NOVEL NEXT Chapter 57: I'm Not Joking
According to Ruo Ling’s words, a specialized flying car fleet would come to pick them up for school in seven days. Therefore, the young members of the Xiao Clan spent their last leisure days at home during these seven days.
Among them, Xiao Ning was the wildest player, going to the Ningchun Tower every day. He would invite Xiao Yan to go with him each time, but Xiao Yan would refuse, citing the need to recuperate from his injuries, leaving Xiao Ning to go alone.
They would play from morning till afternoon, completely engrossed in their activities. On the fifth day, Xiao Yu, who was their elder sister, couldn’t bear watching anymore. She stormed into the Ningchun Tower with a whip and, after a while, dragged out a battered and bruised figure that could barely be recognized as a person. That object returned to the Xiao Clan, and Xiao Ning was forced to spend the next two days peacefully at home.
During this time, Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun’er often stayed by Xiao Yan’s side, seemingly wanting to spend as much time as possible with him.
However, what surprised Xiao Yan was that not once during these seven days did Xiao Mei plead and cry, asking him to accompany her to the Jia Nan Academy. Instead, she made an effort to show him her happiest side, making Xiao Yan sigh in relief that the little girl had finally grown up.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was seven days later. This meant that today, the young members of the Xiao Clan were going to leave Wutan City and head to the Jia Nan Academy.
“Hmm, I’m finally fully recovered.”
In the early morning, Xiao Yan untied the bandages wrapped around his left arm and slowly stretched and moved it.
With that, he could finally set off today.
At that moment, the figure of Yao Chen appeared in mid-air, reminding Xiao Yan.
“Xiao Yan, don’t forget the things we discussed before.”
“Yeah, I’ll go find Ya Fei soon. I believe she has already prepared the items.”
Xiao Yan nodded and then pushed open the door of his room. He saw Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun’er standing at the doorstep, which caught Xiao Yan slightly off guard. He chuckled lightly.
“Oh, you’ve already packed? I was just about to see you off.”
Xiao Yan walked out of the room and closed the door. He looked at the displeased faces of the two little girls, feeling somewhat helpless. They were so happy just yesterday.
“Cousin Xiao Yan…” Xiao Mei looked up at Xiao Yan, her eyes filled with hopeful light. She pleaded softly, “Are you… really not going to the academy with us?”
Hearing Xiao Mei’s tender voice, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache. He reached out and gently stroked Xiao Mei’s head.
“It must have been difficult for you to hold back these words for the past few days.”
“…Mhm.”
Xiao Mei nodded lightly, tears starting to well up in her eyes. She didn’t resemble her usual spoiled self when facing others.
Sighing softly, Xiao Yan bent down slightly, rubbing Xiao Mei’s cheeks with both hands, and smiled.
“After you go to the academy, study hard, eat well, sleep well, and enjoy your unique life as a student. These are things that you won’t be able to experience again once you grow older, even if you return to the academy. Have a happy day, okay?” Xiao Yan held Xiao Mei’s face with both hands and gently pulled it to the sides, making a light tugging motion. “Live each day happily, alright?”
“Okay…”
Xiao Mei’s emotions improved slightly with Xiao Yan’s words. She forced a smile and responded to Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan chuckled and then turned to Xiao Xun’er.
“Xun’er, I…”
“Whatever Brother Xiao Yan wants to do, just go ahead and do it.” Before Xiao Yan could finish speaking, Xiao Xun’er spoke first, looking at Xiao Yan with gentleness in her eyes. “Xun’er will wait for you.”
Xiao Yan stared at Xiao Xun’er blankly for a moment, then his mouth curved into a gentle smile. He straightened up and lightly patted their heads.
“Alright, alright. Hurry up and pack your things. We’re leaving soon.”
“Yeah.”
Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun’er responded in unison, walking slowly towards their rooms.
(You really seem to have a lot of romantic entanglements, you little rascal.)
Yao Chen, who watched the figures of Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun’er leaving, said this in Xiao Yan’s mind.
However, Xiao Yan remained silent, without responding. He turned around and walked towards the courtyard gate. Just as he stepped out of the gate, he saw Xiao Yu leaning against the door.
