"Master, Xiaoxiao wants to eat sugar-coated haws, just from the stall we've always gotten them from," Long Xiaoxiao said coquettishly, snuggled in Xiao Fan's arms.
Xiao Fan was taken aback by her request.
This was a perfect excuse to leave the Dragon Clan's secret realm temporarily and send a message to the demon clan.
"Xiaoxiao, you're such a good girl!" Xiao Fan exclaimed, kissing Long Xiaoxiao on her cheek in excitement.
Long Xiaoxiao's body stiffened instantly.
In all these decades, it was the first time her master had kissed her.
The sudden burst of happiness was overwhelming.
She hadn't even fully processed it yet.
Gongsun Yarou also seemed surprised by Xiao Fan's sudden excitement.
Why is Xiao Fan so suddenly thrilled? she wondered.
However, after receiving a meaningful glance from Xiao Fan, she understood.
Given the current importance placed on Long Xiaoxiao by the Dragon Clan's high-ranking members, any reasonable request she made would likely be granted without question.
"Xiaoxiao, be a good girl and wait for Master to return. I'll go get you the sugar-coated haws," Xiao Fan said affectionately, pinching Long Xiaoxiao's cheek.
Xiao Fan had initially thought Long Xiaoxiao would insist on accompanying him, but to his surprise, she nodded obediently.
This spared Xiao Fan the trouble of further persuasion.
Excellent.
He knew very well that the Dragon Clan would never allow Long Xiaoxiao to leave the secret realm.
Therefore, he had to go alone.
"Be good, Xiaoxiao. Master will be back soon."
Before leaving, Xiao Fan gave Gongsun Yarou a pointed look, signaling her to take good care of Long Xiaoxiao.
Gongsun Yarou understood and responded with a reassuring smile.
It would take months for Long Xiaoxiao's True Dragon bloodline to stabilize completely.
During this time, the high-ranking members of the Dragon Clan would not dare harm Long Xiaoxiao.
In fact, these months would likely be the safest period for her.
The Dragon Clan's leaders would not only refrain from harming her but would also go to great lengths to protect her.
After Xiao Fan left, Long Xiaoxiao's demeanor changed instantly.
Gone was the innocent, naive girl, replaced by a cold glare directed at Gongsun Yarou.
She had asked Xiao Fan to buy the sugar-coated haws to get him out of the way, giving her a chance to warn this woman who didn't know her place.
"I warn you, don't get any ideas about my Master!"
"Ha ha ha... Xiaoxiao, you really don't understand men, do you?" Gongsun Yarou laughed seductively.
Indeed, as soon as Xiao Fan left, Long Xiaoxiao revealed her true colors.
Seeing the stark contrast in Long Xiaoxiao's behavior, Gongsun Yarou's eyes gleamed with amusement.
"Xiaoxiao, do you think men like innocent little girls like you?"
"You couldn't be more wrong! On the contrary, men feel pity for innocent little girls but never develop true romantic feelings for them."
"Simply put, in front of a seductive woman, a pure girl is no match at all!"
As she spoke, Gongsun Yarou flaunted her alluring figure.
"Xiaoxiao, you have no idea. When you weren't around, your Master was all over me, showing no mercy."
"He even hurt me," Gongsun Yarou pouted, touching her hip.
"Enough! Do you think I'd believe your lies? My Master isn't the kind of person you describe!" Long Xiaoxiao's tone was resolute, fully confident in Xiao Fan's character.
Gongsun Yarou narrowed her eyes, reassessing Long Xiaoxiao.
She had to admit, Long Xiaoxiao was smarter than she had thought.
Still, not everything she had said was a lie.
Xiao Fan had hurt her, but no matter what she said, Long Xiaoxiao wouldn't believe it.
Continuing to argue was pointless.
Besides, they had months ahead of them, plenty of time to deal with this.
Competing for a man wasn't a race to be won in a day.
Meanwhile, Xiao Fan found Long Xiao and mentioned his need to leave the Dragon Clan's secret realm to buy sugar-coated haws for Long Xiaoxiao.
The entrance to the secret realm couldn't be opened without the Dragon Clan noticing, so he couldn't leave quietly on his own.
He had to inform Long Xiao first.
"Brother Xiao Fan, why go to such trouble? You can buy sugar-coated haws in any town within the secret realm," Long Xiao said, trying to dissuade Xiao Fan from leaving.
"Brother Long Xiao, you don't understand. Xiaoxiao only eats sugar-coated haws from that specific stall. If she doesn't get them, she'll throw a tantrum."
"And when she throws a tantrum, she won't listen. She even threw away the elixirs you sent to stabilize her bloodline."
"It's my fault for spoiling her too much," Xiao Fan said with a wry smile.
Hearing that Long Xiaoxiao had thrown away the precious elixirs, Long Xiao didn't dare dismiss the matter lightly.
After some thought, he said, "Brother Xiao Fan, I'll go with you!"
"Very well," Xiao Fan agreed.
He had anticipated that Long Xiao wouldn't let him leave alone and had made special preparations for sending messages undetected.
Thus, the two of them left the Dragon Clan's secret realm together, blending in like ordinary people in a mortal town.
"Brother Long Xiao, there it is. The old man selling sugar-coated haws," Xiao Fan pointed out.
"Brother Long Xiao, please wait here. I'll be right back."
Long Xiao laughed heartily, "Brother Xiao Fan, let me handle this! I'll bring the old man back to the secret realm with us, so you won't have to make this trip again."
Without waiting for a reply, Long Xiao approached the old man.
Watching this, Xiao Fan discreetly crushed a communication jade slip.
Finally, Xiao Fan and Long Xiao returned to the Dragon Clan's secret realm with the old man.
Whatever Long Xiao had promised the old man, he seemed very excited.
Back at Long Xiao's residence, Long Xiaoxiao appeared as innocent and naive as ever, seemingly getting along well with Gongsun Yarou.
"Sugar-coated haws!" Long Xiaoxiao exclaimed, rushing to Xiao Fan and taking a bite of the treat.
"Master, it's sweet!" she said happily, offering the sugar-coated haws to Xiao Fan. "Master, you have one too."
"Alright," Xiao Fan said with a smile, taking a bite.
"Is it sweet, Master?"
"Sweet!" Xiao Fan said, pinching Long Xiaoxiao's cheek affectionately.
Long Xiaoxiao blushed and turned away, meeting Gongsun Yarou's meaningful gaze.
Long Xiaoxiao then walked over to Gongsun Yarou, offering her the sugar-coated haws.
"Sister Yarou, these are delicious. Have one," Long Xiaoxiao said sweetly, though her face, hidden from Xiao Fan, was dark with anger.
Gongsun Yarou smiled slyly.
The little girl had taken her words to heart and was now playing the role of the dutiful child in front of Xiao Fan.
She didn't want to be seen as a child by Xiao Fan anymore.
Xiao Fan hadn't expected Long Xiaoxiao to be able to get along with Gongsun Yarou, someone she normally wouldn't interact with.
He felt gratified.
The child was finally beginning to grow up.