...
At this point, Xuanhao looked at Na'er, his gaze softening and deepening:
"Just like you."
"In the past, you would be very happy as long as I could be by your side, even if it was just talking to you."
"But what about now?"
"If you see me getting even a little close to other girls, or even just exchanging a few more words with them, you'll get angry, jealous, and think I don't love you anymore."
"Why?"
"Because you want more."
"You're no longer satisfied with just being there for someone; you want to possess them, to be the only one."
Upon hearing this, Na'er's face flushed instantly, like a kitten whose secret had been exposed.
She lowered her head guiltily, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes with both hands.
"That's human nature."
Xuan Hao did not blame her; he simply stated a fact calmly:
"Being greedy and taking an inch and then a mile is an instinct ingrained in everyone's bones, and no one can avoid it."
"However, the ability to control this desire is the biggest difference between people."
"Once desires get out of control, they become a raging flood that will devour everything."
"Just like eating something delicious."
Xuan Hao picked up a delicate pastry from the table and waved it in front of Na'er:
"If you eat just a little bit every day, or eat it every few days, you'll find it absolutely delicious and you'll be happy every time you eat it."
"But if you're greedy and eat ten or a hundred dollars' worth of food a day, or even skip meals and only eat this..."
"Then you'll quickly find it boring, and you might even get sick of it and feel nauseous."
"At that time, what was originally beautiful will turn into torment."
"Feelings are the same."
Xuan Hao looked at Na'er, then at Dugu Yan who seemed lost in thought, and said earnestly:
"Anything in excess is as bad as nothing at all."
"Getting too close can not only suffocate people, but also make it easier to hurt each other."
"Only by maintaining an appropriate distance and giving each other some space can this relationship last and retain its initial beauty."
"Like two hedgehogs, if they want to keep warm, they can't hug each other too tightly, otherwise they will only prick each other."
A brief silence fell over the room.
Na'er lowered her head, seemingly processing what she had just said.
Dugu Yan looked at Xuan Hao with a complicated expression.
She never expected that this guy, who usually seemed so unserious, could say such philosophical things.
and...
He makes a lot of sense.
"elder brother..."
Na'er raised her head, her purple eyes filled with a hint of confusion, but even more so with determination:
"Na'er understands."
"Na'er doesn't want to become a greedy and bad child, nor does she want her brother to hate her."
"From now on... if my brother is busy or has to spend time with other sisters, Na'er won't make a fuss anymore."
"As long as... as long as brother remembers to come back and find Na'er, that's enough."
Seeing the little girl's sensible and heartbreaking appearance, Xuan Hao's heart softened.
He reached out and pulled Na'er into his arms, gently patting her back:
"Good girl."
"As long as you behave well, your brother will always be yours."
"and..."
Xuan Hao's lips curled into a mischievous smile as he leaned close to Na'er's ear and whispered:
"Actually, I was just lying to you."
"For someone you truly like, like my Na'er..."
"Don't even mention having me all to myself, even if you wanted to tie me to your waistband, I'd be happy to."
"Really?" Na'er's eyes lit up.
"Of course it's fake!"
Xuan Hao laughed heartily and lifted Na'er up in one swift motion, as if he were lifting a kitten:
"If you really tie me to your belt, wouldn't I become a mere accessory?
How embarrassing!"
"Ugh! My brother lied to me again!"
Dugu Yan leaned quietly against the sofa, watching Xuan Hao lift Na'er high in the air, making the little girl giggle.
In her dark green eyes, there was a complex light that she had never seen before.
This guy... is truly a mystery.
He's clearly full of nonsense, and he seems to be riddled with flaws—greedy, lustful, mercenary, and a scoundrel… Logically, such a person should be very annoying.
Ironically, these flaws combined in him don't make him seem greasy or repulsive; instead, they exude an indescribable... authenticity and nonchalance.
He's like a rogue who walks the line between right and wrong, openly bad yet reassuringly good.
He can express his desires without any concealment, yet he can also hold fast to the bottom line that others may not be able to uphold.
