Friend

Xiao Yan had already put it that plainly, leaving the elders no room to refuse.

Once everything had concluded, Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan left the reception hall together.

"Yan'er, you should keep these three Shi Ling Pills. As your father, I..."

"What are you saying, Father?"

"Didn't I already tell you?"

Xiao Yan said seriously, "These three pills are for Father to use when breaking through to Dou Ling. You truly needn't worry about me. I can take care of myself, and there's even less need to mention my cultivation."

"If Father can break through to Dou Ling soon, you won't need to keep watching those old fellows' expressions anymore."

"You are the one in our Xiao Family most likely to break through to Dou Ling. Once Father does, the Xiao Family's influence will certainly not remain limited to a tiny place like Wutan City."

Only after much persuasion did Xiao Yan finally put Xiao Zhan at ease enough to accept the three pills.

Xiao Yan also knew full well that even if several more pills were distributed among those three old fellows, none of them would dare swallow several Shi Ling Pills for themselves. At most, the Xiao Family would gain a few more Da Dou Shi, which would pose no threat to his father once he became a Dou Ling.

As for himself? Xiao Yan was even less worried.

He had his teacher by his side, as well as Miss Wan. Now that his talent had returned, when next year's clan test came around, he would use his actions to tell everyone that Xiao Yan had returned!

"Oh, right, Yan'er."

"There's something else I want to ask you."

After they returned home, Xiao Zhan stopped and said to his son, who had now somewhat exceeded his expectations, "It's about you and Miss Wan... Tell me honestly, how did you and Miss Wan meet?"

Xiao Zhan could not have taken this question more seriously. Miss Wan was, in all likelihood, a child about Yan'er's age. Young girls were innocent and inexperienced. Although their interaction today had made Xiao Zhan like her very much, the rationality of a clan head still made him want to know exactly what had happened between them.

Xiao Yan was stunned for a moment before realizing what his father meant, then explained everything that had happened.

"Just a fortunate meeting by chance?"

Xiao Zhan murmured unconsciously.

"What is it, Father?"

"Nothing... Yan'er, based on what you've said, you must have already made guesses about what kind of faction might stand behind Miss Wan, haven't you?"

Xiao Zhan asked.

"...Yes."

Xiao Yan nodded.

Naturally, Xiao Zhan did not need to belatedly remind him of such a thing. Xiao Yan had long since had his own suspicions.

Perhaps even the entire Jia Ma Empire was no more than an ant before it.

Hearing that, Xiao Zhan nodded slightly, then patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder.

"Get some good rest, Yan'er. I'll be leaving first."

"Alright, I understand, Father."

For some reason, Xiao Yan felt as though his father had something he wanted to say but was holding back. Yet in the end, he said nothing.

"Hehe, your father simply doesn't want to put too much pressure on you."

After Xiao Zhan left, Old Yao stroked his beard and smiled.

"Yes, I know."

"Then you must make up for lost time. You've already fallen three years behind others. You'll need to work twice as hard to catch up."

"I know—but Teacher, surely I have time to go see Miss Wan once more?"

"That depends on you, not me."

After saying that, Old Yao turned into a cloud of mist and vanished.

Having finally dealt with all the Xiao Family's disputes, Xiao Yan let out a sigh of relief before heading toward the guest courtyard.

As the news spread, the events of the clan assembly had circulated through every smaller household within the great Xiao Family. Even this little path had become much less crowded.

The moment Xiao Yan stepped into the courtyard, a medicinal fragrance rushed at him. The small yard was packed with medicinal herbs growing wildly like weeds, every single one of which would be enough to make the entire Jia Ma Empire fight until their heads bled.

No sooner had the youth entered the courtyard than Miss Wan's voice came from the guest room.

"You're here? Then come in."

Hearing the door creak open behind her, Yao Wan had just lowered the black veil of her bamboo hat.

This was not the first time Xiao Yan and Yao Wan had narrowly missed seeing each other's true faces. Yet each time they missed one another, all he saw was that bamboo hat with its hanging black veil, and the curiosity buried in his heart grew stronger and stronger.

Unable to restrain his curiosity, Xiao Yan asked, "Could that bamboo hat be some rare treasure? Every time I see you, Miss Wan, you're wearing it."

"No. I bought it casually when I first came out to travel more than a year ago. It's never broken, so I never replaced it."

Yao Wan did not hide anything and explained.

"Then why is it that every time I see you, Miss Wan, you're always wearing that bamboo hat?"

Whether Xiao Yan truly failed to read the room or simply could no longer hold himself back, he turned to look at the girl before him.

"Of course it's to avoid attracting attention. What else can I do when I have a face that would definitely invite trouble if I went out walking around?"

Xiao Yan froze slightly.

"Or are you really that eager to see it, Xiao Yan?"

"Ahem, it's not that I particularly want to see it. I'm just a little curious..."

Xiao Yan smiled awkwardly. People needed their pride, just as trees needed their bark. Naturally, he was too embarrassed to bluntly tell a girl that he wanted to see what she looked like—it would be far too rude.

For all he knew, she might mistake him for a lecher and beat him out of the place. He himself would not care much, but he still had some reputation to uphold.

After the words left his mouth, Xiao Yan looked at Yao Wan eagerly. His words implied that he was merely an ignorant child who wanted to take a look for fun, yet his manner vaguely revealed the curiosity he could not extinguish.

"...Forget it. I think it's better if there's a little distance between us."

Yao Wan shook her head, delivering news that disappointed Xiao Yan.

"Besides, isn't this fine as it is?"

"You can keep calling me Miss Wan, and we can continue being the purest sort of friends. I'll help prepare many of the things you'll need in the future, while you only need to work hard until the day you can repay me. Isn't that good?"

Yao Wan shrugged her slender shoulders, her tone relaxed.

"I see..."

Xiao Yan sighed. It was not that this was bad, exactly. He simply felt a little regretful.

At the same time, he more or less understood Miss Wan's actions.

Miss Wan simply wanted to be pure friends with him. Today, she sheltered him from the wind and rain; tomorrow, he would repay her. It was that simple.

As for why she refused to show her face...

If he had to put it plainly, it was probably because she feared he would fall for her the moment he saw her true appearance.