"Fate is a wondrous thing." Qian Daoliu smiled faintly. "Your name is Jiang Lan, and Bo Saixi was once my... friend. Now you've come from afar and stand before me. That is fate."
"By that logic, I bumped into Sister Hu Liena yesterday, and today a pretty big sister brought me to see you. I have even more fate with Spirit Hall." Jiang Lan gave him no quarter. "Why don't you just make me Spirit Hall's Holy Son?"
"That isn't out of the question." Qian Daoliu's eyes lit up. "Join Spirit Hall, become its Holy Son, and call me your father while you're at it. You have no idea how many people on this continent would want that chance."
"If my Mom Bo Saixi found out, she'd fly from Sea God Island to Heaven Dou City and twist the head off your Angel God Statue to use as a fish tank." Jiang Lan looked utterly certain.
"Wouldn't that be more interesting?" Qian Daoliu sounded almost wistful. "She hasn't been angry with me in a long time."
"Grandpa, do you have the hots for my Mom Bo Saixi?" Jiang Lan tilted his head, his expression innocent.
The smile froze on Qian Daoliu's face.
At his age, this was the first time an eight-year-old had pointed at his nose and asked him a question like that.
He coughed, looked away, and a rare hint of awkward red rose across his face.
"Children don't understand these things. Don't talk nonsense." Qian Daoliu tried to steer the conversation back. "I only wanted to tell you that if you're willing, Spirit Hall will protect you. I won't force you, either. I called you here today only to meet the child Bo Saixi spoke of. You truly are an interesting little fellow."
Jiang Lan pursed his