bdsm-fiction Chapter 4 Wanting Both
Chapter 4 Wanting Both
Right now, Xiao Zhan and his companions are secretly delighted by Gu Yuan's "generous spending," thinking they've gotten a great deal.
Little did they know that compared to the legacy left by the Xiao clan, this little thing was nothing more than a drop in the ocean.
"Alright, everyone, tone it down a bit. What would it look like if outsiders saw this?" Xiao Zhan coughed.
"The clan leader is right, we should restrain ourselves a bit." Upon hearing this, the three elders glanced around and immediately suppressed their smiles.
Xiao Zhan then continued, "Let's go, let's settle the child in first. You all should also go and greet the younger generation in your families, and tell them to spend more time with the child and not isolate him. Since we promised to take good care of this child, we must keep our word."
The three elders patted their chests and said, "Clan leader, you can rest assured!"
Meanwhile, outside the reception hall.
Xiao Ning peeked into the hall and whispered, "Huh, why didn't she leave with them?"
"Are you stupid?" Xiao Yu rolled her eyes at him, but lowered her voice, "Didn't you hear? That gentleman has placed his daughter in the care of our Xiao family."
"Foster care?" Xiao Ning's eyes widened. "Doesn't that mean she'll be living in our Xiao family forever?"
"That should be the meaning." Xiao Yu nodded.
Xiao Ce's gaze also lingered on Gu Xun'er, his mind racing.
He knew very well that if he wanted to gain Gu Xun'er's favor but also wanted to appear aloof and not use Xiao Yan's methods from the original novel, he would have to use some tricks.
No matter how mature Gu Xun'er is, she is still just a four-year-old girl.
As long as the tactics are used well, there's no need to worry about her not taking the bait.
Just as the group was whispering among themselves, footsteps suddenly came from the end of the corridor.
"What are you kids talking about?"
Xiao Zhan's voice rang out, followed by three elders.
"Father!"
"grandfather!"
Xiao Yan and the others approached their elders. Xiao Li, the eldest among them, explained, "Father, we were discussing the little girl inside."
Xiao Zhan smiled and said, "I was just about to tell you that Xun'er is your distant cousin, and from now on she will also be a member of our Xiao family. You should get along well with her."
"Come on, let me introduce you to Xun'er first."
As he spoke, Xiao Zhan strode into the hall and stood before Gu Xun'er.
"Xun'er, this is your home from now on. Don't be shy. If you need anything, just tell the elders in the clan."
Xiao Zhan bowed slightly, his tone gentle.
The three elders stood behind him, their faces equally kind.
Gu Xun'er slightly raised her head and glanced at Xiao Zhan. Her clear eyes were exceptionally calm, and she exuded a maturity far beyond her years.
"I understand, thank you Uncle Xiao."
She nodded slightly, a seemingly polite response.
Having lived for decades, Xiao Zhan could naturally sense an invisible sense of estrangement in Gu Xun'er's tone, but he didn't take it to heart.
In his view, Gu Xun'er was just a child, and it was normal for her to feel uncomfortable at first; she would get used to it after a while.
Xiao Zhan then introduced Xiao Ce, Xiao Yan, and the others to Gu Xun'er.
Throughout this time, Gu Xun'er's expression remained calm, and there was no melodramatic scene where she would treat someone differently just because their name was mentioned.
This further fueled Xiao Ce's suspicion that Gu Xun'er was using tricks.
So after the introduction, just as Xiao Zhan was thinking about how to arrange things for Gu Xun'er, Xiao Ce took the initiative to say, "Clan leader, you all go about your business. We can take care of cousin Xun'er."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan's gaze swept over Xiao Ce and the others, and a thought struck him.
There is always a barrier between adults and children.
But it's different between children.
Being with peers makes it easier to get close to them, which will allow Gu Xun'er to integrate into the Xiao family more quickly.
"Alright!" Xiao Zhan nodded slightly. "Then you can take Xun'er for a walk around the clan and let her get familiar with the environment, but no fooling around, understand?"
Xiao Zhan said this not because he was worried about Xiao Ce, after all, the child had become much more sensible since his parents passed away, and many elders in the clan spoke highly of him.
The main ones are Xiao Ning, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Li. These three have always been a source of trouble for the clan.
"Don't worry, clan leader," Xiao Ce said calmly.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan looked at Gu Xun'er kindly and said, "Xun'er, you should get to know the Xiao family better with Xiao Ce and the others. If anyone bullies you, just tell Uncle Xiao directly, and Uncle Xiao will teach him a lesson for you."
"Hmm!" Gu Xun'er nodded calmly.
Xiao Zhan then turned and left with the three elders.
Gu Yuan gave him a storage ring containing three Qi Gathering Powders. He would now have to discuss the distribution of these Qi Gathering Powders with the three elders.
Xiao Hai walked last, and before leaving, he couldn't help but glance at his grandson.
Since his parents left, the child seemed to have grown up overnight and no longer liked to get close to or play with his peers.
Why are you suddenly being so proactive today?
But soon, Xiao Hai shook his head and put the thought out of his mind.
It's good for children to be lively and proactive; otherwise, if they always lock themselves in the yard like little adults, it can be worrying.
It's a good thing that he's now willing to take the initiative to get closer to people; perhaps he can even get out of the shadow of his parents' passing.
Thinking of this, a relieved smile appeared on Xiao Hai's lips, and he quickened his pace to catch up with Xiao Zhan.
The more important thing now is to reserve a Qi-gathering powder for my precious grandson from the clan leader.
......
With the elders gone, everyone became much more relaxed.
Xiao Ce glanced at Gu Xun'er, then at the crowd.
"Let's go, cousin Xun'er. We'll show you around and get to know the Xiao family."
Afterwards, everyone walked out of the reception hall and along the corridor into the depths of the Xiao family's residence.
Xiao Ce acted as a tour guide on the way, introducing the main buildings of the Xiao family to Gu Xun'er.
From the fighting hall to the training ground, and then to the family's back mountain.
Xiao Ce performed his duties as tour guide meticulously, but Gu Xun'er remained quiet throughout the journey, nodding occasionally as she listened to Xiao Ce's introductions, neither resisting nor showing any affection.
Among the group, the slightly older ones, such as Xiao Li and Xiao Yu, decided not to bother Gu Xun'er anymore, seeing how aloof and unapproachable she was.
Xiao Ning didn't care about any of that.
He only thought his cousin Xun'er was cute and pretty, and wanted to get close to her and play with her, so he kept trying to make his presence known to her.
Unfortunately, his behavior not only failed to win Gu Xun'er's favor, but also aroused her some disgust.
Unlike Xiao Ning, Xiao Yan didn't annoy Gu Xun'er, but he exuded a faint sense of superiority.
She had seen this sense of superiority in some so-called geniuses of the ancient clans.
All things considered, Xiao Ce became the one Gu Xun'er found most pleasing to the eye.