The Xiao Family, Xiao Yan (Please Bookmark, Please Recommend)

"System, are you there?" Lin Yu asked silently in his mind.

"Ding. I'm here, Host."

"System, do you have any cultivation techniques or anything like that? I already have a physique, bloodline, and weapon. All I'm missing is a cultivation technique!"

"Sorry, Host. If you want items that can make you stronger, you'll have to wait until you open a shop."

Open a shop? Oh, right, the first mission the system gave me was to open a shop.

"Then how do I open a shop?"

The system patiently replied, "You can open one anywhere. As long as the Host chooses a location and silently recites 'Shop Start' there, the system will automatically decorate the shop for you. And once the shop is built, the Host will be invincible within a radius of ten li! In other words, within that area, the system will grant the Host absolute protection and absolute control over everything within its range!"

Wow, so that's how it works. Then if I build a shop everywhere and fill the entire continent with them, wouldn't I control this world? Lin Yu fantasized.

"Ding. Host, don't think that way. It's impossible. With the Host's current permissions, you can only build one shop. Only when the Host truly unifies the continent will you unlock the right to build a second shop!"

So that's how it is... Lin Yu looked disappointed.

"Brother Lin Yu, Brother Lin Yu, what's wrong? Xun'er just saw you sitting there, smiling foolishly one moment and looking like you were about to cry the next. Are you sick?" Xun'er anxiously shook Lin Yu's arm, then pulled one hand free to touch his forehead before touching her own. "It's not hot either. What's wrong with Brother Lin Yu?" Xun'er looked utterly confused.

Seeing Xun'er's sweet and innocent appearance, Lin Yu could not help wanting to spoil her.

Lin Yu scratched Xun'er's nose and said dotingly, "What nonsense are you talking about, silly girl? How could your Brother Lin Yu possibly get sick?"

Xun'er did not refuse when Lin Yu made such an intimate gesture toward her. Her face reddened slightly, and she lowered her head so far that she did not dare look at him.

Seeing Xun'er like this, Lin Yu liked her even more. He lifted her head and pinched her chubby little cheeks. Xun'er's face immediately grew even redder, like a ripe apple. She stood there stiffly, not daring to move at all.

"Brother Lin Yu, don't do that. Father... Uncle is still watching."

"Alright, alright, I won't pinch your cheeks anymore. Let me tell you a story!"

"Mhm, okay." Xun'er nodded repeatedly, letting out a sigh of relief, though she also felt a little disappointed.

Gu Yuan watched the two children fooling around and smiled silently. This was exactly what he wanted to see. This Lin Yu was extremely mysterious. If they could befriend him now, they should do their best to do so. This child would certainly be extraordinary in the future. Perhaps even my final step will have to rely on him. Forget it, forget it. Let everything take its natural course. The younger generation's matters should be resolved by the younger generation themselves. As Gu Yuan thought this, his gaze at Lin Yu, who was telling Xun'er a story nearby, seemed to grow a little more resolute.

Xiao Family Hall, Wutan City

Several Xiao Clan elders sat in the hall. Two middle-aged men sat in the seats of honor. One of them was Gu Yuan, while the other was the Xiao Clan's patriarch, Xiao Zhan.

Gu Yuan looked kindly at the two children standing in the middle of the hall and whispering to each other. They were none other than Lin Yu and Xiao Xun'er.

Gu Yuan said to Xiao Zhan, "Brother Xiao, I found these two children while passing through the Monster Forest. Would it be alright for me to place them in your care?"

Xiao Zhan rose to his feet and cupped his fists toward Gu Yuan. "Since it is Brother Gu Yuan's request, Xiao will certainly spare no effort!"

"Hehe... you're being too formal, Brother Xiao. There's no need for that. The girl is called Xiao Xun'er, and the boy is called Lin Yu. I'll have to trouble Clan Leader Xiao to take care of them from now on. This old man will take his leave first!"

"Alright. Xiao Yan, take your younger brother and sister around our Xiao Clan!"

"Got it, old man," a lazy voice sounded from outside the room. A handsome youth then walked in, his hands behind his head and a foxtail grass stem hanging from his mouth, looking thoroughly unruly.

"Hello, my name is Lin Yu." Lin Yu stepped forward first and extended his right hand to Xiao Yan in greeting.

So this is Xiao Yan? The show-off king of Battle Through the Heavens? He seems pretty decent.

Xiao Yan froze when he saw Lin Yu's face, then immediately grabbed Lin Yu's cheeks with both hands and said, "How can you be this cute? Are you a boy or a girl?"

"Uh..." Lin Yu felt helpless. "I'm a genuine boy, hmph!" ╭(╯^╰)╮ Why does everyone love pinching my cheeks? Hmph!

Seeing Lin Yu speak in that childish voice, Xiao Yan pinched his cheeks even harder. "It hurts, Brother Xiao Yan."

"Oh, oh, sorry. You're just too cute. I couldn't help wanting to pinch you."

Damn it, who plays like this? I'm angry now. ╭(╯^╰)╮

Xun'er could not help smiling when she saw Lin Yu's expression.

Hearing Xun'er laugh, Xiao Yan turned to look at her, and his eyes immediately lit up. So there was another cute little girl here. He wanted to go over and pinch her cheeks too.

"Ah! Brother Lin Yu, save me!" Xun'er was startled when she saw Xiao Yan's eyes light up. She did not want her cheeks kneaded, so she hurriedly hid behind Lin Yu and tugged on the corner of his clothes.

Xiao Yan could only scratch his head helplessly.

"Oh, right, I got so caught up in pinching cheeks that I forgot. Let's introduce ourselves again. My name is Xiao Yan!"

Lin Yu's face was covered in black lines. So you came here just to pinch cheeks?

"Lin Yu."

"Xiao Xun'er."

"Alright, let's go. I'll take you around and have some fun!"

Before long, an old steward came before the three of them.

"The Clan Leader asked me to arrange accommodations for you two. Please follow me."

"I'll trouble you to lead the way, Steward."

The steward arranged for them to stay in a small courtyard. The area around it was quiet, with few people coming and going. Lin Yu rather liked it, and Xun'er liked it very much as well.

"You two will live in this courtyard from now on. Since you already know each other, it'll be more convenient for you to stay together."

Lin Yu said nothing. Taking Xun'er's hand, he led her into the courtyard.

When Xun'er saw Lin Yu holding her hand, she was startled at first, then smiled and silently followed him.

Lin Yu brought Xun'er to the front of the rooms. "Xun'er, pick a room first. I'll stay next to you!"

"Huh? Y-Yes, okay!" Xun'er nodded hurriedly.

Over the next few days, they simply wandered around the Xiao Family estate, familiarizing themselves with the place. Xun'er had also become very attached to Lin Yu. Perhaps Gu Yuan leaving her here alone had made her very sad, and Lin Yu had become her emotional support.

Gu Yuan really was ruthless. For the sake of the Tou She Ancient God Jade, he had heartlessly sent such a young Xun'er away, claiming it was to give her a happy childhood. If I were a father, I would never do that.

Boys couldn't be spoiled; they had to be raised with hardship. But daughters? I'd hold them in the palm of my hand like little princesses. It wasn't that I favored girls over boys—it was mainly because boys needed to become independent, and spoiling them too much wouldn't do. Girls, though, were for me to protect!

"It's time to find a place to open a shop!"

Sure enough, the author was still rather lazy.