Chapter 230: Chapter 230: He Has Other Ideas

Sunxiao’s expression was as cold as ever, but anyone familiar with him could tell that today, his chilliness was laced with a murderous aura he was struggling to suppress.

"Father."

Seeing Xijing, Xiya excitedly scrambled to her feet and ran to him.

Xijing had sensed Qiao Xixi’s and Xiya’s presences moments before. As Xiya drew near, he opened his arms and scooped her up into a hug.

"Father, are you okay? How did you get hurt?"

Xiya’s heart ached seeing the injuries on Xijing’s face.

Hearing the commotion, Qiao Xixi looked up. Her eyes first fell on the unscathed Sunxiao before shifting to Xijing, who was limping, his face bruised and scraped. ’They just look like superficial wounds, though,’ she thought. ’Nothing serious.’

"Feiyan, is that the old merman you were talking about? He doesn’t look old at all. He’s actually pretty handsome..." Sangze couldn’t help but mutter.

Feiyan’s eyes were practically shooting flames. As Sunxiao drew near, he snarled through clenched teeth, "Why did you bring that merman back?"

Sunxiao said coolly, "You’re welcome to go and drive him away."

"Fine, I will!"

Feiyan snorted and strode toward Xijing.

Jin Ling looked at Sunxiao. "I’m surprised you didn’t stop him from following you back."

Sunxiao’s crimson gaze rested lightly on him. "He’s still useful."

Jin Ling couldn’t help but smile. "Sunxiao, you really have changed."

A flicker of killing intent flashed in his red eyes but was quickly suppressed.

’He really had changed. The Healing System Xixi possessed, her inexplicable ties to Sangze and that merman... All of it forced him to be more calculating. He had to figure everything out. Otherwise, he would never be at ease.’

Seeing Feiyan about to attack Xijing, Qiao Xixi quickly stepped in to stop him.

"Feiyan, Xijing protected me on the way back to the island! He means no harm."

Seeing Qiao Xixi defending Xijing, Feiyan felt utterly aggrieved. "Xixi, you’re defending him! He doesn’t just mean no harm—he has wicked designs!"

"That’s not..."

"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH..." Xijing let out a pained cough, the color instantly draining from his fair skin. He spoke weakly, "Xixi, I’m fine. It’s just a few minor injuries. I’ll be better in a few days."

"Father, but you’re bleeding so much!"

Only then did Qiao Xixi realize that several of Xijing’s wounds were still bleeding.

She pulled Feiyan away, coaxing him softly, "Don’t let your imagination run wild. If he hadn’t brought me to the island, I wouldn’t have been able to see any of you."

With that, she planted a kiss on Feiyan’s cheek. "Xiya is so scared she’s about to cry. I’m going to go comfort her, but I have something to tell you later."

The fox’s anger, more than half extinguished by Qiao Xixi’s kiss, subsided. "What did you want to tell me?"

"I’ll tell you later. I’m hungry. Go make me some grilled fish and beast meat. You make the best!"

Feiyan’s foxy eyes lit up. "Do you really think my cooking is good?"

"It’s amazing!"

"Then I’ll go make it right now!"

After pacifying the fox, Qiao Xixi turned back and pressed the medicine into Xiya’s hand. "Xiya, take this and put it on your father’s wounds. He’ll be better in no time."

Just as Xiya reached for the medicine, her father’s arm, wrapped around her, suddenly tightened. Xiya blinked in confusion.

’What’s wrong with Father?’

"There’s no need, Xixi. I’m fine. Xiya is still so young, I’m worried she’ll be scared if she sees my wounds."

Xiya’s eyes widened. ’She always helped her father whenever he got hurt before. She wouldn’t be scared!’

But as her father’s arm held her tighter and tighter, Xiya seemed to understand something.

She looked up at Qiao Xixi with wide, pitiful eyes and said, "Mama, I’m scared."

Since the cub had said so, Qiao Xixi had no other choice. But just as she was about to apply the medicine herself, a small hand took it from her.

"Mama, did you forget? I have a Healing Skill! I can treat my big sister’s father."

"Oh, that’s right. I’ll leave it to you, then, Qiaoqiao."

"No problem."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Xijing’s face, but he still said gratefully in Qiao Qiao’s direction, "Thank you, little one."

Qiao Qiao took Xijing’s hand and channeled her power into his body.

"You don’t have to thank me. You’re my big sister Xiya’s father. I don’t want her to be sad."

Qiao Xixi was so touched. ’Her little cub is really amazing.’

"MROW~!"

’Why hasn’t Mama come over yet? This cub wants a hug from Mama!’

Hearing the tiger cub’s cry, Qiao Xixi said to Xiya, "You two should come over in a bit. We’ll all eat together."

"Okay."

With that said, Qiao Xixi went over to the pelt-covered mat, picked up the tiger cub, and prepared to nurse her.

Seeing this, Jin Ling took a pelt and covered her with it.

"The little one was restless last night. It seemed like she was searching for her mother’s scent."

Watching the tiger cub nurse greedily, Qiao Xixi’s expression softened. "This little one has been with me since she was born. She’s not used to being away from me, even for a moment."

"Mm. I’ll take her from now on, so you won’t have to be so tired."

"I’m not tired."

’Qiao Xixi honestly didn’t feel tired. The little one mostly just ate and slept, so she wasn’t at the exhausting stage yet. Still, letting Jin Ling take care of her would be a good chance for the father and daughter to bond.’ 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

After nursing her fill, the tiger cub fell asleep in Qiao Xixi’s arms, limbs splayed out in every direction.

Qiao Xixi covered her with the blanket, shifted back into her human form, and sat up. From far away, she could smell something burning.

"Jin Ling, hurry and check on him! Don’t let Feiyan burn all the meat!"

Jin Ling wanted to spend more time with the mother and daughter, but he was also worried Feiyan’s enthusiasm would ruin everyone’s meal, so he got up and walked over.

Qiao Xixi glanced over and saw Sangze romping around with the cubs, while Sunxiao was leaning against a large tree, resting with his eyes closed.

She got up, walked over to the tree, and leaned against Sunxiao’s shoulder.

Sunxiao had sensed her approach. With a sweep of his long arm, he pulled her into his lap, then closed his eyes again.

"Sunxiao, what did Xijing say to you last night?"

A faint smile touched Sunxiao’s lips as his long fingers traced hers, the pressure neither too light nor too heavy.

"So you want to know?"

"I’m just curious."

’Otherwise, with Sunxiao’s personality, there was no way he would have let Xijing come back with them.’

His long finger traced a path down from the corner of her lips, finally settling and hovering over her collarbone.

"Your extraordinary nature requires more power to protect it."

Qiao Xixi was stunned. She hadn’t expected that answer. After all, when Feiyan first arrived, he’d received more than a few beatings from Sunxiao. Even Sangze hadn’t escaped a harsh thrashing.

But looking at Xijing’s injuries, it was clear Sunxiao had gone easy on him. Otherwise, there was no way Xijing would be able to trail after him like this.

"It’s like you said before. The most effective way to deal with an enemy is to snatch away the thing he cares about most."

Qiao Xixi couldn’t help but give him a thumbs-up. ’This big snake is so domineering.’

’To Sunxiao, Xijing was still useful for this matter, so he was keeping him around for the time being.’

"Xixi! Cubs! Time to eat!"

Qiao Xixi reluctantly got up with Sunxiao. The moment she sat down, Feiyan squeezed in next to her.

"Xixi, hurry and try this! I guarantee it’s the absolute best fish and beast meat you’ve ever had in your life!"