"Ran'er, have you ever…" Xiao Man wanted to show Yue Ran the portrait of Lan Ruoxian, to see if Yue Ran had ever seen her mother, but she was afraid of alerting her. After all, Yue Ran was the young master of the Heavenly Sword Sect, and according to her deductions, the person who abducted her mother was likely the sect leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Yue Tianxia.
"Ever what?"
"Nothing, Ran'er. Tell me about your parents. What were they like in your eyes?" Su Dan Fiction Network
"Why would Second Brother suddenly ask about this?"
"I've never met my mother. She was abducted not long after I was born. My father raised me alone. He was naturally protective. No matter what mistakes I made, he always thought they were others' fault, which spoiled me rotten. I dared to slap anyone, regardless of who they were."
"Then you're even more of a troublemaker than I am?"
"Exactly," Xiao Man said with a smile. "Every day, I'm either causing trouble or on my way to cause trouble. My father, however, would tirelessly clean up after me, dealing with the messes. Yet, he never complained. What about your father?"
"My father was very strict with me. Once I made a mistake, I would be punished according to the sect rules and locked up on Reflection Cliff. It was freezing cold on Reflection Cliff, and he wouldn't allow anyone to bring me food. I was cold and hungry inside. Even though I knew I was wrong, he wouldn't let me out until the punishment period was over."
"He was quite heartless then."
"He was very heartless. Once, I lost control and injured someone. He beat me with a hundred disciplinary whips and locked me on Reflection Cliff. I almost froze to death. If my mother hadn't forced her way onto Reflection Cliff and brought me out, I would have died. Later, my mother made me clothes with Fire Fox Silk. They were impervious to water and fire, and from then on, I was no longer afraid of being locked up on Reflection Cliff."
"Your mother treated you very well."
"Yes, my mother treated me very well." Yue Ran said with a smile. "All parents in the world are the same. They hope their sons become dragons and their daughters become phoenixes. She was no exception. But I didn't want to compete or strive, and ultimately, I disappointed her."
Xiao Man sat leaning against the wall, his legs bent and hugged to his chest.
"I really want to know what kind of person my mother was. My father said my mother was the best and gentlest woman in the world. My aunt said my mother was a bad person, but I don't believe her. Because she herself is a big villain, a big villain who persecuted her own sister and killed her own clansmen. While my mother was giving birth to me, she seized her mother's position as clan leader. My mother had to flee with me. On the way, my mother was captured by villains and her whereabouts have been unknown ever since. She also left me a team of guards. They all said my mother loved me very much."
"I believe your mother must have loved you very much."
Hearing this, Xiao Man unconsciously reached out and rubbed Yue Ran's head. "I don't know why, but the first time I saw you, I felt a sense of closeness, as if I had seen you somewhere before."
"Does Second Brother feel the same way?" Yue Ran asked, overjoyed. "I do too. The first time I saw Second Brother, I felt a sense of closeness, as if we had known each other for a long time."
"This is probably what they call 'hitting it off at first sight.'"
"Second Brother, please stay. Stay at the Heavenly Sword Sect, stay by my side," Yue Ran pleaded. "As long as Second Brother is by my side, I will feel at ease, and I don't even know why."
"I don't know how long I can stay here. I still have to find my mother. My mother is still somewhere, waiting for me to rescue her."
Yue Ran straightened up. "Second Brother, I can help you find your mother."
"You don't even know who my mother is or where she is, how can you help me find her?" Xiao Man asked with a smile.
"The Heavenly Sword Sect's influence spans the Cang Xuan Continent. If you try to find someone alone, it's like searching for a needle in a haystack. But if the people of the Heavenly Sword Sect help you, it will be much easier. Perhaps you'll find your mother's whereabouts soon." Yue Ran said excitedly. "Do you have a portrait of your mother?"
Xiao Man slowly shook his head. "No, but my father said I look very much like my mother."
Yue Ran carefully observed Xiao Man's face. His features were exquisite, and his skin was delicate. He couldn't help but reach out and trace Xiao Man's face, his eyes filled with an unexplainable emotion. After a moment, he withdrew his hand and coughed somewhat uncomfortably.
"Second Brother's mother must be a great beauty."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because Second Brother is the most handsome person I've ever seen." Yue Ran's eyes sparkled. "Second Brother, do you really not have a sister?"
Xiao Man flicked Yue Ran's forehead with his finger. "Why do you ask such a foolish question again? Didn't I tell you already?"
Yue Ran suddenly leaned close to Xiao Man's ear. "Because, I think, Second Brother must have a sister as beautiful as a celestial being."
Xiao Man pushed Yue Ran's head away. "What, if I had a sister as beautiful as a celestial being, would you be able to snatch her away?"
"Of course!" Yue Ran said with absolute certainty. "Second Brother's sister is mine! I want to make her my wife!"
Xiao Man tutted. "You're still young, and instead of cultivating properly, you're thinking about getting married all day. No wonder your father beats you."
Yue Ran huffed. "My birthday is coming soon, and I'll be an adult then. Once I'm an adult, my father will think about arranging a marriage for me. He'll definitely choose a young lady from a noble family with status and background for me, but I only want the person I desire."
"The person you desire?"
"Second Brother's sister." Yue Ran said with a smile. "When will Second Brother introduce his sister to me?"
Xiao Man shook his head helplessly. "Don't be ridiculous. I've already told you, I don't have a sister. My mother only gave birth to me."
"What a coincidence, my mother only gave birth to me as well. My father, however, has many sons and daughters." Yue Ran said with a grin. "By the way, Second Brother, when is your birthday?"
"The ninth day of the ninth month."
"My birthday is the same day?" Yue Ran exclaimed with joy. "Indeed, my connection with Second Brother is not shallow; even our birthdays are on the same day."
"We aren't born in the same year, same month, and same day, so what's so surprising?" Xiao Man asked, amused.
"Although we weren't born on the same year, month, and day, we can die on the same year, month, and day."
"Pah!" Xiao Man immediately spat at Yue Ran. "How old are you to be thinking about death? Besides, I'm only twenty. I haven't lived enough, and I don't want to die!"
"I was just kidding." Yue Ran linked arms with Xiao Man. "Since our birthdays are on the same day, let's celebrate together. Second Brother, do you have a wish for your birthday?"
"Wishes cannot be spoken. If you speak them, they won't come true."
"Tell me, and I will do my utmost to fulfill it for you!" Yue Ran said, patting his chest with conviction.