After hearing him out, Xiao Zhan first looked stunned, then let out a helpless sigh. This adopted son of his filled his head with strange ideas all day long, constantly dreaming up ways to torment Xiao Yan.
The candlelight flickered in the study, stretching Xiao Zhan's restless shadow long and thin across the wall. With his hands clasped behind his back, he paced the confined space like a caged beast. His heart was just like that wavering candle shadow, bright one moment and dark the next, never settling.
"Father, stop pacing back and forth. You'll polish the floor to a shine at this rate. The way I see it..."
Before Xiao Yi could finish, Xiao Zhan abruptly turned and cut him off sharply.
"Enough!"
His voice carried a slight tremor, and his eyes were filled with inner conflict.
"Perhaps... perhaps the Misty Cloud Sect has come on some other important business. That child Yanran hasn't seen Yan'er in so long. Maybe she's simply stopping by to visit... Yi'er, you shouldn't always take such a bleak view of things!"
At that, Xiao Yi rolled his eyes exaggeratedly and spread his hands, his tone utterly helpless.
"Do you believe that yourself? Nalan Yanran came to our Wutan City in person. Aside from that unresolved engagement, what could possibly be worth her lowering herself to come here? Surely she didn't come to eat Heaven Silkworm Potato?"
Xiao Yi's merciless words were like a sharp needle, instantly piercing the illusion in Xiao Zhan's heart, thin as a cicada's wing. Xiao Zhan's expression darkened at once, and the authority of a clan leader rose within him. He pointed toward the door, his voice brooking no argument.
"Insolent! There's nothing more for you to do here. This is not your concern! Leave!"
Xiao Yi pursed his