Having It Both Ways

For now, Xiao Zhan and the others were still secretly delighted by Gu Yuan's "grand gesture," thinking they had struck a huge bargain.

Little did they know that compared to the inheritance left behind by the Xiao Tribe back then, this amount was not even a drop in the ocean.

"Alright, restrain yourselves a little. What would people think if outsiders saw you like this?" Xiao Zhan coughed.

"The clan leader is right. We should restrain ourselves." The three elders glanced around before immediately wiping the smiles from their faces.

Xiao Zhan continued, "Let's go settle that child in first. You should also speak to the younger generation in your families and have them interact with her more. Don't isolate her. Since we promised to take good care of her, we must keep our word."

The three elders patted their chests. "Rest assured, Clan Leader!"

Meanwhile, outside the Guest Reception Hall.

Xiao Ning poked his head toward the hall and lowered his voice. "Huh? Why didn't she leave with them?"

"You idiot." Xiao Yu rolled her eyes at him, though she also kept her voice low. "Didn't you hear just now? That gentleman has placed his daughter in our Xiao Clan's care."

"Placed in your care?" Xiao Ning's eyes widened. "Doesn't that mean she'll be living in the Xiao Clan from now on?"

"That should be what it means." Xiao Yu nodded.

Xiao Ce's gaze also rested on Gu Xun'er as his mind raced.

He knew very well that if he wanted to win Gu Xun'er's favor while also maintaining an air of aloofness instead of using Xiao Yan's methods from the original story, he had to use a few tricks.

No matter how mature Gu Xun'er was, she was still only a four-year-old little girl.

As long as he used the right tactics, there was no way she would not take the bait.

Just as they were whispering among themselves, a burst of footsteps suddenly sounded from the end of the corridor.

"What are you little ones talking about?"

Xiao Zhan's voice rang out, with the three elders following behind him.

"Father!"

"Grandfather!"

Xiao Yan and the others each went to their elders. Xiao Li, the oldest among them, explained, "Father, we were discussing the little girl inside."

Xiao Zhan smiled. "That is exactly what I wanted to tell you. Xun'er is your distant cousin, and from now on, she is also a member of our Xiao Clan. You must get along with her."

"Come on. I'll introduce you to Xun'er first."

With that, Xiao Zhan strode into the hall and stopped before Gu Xun'er.

"Xun'er, this will be your home from now on. There is no need to feel restrained. If you need anything, just tell the elders of the clan."

Xiao Zhan bent slightly, his tone gentle.

The three elders stood behind him, each wearing a kindly expression.

Gu Xun'er raised her head slightly and glanced at Xiao Zhan. Her clear eyes were exceptionally calm, and she radiated a maturity far beyond her age.

"I understand. Thank you, Uncle Xiao."

She nodded lightly, seeming to respond politely.

But Xiao Zhan had lived for decades and could naturally hear an invisible sense of distance in Gu Xun'er's tone. Still, he did not take it to heart.

In his eyes, Gu Xun'er was just a child. It was perfectly normal for her to feel uncomfortable in an unfamiliar place. She would be fine after some time.

Xiao Zhan then introduced Xiao Ce, Xiao Yan, and the others to Gu Xun'er.

Throughout the introductions, Gu Xun'er's expression remained calm. There was none of that melodramatic nonsense where she suddenly viewed someone differently upon hearing his name.

This only strengthened Xiao Ce's resolve to use some tactics on Gu Xun'er.

Thus, after the introductions, while Xiao Zhan was considering how to arrange things for Gu Xun'er, Xiao Ce took the initiative and said, "Clan Leader, you can go take care of your business. Leave Cousin Xun'er to us."

At this, Xiao Zhan swept his gaze over Xiao Ce and the others, and an idea occurred to him.

There was always a barrier between adults and children.

But things were different between children.

People of the same age found it easier to grow close, and it would probably help Gu Xun'er integrate into the Xiao Clan more quickly.

"Very well!" Xiao Zhan nodded slightly. "Then take Xun'er around the clan and help her get familiar with the place. But no fooling around, understand?"

Xiao Zhan was not worried about Xiao Ce. Ever since the boy's parents had passed away, he had become much more sensible overnight. Many elders in the clan spoke highly of him.

His main concern was Xiao Ning, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Li. The three of them had never been easy to manage within the clan.

"Don't worry, Clan Leader." Xiao Ce looked perfectly composed.

Xiao Zhan then looked at Gu Xun'er kindly. "Then, Xun'er, go get familiar with the Xiao Clan alongside Xiao Ce and the others. If anyone bullies you, tell Uncle Xiao directly. Uncle Xiao will teach him a lesson for you."

"Mhm." Gu Xun'er nodded calmly.

Only then did Xiao Zhan turn and leave with the three elders.

There were three Juqi Powders in the Storage Ring Gu Yuan had given them. Next, he needed to have a proper discussion with the three elders about how to distribute them.

Xiao Hai walked at the very back. Before leaving, he could not help glancing at his grandson.

Ever since the boy's parents had died, he had seemed to grow up overnight. Usually, he did not like getting close to or playing with children his own age.

Why had he suddenly become so proactive today?

But Xiao Hai soon shook his head and cast the thought aside.

He was a child, after all. Being livelier and more outgoing was a good thing. Otherwise, acting like a little adult and shutting himself in the courtyard to cultivate all day would only make people worry.

Now that he was willing to take the initiative to get close to others, that was a good thing as well. Perhaps he could even emerge from the shadow of losing his parents.

At this thought, a gratified smile appeared on Xiao Hai's lips, and he quickened his pace to catch up with Xiao Zhan.

What mattered more now was reserving a Juqi Powder for his precious grandson from the clan leader first.

Once the elders had left, everyone became much more relaxed.

Xiao Ce glanced at Gu Xun'er, then at the others.

"Come on, Cousin Xun'er. We'll take you around first and help you get familiar with the Xiao Clan."

The group then left the Guest Reception Hall together and followed the corridor deeper into the Xiao Clan.

Along the way, Xiao Ce acted as a guide, introducing Gu Xun'er to the Xiao Clan's major buildings.

From the Douji Hall to the Training Ground, then to the clan's back mountain.

Xiao Ce handled his role as guide with great thoroughness, but Gu Xun'er remained quiet the entire way. She listened to his explanations and nodded occasionally, neither rejecting them nor drawing close.

Among the group, the slightly older ones such as Xiao Li and Xiao Yu saw how cold and difficult Gu Xun'er was to approach, so they simply stopped trying to ingratiate themselves with her.

But Xiao Ning did not care about any of that.

He only thought Cousin Xun'er was cute and pretty. Wanting to get close to her and play with her, he constantly tried to draw her attention.

Unfortunately, not only did his behavior fail to win Gu Xun'er's favor, it even made her somewhat annoyed.

Xiao Yan was not as irritating as Xiao Ning, but he carried a faint air of superiority about him.

She had seen that same air of superiority among some of the so-called geniuses in the Gu Clan.

All things considered, Xiao Ce had instead become the most agreeable one in Gu Xun'er's eyes.