Relief flooded Xiao Yan's chest. He raised his head and nodded toward Xiao Jian.
"I'll find Teacher right away. But, Third Brother...take this first."
He took a small green jade bottle from his spatial ring and handed it over.
"It's a medicinal liquid I just finished experimenting with yesterday. It strengthens one's foundation and restores vitality."
"Good." Xiao Jian accepted the bottle and then added, "Also, call Xiao Ning over."
After giving that order, he uncorked the jade bottle and downed the turquoise liquid in one gulp. He smacked his lips thoughtfully. "Not bad. It tastes like honey....sweet and smooth."
Xiao Yan chuckled at his reaction. "Glad it's not too bitter." Then, with a quick nod, he turned and ran out.
Moments later, Xiao Ning entered with a puzzled look. Truth be told, he didn't like taking orders from Xiao Jian, the so-called younger brother of the clan.
But what he had witnessed earlier—Xiao Jian killing Galleo Bi with his own hands.....had shaken him to the core.
So the thought of Xiao Jian becoming his brother-in-law didn't seem that hard to swallow anymore.
When he heard Xiao Yan say Xiao Jian was calling him, his mind hadn't yet caught up, but his feet had already carried him inside.
"Xiao Ning," Xiao Jian said with a smile, "I need you to go to the Galleo estate right now.
Tell Father and the three elders that everything here has been arranged.
They can focus on wiping out the Galleo family completely before returning."
Xiao Ning blinked blankly for a second. Then Xiao Jian's tone grew firmer.
He let the faint chill of his ice-attribute Dou Qi flow outward, filling the air with a biting cold that cleared Xiao Ning's thoughts instantly.
"What does that mean?" Xiao Ning asked, still confused.
Xiao Jian sighed and said helplessly, "You don't need to understand.
Just deliver the message. This matter concerns the Xiao family's future development.
All you need to know is.....it's important. Very important. And it must be you who does it. Understand?"
The keywords hit Xiao Ning like lightning—"the whole family's future," "very important," "must be me."
His back straightened at once, confidence shining on his face. "Don't worry! I'll deliver it!"
And with that, he dashed out the door at full speed.
Watching him leave, Xiao Jian couldn't help but shake his head with a chuckle. "Kids at that age really are easy to fool."
Moments later, Sister Xiao Yu returned carrying a bowl of steaming porridge. She sat beside Xiao Jian, her expression gentle and soft. Scooping up a spoonful, she blew on it lightly, tested it with her lips, then carefully brought it to his mouth.
Xiao Jian blinked at her, a bit surprised. In all his life, he had never seen Sister Xiao Yu act so tenderly.
"What's with that look?" she frowned slightly, her voice tinged with mock irritation.
"I'm just making sure you don't burn yourself. Don't go getting any ideas."
"No ideas," Xiao Jian said with a grin, swallowing the porridge obediently.
"I just didn't expect to see this gentle side of you. It's… pretty nice." He winked at her playfully.
"Don't you dare try anything! You're still recovering—you can't… can't do that."
Sister Xiao Yu blushed furiously, remembering that night when, after Xiao Jian had complimented her, he'd nearly gone too far. She quickly leaned back, flustered, biting her lip as her eyes darted away.
"???"
Xiao Jian was speechless. What on earth is going on inside this long-legged sister's head? And what's with that flustered, half-shy, half-defiant look?
"Sigh, Sister Xiao Yu… hungry, hungry~" he muttered exaggeratedly, pouting like a spoiled child.
"You really have some kind of problem," she shot back with a roll of her eyes. Having grown up with Xiao Jian, she was used to his occasional nonsense and strange phrases. Tossing aside her earlier embarrassment, she simply gave him a cool glance and continued feeding him calmly.
"Hehe." Xiao Jian chuckled softly. If you can't be yourself in front of your own people, what kind of life are you living?
Just as the two shared this quiet, oddly warm moment, a booming voice erupted outside the Xiao Estate gates.
"Your Xiao family dared to deal such a ruthless blow to the Galleo clan! Today, I—Oba Pa—will rid Wu Tan City of your cursed house once and for all!"
The thunderous declaration shook the air.