BTTH: The Legend Of Xiu Emperor

"Xun'er, you're here," Xiao Zhan greeted with a smile as Xiao Xun'er arrived.

Xiao Xun'er nodded slightly, then her gaze shifted to Yun Xui and Nalan Yanran.

Her eyes lingered briefly on Nalan Yanran before moving to Yun Xui.

There was something oddly familiar about Yun Xui's aura, though she couldn't immediately place it.

The person wore a mask, revealing only a pair of deep, beautiful eyes.

But identifying someone by their eyes alone was uncertain at best.

While Xiao Xun'er studied Yun Xui, his gaze fell on the young girl in the purple dress.

Through the brief exchange, Yun Xui realized this girl was none other than Gu Xun'er—the person he had longed to meet.

Compared to the tiny child from four years ago, Xiao Xun'er had grown into a young lady. Though the chubby little girl had matured, traces of her former self remained.

To Yun Xui, whether she was a little girl or a young woman, as long as it was her, it didn't matter.

(TL/N: Kinda sus... But understandable.)

Neither of them spoke a word; they simply looked at each other.

Meanwhile, Nalan Yanran scrutinized Xiao Xun'er. Though her glance was brief, it was enough for her to assess her.

After some time, Nalan Yanran concluded silently, "This girl's appearance is no less than mine."

Xiao Zhan observed the silent exchange and felt puzzled but chose not to intervene.

The atmosphere in the hall grew slightly awkward. It was so quiet that the sound of falling leaves could be heard.

Eventually, Xiao Xun'er broke the silence. "Who are you?" she asked.

"Hmm?"

"You don't know him?" Xiao Zhan's heart skipped a beat upon hearing her question. Could it be that they didn't know each other?

"Xun'er, it's me," Yun Xui said softly.

He didn't remove his mask. The first person to see his face outside the Soul Clan was reserved for someone special, which is the woman he's currently looking at: Xiao Xun'er.

There were outsiders here, especially another girl, and so, he didn't want to remove it.

There was no other reason; he simply didn't want to create trouble for himself or others.

Xiao Xun'er froze upon hearing his voice.

That familiar tone triggered something in her memory, and her body trembled slightly as recognition dawned.

It was him.

It was her brother, Hun Xui.

"Brother Xui'er, you finally came to see Xun'er," she exclaimed.

Without hesitation, Xiao Xun'er threw herself into Yun Xui's arms and hugged him tightly, as if afraid he might disappear.

"Yes…" Yun Xui gently stroked her head, his voice soft. "Brother Xui'er is here, isn't he?"

"So, they do know each other!"

"It was a false alarm," Xiao Zhan thought, feeling relieved.

When he first heard Xiao Xun'er's question, he had feared they didn't know each other, which might have caused trouble.

But seeing them embrace each other, it was clear their relationship was anything but ordinary. Xiao Zhan's curiosity about Yun Xui's face beneath the mask only grew.

On the other side, Nalan Yanran frowned as she watched the two hug. For some reason, the sight made her uncomfortable.

"Brother Xui'er, why did it take you so long to come see Xun'er?" Xiao Xun'er asked curiously, still sitting on Yun Xui's lap.

At that moment, Xiao Xun'er was finally certain that her brother Hun Xui had come to see her.

This wasn't a dream—it was real.

She also realized that she couldn't reveal Hun Xui's identity in the Xiao family. After all, the Xiao family's current decline was closely tied to the Hun Clan.

So, she addressed him as Brother Xui'er rather than Brother Hun Xui.

Yun Xui patted Xiao Xun'er's head and said, "Something happened in the clan, so I couldn't leave until now. Xun'er doesn't blame me, does she?"

Had he removed his mask, one would have seen the gentle smile on Yun Xui's face.

"No, how could Xun'er blame Brother Xui'er? I'm just so happy you came to see me," Xiao Xun'er replied with a bright smile.

"Such a good girl," Yun Xui remarked, pinching her cheek lightly.

Four years had passed. The chubby cheeks from her childhood were gone, no longer as bouncy as before.

But even so, the sensation was uniquely her own.

Despite having her face pinched, Xiao Xun'er showed no displeasure. Instead, she looked joyful and satisfied.

After all, the one pinching her cheek was her beloved Brother Hun Xui, whom she had missed day and night.

No one else could do this—only her Brother Hun Xui.

Over the years, she had often dreamt of him pinching her cheeks, and now it was finally happening.

Four years later, it still felt just as she remembered.

"Brother Xui'er, why are you wearing a mask?" Xiao Xun'er asked, looking into his eyes with curiosity.

"Well..."

Yun Xui hesitated, unsure of how to explain.

He couldn't exactly say, "Xun'er, I'm too handsome. My father was worried I'd cause trouble if others saw me, so he made me wear a mask."

Yun Xui could imagine how ridiculous that would sound.

Even though it was the truth, no one would believe it.

After all, who would think being too handsome was a valid reason to wear a mask?

Unless they saw his face with their own eyes, most people wouldn't believe such a thing.

"Guess," Yun Xui finally said with a smile, choosing to keep the truth to himself.

"Guess?"

Xiao Xun'er tilted her head and began to think seriously. Suddenly, inspiration struck her.

"I know!" she exclaimed.

Her voice turned playful, almost as if channeling a detective. "Brother Xui'er must be really handsome now. You're afraid your handsomeness will cause trouble, so you're wearing a mask!"

"That's right," Yun Xui said with a chuckle.

He was delighted that Xiao Xun'er had guessed the truth.

Xiao Zhan, seated above them, overheard their conversation and rolled his eyes. Yun Xui must be joking. Does he ever look in a mirror?

At that moment, a young boy dressed in black entered the hall.