Part 1: Reaction of the Xiǎo Family
The grand Xiǎo Clan Hall was alive with tension. The intricate wooden carvings and imposing family banners seemed to loom over the gathered members, casting long shadows on the polished floor. At the center of it all sat Xiǎo Jiàn, the current head of the family, his piercing gaze moving slowly from one face to another. His demeanor was calm, but the air around him was heavy, a storm waiting to break.
Seated before him were the three siblings—Xiǎo Fóng, the eldest; Xiǎo Zhì, the second son; and Xiǎo Huìlàn, the fourth daughter—each of them fidgeting nervously under the weight of his scrutiny. Around them, the elders of the clan murmured among themselves, their expressions a mix of disapproval and curiosity.
Xiǎo Jiàn finally broke the silence, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. "You three. Tell me what happened with my grandson."
Xiǎo Fóng, ever the self-appointed spokesperson of the siblings, cleared his throat and spoke first. "Father, it is… unfortunate what has transpired. But I assure you, it was not our doing. The boy, Hǎiyáng, he chose to leave. He rejected the family name of his own accord."
Xiǎo Jiàn's eyes narrowed, his fingers drumming rhythmically on the armrest of his chair. "He rejected us, did he? And why would he do that?"
"He's always been… rebellious," Xiǎo Zhì interjected, his tone shaky. "Even as a child, he had little regard for tradition. When we suggested he follow the rules of the house, he—he stormed out, saying he wanted nothing to do with us."
Xiǎo Huìlàn nodded quickly, eager to support her brothers. "Exactly, Father. It's not as if we forced him out. He made his decision, and we… we respected it."
The murmurs among the elders grew louder, their skepticism evident. Xiǎo Jiàn's gaze remained fixed on the three, unblinking and cold.
"I see," he said finally, his tone deceptively calm. "And this decision of his—to leave his family, his name, and his home—just happened to coincide with your repeated complaints about him being a 'burden' to the household?"
The three siblings stiffened, their faces paling.
"Tell me," Xiǎo Jiàn continued, leaning forward slightly, "did it ever occur to you that your jealousy and pettiness might have driven him to such a drastic choice? Or do you truly believe I'm foolish enough to accept this fabricated story?"
"Father, we would never—" Xiǎo Fóng began, but the elder Xiǎo Jiàn raised a hand, silencing him.
"Enough," he said, his voice sharp. "I don't want to hear your excuses. You three have brought shame upon this family. Do you realize what you've done? The boy who has the talent of his father, Xiǎo Chéng, is now living under the protection of the Xuě family. The very family that mocks us behind closed doors for our incompetence!"
The mention of Xiǎo Chéng, his late son, caused a flicker of guilt to pass over the siblings' faces. But before they could respond, Xiǎo Jiàn turned his attention to the man standing silently at his right.
"Xiǎo Hǎn," he said, his tone commanding, "what do you know of this matter?"
Xiǎo Hǎn, the family's first general and a man of few words, stepped forward and bowed. "Master Jiàn, I regret to inform you that the young master was indeed forced out of the family estate. The circumstances were… unpleasant. I cannot say more without betraying confidences."
The room fell deathly silent. The elders exchanged uneasy glances, while Xiǎo Fóng, Xiǎo Zhì, and Xiǎo Huìlàn looked as though the ground might swallow them whole.
Xiǎo Jiàn's face darkened, his fury barely contained. "So it's true," he said through gritted teeth. "You three… you dared to cast out my grandson. My grandson!" His voice thundered through the hall, causing even the elders to flinch.
He rose abruptly from his chair, his imposing figure towering over the room. "Xiǎo Hǎn, Xiǎo Hóng!" he barked, summoning his two trusted generals.
Xiǎo Hóng, the right general, stepped forward immediately, bowing low.
"You two will bring Hǎiyáng back to this house," Xiǎo Jiàn commanded, his voice like steel. "I don't care if he comes willingly or not. Do whatever it takes, but he must return!"
"Yes, Master Jiàn," both generals said in unison, their voices firm.
Xiǎo Jiàn's eyes swept over the room once more, lingering on the three siblings who had caused this mess. "As for you three," he said coldly, "pray that he forgives you. Because if he doesn't, neither will I."
With that, he dismissed the meeting, his voice brooking no argument.
A Secret Duty
After the hall had emptied, Xiǎo Jiàn remained seated, his expression unreadable. He waited patiently until a figure emerged from the shadows—a woman clad in a black mask and flowing robes. She moved silently, bowing deeply before him.
"Xiǎo Mìmì," he said, his voice low but authoritative. "Tell me the truth. What really happened to Hǎiyáng?"
The masked woman hesitated for only a moment before answering. "Master Jiàn, the young master was indeed cast out by the first son, the second son, and the fourth daughter. They were jealous of his talent and sought to eliminate him as a threat to their positions within the family."
