After receiving Yao Wan's wordless response, Xiao Yan could not help rubbing his forehead.
He knew... of course he knew.
But there was nothing he could do about it.
Back then, the Spirit Devouring Saint King's Demon Fetus had read the records of him and Wan'er in the Ruins of Forgetfulness, absorbing their information. The body it ultimately shed had likewise inherited the combined facial traits of both him and her.
Xiao Yan did not know why he had done this. According to the man himself, he had simply wanted to commemorate the two people who had been vital to him.
Though neither Xiao Yan nor Yao Wan felt honored. They only felt disgusted, as though they had been copied by some cheap counterfeit.
Fortunately, few people besides the two of them had seen the Spirit Devouring Saint King's true appearance, sparing them from unpleasant rumors sprouting up in unnoticed corners.
Even so, it was impossible to ensure they would remain entirely unaffected.
Xiao Yan himself was fine. He understood that the Spirit Devouring Saint King was merely a counterfeit and had nothing to do with his own son. But Yao Wan clearly could not help forming a preconceived impression because of it.
"...I know."
Precisely because of that, Xiao Yan, who found it hard to say anything, merely nodded. He had no intention of denying her, but...
"—You know? Of course I know too."
Yao Wan let out a soft breath, almost like a sigh. Voicing what was in her heart did not make her feel much lighter, since this was never something that could be resolved through comfort.
"—Besides, that only counts as half the reason..."
"And the other half?"
Xiao Yan asked instinctively.
"Just understand it as like poles repel. If Xiao Se looked like a normal