Chapter 1310: Xiao Kang in Love
Bai Xue wasn't wrong; her words had indeed piqued Yang Haoran's interest, and his interest was, in fact, quite strong.
Under Yang Haoran's questioning, Bai Xue held nothing back, telling him everything she knew.
It turned out that not long ago, Bai Xue had stumbled upon this matter. At the time, she was somewhat surprised, as in her mind, Xiao Kang had always been just a little kid. She never expected that in the blink of an eye, he would already be in a relationship, with a girlfriend no less.
Of course, while there was surprise in her heart, it wasn't overwhelming; mostly, it was genuine happiness for Xiao Kang.
Xiao Kang, on the other hand, wasn't quite so happy. He felt nervous and shy, immensely awkward, like a child caught red-handed doing something wrong by their parents.
Perhaps it was precisely because of his many considerations and concerns that he hadn't announced this matter. He just hadn't expected that despite his utmost caution, Bai Xue would still stumble upon it.
To prevent more people from finding out, Xiao Kang asked Bai Xue not to reveal it. According to Xiao Kang, once everyone knew, he would feel incredibly embarrassed. He planned to wait until the time was right before explaining the situation to his family—by "family," he naturally meant Yang Haoran, his mother, and those who had been with Yang Haoran from the very beginning.
Although Bai Xue didn't quite understand Xiao Kang's reasoning, she knew he must have his own considerations and concerns, so Bai Xue readily agreed to his request at the time.
In Bai Xue's opinion, this was no big deal; the ugly daughter-in-law would eventually have to meet her in-laws. Moreover, Xiao Kang held Yang Haoran in such deep respect, practically viewing him as a father. Therefore, in Bai Xue's eyes, telling Yang Haoran about it wasn't a problem at all; Xiao Kang certainly wouldn't blame her for it.
After Yang Haoran learned about the matter from Bai Xue, he was filled with emotion, marveling at how quickly time truly passed.
Upon returning to his study, Yang Haoran summoned Shui Ling and assigned her a task.
Several days later, Shui Ling respectfully delivered a stack of documents into Yang Haoran's hands.
After reading through the documents, Yang Haoran's brows furrowed slightly, as if he had encountered something troubling. After a brief hesitation, he took out a Communication Talisman, whispered a few words into it, and then activated the talisman.
Half a day later, Xiao Kang arrived at Yang Haoran's study and met with him.
Xiao Kang had now grown from the little kid he once was into a handsome young man with a tall, straight physique and refined features. Under Yang Haoran's arrangement, he had become an Emissary of Death. While young Emissaries of Death weren't unheard of, they were certainly rare. His ability to achieve this rank at such a young age was due to his own strength and capabilities, but naturally, Yang Haoran's connection also played a crucial role. Without Yang Haoran, whether he would even still be alive was an unknown, let alone becoming an Emissary of Death for the Underworld Office.
"Uncle Yang, are you looking for me so urgently because you have some important task to assign me?"
Inside the study, Xiao Kang asked Yang Haoran with a smile. At that moment, only Yang Haoran and Xiao Kang were in the room, so he didn't address Yang Haoran as "God Emissary," but rather affectionately called him "Uncle Yang," his demeanor naturally unreserved.
Since Yang Haoran and Xiao Kang shared no blood relation, even though Xiao Kang had followed Yang Haoran since childhood, Xiao Kang's appearance bore no resemblance to Yang Haoran's. However, there was one striking similarity between Xiao Kang and Yang Haoran: the smile on Xiao Kang's face.
When Xiao Kang smiled, his eyes narrowed into slits, giving off a gentle and warm impression. Yet, if one observed closely, they might sense that something else seemed to be hidden beneath that kind smile.
This was the commonality between his smile and Yang Haoran's. The difference lay in Yang Haoran's smile being serene and unshaken by events, conveying a sense that everything was under control. Xiao Kang's smile, however, had not yet reached that level.
The Communication Talisman Yang Haoran had activated half a day earlier was sent directly to Xiao Kang. Upon receiving it, Xiao Kang dared not delay, immediately dropping his urgent tasks to rush back and see Yang Haoran. The reason it took him half a day was that the city where Xiao Kang was currently stationed was neither particularly far nor particularly close to Lecheng. Even with the ability to tear through space, it still required half a day's journey.
Facing Xiao Kang's smiling inquiry, Yang Haoran gestured for him to sit down. Once Xiao Kang was seated opposite him, he calmly smiled and spoke.
"Heh heh, are you used to things in Honghai City yet?"
Yang Haoran asked with a light smile. Xiao Kang nodded gently in response.
"Heh heh, at first, I was indeed a little unaccustomed to it, but after getting familiar with things for a few days, I've completely settled in."
Xiao Kang spoke with a smile. Yang Haoran nodded gently after listening, then thought for a moment before continuing.
