Just a Stroke of Luck

As the saying goes: the most deadly thing is the unspoken assumption.

From Qin Yu's candor when speaking to her, to his talent, and his knowledge and insight into things, Yun Yun could basically confirm it.

Qin Yu was not from Wutan City, nor even from the Jia Ma Empire.

He could be a scion of another powerful imperial family who came out to gain experience, or he could be a disciple of some reclusive old monster.

In the eyes of such people, let alone Yun Yun, even the Misty Cloud Sect and the Jia Ma Empire are probably nothing special.

However, he was unwilling to reveal Qin Yu's specific identity, nor would he bother to find out.

Being friends is enough.

Qin Yu's actual statement: I've only read the script; I don't have any background information.

How did we meet...?

Qin Yu pondered for a long time before giving his response.

After all, the truth can't be told to outsiders.

After gossiping about Qin Yu, Yun Yun started talking about things within the sect.

But as she talked, it turned into Yun Yun's one-sided rant, especially about the elders in the sect who never gave her any peace of mind.

If they are punished, they have all contributed to the sect; if they are not punished, this group is becoming increasingly lawless.

Qin Yu had nothing to say about this, or rather, it wouldn't make any difference; Yun Yun's personality destined her to fail in this kind of matter.

And who knows if our Heavenly Emperor Yun has colluded with the Hall of Souls?

The two walked for a while longer when Qin Yu's gaze was suddenly drawn to a small figure at the street corner ahead.

"Sect Master Yun, please wait a moment."

He quickened his pace and walked over.

On the street corner, a little girl of about ten years old was carrying a vegetable basket and skipping along.

The basket contained several kinds of vegetables and a package of pastries wrapped in oil paper.

After moving to their new home, Qing Lin became very curious about everything in Wutan City and wanted to come out to play every day.

Even if you're alone, you can go crazy all day long; you have plenty of energy.

Qin Yu walked up behind her and deliberately made a noise.

Hearing the sound, Qing Lin turned around, her expression instantly changing from wary to delighted.

"Brother Qin Yu!"

She put down her shopping basket and ran over, throwing herself into Qin Yu.

Qin Yu bent down and picked her up. Qing Lin wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons as she smiled.

"You bought so many groceries, is your mother going to cook a big meal tonight?"

The Qing Lin nodded vigorously, as if pounding garlic.

"Yes, yes! I also bought a bag of pastries! They're Xiao Yi Xian's favorites!"

Qin Yu chuckled and pinched her cheek, then deliberately said:

"Qing Lin, have you gained weight? I can hardly carry you anymore."

Qing Lin's smile froze instantly. She lowered her head, looked at herself, then looked up at Qin Yu, pouting slightly.

"I'm not fat! Brother Qin Yu is mean!"

"Okay, okay, I haven't gained weight."

Qin Yu tried to coax her a couple of times, but Qing Lin had already turned her head away angrily and ignored him.

Just then, Yun Yun walked over from behind.

Qing Lin's gaze was drawn to Yun Yun, and her pouty little expression instantly turned into one of amazement.

Wow... this lady is so pretty!

Yun Yun was taken aback by the word "sister" and met Qing Lin's bright, sparkling eyes.

Perhaps it's because she's reached this age, but seeing such an adorable little girl Qing Lin, a primal instinct suddenly began to surge within Yun Yun.

"Is your sister also Qin Yu's friend?"

Yun Yun walked to Qin Yu's side and reached out to pat Qing Lin's head.

Qing Lin is now showing signs of becoming the ultimate darling of the group.

What? You're asking about Xiao Yi Xian? Xiao Yi Xian spoils her too!

"Yes, I'm your brother Qin Yu's friend. What's your name?"

"My name is Qing Lin!"

Yun Yun nodded, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw the snake scales on Qing Lin's arm.

Under the moonlight, the emerald green scales gleamed with a faint luster, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding fair skin.

Yun Yun's expression changed slightly, but it was just simple surprise.

Unexpectedly, the people around Qin Yu were all quite special.

But Qing Lin still caught the slight change in her eyes, and the little girl's smile instantly froze on her face.

The fear that had gradually faded because of Qin Yu and Xiao Yi Xian's company surged back like a tide.

She thought of Stone Desert City again, of the people pointing and whispering about her, and of the way they looked at her.

Qing Lin's body began to tremble. She abruptly withdrew her hand, curled up in Qin Yu, buried her face in the crook of his neck, and dared not look at Yun Yun again.

"Brother Qin Yu... Shall we go home..."

Her voice was soft and trembling, with a hint of a sob in it.

Qin Yu quickly tightened his arms around Qing Lin and gently patted her back to comfort her.

Yun Yun was stunned.

Looking at Qing Lin's small body curled up in a ball, and the few snake scales on her arms that shone brightly in the moonlight, she immediately understood.

She walked to Qin Yu's side, reached out and gently placed her hand on Qing Lin's head, and said softly:

"Qing Lin, I didn't mean it just now. I was just a little surprised because it was the first time I'd seen it."

Qing Lin's body was still trembling slightly, but she didn't shrink into Qin Yu anymore.

"It's not that I don't like you; you're so cute, who wouldn't like you?"

Only then did Qing Lin peek out from under Qin Yu's neck and steal a glance at Yun Yun.

Qin Yu put Qing Lin down, and Yun Yun also squatted down, took off an arm guard from her wrist, and then took Qing Lin's small hand and put the arm guard on.

The arm guards were made of a very soft material that felt cool against the skin, and they covered the snake scales perfectly.

"This is my sister's arm guard, I'll give it to you as a gift, okay?"

Yun Yun adjusted Qing Lin's arm guards and patted her head.

Qing Lin looked down at the arm guard on her wrist, then looked up at Yun Yun, and the gloom on her face finally disappeared.

Thank you, sister.

Yun Yun stood up with a smile, her gaze falling on Qin Yu's face, a trace of tenderness still lingering in her eyes.

"You're surrounded by some really unusual people. How did you find them? Can you teach me?"

As she spoke, Yun Yun moved a little closer.

If it was a coincidence that Xiao Yi Xian met Qin Yu, then it was definitely not a coincidence that the little girl Qing Lin was also by Qin Yu's side.

Does Qin Yu possess some special talent-finding ability?

Give her some too!

"Well, it was just luck."

Qin Yu bent down to pick up the vegetable basket from the ground, and took Qing Lin's hand with his other hand.

"Sect Master Yun, we'll head back now."

"Good."

Yun Yun responded and stood still, watching the two figures, one tall and one short, slowly walk away down the street.

Qing Lin took a few steps, then turned back and waved to Yun Yun.

Goodbye, Sister Yun Yun!

Yun Yun waved her hand, but she couldn't suppress the smile on her lips.

How wonderful it would be to have a younger sister like that.

Hmm... a younger sister is probably out of the question, so it can only be a daughter.

But given my current situation... the chances of me adopting a daughter are probably greater than those of having a biological daughter.