Chapter Nineteen: A Teacher Falls from the Sky

When Xuan Xuan awoke, it seemed already to be lunchtime. She rubbed her still-drowsy eyes and looked at the person before her—what was he doing waiting by her bedside for no reason? Before Xuan Xuan could speak, Wanqi Lianhao gently smoothed her hair, then picked up the clothes laid out nearby and began dressing her.

Xuan Xuan felt a mixture of pity for her own misfortune and frustration at her lack of resistance; after all, how many days had it been? She had already grown accustomed to having a grown man help her get dressed. She pursed her lips—well, since he was so practiced and gentle, she would let it go. Or perhaps, was she actually starting to enjoy being cared for by this new father?

With a soft yawn, Xuan Xuan found herself fully awake after the bustle of washing up. Forced to drink a glass of water, she finally sat down at the breakfast table—though, really, it was lunch.

The tiny buns lay before her, plump and round like burgeoning jade chrysanthemums, petals tightly wrapped, about to unfurl. The broth was clear and delicate, rich without being greasy, bursting with flavor. She’d heard these were called crab-roe soup dumplings. Xuan Xuan found herself growing ever fonder of this new father, if only for the spread of delicious food he set before her.

Once she was full, she lazily nestled into Wanqi Lianhao’s embrace.

“Xuan Xuan, take a look at this.” Wanqi Lianhao produced a bottle from nearby.

Xuan Xuan examined it closely. The transparent material—wasn’t this a bottle made of light crystal? Containers like this were used for high-grade potions. So, these existed here too? She averted her gaze; bottles like these were stacked in piles in her mage’s tower. Having just eaten, she wasn't particularly interested.

Seeing her disinterest, Wanqi Lianhao frowned and brought the base of the bottle closer to her. Wait, this looked familiar. Why did it seem a bit like hers? Xuan Xuan looked more closely, running her fingers along the base—wasn’t that her name? Had she misplaced it somewhere, only for her doting father to find and return it?

Wanqi Lianhao took the bottle from her hand. “Xuan Xuan, who gave this to you?”

What did he mean by that? Xuan Xuan stared at Wanqi Lianhao in confusion.

He sighed, tapped on his smart device, and played the recording from that morning. Xuan Xuan watched as the seedling grew, was destroyed, and then tossed into a spatial rift. So, she’d been found out? She rolled her eyes internally. The Federation was really annoying—no matter what she did, they knew everything.

Wanqi Lianhao turned off the video. “Xuan Xuan, who taught you these things?”

Of course it was her teacher! But Xuan Xuan remained silent. Wasn’t she supposed to be nonverbal? Why did this doting father keep asking questions?

“Xuan Xuan, do you know about the Volcano Elixir?”

He knew about that too? Xuan Xuan gave Wanqi Lianhao a glance.

Seeing her reaction, Wanqi Lianhao was certain she knew. “Xuan Xuan, do you know who made the Volcano Elixir?”

Of course it was her. So, they didn’t know? She stifled a yawn and buried her head in Wanqi Lianhao’s arms, choosing to remain silent. It was probably best not to say anything—the more she said, the more she risked exposing.

Seeing Xuan Xuan growing sleepy, Wanqi Lianhao could only smile wryly. She was so young—even if she knew something, she probably couldn’t explain it, and besides, she had never spoken a word. He was being too hasty.

He lifted Xuan Xuan and carried her back to the bedroom, instructing a robot to look after her, then left and contacted Wanqi Yi. “Father.”

It was clear Wanqi Yi was still in his study. “What is it?”

“I’ll send you a video to watch,” Wanqi Lianhao said; at a time like this, words felt far too inadequate.

Wanqi Yi glanced at his son and accepted the video. It was short—just over a minute—but Wanqi Yi watched it for more than ten, replaying it several times. His throat felt dry, and he coughed lightly before saying, “Is this real?”

Wanqi Lianhao nodded heavily. It wasn’t just his father who found it hard to believe—he himself did as well. After all, this was just a six-year-old girl. Anyone else manifesting these ten abilities would seem more plausible than Xuan Xuan.

“How many people know about this?” Wanqi Yi asked after a moment’s silence.

“Only Yi Qiong and I. I just asked Xuan Xuan; it seems she knows about the previous potion and the origin of the Volcano Elixir.”

Wanqi Yi nodded. “I’ll transfer another team from the Black Domain to support you.”

“But, Father, shouldn’t we investigate who taught her?” Wanqi Lianhao asked.

Wanqi Yi looked at him. “Not only will we not investigate that, but once you return to the Imperial Star, if Xuan Xuan has no aftereffects, we won’t look into the origin of the previous potion or the Volcano Elixir at all.”

“Why, Father?” Wanqi Lianhao was puzzled.

Wanqi Yi sighed. “We’ve become too used to observing from within our own walls. Someone who can elevate an F-grade physique to D-grade, enable breakthroughs past S-level psychic strength, and teach Xuan Xuan nine different abilities—can you imagine who could do such a thing? If such a person truly wished her harm, even if I were by her side, I couldn’t guarantee her safety. Do you really think you could find out anything by investigating?”

Wanqi Lianhao was silent.

“Pay close attention to Xuan Xuan’s health. I’m still worried about potential aftereffects,” Wanqi Yi said.

“Yes,” Wanqi Lianhao replied, then added, “In that case, perhaps we shouldn’t transfer more people. The more eyes we have, the more attention will be drawn.”

“That’s precisely why I want attention. My granddaughter isn’t someone they can just bully as they please.” Wanqi Yi snorted coldly. “Do they really think I’m a toothless old tiger? The Black Domain’s team should reach you by tomorrow. Let them be wary.”

“Yes, Father.” Wanqi Lianhao ended the call, instructed Yi Qiong to stop investigating the previous incident, and sighed softly.

In her bed, Xuan Xuan’s ears twitched under the covers. As soon as Wanqi Lianhao left, she used her psychic power to eavesdrop. So, she wouldn’t have to come up with an excuse after all? They’d already provided one for her—a mysterious, powerful teacher who didn’t exist.

She let out a quiet sigh of relief. In truth, she disliked having to deceive them; she could see how much they cared for and protected her, and she couldn’t bear to lie to them.

She curled her lips into a smile. What a fortunate outcome.

P.S. Recommendation: check out the main site’s “Schoolyard Flower Thief” by b00kid 22.