However, I do know that he indeed exists. He’s a mixed-blood, very handsome, with beautiful eyes. It’s said he’s also an heir to a prominent family. Didn’t expect him to be connected to the Phoenix Clan, no wonder...

Thinking of this, Elder Sima’s expression improved significantly.

Then Chu Chengfeng and several elders began to discuss again. Sima Xiaowen, who knew Xino, was asked to pick them up at the airport, accompanied by Elder Tian Liang and Elder Sima. The remaining two elders and the clan leader stayed at the courtyard waiting for them.

After everything was arranged, Chu Chengfeng prepared to leave.

Elder Sima stood up and glared at Elder San Ye, "You cook lunch today, I’ll go see off Chief Mo Li."

Elder San Ye also glared back, asking defiantly, "Why do I have to cook again?"

"Because your earlier suggestion made me angry, you need to make me a tasty meal as an apology." Elder Sima responded confidently.

Elder San Ye’s face flushed with a mix of anger and disbelief, pointing with a trembling finger, "Elder Sima, how come your face is so thick?"

Elder Sima patted his face and said contentedly, "You just realized? My face has always been ’thick.’ Now hurry up, or I won’t forgive you."

"Do you think I care about your forgiveness? And besides, was I wrong?"

"You’re saying you weren’t wrong?" Elder Sima retorted angrily.

Seeing the two about to argue again, Elder Tian Liang waved his hand dismissively, "Ah, Elder Sima, come on, see the clan leader off quickly. He’s so busy now, we can’t delay him too much."

He then said to Elder San Ye, "Elder Sima appreciates your cooking skills, let’s go, I’ll help you. After all, we old ones can’t really fast, and with such abundant ingredients now, we shouldn’t neglect ourselves..."

Then he tugged and pulled Elder San Ye away while another elder, always smiling, sat contentedly like a Maitreya Buddha, sipping tea.

Realizing that Elder San Ye was gone and had no one to argue with, Elder Sima prepared to see Chu Chengfeng out, who rubbed his forehead a bit painfully, wondering why it seemed like these four elders were becoming more childish.

However, he did have some things to clarify with Elder Sima.

Elder Sima escorted Chu Chengfeng out of the room, and they stood in the courtyard where the sun shone beautifully, though surrounded by snow, the courtyard was clean and tidy. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Under the eaves, large red lanterns swayed gently in the breeze.

You could see the signs of the festive season.

This courtyard was set with a barrier, but not the invisible kind. You could see the courtyard, but couldn’t hear what the people inside were saying.

Despite the beautiful sunshine, there was a chill in the air.

Chu Chengfeng chose to be brief, "Elder Sima, Elder San Ye was just impulsive. I won’t agree to this matter."

Elder Sima raised an eyebrow at Chu Chengfeng, asking, "Why don’t you agree? You should be happy."

Happy?

Chu Chengfeng’s mouth twitched with a bitter smile, he really didn’t know what there was to be happy about.

Since he returned, his life had become chaotic, and even now some people in his circle still sneer and speak sarcastically when they see him.

This made him realize how foolish it was to hastily bring Liu Ling back then and reveal her identity.

He had given Xiao Wen no face, left himself no retreat, and affected Liu Ling too.

Reflecting deeply, he decided to think twice before taking any actions in the future. So recently, in the past month, Chu Chengfeng had undergone a significant change.

"...I was too impulsive then, crude and straightforward in my actions. I won’t do such stupid things in the future. So many years have passed, even if I wanted to get married, it’s not urgent, and I wouldn’t choose that wedding room. Currently, I have no such intentions."

Chu Chengfeng spoke earnestly to Elder Sima about his regret and plans.

Elder Sima was right; this matter should wait until the rumors subside and everyone forgets about it.

"If that’s how you feel, does Liu Ling agree?"

Elder Sima didn’t mean to blame Liu Ling. After all these years, he knew clearly about past events. Apart from the matter at the Divine Land Hall, Liu Ling was innocent, and he wouldn’t hold it against her. However, naturally, on certain matters, he would stand by his daughter.

Chu Chengfeng quickly said, "Elder Sima, please rest assured. My thoughts align with Liu Ling’s. Besides, her health isn’t very well now and needs not only cultivation but also rest."

Hearing this, Elder Sima’s expression improved greatly, "...I heard from Liu Ling recently that she had indeed had a tough time over the years. After her Nirvana, her memories were lost. Though someone adopted her, she was no different from their maid. You really should compensate her well."

Chu Chengfeng looked at Elder Sima gratefully, growing more remorseful, "Thank you very much, Elder Sima. I’ll be going now. Please take care of the matters concerning the Phoenix Clan elders."

"You don’t need to worry about that. We’re idle anyway and have nothing else to do, so just leave it to us." Elder Sima said carelessly.

Chu Chengfeng quietly breathed a sigh of relief and changed the subject, "As for Shui Liuzi, let’s leave it to fate. So many years have passed; unless he encounters great fortune, he might have gone through many reincarnations by now.

"What you say might be true. There’s absolutely no news about him now."

"I’ll be off then, and please have Elder Sima inform Xiao Wen about Xino and the others. Nowadays, she won’t even speak to me, or even look at me."

Serves you right!

Elder Sima grumbled internally.

But he still nodded.

Chu Chengfeng turned and left with long strides.

Elder Sima stood still for a moment, no longer as complacent as before. This really is a tangled mess, he hoped everyone could get through it safely and smoothly. He turned around and entered the house.

...

There are many elders in the family, so even during the New Year, Gu Qiaoqiao wasn’t very busy. She still had time to go for tea with Sima Xiaowen.

And she learned that on the fifteenth day of the first month, the Phoenix Clan people from abroad would return, and this time it was a relocation rather than a family visit.

Gu Qiaoqiao thought there would be many people, after all, so many years had passed. But unexpectedly, only a dozen or so returned.

It seems the Phoenix Clan is indeed not as strong as before, but when Xino’s name was mentioned, Gu Qiaoqiao was momentarily stunned.

She asked again, "Sister Xiao Wen, which Xino is it? Could it be someone with the same name?"

There couldn’t be such a coincidence in this world, that the Xino she knew also had a connection to the Phoenix Clan.