The two girls meet

The Xiao Clan's main hall!

As Xiao Yan introduced Xiao Yi Xian to his father and the elders, his body suddenly trembled slightly, and a bad feeling rose in his heart.

But he quickly shook it off and continued the introductions with a smile.

"She's a friend I met in Qingshan Town. Father, you can just call her Xiao Yi Xian."

Sitting at the head of the hall, Xiao Zhan felt a headache coming on.

Little Yanzi, you fool! You still have Xun'er at home. How could you bring another girl straight back here?

With Xiao Yi Xian present, however, Xiao Zhan naturally showed none of those feelings. He chuckled warmly. "Xiao Yi Xian, is it? You certainly live up to your name. From now on, consider this your home. Don't stand on ceremony."

The three elders secretly exchanged glances and chimed in.

"Yes, yes, make yourself at home!"

As for anything else, they would stay out of it.

The youngsters could settle their own affairs.

Seeing how kindly the Xiao Clan's elders treated her, Xiao Yi Xian's ears reddened slightly, and she stole a glance at Xiao Yan.

After a few brief introductions, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian found seats, and he asked about more serious matters.

"By the way, Father, has anything happened to the Xiao Clan while I was away?"

At those words, Xiao Zhan and all three elders positively glowed, their spirits soaring.

"Hahaha, Yan'er, it really is all thanks to the pills you left us.

"Although the Ao Ba Family and Jia Lie Family have two Alchemists supporting them, their pills aren't flawless down to the last one like yours. On top of that, our prices are slightly lower, so ours are more popular on the market."

Thinking of the hardships the Jia Lie Family and Ao Ba Family had faced lately, Xiao Zhan couldn't help laughing heartily.

The Third Elder also lifted his tea and took a large gulp before revealing another reason with a cold laugh.

As it turned out, to satisfy the Alchemists backing them, the Jia Lie Family and Ao Ba Family couldn't sell in high volumes at slim margins like the Xiao Clan. They could only watch helplessly as the Xiao Clan drew customers away from their markets.

After half a year, both families were on the verge of being unable to hold on.

The Ao Ba Family had even sent someone to contact the Xiao Clan in secret.

They were preparing to bow their heads and admit defeat.

There was no deep-seated hatred between the two families anyway. Surrender was surrender.

The Jia Lie Family was another matter. Although Jia Lie Bi usually seemed more calculating and inscrutable, he was actually the most stubborn of them all.

He knew he was no match for the Xiao Clan, but his enormous sunk costs still kept him from showing any inclination to yield.

Having been at odds with Xiao Zhan for years, he would rather die than bow his head.

Xiao Zhan certainly wouldn't show him any mercy over that, and naturally continued suppressing the Jia Lie Family without leaving them any breathing room.

In particular, the merchants he had planted as spies in the Jia Lie Family Market had secretly stirred things up, persuading countless merchants to move to the Xiao Family Market.

That piled snow onto the frost already covering the struggling Jia Lie Family Market.

Listening to their discussion, Xiao Yi Xian turned her beautiful eyes toward Xiao Yan with a hint of curiosity.

In her impression, Xiao Yan was the sort who would never waste words when he could act. She had never really seen him resort to schemes or tricks.

But his father and clan...

How should she put it? Their methods were rather formidable. She didn't fully understand it all, but she was impressed.

Outside the Xiao Clan's main hall, the younger clan members who had heard the news gathered together, craning their necks and poking their heads forward to get a clear look at the girl Xiao Yan had brought home.

Everyone had a curious, gossip-loving side.

At first, none of the Xiao Clan's youngsters except Xiao Xun'er had noticed Xiao Yan's departure.

But after one month, then two, without any sign of him, everyone caught on and guessed that he had gone out to make his way in the world, just like Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.

Thus, when Xiao Yan returned riding a Magical Beast with a girl in tow, he stirred up towering waves throughout the Xiao Clan.

Of course, more of them were simply waiting to watch the show, eager to see how Xiao Yan would get past Xiao Xun'er.

