Gotta sleep, good night.
Also, give this story more power stones!
--- Chapter 12 ---
"Welcome to my humble abode, Young Master Yu." Xia Hongyi greeted Yu Long at the front gate.
After getting notified by the guard, he hurriedly went out.
Not only because the Yu Clan is a business clan with prestige but also because its patriarch was his close friend. They have bonded over drinks several times on their business trips.
Yu Zhan talks a lot about his children, complaining and praising them when drunk.
However, one son stood up more often than others.
That son is also the youngest, which Yu Zhan is very proud of.
Yu Clan's fourth young master, Yu Long!
Yu Long smiled and cupped his hand to Xia Hongyi, "Please don't be too formal, Mr. Hongyi. If we use such a tone, I must call you 'uncle' because you are my father's friend."
"What do you think? Can I call you Uncle Hongyi instead?" He added calmly.
"Haha, your father was right. You're indeed different." Xia Hongyi chuckled slightly, but he praised Yu Long inside.
Any young master Xia Hongyi encountered always had 'arrogance.' deep in their blood for some reason. However, Yu Long is different.
The way Yu Long spoke, topped by his confidence, makes him more of a genuine 'young master' than others. A hint of his nobleness is fresh compared to useless, spoiled kids with no manners and respect for elders.
Xia Hongyi sighed inside, remembering several 'unpleasant' encounters.
He stared at Yu Long's golden eyes and replied, "Well, you can call Uncle Hongyi. But, I'll also call you Nephew Long."
"Your father talks a lot about you."
"Is that so?" Yu Long was amused.
"Yes, but let's change the place. Talking here isn't very convenient." Xia Hongyi noticed some people watching them from afar. "Let me lead you inside."
"Sure." Yu Long and his maids followed Xia Hongyi inside.
He glanced at the empty spot where a young lady used to stand and stared at him a few moments ago.
'And she ran away like a rabbit.' Yu Long thought, smirking at the thought of meeting the heroine for the first time. The young Xia Qingyue is more cute than beautiful, which adds to her charm.
Entering the Xia Manor, Yu Long observed the buildings and nodded at how well-placed this courtyard was. The walls are high, not allowing 'ordinary' people to peek inside.
One iron rule in this world's business field is not to meddle with profound practitioners. However, this rule is flawed because profound practitioners dedicated almost everything in this world.
Strength is everything. So, without strength protection. Any business is 'literally' destined to fail.
Xia Hongyi is a rare businessman. He has the protection of several profound practitioners but never directly intervenes with them.
He's like a shadow observer.
He appeared warm and welcoming, yet his connection was as deep as the calm lake. Of course, it's not as deep as the Four Great Sects and Sacred Grounds.
Leading them into a gallery room, Xia Hongyi ordered some maids to prepare tea and snacks for Yu Long.
He sat down and gestured, "Nephew Long."
Yu Long nodded, sitting down with his maid.
Xia Hongyi picked something from his sleeve and placed it on the table between them. "I've received the letter from 4th Madam, and she asks me to help you when staying in the Floating Cloud City."
"It's not a big problem, but..."
"I heard you are quite talented in martial arts." He gave Yu Long a knowing look.
"It's just a hobby of mine, uncle." Yu Long shrugged helplessly. "Maybe my father is just exaggerating things."
Xia Hongyi kept praising him, "Even if it is just a hobby, you achieved impressive things at a young age."
"My request is simple... I hope you can help my son."
"Although my son hid it from me, he wants to be a profound practitioner in the future. Well, he's just nine at the moment. There are still five years before his profound veins mature."
Xia Hongyi sighed, "He's a timid, naive, trusting, yet kind boy. So, I wish he could protect himself more than anything."
"You're making it hard to refuse, you know?" A wry expression appeared on Yu Long's face. "Very well, I'll help him do some exercise."
Deep inside, Yu Long punched the air in excitement.
Heck, yeah!