"Although you are not old, you have been with the Underworld Office for quite some time. And having been immersed in it since childhood, you've seen and learned a great deal, which is why your abilities far surpass your age. It is precisely because of this that I dared to entrust Honghai City to your care. I believe you have the capability to manage Honghai City well."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Kang immediately expressed his utmost loyalty, promising Yang Haoran with a smile, "Uncle Yang, rest assured, I will definitely manage Honghai City meticulously and live up to your expectations."
Since the conversation had reached this point, Xiao Kang seized the opportunity to report on his recent work to Yang Haoran, detailing all the achievements he had made lately.
Yang Haoran did not interrupt Xiao Kang from beginning to end, but instead quietly smoked his cigarette, listening to Xiao Kang's report with a smile. Only when Xiao Kang finished his report and fell silent did he chuckle softly.
"Heh heh, very good. You only need to continue maintaining this, and you will certainly achieve even more astonishing results. I trust my judgment is not mistaken, and I believe you will not disappoint me."
At this point, Yang Haoran's voice paused slightly. Without waiting for Xiao Kang to express his loyalty again, he continued with a smile.
"Heh heh, I hear you've recently started dating someone?"
The moment Yang Haoran uttered these words, the smile on Xiao Kang's face froze, immediately followed by an embarrassed expression.
"How did Uncle Yang know about this?"
Xiao Kang was somewhat surprised, a little puzzled, and also a bit nervous. Then he immediately thought of something, and a look of sudden realization appeared on his face.
"Did Sister Xue'er tell you?"
Xiao Kang's tone carried uncertainty, but in his heart, he felt his guess was correct, because besides Bai Xue, he couldn't think of any other possibilities for the time being.
Yang Haoran didn't hide it, instead nodding with a smile.
"Heh heh, you guessed right. Your Sister Xue'er told me. When a man grows up, he should marry; when a woman grows up, she should marry. You're a normal man; it's perfectly natural to be in a relationship at your age. There's no need to be secretive about it. Wouldn't it be better to be open and upfront? You could also receive your family's blessings, couldn't you?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Kang's expression grew even more awkward, as he fidgeted, looking thoroughly embarrassed.
"I would like to, but she is quite afraid of your prestige, Uncle Yang, so she hasn't mentally prepared herself yet. I understand completely; after all, in our Ninth District, Uncle Yang, you are like a god. She's naturally timid, so it's perfectly reasonable for her to be intimidated by you. That's why I haven't forced her, lest she think I'm overbearing."
Xiao Kang offered his explanation. Yang Haoran simply smiled without speaking. Fearing his explanation might not satisfy Yang Haoran, Xiao Kang continued to elaborate.
"I'm already counseling her psychologically, and I believe it won't be long before her inner fear is cleared. At that time, I will definitely bring her to meet Uncle Yang at the first opportunity, and incidentally, ask Uncle Yang to take a look and see if she's a good match for me."
Xiao Kang wore a shy smile. Yang Haoran, hearing him, said with a chuckle.
"Whether she's suitable for you, I believe you understand that better than I do. Even if I were to take a look for you, what difference would it make?"
Yang Haoran's words made Xiao Kang quite embarrassed; his face flushed, and his smile grew even more bashful.
"Heh heh, your status is different. When choosing a partner, you must thoroughly investigate their background. Be sure not to be deceived by anyone, or else you'll be deeply hurt."
Yang Haoran said with a smile. Xiao Kang nodded in agreement, but judging by his reaction, he didn't seem to take Yang Haoran's words seriously.
"Uncle Yang, please rest assured. I've already investigated her background, and it's perfectly clean. If there were even the slightest issue with her background, I wouldn't have gotten involved with her."
Xiao Kang reassured Yang Haoran, appearing absolutely confident in his girlfriend.
Yang Haoran simply nodded, not saying anything further on the matter. Since he had no other arrangements, Xiao Kang bowed and left, heading to find his mother.
Since he had returned to the Guardian District, regardless of the reason for his return, as long as he wasn't burdened with an urgent task, Xiao Kang would always go to see his mother, Xiujuan. This time was no exception, which clearly showed how much Xiao Kang cared for and respected his mother, Xiujuan.
Currently, Xiujuan still handled all the household chores at Yang Haoran's residence, serving as his housekeeper. She was delighted to have Xiao Kang back; even though it hadn't been long since their last meeting, to Xiujuan, every day felt like a year. She thought about her precious son constantly, harboring many unexpressed worries, fearing that her darling son might be bullied or encounter danger outside.
Although Xiao Kang was young, his strength was far from weak. Within the ranks of Emissaries of Death, he might not be among the strongest, but he certainly wasn't at the lowest tier. Yet, even so, Xiujuan, as a mother, still couldn't put her mind at ease. Especially when Xiao Kang departed the Guardian District, she would openly display her worries and reluctance to part with him on her face.
No sooner had Xiao Kang left than Xiujuan received a summons from Yang Haoran.
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