The Lin's Patriarch is weird.

Chapter 45: 45. Hong Shaoyun/Shaoling.

Lin Zhaoyue immediately beamed with delight.

"Thank you, Big Sister. You’re very beautiful too."

Zhao Moying covered her mouth and let out a soft laugh.

She reached out and gently patted Lin Zhaoyue’s head.

"What a sweet child."

Then, with a teasing smile, she glanced toward Lin Xuan.

"She’s nothing like you were when you were young."

Her amused gaze lingered on him for a brief moment before she crouched down beside Lin Zhaoxi.

"And you’re an absolute cutie."

She gently squeezed the little girl’s soft cheeks.

Lin Zhaoxi’s face instantly turned bright red.

"B-Big Sister..."

Seeing the warm interaction, Lin Zhaoyue’s curiosity could no longer be contained.

She quickly stepped forward and tugged lightly at Zhao Moying’s sleeve.

"Big Sister! Big Sister! What was my father like when he was little?"

Her bright eyes shone with excitement.

Before her regression, Lin Xuan had shared countless stories from his youth.

Even so, this was the very first time she had learned that her father actually knew Zhao Moying.

That revelation alone was enough to leave her stunned.

After all, in the years to come, the three great sects would jointly host a grand tournament to determine the Seven Dragons, the Four Phoenixes, and the Three Fairies.

Countless geniuses from across the region would gather to compete for those prestigious titles.

Among them, Zhao Moying would remain undefeated from beginning to end.

With her graceful bearing and overwhelming strength, she would eventually earn the title of the Gentle Fairy.

Lin Zhaoyue herself had also participated in that very tournament and eventually claimed the title of the Flaming Dragon.

However, that was a story for another time.

At this moment, all of her attention was fixed on Zhao Moying.

She truly had never expected that her father would be acquainted with someone who would one day become the renowned Gentle Fairy.

Zhao Moying smiled as old memories resurfaced in her mind.

"Oh, your father was quite—"

Before she could continue, Lin Xuan quickly raised a hand.

"I think we should leave those stories buried in the past."

He cleared his throat with a faint cough.

"Since we’ve met after so many years, why don’t the five of us head to the Dreaming Butterfly Pavilion? I’ve heard their pastries are quite famous."

Zhao Moying smiled knowingly.

She could already guess that Lin Xuan simply did not want his daughter hearing stories about his embarrassing childhood.

Naturally, she decided not to expose him.

"That sounds wonderful."

Ouyang Jun immediately nodded.

"I have no objections."

With that, the group began making their way through the bustling streets together.

The two little girls walked in front, happily chatting with one another, while the three adults followed at a leisurely pace.

However, before they had gone very far, a young girl suddenly stepped into their path.

She respectfully bowed toward Lin Xuan.

"Patriarch Lin."

Lin Zhaoyue’s footsteps abruptly came to a halt.

The girl before her was none other than Hong Shaoyun, she had already changed into a clean set of clothes, though her complexion was rather pale.

Even so, she forced herself to maintain a respectful expression.

"I have come under my manager’s orders. If Patriarch Lin is willing, would you please follow me?"

Lin Xuan’s expression remained indifferent.

He still remembered the killing intent Su Qingci had unleashed inside the private room.

That single action had erased any interest he had in continuing their business.

He was just about to refuse but before a single word could leave his mouth, Lin Zhaoyue excitedly stepped forward.

"Okay! Let’s go!"

She smiled brightly at Hong Shaoyun.

"Lead the way."

Ouyang Jun on the back frowned slightly.

They had already agreed to visit the Dreaming Butterfly Pavilion together.

Changing their plans simply because someone appeared out of nowhere did not sit well with him.

He was just about to voice his objection when Zhao Moying at him with a warm smile and said.

"Junior Brother, would you like to come along as well?"

The sweet tone in her voice instantly swept away the words that had reached Ouyang Jun’s lips.

He immediately nodded.

"Of course, Senior Sister, if you’re going, then I’ll come too."

Meanwhile, Lin Xuan quietly sent a voice transmission to Lin Zhaoyue.

"What are you doing? Did you already forget what Su Qingci did earlier?"

Lin Zhaoyue bit her lip.

"Father! How can you be so insensitive? Can’t you see that Hong Shaoyun is being threatened?

If we don’t go with her, she might die."

Lin Xuan answered almost instinctively.

"So what if she dies?"

Lin Zhaoyue immediately stopped walking and her small body stiffened.

She had never imagined her father could say something so cold.

Seeing her suddenly freeze, Zhao Moying walked over with concern written across her face.

"Little Yue, is something wrong?"

At that very moment, Lin Xuan also froze.

He replayed everything that had happened since entering the Blue Sea Restaurant.

His daughter had been unusually cheerful from the very beginning until she panicked after accidentally saying the wrong name.

Shortly afterward, a young girl had collapsed nearby.

Back then, he had assumed it was merely an unfortunate coincidence.

Only now did he finally understand.

Hong Shaoyun...

She was someone very important to his daughter.

A trace of guilt immediately rose within his heart.

He hurriedly sent another voice transmission.

"I’m sorry, Daughter.

Father spoke without thinking.

That was my mistake."

He paused for a brief moment before his tone became noticeably gentler.

"Can you please forgive your father?

How about this? First let’s go save your friend and then you can scold me all you want later." ƒrēewebnovel.com

Hearing those words, Lin Zhaoyue slowly raised her head.

The heaviness in her heart eased ever so slightly.

She looked up at Zhao Moying and forced a small smile onto her face.

"I’m okay, Big Sister. I just... suddenly remembered my mother and felt a little sad."

She rubbed the corner of her eye before smiling again.

"But I’m fine now."

Zhao Moying’s heart softened.

She gently rubbed Lin Zhaoyue’s head.

"Then don’t force yourself. If you’re feeling sad, it’s alright to let it out."

Lin Zhaoyue nodded obediently.

"I know."

Not far ahead, Hong Shaoyun had become visibly anxious.

When she noticed the group had stopped walking, her face gradually turned pale.

Did they change their minds?

If they failed to follow her back... she did not dare continue the thought.

Her hands had already begun trembling uncontrollably.

Just then, Lin Zhaoyue skipped over to her side.

"It’s okay, don’t worry."

Her voice was soft, yet it carried an unexpected sense of reassurance.

Hong Shaoyun looked at the little girl in surprise.

At the same time, Lin Zhaoyue quietly sent another voice transmission to Lin Xuan.

"I’ll only forgive you if you save both Shaoyun and Shaoling."

Lin Xuan blinked.

"And who is this Shaoling?"

Lin Zhaoyue’s expression became slightly complicated.

"She’s Shaoyun’s older sister and is very ill."