Chapter 117 Extra Xiao Yu, Huan Huan, and Yelü Zhuo

Chapter 117 Side Story: Xiao Yu × Huan Huan × Yelü Zhuo

In the years following Emperor Xie Yan's ascension, the Xiongnu seized the opportunity to invade, hoping to conquer the border regions of Jiang State through a surprise attack. To their astonishment, the new emperor personally led the expedition, demonstrating brilliant strategy and boosting morale. The imperial forces counterattacked all the way to the Xiongnu's homeland.

Left with no recourse, the Xiongnu Chanyu offered countless cattle, sheep, and gold as tribute, and sent his most beloved youngest son, Yelü Zhuo, to the capital as a hostage.

Yelü Zhuo knew this journey was a one-way trip and had long braced himself for humiliation and torment. Yet, during his journey to the capital, none of the expected suffering materialized.

The emperor of Jiang State paid him no mind, nor did he bother to torment him, treating him as if he were invisible. Yelü Zhuo had heard tales from his tribesmen about the Jiang State emperor—his godlike appearance and almost supernatural intelligence. He scoffed at such claims; no matter how handsome, a person still had only two eyes and one nose—it wasn't as if he had an extra one.

But on the day he entered the city, as he dismounted from his carriage, he witnessed a family of four reuniting. The Jiang State emperor was remarkably tall—Xiongnu people were also tall, but in a burly way, whereas the people of Jiang State possessed an ethereal, graceful quality.

With just a fleeting glance, Yelü Zhuo realized that the rumors were indeed true.

The people of Jiang State were truly striking.

The Jiang State emperor had sharp, cold features, like an exquisitely crafted, deadly blade. His wife, however, was genuinely beautiful.

Beauty on the grasslands meant sun-kissed skin and radiant smiles, but on that day, Yelü Zhuo came to understand Jiang-style beauty: skin as white as snow, sparkling eyes, pink lips, and a clear, innocent gaze, like that of a grazing deer.

The Jiang State emperor held his beautiful wife's hand while cradling a sobbing infant who bore a striking resemblance to her. The baby's face was flushed from crying, but his dark eyes darted around and suddenly fixed on Yelü Zhuo. "Father, that person is looking at me. Who is he?"

"The Xiongnu Chanyu’s little wolf cub, Yelü Zhuo."

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Yelü Zhuo expected his food and accommodations to be abysmal, but they were not—not at all. In fact, they were quite decent, even comfortable.

He had thought the Jiang State emperor would stoop to tormenting him, but only now did he realize the emperor didn't even consider him worth the effort.

"Those despicable Jiang State people, how dare they look down on me," he muttered, taking an angry bite of a chicken leg, his expression full of indignation.

"What's your name?" A fair little face peeked through the doorway. "Can Huan Huan come in?"

Before Yelü Zhuo could respond, the pretty child had already entered, wandering around the room. His voice was soft and gentle. "My name is Huan Huan. What's your name? Can I come play with you every day from now on? Is that okay?"

"I remember you were wearing furry clothes that day. What kind of fur was it? It looked so warm. And you had a bow and arrows on your back—so impressive! Can you play with Huan Huan?"

"No," Yelü Zhuo said irritably.

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The next day, while Yelü Zhuo was eating lunch, the little milk ball appeared again, pulling at him with familiar ease, his eyes sparkling.

"Let's go fishing! Or do you want to go horseback riding?"

Yelü Zhuo hadn't ridden a horse in a long time and felt a pang of longing. He pursed his lips arrogantly. "Horseback riding."

He was much taller than Huan Huan and carefully positioned the little one in front of him while riding. The child was fearless, laughing gleefully as the horse galloped across the grassland, like a joyful little sprite.

When they dismounted, the little one's face was still flushed pink, his eyes shining brightly as he clapped his chubby hands together. "Yay, yay! So much fun! Thank you!"

By then, the sun was nearly set. The little milk ball glanced at the fading sunlight and, without a word of farewell, scampered away.

What a strange child, Yelü Zhuo thought.

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Yelü Zhuo began to anticipate the little milk ball's visits. Horseback riding, archery, climbing trees—whenever the little one was around, it meant boundless freedom and joy. But the milk ball didn't come to see him every day.

He discerned a pattern: after visiting for five consecutive days, the child would not come for two days. And on the days he did visit, as soon as the sun began to set, the milk ball would vanish without a trace, not even bothering to say goodbye.

These Jiang State people were truly impolite.

A surge of curiosity prompted him to follow the milk ball at dusk, hiding and sneaking along the way until he discovered the reason. The snow-white little figure stopped in front of an ornate palace and stood there blankly for a moment before a fair-skinned little boy emerged. His eye color was exactly the same as the milk ball's—a rare shade of gray—but his appearance was entirely different.

The milk ball was beautiful, more striking than most girls, while the boy was handsome with sharp, narrow phoenix eyes.

Yelü Zhuo heard the little one sweetly call out, "Brother Xiao Yu."

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The next day, when the milk ball came to visit, Yelü Zhuo dressed impressively, carrying his bow, arrows, and curved blade, saying he would take him archery. The little one agreed to everything, no matter what, saying, "Okay, okay, okay."

