She looked over with a probing gaze, "Sister, did something happen to you today?"
Shu Bei's expression was open and honest, "What could happen? I think we're both about to be adults, and it's not appropriate for us to sleep together anymore. We need our own private space."
Shu An hummed, "I see. Sister, you want private space, and you have secrets you don't want me to know."
Shu Bei: "..." Heh, as expected of her sister, she guessed right!
Without changing her expression, she lied, "No, I'm giving you private space. Wouldn't it be better for you to decorate the room to your liking?"
Shu An raised an eyebrow, knowing exactly what was going on, but she respected her sister's wishes, "Okay, so should I move, or should you move?"
"You move... no, maybe I should move." Shu Bei desperately needed to keep busy so she wouldn't think about today's events, and moving was a good choice.
Even though it was just moving to the empty room next door, Shu Bei moved her things to another room, back and forth.
Shu An and Xia Xia watched her go back and forth, and a thought simultaneously crossed their minds: something's not right! Her sister definitely has a big secret!
Shu An rubbed her chin. Something must have happened today to make her sister so unusual. Should she ask someone about it?
Wen Te and Shu Yue had no objections to the sisters deciding to sleep separately. Their children were growing up, and they were happy as long as they were happy.
"Children, come for dinner~" Shu Yue brought the dishes to the table.
After moving her things, Shu Bei also forced herself to calm down, pretending nothing had happened. The family ate dinner together harmoniously.
Meanwhile, the dinner table at another household was much more serious.
Xue Hua was a little agitated, "Xiao Si, you've really decided to go out and train?"
Xiao Si responded calmly, "Yes, Mother. I want to become stronger, stronger than the Dragon Beasts!"
Da Ke felt his son's ideas were a bit extreme and disagreed, "Father agrees with you going out to train, but I don't want you to have this goal. Winged snakes and dragon beasts are different species; it's unlikely you can surpass them. Xiao Si, don't get fixated."
Xiao Si nodded, "Don't worry, Father. I'm just saying that. I think I still have room for improvement."
Da Ke stared at his son for a while, then nodded, "As long as you understand. It's not a bad thing for young people to go out and train more. Father approves of you going."
Hearing this, Xiao Si smiled, "Thank you, Father."
Xue Hua was worried about her child's safety, but beastmen were never raised in comfortable nests, so she couldn't say anything to stop him.
After dinner, Xiao Si returned to his room and stared blankly at the wall, his dark pupils emitting a faint glow. He had lied to his father. He absolutely had to be stronger than the Dragon Beasts; otherwise, how could he compete for Xiao Bei?
...
The next morning, Shu An took a letter from Xiao Si, "Brother Xiao Si, why didn't you give it to Sister yourself?"
Xiao Si replied unnaturally, "I made her angry, so please give it to her for me, An An."
Shu An agreed, but she was a little surprised. Xiao Si, who was always obedient to her sister, could also make her sister angry?
Xiao Si thanked her, "An An, thank you."
Shu An waved her hand, "It's just a small thing." She ran back home.
Xiao Si gazed for a long time in the direction she went. That was his goal to strive for!
After a long while, he turned and left. Except for the City Lord and his family, no one knew he was leaving today.
Shu Bei, who received the letter, was still angry about yesterday's events and didn't open it. She put the letter aside and only opened it two days later. But it was too late; he was already gone.
The happiest person was undoubtedly Long Rui. With Xiao Si gone, he could slowly cultivate a relationship with Xiao Bei~
However, Wen Te wasn't much happier. After finally getting rid of one of his elder daughter's suitors, his younger daughter wanted to participate in a matchmaking festival herself?
What if that pack of wolves scared his daughter!
He was earnestly trying to persuade her, "An An, it's not fun there. Why don't you stay home?"
Shu An was an obedient child, but she was also opinionated. On one hand, she really wanted to go, and on the other hand, she didn't want to worry her father, so she chose a compromise, "Can my brother accompany me?"
"Your brother? That's fine too." Wen Te felt that with his son's strength, protecting his sister wouldn't be a problem.
Therefore, on the first day of the matchmaking festival, Shu Bei, whom all the young males were anticipating, did not appear. Instead, Shu An appeared.
The males were flattered. Oh my goodness, did this mean they all had a chance to pursue Shu An?
It was only the first day, and the matchmaking festival had already gathered a massive number of single males. Shu An stood beside her brother, feeling that her father was right. These males were terrifying!
Shu Ke personally accompanied them, frowning at the scene, which felt a bit like choosing a commoner prince consort for a princess.
The siblings couldn't stand it and slipped away in less than half a day.
Shu An was scared away before she could even see everyone clearly, "Forget it, the matchmaking festival isn't fun at all. I'm never going again!"
Shu Ke affectionately stroked her head, "An An, your idea is right. When you're older, your brother will help you find a suitable beastman; you won't have to look yourself."
Shu An shook her head to get rid of his hand, slightly disdainfully saying, "Then forget it. I'll find my own!"
Shu Ke: "..." Fine, he'd discreetly vet them.
Shu An only stayed for half a day and then left. Life returned to its usual calm.
Shu Bei appeared to be the same as always on the surface, but only she knew that something was missing and something else had been added.
Long Rui visited home very frequently. Shu Ke turned a blind eye, as he was a future brother-in-law. For Ruan Ruan's sake, he could let it slide a bit.
Correspondingly, Long Rui had the same idea. Ya didn't stop him at all. Only A Man stubbornly held onto the bottom line of a father. However, his family wasn't cooperating, his precious daughter was siding with outsiders, and the youngest son was useless. He was truly frustrated!
After the matchmaking festival ended, Shu An and Xia Xia were strolling on the street, wanting to buy a pair of shoes. The trading street was much more prosperous now than it was ten years ago, with more variety.
There were not only clothes and shoes for sale but also various snack stalls and small restaurants.
Long Xia Xia was young, but she had a big appetite. Her mouth hadn't stopped since they came out. Shu An ate a bite from time to time, her cheeks plump, attracting frequent glances from passersby.
"An An?" Yin Chuan was buying something and turned to see Shu An in the crowd, holding her sister's hand as they strolled down the street.
Shu An heard her name and waved to the person approaching, "Brother Yin Chuan, are you buying something too?"
Yin Chuan smiled and replied, "Just the two of you?"
"Yes, just the two of us." Shu An looked up at Yin Chuan.
Yin Xiao's good looks were universally acknowledged. As his younger brother, Yin Chuan had grown up and was just as handsome as his brother. Many young females in the city blushed when they saw him.