"Ahem, ahem."
Two soft coughs broke the silence in the room. Xiao Zhan, having noticed the shift in Chen Xiaoming's expression, stepped forward and gave a respectful wave of his hand.
"Honored guest, please take the seat of honor."
After giving quick instructions to those outside, he had the room tidied and fresh tea brought in. Chen Xiaoming, catching the faint trace of wariness in Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan's eyes, smiled faintly but paid it no mind. He walked over casually.
As he passed, he shot a meaningful glance at Xiao Xun'er, then took his seat with composure.
Xiao Yan watched Chen Xiaoming leave and, for some reason, felt a strange sense of relief. However, his gaze shifted between Chen Xiaoming and Xiao Xun'er—the age difference was far too large to ignore.
But remembering Chen Xiaoming was a transmigrator, Xiao Yan couldn't help feeling uneasy. After all, there were those types in his past life… the ones with a thing for lolis.
He slumped back into his seat with mild anxiety. It felt like someone was about to steal a vegetable he had grown with his own hands.
Meanwhile, Chen Xiaoming's gaze flitted between Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er, clicking his tongue thoughtfully.
If Tang San of Soul Land fame was suspected of "raising a loli," then Xiao Yan here? One hundred percent confirmed.
Sneaking into her room at age four and touching her all over? Come on—Xiao Yan was a transmigrator! Mentally at least twenty years old!
And that excuse about using Dou Qi to help her cleanse her meridians in the middle of the night? Who would believe that?
Anyone else could've done it better—and at a more reasonable hour, too.
Chen Xiaoming, for one, wasn't buying it. If Xiao Yan hadn't suffered a dip in strength later and become so self-conscious, he'd probably have confessed his love to Xiao Xun'er already.
"Honor—"
"No need for such formality. If it doesn't trouble you, Clan Leader Xiao, you can simply call me Mr. Chen."
Chen Xiaoming waved the words away, his warm smile replacing the earlier imposing aura. He now seemed as gentle as a spring breeze.
"Well then... if you insist, Mr. Chen it is."
Xiao Zhan hesitated, eyes scanning Chen Xiaoming. While his strength was hard to gauge, Xiao Zhan prided himself on reading people, and he chose to comply.
"Mr. Chen, may I ask what brings you here today?"
The atmosphere quieted again. Xiao Zhan finally spoke, probing cautiously as he cast a disapproving glance at Xiao Yan. When had his son made ties with such a formidable figure—and kept it from him?
"I came to catch up with young Xiao Yan," Chen Xiaoming replied lightly, sipping his newly served tea. "Afterward, I'll be heading off to Central Plains."
But in his eyes flickered a sharp gleam.
Initially, he had come with the intent to take Xiao Yan as a disciple. But after seeing Xiao Xun'er...
"However—"
His tone shifted as he dragged out the word deliberately, smiling as he turned to look at Xiao Xun'er.
Xiao Yan, having been on high alert the entire time, muttered in his heart, Knew it.
Countless possibilities ran through his mind, each whispering the same thing—Give up on Xiao Xun'er, and you'll earn Chen Xiaoming's support.
But Xiao Yan swatted those voices away without hesitation.
He reached out and gently took Xiao Xun'er's hand. A look of firm resolve settled in his eyes. Even if it meant offending Chen Xiaoming, he would not give her up.
Startled by the sudden gesture, Xiao Xun'er's heart raced like a startled deer. Her cheeks flushed as she shyly lowered her head, feeling the weight of everyone's stares.
Chen Xiaoming's smile instantly froze.
What the hell just happened?
Here he was, sipping his tea... and BAM! Another helping of PDA right in front of him!
His eyes narrowed sharply.
Another one? Really? In public, no less?
The last time he'd been force-fed this much romantic fluff, it had been from Tang San and Xiao Wu.
Nope. Time to level up and snatch my own waifu before these shameless couples make me cough blood.
In his mind, the image of a woman in white—peerless and ethereal—floated to the surface.
Until I've secured her, any couple that dares to flaunt their affection in front of me... must be separated!
"Clan Leader Xiao," Chen Xiaoming said smoothly, "originally I was planning to depart immediately for Central Plains. But I've unexpectedly encountered someone with astonishing talent here. Might I ask if you would be willing... to part with her and allow her to become my disciple?"
As he spoke, his gaze once again settled on Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er, wearing a pleasant smile.
Xiao Zhan's heart skipped a beat. Something about the way Chen Xiaoming looked at the pair filled him with dread.
Don't tell me... he wants to take Xiao Xun'er?
Xiao Zhan groaned inwardly. Chen Xiaoming's cultivation was at the Dou Ancestor level—far beyond what he could oppose. But Xiao Xun'er's identity was equally untouchable.
"May I ask whom Mr. Chen refers to?"
He tested the waters, praying internally that Chen Xiaoming was referring to Xiao Yan instead.
But Chen Xiaoming merely raised a finger and pointed—directly at Xiao Xun'er.
"Absolutely not!"
Before Xiao Zhan could even speak, Xiao Yan had already leapt to his feet. That earlier sense of unease had only deepened, now clawing at his gut.
"Xiao Yan-ge..."
Xiao Xun'er's eyes shimmered as she called out softly, her hand still clasped in his.
"Mr. Chen, if I may..."
Xiao Zhan wore a pained expression, though a flicker of joy in his eyes didn't escape Chen Xiaoming's notice.
Old scoundrel, he thought. Probably coaching Xiao Yan to seduce lolis. Shameless.
With a flick of his Dou Qi, Chen Xiaoming transmitted his voice directly into Xiao Xun'er's ear.
Her bashful face suddenly stiffened with shock. She looked at Chen Xiaoming in disbelief, lashes fluttering as her gaze flicked to Xiao Yan. After a brief moment of hesitation, she bit her lip and gave a small, determined nod.
"I am willing to become your disciple, Teacher."
Her words left the entire room stunned.
Xiao Yan spun around, staring at her in disbelief.
"Xun'er, you..."
"Xiao Yan-ge, I did this for—"
Before she could finish, Chen Xiaoming casually glided over and patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder, a smug look on his face.
That'll teach you to flaunt your affection. Go on, try showing off now!
Having just been force-fed another bowl of dog food, Chen Xiaoming finally felt a bit better.
He looked at Xiao Yan's ashen face and shook his head.
Originally, he'd planned to take Xiao Yan as a disciple. After all, he would need a few people to hold down the fort when he started venturing through the myriad realms.
But after meeting Xiao Xun'er, his plans changed.
Why bother taking Xiao Yan? If I take Xiao Xun'er instead, won't Xiao Yan follow anyway?
To control a man, you don't always need to take him in directly—just take the one he loves. It's a two-for-one deal, and you even save on cultivation resources. Perfect!
But as Chen Xiaoming was inwardly reveling in his brilliance, Xiao Xun'er turned to look at Xiao Yan with deep affection.
"Xiao Yan-ge, everything I've done was for you."
"Silly Xun'er... I know. I believe you!"
Their eyes locked in heartfelt understanding.
Chen Xiaoming's triumphant expression slowly froze.
Wait... hold on. This isn't how this is supposed to go!
Can I return this disciple? Is there a refund policy? I don't want her anymore!
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