A daughter-in-law, not a son!

The Xiao Clan's rear courtyard.

"What? Brother Xiao Yan isn't coming back?"

Xiao Xun'er, who had been playing a game, immediately put down her handheld console and stared at Ling Ying in disbelief.

Under her stare, Ling Ying could not help chuckling awkwardly. "Miss, it's not that he isn't coming back. He just won't be back for now."

It had been a long time since he had seen his young mistress this anxious.

"Then when will he come back?"

"Young Master Xiao didn't give me an exact date. He only told this old servant that he would definitely return before the coming-of-age ceremony."

"I see..." Xiao Xun'er's slender brows creased slightly as she asked worriedly, "Elder Ling, could you go and protect Brother Xiao Yan personally?"

"Miss, I'm afraid that wouldn't be appropriate. The Clan Chief specifically sent this old servant to protect you."

"What could possibly happen to me in the Xiao Clan?"

Ling Ying smiled wryly. "Miss, it's not that this old servant is unwilling. Young Master Xiao wouldn't agree to it either... Before leaving, he specifically entrusted this old servant with three things."

"What three things?"

"First, he instructed this old servant to report back and tell you not to worry. He's doing well."

"Brother Xiao Yan is always like this. He never thinks of himself first." Her eyes reddened. Had Ling Ying not been there, she might have been unable to hold back her tears.

"Second, he specifically asked this old servant to remind you to cultivate, miss, and not let idle pleasures erode your resolve."

Unable to hold back any longer, Xiao Xun'er burst into tears.

Thinking back on everything she had done lately, she realized she had indeed grown much more lax. She had even neglected to spend proper time with Brother Xiao Yan because she wanted to play games.

Bang!

She hurled the handheld console in her hand to the floor.

Seeing his young mistress renewed, her fighting spirit rekindled, Ling Ying's face broke into a fond, doting smile.

"Oh, Elder Ling, what was the third thing?" Wiping away her tears, Xiao Xun'er asked eagerly.

Some people and some things only revealed their importance once they were gone.

That was exactly how Xiao Xun'er felt now. After more than ten years of being as inseparable as lacquer and glue, she had grown used to having Xiao Yan around. Now that he was suddenly gone, longing filled the depths of her heart.

After a few soft chuckles, Ling Ying continued, "Third, Young Master Xiao asked you to tell Clan Chief Xiao not to worry about him, and to keep eating and drinking as usual."

"All right, I understand. Thank you, Elder Ling. I'd like some time alone now."

"Of course, miss. You needn't worry too much either. Heaven watches over fortunate souls like Young Master Xiao. He'll be fine."

With those words, Ling Ying quietly left the room.

The handheld console that had been thrown to the floor went with him.

Up in the treetops, he took out the console and began fiddling with it.

"Is this thing really that much fun?" Unconvinced, he switched on the screen.

Despite having been slammed against the floor, it still worked normally.

An entire night passed. Only when roosters crowed and birds began calling did Ling Ying realize he had spent the whole night playing games.

"Terrifying indeed. This thing truly is terrifying." Only after experiencing it himself did he understand how fearsome it was. In just one second, he, the Gu Clan's Strongest Dou Emperor, had been defeated.

At daybreak.

Xiao Xun'er left the rear courtyard and went to the council hall.

"Good morning, Uncle Xiao."

Hearing the girl's clear, lilting voice, Xiao Zhan paused, then asked in surprise, "Xun'er, why are you up so early today? Is there something you want to tell your Uncle Xiao?"

"Yes." Xiao Xun'er nodded.

Closing the ledger in his hands, Xiao Zhan grumbled, "Did that little brat of mine bully you? Don't be afraid. Your Uncle Xiao will stand up for you."

"No, Uncle Xiao. Brother Xiao Yan didn't bully me." Xiao Zhan sounded angry, but Xiao Xun'er could feel the deep, fatherly concern behind his words, directed not only toward her, but toward Xiao Yan as well.