"And coupled with Baili Xiao's ability to predict the future and divine the heavens, alas—"
Long Yu let out a long sigh and said word by word, "Breaching the Divine Realm is difficult..."
Bai Ran pondered his words with lowered eyes, a newfound understanding dawning in her heart.
Long Yu looked at the pensive woman before him and smiled gently, "Young lady, may I know how to address you?"
When he was controlled, he had no awareness, like a puppet at the mercy of others. It was only when he regained consciousness that he realized he had been manipulated.
"Bai Ran will do."
Bai...? Long Yu's features immediately contorted, and the smile on his lips vanished instantly. "You said your surname is Bai?"
Bai Ran nodded in confusion, "Yes, is there something wrong?"
Long Yu stood up and leaned closer to Bai Ran, his gaze anxious. "What is your mother's name? Where is she from?"
That's right, her mother was the protector of the Demon Realm. Long Jinhan's father would surely know her. "My mother's name is Huan Yan."
Long Yu's expression became one of confirmation. He sat back on the bed, the light in his eyes dimming. "Her daughter... this world is truly small..."
'Bai, from now on, my child will bear the surname Bai—'
At that time, Huan Yan was still the decisive protector of the Demon Realm, but she was abducted by that brat and died tragically...
As he recalled even a sliver of the past, Long Yu's anger surged, wishing he could rush into the Divine Realm right then and there and use that person's head as a ball to kick!
Seeing Long Yu's indignant demeanor, Bai Ran smiled. When she was imprisoned and humiliated, he bore no complaint or anger.
But when it came to Long Jinhan and Protector Huan Yan, his fury blazed, and his killing intent filled the air.
"Little Bai, from now on, with your father here, I will protect you." Long Yu looked at her, his expression extremely serious.
She was Huan Yan's biological daughter, Jinhan's wife, and now she had saved him from the Divine Emperor. His connection with this woman was truly profound.
She was like the mistress tailor-made for their Demon Realm; she had to be cherished.
Upon hearing this, Bai Ran was caught between laughter and tears. "Uncle Long, I am not yet married to Long Jinhan."
Long Yu froze for a moment and looked at Bai Ran's puzzled face. "Not yet married? That shouldn't be right?"
Could it be... Long Yu's expression turned somber. "Little Bai, tell me truthfully, did that brat mess around with other women? Did he make you angry?"
Mess around with other women... Bai Ran blinked, and the face of Long Jinhan, which was a national beauty, appeared in her mind. She then chuckled.
"No, Uncle Long." Although Long Jinhan didn't look like an honest person, he was genuinely good to her.
"The situation is turbulent now. We plan to get married after everything has settled down."
As she spoke, she showed the ring on her hand. "Uncle Long, please rest assured, I have already accepted his proposal."
Long Yu looked closely and saw the jade ring on the woman's middle finger was exceptionally dazzling. Only then did he somewhat relax.
Such a wonderful young lady should not be scared away by that rascal Long Jinhan.
"Knock knock—" Two knocks on the door sounded, and Jing Feng pushed the door open with a sigh.
"Miss Bai, the food will get cold..."
Bai Ran nodded slightly and then went to dine with Long Yu.
At the table, Long Yu sat to Bai Ran's left, and Long Jinhan sat to her right.
"Little Bai, eat, look how thin you are. You need to nourish yourself." Long Yu said as he placed meat into Bai Ran's bowl.
Long Jinhan's cheek twitched imperceptibly. He also reached out to put food on Bai Ran's plate. "Madam, have some vegetables too."
Jiang Ye's gaze shifted from Long Yu to Long Jinhan, and then from Long Jinhan back to Long Yu.
These two father and son seemed to be competing. They weren't eating themselves, only piling food into Bai Ran's bowl, which soon formed a small mountain.
Jing Feng lowered his voice and whispered into Jiang Ye's ear, "Can Miss Bai eat this much?"
Jiang Ye pouted, "Perhaps three little masters would be needed to finish it..."
Bai Ran looked at her overflowing bowl and rubbed her forehead, letting out a long sigh, her face full of helplessness.
After this meal, she might have to consume an entire bottle of digestive pills...
"Speaking of which, why are you also dining at the table?" Long Yu's voice was deep, and his gaze shot sharply at Jing Feng.
Jing Feng's hand, holding a piece of meat, trembled. He was unsure whether to eat or not, and remained frozen there.
Logically speaking, subordinates like Jing Feng were not qualified to eat at the same table as their masters.
Now, not only were Jing Feng and the others at the same table, but they were eating more heartily than their masters. This was a grave offense...
Long Jinhan's expression was calm as he silently deboned the fish for Bai Ran. "Rules can be changed. If you want to eat, then eat."
Long Yu narrowed his eyes and glanced at Long Jinhan with a complex expression. "The rules of the Demon Realm have always been this way. If they are easily changed, wouldn't the hierarchy be disrupted?"
For some unknown reason, an air of tension filled the space between them, as if sparks would fly at any moment.
What a chaotic scene... Now, not only Jing Feng and Jiang Ye, but Zhong Zi and the others also lost their appetite.
They cowered, sitting at their seats like quail, casting pleading glances at Bai Ran.
Bai Ran sighed lightly and looked at Long Yu. "Uncle Long, I was the one who asked them to join the table for dinner."
"I didn't know the Demon Realm had such rules before. I will be mindful of it in the future..."
Long Yu met Bai Ran's gaze, and his expression changed instantly. "It was Little Bai who ordered it, hahaha."
"Eating together at one table is good; it can also strengthen the relationship with subordinates."
Long Jinhan's hand, which was deboning fish, paused. He cast a suspicious glance. "Didn't you just say that the hierarchy would be disrupted?"
Long Yu didn't stand on ceremony and glared back. "Rules are set by people, and people can naturally change them!"
This change of face was so rapid it could be recorded in history... Seeing that the situation had eased considerably, Jing Feng tentatively picked up his chopsticks and continued to feast.
At this moment, a demon guard from outside the palace reported that Lord Baili and his attendant were seeking an audience outside the demon territory.
"Does the Demon Emperor know about this?" Bai Ran asked the guard.
The guard nodded. "His Majesty the Demon Emperor is aware. He instructed me to inform Miss Bai directly."
Upon hearing this, Bai Ran gave the others an apologetic look and left with the guard.
Lord Baili? Long Yu's eyes narrowed. What business did he have with Little Bai?
Long Yu's gaze turned to Jing Feng, who suddenly felt as if a fishbone were stuck in his throat. "Miss, Miss Bai is Baili Xiao's physician..."
"This visit is probably due to an issue with his health again..."
This meal was truly difficult...
"Physician?" Long Yu looked at Long Jinhan, who remained impassive beside him, and suddenly felt a pang of disappointment.