"Brother Tian, are you in your room?" came a little girl's warm, soft, sweet voice.
Xiao Tian's grin grew increasingly unrestrained. Then he went to the front door, instantly turned into an adorable little boy, and gazed at the cute little girl standing outside, her porcelain-white face a little baby-fat, her hair in two braids.
Xiao Xun'er! Or rather, Gu Xun'er!
Perhaps because of the double butterfly effect caused by Xiao Tian's transmigration on top of Xiao Yan's, Xiao Xun'er was the same age as him-five-and her talent was no weaker than four-year-old Xiao Yan's (her talent had yet to reveal itself).
"Brother Tian, you haven't had lunch, have you? This is for you."
Xiao Tian took the pastries Xun'er handed him. Hungry himself, he finished them in a few bites.
"You're the best, Xun'er."
Looking at the ever-optimistic Brother Xiao Tian before her, Xun'er noticed something unusual. Brother Tian's skin seemed even fairer than hers now. Dress him up a little, and he could practically be her sister.
"Brother Tian, you've changed."
"Have I?" Knowing Xun'er was no ordinary girl, Xiao Tian laughed it off and took her by the hand, leading her to the garden out back to deepen their bond.
As the saying went, start chasing girls early! Raise your little girl early! Ever since Xun'er had been sent to the Xiao Clan at the age of three, Xiao Tian, armed with his knowledge of the Battle Through the Heavens Continent's many secrets and a transmigrator's way of thinking, had spent every night for two years warming the heart of the frail little girl who suffered from the cold, successfully leaving a deep imprint on her heart.
My foolish little brother, I'm sorry! Hate me! Rage!
Xiao Tian felt not the slightest guilt about planning to steal away Xiao Yan's wife from the original timeline.
Happy times were always brief. He had not been taking liberties with the little girl for long when a Xiao Clan guard arrived.
"Young Master Xiao Tian, the clan leader wishes to see you."
"Got it."
Xiao Tian found it strange. Xiao Zhan, this father he had acquired, had not summoned him in two years. What did he want with him at this juncture?
"Xun'er, I'll be right back."
"Brother Tian, do your best! Xun'er believes you can do it tomorrow!"
Xiao Tian's heart gave a jolt. Looking at Xun'er's adorably radiant smile, he pinched her porcelain-white, baby-fat cheek, feeling that this girl knew he had awakened his Dou Qi.
Inside the clan leader's room.
Xiao Zhan wore a cold expression, his air of "keep away" intense. As he looked at Xiao Tian coming in, he noticed something unusual.
"Tian'er, what's happened to your skin?"
Xiao Tian smiled. "Nothing. I was in the sun too long, and my skin peeled. Father, what did you want to see me about?"
With the system concealing his Dou Qi, even Xiao Zhan, a Two-Star Great Dou Master, could not tell at all that Xiao Tian had awakened his Dou Qi.
"Tian'er, the position of young clan leader will pass to your younger brother Xiao Yan tomorrow. Tonight, go to your second uncle and learn the ways of business. Even if you cannot awaken your Dou Qi, you can still enjoy wealth and splendor, marry, and have children."
Xiao Tian was a little stunned. This father he had acquired was giving up on him.
"Father." Just then, Xiao Yan entered the room.
As Xiao Zhan watched his second son enter, composed despite his youth, a trace of a smile appeared on his icy face. This was his son, Wutan City's greatest genius.
Glancing at the cheerful, optimistic Xiao Tian, Xiao Zhan inwardly shook his head.
"Tian'er, you may leave. Yan'er, what is it?"
"Mother wants to see Big Brother."
"Father, I still want to try tomorrow."
Seeing the determination in Xiao Tian's eyes, Xiao Zhan sighed inwardly, nodded, and said coldly, "If you still haven't awakened it, even I, your father, cannot help you. The council of elders is putting considerable pressure on me."
"Thank you, Father."
Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan walked out shoulder to shoulder. Xiao Yan leaned closer and whispered, "Brother, Mother has arranged a marriage for you. Also, what are you planning to do about Sister Xun'er?"
Xiao Tian's heart jolted. A marriage! Grandpa's daughter-in-law is stirring up trouble for no reason.
Perhaps because of the double butterfly effect, Xiao Tian's mother was still alive.
Xiao Tian glanced at the ancient ring hanging around his younger brother Xiao Yan's neck, wondering whether Yao Lao might be inside.