
Yet on her face and in her eyes, there was a trace of utter doting fondness.
This look of doting fondness was naturally directed at the little girl beside her.Taking in this scene, Xiao Yan felt as though his heart were being stabbed by a knife.
How old was she even...
To already have a daughter this big?
Wouldn't that make this little girl's father an absolute beast, too?
Bah!
Xiao Yan quickly dismissed the thought from his mind—how could he call himself a beast?
He had merely thought about making a move on a four-year-old girl when he was "five years old," that was all!
Hmph!
Xiao Yan let out a cold internal snort.
Nalan Yanran, if you humiliate me today, don't blame me for taking it out on your daughter!
"Father, three Elders!"
Xiao Yan quickened his pace forward and respectfully bowed to the four figures seated above.
"Heh, Yaner is here. Hurry and take a seat."
Seeing Xiao Yan arrive, Xiao Zhan nodded and gave him a look.
Father and son shared a tacit understanding.
Xiao Yan knew this was a signal for him to step back quickly, lest the others find something to sink their teeth into.Xiao Yan smiled and nodded, pretending not to see the disdainful and impatient looks from the three elders.
However, when his gaze fell upon the seats in the main hall, he realized there was no seat prepared for him at all!
This made Xiao Yan's heart skip a beat.
What was bound to come had finally come!
Xiao Zhan, who was chatting and laughing with Ge Ye, noticed something was amiss at that moment.
Seeing that Xiao Yan was still standing there in a daze, a flash of anger crossed his face, and he frowned at the Second Elder, who was in charge of these arrangements:
"Second Elder, you..."
"Ahem, I am truly sorry that I actually forgot about the Third Young Master. Clan Head, as you know, he is never present on these occasions."
The Second Elder feigned "self-reproach" and slapped his forehead:
"I'll have someone prepare a seat right away!"
"Brother Xiao Yan, sit here!"
Right at that moment, a soft, light laugh from a young girl suddenly echoed through the main hall.
The three elders were slightly startled. Upon seeing that it was this girl, they opened their mouths to speak but stopped themselves, not daring to say another word!
The girl's voice drew the attention of everyone present, including Qi Yan'er, who was eating.
Qi Yan'er looked over with curiosity.
When she saw a graceful girl in a green dress holding a book, she could not help feeling somewhat surprised.
"Sister Yanran, it seems this Xiao Yan is not as simple as we thought!"
"Oh?"
Nalan Yanran looked somewhat puzzled.
Seeing her so clueless, Qi Yan'er licked the corner of her mouth with her small tongue and chuckled softly:
"Have you ever thought about it? If he truly were a useless good-for-nothing, how could he be rescued by a girl whom even those three old men fear?"
"Mmm."
Nalan Yanran nodded, finding this quite reasonable.
Yet she still firmly and softly declared:
"So what? Regardless of whether he is a waste or a genius, the destiny of Nalan Yanran shall be decided by me and me alone!"
"Alright then~"
Qi Yan'er took another bite of her apple, her cute little mouth moving rhythmically.
Yet those watery eyes were already fixed on the girl in the corner.
Daddy~
Yan'er's second target... has appeared!
Luofan Village.
"Achoo~"
Qi Fan, who was taking a nap, suddenly sneezed:
"It must be that little girl Yan'er thinking of me!"
"I wonder how she's doing now. It's been a whole day and she hasn't needed me once!"
In the corner of the Xiao Clan main hall.
Xiao Yan smiled, maintaining a graceful and calm demeanor as she blinked cutely at Xiao Yan.
Looking at Xiao Yan's smiling face, Xiao Yan rubbed the tip of his nose and walked over amidst the envious gazes of many young men.
"You've bailed me out again."
Xiao Yan said with a bitter smile.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly, her slender fingers once again turning the pages of the ancient book in her hands:
"Brother Xiao Yan, do you know their identities?"
"You know?"
Xiao Yan asked a question to which he already knew the answer, looking somewhat startled.
Xiao Yan raised her eyes to look at the three people sitting over there:
"The cuffs of their garments are embroidered with silver swords amidst clouds, which is more than enough to reveal their identity."
"Misty Cloud Sect!"
Xiao Yan said with a gloomy expression.
Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Xiao Yan said indifferently:
"It seems that without me saying anything, Brother Xiao Yan already knows the purpose of their visit."
"Yan~"
Xiao Yan nodded, hesitating repeatedly before speaking:
"Do you think... that little girl could be her child?"
"..."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan was somewhat surprised.
How could her Brother Xiao Yan come up with such an unreasonable and bizarre thought?
Although that cute little girl was not old, she was already six or seven years old.
If she were Nalan Yanran's child, wouldn't that mean Nalan Yanran was not even ten years old when she gave birth...
At this thought, Xiao Yan's pretty face instantly changed!
Her normally graceful gaze suddenly turned icy cold.
Could it be that the person sitting beside her had also entertained such thoughts?
……………