Settling the Mother and Daughter, Reassuring His Girlfriends

Hai Bodong was taken aback by the question. He instinctively lowered his head to look himself over, then raised it again and replied quite seriously, "No, Young Master."

In his early years, the chill had leaked from his body only when the Sealing suppressed him and his aura was unstable.

Now his cultivation had been fully restored, and he had returned to the Dou Emperor realm. He could control the chill within his body at will, so there was no way such a thing could happen.

"All right. Maybe I was overthinking it." Xiao Yan scratched his head, puzzled, and put that faint, elusive chill out of his mind.

The Flying Magical Beast slowly descended over the Xiao Clan.

Its enormous shadow swept across the Training Ground, naturally alerting Xiao Zhan and several Elders.

Thinking some important figure had arrived, they hurried over to welcome them.

But when the cabin door opened, Xiao Yan was the first to step out.

In that instant, not only Xiao Zhan's eyes lit up, but those of every Xiao Clan member present.

"It's the Young Clan Leader! The Young Clan Leader is back!"

When they saw that it was Xiao Yan, the entire Xiao Clan was overcome with excitement.

They had never forgotten that the Xiao Clan owed almost all of its current prosperity to this Young Clan Leader, who had driven it forward from behind the scenes.

In the crowd, Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian's gazes passed over the milling heads and landed on the young man.

All their earlier grievances and discontent vanished into thin air the moment they saw him.

Unable to hold back their longing, they hurried toward him, their little faces bright with unconcealed joy.

Xiao Yan strode up to Xiao Zhan and bowed. "Father."

After greeting his father and each of the Elders, he turned and smiled at Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian, giving them a nod.

"Good, good. You've grown up and gotten taller in the year since I last saw you, Yan'er." Xiao Zhan looked his third son up and down, nodding repeatedly, his eyes full of relief.

Ever since Xiao Yan had gone out alone to gain experience, he and Su Wan had been worried sick every day, afraid something might happen to their son while he was away.

Now that he had returned safely, the worry that had weighed on the couple for so long could finally be set aside for a while.

"Father, look who I brought back this time." Xiao Yan smiled and turned aside, making room behind him as he gestured toward Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan followed the direction of his gesture.

Two figures walked steadily forward from the crowd. They bowed together to Xiao Zhan, their voices choked with emotion and barely contained excitement.

"Father, we're back."

"Ding'er! Li'er!" Xiao Zhan blinked, almost unable to recognize them.

By his reckoning, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li had been out making their way in the world for several years. Though they had occasionally exchanged letters during that time, they had never seen each other in person.

Now that his two sons were standing right before him, alive and well, Xiao Zhan felt his throat tighten and his chest fill with indescribable emotions.

"That's wonderful! Big Brother Xiao Ding and the others are back too!"

Quite a few members of the Xiao Clan recognized Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, and cheers erupted all around.

Aside from such prodigies as Xiao Yan and Xun'er, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were also among the most talented in the clan. Back then, many Xiao Clan juniors had wholeheartedly respected them as their elder brothers.

But because the two had left early to gain experience, and later because Xiao Yan's brilliance shone too brightly, they had gradually faded from everyone's view.

Now that the Xiao Clan was at the height of its power, Xiao Ding and the others' return was like adding wings to a tiger.

"Good... good! All three of you brothers are back. Your mother will be happy for a good long while!" Seeing his three sons, all grown men now, standing together before him, Xiao Zhan-despite being a Clan Leader-couldn't help but grow slightly emotional.

He took a deep breath, then quickly stepped aside and invited them in. "Let's not stand around at the entrance. Please, come in, everyone!"

Everyone followed Xiao Zhan into the Xiao Clan and took their seats in the Reception Hall.

Servants brought tea. Xiao Yan introduced Hai Bodong and Qing Lin and her mother, taking particular care to emphasize that Elder Hai was a Dou Huang expert and that Qing Lin and her mother were honored guests who must not be neglected.

Xiao Zhan quietly took note and resolved to remind the clan's juniors about it again and again later.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries and a round of tea, Xiao Zhan personally instructed the servants to arrange lodgings for Hai Bodong and Qing Lin and her mother, assigning attendants to look after each of them.

Hai Bodong disliked crowds to begin with. After exchanging greetings with Xiao Yan, he let a servant guide him back to his room to rest.

Qing Lin and her mother, however, were somewhat overwhelmed by the treatment and remained cautious in their words and actions.

"Young Master Xiao Yan, is this really appropriate... given our background?" Qing Mian said softly to Xiao Yan, looking embarrassed.

Mother and daughter were much alike in temperament. Even after staying with Xiao Yan for some time, deep down they still considered themselves lowly.

Knowing they would inevitably feel uneasy in a new environment, Xiao Yan gave them a warm look and comforted them gently. "Auntie, you're more than welcome here. From now on, the Xiao Clan is your home."

Having them stay in the Xiao Clan and think of it as home was an arrangement Xiao Yan had planned long ago.

With him there, the mother and daughter would not only be safe in the Xiao Clan, but could also gradually develop a genuine sense of belonging.

His words flowed through their hearts like a warm current. Qing Mian's eyes grew slightly hot, and Qing Lin nodded firmly.

Ever since Qing Lin had been conceived, mother and daughter had lived precariously, drifting from place to place. For them, the word "home" had been an almost unreachable dream.

However, Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian had seen every moment of Xiao Yan gently comforting Qing Lin and her mother from nearby.

The two girls puffed out their little cheeks and exchanged an indignant look.

They secretly decided that, in a little while, they would thoroughly interrogate Brother Xiao Yan, who had been flirting with other women while away.

After settling Qing Lin and her mother in, Xiao Yan finally had a moment to catch up properly with his two girlfriends.

Seeing Xiao Zhan chatting happily with his elder and second brothers, he stood up, scratched his head, and smiled at Xiao Zhan. "Father, I'll excuse myself for now."

Xiao Zhan followed his gaze and saw Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian waiting over there. He understood at once and waved with a smile. "Go ahead. Remember to come for dinner tonight."

Xiao Yan readily agreed.

He turned and gestured with his chin for Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian, who had been waiting for some time, to follow him outside so they could talk.

The two girls were delighted and hurried after him. As they walked, Xiao Yan's gaze lingered on the two girls without him even realizing it.

After so long apart, they had both changed a little. They were taller, their features more defined, and they had an added charm of girls just coming into their own.

"Brother Xiao Yan, have you looked enough?" Feeling his undisguised gaze, Xun'er blushed and chided him with a hint of shyness.

She looked so charming that there was no trace of her earlier anger.

Xiao Yi Xian also covered her mouth and giggled beside them.

Xiao Yan scratched his head sheepishly. The two girls glanced at each other, then both covered their mouths and laughed.

They reached a secluded Pavilion and sat down on the stone benches.

Xun'er spoke first. "Brother Xiao Yan, could you tell us about your training over this time? Xiao Yi Xian and I both really want to know."

"Exactly, exactly." Xiao Yi Xian chimed in repeatedly, her curiosity and concern plain on her face.

"Ahem! In that case, ladies, allow me to tell you everything in detail..." Xiao Yan coughed twice and cleared his throat with affected seriousness.