He can scheme against people so thoroughly, yet he can also make them willingly submit to his schemes and even thank him.
He had mastered this art of playing hard to get, giving a slap followed by a sweet treat, and switching effortlessly between reason and emotion—a skill he had perfected to an art form.
"Alright, that's enough fun and excitement."
Xuan Hao put Na'er back on the sofa and clapped his hands.
"Now, it's time to get back on track."
"Cultivation is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind.
I've been indulging in pleasure for almost a month now, and my bones are practically melting.
If I don't work harder now, how will I suppress those unruly old guys in the future?"
"Go eat first; filling your stomach is the most important thing."
Xuan Hao straightened his clothes and casually said as he walked towards the door:
"After dinner, you can go back to the hotel to rest, or go shopping if you like.
I need to go out alone to the Crown Prince's residence to see His Highness the Crown Prince."
"Looking for the Crown Prince?"
Na'er peeked her little head out from the sofa, her face full of confusion and wariness:
"What does my brother want with him?
Isn't he a man? Do you want to become his live-in son-in-law?"
"puff--"
Dugu Yan, who was drinking water, spat it out.
Xuan Hao stumbled and nearly fell flat on his face.
He turned around and glared fiercely at Dugu Yan.
Without a doubt, it was this woman who had corrupted him.
"What utter nonsense!"
I'll go deliver a gift to him!
Xuan Hao curled his lip.
"After all, I took so many benefits from her and fooled her completely.
If I don't give her some sweetness, that Crown Prince will probably keep an eye on me and wonder every day if I'm trying to trick her."
"Of course we have to send it."
Dugu Yan wiped her mouth and said gloatingly, "to prevent people from turning their love into hatred."
"Get out!"
...
After lunch, Xuan Hao, without any others by his side, leisurely arrived at the Crown Prince's residence.
The guards of the Crown Prince's residence had obviously received orders and dared not obstruct this "influential figure" in Tiandou City.
They respectfully led him to the study.
Inside the study.
The familiar sandalwood scent remains, and so does the gentle and refined Xue Qinghe.
However, when Qian Renxue saw Xuan Hao push the door open and enter, her hand, which was originally reviewing memorials, visibly trembled, and her brows instantly furrowed into a deep frown.
What brings you here?
Qian Renxue put down her pen, looking at the uninvited guest with some wariness:
"You come to my door on your own initiative? That's not like you."
"Tell me, what disaster have you caused this time?
Did you demolish the mansion of some noble family?
Or did you make the little witch of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School cry again, and now I have to clean up her mess?"
Hearing this pitifully practiced three-part interrogation, Xuan Hao couldn't help but roll his eyes and pull out a chair to sit down.
"Your Highness, is this how you perceive me?"
Am I the kind of person who only causes trouble?
"Yes," Qian Renxue answered decisively, without the slightest hesitation.
"..."
Xuan Hao was momentarily speechless, then waved his hand dismissively:
"Come on, Your Highness."
"Don't you think that even if I really caused some terrible disaster, would I come to you to settle things?"
"Although you are the Crown Prince, Heaven Dou City is not a place where you can make your own decisions.
If something serious happens, I will definitely run back to Spirit City to get reinforcements as soon as possible!"
"I think the teacher would be happy to send two Title Douluos to rescue me."
"you!"
Qian Renxue was furious.
This bastard really knew how to bring up the most sensitive topics.
"Then what are you doing here?"
Qian Renxue took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to throw this bastard out, and sneered:
"If they didn't come for help, then they must be here to ask for money?"
"What? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is such a huge gold mine, isn't that enough for you to dig up?
You're trying to extort this poor prince again?"
"Vulgar! So vulgar!"
Xuan Hao shook his head in anguish, his face bearing an expression that said, "You think too highly of me."
"Am I, Xuan Hao, the kind of person who only cares about money?"
Am I the kind of Pixiu that only takes in and never gives out?
"I'm here today to fulfill my promise."
"A promise?" Qian Renxue was taken aback.
"Didn't I say before?
As long as Your Highness treats me well and serves me... cough, makes me happy, I'll get you some good things in return."
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