A frustrated Xiao Yan

A trace of amusement flashed through Xiao Zhan's eyes as he watched the bashful Xiao Xun'er.

Having read the original novel, he naturally knew what Xiao Xun'er was thinking.

The Ancient Clan Chief's daughter had been deeply rooted in her love for Yan'er since childhood.

She was the daughter-in-law he had already chosen. How could he let her leave just like that?

Heaven only knew whether she would ever be able to return once she went back.

If she were betrothed to another genius of the Gu Clan, what would Yan'er do?

As the Gu Clan's favored daughter of heaven, Xiao Xun'er had countless suitors.

If she got together with Yan'er, it would surely draw a whole wave of hatred from those geniuses.

The Gu Clan prodigies who liked Xiao Xun'er would undoubtedly come looking for trouble with Yan'er.

Wouldn't that let him trigger the dad-pleasing mechanism all the time?

Wait, how could I think like that?

Wouldn't I be setting my own son up?

No, no, no. I'm thinking about Yan'er's lifelong happiness.

I'm a good father. How could I possibly set my son up?

System, wouldn't you agree?

This shouldn't count as breaking the rules, right?

System: "..."

"Xun'er, listen to your uncle and stay in the Xiao Clan without worrying. If Yan'er dares to bully you, just tell me. I'll straighten him out for you."

Xiao Zhan spoke gently, looking at Xiao Xun'er with the warm, kindly gaze of a man admiring his future daughter-in-law. His words left her so bashful that she did not dare raise her head to look at Xiao Yan beside her.

"Father..."

Xiao Yan was utterly embarrassed. He felt that his father was speaking a little too freely. He wanted to say something, but the words stalled on his lips.

For some reason, hearing his father's words brought an unusual glimmer to his eyes and a faint happiness to his heart.

He seemed rather eager for his father to keep talking...

"Thank you, Uncle Xiao..."

After Xiao Zhan's persuasion, Xiao Xun'er finally agreed with a show of reluctance. Once she finished speaking, she stole a shy glance at Xiao Yan, afraid that he might see through her feelings.

She was delighted.

Being able to stay in the Xiao Clan and see Brother Xiao Yan every day was already more than enough to satisfy her.

And...

The meaning behind Xiao Zhan's words also sent a trace of joy rippling through Xiao Xun'er's heart.

Uncle Xiao...

Seems very pleased with me...

Receiving Xiao Zhan's approval made Xiao Xun'er positively thrilled.

"Xun'er, you've been in the Xiao Clan all this time, but you still haven't had a meal with your uncle, have you?"

"I'll have someone prepare a table of good food and wine tonight. Come over with Yan'er and have a few drinks with me."

The more Xiao Zhan looked at the sweet, sensible Xiao Xun'er, the more satisfied he became.

He had made up his mind about this daughter-in-law!

"Yes. Thank you, Uncle Xiao."

Xiao Xun'er did not overthink it. The warmer Xiao Zhan was toward her, the more it meant he approved of her, and the happier she felt.

"All right, Xun'er, head back first. I still have a few things to tell your Brother Xiao Yan."

Xiao Zhan's smiling face made Xiao Xun'er feel very close to him.

"Then I'll take my leave."

Xiao Xun'er dipped into a graceful bow, then glanced at Xiao Yan beside her.

"Brother Xiao Yan, I'll be going now."

Xiao Yan nodded. Remembering what his father had just said, he found it hard to look Xiao Xun'er in the eye, and his expression was somewhat awkward.

"Yan'er, if you like her, take the initiative."

After Xiao Xun'er left, Xiao Zhan patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder and spoke meaningfully.

"Father, what nonsense are you talking about? Xun'er is my little sister."

Xiao Yan replied in embarrassment.

"You're not related by blood anyway. Why let that bother you? A real man should dare to love and dare to pursue it."

Xiao Zhan encouraged Xiao Yan, then began boasting wildly. "Back when your father was in the Great Thousand World, I had countless beauties by my side and wives and concubines in droves."

He said this to establish an image of himself as a womanizer in Xiao Yan's mind.

He had not forgotten that besides Fatherly Love Like a Mountain, the Dad-Pleaser System also had Many Children, Many Blessings.

Each additional child he had would earn him a system reward.

And if he wanted more children, he naturally had to start by marrying more wives and having children with them.

For that reason, Xiao Zhan was giving Xiao Yan an early warning.

Your father is a man who dares to love and pursue it. If I like someone, I'll go after her.

Well, it's just that there are rather a lot of women I like.

"Countless beauties? Wives and concubines in droves?"

At Xiao Zhan's words, Xiao Yan froze, staring at his father in astonishment.

"Father, I never thought... you were such a womanizer."

Xiao Yan felt as though he were meeting his father for the first time. The old Xiao Zhan had never shown any interest in women.

"What's so remarkable about that? Holding power over the world and lying drunk in a beauty's lap-that's the spirit a man should have."

Xiao Zhan's heroic spirit seemed to soar into the clouds, while he quietly made plans in his heart.

Once he sent Xiao Yan away from Wutan City, he would begin his own journey of taking wives.

"Yan'er, can you honestly say that, in your heart, you truly see Xun'er as a little sister?"

Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Yan, his tone carrying a hint of pressure. "If one day Xun'er were held in another man's arms, what would you think? Could you accept it?"

Xiao Yan's expression changed. He fell silent for a moment before answering, "I suppose... I'd find that rather hard to accept."

"If you can't accept it, then don't tell me that what you share is purely affection between siblings."

Xiao Zhan did not beat around the bush. "From what I can see, that girl's feelings for you also seem to go beyond ordinary affection between siblings."

"Yan'er, since you like her, you need to seize your chance."

"Although Xun'er has a noble status and an impressive background, as my son, you are no worse than anyone else."

Xiao Zhan patted Xiao Yan's shoulder and said earnestly, "Yan'er, a real man mustn't drag his feet. I've already helped you keep Xun'er here. Tonight is a good opportunity. Now it'll depend on how you perform."

"Tonight?"

Xiao Yan suddenly remembered that Xiao Zhan had invited Xiao Xun'er over for dinner that evening. His expression shifted. "Father, you're not trying to make me..."

"What are you thinking? Is your father that sort of person?"

Xiao Zhan rolled his eyes and declared righteously, "What I mean is that you should encourage Xun'er to have a few more drinks tonight, so the two of you can deepen your feelings."

"Father, Xun'er and I really don't need..."

Xiao Yan wanted to say more, but Xiao Zhan cut him off.

"Enough. I've already created the opportunity for you. I'm very pleased with that girl Xun'er. If you can't win her over, just see how I'll deal with you."

Xiao Zhan spoke domineeringly, giving Xiao Yan no chance to explain.

Xiao Yan: "..."

After that, Xiao Zhan promptly chased Xiao Yan out.

"Teacher, why is my father so unreasonable?"

Xiao Yan complained in frustration.

"Who would have thought that the Immortal Emperor was also a man who followed his passions?"

"My disciple, Xiao Xun'er really is an excellent choice. You probably won't go wrong listening to the Immortal Emperor."

Yao Lao's voice rang out, his tone actually expressing considerable approval of Xiao Zhan's approach.

Xiao Yan: "..."

"You two are jackals from the same den!"

PS: The Family Domain system grants invincibility purely in terms of strength. The protagonist is not omnipotent.