Strategy to Capture Men

Xinya had come here today to speak to Patriarch Han, but thanks to the sheer number of people flocking around him, she had no chance to come forward.

A little worried, she thought hard. Bringing Tang Ke to a seat, she gave him some juice and dessert and instructed him not to run about. Then she went to look for someone from the fourth master's family branch.

Since she hadn't been in contact with her cousin for a long time, she thought that she might find someone to introduce them.

A family gathering like this was mostly about catching up, being solicitous, and forging relationships. Since they were all blood-related, it was a little warmer and more easy-going than if they were entertaining outsiders. Xinya made a circle through the room, but saw none of those familiar relatives who had only just greeted her. Those that she saw were deep in animated conversation, and she was reluctant to interrupt.

When she was at a loss, a footman in uniform came up and asked, "May I ask if you are Miss Lin Xinya?"

"The patriarch has invited you to his study."

He had specifically sent for her. It made Xinya nervous and uneasy. She hesitated before following the footman, quietly leaving the banquet hall and eventually arriving at the study.

Tang Ke finished his dessert, drank two glasses of juice, and realized that he had to go to the bathroom. He asked a passing waiter for its location and went by himself, but when he came back to the entrance of the banquet hall, he didn't see his mother. There were a lot of A and B-class spirit users here, with a few S-classes sprinkled in, so it would be impolite to use his spiritual power to search for her. He could only use his eyes.

He searched for awhile, but couldn't find her and guessed that she must have gone to take care of something. He knew very well that his mother had brought him here to the Han family for the sake of his school and his future, to ask her cousin for help.

She hadn't said so, but Tang Ke could feel that this "asking" was very embarrassing for her. But she had still gone, for him.

Tang Ke had been shuttling between home and hospital with his mother the last few years, and had never attended such a grand banquet as far as he remembered. His mother had been very busy as well, and hadn't taught him what to do and how to behave in such an arena. Although he wouldn't make a fool out of himself, he felt out of place.

He quietly stepped out to find somewhere calmer.

The mansion was much like a maze. After wandering around for a short while, he felt like he shouldn't go any further, so he turned and made his way back.

"Hey, you." He heard someone calling, turned and saw the little angel.

Her dress was so beautiful that it seemed to glow. She bent, patted his head, and asked, "Who are you? I've never seen you before."

Tang Ke was a pre-teen, not quite a child and not quite a teenager, but thanks to his family circumstances, he was much more precocious than other children the same age. His face flushed at being treated as a little kid.

"I..." He panicked, trying to recall the genealogy his mother had taught him, and recited, "My great-grandmother was married into the Fourth Master's family. My name is Tang Ke, and I came with my mother. "

Such kinship made Han Yanyan have to hide a smile.

"Oh, so you're my cousin," she said. "Hello, Xiao Ke, I'm your cousin Han Yanyan."

She treated him just as gently as the last time around, and soon gained Tang Ke's trust. The two found a stairway, sat and talked for a while.

"Dongchen? I go there. Everyone who's anyone goes to Dongchen," Han Yanyan said. "There are lots of brothers and sisters who're here who go there too. Xiao Ke, you should come too."

Patting his hair, she said, "Dongchen is the best school with the best teachers and the best mecha. If you want to be a great mecha pilot, you've got to come to Dongchen."

If he went to Dongchen, could he go to school with his cousin? Tang Ke yearned to do so, but he knew that if he wanted to go, his mother would have to ask his uncle. He didn't know whether she would succeed or not, so he hesitated.

"Don't worry," said his beautiful cousin. "I'll tell my father. Leave it to me."

Not only was his cousin beautiful, but she was kind, too. How could there be such a wonderful person in the world? She must really be an angel, Tang Ke thought.

"Cousin," Xinya greeted softly upon entering the study and seeing that broad figure.

Thank you for your offer, but I want to live a life out in the open, and I don't wish to be someone's mistress. You don't need to take care of me.

How many years had it been since then? Yet wasn't she still walking up to him and calling him "cousin"?

Patriarch Han was standing at the French windows. He turned to look at Xinya. In his distant eyes, it seemed as thought she was still that girl from back then.

The first time they met, she had been an adorable little girl in a fluffy skirt, just like a rabbit, lost in the courtyard and crying as she walked. He had still been a young boy then and found her both cute and interesting.

If you keep growing up like this, you'll be a beauty in the future, he had thought.

Since she was a distant relative, they didn't meet often. Every time they did, she had grown up.

From an exquisite child to a charming girl. Every single time, he had been stunned.

Now the little rabbit of the past was back. The years had etched their lines between her eyebrows. Her edges and corners were gone, and obediently, she had returned to him.

"Xinya? Long time no see," he said.

He stepped away from the window and walked toward her.

Every step made Xinya shiver.