Firefly Journey

When facing Fengling's parents, Lin Yuanran's attitude was much more humble. After all, Fengling had told him that Xu Keli and his wife were really good to her, otherwise she wouldn't have kept thinking about coming back.

As Feng Ling's biological parents, Mr. and Mrs. Xu Keli had a simple idea: as long as their daughter was happy.

It's easier said than done. There are too many parents in the world who, under the guise of doing what's best for their children, let them act according to their own ideas. But they never consider that children have independent personalities, are not your alter egos, and cannot do everything according to your wishes.

Lin Yuanran could sense the couple's doting affection for Fengling from their words. He couldn't help but think of his home on Earth, where he, like Fengling, was also cherished.

Lin Yuanran didn't hide anything and told the Xu family directly, "I am the future Pope. Invitations have been sent to various parts of the mainland these days. In two or three months, when the envoys from various forces arrive in Yicheng, I will officially take the throne."

Xu Hanshan seemed to have aged in an instant.

It wasn't out of fear of the Pope's authority, but rather his disappointment in himself. From his perspective, marrying Fengling into the Demos family was no problem; with both families working together, they would hold the most important influence in the duchy's council for a long time to come.

But who would have thought that a country boy from a small town would end up like this?

Lin Yuanran hadn't seen Fengling for a week and missed her quite a bit. After telling the Xu family about his desire to get engaged, Lin Yuanran didn't rush to leave and asked Fengling to take him for a walk.

The Xu family is neither qualified nor willing to refuse a marriage alliance with the Pope. It's like a huge windfall falling on their heads; they should be overjoyed.

The two young people went out the door, and Xu Keli and his wife also got up to leave, but Xu Hanshan stopped them.

"and many more."

Xu Keli turned around: "Is there anything else?"

Xu Hanshan said quietly, "I'm getting old. According to the Principality's Parliamentarian Law, I have to retire in two years."

“That’s good. The second son’s term will be over in two years.” Xu Keli understood his father’s meaning, but he didn’t want to go along with it.

Feng Ling has a rebellious streak, and so does he. They say daughters resemble their fathers, and that's true.

Xu Keli had always been reserved and unassuming, never displaying any extraordinary talent. In an ordinary family, he might be considered decent, but in an aristocratic family like the Xu family, the eldest son's lack of talent and virtue was a mistake in itself.

Compared to him, Xu Keyi, the second son of the Xu family, was superior in every aspect, at least on the surface.

A soldier who doesn't want to be a general isn't a good soldier, and a son who doesn't want to inherit the title of Grand Duke isn't a good son. Among Xu Hanshan's many sons, after their eldest brother's poor performance, everyone wanted to compete for the title.

Xu Keyi is one of the best among them.

No one knows a son better than his father. Xu Keli was not incompetent; on the contrary, he understood everything. However, he was indifferent to the people and personal gain and his heart was not in the important matters of the family.

Well, he can have the wind chimes too.

Now that the Pope himself has come to propose marriage, even a fool would know that the Xu family is about to rise to prominence, and the eldest son of the Xu family is the key to this.

Even if the eldest son didn't want to participate, and even if Xu Hanshan favored the second son more, under these circumstances, he had no choice but to hand over his position as heir to Xu Keli.

“The second son is quite capable, and he will help you a lot in the future,” Xu Hanshan said.

Xu Keli shook his head: "Over the years, my second son has worked hard and made great contributions. I don't want to disappoint him."

"Furthermore, I'm marrying off my daughter, not selling her. Whatever Long'er likes is the best, whether that person is the Pope or a beggar on the street, I will give my blessings, and I don't need to gain anything in return."

“Father, everything you painstakingly sought, that child obtained effortlessly, and even more. Why did you go through all that trouble?”

Xu Keli ultimately refused the gift from Duke Xu and left with his wife.

Rather than focusing his energy on the cutthroat competition of fame and fortune in the future, he would much rather spend his time with his wife planting flowers in the yard, and having a place to eat when his daughter comes home is all he needs.

Xu Hanshan stood there for a long time before finally sitting down dejectedly.

……

The Xu family owns a crystal mine and is the wealthiest family in the duchy. Their courtyard is extremely large, and even the servants' quarters and animal farms are magnificent.

Connecting them to each other are a series of narrow paths.

The path is paved with oddly shaped pebbles, which are comfortable to walk on, making you feel as if you are in a wilderness, and a sense of leisure washes over you.

Lin Yuanran said with great emotion, "I've seen your house before and thought it was big, but I never imagined it would be this big."

The two held hands, and the wind chimes swayed vigorously.

"And you still say you didn't follow me?"

"Fine, I'm just a pervert who stalks female students every day, okay..."

"Oh."

After walking for a while, Fengling said, "While you've been staying at the Vatican these past few days, I haven't been idle. Sabrina and the others heard you were back and have been clamoring to see you."

Lin Yuanran smiled and said, "The Pope has too many things to know. I have tried my best, but I have only seen the tip of the iceberg. I finally have some free time, so it's good to meet them."

After Cassius left St. Louis, Class 29 disbanded, with only a few remaining in St. Louis. Over the years, they have all grown up.

"Sabrina said she's hosting a dinner party at home tomorrow to celebrate our return."

Lin Yuanran handled the handover matters at the Vatican, while Fengling met with all her friends in Yicheng, and everyone had become better people.

Thinking of his class monitor and the others, Lin Yuanran couldn't help but smile.

"Of the people in our class, Lü Jianming can't come from Chu, Allen probably won't be back for a while, and what about Paninger and Baboon?"

Fengling said, "They already knew we were coming back. Given Paninger's speed, they should be able to catch up."

As the saying goes, "A scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days of separation." Paninger is no longer the same as before; he is now a true dragon. With a flap of his broad wings, he can somersault like the Monkey King and circumnavigate the continent in less than ten days.

"It's a pity I didn't see Hauglis when I was in Radiant City," Lin Yuanran said with some regret.

After leaving St. Louis, Hauglis immediately went to Radiant City, where his "profession" was the Fighting Arena path, where he could train even better.

Unfortunately, after the two returned, Hauglis left Radiant City and, like Allen, went to travel the world.

However, he also received the news, but he didn't have Paninger's abilities and it would take him some time to return. Lin Yuanran estimated that he would arrive around the same time as Lü Jianming.

Lu Jianming has not yet ascended the throne. With the Pope taking office this time, there is little suspense about who the envoy from Chu will be.

That was when Class 29 truly reunited.

"Your house is quite big." After walking for a while, the boy's passageways seemed endless, and Lin Yuanran said.

Fengling said, "I've been leading you in circles."

"Ok?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to walk around with you."

"I'm tired and want to rest. How about you take me to your room?"

"What do you want to do in broad daylight?"

"I want to see the place where you grew up..."

Lin Yuanran sighed helplessly. "Do I look that improper? Besides, what's done is done. What's the point of you still being wary of me?"