Chapter 206 - 208: Older Woman-Younger Man Romance?

Chapter 206: Chapter 208: Older Woman-Younger Man Romance?

Upon hearing this, the Black Bear Beastman lowered his eyes and knelt. "I was incompetent. I failed to find the Black Bear Foster Mother."

"You didn’t? Then what are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you not to come see me unless you found her?"

Hearing this, Xi Yi’s leisurely demeanor vanished in an instant. His eyes narrowed, and he shot the man before him a sharp glance as his hand whipped up a gust of wind, about to strike.

’The Black Bear Beastman felt a surge of indignation. ’The Young Master said to report even the slightest clue, but now he’s telling me not to show my face if I can’t find her. He’s so fickle!’

But he could only grumble about it internally.

Seeing the Gale Palm about to strike, he hurriedly blurted out, "Wait... wait! Young Master, I have other news for you!"

Xi Yi glanced at him and lowered his hand with a wave. He shot the man a glare. "Fine. I’ll give you one more chance."

Twirling the blade of foxtail grass in his mouth, he said nonchalantly, "Go on. What did you find out?"

The Black Bear Beastman hastily recounted everything he knew. "I’ve learned that the Black Bear person you met on the road, Young Master, is the son of the Madam’s Black Bear Foster Mother."

"Her son?" Xi Yi toyed with the foxtail grass in his mouth, a smirk in his voice. "So that makes them brother and sister?"

"And the Black Bear Foster Mother wants this brother and sister to form a Contract Totem?"

’It seems this foster mother wasn’t all that good to Su Luoluo,’ he mused. ’Sounds like she was just raising a child bride for her own son.’

The Black Bear Beastman shook his head and corrected him. "He’s not her older brother, he’s her younger brother. That Black Bear is younger than you, Young Master."

Upon hearing this, Xi Yi shot the Black Bear Beastman a cold look, his voice turning sinister. "Are you tired of living?"

"I wouldn’t dare, Young Master," the Black Bear Beastman said, shrinking back.

"Hmph! So what if she’s older? He’s a good-for-nothing who was about to kick the bucket on the side of the road. If I hadn’t found him, he’d have died even faster."

The Black Bear Beastman rubbed his nose, thinking to himself, ’That wasn’t saving him, Young Master. You were just bored.’

’After fighting with your father, you ran away from home. It just so happened that guy was headed to the same place the Heavenly God said the Heavenly Destiny Girl would be, so you just took his identity.’

’A romance with a younger man?’

The more Xi Yi listened, the more sour he felt. ’So what if he’s young? A younger guy can’t possibly be as mature and charming as an older one. He’s just an unripe cub.’

After saying his piece, Xi Yi paused for a moment before asking, "What’s the age difference?"

"Five years."

Xi Yi grew pensive. He flicked the blade of grass a few times, then said slowly after a long pause, "Change my age."

"What? What do you mean, Young Master?" The Black Bear Beastman was taken aback.

’What’s this about suddenly changing his age?’

Hearing this, Xi Yi shot the man beside him a cold glare. "What do you think I mean?"

"Oh, I understand! I’ll go to White Bear Mountain at once and find a way to change the age of the Black Bear Foster Mother’s son to be the same as yours, Young Master," the Black Bear Beastman said, finally catching on as he hastily wiped the sweat from his brow.

But as soon as the words left his mouth, he was met with another dark glare. "And you think changing *his* age like that would seem normal?"

’It wouldn’t be normal, but he didn’t dare suggest the Young Master change his own age.’

’The Young Master couldn’t be the one to compromise, so others had to compromise for him.’

The Black Bear Beastman gulped. The sweat he had just wiped from his forehead started beading up again. "It is a bit..."

"Change mine. From now on, I’m eighteen."

"Huh?" The Black Bear Beastman swallowed the words he was about to say. He looked up in astonishment after processing what the Young Master had said.

’Can he really do that?’

’Isn’t this a little... shameless of the Young Master?’

’An old man trying to act young... The Madam should be able to see right through it.’

"What’s with that look of surprise? Do I look that old to you?"

The Black Bear Beastman instantly shook his head like a rattle. "No, no! You’re dashing and debonair, Young Master, how could you possibly look old? You could pass for sixteen, let alone eighteen!"

Xi Yi frowned at that. "Let’s not go with sixteen. That’s too green. Still wet behind the ears."

"Then eighteen it is! Eighteen is perfect," the Black Bear Beastman quickly replied, wiping his sweat again.

"Mm, that’s more like it. Did you take care of that letter?"

He hadn’t known the Black Bear Foster Mother would be so difficult to find, so he had forged a letter himself.

They were all from the Black Bear Clan. It didn’t matter which tribe they belonged to; they all used the same script.

For Xi Yi, forging a letter was a piece of cake.

However, an unexpected problem had cropped up.

"Rest assured, Young Master. I’ve already handled it. Although we can’t find the Madam’s Black Bear Foster Mother, she isn’t dead. Word is she’s still out there somewhere. I’ve already ordered someone in the Black Bear Tribe to find a female of a similar age to stand in for her temporarily. That way, even if the Madam wants to write a letter, there will be a correspondence."

"Mm, good work." Xi Yi was pleased.

"Also, about the childhood betrothal, I asked around about that too. In the past, the Black Bear Foster Mother did entertain the idea, but it was never formally announced. I’ve had my men spread some rumors to make it seem like a done deal."

"The Madam was still young when she left the Bear Clan, so she wouldn’t remember the details. But if she decides to go back and ask around, the story will be confirmed."

"Well now, little Black Bear. You’re pretty clever, aren’t you?"

"Thank you for your praise, Young Master. It’s only because I’ve been so well-trained by you that I have any cleverness at all."

Xi Yi gave his head a light shove. "Alright, kid. Stop with the flattery."

He then pulled an elixir from his robes and tossed it to him. "You did a good job. This Enhancement Pill is your reward."

The Black Bear Beastman joyfully caught the elixir Xi Yi had tossed him. "Thank you, Young Master!" he said gratefully.

"Enough. I’ve always been clear about rewards and punishments. When you do good work, I won’t treat you poorly. Now take the elixir and scram!"

"Yes, sir! Scramming right away! I won’t disturb you and the Madam," the Black Bear Beastman said as he turned to leave.

"Smooth talker. Oh, and keep looking for the Black Bear Foster Mother. Don’t stop until you find her."

"Yes, Young Master."

...

「Ring-tailed Lemur Tribe, Council Hall」

Si Cheng bowed. "Leader, please forgive me. I was unable to find her. I went to White Bear Mountain as you instructed, but I could not find the person you spoke of."

Su Luoluo helped him up and shook her head. "This isn’t your fault. Please, sit. There’s no need to be so formal."

"Yes, leader."

After listening to Si Cheng’s report, Su Luoluo furrowed her brow. "You couldn’t find her? Did the tribe move away?"

"I asked around. The tribe hasn’t migrated in all these years."

"Then... has she passed away?"

Si Cheng shook his head. "I don’t think so. Some say she may have left the tribe on her own to live somewhere else."

’Somewhere else?’

’If she can’t be found, then where did that letter from Xi Yi come from?’