"Sister Ahuan, are we going to stay at Wangshu Inn tonight?" Yaoyao tilted her little face, which was as pink as a delicate peach blossom, and held Lin Huan tightly with her little hand. Her clear eyes were flashing with a mixture of novelty and excitement, just like a little deer that was jumping around and full of curiosity about the world.

At this time, the afterglow of the setting sun is like a soft and delicate golden yarn, slowly draped over the eaves and corners of Wangshu Inn, making the inn seem like a beautiful building that has leisurely emerged from an ancient mysterious painting, exuding a unique charm of warmth and solemnity. The reeds around the inn swayed in the breeze, making a rustling sound, as if whispering about the past that has been sealed by time.

"That's right, Yaoyao, let's stay at Wangshu Inn tonight and set off back to Qingce Village tomorrow." Lin Huan's eyes were like the gurgling spring water, gentle and peaceful, with a faint smile on the corner of her mouth, as pleasant as the breeze. She slowly squatted down, looked at Yaoyao at eye level, gently combed Yaoyao's slightly messy hair with her hands, and then took Yaoyao to the platform on the first floor of Wangshu Inn and slowly walked up the stairs to the second floor.

The innkeeper, Phil Godette, came out from behind the counter with a big smile on his face and said warmly, "Welcome, both of you. Miss Lin's room has been cleaned and is still in the same place."

Lin Huan bowed slightly and responded politely: "Thank you, boss. Thank you for your hard work."

Yaoyao blinked her big watery eyes and said crisply, "Thank you, big sister."

Philgodette laughed out loud at Yaoyao's cute appearance: "This little girl is so well-behaved!"

Lin Huan held Yaoyao's hand and walked upstairs, his steps were light and slow, and he went straight to his room. Along the way, Yaoyao was like a chatterbox, constantly throwing out all kinds of novel questions, and Lin Huan patiently answered them one by one, with a warm smile on his face all the time, like the warm sun.

Arriving at Lin Huan's room on the third floor, Lin Huan took out the key, gently opened the door, and smiled as he let Yaoyao in. Seeing Yaoyao screaming in surprise at the neatly arranged bookcases and desks in the room, Lin Huan just smiled dotingly without saying anything.

"Sister Huan, this room..."

"This is also my sister's room, Yaoyao." Lin Huan smiled and gently touched Yaoyao's head, then turned to the desk and gently put down the luggage. "Yaoyao, take a rest first, and then go to the third floor with my sister for dinner. The food is cooked by Chef Yanxiao and tastes very good."

The winter night breeze brought a hint of coolness, gently blowing across the terrace on the third floor of Wangshu Inn, making people feel comfortable and cozy. Yaoyao sat at the table, her cheeks bulging from eating, just like a cute little hamster, and she was still mumbling indistinctly: "Delicious! So delicious!" She looked so cute, as if she was a corner of the purest and most beautiful painting in the world. Lin Huan didn't eat much, so he finished his meal quickly. At this time, he was sitting quietly on the chair closest to the railing, staring sideways at the downstairs. Occasionally, a few warm lights flickered on the road at night. The Lantern Festival was approaching, and Liyue Harbor was bustling. The prosperous atmosphere spread like ripples, and even the area around Wangshu Inn was tainted with a bit of a lively atmosphere.

Xiao appeared beside her silently like a shadow, as if he had telepathic connection with her.

"Ahuan." Xiao called softly, his voice cold but with a barely perceptible gentleness.

"Xiao." Lin Huan turned to look at him, paused for a moment, a playful and teasing smile flashed in his eyes, "This year's Lantern Festival... I think with that child here, Xiao Shangxian's Lantern Festival shouldn't be lonely. As for me, I have to accompany this little Yaoyao back to Qingce Village to celebrate the festival. She is Grandma Ping's disciple, and I promised her before, so I can only say sorry to you."

“Ah Huan!” Xiao seemed to be slightly startled, and coughed lightly. There was an imperceptible ripple in his golden eyes, and he nodded slightly, “It’s okay, since you have made this decision, just follow the agreement. On my side, I am just pacifying demons and exorcising monsters as usual.”

