Chapter 6

Xiling did not take back the card. His little face was filled with an earnestness that brooked no refusal, and his gaze was exceptionally firm.

"Grandpa Principal, I know you care about me, but you really can't be the one paying this money."

"You've raised me all these years and worked hard enough already. I'm the one who wants to adopt Na'er. Now that I have the means, I should bear these expenses myself. This is my responsibility."

"Not a single cent of your retirement money can be touched. This is the last thing I can stand firm on, so please don't make me feel guilty."

The principal looked at the solemn boy before him. He was briefly stunned, surprise filling his eyes, before he slowly sighed. His heart was filled with both relief and emotion.

Beside them, Na'er gently tugged at Xiling's sleeve. Her clear eyes blinked as she softly echoed, "Na'er will be good."

Her soft, sweet voice was especially obedient. With her silver hair, purple eyes, and that adorably blank little face, she was simply unbearably cute.

Seeing this, the principal knew that further persuasion would be pointless. He could only smile helplessly and shake his head.

"You child, you're getting more and more stubborn."

"Fine, fine. Since you insist, Grandpa won't force the matter."

Xiling immediately smiled. "Thank you, Grandpa Principal."

"You child, why are you being so polite with me?" The principal's face was full of affection as he turned to Na'er with a gentle look. "Na'er, it's too late today."

"You'll stay here with Brother Xiling tonight, all right?"

"Mm." Na'er obediently agreed.

The night gradually deepened, and the ink-black sky blanketed all of Eastsea City.

Na'er had just finished bathing. Her soft silver hair hung damply over her shoulders, with sparkling droplets still clinging to its tips.

She was wrapped in a slightly oversized outfit, which made her little face seem all the more fair and delicate.

At the principal's arrangement, the two stayed in the same room.

There were two single beds side by side in the room, both neatly made. It should have been a perfectly suitable arrangement.

But as Xiling looked at the little girl beside him, who refused to leave his side even for a step, he helplessly raised a hand and gently pointed to the other bed. "Na'er, this is Brother's bed. Yours is over there."

Yet Na'er acted as if she had not heard him. She moved closer to Xiling, stretched out her slender little hands, and tightly hugged his arm.

Her little head gently rested against his arm as her large, watery eyes stared at him without blinking. Her little face was full of pitiful pleading. "No, no. I want to sleep with Brother."

After struggling for a while, Xiling ultimately gave in and could only lie down on the bed.

They were both still young, so there was nothing improper about sharing a bed. There was no need for so many concerns.

"Brother is the best." Na'er giggled and immediately scooted over carefully, tightly hugging his arm as her small body curled up beside him.

Before long, her breathing became even and soft as she fell soundly asleep.

Xiling kept his eyes open, staring at the dim ceiling overhead. Feeling the warm body temperature of the little girl beside him, he felt a trace of confusion.

Logically speaking, he did not possess the Golden Dragon King's bloodline. Even if he had helped Na'er today, she should not have become so close to him.

Why was that? Could there be something on him that attracted the Silver Dragon King?

For the moment, he could not figure it out.

Na'er slept peacefully beside him, a faint smile on her little face. Every now and then, she would snuggle a little closer to him, looking especially well-behaved.

Though they did not look alike, Xiling could always see the shadow of his younger sister from his previous life in Na'er.

"Forget it. I won't think about it. I'll just treat it as raising another little sister." He slowly closed his eyes, letting the night completely envelop them both.

Early the next morning, the principal first went to the administrative office to see whether Na'er's family could be found. The result was obvious—nothing was found.

In the end, after going through the procedures, Na'er was registered under the orphanage.

The house was also purchased that afternoon. It was near Eastsea Academy: a spacious flat of around 180 square meters, ready for move-in that very day and fully furnished with everything they needed. The price was 7.6 million Federation credits.

Ordinarily, the home-buying process should not have been so quick, but Xiling invoked Leng Yaozhu's name, and every procedure was completed that afternoon.

That was the advantage of having someone powerful backing you.

Xiling looked at the card in his hand. The ten million he had received yesterday had not even had time to sit warm in his hands, yet only five hundred thousand remained.

Aside from those five hundred thousand, the cost of the house, and what he had spent taking Na'er out for barbecue yesterday, he transferred all the rest to the principal.

After buying new clothes for Na'er and himself, the two set off for their new home.

Why did he say the two of them? Because the principal had to leave for something urgent on the way to take them to the new house. However, Xiling had given him a key, so the principal could come by whenever he wanted.

Pushing open the door, they were greeted by a spacious, open flat. The decor was elegant and clean, the lighting excellent, and all kinds of daily necessities were neatly arranged without a speck of dust. There was no need to buy anything extra.

The moment she entered, Na'er's eyes lit up. She looked around curiously, walking briskly about the living room with delight written all over her little face.

"Brother, it's so big here."

Xiling looked around and was extremely satisfied as well. Across two lifetimes, this was his first time living somewhere so upscale, and he could not help feeling a little emotional.

"Yeah. From now on, this will be our home."

Na'er nodded forcefully, then ran up to Xiling and gently wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her little face against his chest.

"As long as I can be with Brother, home is wherever Brother is."

Xiling raised a hand and gently rubbed her smooth silver hair. "Na'er is quite good at flirting. I wonder which brat will get lucky in the future."

The moment he finished speaking, Na'er immediately raised her fair little face and lightly pursed her lips. "Na'er doesn't want anyone else to get lucky."

She tightly wrapped her arms around Xiling's waist and kept rubbing her head against his chest. Her soft, sweet voice was stubborn and serious. "Na'er only wants to stay with Brother forever. For her whole life, Na'er only wants to be with Brother."

Xiling looked at the little girl's grave expression and chuckled softly. He did not respond, simply letting her cling to him.

Who could say for sure what the future held?

Na'er keenly sensed that he had not taken her words seriously. Her little mouth pouted slightly, and a trace of disappointment quietly appeared in her purple eyes, but she said nothing more.

She simply leaned quietly against him, silently hiding those feelings deep in her heart.

After the two finished settling in, they officially made themselves at home.

In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived, and Xiling went to the academy early in the morning to study.

Though the cultural and theoretical classes were of limited help to him, learning a little more was never a bad thing.

Before leaving, he bought plenty of snacks and left them at home so Na'er could eat them if she got hungry.

Only Na'er remained in the huge home. From time to time, she would lie by the window and gaze in a certain direction, hoping to catch sight of someone.

Near evening, Xiling finally returned from school. The moment he pushed open the door, a petite figure immediately flew into his arms.

"Brother, Na'er missed you so much."