Xiǎo Jiàn closed his eyes, his fists clenching at his sides. "Go on," he said quietly.
"If it were not for Xuě Fú Fèn, the marquis's daughter, the young master would have been left to wander the streets," Mìmì continued. "She recommended him to her uncle, Xuě Jīn Mán, and her father, Xuě Shā. They provided him shelter and support, even offering him a place to stay in their beast hospital."
Xiǎo Jiàn's eyes opened, his gaze sharp. "And this girl, Xuě Fú Fèn. Who is she to Hǎiyáng?"
"The Xuě family claims she is his future fiancée," Mìmì said carefully.
"Fiancée?" Xiǎo Jiàn echoed, his brow furrowing. "Does the boy know about this?"
"No, Master," Mìmì replied. "Neither does Xuě Fú Fèn seem aware of it. From what I have observed, she does not approve of the idea. She is known for her pride and competitiveness, especially toward boys."
At this, a faint smile broke across Xiǎo Jiàn's face. "Ah, I like this girl already. She reminds me of my late wife—sharp, proud, and difficult to win over. Perhaps there's hope for Hǎiyáng yet."
He leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Begin making a connection with the boy, but do it subtly. Let him know someone in this family still cares for him."
"Should we provide him with financial support, Master?" Mìmì asked.
"No," Xiǎo Jiàn said firmly. "He would refuse it outright. Instead, send him something useful. Something that shows our intent."
He paused, his gaze distant. "Send him the family's martial art techniques. The water skills: attack, defense, escape, and healing. He'll understand the gesture."
Mìmì bowed deeply. "It will be done."
The Secret Door
After Mìmì disappeared into the shadows, Xiǎo Jiàn remained seated, his expression darkening. With a quiet incantation, he activated a magical barrier around the room. A hidden door slid open, revealing a chamber filled with maps, documents, and portraits.
On one wall, a complex web of yellow strings connected various people and events, forming a sprawling network of secrets and conspiracies.
Xiǎo Jiàn's gaze settled on a particular set of portraits—his son, Xiǎo Chéng, and his daughter-in-law. Both had perished under mysterious circumstances years ago, along with hundreds of Xiǎo warriors.
"My son," he murmured, his voice heavy with sorrow. "I will find out who betrayed you. Who caused this family to lose you and your wife, and who left Hǎiyáng an orphan at the age of four."
He traced a finger along the web, his eyes narrowing. "And when I find them, they will pay for every drop of blood spilled that day."
With a final glance at the web, he deactivated the barrier and exited the room. His face betrayed no emotion, but his resolve burned fiercely within him.
Part 2: The Reaction of the Hóng Family
The flickering torchlight danced across the walls of the grand chamber, casting long, shifting shadows. Hóng Zǔjūn sat at the head of the room, his presence as commanding as ever. His sharp gaze swept over the two generals standing before him—Hóng Wèi and Hóng Liáng.
He placed the black-gold token down on the table before speaking. "Hóng Wèi," he began, his voice steady and authoritative, "send a directive to all Hóng-owned merchant stores. If anyone presents this black-gold card with the emblem of 洪 (Hóng), they are to be given whatever they request—no questions asked, no charges applied."
Hóng Wèi bowed deeply. "Consider it done, Master."
Hóng Zǔjūn turned his attention to Hóng Liáng, his sharp gaze seeming to pierce the air. "And you, Hóng Liáng," he continued, his tone deliberate, "go to the Xuě family. Deliver to them the gold card of our Hóng family and convey my gratitude. Tell them that the Hóng family owes them for the care and support they have shown to our precious young master."
Hóng Liáng stood straight, listening intently as his master continued.
"Explain that this gold card grants the Xuě family a 50% discount at all of our merchant stores. Whether they are in the water zone, fire zone, land zone, desert zone, or even the mysterious sky zone, the card's benefits apply everywhere."
He paused for a moment, letting the weight of his words settle. "Last but not least, the Hóng family also wishes that the Xuě family could continue supporting our young master in the future. Your gesture has earned our eternal respect and gratitude."
"Yes, Master," Hóng Liáng replied firmly, his voice steady.
"And one more thing," Hóng Zǔjūn added, leaning forward slightly. "When you visit the Xuě family, wear your black uniform with the Hóng emblem embroidered prominently. Your departure must be noticed by those who pay attention, but your destination and purpose must remain hidden. Go in silence and avoid drawing unnecessary attention."
Hóng Liáng nodded again, the weight of his master's words sinking in.
Hóng Zǔjūn's voice grew colder, filled with resolve. "After visiting the Xuě family, go to our store, Bái Yuán Shēng Hù Zhě. Find Qiàn Lì, the branch manager, and instruct her to prepare the finest villa for our young master. It must include daily management and accommodations worthy of his status as the heir to the Hóng family. My grandson will no longer live in someone else's property—not even the Xuě's."
