Prevent

Xiao Yan proudly introduced the Dou Technique Hall not far away to Gu Xun'er. After finishing, he did not forget to add, "Cousin Xun Er, you've just returned to the Xiao Family. Would you like to go in and have a look?"

Gu Xun'er's expression remained calm. She merely nodded slightly at the Xiao Yan beside her, who had been chattering nonstop.

"Then I'll trouble you, Cousin Xiao Yan."

Hearing Gu Xun'er's childish voice, Xiao Yan felt somewhat troubled by her cold attitude.

He had no idea where this Cousin Xun Er who had suddenly appeared came from. His cheap father had actually told him to help her familiarize herself with the family and specifically warned him to be careful not to offend her. Wasn't she just a little brat?

The life of a young master over the past few years had also made Xiao Yan somewhat spoiled. He had wanted to simply walk away, but remembering Xiao Zhan's stern expression when he had called him over earlier, he decided to endure it for now. Still, a plan had already formed in his mind.

"Who's over there?"

"It's me, Xiao Ming."

Xiao Ming had not bothered concealing his tracks at all, so the two who were talking noticed him easily.

Seeing Xiao Ming walk out from around the corner, Xiao Yan frowned and shouted, "What are you doing lurking around the corner when you have nothing better to do?"

Xiao Yan had some impression of Xiao Ming. There were quite a few children in the Xiao Family, and among them all, Xiao Ming was the cutest-looking. However, it was not his appearance that had made Xiao Yan remember him, but his attitude whenever they met.

Every child of the same age in the Xiao Family treated Xiao Yan with utmost respect and rushed to curry favor with him. Only this Xiao Ming merely nodded whenever he saw him, then left.

And it was not just Xiao Yan. Xiao Ming seemed to treat everyone in the Xiao Family that way.

That was why Xiao Yan had such a deep impression of Xiao Ming.

But if he remembered correctly, weren't Xiao Ming's parents dead? He lived near the Hall of Loyalty and Martyrs on the outskirts. What was he doing here?

"I came to the Dou Technique Hall to see if there are any Dou Skills suitable for me."

Xiao Yan understood. The Dou Technique Hall was nearby, so no wonder Xiao Ming had appeared here. He said with an amused smile, "You haven't even cultivated Dou Qi yet, have you? What are you choosing a Dou Skill for? The guards won't let you in like that. Going there would just be a waste of time, so you might as well go back."

After saying that, he left with Gu Xun'er.

This...

Xiao Ming froze awkwardly. He had never entered the Dou Technique Hall before and had no idea there was such a rule.

Thinking about it, it made sense. You didn't even have Dou Qi, so what the hell were you practicing a Dou Skill for? If you were older, it might be different, but at such a young age, there was no way they would let you in.

Xiao Ming did have Dou Qi, but nobody else knew that.

It seemed this trip had truly been for nothing.

Xiao Ming sighed and watched the two figures heading toward the Dou Technique Hall, unable to stop himself from muttering inwardly.

This Xiao Zhan really was a bit of an idiot. Gu Xun'er had come to the Xiao Family as an Undercover Agent to steal the Ancient Jade, yet he was foolishly having Xiao Yan show her around the Xiao Family. Was he afraid she would not be able to find it? What an utterly stupid move.

If the Ancient Jade had not always been carried on him, it probably would have been stolen within a month.

Thinking all sorts of nonsense, Xiao Ming suddenly shook his head with a laugh.

Perhaps Xiao Zhan was not such an idiot after all.

He probably had plans of his own.

Judging from the Original Work, having Xiao Yan interact with Gu Xun'er had been an excellent move.

Even if Xiao Zhan had not intended to make Gu Xun'er his daughter-in-law, he must have meant for Xiao Yan to befriend her.

The facts proved that Xiao Yan had lived up to expectations, using unconventional means to capture Gu Xun'er's heart.

Xiao Ming could naturally consider copying Xiao Yan's methods now and win Gu Xun'er over for himself.

