"Brother Xie Xie—!"
Following the cheerful, high-pitched voice was a young girl with sapphire-blue hair tied into adorable buns. Her face was still round with baby fat, and two deep dimples appeared whenever she smiled. This was Xu Xiaoyan.
She sprinted across the foyer, her eyes locked onto Xie Xie with pure, unadulterated joy.
"Xiao Yan, slow down! Don't trip," Jiang Yun and Xie Xie called out simultaneously, both stepping forward to meet her.
"I won't fall! Xiao Yan isn't a big dummy," she pouted playfully, though she didn't slow her pace. She skidded to a halt beside Xie Xie, her smile radiant. "But this whole month... Xiao Yan really, really missed Brother Xie Xie."
"You missed him that much?" Jiang Yun asked with a chuckle, looking at the sweet girl.
"Auntie, what Xiao Yan said is the truth! Purer than pearls!" Xu Xiaoyan declared with mock solemnity, causing the adults to burst into laughter.
"It's true, Xiao Xie," Lin Yue, Xiaoyan's mother, added as she and her husband approached. "While we were in Tianhai City, she talked about you every single day. Whenever she saw something delicious or a cool toy, her first thought was always, 'I have to bring this back for Brother Xie Xie!'"
Xu Jiang, Xiaoyan's father, watched his daughter's devotion with a mix of pride and a heavy, "doting father" sigh. His daughter was only six, yet she already seemed to belong to another family. However, his mood improved when he looked at Xie Xie. Innate Full Soul Power, a future peak powerhouse, and the son of my best friend... if they get married, it would be the perfect union, he thought.
"Xiao Xie, Auntie knows you've awakened as a genius. When you grow up, you must protect our Xiao Yan well," Lin Yue said, her eyes twinkling with intent.
"I will, Auntie," Xie Xie nodded firmly.
"Brother Xie Xie is the best to me," Xu Xiaoyan added, her expression determined. "He'll protect me, and... I'll work hard to become a powerful Spirit Master so I can protect him too!"
"Brother Xie Xie...?"
A soft, melodic voice drifted from the hallway. Everyone turned to see Na'er standing there, rubbing her sleepy amethyst eyes. She looked at the crowded living room, her gaze eventually landing on the blue-haired girl clinging to Xie Xie's arm.
"Na'er, you're awake," Xie Xie said, stepping forward to bridge the gap. "Xiao Yan, this is Na'er. She's... she's my family now."
He then turned to Na'er. "Na'er, this is Xiao Yan. We grew up together."
The room went quiet. The Xu family stared at Na'er, stunned by her ethereal beauty. Even Lin Yue was speechless. How on earth did my friend 'pick up' a child this gorgeous? I want one too!
Na'er looked at Xu Xiaoyan. Her gaze was initially guarded, a hint of ancient territorial instinct flickering in her eyes. But then, Xu Xiaoyan moved.
"So you're Na'er!" Xiaoyan chirped, her eyes widening in delight. "You... you're so pretty!"
She bounced over to Na'er, her excitement as palpable as a kitten discovering a treat. "How can a girl be this cute?"
"Uh... not really..." Na'er murmured, her guard instantly shattered by the genuine praise. Her cheeks turned a bright pink as she looked down at her feet, her previous wariness replaced by intense shyness.
"What do you mean 'not really'? You're being too modest!" Xiaoyan giggled and reached out to grab Na'er's hands. "Brother Xie Xie already introduced us. I'm Xu Xiaoyan. Let's be friends—no, best friends!"
"Best... friends?" Na'er looked at their joined hands, then at Xie Xie. He didn't nod this time; he simply gave her a warm, encouraging smile, letting her know the choice was hers.
"I'm willing," Na'er whispered, a small smile finally gracing her lips.
"Hooray! Then we're friends now, and we'll become best friends later, just like with Brother Xie Xie!" Xiaoyan cheered.
"No, it's different..." Na'er shook her head softly, a touch of quiet determination in her voice.
"It does feel different," Xiaoyan agreed thoughtfully. "Na'er, how old are you? I still have half a year until my Awakening Day. Am I older?"
"Auntie says I have two months until I'm officially six," Na'er replied.
"So you are older! In that case, you're the Big Sister, and I'm the Little Sister!" Xiaoyan declared.
"I can be... a Big Sister?" Na'er asked, her eyes lighting up with a sense of responsibility she had never felt before.
"Of course, Sister Na'er!"
The two girls sat on the sofa together, quickly lost in their own world of hushed giggles and shared secrets. The parents watched them, relieved and heartened. It seemed the "Childhood Sweetheart" and the "Girl from the Sky" weren't going to be rivals—they were going to be inseparable.
A few days later, Sunday arrived.
Xie Xie stood before the grand entrance of the Donghai City Blacksmith Association. While Mang Tian was an excellent teacher for foundations, Xie Xie knew he needed a higher perspective to fully utilize his "Unrivaled Forging" talent.
The Association President, Mu Chen, was an eight-grade Saint Craftsman and one of the finest teachers in the federation.
He walked up to the sleek front desk, his expression calm and professional.
"Hello, little brother. Are you lost? Who are you looking for?" the receptionist asked with a kind smile.
"Hello," Xie Xie replied, his voice steady. "I have an appointment. Please inform President Mu Chen that Xie Xie has arrived."
The receptionist's smile faltered for a second. An appointment? With the President? She looked at the six-year-old boy again, noticing the undeniable aura of confidence he carried.