Hóng Liáng's expression remained steady, though a flicker of determination crossed his eyes. "Consider it done, Master."
"Tell Qiàn Lì," Hóng Zǔjūn continued, his tone sharp, "that I will personally monitor her performance. Any failure on her part will not be tolerated."
Hóng Liáng gave one final bow. "It will be done without fail, Master."
"Go now," Hóng Zǔjūn commanded, waving his hand. "And remember—no delays."
Both generals bowed deeply before turning and departing the chamber, their footsteps echoing in unison as they left to carry out their master's orders.
Scene: A Grandfather's Reflection
The room grew silent once more, save for the faint crackle of the fire in the corner. Hóng Zǔjūn sat still, his hand resting on the black-gold token as he gazed at the portrait of his late daughter hanging above the mantle.
Her fierce eyes seemed to stare back at him, filled with the same resolve he had once admired in her. A faint smile touched his lips as he spoke softly to the empty room.
"Yuán Yuán," he murmured, using her personal name, "you were always so stubborn. Refusing the role of leader, running off with that fool from the Xiǎo family… I didn't understand it then. Perhaps I still don't. But I do understand this: your son, your precious Hǎiyáng, is my chance to make things right."
His voice grew softer, tinged with regret. "I failed you once. I couldn't protect you when you needed me most. But your son… your son will not suffer the same fate. I will shield him from every shadow that dares to approach."
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. Memories of the past flooded his mind—the betrayal that had led to his daughter's death, the enemies who had sought to destroy his family from within, and the quiet hope that had flickered to life upon hearing of Hóng Hǎiyáng's rise.
"Hóng Hǎiyáng, Yáng Yáng" he said aloud, his voice filled with determination. "You are the pride of this family. No harm will come to you while I still draw breath."
His grip on the token tightened as he leaned back in his chair, allowing a faint smirk to cross his face. "And to those who dare to harm you, grandson… they will face the full wrath of the Hóng family."
With that, he rose from his chair, his steps purposeful as he moved to a side table. He picked up a blank parchment and began drafting a new letter, his mind already planning the next steps to secure his grandson's future.
Part 3: Reaction of the Clueless Young Master
Hóng Hǎiyáng exhaled deeply as he stretched out on the modest yet comfortable bed in his room on the second floor. The soft light of the lanterns illuminated the space, casting a warm glow on the wooden walls. After an exhausting day assisting Doctor Bái in the bustling hospital below, the young tamer finally had a moment to rest.
His fingers traced the edge of a few silver coins resting in his palm. These were his wages, earned through hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn. Though the amount was modest, he couldn't help but smile.
These coins mean more than any allowance I received from the Xiǎo family, he thought, a flicker of pride warming his chest.
He tossed the coins gently into a small pouch on his desk and looked around the room. The space felt vast compared to the cramped quarters he had occupied at the Xiǎo estate. This room was three times larger, with a sturdy bed, a desk, and a private resting area—luxuries he had never known before.
Back in the Xiǎo family, his room had been little more than a storage closet hastily converted into a living space. There, he'd had no privacy, no proper furnishings, and not even a private restroom. He recalled having to walk down cold hallways to reach the shared facilities, enduring the sneers and jeers of his so-called relatives along the way.
But here, things were different. I have my own space, he thought, his gaze drifting to the small but well-kept restroom tucked into the corner. I have dignity.
Hǎiyáng let out another deep breath, a wave of gratitude washing over him. Despite everything—the abandonment, the ridicule, and the harsh struggles he had faced since being cast out of the Xiǎo family—he had found a way to survive.
No, he corrected himself, not just survive—thrive.
His mind wandered back to that fateful day when he had been kicked out of the Xiǎo family. The sting of their words still lingered in his memory, but so did the sense of liberation he had felt. It was as though a heavy chain had been broken, freeing him to pursue his own path.
If they hadn't cast me out, I never would have discovered my potential, he mused. I never would have realized what I'm capable of or met the people who truly value me.
His hand drifted toward the pouch containing the silver coins again, as if to reassure himself that his efforts were paying off. The simple act of earning his keep brought him more joy and satisfaction than all the hollow allowances the Xiǎo family had begrudgingly given him in the past.
Hǎiyáng closed his eyes, his body sinking into the comfort of the bed. For the first time in what felt like years, he felt at peace. His heart swelled with gratitude for the twists of fate that had brought him to this moment.
Thank you, he thought silently. For every trial, for every setback, for every person who showed me kindness when I needed it most.
As he drifted off to sleep, a faint smile played on his lips. He was unaware of the many forces now at play—forces that would soon shape his destiny in ways he could never have imagined.
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