At first, Yu Long wants to make a random excuse to be close to Xia Hongyi's children. Yet the flow of destiny helps him and causes Xia Hongyi to ask for it instead.
"Many thanks, nephew." Xia Hongyi bowed slightly, letting out a sigh of relief.
"It's not hard of a task, uncle." Yu Long returned, noticing someone's presence outside the gallery room.
"But someone who eavesdrops might want to come in now."
"Hmm?" Xia Hongyi heard a little gasp and turned around.
"Qingyue?"
The door slowly opened and revealed a charming young lady. Her ears are seemingly a little red after Yu Long caught her red-handed.
Xia Qingyue is Xia Hongyi's first child and the heroine of this world.
She's ten at the moment. Her body had just begun to grow, especially in two places. Her long black hair let loose, stopping just right below her shoulders.
She has a pair of pure black eyes with crystal-like pupils. Her eyebrows are thin, adorably framing her eyes. Her little nose and mouth enhance her cuteness even more.
Xia Qingyue wore a blue dress with no accessories. Even then, she still stood out.
"Qingyue was just passing by, father." Xia Qingyue opened her mouth, trying to make a quick excuse.
Yu Long leaned his chin at the back of his hand, "You're not very good at lying, aren't you?"
"I am not..." Xia Qingyue returned calmly, but Yu Long shook his head at her denial.
Xia Hongyi laughed at the two and said, "Nephew, let me introduce you to my daughter."
"Her name is Xia Qingyue. She's slightly aloof but a thoughtful girl."
"Qingyue, let me introduce you to the son of Father's friend." Xia Hongyi added quickly.
"His name is Yu Long. He's the fourth young master of the Yu Clan."
"He's very talented."
"Nice to meet you." Yu Long greeted her with a smile.
"Nice to meet you..." Xia Qingyue responded indifferently.
"Then, Qingyue will excuse herself." After saying that, she bowed and left.
An awkward sigh escaped Xia Hongyi's mouth, "She doesn't mean to be rude, Nephew Long. Please don't take her incivility to your heart."
"I don't mind, uncle." Yu Long casually replied. "I'm not that fragile."
"Maybe I shouldn't tease her in our first meeting."
"Well, I'd like to rest for now."
"I understand. Servants! Escort Nephew Long to the guest room." He raised his voice slightly.
Yu Long gave Xia Hongyi a respectful bow before leaving with Lily and Hong Guan.
After Yu Long left, Xia Hongyi stared at the ceiling and commented, "I've never seen my daughter so flustered before."
"This is the first time we talked after several weeks."
"Maybe it's a good thing. Qingyue has no friends since Dongxue left..."
Uttering the word 'Dongxue.' pained Xia Hongyi, but he must stay collected and have a firm heart.
He shook his head lightly and lamented, "Brother Zhan, your youngest son is exceptional indeed."
Walking behind Xia Manor's maid, Yu Long has an amused expression plastered over his handsome face. 'Maybe this trip won't be so boring after all.' He thanked his mother for proposing the idea of going here.
"Your mood is much better than before, young master." Lily couldn't help but point out. "Is it because of the Young Lady Xia?"
Yu Long waved his hand and lied as he breathed, "Well, not really."
"She's definitely the type of person I haven't encountered before."
"But... That's it."
"Yet you tease her." Hong Guan squinted her eyes.
"Are you doubting me, Sister Guan?" Yu Long puffed his cheek, acting like a wronged younger brother.
"Hmph. I can't win against you in conversation, huh?" Hong Guan swayed her head away.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Xia Manor, Xia Qingyue entered her room and locked the door.
She jumped onto the bed and lightly hit the pillow a few times in frustration.
She's still a young girl at the end of the day.
'What was that guy!' She buried her head on the pillow.
'How did he notice me eavesdropping?!'
'I never felt like this. It was so...'
'Irritating...'
Unknown to Xia Qingyue, her newfound frustration would grow into curiosity and fascination.