Xiao Yunlong returned to the Liu family manor with Liu Ruyan late at night. The manor was quiet, and it seemed everyone had already gone to bed.
Since learning of Xiao Yunlong's identity, Old Master Liu's brow had relaxed considerably. He no longer questioned what Xiao Yunlong did, nor did he dare to. After all, he was the Town North King of Dragon Country.
"It's late, hurry back to your room and rest," Xiao Yunlong said with a smile as they walked up to the second floor of the villa.
Liu Ruyan stood still, seeming to have something to say but hesitating to speak.
Xiao Yunlong then smirked teasingly, "What, are you planning to invite me to your room to talk about life and dreams?"
Although it was just a joke, Liu Ruyan played along, "If I really invited you to my room, would you only talk about life and dreams?"
"Why else, perhaps to explore the academic differences between male and female anatomy?" Xiao Yunlong chuckled.
Liu Ruyan rolled her eyes at him, then turned and walked towards her bedroom. Upon entering, she deliberately slammed the door shut with a loud bang.
Xiao Yunlong shook his head with a smile and then proceeded to the top floor.
The night passed without incident. The next morning, after a full night of cultivation, Xiao Yunlong had successfully opened two more divine realms. His internal qi had more than doubled.
However, as the sun rose, he suddenly felt a sense of unease. The qi in his dantian began to churn restlessly.
Xiao Yunlong suddenly realized that this was due to the rapid increase in his qi, and his body had not yet fully adapted.
"No, I need to find a place to stretch out immediately!" Xiao Yunlong's gaze fell upon the swimming pool in the courtyard below.
Without a second thought, wearing only his swim trunks, he leaped directly from the third-floor balcony.
With a splash!
Xiao Yunlong landed in the pool, sending countless water droplets flying.
It was late spring, around the Qingming Festival, and the morning temperature was still quite cold. Yet, Xiao Yunlong felt a refreshing coolness all over his body, and the restless sensation disappeared. He moved like a fish in the water, swimming back and forth to familiarize himself with his surging power.
Liu Ruyan was naturally awakened by the commotion. She emerged from her bedroom onto the second-floor balcony, quietly watching the figure in the pool, finding him agile and graceful, and clearly enjoying himself.
Suddenly, Liu Feiyan arrived at the edge of the pool, hands on her hips, pointing at Xiao Yunlong in the water and yelling, "Xiao, who gave you permission to swim here? Do you know this pool is exclusively for my use? Get out of here immediately!"
Xiao Yunlong heard her, but at that moment, he was immersed in the joy of his amplified power and paid no attention.
Liu Feiyan became even angrier, gritting her teeth, "Xiao, did you hear me? Get out of here right now! This pool is for my private use only, and without my permission, no one is allowed to swim in it!"
"You're just a live-in son-in-law of our Liu family, what right do you have to misuse our Liu family's property? You shameless dog!"
Liu Feiyan continued to curse, hands on her hips. Unbeknownst to her, Xiao Yunlong had suddenly appeared beside her.
"Finished yelling?"
Xiao Yunlong, wearing only swim trunks and dripping wet, revealed his perfectly sculpted eight-pack abs.
Liu Feiyan was momentarily stunned by the sight.
Xiao Yunlong wasn't the conventionally handsome, effeminate type popular nowadays. His square-shaped face exuded a rugged, distinctive handsomeness. Combined with his height of 1.8 meters, his physique was perfectly proportioned, radiating a unique masculine charm.
Seeing that she remained silent, Xiao Yunlong, uninterested, turned to leave.
"You stop right there!"
Liu Feiyan commanded sternly, "Xiao, listen to me carefully. This swimming pool is for my exclusive use. From now on, without my permission, you are not allowed to swim in it, understand?"
Xiao Yunlong did not look back, merely stating, "You're so fiery this early in the morning. Did you eat gunpowder?"
"What do you mean by that? You're just a live-in son-in-law of our Liu family, how dare you speak to me like that?" Liu Feiyan retorted angrily.
"Since you're so worked up, why don't you go down and cool off?"
With that, Xiao Yunlong lunged forward, grabbed her by the waistband, and with a forceful swing, tossed her.
With a splash!
Liu Feiyan was unceremoniously thrown into the swimming pool.
"Your mouth is so foul, remember to wash it too!" Xiao Yunlong said, clapping his hands and walking away.
"Xiao Yunlong, you scoundrel, how dare you treat me like this? Damn it, it's infuriating!"
