The hall was dead silent as every eye followed Xu Ziwei.
In this world, if the Eldest Miss didn't accept Zirong, even their father, however influencial, couldn't easily put the boy on the Xu Clan family tree. In Zirong's past life, that rejection was the start of his dark path.
Ziwei didn't care about the elders. Her eyes were locked on the middle-aged man in the center—and the small child hiding at his side.
The boy looked barely seven. His skin was pale, and his features were delicate and tense. When his big, bright eyes met hers with a shy look, an arrow pierced Ziwei's heart.
Ahhh! Too cute! Ziwei's soul screamed. How could the original owner ever bully this child? Her heart melted. Whatever sins the father had committed, this innocent boy was blameless. When he blushed and ducked behind Xiao's robes, Ziwei's pulse spiked. If she wasn't trying to act cool, she would have snatched him up for a hug right there.
"Father…" Ziwei finally spoke. The word felt weird. Xu Xiao was the opposite of her warm dad back on Earth. Xiao was cold—a man who only cared about power and business.
Xiao gave a short, icy nod. He didn't love Ziwei, but he respected her Lightning Talent. To him, talent was the only thing that mattered.
"Is this my younger brother, Zirong?" Ziwei asked. Her voice was soft and full of affection.
The hall went cold. Jaws dropped. Everyone remembered Ziwei's vow to make the "bastard" pay for her mother's death. They expected a slap or a scream—not this sweet, gentle tone.
The branch family members began to whisper.
"Is she acting?"
"Is she just trying to look good for the family?"
Xiao watched his daughter with a blank face. He had brought Zirong back to be a "whetstone"—a target for Ziwei to practice her cruelty on. He didn't care about the boy; Zirong was just a tool to teach Ziwei how to be a ruthless leader.
But as he watched Ziwei look at the child, Xiao felt proud. Not bad, he thought, completely misunderstanding her. Her eyes are so intense—she must be hiding a massive amount of hate. She has learned to hide her killing intent behind a smile. Truly my daughter!
While Xiao was praising her "acting," Ziwei's brain was actually screaming: He's so adorable! He's like my brother Ziyu, but without two-faced lying mask! I'm going to raise him to be a perfect, straight, upright hero! No dark magic, no harems, and definitely no gay drama!
Ziwei's fighting spirit flared. If no one else loves him, I will!
Because the "Genius Eldest Miss" didn't object, Zirong was added to the family tree instantly. No one was going to argue with the Lightning genius over the cost of one extra kid.
...
...
...
After the elders left, the three of them were alone.
Xiao beckoned Ziwei forward. "Ziwei, your performance today was... excellent."
"Thank you, Father," Ziwei replied, keeping her distance.
"This is Zirong. From now on, he will live with you," Xiao commanded, pulling the boy out from the shadows.
Ziwei's face lit up. She reached out and gently rubbed Zirong's head. "Hello, Zirong. My name is Ziwei. From today, I am your Big Sister."
Zirong kept his eyes down, hiding deep suspicion. But when he looked up, his face was full of fake wonder. "Big Sister," he whispered.
Ziwei's heart did a backflip. She turned to Xiao. "Father, where is he staying?"
"I arranged a room in the Zhu Xin Courtyard," Xiao began.
"Too far," Ziwei interrupted. "Let him live with me in my courtyard."
Xiao's eyebrows shot up. He thought she wanted to keep her "enemy" close so she could bully him in private. "That's fine."
Ziwei looked at Zirong, her eyes shining. "Is it okay to live with me, Zirong?"
Zirong was confused. This wasn't how the story went. "It's okay."
"Good boy." Ziwei laughed happily. She leaned down and planted a firm kiss on the boy's forehead. This made the boy stunned.
Then, she took his small hand. "Let's go home."
Zirong was stiffly following. His hand went to his forehead, touching the spot where her lips had been.
Behind his "innocent" face, Zirong's mind was spinning.
In his past life, he had died a terrible death. Now, he was eight years old again, standing before the father he planned to kill. He had prepared for the coldness. He had prepared for the slap he knew Ziwei would give him.
But a kiss?
Zirong stared at the back of the twelve-year-old girl leading him away. His dark eyes were full of doubt. What kind of game is this, Xu Ziwei?