Waiting Specifically

Wu Tan City, Xiao Clan.

In the spacious hall, soft candlelight flickered as Nalan Chenfeng saw Xiao Zhan once again.

"Greetings, Uncle Xiao."

Nalan Chenfeng clasped his fists in salute to Xiao Zhan and smiled.

The day after tomorrow was the day he would return to Jia Nan Academy. His visit to Xiao Zhan this time was also to make plans for the future.

Xiao Zhan's opinion and attitude were extremely important to Xiao Yan. If his little sister Nalan Yanran ever came to regret her decision, Xiao Zhan would be a good place to start.

Of course, all of this rested on the premise that Nalan Yanran changed her mind.

If his little sister herself was unwilling and did not become someone full of regret as she had in the original world, there was no need for him to force her to fulfill the marriage contract with the Xiao Clan.

That was from the perspective of familial affection. If it came down to benefits, there was no need to consider Nalan Yanran's opinion.

Members of great clans, male or female, were meant to form marriage alliances with one another. Even the ancient Dou God Clans of the Dou Qi Continent could not avoid such customs, so the Nalan Clan would naturally be no exception.

A match of equal social standing had been a timeless truth since ancient times.

Without considerations of benefit, the marriage contract between the Nalan Clan and the Xiao Clan would never have existed in the first place.

After all, Xiao Yan's grandfather, Xiao Lin, had not only been his grandfather's closest friend, but also one of the ten great Dou Wang experts of the Jia Ma Empire.

Within the Jia Ma Empire, the status of a Dou Wang expert was by no means low.

"I never expected that after only a few years apart, your strength would already be unfathomable..."

Xiao Zhan stared intently at Nalan Chenfeng, his square face full of shock. He rose from his seat, and a trace of reverence entered his voice.

He could sense the pressure emanating from the young man before him. Though he did not know Nalan Chenfeng's exact strength, it was certainly above his own.

On the Dou Qi Continent, strength reigned supreme.

Given the relationship between the Nalan Clan and the Xiao Clan, he was an elder. Yet before absolute strength, such seniority meant little.

"Uncle Xiao, there is no need to be nervous. No matter how strong Chenfeng is, here in the Xiao Clan, I am still your junior."

Nalan Chenfeng smiled faintly, his attitude respectful.

Xiao Zhan was his elder. During his time in the Xiao Clan, the latter had always taken good care of him, so he would not view him through the lens of strength.

"It is truly Xiao Zhan's honor to hear you say that."

Xiao Zhan paused, then laughed heartily, inexplicably feeling relieved.

The Xiao Clan and the Nalan Clan had a marriage contract, but given Yan'er's current condition, the Nalan Clan might very well change its attitude toward the Xiao Clan after learning of it.

When the servants had just reported Nalan Chenfeng's arrival, his heart had been hanging in suspense.

Over the years, the Xiao Clan had been able to gain a foothold in Wu Tan City, the Oba Clan and the Jia Lie Clan had not dared to move against them, and he had been able to sit firmly as the Xiao Clan's patriarch—all of this was inseparable from the Nalan Clan's invisible support.

One of the three great clans of the Jia Ma Empire—even the name alone was enough to intimidate others.

Nalan Chenfeng smiled as well, then pondered briefly before speaking.

"Chengfeng returned this time for two reasons. First, to inform Uncle Xiao, and second, to hope that Uncle Xiao would be mentally prepared."

"The marriage contract between the Xiao Clan and the Nalan Clan may inevitably encounter some twists due to Xiao Yan's current situation."

"Not long ago, I visited him. His talent problem may perhaps recover over time in the future, but I left in a hurry then, so he probably did not tell you about it."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan froze for a moment, and his expression soon became somewhat dim.

He had three sons, and Yan'er had been the one he thought most highly of. Unfortunately, for some unknown reason, his Dou Qi strength had fallen and remained at the Third Stage of Dou Qi.

"That brat, you came to the Xiao Clan and he did not even tell me..."

At the thought of Xiao Yan, a gentle expression appeared on Xiao Zhan's face.