As the young lady of the Ancient Clan, Gu Xun'er's support was especially easy to enjoy. Once she recognized someone, she would never let go and would remain devoted for life.

It sounded good, but Xiao Ming had no such thoughts.

What the hell was that supposed to mean?

Did he, Xiao Ming, look like someone who liked little girls?!

No normal person could do something like that.

Xiao Ming stroked his chin and pondered, "Judging by the look in Xiao Yan's eyes just now, he should sneak into Gu Xun'er's Room tonight, right?"

In the Simulator, his future self had only noticed the next day that there was something wrong with the way Xiao Yan looked at Gu Xun'er.

But that did not mean Xiao Yan would wait until tomorrow to sneak into Gu Xun'er's Room.

"I should stake the place out tonight, just in case Xiao Yan disgraces our Transmigrator Army. I really don't know what there is to experiment with in Dou Qi."

Shaking his head, Xiao Ming headed toward the Xiao Family Back Mountain.

There was still plenty of time. He could go soak in the hot springs at the back mountain.

The moon hung like a silver disk, and stars filled the sky.

Following the bright moonlight from the back mountain, which was filled with the cries of unknown insects, Xiao Ming stepped into the Back Courtyard.

The Back Courtyard was where only relatively important members of the Xiao Family could live. It contained many independent courtyards. After his mother's death, Xiao Yan had been given a small courtyard of his own, attended by dedicated maids.

Xiao Ming hurried past one courtyard after another and soon arrived at Xiao Yan's Small Courtyard.

Finding a hidden corner, he did his best to conceal his Aura, feeling somewhat embarrassed inside.

"What a headache. I actually fell asleep while soaking in the hot springs. I guess I've been too tired these past few days. I wonder what time it is now. I just hope Xiao Yan hasn't come out yet."

Fortunately, Xiao Yan did not make him wait long. Not long after Xiao Ming arrived, he saw the carved wooden doors of the small courtyard slowly open, and a dark figure quietly slipped out.

Using the bright moonlight, Xiao Ming, hidden in the shadows, clearly saw that face.

"Just as I guessed, Xiao Yan is going to Gu Xun'er's Room tonight."

Xiao Ming did not immediately go out to stop him. If you were going to catch someone, you had to catch him red-handed. Xiao Yan would have an excuse to argue otherwise.

Trailing behind the sneaky Xiao Yan, the two soon reached another small courtyard.

The moment Xiao Yan climbed onto the wall, Xiao Ming knew it was time for him to act. He immediately jumped out from the darkness and roared, "Who's there, sneaking around like that?!"

"Ah!"

Xiao Yan had been focused on climbing the wall when he suddenly heard a voice. He immediately lost his balance and fell from the wall, landing on the ground with a pained cry.

The commotion was not small and had clearly disturbed the people inside the courtyard. Lights came on within.

Xiao Ming walked up to Xiao Yan. Seeing him sprawled on the ground, filthy and disheveled, Xiao Ming suppressed his laughter and asked in feigned confusion, "Cousin Xiao Yan, why is it you? What are you doing climbing over someone's wall in the middle of the night? Don't tell me you're trying to do something bad?"

"This..." Xiao Yan recognized him and had initially breathed a sigh of relief, but when he heard Xiao Ming's question, he panicked and did not know how to answer.

He had come here to use Xun Er, who had only recently arrived at the Xiao Family, to experiment with Dou Qi. The other children of the Xiao Family mostly lived with their parents, while the orphans shared rooms with several others and did not live in the Back Courtyard.

Only this newly arrived Xun Er, like him, lived alone in a small courtyard. Their courtyards were not far apart either, making her the perfect target.

But could he say that out loud? Of course not! If Xiao Ming told the others, then even if his father was the Clan Leader, he would not get away with it lightly.

Just as Xiao Yan stammered helplessly, a flash of inspiration suddenly struck him.

"You're asking me? I should be asking you! What are you doing in the Back Courtyard in the middle of the night? Don't tell me you're here to steal something!"