“Are you done saying goodbye to those two little girls?”
Before Xiao Yan could speak, Xiao Yu whispered those words. Xiao Yan responded with a touch of melancholy.
“Yes… Come to think of it, those two little girls have never been away from me for this long before.”
Xiao Yan fidgeted with his hair, feeling a bit restless.
As for why he was feeling restless, even he couldn’t explain it clearly.
“Isn’t this a good thing? It’s about time for them to learn to be independent during this opportunity.”
Xiao Yu smiled softly and said.
Xiao Xun’er is still fine. She has a more rational and understanding personality, knowing what to do and what not to do.
But Xiao Mei, that little girl, is truly Xiao Yan’s little tail. She basically follows him wherever he goes and rarely has her own thoughts and ideas.
If this time away from Xiao Yan going to the Jia Nan Academy can help Xiao Mei break free from this state, it would be quite good.
After all, Xiao Mei’s life is her own, and she shouldn’t become dependent on Xiao Yan.
“Sister Xiao Yu.” Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Yu with a serious expression and said, “In the academy, I entrust everyone’s well-being to you.”
Looking at Xiao Yan’s serious face, Xiao Yu was slightly stunned for a moment, but then a confident smile appeared on her face.
“Do you still need to remind me? I am the big sister of this group. If I don’t take care of them, who will?” Xiao Yu said, her smile suddenly turning sinister, her jade-like hand forming a claw, and she chuckled menacingly, “Of course, I won’t neglect my training either. Don’t think that you can relax just because you’re at the Jia Nan Academy. I expect everyone to meet my usual standards… no, triple them!!!”
Although Xiao Yu became the big sister among the Xiao Clan’s younger generation, the true leader of their generation is still Xiao Yan. As long as Xiao Yan speaks, there is no place for Xiao Yu to say anything.
Of course, Xiao Yu wouldn’t feel resentful towards Xiao Yan because of this. After all, not only others, but she herself also recognizes Xiao Yan’s leadership.
However, well… although she wouldn’t feel resentful towards Xiao Yan, there is still a slight sense of dissatisfaction in Xiao Yu’s competitive heart.
Usually, she always listens to Xiao Yan’s words, but this time it finally fell into my hands!!!
Seeing Xiao Yu’s devilish smile, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but feel helpless.
Indeed, no matter how mature one becomes, their true nature is difficult to change.
By the way, when did Xiao Yu’s personality become so calm?
Xiao Yan lightly pinched his chin, furrowing his eyebrows as he contemplated.
Xiao Yan still remembered accidentally seeing her bathing in the back mountain, which led to being chased for a whole month until it was finally stopped by Xiao Zhan and the First Elder’s intervention.
If it were to happen now, Xiao Yan would immediately lower his head and apologize, not even daring to run away. After all, he was the one at fault, and avoiding punishment would be like shirking responsibility, something the current Xiao Yan cannot accept.
But back then, Xiao Yan had a rebellious and unruly personality. Not only did he accidentally peek at Xiao Yu bathing, but he also made a few not so gentlemanly remarks. If it weren’t for that, Xiao Yu wouldn’t have been so angry that she chased him for a whole month.
Well…
Xiao Yan shrugged helplessly and smiled wryly.
It can only be said that everyone has their ignorant and foolish moments in their youth. They always do one or two things that make their present self want to smack their past self.
But then again, perhaps it was because of these imperfect experiences that Xiao Yan became more like a flesh-and-blood human.
“Xiao Yan.”
Suddenly, Xiao Yu’s voice pulled Xiao Yan out of his reminiscence. Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Yu with confusion, but then his pupils suddenly shrank in astonishment as he stared at Xiao Yu’s rosy and beautiful face, which was now just inches away from him. He also felt an unfamiliar sensation on his lips.
At that moment, Xiao Yan’s brain crashed.
Their lips remained in contact for a good five or six seconds before Xiao Yu slowly separated them. Then, with a flushed face, she looked at Xiao Yan with a serious and determined expression.
“I… I’m not joking, you little pervert.”
Leaving behind these words, Xiao Yu turned around and quickly walked away, leaving Xiao Yan standing alone at the entrance of the courtyard, unable to come back to his senses for a long time.