After chatting for a while longer, the two returned home together.
Seeing Qin Hanchu’s return, Xinxin eagerly asked, "What did my dad talk to you about?"
"Your uncle asked me to take you as my sworn sister, and I’ve already agreed."
"From now on, you have to call me big brother. Understand?" Qin Hanchu said with a smile.
"I don't believe you," Xinxin scoffed.
"Hanchu is telling the truth. From now on, you are Hanchu's sworn sister," Situ Guangtao said seriously.
Xinxin stared blankly at Situ Guangtao, "What do you mean? Is this adopting a godson?"
"Each to their own. You are sworn siblings. It has nothing to do with us."
"What kind of kinship is this? I don't acknowledge it," Xinxin grumbled, wondering about this method of becoming family. Her parents hadn't adopted a godson, but she had gained a sworn brother.
"Listen to your father," Madam Situ said.
Xinxin felt something was off, but couldn't quite place it. Jin Hailu and Lin Ying were also puzzled, wondering what Situ Guangtao was up to. Xinxin dared to talk back to her father but not her mother. She pouted in frustration and remained silent.
After the banquet ended, Xinxin led Qin Hanchu and the other two to the guest rooms. On the way, Xinxin stared at Qin Hanchu and asked, "Tell me the truth, what did my dad say to you?"
"That's a secret!" Qin Hanchu replied with a smile.
"Why did he ask you to be my sworn brother?" Xinxin pressed on.
"He wants me to take better care of you in Island City. Your uncle is really thoughtful."
Xinxin glared at Qin Hanchu, still feeling that something wasn't quite right, but she couldn't articulate what. After settling Qin Hanchu and the other two, Xinxin returned home.
Once Xinxin had left the courtyard, Jin Hailu asked, "Is there something going on?" Lin Ying also looked at Qin Hanchu curiously.
"It's nothing. Your uncle was worried about what happened last time, so he asked me to look after you," Qin Hanchu replied.
The next day.
After breakfast, Qin Hanchu and the other two followed Xinxin to play in the back mountains. The mountain forest was very primitive, teeming with animals and beasts. The Situ family regarded this place as their clan's training ground. All youths who reached fifteen years of age had to live alone on the mountain for a week. Xinxin had also survived there alone.
During their outing, the four even encountered a fierce tiger. The tiger was extremely powerful, requiring at least an eighth-rank cultivation to contend with. Of course, this tiger had been tamed. Although they would attack the younger generation of the Situ family, they wouldn't kill them. Their presence was merely to enhance the sense of danger.
At noon, the four happily returned to the village. It was Madam Situ's birthday, and many relatives had come to celebrate. Since Qin Hanchu had saved Xinxin, these relatives treated him with great courtesy. The atmosphere within the Situ family was very good, one could describe it as harmonious and joyful.
After lunch, Qin Hanchu proposed to leave. This was actually Situ Guangtao's wish. The Situ family's disaster could arrive at any moment, so he hoped Qin Hanchu and the other three would depart quickly.
That afternoon, Qin Hanchu and the other three rushed back to Island City. As soon as they returned home, Qin Hanchu made a casual excuse and left.
After walking out of the residential complex, Wantong appeared beside Qin Hanchu and asked, "Any instructions?"
"Send people to keep an eye on the Situ family. If they are in danger, notify me immediately." Qin Hanchu felt good about the Situ family, and they were also Xinxin's family. Since he knew they were in trouble, Qin Hanchu wouldn't stand idly by. However, their opponent was a Grandmaster, so Qin Hanchu couldn't help them openly.
"Understood. I'll arrange a private jet to be on standby," Wantong said.
"Alright, nothing else," Qin Hanchu smiled.
Wantong then said, "Next week, there's an auction in Lushan Prefecture. Do you want to attend?"
"Are there any good items?"
Wantong nodded, "According to the auction information, there will be a thousand-year-old wild ginseng and a hundred-year-old dragon bone grass."
Qin Hanchu's eyes lit up. These two medicinal ingredients were exactly what he needed. By refining them into pills, Qin Hanchu's strength could advance further. Grandmasters were already at the pinnacle of the martial arts world. However, Grandmasters were divided into four minor realms. The current Qin Hanchu was only at the middle stage of the Grandmaster realm. Of course, his realm was already considered the ceiling in the martial arts world. There were fewer than three cultivators at the late stage of the Grandmaster realm in the entire world. And these three were all old fellows with their necks deep in the earth. Despite their terrifying strength, they dared not act rashly. Each time they made a move, they were one step closer to death. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them clinging to their last breath.
"Alright, get me a qualification," Qin Hanchu said.
Wantong nodded and turned to leave.
Just as Qin Hanchu was about to return to the complex, Xue Lingxian happened to walk out.
"Hello, classmate Qin," Xue Lingxian waved sweetly.
Qin Hanchu smiled, "Hello."
"Where is classmate Lin Ying? You two are inseparable, aren't you?" Xue Lingxian smiled.
"She's at home. I came out to handle some business," Qin Hanchu replied.
Xue Lingxian came closer to Qin Hanchu, and a faint fragrance made him feel comfortable.
"Classmate Qin, I have a question for you," Xue Lingxian asked sweetly.
"What is it?"
"Did you and Lin Ying sleep together?" Xue Lingxian glanced around, then lowered her voice with a slight blush.
"Ah!" Qin Hanchu was taken aback by such a personal question. He coughed and said, "No. Strictly speaking, we aren't lovers yet."
"I understand!" Xue Lingxian smiled.
"I'm going home now. It's time to cook."
Hearing Qin Hanchu say he would cook, Xue Lingxian smiled, "Can I come to your place as a guest? We're classmates, you wouldn't refuse, would you!"
A moment later, Qin Hanchu brought Xue Lingxian back home. Seeing Xue Lingxian, Lin Ying and the other two showed expressions of surprise.
"Hello everyone, I'm here to mooch a meal," Xue Lingxian said with a bright laugh.
Qin Hanchu then said, "She also lives in the complex. We bumped into each other."
"Welcome to our home. Please, sit," Lin Ying smiled.
"And this sister is?" Xue Lingxian recognized Lin Ying and Xinxin, but it was her first time meeting Jin Hailu.
Xinxin said meaningfully, "This is Sister Hailu, and she is Qin Hanchu's fiancée."
Xue Lingxian was stunned. "Two fiancées?"
"Strictly speaking, two of them. There are still six fiancées I haven't met," Lin Ying smiled.
Xue Lingxian looked at Qin Hanchu in shock. This guy was that suave? Seeing Xue Lingxian's curious gaze, Qin Hanchu quickly explained, "The engagements were arranged by my master. Although there are engagements, it doesn't mean I'll marry all of them."
"I get it. So you're holding onto them, and then you'll pick the one you like best."
"Your master is really good to you," Xue Lingxian said with a smile.
Qin Hanchu felt a bit awkward. "You all chat. I'll go cook."