Volume One, Chapter 78: A Match Made in Heaven

The light on the peachwood sword necklace faded and fell onto the table. Chi Xingwan picked it up and examined it carefully, noticing a tiny character engraved on the blade: “Ling.”

“Surname Ling, stage name Little Spirit Flower, immigrated to the country of Su, and she also had a peachwood sword necklace. These are the clues we have,” Chi Xingwan said.

No one felt relieved. Judging by the architectural style of the time, at least a hundred years had passed, and there had been a world war in between. Finding descendants of Little Spirit Flower would be no easy task. They weren’t even certain she had any descendants.

“It’s better than having no clues at all,” Grandma Xiao sighed.

Wei Shian’s sadness hadn’t faded from her face. Seeing the story of Little Spirit Flower and her brother reminded her of her own ancestors—her family, too, must have suffered such pain. They hadn’t been as fortunate as her, able to meet Chi Xingwan. Faced with the curse, they had no power to resist.

Secretary He said, “The group has business partners in Su. I’ll ask our contacts there to help look into it.”

Grandma Xiao added, “We can’t overlook the line of Ayue’s ancestors. We don’t know how many children she had, or if there were other descendants besides Lan Yan’s branch.”

Wei Shian quickly said, “I’ll keep searching for clues from my family as well.”

She had always been searching, but there had been no progress. Still, she wasn’t about to give up. Chi Xingwan had said the more descendants of the Nalan family they found, the greater their chance of breaking the curse.

Xiao Yue put away the relics, handing the peachwood sword necklace to Chi Xingwan alone. “You should keep this. In your hands, it’s more useful than with me.”

Chi Xingwan accepted it. There was still lingering spiritual energy on the necklace. If she came near another necklace, the energy would react. Whenever there was a fluctuation, she would notice.

With the matter settled, it was time for Grandma Xiao’s birthday banquet.

Wei Shian left first. She was staying at Grandma Xiao’s house and felt awkward about letting her cover her living expenses, so she had taken on some composing and songwriting work.

With important matters discussed, Chi Xingwan prepared to leave. Xiao Yue escorted her to the entrance of the villa. Chi Xingwan said, “You should go back now, your time’s almost up for today.”

Unconsciously, more than two hours had passed. Xiao Yue’s waking hours each day were now only three. He felt time slipping by too quickly—he wished he could accompany Chi Xingwan back to school.

“I’ll head back then. Be careful on your way,” he said.

“Alright.”

They stood at the entrance, neither moving.

“You go first. I’ll watch you get in the car,” Xiao Yue said.

Chi Xingwan replied, “I’ll watch you go back. After all, you’re still a patient.”

Xiao Yue smiled, “Alright, I’ll go first then.”

Chi Xingwan waited until the door closed before heading into the manor. She needed to find the daft one who’d wandered off somewhere, then return to school.

“Sis, over here…” Xiao Rui was hiding mysteriously under a tree, waving covertly at Chi Xingwan.

She walked over and asked, “What are you doing here? Up to no good again?”

Only then did she realize that not only Xiao Rui, but Xiao Yu, Xiao Ming, and even Xiao Jin were behind the tree. Except for Xiao Yue and Xiao Duo, all the younger members of the family were gathered here.

“What are you all doing?” Chi Xingwan asked.

She could understand the three siblings, but she didn’t recall Xiao Jin being particularly close with them—yet here she was, joining in.

Xiao Jin didn’t seem to notice Chi Xingwan’s puzzled look. She dragged her over, making sure no one in the villa could see them.

“I heard my second brother’s recovered. Is it true?” Xiao Jin asked.

“It’s not,” Chi Xingwan replied.

Hope quickly faded from all four faces.

“But he has improved, and in time, he’ll fully recover,” Chi Xingwan added.

Xiao Jin’s eyes widened, “Can you not be so dramatic when you speak?”

“…I’m just answering your question.”

Xiao Yu hooked her arm through Chi Xingwan’s, “I knew it—the person who escorted you out earlier was second brother. I couldn’t see his face, but his build is unmistakable.”

Chi Xingwan looked at their expressions, “Are you all worried about your second brother?”

They nodded in unison.

“Of course. He was always good to us. He was the first to support me becoming an e-sports player,” Xiao Rui recalled, almost tearful. Xiao Yue had indeed promised him that once he got into university, he could pursue e-sports.

Xiao Yue was the family heir. With his approval, their father wouldn’t object. But then Xiao Yue fell ill, and there was no time for Xiao Rui.

Xiao Jin said, “Second brother used to buy me gifts all the time. When I got scolded by my mother, he’d take me out to play.”

Xiao Yu and Xiao Ming chimed in, recounting how well Xiao Yue had treated them. With the age gap, he was more like a father than a brother.

Xiao Peiyu was unreliable, and Xiao Yue had even attended parent-teacher conferences for Xiao Yu and Xiao Ming in his stead.

“Why do you make Xiao Yue sound like an old father? Don’t you have an elder brother?” Chi Xingwan teased.

At the mention of Xiao Duo, the four showed various expressions.

Xiao Jin, ever blunt, cursed, “That bastard’s meaner than a needle’s eye. I don’t like him at all.”

Xiao Duo had bullied her since childhood.

The others’ faces made it clear—they too had suffered at Xiao Duo’s hands.

They feared most that Xiao Duo would end up as head of the Xiao family. If Xiao Yue were in charge, the siblings could get along harmoniously. But with Xiao Duo, he would “wipe out” the family mercilessly.

Chi Xingwan could only say, “Xiao Yue will recover, I promise.”

“Sis, if you say so, we’ll believe it,” Xiao Rui said, though his face still betrayed worry.

During preparations for the birthday banquet, Grandma Xiao had mentioned Xiao Yue’s condition was improving and he would attend. But none of them had seen him leave the villa these past days, nor did they find him when they asked. They remained anxious.

Chi Xingwan understood Grandma Xiao’s reasoning. The Xiao family appeared calm on the surface, but beneath, turmoil brewed. Except for these few younger ones, almost everyone coveted the position of family head.

“You’ll see him at the banquet in a few days,” Chi Xingwan assured.

On the day of the banquet, Chi Xingwan took leave in advance and arrived early.

Xiao Yue woke precisely on time, changed into his carefully prepared formal wear, and by noon, he would make his appearance at the main villa.

Chi Xingwan also dressed in the gown Grandma Xiao had chosen for her.

The white mermaid evening dress accentuated her figure, and the diamond necklace around her neck was custom-made, matching the style of Xiao Yue’s brooch—a clear pair, obviously designed for lovers.

Standing together, the two looked like a couple destined by heaven.