As they walked, Yelü Zhuo suddenly said softly, "My name is Yelü Zhuo."

"Oh, Yelü Zhuo."

"I'm older than you. You should call me brother."

Yelü Zhuo waited quietly, but the little one frowned delicately and shook his head. "I only have Brother Xiao Yu. I only want Brother Xiao Yu. I don't want any other brother."

His innocent, clueless expression nearly drove Yelü Zhuo to fury.

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Later, as the two grew closer, Yelü Zhuo, feeling perhaps too bored within the palace confines, warmly invited, "Huan Huan, stay a little later today. Have dinner with me, okay?"

Huan Huan looked at the brilliant sunset in the sky and refused without hesitation. "No can do. I have to pick up my Brother Xiao Yu from school."

Thinking about his brother getting out of school, he trotted away happily. Yelü Zhuo watched his cheerful back, feeling inexplicably irritated. What a spoiled child, always clinging to his brother—was he not weaned yet?

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When Yelü Zhuo was finally taken back by the Chanyu, he had already lived in Jiang State for five years. On the day of his departure, he gifted his most treasured goshawk, bow, arrows, and curved blade to the little one. Gazing tenderly at the child's milky, soft face, he said, "Huan Huan, Brother is going back to the Xiongnu. In a few years, I'll come take you to the Xiongnu to play."

"Okay, come see me then."

"Brother Xiaozhuo." Huan Huan smiled sweetly, like a cunning little fox. Yelü Zhuo wished he could scoop him up and carry him away—no amount of affection felt like enough.

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Jiang State and the Xiongnu maintained friendly relations for many years, and Yelü Zhuo finally set foot on Jiang State soil again, this time as an envoy. What did the little milk ball look like now? Was he really as beautiful as in the portraits? Did he still remember him? Tormented by these questions, Yelü Zhuo couldn't sleep all night.

The following evening, at a palace banquet, he finally saw the person he had yearned for for so many years.

Dressed in pure white robes, bathed in the hazy moonlight, the figure had fair skin, dark hair, red lips, and brilliant gray eyes fixed on him. His lips were delicately formed, with a full, kissable cupid's bow. As they parted slightly, Yelü Zhuo understood.

He was calling him, "Brother Xiaozhuo."

The man sitting beside Xie Huan was also exceptionally handsome—deep-set eyes, sharp, cold gray irises, a tall nose bridge, and thin, cool lips. Though he looked like an unearthly immortal, he lowered his eyes and, with the dignity of the crown prince, shelled sunflower seeds for his twin brother.

The banquet was only halfway through when, after Yelü Zhuo drank a cup of yellow wine, the two vanished. The beautiful scene he had just witnessed felt like a dream he had fabricated. No, he had to find Xie Huan, talk to him, and hear him call out "Brother Xiaozhuo" in person.

Stumbling through the imperial garden for what felt like ages, he finally spotted the two figures in a desolate, empty area.

Moonlight cast a frosty white glow over the ground, where a lone swing set stood. The boy he had been longing for was sitting on the swing, soaring high into the air. No matter how much Xie Huan had grown, he could still laugh like a child. Behind him, Xie Yu had shed his cold, unapproachable demeanor, gently pushing the swing with a tender expression, just like in the old days.

Yelü Zhuo remembered the night before he left Jiang State years ago—Xie Huan hadn't come to see him. After wandering around aimlessly, he had found him here too.

The fair little milk ball and his brother sat on the swing, swaying slowly, as if they had already traversed countless years together.

【Author’s Note】

Dear readers, thank you for your companionship over these past few months. We’ve finally reached the end. This was my first attempt at a first-person novel, and it brought me many unexpected surprises. Writing it was emotionally draining—sometimes I couldn’t capture the protagonists’ emotions and would get stuck, often needing to take breaks. But I felt everyone’s enthusiasm, and it truly moved me! It was your passion and support that carried me through to today! Big thanks to all!

I really love Xie Yan and Xiao Qiu—they’re like my own children. Saying goodbye to them is so hard. I was already reluctant when the main story ended, and writing these extras was also out of love. Because once I hit the "complete" button, there will be no more updates. These are characters I poured my heart into.

Regarding Xiao Yu and Huan Huan, I’ve seen your comments. Perhaps they have too much "CP chemistry" (shipping potential), but what I wanted to express is that they share a brotherly bond. After all, as twins, they would naturally be very attached to each other and fond of one another in their childhood.

I’ve invested so much emotion into this story. Journeying with Xiao Qiu and Xie Yan hasn’t been easy. I hope they can live well in another time and space. Writing this, my eyes are truly wet—I don’t want to part with them. I want to see them living happily forever.

Just like when I follow a story—if it’s a couple I really love, I never want it to end. It’s addictive. I’ll still be reminiscing days after finishing, and I’d wish for the author to write more extras.

But even if you escort someone a thousand miles, you must part ways eventually.

Xiao Qiu, Xie Yan, Huan Huan, Xiao Yu, take care, all of you.

If there's a chance, I'll write a dream crossover for you all.

Love you all! Everyone can check out my upcoming works—if you find something you like, just give it a favorite with a click of your thumb.

Looking forward to meeting you all in the next book <3