His voice was still cold, but it seemed to have a subtle softness hidden in the cold, like a faint warm flame in the cold night. After saying this, Xiao looked up at the night sky, where the stars were twinkling, just like the subtle and complex thoughts deep in his heart spreading across the sky.

“Xiao…” Lin Huan did not look away, but stared at him quietly, his eyes full of concern and worry, “Tell me the truth, what is the situation with your karma?”

"Don't worry. You know that I have been taking medicine according to the prescription of Master Ge Chenlangshi over the years. Although the karma has been suppressed, it rarely breaks out. You can go to Qingce Manor with peace of mind. I will take good care of myself." Xiao looked at Lin Huan intently, with one hand gently resting on the back of the chair behind her. His posture was calm and reassuring.

At this moment, when Yaoyao heard the master's name, her ears instantly stood up like a kitten, and she put down her chopsticks and raised her head.

"Sister Huan, are you talking about my master..."

Lin Huan breathed a sigh of relief. After hearing Yaoyao's words, a gentle smile appeared on his face. He said softly, "Little Yaoyao, come and meet him. This is the hero who protects Liyue that your master often mentioned to you, the Great Demon Sage Xiao."

When Yaoyao heard this, her eyes immediately lit up like stars, and she stared at Xiao with admiration and curiosity. She quickly stood up from her seat, stood straight, and respectfully saluted Xiao. She said in a clear voice: "Yaoyao greets the immortal Xiao. Master often tells me about the immortal's heroic deeds in exorcising demons. It is really a great blessing for Yaoyao to see it with my own eyes today." Her little face was filled with pure joy, and her expression was as if she had met a great hero in a myth. She was excited but also a little shy and timid.

Xiao lowered his eyelids slightly and looked at Yaoyao, the cold edge in his eyes softened a little. He gently raised his hand, indicating that Yaoyao didn't need to be polite, and his tone was still cold, and he said slowly: "No need to be so polite, since you are Grandma Ping's disciple, you should concentrate on practicing, and maybe you can contribute to Liyue in the future." In his short words, he was full of earnest expectations and kind advice for the younger generation.

Lin Huan watched their interaction quietly, with a gratified smile on her face. She stood up, walked to Yaoyao, gently put her hand on Yaoyao's shoulder and patted her, saying softly: "Yaoyao, Xiao Shangxian has never liked those red tapes, so don't be too restrained." Then, she turned to look at Xiao and said: "Xiao, Yaoyao is a very smart child, kind-hearted, and talented in cultivation."

Xiao nodded slightly and responded, "That's the best. I hope she can stick to her original intention and not be confused by the troubles of this world." After that, his gaze shifted to Lin Huan, "You must be careful on your way to Qingce Manor. If you encounter any evil things, just call my name." Although there was still a hint of alienation in those golden eyes, the concern was obvious.

Lin Huan felt warm in his heart, and the corners of his mouth turned up as he smiled, "With what Immortal Xiao said, I feel much more at ease. I'll have a good chat with you when I come back."

Yaoyao blinked her big eyes, looking at Lin Huan and then at Xiao, as if she wanted to imprint this scene deeply in her heart. She whispered, "Sister Huan and Xiao Shangxian have such a good relationship, just like me and my master."

After hearing what Yaoyao said, Lin Huan couldn't help but smile. Xiao's stern mouth corners also twitched slightly, as if the ice had cracked, and a trace of warmth seeped out quietly. His cold face seemed to be softened by these innocent words.

"It's getting late, and we still have to travel tomorrow, so you should go to bed as soon as possible." Xiao's voice was gentle and indifferent, like the gurgling of a mountain spring.

Yaoyao heard this and nodded very obediently, looking like a docile little bird. She first said good night to Xiao and Lin Huan softly, then skipped down the stairs to the second floor and went back to her room to rest. Her light footsteps seemed to carry endless energy and vigor.

Lin Huan nodded slightly, then raised his eyes to look at Xiao, his eyes full of concern: "Xiao, you are responsible for the protection. Although you can keep Wangshu Inn peaceful, you must not overwork yourself. You must remember to take care of yourself and not lose your vitality by exorcising demons."

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