Volume One, Chapter 68: He Was No Longer the Naive Eight-Year-Old

Once everyone had calmed down, the five of them sat together at the table once more.

Chi Xingwan spoke, “There are a few things we need to do next. First, to find the spirit of the artifact—that task falls to me. Second, to search for more descendants of the Nalan family.”

After the ritual they had just performed, everyone understood that the more Nalan blood there was, the greater the effect it would have when dripped onto the Demon Suppressing Tower. Like this time—if only Xiao Yue or Wei Shian had been present, even with Chi Xingwan’s spell, the outcome would have been less impressive. But with both their blood mingled, the results had been remarkable.

Grandma Xiao immediately said, “We’ll keep searching on our end.”

Wei Shian added, “I’ll go back to my village and see if I can find anyone else from my family.”

Chi Xingwan nodded, “We have five years. It’s neither too long nor too short, but we’re not pressed for a day or two. Right now, though, there’s a more urgent matter we need to resolve.”

Everyone looked at Wei Shian.

Chi Xingwan turned to her. “Shian, there’s something I’ve been keeping from you. Do you know who stole your song?”

At the mention of it, Wei Shian wilted like a frostbitten eggplant, her spirit deflated.

She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“It was Yang Jing,” Chi Xingwan replied.

Wei Shian was deeply shocked. “Queen Yang? That can’t be—she’s retired! If she wanted a comeback, she could have any top songwriter compose for her. Why would she target someone insignificant like me?”

Secretary He interjected, “Don’t underestimate yourself. I’ve listened to some of your work—you’re every bit as good as those famous songwriters. You just haven’t had the chance to stand before the public.”

Wei Shian felt comforted, even if she thought Secretary He was merely being kind.

She asked, “Why would Queen Yang—Yang Jing—steal my song?”

Xiao Yue snorted, “She needs money.”

Chi Xingwan glanced at him, thinking her fiancé was not as stoic as he seemed; in fact, he had a sly wit.

“Needs money? How could she possibly be short on cash?” Of the five, only Wei Shian was confused.

Secretary He briefly explained the situation with Yang Hui, omitting the crucial details, but Wei Shian understood.

Yang Jing’s brother owed a massive debt, and Yang Jing was paying it off for him.

“So she wants to claim my song, to get the royalties.”

Wei Shian was furious. The song “Rise and Fall” was her heart’s work, now reduced to a tool for someone else’s profit.

“I—I don’t want her to succeed. I want my song back,” Wei Shian said angrily.

Grandma Xiao declared, “We’ll help you. Yang Jing can’t cover the sky with her hand.”

Wei Shian was deeply moved. “Thank you, Grandma Xiao. Thank you all. If it were just me, I probably couldn’t do anything.”

At that moment, Chi Xingwan said, “Before we proceed, I have to tell you something. Yang Jing is my aunt by name.”

“The reason her brother, Yang Hui, owes a fortune is because of my manipulation behind the scenes. That’s why Yang Jing is returning to the stage and why she targeted your song.”

Wei Shian was stunned.

Chi Xingwan continued, “If you mind, the Xiao family can handle this. I won’t intervene.”

Wei Shian looked at Chi Xingwan, silent for a moment before replying, “I don’t mind. Doesn’t this mean we have a common enemy?”

Chi Xingwan smiled softly. “In that case, let’s begin planning.”

Xiao Yue listened with his head propped on his hand. There was little he could do to help in this matter—not for lack of ability, but because his lucid periods were too brief. It was better left to Grandma and Secretary He.

So, for this meeting, he was merely a bystander.

He sat beside Chi Xingwan, a little further back, so when he turned his head he could take in her profile.

Unnoticed, more than two hours had passed. While the others were still talking, Xiao Yue suddenly rose.

He moved to his wheelchair. “My time’s almost up.”

Grandma Xiao realized she had forgotten him. Checking the time, she exclaimed with delight, “Almost three hours! Yue’s lucid period has increased again.”

Everyone was happy for him. Xiao Yue smiled, and in the next second, his head dropped. When he raised it, his eyes were vacant.

He blinked, bewildered by his surroundings.

He flapped his wings and took flight, only then realizing he had fallen into a bed of flowers.

“Idiot,” he scolded himself inwardly.

Dai Dai—or rather, Xiao Yue—found that even in the body of this parrot, he retained his lucidity.

He was no longer the eight-year-old Dai Dai. He was still Xiao Yue.

Perching on a tree, Xiao Yue thought for a second, then decided to keep playing Dai Dai.

It wasn’t that he thought being known as a parrot was embarrassing—it was just that Dai Dai had been so foolish before. He despised his eight-year-old self.

Moreover… Dai Dai, the fool, had squeezed into Chi Xingwan’s bed every night to sleep.

Xiao Yue himself would be embarrassed, and if Chi Xingwan ever found out, he couldn’t imagine how awkward it would be.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Xiao Yue flapped his wings, flying slowly to get used to his new body—especially its flight.

Back in the living room, matters had been settled.

Wei Shian was arranged by Grandma Xiao to stay temporarily in one of her apartments. Because of Wei Shian’s illness, Grandma Xiao also arranged for servants to care for her.

Chi Xingwan was returning to school. She left the villa, calling out for Dai Dai in the estate.

Dai Dai flew over. Chi Xingwan held out her arm, and he alighted upon it.

Person and bird gazed at each other.

Chi Xingwan looked into Dai Dai’s eyes and suddenly felt something was off. After pondering for a while, she asked, “Dai Dai, have you done something bad?”

Dai Dai shook his head.

“Why do I feel like you’re different?”

She couldn’t pinpoint the feeling, but it seemed Dai Dai was not quite the same as before, even though it was clearly the same bird.

Xiao Yue felt nervous, recalling Dai Dai’s silly mannerisms, and tilted his head in imitation.

The odd feeling lessened. Chi Xingwan pouted, thinking she was being oversensitive.

She picked Dai Dai up and cradled him in her hands. “Let’s go, we’re heading back to school. What do you want for dinner tonight?”

Dai Dai replied, “Whatever you have, I’ll have too, Sister.”

He thought calling her “Sister” would be awkward, but it rolled off his tongue easily, and he felt a strange excitement.

What was happening to him?

Chi Xingwan didn’t notice his brief hesitation and took him into the car.

“Let’s not eat at school tonight. How about we go to a street food stall?”

Dai Dai answered, “Alright.”