Liu Feiyan yelled from the pool. Although she wasn't drowning, the morning temperature was still low, and soon she was shivering uncontrollably, looking utterly pathetic.
Liu Ruyan, watching from the balcony, couldn't help but curve her lips into a subtle, pleased smile.
After washing up and getting dressed, Xiao Yunlong went down to the living room. Liu Ruyan was already seated at the dining table, beckoning him over.
Old Master Liu had eaten little in the morning and was now sitting on the sofa in the adjacent living room, reading the newspaper.
Liu Feiyan and Liu Guohao suddenly stormed in, looking furious.
"Grandpa, this live-in son-in-law, Xiao, is simply too arrogant and outrageous. Please, you must judge this matter!"
Liu Feiyan entered with an imperious air, "Not only did this Xiao occupy my swimming pool without my permission, but he also unceremoniously threw me into the pool. Grandpa, tell me, how should this be handled?"
Liu Hongguo put down his newspaper but ignored Liu Feiyan. Instead, he turned to look at Xiao Yunlong, who was engrossed in his breakfast.
"Yunlong, do you enjoy swimming in the morning?" Liu Hongguo asked.
"It's alright, not particularly fond of it, I swim occasionally," Xiao Yunlong replied without looking up.
Liu Hongguo nodded. "Very well, from now on, the swimming pool in the main house courtyard will be exclusively for Yunlong's use. Without his permission, no one in the family is allowed to use it privately!"
Liu Feiyan's eyes widened in disbelief. "Grandpa, did I hear that correctly? This swimming pool will be exclusively for that Xiao from now on?"
"Yes, you heard correctly. From now on, even if you want to swim, you'll need Yunlong's consent."
Old Master Liu picked up his newspaper again, glanced at his granddaughter, and asked, "Do you have any other questions?"
Liu Feiyan stood frozen, clearly struggling to accept this outcome.
Liu Guohao then interjected, "Grandpa, isn't this a bit unfair? After all, Sister is your biological granddaughter, and this Xiao is merely..."
Before he could finish, Liu Hongguo said, "Ah, Guohao, I almost forgot. I have something to tell you."
"What is it?" Liu Guohao suppressed his anger, as the Old Master was now back in charge.
Liu Hongguo continued, "You don't have much to do right now. Starting today, you will follow Yunlong, be his assistant or a subordinate. If Yunlong has any instructions, you will follow them and make sure to serve him well."
"What did you say? You want me to be Xiao Yunlong's assistant, his subordinate? You want me to serve him?"
Liu Guohao was also stunned, his eyes wide. "Old Master, did you take the wrong medicine this morning? Or has your brain gone soft?"
Liu Hongguo's face darkened. "I'm asking you to follow Yunlong and be his subordinate for your own good. Even a sliver of what Yunlong can spare from his fingernail would be enough for you to benefit for a lifetime. Don't you..."
"You're spouting nonsense!" Liu Guohao exploded, finally losing his temper. "Who does he think he is, Xiao Yunlong? A live-in son-in-law, a good-for-nothing who lives off his wife! He wants me to be his subordinate and serve him?"
Liu Hongguo also became angry, coldly reprimanding, "Look at your attitude, your parents have spoiled you rotten. I'm telling you, Liu Guohao, if you don't agree today, I will freeze all your bank cards and impound all the luxury cars registered in your name!"
"Fine, freeze them if you want. Do you think that can threaten me? You old fool, I'm your own grandson! How can you be so heartless? I'll make you regret this one day. And you, Xiao Yunlong, you useless son-in-law, I'll make you crawl between my legs one day. We'll see!"
The dyed-hair Liu Guohao snorted, threw his hands up, turned, and strode away.
Liu Hongguo was so angry his teeth ached, leaving him speechless, his face a mask of disappointment and frustration.
This decision had been made after careful consideration the previous night. He had thought that by having his grandson follow Xiao Yunlong, he would not only gain experience but also latch onto the Town North King's powerful influence. Perhaps Liu Guohao could even achieve something in the future.
But alas, Liu Guohao was like mud that couldn't be plastered onto a wall!
At the dining table, Liu Ruyan suddenly looked up, her large, expressive eyes with their long lashes blinking at Xiao Yunlong opposite her.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Am I too handsome, or is there something on my face?" Xiao Yunlong asked.
Liu Ruyan shook her head. "I'm just wondering why Grandpa is being so good to you, almost excessively so. Could you be his long-lost grandson?"
Xiao Yunlong was speechless.