Xiao Yan and Xiao Yu bid farewell to their father and the three elders as they sent off the guests who had come to witness the Xiao family's coming-of-age ceremony. Before leaving, Ya Fei, with a flirtatious look, secretly threw a seductive glance at Xiao Yan, causing his face to flush and his heart to race.

Lady Ya Fei is truly an enchanting beauty...

Xiao Yan shook his head lightly, calming himself down. Just then, a familiar and boisterous voice reached his ears.

"Little Yanzi! Second sister misses you so much!"

As the voice sounded, Xiao Yan was tightly embraced by a strong arm, and a hand kept rubbing his hair. Xiao Yan's face lit up with joy.

"Second sister, it's been so long!"

"Ah, it's been a year! You've grown taller!" The person with the voice turned Xiao Yan around to face her. "You also look much more handsome now. You'll definitely find a beautiful wife in the future!"

Xiao Yan looked at the spirited and outgoing woman in front of him, grinning widely. She had short hair and a handsome appearance that resembled more of a man's than a woman's.

"Big sister Xiao Li, it's been a while."

Xiao Yu, who was standing beside him, also greeted Xiao Li softly. Xiao Li smiled in response.

"Oh, little Yu’er, it's only been a year, and you've become much more beautiful!" Xiao Li then playfully pulled Xiao Yan towards Xiao Yu. "What do you think? How does my little Yan look? Are you interested in marrying him?"

"Um..."

Upon hearing this, both Xiao Yan and Xiao Yu's faces turned awkward, and Xiao Yu even blushed and waved her hands repeatedly.

"Sister Xiao Li, please don't tease me like that."

"Hahaha! Just kidding, don't take it seriously!"

Xiao Li laughed heartily, but she didn't notice the deep sorrow that had covered the fleeting delight in Xiao Yu's eyes.

At that moment, Xiao Yan's gaze shifted to behind Xiao Li, where another woman with long hair, who bore some resemblance to Xiao Li but exuded more elegance and gentleness in her every move, slowly approached.

Xiao Yan's eldest sister, Xiao Ying.

"Eldest Sister."

Xiao Yan called out softly, and Xiao Ying looked at her beloved younger brother with eyes filled with a tender affection akin to a mother's love.

"It's been a long time, Yan'er."

Since the passing of Xiao Yan's mother, Xiao Ying and Xiao Li had treated Xiao Yan like a precious treasure, sparing no effort to protect him and trying their best to make up for the maternal love he lacked.

And indeed, they had succeeded.

During the period after Xiao Yan's mother's death, it was their constant care and nurturing that helped Xiao Yan overcome the pain of losing his mother in a short period of time.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

For Xiao Yan, the two of them were undoubtedly extremely important family members.

Xiao Ying then turned to Xiao Zhan, smiling softly as she spoke.

"Father, how have you been recently?"

"Hahaha! Very well! I'm in even better spirits now that you've all returned!" Xiao Zhan burst into laughter, looking at his two daughters whom he hadn't seen for a year. A unique warmth reserved for family filled his heart.

"You must be tired from the long journey. I've had the rooms prepared for you. Rest well and get ready for tomorrow's New Year celebration!"

"Yes."

Xiao Ying nodded gently, and Xiao Zhan was right. They had been rushing back day and night, afraid of missing the important New Year celebration for the Xiao family.

At that moment, Xiao Yan tilted his body slightly and looked curiously behind Xiao Ying.

"Sister, who is that person behind you?"

"Ah... I was so happy to be back home that I forgot to introduce her."

Xiao Ying realized her oversight and gently pushed the timid girl behind her aside, allowing Xiao Yan to get a clear view of her appearance.

It was a timid-looking little girl with emerald green long hair, emerald green eyes, and a delicate oval face that still carried a hint of youthful innocence.

Although she was just a little girl, her figure was well-developed in all the right places. Considering her physique, she was already quite mature.

Despite the lack of any visible signs, Xiao Yan couldn't shake off the feeling of facing a "snake" when he looked at her.

"This child is named Qing Lin. She's a child adopted by our mercenary group." Xiao Ying introduced her to everyone with a tinge of pity in her eyes. "Her background is quite complicated, and I couldn't bear to leave her alone in the mercenary group, so I brought her back with us."

"I see."

Xiao Yan nodded understandingly and squatted down in front of Qing Lin, extending his hand with a gentle and kind tone.

"Nice to meet you, Qing Lin. Welcome to our family."

"Hello there, Qing Lin. I'm Xiao Yan, the younger brother of Xiao Ying and Xiao Li. Nice to meet you," Xiao Yan said with a gentle voice, squatting in front of Qing Lin and introducing himself. (Why is he repeating the introduction? Is it like this on original?)

Qing Lin hesitated for a moment as she looked at Xiao Yan, who was introducing himself with a gentle expression. After a while, she timidly reached out her hand and lightly shook hands with Xiao Yan.

"Hello... nice to meet you," she said softly.

"Hmm, let's get along well these next few days," Xiao Yan said, lightly holding Qing Lin's small hand and shaking it up and down.

Suddenly, Xiao Yan's gaze shifted, and his eyes froze for a moment. Qing Lin also reacted instantly, quickly retracting her hand from Xiao Yan's and hiding behind Xiao Ying. After a while, she slowly peeked out from behind Xiao Ying, tears shimmering in her eyes as she softly apologized.

"I'm... I'm sorry... Qing Lin didn't mean to scare you..."

Qing Lin kept apologizing to Xiao Yan, her voice so faint it was like the buzzing of a mosquito, and she seemed on the verge of tears.

Xiao Yu, who had no idea what had just happened, saw Qing Lin's expression and instantly felt a surge of sympathy. She pressed Xiao Yan's shoulder, who was still squatting on the ground, and asked with a hint of displeasure.

"Xiao Yan, what did you do just now?"

"Ah... how should I put it..." Xiao Yan scratched his head awkwardly, looking at Qing Lin with teary eyes. "It seems like my eyes deceived me..."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow, completely puzzled by what Xiao Yan was saying.

Just then, Xiao Ying spoke up.

"That's not true, Yan'er. Your eyes didn't deceive you."

"Huh?"

Xiao Yan furrowed his brows, looking up at his eldest sister in confusion.

Xiao Ying lowered her head and looked at Qing Lin before speaking.

"Qing Lin, show them."

"Huh?!"

Upon hearing Xiao Ying's words, Qing Lin was suddenly shocked, looking up at Xiao Ying with teary eyes.

"Captain Xiao Ying..."

Qing Lin murmured softly, as if praying for something.

But Xiao Ying smiled faintly, gently stroking Qing Lin's head with her hand.

"Don't worry, no one will dislike you."

...

Upon hearing Xiao Ying's reassurance, Qing Lin fell silent for a long time. Eventually, she bit her lip lightly and made up her mind. She extended one arm forward, while the other hand pulled up the sleeve that tightly wrapped around her arm.

Then, Xiao Yan and the others saw it—the skin on Qing Lin's wrist was completely different from that of a human; it resembled snake scales.

"What is this?!"

Surprise and astonishment filled Xiao Yan and Xiao Yu's faces, and even Xiao Zhan shared the same expression.

"Do you know? Our mercenary group is located in an area that intersects with the territory of the Snake People," Xiao Ying said softly, gently caressing Qing Lin's head, as she slowly revealed Qing Lin's background.

"This child is a descendant of both humans and the Snake People."