...
In a secluded courtyard of the Xiao family, Xiao Ning sat on a stone bench under a large tree, enjoying the cool breeze with a beautiful woman dressed in school uniform. The breeze was refreshing and the atmosphere was pleasantly cool.
The beautiful woman had a long sword at her waist and a rather tall figure. What was most eye-catching were her long, shapely legs.
Her delicate face was now filled with anxiety. She held Xiao Ning's hands and said with a sob, "Little brother, how come your cultivation has regressed? Did you catch some disease from that good-for-nothing Xiao Yan? You must never have contact with that bastard again!"
The beautiful woman was Xiao Ning's older sister, Xiao Yu. She was a student at Canaan Academy and had just returned to the Xiao family today. Upon hearing the news of Xiao Ning's declining cultivation from the Grand Elder, she immediately rushed over.
Xiao Ning's face showed a calm expression as she comforted her, "Sister, don't worry. If Xiao Yanzi was able to regain his talent for cultivation in three years, I believe I can too!"
Xiao Yu recalled the rumors she had heard when she first returned to the family, and now hearing her younger brother say the same thing, she immediately imagined the reason why he had come to Xiao Yan.
In her mind, Xiao Ning simply wanted to get the reason for the recovery of his cultivation talent from Xiao Yan.
"That bastard... how did he become normal again? Have you found out?"
Thinking of this, Xiao Yu lowered her voice and asked.
Xiao Ning shook his head and replied, "Xiao Yanzi said he didn't know either, he just got better after a nap!"
"That's just an excuse! That bastard!"
Xiao Yu clenched her fists tightly, her delicate face filled with resentment.
When Xiao Yu was young, she was bathing in the hot springs behind the mountain when the young Xiao Yan saw her completely and even accidentally touched her thigh. As a result, Xiao Yan was chased by her for half a year.
Later, the two became enemies. This was also a factor in the discord between Xiao Ning, the younger brother, and Xiao Yan in the original novel.
Xiao Ning let out a soft sigh and said indifferently, "Forget it. I've figured it out these past few days. If my cultivation has regressed, so be it. I've accepted my fate!"
"Little brother, don't lose heart, there's definitely a way!"
Xiao Yu, however, was unwilling to give up and instead encouraged him: "Sister will find a way for you. The instructors at Canaan Academy are highly skilled and might have a solution. If that doesn't work, there are the academy leaders. I'll go and beg them. They'll definitely find a way!"
Xiao Ning waved her hand, seemingly disheartened: "Sister, there's no need to trouble yourself. I think it would be fine for me to go to the countryside to manage the clan's property!"
"Little brother! How could you give up on yourself like this? Where did your fighting spirit go? Did it get eaten by a dog?" Xiao Yu said, exasperated.
"Alright, that's enough. Grandpa has said these things many times already. You can go now. I need to rest. I won't be participating in today's coming-of-age ceremony!"
Standing up, Xiao Ning walked back to her room, looking desolate and filled with sorrow.
In recent days, the Grand Elder had come to comfort Xiao Ning many times, but he had already heard it so many times that his ears were calloused.
"Young man, you..."
Xiao Yu stamped her foot, looking at Xiao Ning with heartache.
"Brother Ning, you..."
Just then, Xiao Yan arrived. He entered the courtyard and frowned slightly upon seeing Xiao Yu, but then relaxed.
"What are you doing here? Are you here to laugh at my little brother?"
Hearing the commotion, Xiao Yu was slightly taken aback when she saw that the person who came was Xiao Yan. Then she frowned, and a hint of disdain and disgust flashed in her beautiful eyes.
"Sister Xiao Yu, I've come to find Brother Ning!"
Embarrassed, Xiao Yan touched his nose. He realized that Ning-ge had kept his older sister in the dark; otherwise, she wouldn't have this expression.
Seeing Xiao Yu reminded Xiao Ning of the scene he witnessed in the back mountain when he was a child, and how she had chased him for half a year. Xiao Ning's heart was filled with complicated emotions.
In the past, he would have hated this stupid woman to the extreme, but because of his close relationship with Xiao Ning, he couldn't bring himself to hate her now.
"Xiao Yan, I never thought you could turn things around. It's truly astonishing."
As Xiao Yan drew closer, Xiao Yu spoke with a complicated expression.
On one hand, she wanted to extract the secret of Xiao Yan's restored cultivation talent from him; on the other hand, she looked down on Xiao Yan, considering him a rogue and scoundrel.
Xiao Yan tilted his head slightly, carefully examining the woman he hadn't seen for a year. Then his gaze slowly shifted to her sexy, shapely legs. He touched his nose and said calmly, "I came to see Brother Ning today, not to argue with you!"
He's in the room!
Faced with Xiao Yan's untrustworthy gaze, Xiao Yu took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, and pointed to the house behind her.
Given her willful nature, she would never have been so easy to talk to if it weren't for the sake of her younger brother, Xiao Ning.
Xiao Yan stepped into the house, then paused, leaving behind the words, "Sister Xiao Yu, I will find a way to deal with Brother Ning's matter!"
This woman wasn't too stupid; she didn't draw her sword right away.
He thought to himself, pushed open the door, and went inside.
But Xiao Ning was sitting in a chair, holding a book on Dou Qi Continent, reading it with great interest, while steam was rising from the spout of the teapot on the table.
Hearing the noise, Xiao Ning didn't even look up and casually said, "Little Yanzi is here, have a seat!"
"Brother Ning, you have such a kind heart! By the way, what's that silly woman doing out there?"
Xiao Yan plopped down next to him, poured himself a cup of hot tea as if they were old friends, and then casually picked up some pastries from the table and started eating, acting as if he were no stranger to the family.
"Bang!"
Ouch!
Xiao Yan covered his head and let out a strange cry.