Chapter 101: The Xiao Family Estate

As Grand Steward Lin Jian finished speaking, the car came to a steady stop. Hearing Xiao Tianci’s words, Huofeng hurriedly crouched down to soothe Meg. Xiao Tianci stood up and looked at the two of them, thinking that it would certainly take considerable effort to keep little Meg here. Huofeng was easier to handle; at least she was an adult, and if one reasoned with her, she would understand the gravity of the situation.

Meg, however, was a more troublesome matter. He would have to think of another way. With this thought, he stepped out, and the others followed.

As soon as he stepped out of the car, Xiao Tianci felt his eyes light up. Before him lay a vast plaza, and looking further ahead, a sprawling estate was nestled at the foot of a mountain—not a particularly high one.

Once they had disembarked, the motorcade turned away, revealing a man-made lake. It was quite large, featuring rockeries and pavilions in the middle, perfectly integrated with the main complex.

Grand Steward Lin Jian led the way. There were staff members moving about, and upon seeing Xiao Tianci, they would pause to greet him with a respectful "Good day, Boss," before returning to their duties.

"Boss, the main residence was originally built in an antique style," Lin explained. "At the time, there was already a small lake at the front. Later, it was expanded, and over several generations, it grew to its current scale. As for the main residence itself, it has been refined by many experts, blending ancient and modern architecture—and even incorporating elements from other cultures—to create the unique character you see today."

As they walked through the main gate, Lin Jian continued, "The Xiao family holds its annual gatherings and major events here. People like Will have visited at least seven or eight times. The summit of the mountain is where the ancestral shrine is located."

"Oh?" Xiao Tianci asked, "What is enshrined there? Who believes in it?"

A family as large as the Xiao clan surely had diverse beliefs, yet Xiao Tianci assumed that anything established on the mountaintop must be significant. Perhaps it was his father’s faith.

The Grand Steward replied, "It is the ancestral shrine. All descendants of the Xiao family must pay their respects."

Xiao Tianci quickly pressed his palms together, thinking, *Sin, sin; ancestors ought to be honored.* He blamed his own idle mind for wandering into such unnecessary speculation.

The overall impression the estate gave Xiao Tianci was one of grandeur. It did not rely on gold or silver to create a gaudy, luxurious facade. Instead, it possessed a natural, imposing atmosphere—the posture of the strong.

Led by Lin Jian, the group toured the estate. A sense of pride welled up in Xiao Tianci. To think of the sheer effort and the labor of so many generations required to bring the Xiao family to this point. He thought of Meihua, currently his father’s, but for now, they would have to endure the temporary inconvenience.

"Boss, your father’s quarters are in the back..."

Xiao Tianci understood the Grand Steward's intent to lead him to his father’s rooms, but he shook his head. "I don’t want to go just yet. Perhaps... heh... when the time is right, I will go naturally. Have someone prepare a meal; everyone has had a rough journey and hasn't eaten well since being on the submarine. Get something good ready—everyone is injured and needs to recover. Tomorrow, we will go up the mountain to pay our respects to the ancestors."

"Understood," the Grand Steward replied, pulling out an internal communicator to issue orders.

They say that the struggle for inheritance in powerful families is intense. His father’s situation seemed exaggerated enough back then, and now, strangely, no one was here to contest him. Yet, how was he supposed to live in a place like this all by himself?

Just as he thought this, he heard Huofeng approach. "A place this big, and you’re living here all alone? It’s a total waste."

Xiao Tianci replied, "I wish there were more Xiao family members here too, but unfortunately, there is only me. Well, not quite—there is one other, but the chances of him returning are even slimmer."

Huofeng’s eyes suddenly darted about, and she said happily, "Heh... heh... hehe... I just thought of... a really good idea."

Xiao Tianci asked indifferently, "What’s this great idea? Let's hear it."

Huofeng was so amused she could barely contain herself. Finally, she said, "You could just have a bunch of kids! Heh... heh... then you wouldn't be alone anymore. Anyway, you’re a skirt-chaser; it shouldn't be hard to find a few women to help with that."

Xiao Tianci felt a bit dizzy. Hearing her call him a skirt-chaser again, he thought that perhaps he hadn't been "chasing" enough lately. With that in mind, he let out a mock, wicked laugh and said, "Heh heh, is that so? And just how many do you plan on having?"

Huofeng didn’t catch his meaning immediately and blurted out, "With a place this big, you’d need at least one or two hundred for it to be enough—"

She stopped herself, realizing the implication of his words. Xiao Tianci pretended to be unaffected, laughing as he turned to look at the antiques, leaving Huofeng there fuming, her chest heaving with rage.

