By the time grandfather and grandson flew back to the village, the sun was setting and night was about to fall. The tiny black speck of the village beneath them gradually grew larger as they descended from the sky.
From afar, they could see a few members of the village defense team gathered at the eastern gate, surrounding an adorable, dazed-looking young girl.
She was around one meter tall, with a fine veil over her face. She wore a pale yellow jacquard-patterned short skirt and a translucent white shawl embroidered with Zanthoxylum and Cinnamomum.
A plum blossom-shaped pendant set with an orange gem hung from a necklace around her neck. Her mysterious purple hair was tied back with a light yellow ribbon. She stood there quietly, staring at the roadside Forget-Worry Flowers.
Seeing something flying toward them from the distance, the guards on the stone wall readied themselves—until, moments later…
"The Clan Chief is back!"
The Seven Kill Sword slowly descended, hovering a foot above the ground, gently stirring the dust. The pair dismounted, and a few people walked over to greet them, led by a female soul master.
The little girl seemed to sense something and looked up in their direction.
Chen Yu stowed away the Seven Kill Sword and asked, "What's going on, Xia Lin?"
Xia Lin was from the Phantom Sakura Xia Clan, a follower family. She was one of the vice-captains of the defense team and the only female vice-captain—at Soul Saint rank. She was usually stationed at the southeastern gate and commanded two squads.
"Clan Chief, this little girl appeared out of nowhere at noon. She hasn't said a word—just stayed here like this. She's so small and cute, that no one had the heart to hurt her. So… things have been at a standstill," Xia Lin replied with a wry smile.
At that moment, the little girl slowly walked over, holding a Forget-Worry Flower in her hand.
In Douluo Continent, the Forget-Worry Flower doesn't resemble the one from Blue Star—it's more like a gentian, serene and elegant. When blooming in clusters, it radiates a mysterious, deep indigo hue.
Chen Yu glanced at the girl, about to speak, but was cut off by Chen Xiao-Jun.
"Grandfather, let me talk to her."
The little girl walked directly up to Chen Xiao-Jun and quietly stared at him. As if confirming something, she held out the flower to him.
"Is this for me?"
Chen Xiao-Jun was a bit surprised. This was the first time in both his lives that a girl had given him a flower. It was sudden, but it made him oddly happy.
The girl nodded.
"What's your name?" Chen Xiao-Jun asked gently.
She just kept looking at him silently, eyes shining.
"Can you speak?"
"...Xiao… Xiao… Yi..."
Her shoulders trembled. It looked like it took all her strength just to say that.
"She finally spoke," Xia Lin chimed in, though her tone carried a trace of sorrow—anyone could tell the girl had some kind of vocal issue.
"Then I'll call you Xiao Yi, okay?"
The girl gently nodded.
"Where's your family?"
She shook her head.
"They're gone?"
She shook her head again.
"You don't remember them?"
This time, she nodded.
"Are you alone?"
She nodded again.
Chen Xiao-Jun extended his right hand and said softly:
"Then come with me, okay?"
She quietly looked at him without answering.
Chen Xiao-Jun smiled warmly. His teeth were pretty white, and he had a kind, sunny look. His hand stayed outstretched.
After a few seconds, the little girl reached out and placed her hand in his. Just like that, they held hands.
Chen Xiao-Jun turned to his grandfather and said,
"Grandpa, let's go home together."
He then led Shao Siming—now Xiao Yi—through the stone gate toward their home.
Watching the two children from behind, Chen Yu felt a strange sense of harmony, naturalness, and something quietly beautiful. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
"This kid…" he muttered with a light chuckle and strolled after them.
"Clan Chief…" Xia Lin called out.
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing," Chen Yu's voice echoed softly in her ear.
At the estate, when Chen Xiao-Jun brought Xiao Yi inside, Ye Xiuxin was momentarily taken aback.
"Xiao-Jun, you're back. Was everything smooth this time? And this girl is…"
"Mother, her name is Xiao Yi. She doesn't remember her parents. She might live with us from now on."
"What? This child… Come here, sweetheart. Let Auntie have a look."
Ye Xiuxin squinted slightly to examine the girl.
Clear, bright pupils. Gracefully arched eyebrows. Tiny, trembling eyelashes. Fair, flawless skin tinged with a baby-like rosy glow. And that rare pale violet hair. Even with a veil, it was obvious this little girl was going to grow into a true beauty.
She was just too adorable. And since her children were both boys, having a girl around the house made Ye Xiuxin genuinely happy.
At that moment, Chen Yu entered.
"Xiuxin, later, check her throat and vocal cords—run a full examination."
Chen Xiao-Jun hadn't even spoken yet, but his grandfather had already stepped up with the perfect assist.
Score one for Grandpa, he thought to himself with a thumbs-up in his mind.
"Ah, alright." Ye Xiuxin nodded, her heart already softening. She sighed gently.
"Such a lovely child… how could something like this happen?"
She raised her hand to gently stroke Xiao Yi's cheek, but the girl stepped back and gripped Chen Xiao-Jun's hand more tightly.
"It's okay, Xiao Yi. She's my mother. She won't hurt you."
Chen Xiao-Jun then placed Xiao Yi's hand into his mother's. Hearing that, Xiao Yi's eyes sparkled faintly, and she didn't resist this time.
Ye Xiuxin raised her palm and lightly rested it on the girl's delicate shoulder.
"Hold your breath. Clear your mind."
Xiao Yi paused briefly. Though she didn't fully understand, she followed the instructions instinctively.
"No need to worry. Just relax a bit."
As Ye Xiuxin spoke, a soft blue glow appeared in her palm. She then extended a single finger and gently pressed it to Xiao Yi's brow.
A faint shimmer of light followed, and Xiao Yi slowly closed her eyes.
In the next moment, a strange energy enveloped her tiny form and began to circulate her body.
The blue light seeped in from her brow, moving gently through her meridians and internal organs.
Ye Xiuxin's soul power infiltrated her with a nurturing touch—not only causing no harm but bringing Xiao Yi a faint, pleasant sense of cooling comfort.
Thank you again for your votes and bookmarks! Rubbing my hands in anticipation—hehe!
(End of Chapter)