In other words, if Xu Ziyan did not approve of Xu Zirong, then no matter how persuasive Xu Xiao was, the others would not allow Xu Zirong’s name to be entered into the Xu family genealogy.
And that was precisely the fate Xu Zirong had suffered in his previous life.
Everyone else in the hall was watching Xu Ziyan, but his gaze was fixed on the middle-aged man seated in the center of the room, or rather, on the child beside him.
The boy looked only six or seven years old, with fair skin and an endearingly tender appearance.
His delicate little face was a picture of nerves. Those bright, watery eyes gazed at Xu Ziyan with such pitiful longing that Xu Ziyan could have sworn he saw an unmistakable yearning for family affection in them.
An arrow straight through the heart!
Xu Ziyan’s heart melted the instant he looked at the child who was supposed to be his younger brother.
Aaaaaah!!! So cute! Fuck, how could the old Xu Ziyan have brought himself to hurt a child this adorable?!!!
If he wanted to hate anyone, he should have hated his father Xu Xiao and that so-called “true love”! What the hell had the child done?!!
Xu Ziyan was roaring inside, which left his expression looking rather fierce.
Perhaps frightened by his face, the little boy shrank back, blushed slightly, and lowered his head.
Xu Ziyan took another direct hit. For someone who doted on younger brothers, a shy, adorable child like this struck every one of his weak points!
If he hadn’t remembered that he must not behave too strangely, he would have rushed over, gathered the soft, fair-skinned child into his arms, and given him an enormous kiss!
“Father…” Xu Ziyan had spent ages preparing himself to say the word. If he hadn’t practiced several times on the rear mountain, he really might not have managed it.
As far as he was concerned, Xu Xiao was a complete scumbag in matters of love, and no better as a father!!!
“Mm.” Xu Xiao, seated in the central chair, gave Xu Ziyan a cool nod.
His marriage to Xu Ziyan’s mother had been purely a union of interests, so he felt little affection for their son. Still, because Xu Ziyan was exceptionally talented, he valued him highly.
Xu Ziyan curled his lip inwardly. Compared with my own dad, this Xu Xiao doesn’t even belong in the same universe!
Back when he was a student, his father had always greeted him with a hug when he came home in the evening, then discussed his school day over dinner. He did not expect Xu Xiao to be as affectionate as his own father, but this chilly attitude was unacceptable all the same…
He looked again at the seemingly shy child, and his heart softened once more. “This must be my younger brother, Zirong?”
Nearly everyone in the hall was stunned speechless. In the past, Xu Ziyan’s extraordinary talent had made everyone afraid to offend him, and his father rarely disciplined him. Consequently, he had grown into an exceedingly arrogant boy.
Not long ago, his mother had died after her cultivation went astray because of this illegitimate child. At the time, Xu Ziyan had gritted his teeth and promised to teach the little bastard a lesson. How had his attitude changed so completely now that they were face-to-face?
Those who thought quickly immediately imagined other possibilities. Perhaps someone had advised Xu Ziyan to treat his younger brother kindly in public. After all, news of brothers fighting among themselves would do his reputation no good.
The representatives of the collateral branches each entertained their own theories, weighing what Xu Ziyan’s attitude might mean.
From his seat at the center of the hall, Xu Xiao watched his eldest son with an inscrutable expression.
He knew perfectly well that Xu Ziyan deeply resented Xu Zirong’s existence, yet he had deliberately brought Xu Zirong home. Part of his motivation was unwillingness to leave a descendant of the Xu family wandering outside the clan, but another part was his desire to temper Xu Ziyan.
Xu Xiao felt no affection for Xu Zirong. The so-called “true love” of years past had long since been worn away by time.
The boy had never grown up at his side. Xu Xiao barely felt anything for Xu Ziyan, so how could he possibly have any paternal love to spare for Xu Zirong?
In his eyes, Xu Zirong was a whetstone for Xu Ziyan. He intended to use his eldest son’s dislike of the younger boy to sharpen Xu Ziyan’s patience.
He was not particularly concerned about what might eventually become of Xu Zirong. The boy’s talent was mediocre; surely he could never stir up any great trouble.
For now, the plan seemed to be working wonderfully. At least on the surface, Xu Ziyan’s performance pleased him. A cultivator with no ability to conceal his intentions would inevitably become someone else’s stepping-stone. Xu Ziyan could be domineering, but his manner toward Xu Zirong suggested he had learned to hide his true feelings beneath a pleasant exterior.
Xu Xiao watched approvingly as Xu Ziyan gazed warmly at Xu Zirong, while hatred supposedly flashed deep within his dark eyes. (Not even close!)
Excellent. A Xu Ziyan who knew how to hide his hatred was truly a worthy son of Xu Xiao!
Xu Ziyan gazed at his shy (?) younger brother, fighting desperately to suppress his impulses.
Aaaaaah! He’s so cute! I’m going to die of cuteness!
