How? Has Lin'er's heart begun to stir? Thanks to 'Gauze' for the reward

Why was he only half sincere and half courteous?

If it had been the Xiao Family of the past, Xiao Zhan would have been entirely sincere. But the current Xiao Family was being flattered by every faction, and under the praise of powers from all over, it seemed to be on the verge of soaring to great heights. At a time like this, although Xiao Zhan was not the sort of despicable person who looked down on others or bullied people with borrowed power, he could not appear overly familiar when faced with visits from various factions.

Xiao Zhan had heard of Mr. Yao's reputation, but in a situation like this, where someone was adding flowers to brocade, who knew what ill intentions the other party might harbor? Thus, Xiao Zhan's words contained both sincerity and courtesy.

In response, after exchanging a few pleasantries with Xiao Zhan, Mr. Yao beckoned Jiang Lin forward. He took the smallest wooden box from Jiang Lin's arms and handed it to Xiao Zhan with both hands. "Having come to Wutan City, I happened to hear that Clan Leader Xiao's family had a joyous occasion. There was no time to prepare anything, so I can only offer this Hundred-year Yellow Ginseng. When used with other medicinal ingredients, it can temper little brother Xiao Yan's body. If you can find an Alchemist, perhaps it may produce even better results. I hope Clan Leader Xiao will not find it too humble and will accept this modest gift from Yao."

Mr. Yao truly had not prepared anything. This Hundred-year Yellow Ginseng was something he had brought from Myriad Medicine Hall, carrying it on him as a safeguard. Whether he later wanted to buy something, give a gift, or ask someone for help, he would not be left scrambling.

This was the wisdom of an old hand.

"How could I? A righteous man like Mr. Yao honoring my Xiao Family with a visit is already an acknowledgment of Xiao!" Upon hearing that the Hundred-year Yellow Ginseng would benefit Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan was immediately delighted. He hurriedly thanked Mr. Yao, reached out to accept it, then had a servant beside him hold it and stand to the side.

Now it was Jiang Lin's turn to step forward. Holding the large wooden box, he respectfully said to Xiao Zhan, "Uncle Xiao, inside is a Yellow-grade low-tier handguard, Flowing Light. This junior, Jiang Lin, presents it as a gift for Big Brother Xiao Yan."

Jiang Lin did not know which of him and Xiao Yan was older, but when traveling outside, calling someone Big Brother—especially in front of elders—could never go wrong.

Xiao Zhan gave Jiang Lin a somewhat surprised look. He was slightly astonished that this little brat was giving a gift in his own name, and he was also surprised by the Flowing Light Handguard. After all, the best cultivation technique in the Xiao Family was only Mysterious-grade. Judging by their relative importance, a Yellow-grade low-tier Flowing Light Handguard was equivalent in value to a Yellow-grade intermediate Dou Technique.

And Jiang Lin had casually given away a Yellow-grade intermediate Dou Technique?

Impossible, absolutely impossible—smack! Bring the rice!

Xiao Zhan smiled and praised Jiang Lin a few times. In his heart, he had long assumed that Mr. Yao wanted Jiang Lin to become familiar to him, and that Mr. Yao must have prepared the gifts for Jiang Lin. Still, he had to admit that Mr. Yao's goal had been achieved. After all, who would not like a cute, fair, handsome young man like Jiang Lin?

After chatting with Xiao Zhan for a few more moments, Mr. Yao prepared to take his leave. Xiao Zhan wanted to keep the two for lunch before they left. The gifts they had brought together were worth nearly ten thousand gold coins, so they ought to stay for a simple meal, but Mr. Yao politely declined with a smile. Xiao Zhan had also intended to see them off, but Mr. Yao said that he had other guests coming to visit. Sure enough, as expected, Lin Shi, whom he had met yesterday, arrived with a trusted subordinate to visit Xiao Zhan. Xiao Zhan could no longer get away.

After greeting Lin Shi, Mr. Yao led Jiang Lin toward the exit.

As the two passed through a corridor, a long-haired young girl in a light green dress approached them. Her figure was light and graceful, and her beauty was extraordinary.

Jiang Lin raised his brows slightly and carefully examined the beautiful girl approaching them. For some reason, he always felt that the person before him gave him a feeling unlike anyone else.

That single backward glance at the market yesterday had already given Jiang Lin this strange feeling.

It was not a racing heartbeat or the stirrings of love. It was more like suddenly seeing, in a world of gray, a pale golden snow lotus standing alone beyond the world, distinct and unmatched. Anyone would be surprised—and puzzled.

Jiang Lin's dark bluish-black eyes met Xiao Xun'er's blue-gold beautiful eyes once more for an instant. Then both he and Mr. Yao silently stepped aside, making way for Xiao Xun'er.

Xiao Xun'er said nothing. Her gaze lingered on Jiang Lin for a moment, her expression unchanged as she walked past without slowing and left directly.

As Xiao Xun'er passed by him, a faint fragrance drifted into Jiang Lin's nose.

"What? Has Lin'er's heart begun to stir?" Mr. Yao suddenly asked with a smile as he led Jiang Lin onward again.

Xiao Xun'er's beauty was not diminished much by her young age. Even a man as composed as Mr. Yao had a trace of surprise flash through his calm, indifferent eyes the moment he saw Xiao Xun'er. She was the kind of girl who, with one glance, made you understand what the most flawless, pure white moonlight truly was.

And the only way to be immune to the influence of Xiao Xun'er, the incarnation of white moonlight, was for another white moonlight no less dazzling than Xiao Xun'er to already exist in your heart.

Jiang Lin rolled his eyes at Mr. Yao, who was old but far from dead at heart. Was this fellow not plainly trying to make fun of him?

Seeing that Jiang Lin had not been led astray by beauty, Mr. Yao smiled gently. "Looks like your composure is quite good. Lin'er, you must remember that those whose beauty transcends the ordinary are born to represent trouble—and power. From how the other Xiao Family disciples addressed her just now, that Miss Xun'er seems quite well-known within the Xiao residence."

Only after leaving the Xiao Family did Mr. Yao turn back to look at the Xiao residence. He continued gently, smiling at Jiang Lin, "Beauty is also part of strength. I do not mean beauty can be used as force. I mean that beauty requires sufficient strength to protect it."

"Judging from her features and bearing, that Miss Xun'er's beauty clearly exceeds the realm of ordinary people. That is not the spiritual outlook ordinary commoners can possess. I do not know what you were looking at just now, but I looked into that young lady's eyes. They were the calm eyes that only a truly great clan could bestow."

Mr. Yao had seen quite a few beautiful women among ordinary people. "Empty eyes" described most of them.

"Ah, you... Mr. Yao, how do you know so much?" Jiang Lin looked at Mr. Yao with deep suspicion. He now strongly suspected that this old, proper-looking man was secretly a lecherous old pervert!

Mr. Yao merely smiled gently and raised one finger.

"First, I am a physician. I have seen many patients, and I understand how rare a state of perfect health truly is."

Mr. Yao raised a second finger.

"Second, that Miss Xun'er's bearing resembles that of an old acquaintance."