Chapter 920: Side Story: Children and Grandchildren Have Their Own Blessings

Liu Junyan and Xiao Jiu have a total of four children.

The eldest son, Xingchen, was born destined to be a Buddhist; he only has the nickname Xingchen and no formal name.

Liu Junyan did want to give him one, but Xiao Jiu said, better not to stamp him with a worldly mark; let things take their natural course.

Although Xingchen has no formal name, he does have a resounding dharma name, called Knowledge and Action.

In the entire Buddhist system of Huaxia, no one is unaware of the Buddhist name 'Knowledge and Action Eminent Monk'.

His mastery of Buddhist teachings has also blessed generation after generation.

The eldest daughter, Shan Shan, follows her mother's surname; her formal name is Feng Jinhe, taken from the phrase "This year brings health and joy, linked; the granaries overflow with grain, good fortune continues," symbolizing that modest prosperity surpasses perfection.

This name was the one Liu Junyan pondered over for many days before giving it to her precious daughter.

However, everyone is accustomed to calling her "Shan Shan," and often forgets her formal name.

The third son's name was chosen by Xiao Jiu: Liu Dingchuan.

It is a very mature-sounding name.

But given the circumstances at the time, this name carried Xiao Jiu's full hopes and expectations.

The adopted daughter Feng Ran's name was also chosen by Xiao Jiu, likewise following her mother's surname; "Ran" signifies vigorous vitality and abundant life force.

When Xiao Jiu first brought Feng Ran home, she was pitifully thin, her eyes sensitive to light, unable to see clearly; Xiao Jiu only wished for her to live well and grow strong.

Among these four children, the eldest, Xingchen, needed no parental care from birth; instead, at many crucial moments, it was he who rushed to help them.

The third son lives up to his name; he is an exceptionally steady child, and despite his young age, he spends his days guarding that water vein in Suedi, behaving very properly.

As for Feng Ran, needless to say, this child has been sensible from a young age, excels in studies, and has talent; after taking over Yin Dang Hang, with a Chishe guarding her, everything proceeds smoothly.

Only Shan Shan causes Liu Junyan and Xiao Jiu the most worry.

Shan Shan was born with a silver spoon in her mouth; her father dotes on her, her mother pities her, and everyone around treats her as the apple of their eye.

Shan Shan has been lovable since childhood, sweet‑talked, lively and generous; no one dislikes her, and no one is willing to let her suffer even a bit.

But she is the Phoenix Matriarch, destined by fate to bear the mission of revitalizing the entire Feng Clan.

From a chubby little infant, she transformed into a phoenix form, then underwent Nirvana, and thereafter faced one trial after another, growing rapidly over more than a decade.

Over these more than ten years, her own efforts have been evident; the help of her young aunt Tang Xun and uncle A Cheng has also been crucial.

Then come her parents, as well as all the uncles, aunts, and relatives of Yin Dang Hang and the Jiǔyàn qū……

It can be said that whenever Shan Shan needs something, it is a guaranteed case of one call bringing a hundred responses.

Shan Shan thanks many people, but in her heart there is one person who forever holds the most special place.

That person is her eldest cousin, Ao Jing.

Xiaoye and Zhong Susu had only two children in twenty years, both boys.

The eldest son is Ao Jing; born as a dragon egg, after hatching he could already shift between human and dragon forms; he is an imposing black dragon, his whole body glossy jet‑black, his black dragon scales radiating iridescent colors in sunlight.

The second son…… the second son remains a dragon egg to this day, but it is said he can communicate with Zhong Susu; he is a tiny white dragon, and Xiaoye gave him the name Ao Ji.

In the Linghai Dragon Clan, what is never lacking are children.

Whether it is the Linghai Dragon Clan itself, Shan Shan, or the siblings Shi Jiaoning, as well as the two large broods of children from Li Qingying's family, all love to come play at the Linghai Dragon Clan.

The Linghai Dragon Clan is heavily guarded, yet it never sets defenses against these children.

Zhong Susu is an excellent, excellent 'mother'; she likes children, understands their dispositions, can see through each child's psychology, and accordingly provides appropriate guidance.

Thus, among this large group of children, none has gone astray, and they all greatly like Zhong Susu.

But Zhong Susu actually has her own worries…… she cannot see through her eldest son's heart.

Zhong Susu often complains in private to Xiaoye, saying he always wears a stern face, is overly strict with the children, especially placing too great an expectation on their eldest son Ao Jing, causing Ao Jing to bear a heavy heart from the moment he hatched.

Xiaoye not only personally teaches him skills, watches over his cultivation, but everywhere demands of him as the heir apparent to the Linghai Dragon Clan's dragon king.

When a group of children are running wild in the Linghai Dragon Clan, Ao Jing is practicing basic skills.

When the Big Family had arranged to go camping, barbecuing, and bonfires by the Zhu Pan River, Ao Jing was in seclusion, undergoing tribulation, breaking through bottlenecks……

He was too busy.

So busy that he merely watched the Big Family play from afar, as if it were a waste of time.

His father was strict, his mother reluctant; she would secretly slip him tasty snacks, bring him gifts, and sometimes even try to sneak him out to play…… but Ao Jing refused.

He loves his mother and bears no grudge against his father.

Because he has more than once personally witnessed his parents, uncles, and others exerting their utmost to defend their territory.

Sacrifice is common.

Partings in life and death have long been commonplace.

But Ao Jing understands that only when leaders and protectors are strong enough will sacrifices be reduced to a minimum.

In Ao Jing's heart, besides the Linghai Dragon Clan, there is one person he must wholeheartedly protect…… Feng Jinhe…… Shan Shan……

Shan Shan is a ray of light in Ao Jing's life.

At his most difficult moments, when he could barely hold on, Shan Shan always appears in time beside him to cheer him on.

When happy, she will affectionately call him Jing‑ge.

When unhappy, she always shouts his full name: Ao Jing!

When being coquettish, when making a mistake, when trying to please…… she will sweetly call him "greatest cousin," doing everything to ingratiate herself.

Ao Jing has always felt that his relationship with Shan Shan will remain this way forever.

But somehow, from some point onward, Shan Shan's visits to the Linghai Dragon Clan have become increasingly infrequent.

Many times, everyone else is present, yet Shan Shan alone is missing.

Every time Ao Jing asks, the Big Family replies: "The Feng Clan has many affairs; Elder Sister Shan Shan is very busy."

Very busy?

So busy that she can't spare even a day in half a year to attend his gathering?

Even if the Feng Clan is busy, could it be that he, the Linghai Dragon Clan's Dragon King heir, is also busy?

Ao Jing couldn't hold back for the first time, sneaking off to the Feng Clan to find Shan Shan, but behind the Feng Clan's large parasol tree he saw her hiding there, secretly crying.

Ao Jing was utterly stunned.

In his memory, it seemed he had never seen Shan Shan cry before.

She was always giggly; even if she felt wronged, she would just act cute, seek favor, and the matter would pass.

But now she curled up into a tiny ball, hiding in that corner, clutching her sleeve and silently wiping her tears.

Ao Jing momentarily didn't know whether he should appear at this moment.

After all, Shan Shan is the most concerned about saving face.

After thinking it over, Ao Jing eventually went over and sat down silently beside Shan Shan.

He didn't speak, just quietly accompanied her.

Shan Shan initially covered her face with her hands, trying to stop the tears.

But in the end she couldn't hold it back, and she cried out loud.

Ao Jing reached out and put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his embrace……