Even cuter than Xu Ziyu used to be! No, much cuter!!! Just one look and you could tell he was an adorable, obedient child, definitely not born gay!!!
At that moment, Xu Ziyan suddenly remembered something from the novel, and his expression changed.
Oh no. Near the end of the book, hadn’t it said that Xu Zirong, after becoming the villainous final boss, kidnapped Bai Hua, locked him in his demonic palace, and subjected him to terrible abuse? The ending then had Gong One and Gong Two, along with Xu Ziyan himself as Gong Three, storming the palace, killing Xu Zirong, and rescuing Bai Hua for their happy ending.
Elio’s Notes: Gong is BL shorthand for the partner who takes the top role. Here, the novel numbers Bai Hua’s three male partners as Gong One, Gong Two, and Gong Three.
The novel had not explained exactly what Xu Zirong did to Bai Hua, but Xu Ziyan was convinced that nothing good could come of getting involved with that man. Even if Xu Zirong hadn’t started out gay, Bai Hua would drag him into it!
At this thought, Xu Ziyan rubbed his hands together, ready to devote himself to bringing Xu Zirong up properly.
According to the original body’s memories, Xu Zirong was deeply unwelcome in the Xu household, and nobody normally paid him any attention. His father was a lost cause; even Xu Ziyan, the legitimate son, barely received any care from him, let alone Xu Zirong, whom neither side of the family seemed to want.
If nobody else will take care of him, I will!
Remembering his own younger brother, Xu Ziyu, Xu Ziyan felt a surge of indignation. The boy had been adorable as a child, but the older he grew, the more calculating he became, until he was even tricking his own big brother. What a little bastard!
Looking at the child hiding behind Xu Xiao, Xu Ziyan felt his ambition flare.
He had been given a rare second chance to raise a younger brother. This time, he would make Xu Zirong into a fine young man with sound values! And he would add one more requirement: straight as an arrow!!!
Xu Ziyan’s fighting spirit blazed as he fantasized about his future brother-raising program. What he entirely failed to notice was the ruthless glint that flashed through the dark eyes of the seemingly bashful child hiding behind Xu Xiao…
Seeing that Xu Ziyan showed no hostility toward Xu Zirong, but was actually extraordinarily friendly, the others had little reason to object to Xu Xiao’s proposal to enter Xu Zirong into the family genealogy.
Xu Xiao had already made it clear that Xu Zirong would have no right to inherit the clan leadership. With that settled, they did not particularly mind the household taking in another illegitimate son.
He was only a child. How much food could he possibly eat? The Xu family was wealthy and extensive; supporting one more boy was hardly beyond its means.
Once the matter of the genealogy was decided, the representatives of the collateral branches departed.
Xu Xiao beckoned Xu Ziyan over and nodded in satisfaction. “Ziyan, you conducted yourself very well today.”
“Thank you for your praise, Father,” Xu Ziyan replied evenly. It wasn’t discourtesy; according to the memories, this was simply how the original Xu Ziyan had always interacted with his father.
“Mm. This is your younger brother, Xu Zirong. He’ll be living with you from now on.” Xu Xiao casually dragged Xu Zirong out from behind him, his tone entirely commanding.
Xu Ziyan looked warmly at Xu Zirong and gently stroked his head. “Hello, Zirong. I’m Xu Ziyan. Starting today, I’ll be your older brother.”
Xu Zirong’s lowered lashes concealed his confusion. When he looked up again, his clear eyes were full of yearning affection, and he ventured a soft, tentative, “Big Brother.”
“Good boy.” Xu Ziyan’s heart gave a tremendous flutter. He patted Xu Zirong’s shoulder affectionately, then turned to Xu Xiao. “Father, does Zirong have somewhere to sleep?”
Xu Xiao was slightly surprised. He had always thought his son straightforward to a fault. He had never imagined the boy could act so convincingly that even his father could not see through him.
He considered briefly. “I’d originally arranged a room for Zirong in Zhuxin Courtyard…”
“Father,” Xu Ziyan interrupted, “Zhuxin Courtyard is far too remote. Let him live with me in Liushang Courtyard instead.”
Xu Xiao nodded. “Very well.”
Xu Ziyan turned to Xu Zirong with a broad smile. “Zirong, would you like to live with Big Brother from now on?”
Xu Zirong was full of doubts and alarm, though his face showed nothing but innocence. “Yes.”
“Good boy.” Xu Ziyan was so delighted that he could not stop himself from kissing Xu Zirong’s forehead before taking his hand and leading him away.
Xu Zirong stood stunned. Even with all his composure, he could not hide his shock. He raised a hand to touch his forehead, then looked at the figure ahead of him, not yet particularly tall, with utter bewilderment.
In his previous life, Bai Hua’s three lovers had killed him and scattered his soul. Yet when he opened his eyes again, the father he had once killed was standing before him, telling him coldly to pack his things and come along.