Had she not promised her brother not to pick a fight with Xiao Tianci, she would have loved to give him a beating, to wipe that look off his face until he couldn't recognize himself. Ever since Xiao Tianci had "woken up" and decided to moonlight as a womanizer, she felt she was constantly being teased.

Huofeng had tried many tactics, but they always failed. Her greatest advantage—her martial arts—could not be used; her brother had strictly forbidden it.

Xiao Tianci didn't know the first thing about antiques. He found a plate and watched Huofeng’s reflection in it as she fumed, feeling somewhat amused. *Don't blame me,* he thought, *if you hadn't started bothering me, I wouldn't have teased you back.*

The Xiao estate favored a grand scale. The main hall was a massive, bird’s nest-style structure capable of holding thousands. It felt strange to eat in such a place, with two rows of servants standing by, and them sitting in the very center.

Under these circumstances, Grand Steward Lin Jian adamantly refused to sit and eat with them. Xiao Tianci was uncomfortable, and so were Qinglong and Huofeng. It was a hall designed for thousand-person buffets, and here they were, just a few people sitting at a single table in the middle of a vast, pillarless space.

Except for four half-meter-tall jade auspicious beasts at the corners, the hall was devoid of decoration. The dining table was brought in only for meals; the only permanent furniture was a set of antique-style tables and chairs. When one sat there, facing the main entrance, they were dozens of meters away from it.

With such an imposing atmosphere, this hall was clearly meant to overwhelm guests. For a mere few people to sit there, anyone with a weak disposition would likely be intimidated.

The group didn't stay long, as it was too uncomfortable. Only Xiao Tianci lingered, contemplating the purpose and design of the hall. He had only just arrived at the estate, yet he had already discovered so many things—things that were tied to even greater mysteries and problems. He began to feel that the Xiao estate was like a treasure vault, waiting for him to unlock it.

That night, after finally lulling Meg to sleep, Xiao Tianci stepped outside. He looked up to find the sky twinkling with stars, the moon hanging high.

"Is Meg asleep?" Xiao Tianci turned to see Huofeng standing nearby, also looking up at the sky.

"Yes, she's asleep. It’s so late, why aren't you?" Their daytime banter was one thing, but Xiao Tianci usually didn't take the initiative to tease Huofeng, and in this quiet moment, even speaking loudly felt inappropriate.

Huofeng didn't answer immediately, but Xiao Tianci didn't mind; the night view was pleasant enough. After a while, Huofeng said, "I like looking at the stars at night. What about you?"

Xiao Tianci pondered. He didn't usually stay up at night just to watch the stars, so he replied softly, "Well, it’s alright. The vast starry sky and the infinite universe always provide plenty of inspiration."

Huofeng chuckled, "Do you always like to speak like that?"

He wondered if he had said something wrong, but couldn't find a fault. "Did I say something wrong?"

Huofeng shook her head and sighed, "It's not that you're wrong. Your words are always so ambiguous, capable of meaning one thing or the opposite, and they’re always... well, it’s just strange. Talking to you is so tiring; it doesn't feel like a conversation, it feels like an exam."

Xiao Tianci understood what she meant, and he smiled inwardly. He knew exactly why. Perhaps it was easier to touch one’s inner self in the dead of night. Still, the atmosphere was perfect for a heart-to-heart.

"You mean... well, how should I put it? It shouldn't be an exam, but a negotiation. Like a business deal. I’ve grown accustomed to answering questions in that tone or manner. Heh, I suppose it’s that old saying: 'One cannot stray from one's profession.'"

Huofeng didn't respond immediately. After a moment, she suddenly asked, "Do you really intend to leave Meg here?"

Xiao Tianci said, "Is there a better way? I don't want to leave her, but staying with me only puts her in more danger. And she needs to learn." On this matter, he had made up his mind; it was a question of principle.

Huofeng shook her head. "I fear it won't be that easy."

"Oh?" Xiao Tianci looked at her. "Why?"

"Little Meg may be small, but she is incredibly persistent. You should have noticed that from the first time we met her. For a young girl like her to have become what she is today, I doubt it will be easy to make her go to school like a normal child."

Xiao Tianci said, "That’s exactly why I’m having her stay here. The place is big, the environment is safe, and I can hire the best teachers to instruct her. If she’s lonely, I can find some other children to study with her."

Huofeng replied, "The problem isn't that. It's you. Haven't you noticed that little Meg has become inseparable from you? Unless you stay here too... heh... *sigh*... never mind. If I say more, you’ll just start another long lecture, and I can't stand that. I’m going to sleep."

Huofeng went inside, leaving Xiao Tianci standing there, contemplating her words, thinking of little Meg, and wondering how he could make this all work.