This dinner went by without any incidents.
The protagonist's troublesome nature didn't come into play, and the captivating Elf sister Xiya didn't attract any admirers, denying Lynn the chance to show off.
After dinner, Xiya said she would escort Little Yuna home, so she had to leave first. But before departing, she didn't forget to warmly invite Lynn to visit the Elf Kingdom, and she herself would return to host him after dealing with orphanage affairs.
However, after exiting the hotel, Lynn kept following her closely, seemingly not intending to leave at all. Xiya couldn't say much via her mouth but secretly blamed her exceptional charm in her heart.
It wasn't until she escorted Little Yuna to her front door and saw Lynn casually opening the door next to Little Yuna's house that Xiya realized she misunderstood Lynn.
He wasn't reluctant to part with her because of her beauty but was indeed on his way there...
"Lily, Sister Xiya, it's so late. Why don't you stay at my place for the night? My cousin had to return home urgently, so her room is available once tidied up."
When parting, Little Yuna reluctantly held Little Youli's hand; these two little girls of the same age always had endless things to talk about whenever they played together.
With Little Youli gone, Little Yuna was left with just her grandma at home; her parents were always busy and rarely at home, leaving her without a playmate.
"No, there are many things at the orphanage. Little Youli and I have been out all day. If we don't return, the caregivers at home might struggle to keep so many children settled."
It's not that Xiya was deliberately making excuses; she indeed needed to go back. The orphanage had a few naughty kids that only she could manage during the daytime, but at night, if she didn't return, those kids wouldn't go to sleep obediently.
"Then when will Sister Xiya and Little Youli move to Celestial Destiny City to live with us?"
Little Yuna pouted in grievance. Two months ago when they met, Sister Xiya said her orphanage was about to close, and she would bring Little Youli along to live with her for a while. But now, two months have passed, why hasn't her orphanage closed yet?
Clearly, the war orphanage in Celestial Destiny City has been closed for a long time. Why is Sister Xiya's orphanage so troublesome?
"It will be soon; there are only eleven kids left in our place."
Xiya smiled as she patted Little Yuna's head, soothing her emotions.
As the Demon Realm army that invaded Divine Protection Continent a year ago suffered a snowball-like defeat, the war orphanages across the continent haven't received any new arrivals. Moreover, the war had torn apart countless families; many families willing to adopt a child gradually recovered, causing the orphanages to scale down. Many orphanages in large cities were completely adopted out and closed for good.
Now, the Victory City war orphanage where Xiya works has dwindled to only eleven kids, including Little Youli. Once these eleven kids are adopted, she will end up unemployed, and the orphanage will promptly shut down.
"It's promised then; Lily should be given to our family, Little Yuna wants to grow up with Lily. Sister Xiya, don't give Little Youli to any other household!"
Little Yuna implored while holding Little Youli tightly, conveying her intent to take care of her, although she herself was still in the stage of being nurtured by her parents.
"But about your parents..."
Upon hearing this, Xiya started hesitating. Of course, she hoped Little Youli could go to a family with good friends, but despite her grandma being easy to persuade, her parents who were rarely home posed a significant issue.
Not only were they unwilling to have another daughter at home, but they had even suggested to her to exchange Little Yuna for a boy to adopt as a son.
Xiya immediately refused their request, stating that she was caring for war orphans, not engaging in child trafficking. If they sincerely wanted to adopt a boy, she could arrange it for them.
But to swap their own daughter for a boy...?
Not even just swapping, she couldn't let them adopt at all. Who knows if, after having a son, they might still think of sending Little Yuna away...
"What about Mom and Dad?"
Little Yuna asked, perplexed.
"Nothing, but your family isn't suitable for Little Youli to stay long-term..."
Xiya didn't want to reveal this harsh truth to the still young Little Yuna, so she spoke somewhat evasively.
"Huh? Then what should be done? Little Yuna wants to hang out with Lily all the time."
Hearing Xiya's words, Little Yuna immediately deflated like a burst balloon, losing her vigor with a pathetic expression.
"I can't really do anything..."
"What if Little Youli stays at my place then."
As Xiya was racking her brain to reject Little Yuna as gently as possible, Lynn suddenly chimed in from the doorway, pressing Xiya to swallow her words.
"Oh! That's possible! If Lily stays at big cousin's place, I can find Lily to play anytime!"
While neither the involved Little Youli nor guardian Xiya had a chance to speak, Little Yuna jumped at Lynn's suggestion first. Although separated by a garden wall, she wouldn't be able to stay with Lily constantly, but it was just a wall after all; she could easily scale it...
"Is it okay?"
Little Youli now turned to look at Sister Xiya, expressing her liking for staying with Nana. If she could play with Nana every day, she was more than willing to live next door.
Naturally, she also liked Sister Xiya a lot; if Sister Xiya could move next door to stay with Nana, that would be perfect!
"Can we... I think it's doable."
If it were during their first meeting, to be honest, she would be absolutely worried.
But now that she knows Lynn is the Hero who saved the Elf Race, Xiya's trust in him is unshakable. Anyone affirmed by the Elf King couldn't possibly be malicious; with the former king's ability, his Natural Perception could peer into demigods above level 900.
"Then Sister Xiya should go back by herself first and leave Lily with us!"
Compared to her playmate, Sister Xiya, though a familiar elf, wasn't as important. Seeing Xiya giving in, Little Yuna quickly jumped at the chance to directly claim Lily.
"How can that be? Besides, all of Little Youli's personal items are at the orphanage. If she stays directly, what will she wear after a shower?"
Xiya said, playfully flicking Little Yuna's nose. This little rascal of the same age as Little Youli was so impatient that she didn't even want to allow them time to pack.
"Lily is the same age as me, she can wear my clothes, but... Little Yuna doesn't have many beautiful clothes either..."
Originally ecstatic, Little Yuna became somewhat glum upon mentioning this. Grandma didn't have much money to buy her fancy clothes, and her rarely-at-home parents seldom bought her new clothes. In this aspect, she envied other little girls who could dress like a little princess every day.