Whether Yan'er's talent could recover in the future or not, as his father, he would do everything he could to protect him.

"It is getting late. Chenfeng will return to rest now. Please arrange a place for me to stay, Uncle Xiao."

Nalan Chenfeng glanced at the sky outside, then turned back with a smile.

"Nephew, you are an honored guest of the Xiao Clan. I have always had people clean the courtyard where you used to live in the Xiao Clan at regular intervals, and have kept it for you."

Xiao Zhan recovered slightly and replied to Nalan Chenfeng with a smile.

Though the Xiao Clan was not large, it still had the means to leave several residences vacant in Wu Tan City.

Nalan Chenfeng had always been regarded by him as an honored guest, and the young man's attitude today moved him even more.

With such an elder brother, his future daughter-in-law, whom his son had not yet married, would surely be a sensible and understanding person as well.

"Thank you, Uncle Xiao."

The night was deep, and the moonlight flowed like water.

After leaving Xiao Zhan, Nalan Chenfeng followed the bluestone path toward the guest courtyard where he had once stayed.

After many years apart, the Xiao Clan's overall surroundings had not changed much.

After passing through a moon gate, Nalan Chenfeng's steps paused slightly.

In the covered corridor ahead, a slender figure stood quietly beneath the moonlight. She was a young girl dressed in a light green gown.

Moonlight fell upon her little face. Her exquisite features seemed carefully carved from fine white jade, with curved willow-leaf brows, eyes like autumn waters, a graceful high nose bridge, and lightly pursed lips.

Xiao Xun'er.

After several more years apart, Xiao Xun'er had grown even more. Though she had not yet come of age, anyone with eyes could see that given time, she would surely become a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms and cities.

"Brother Chenfeng."

Xiao Xun'er called softly, her voice gentle and tender, as pleasing as a night breeze brushing across a lake.

Elder Ling had just told her that he had gone to see Uncle Xiao, so she had come here to wait.

She dearly wanted to know the ending of the story Xiao Yu had told her about.

"So it is little sister Xun'er."

Nalan Chenfeng stopped, a trace of surprise appearing on his handsome face. Then he seemed to understand something.

None of his movements could escape the perception of Ling Ying, the Dou Emperor by Xiao Xun'er's side.

However, he and Xiao Xun'er had not interacted much. During his time in the Xiao Clan, the number of times they had met could be counted on both hands. Yet she seemed to have specifically waited here for him...

"Mm."

Xiao Xun'er responded, a hint of shyness surfacing in her clear eyes.

"I wonder if Brother Chenfeng has time today?"

"Xun'er wants to know how the story Brother Chenfeng told Sister Xiao Yu before ended."

Nalan Chenfeng was briefly stunned. His gaze lingered for an instant on Xiao Xun'er's delicate little face, and he smiled faintly.

"They were merely some stories I made up. Little sister Xun'er, just listen to them for amusement. There is no need to dwell on them."

"It is already late today. I need to return to cultivate, so little sister Xun'er should rest early as well."

Nalan Chenfeng clasped his fists slightly. After responding, he headed toward his residence.

For now, he did not want to become too entangled with Gu Xun'er, the young lady of the Gu Clan, and bring trouble upon himself.

Seeing Nalan Chenfeng act so distant, Xiao Xun'er's little face froze slightly, and her long lashes trembled softly.

She had waited here and considered many possibilities, but she had never expected such a response.

She could sense the alienation and indifference hidden beneath those polite words.

"Did I offend him somehow?"

Xiao Xun'er's willow brows furrowed slightly as she fell into self-doubt.

"That brat is rather detestable. How dare he treat Miss in such a manner..."

Ling Ying, watching from the shadows, was equally stunned. For a moment, he could not help entertaining the thought of stepping in to teach Nalan Chenfeng a lesson.

But considering his mission, as well as Xiao Xun'er's still-unclear attitude, Ling Ying ultimately restrained himself.

"If that brat knew Miss's true identity, he would probably be scrambling to flatter her..."