Su Xingchen felt it particularly deeply. He remembered how he used to coax his wife, and he never expected them to be so consistent on this matter. Could it be that they were truly twins?
Feng Nianxing endured for a month, and before reaching Xingyu City, he couldn't help but ask Xingyuan, "A Yuan, do you still remember that you are a girl?"
Xingyuan was making a cute little pony, preparing to coax her elder sister again. Hearing Feng Nianxing's words, her expression didn't change at all, she just said indifferently, "I know."
"Then you still..." Feng Nianxing was truly worried like an old father. When did the child he raised with his own hands grow up like this? It seemed a little bit off.
Xingyuan finally stopped what she was doing, looked up, and said with a serious face, "But no one said I couldn't like girls!"
"This... is not logical." After a long pause, Feng Nianxing finally managed to say that.
"Besides, your grandfather won't agree."
"This is my business, and he doesn't need to agree. Moreover, haven't I found my elder brother? It's enough to have my elder brother in Xingyu City from now on, and I also want to do something I want to do." This was what the original host had always wanted to say but never had the chance to. Now, she said it for her.
Feng Nianxing was silent. He had always felt guilty towards this child. However, the older generation's thinking made it difficult for him to accept. In the end, he decided to pass this difficult problem to Old Master Xing.
After a strict inspection outside Xingyu City, the group was welcomed by the citizens lining the streets.
Once they finally reached the Xing family's territory, Feng Nianxing arranged accommodations for them, while Xingyuan took Su Xingchen to see Old Master Xing.
Su Xingchen looked a little nervous, unsure if he would be welcomed.
The moment Xing Yuya saw Su Xingchen, he was instantly moved to tears. After so many years, this child was still alive and well, and now he had returned to the Xing family. It was truly a blessing from heaven!
Su Xingchen stood stiffly as Xing Yuya hugged him, his hands unsure where to rest. He hadn't had family for many years.
"Child, welcome home!" Xing Yuya's lips trembled slightly, all his emotions contained in this one sentence.
Su Xingchen nodded vigorously.
After the grandfather and grandson were reunited and had a moment of emotion, Xing Yuya began to discuss business.
"A Yuan, how did the talks with those people go this time?"
"Hmm, they broke down!" Xingyuan said indifferently.
"What happened?" Xing Yuya's expression became solemn.
"They started fighting at the slightest disagreement. Instead of expecting to negotiate, it's better to change our approach," Xingyuan briefly summarized the situation.
"You want to... No!" Xing Yuya flatly refused.
"Grandfather, I've already discussed it with someone. We will only be responsible for some supporting roles, providing them with other forms of support. The general trend of the world is that only one side can win to achieve lasting peace."
Xing Yuya hesitated, then turned to ask Su Xingchen, who had just been found, for his opinion, "A Chen, what do you think?"
Su Xingchen was a bit bewildered. What did this have to do with him?
However, he had learned a lot during this period and at least understood one principle: war was unavoidable.
"I think A Yuan is right. The world has become more chaotic. Even if we stand by and watch now, I'm afraid that when one side wins, they won't let us off. In that case, it's better to take a gamble and make an investment."
Xing Yuya sighed, turned away, and said, "Fine! Since you both think so, then so be it! I'm tired, you can both leave! The Xing family will eventually be handed over to the two children, so it's not impossible to delegate power early."
"Yes!" The two responded in unison.
Outside, Su Xingchen couldn't help but smile at Xingyuan, "Our opinions are rarely unified this time!"
"Mhm!" Xingyuan also smiled.
"Then you should go back and prepare. This time, we will definitely go to the battlefield."
Su Xingchen's heart was filled with passion. It seemed that the opportunity he had been waiting for might be within reach.
Xingyuan didn't care what he was thinking. After fulfilling her promise to her elder sister to rebuild another Ruoxi Pavilion for her, she re-entered her room.
"I know," Fang Xiyue replied calmly. She had heard about the situation outside and had no mood to perform opera now.
Xingyuan looked disappointed, it seemed her elder sister didn't like the gift she had given her.
"Elder sister, there's a secret I want to tell you. Promise me that after you know, you won't ignore me!" Xingyuan looked at Fang Xiyue nervously. Then, as if remembering something, she quickly added, "If you don't promise, I won't tell you."
Fang Xiyue nodded gently. She was curious about what secret could make her so serious.
"Actually, I'm a girl." Xingyuan's voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum, somewhat afraid to look at Fang Xiyue. This was the first time she had kept such a big secret from her elder sister.
Fang Xiyue stood up and carefully examined Xingyuan with a shocked expression. Xingyuan was tall, and if she hadn't confessed herself, Fang Xiyue would never have realized they were of the same gender.
"Why?" After asking, Fang Xiyue felt a little foolish. Why else, but because it was more convenient for men to be out and about.
"Aren't you angry, elder sister?" Xingyuan looked up, gazing at Fang Xiyue, clearly sensing more shock on her face.
"Angry!" Perhaps because she had been deceived before, and because Xingyuan had given her some warnings recently, Fang Xiyue strangely felt a sense of "I knew it."
"Then, how do you plan to handle our relationship?" Fang Xiyue took a deep breath, trying to remain calm without any personal emotion.
"Mmm, of course, it will be the same as before. Are you planning to abandon me and be irresponsible?" Xingyuan's expression was accusatory, as if she would cry if Fang Xiyue dared to reject her.
Fang Xiyue was silent. Could she marry a girl now?
Xingyuan seemed to hear her thoughts and comforted her, "Elder sister, don't worry. After the war is over, I can be with you forever. If you're afraid of gossip, I can pretend to be a man my whole life."
"That's not what I mean," Fang Xiyue's heart was in a panic. She never cared about such things. "It's just that I think I need to think about it myself. So, you should go back first! Don't come to me for a while."
Xingyuan's expression instantly became mournful. "Sister still wants to abandon me, right? You promised me you wouldn't ignore me."
"No!" Fang Xiyue softened slightly. "Then come back in two days. I really don't know what to do right now." How to face you, who suddenly transformed from a boy into a girl.