Chapter Thirty-Six: The Elder and Second Uncles

"Xuanxuan."

Kicking off her quilt, Xuanxuan crawled out of bed.

With her father's help, she got dressed, rubbing her sleepy eyes. It was said that today her eldest and second uncles would be visiting, which was why her father had woken her up so early. She was not pleased at all.

Lying on Wan Qi Lianhao's shoulder, she let him put her shoes on.

The night before, she'd been on the Star Network, learning characters with Zhan Yu and, in passing, giving her little apprentice some magical instruction. She couldn't help but feel a surge of jealousy at how quickly Zhan Yu learned magic.

She scrunched her nose. Zhan Yu was by no means slower than she was at that age. Though their elemental affinity was similar, Zhan Yu specialized in just one branch of magic and advanced much faster than her.

She pouted. She had no intention of being outpaced by her own apprentice, so she'd spent most of the night, after logging off the Star Network, immersed in meditation and gathering magical elements.

It had been a long time since she'd worked this hard; no wonder she was so tired.

She drifted through her morning routine in a daze, but as soon as she sat at the table, she was instantly revived.

However, the breakfast spread was far from satisfying. All the meats were strictly rationed.

Supposedly, this was because she had grown too chubby lately. She herself didn't mind, so she really couldn't understand why her father, with his obsession over her diet, cared so much. Was he afraid she wouldn't be able to marry? That was ridiculous—she hadn't worried about it in her past life, and in this one, she was only a little bean sprout, so there was no need to rush.

Unhappy, she stirred her porridge and glanced at Wan Qi Lianhao, who wielded chopsticks with impressive skill. She still hadn't mastered these miraculous utensils and, having no fork, could only use a spoon.

Wan Qi Lianhao was entirely unmoved by Xuanxuan's silent complaints. His precious daughter seemed to grow more each day; he simply couldn't stand it. If he didn't limit her food, what then?

He feared one day his daughter would end up like a goldfish—stuffed full.

After she finished her porridge, he handed her two pieces of the dried meat she always craved, wiped her mouth clean, and carried her into the study. Lately, he liked to keep Xuanxuan close no matter what he was doing, even if she was just daydreaming nearby.

Xuanxuan lounged beside him, flipping through something her father called a "comic strip." She found it a bit childish, and the stories were mostly beyond her understanding, but it was helpful for learning to read, so she was willing to leaf through it when bored.

Page after page, she turned the book idly until Yi Qiong entered. "Master."

He set down his pen, massaged his brow, and looked up. "What is it?"

"Young Master and Second Young Master have arrived."

"Oh?" Wan Qi Lianhao's eyes brightened with a hint of joy. After six years apart, he wondered how his two brothers had fared.

He stood up, lifted Xuanxuan into his arms, and tapped her forehead. "Your uncles are here, remember to greet them properly."

Xuanxuan hung lazily on him, unmoving. How could she be asked to greet others when she hadn't even sorted herself out yet? She was a great alchemist, after all—how could she stoop to such petty formalities?

When Xuanxuan didn't respond, Wan Qi Lianhao tugged at the dried meat she was gnawing, and she finally gave him a half-hearted pat, mumbling, "Mmm."

Lately, Xuanxuan realized, she had become far too easy to bribe—a strip or two of dried meat and she was bought. Truly disgraceful. Still, if someone offered her more, she was sure she'd take it.

Carrying Xuanxuan out of the study, Wan Qi Lianhao saw two men entering at the door, both clearly older than himself.

Wan Qi Lianhao was the youngest son of Wan Qi Yi, born late. His two older brothers had always treated him well, thinking of him in all things; indeed, his relationship with them surpassed even that with their father.

Xuanxuan examined them carefully. Though not as finely featured as Wan Qi Lianhao, they were both striking men. The three brothers shared a resemblance, especially in their eyes, which must have come from their mother. Wan Qi Yi had tiger-like eyes, but his sons' were more beautiful—slender, slightly upturned phoenix eyes.

It was hard to imagine what sort of remarkable woman their mother must have been to bear three such exceptional sons.

Wan Qi Lianhao stepped forward, eyes glistening. After six years away, it seemed his brothers had changed little.

"Big Brother, Second Brother," Wan Qi Lianhao called, his voice tinged with emotion.

His brothers, too, looked somewhat moved. "Is this Xuanxuan?" one asked.

Wan Qi Lianhao nodded, lifting Xuanxuan higher. She could sense their goodwill and obediently greeted them, "Uncle, Second Uncle."

"Xuanxuan, are you much better now?" asked the elder, who seemed older still—her father's eldest brother, Wan Qi Lianjun.

"Yes, Uncle. Xuanxuan is much better than before." Wan Qi Lianhao ruffled her hair. Nothing made him happier than seeing his daughter grow more lively each day.

Wan Qi Lianjun nodded. "That's good."

"Big Brother, you worry too much. With Third Brother caring for her so devotedly, how could she not be well?" This must be the second brother, Wan Qi Lianchen, once known as a veritable tyrant. Despite his calm-sounding name, he was anything but.

"Second Brother," Wan Qi Lianhao responded. Though his brother was a terror to others, when it came to supporting him, he never hesitated.

Wan Qi Lianchen laughed heartily and stretched out his arms. "Come, let me hold little Xuan!"

Xuanxuan turned her head away—who was he calling 'little Xuan'? His whole family was 'little Xuan.'

Wan Qi Lianhao tapped her forehead. "This is your Second Uncle."

Ignoring him, Xuanxuan reached instead toward Wan Qi Lianjun, who seemed to carry the scent of datura flowers.

Wan Qi Lianjun looked momentarily surprised. He was usually rather stern, and children tended to avoid him—even his own sons weren't keen to get close.

"Guoguo really likes you, Big Brother," Wan Qi Lianhao said as he handed his daughter to Wan Qi Lianjun.

Xuanxuan suspected she couldn't really be Wan Qi Lianhao's biological daughter, the way he was so quick to hand her off. Nestled in Wan Qi Lianjun's arms, she caught that faint scent of datura again. Why did he carry it with him?

Wan Qi Lianjun was clearly uncomfortable. He rarely held children, not even his own, and Xuanxuan was a bit chubby and soft—he didn't dare hold her too tightly.

Wan Qi Lianchen snorted from the side. "Careful, it's been years since you held a child," he teased. "The kids in Third Brother's house have no taste—I'm clearly the favorite. What's so special about that rock?"

Wan Qi Lianhao laughed heartily. "It's truly rare for Xuanxuan to take to you, Big Brother."

"Mmm," Wan Qi Lianjun replied, his usually impassive face softening. Holding Xuanxuan was harder work than piloting a mecha for three days. He soon handed her back to Wan Qi Lianhao.

Passed from one to another, Xuanxuan finally settled back in her father's arms, burrowing in. It was still a bit uncomfortable, but much better than being with Wan Qi Lianjun.

Narrowing her eyes, she settled in to rest, ignoring the rest.

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P.S.: Highly recommend Guoguo's favorite book!

One day, after crossing worlds, she suddenly had a little brother? And she herself was a little girl adored by all—so sweet even cars would blow a tire at the sight!

But what was with this shabby hut and ragged bedding? Was this the latest version of "Struggle" 3.0? Alas, the stars above remain silent, while the children below long for tea.