Xiao Ning, for instance!

Watching Xiao Yan inside the hall, he felt both gloating delight and envy, and couldn't resist saying sourly, "That fellow Xiao Yan-is he doing right by Cousin Xun'er? If it were me..."

Beside him, a charming, pretty girl with the makings of a little beauty rolled her eyes at him. "Cousin Xiao Ning, stop being so sour. Isn't it perfectly normal for an outstanding man like Cousin Xiao Yan to attract girls?"

As she spoke, she even wore a lovestruck expression.

"I actually wish Cousin Xiao Yan were a little more fickle. Then maybe I'd have a chance too."

Xiao Ning snorted.

"Xiao Mei, you're beyond saving."

Xiao Mei gave a little snort of her own and turned away.

"You're no different. Xun'er doesn't have you in her heart at all. She doesn't even want to say a word to you.

"But I'm different. Cousin Xiao Yan even smiles at me."

Xiao Ning's face immediately darkened.

Damn it, there's no keeping this conversation going.

Just then, someone behind them suddenly shouted, "Cousin Xun'er is here!"

Everyone waiting to watch the show instantly perked up.

Inside the hall, Xiao Yan also learned from Yao Lao that Xiao Xun'er was heading over, and couldn't help coughing lightly.

"Father, I'll leave the Jia Lie Family and Ao Ba Family matters to you. I'll take Xiao Yi Xian outside first."

Xiao Zhan waved a hand. "All right. Once you're outside, have the steward pick out a courtyard for Miss Xiao Yi Xian.

"And tell those brats outside to disperse. What are they all crowding around the door for, in full view of everyone?"

Xiao Yan nodded and turned to Xiao Yi Xian.

"Let's go!"

As soon as they left the hall, they saw an exquisite girl in a long purple dress standing nearby, her bearing like a secluded orchid in an empty valley. Although a faint smile graced her face, a hidden trace of indifference lay in her eyes, giving her an air that warned strangers to keep their distance.

But when she saw Xiao Yan emerge, bright, captivating joy immediately spread over her lovely face. Like a young swallow returning to its nest, she trotted toward him, seemingly oblivious to Xiao Yi Xian beside him.

The sight nearly made the jaws of the young Xiao Clan spectators drop to the ground.

Wait, this isn't how the script goes!

Xiao Yi Xian noticed Xiao Xun'er as well. The instant she saw her, a quiet sense of inferiority rose in her heart, and she lowered her head slightly.

"Xun'er, you're here."

At the sight of Xun'er's bright, heartfelt smile, Xiao Yan looked startled for a moment before quickly regaining his composure and smiling faintly.

Reaching Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er swept a quick, appraising glance over Xiao Yi Xian before looking at him with an ambiguous smile.

"Brother Xiao Yan, don't tell me you think I've come at the wrong time?"

Xiao Yan drew a slight, deep breath and reached out to ruffle Xiao Xun'er's delicately fragrant hair.

"No, you've come at exactly the right time!"

The young Xiao Clan members watching nearby were instantly dumbfounded.

Seriously, man, you can do that?

What shocked them most was that Xiao Xun'er wasn't even angry.

"Here, let me introduce you. This is Xiao Yi Xian, a friend I met in Qingshan Town."

Xiao Yan took Xiao Xun'er's hand as he introduced Xiao Yi Xian, then gestured toward Xiao Xun'er and told Xiao Yi Xian, "This is Xiao Xun'er, the little sister I grew up with."

Xiao Yi Xian nodded slightly and smiled.

Oh, so she's his little sister!

Xiao Xun'er puffed out her cheeks slightly and gave a soft huff, refusing to acknowledge Xiao Yan.

Just his little sister?

Xiao Yan then turned toward the onlookers around them and said irritably, "All right, all right, disperse. There's nothing to see here."

Although they hadn't had their fill of the spectacle, once Xiao Yan spoke, they could only leave one by one, disappointment written on their faces.

Soon, only Xiao Yan and the two girls remained.