After everyone was reborn, I was strictly disciplined.

At this moment, Xie Xingran was absolutely certain that Xie Jinghan, his adoptive father in this world, truly disliked him.

A chill ran through him, but he felt no resentment; instead, a hint of mockery arose in his heart.

Xie Xingran couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth, quickly showing off a set of fine white teeth in Xie Jinghan's direction, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.

Before Xie Jinghan could react, he instantly concealed his true feelings, leaving only the timidity on his child's face.

"Ranran!"

Liu Qingwan's voice trembled uncontrollably as her gaze remained fixed on that small figure.

The child before her had delicate features and soft cheeks, so tender that it made her heart tremble. The guilt, longing, and overflowing love that had been building up in her heart for many years instantly filled her chest.

Unable to contain her eagerness, she stepped forward quickly, her arms slightly outstretched, her heart filled with the longing to embrace her son whom she had been yearning for day and night.

Just as her fingertips were about to touch Xie Xingran's soft hair, her small body nimbly dodged to the side like a startled rabbit.

Liu Qingwan froze in mid-air, her arms falling into complete emptiness.

She stared at the child who had taken two steps back, his small body taut and stiff. The joy and excitement on her face froze instantly, the light in her eyes dimmed little by little, and even her voice became tinged with disbelief and a soreness: "Ranran..."

Xie Xingran didn't look at her, but timidly glanced at Liu Qingwan, her long eyelashes trembling as if she had been greatly frightened. Then, she took short steps and ran towards He Anyao, raising her little arms high and speaking in a soft voice with obvious dependence: "Grandma, hug me."

He Anyao quickly bent down and steadily picked him up, her palms touching his warm little body, her eyes full of tenderness.

She looked up at her pale-faced daughter, then lowered her head to gently stroke the soft hair of her grandson in her arms, her voice extremely soft: "Ranran, what's wrong? Were you frightened?"

Xie Xingran pursed her lips, not saying a word, but tightly gripping He Anyao's collar with her small hands, nestled in her arms as if she had found the safest haven.

He opened his large, clear, and innocent eyes and timidly scanned the group of strangers around him, his unease and fear undisguised.

The next second, like a frightened ostrich, it buried its little head deep into He Anyao's neck, even the tips of its ears were a faint pink.

Looking at his resistant yet dependent expression, Liu Qingwan's eyes instantly reddened again, tears welling up. Her voice choked with sobs, carrying a hint of humble pleading:

"Ranran, I'm your mother... I'm your mother..."

She propped herself up to stand, her fingertips trembling slightly. She couldn't help but reach out again, wanting to touch the child she had longed for for so many years, even if it was just to rub his little hand against hers.

Just as her fingertips were about to touch Xie Xingran's arm, the little one in her arms suddenly trembled, and then let out a soft, aggrieved sob. The sound was as light as a feather, but it pierced Liu Qingwan's heart.

Her outstretched hand froze on the spot, her fingertips turning white, and tears, which she could no longer hold back, rolled down her cheeks.

"Ranran is alright, sweetie, she's your mother..."

He Anyao sighed helplessly, gently patting Xie Xing's back to comfort him, while waving to her daughter and whispering words of advice.

"It's alright, Qingwan. Ranran is just a little shy. Once you spend more time together, he'll accept you."

As she spoke, she lowered her head and gently rubbed Xie Xingran's little face with her fingertips: "Ranran, this is your mother. Last year for your birthday, that sparkly agate necklace was a gift that your mother specially prepared for you, do you remember?"

"Ranran... he doesn't recognize me?"

Liu Qingwan's voice trembled uncontrollably, and her eyes were filled with broken pain.

This was a scene she had never experienced in her previous life.

In her previous life, when she and Xie Jinghan returned to the Holy Land of Fire Sui Pill, Xie Xingran was already ten years old. After He Anyao's introduction, the family sat down together for a meal, and Xie Xingran quickly became familiar with them, her eyes full of affection.

Never before have I felt such fear and resistance, as if they were complete strangers.

Before, Xie Xingran would always chatter away in the communication jade talisman, telling her about interesting things happening around him in a lively and affectionate voice. How come he changed like this as soon as they met?

Before returning, she had imagined countless times what it would be like to meet Xie Xingran:

Perhaps he would recognize her at a glance, joyfully rush into her arms, and call her "Mother"; perhaps he would cry and fuss, accusing her and Xie Jinghan of abandoning him for so long; even if he was a little indifferent, she could accept it.

But she never imagined that it would be like this, a mother and son meeting but acting like strangers.

Xie Xingran's unfamiliar and frightened appearance was like a dull knife, slowly cutting into her heart, causing her so much pain that she could hardly breathe.

"That's normal, Qingwan, don't be too sad."

Seeing her daughter crying with tears streaming down her face, He Anyao felt bad too. She gently patted Xie Xingran while patiently comforting Liu Qingwan.

"When you left, Ranran was only a month old. Although you have kept in touch over the years, you were never by his side and never met him. It's understandable that he is shy around strangers."

"It's okay. Ranran is still young. Spend more time with him, play with him, and talk to him. He will gradually recognize you and accept you as his mother."

After saying that, she lowered her head and said softly to Xie Xingran in her arms, "Ranran, don't be afraid. These are your family members, people who truly care about you, okay? Come on, look up, baby, Grandma will help you recognize people."

At this moment, Liu Xuan, who was standing to the side, also came over. His face lost its usual sternness, and his eyes were full of tenderness: "Ranran, come, look up at your grandpa. Grandpa has prepared lots and lots of fun treasures for you."

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand and touched the storage bracelet on his wrist. A faint light flashed, and a crystal-clear bracelet appeared in his palm.

The beads on the bracelet are round and full, with a faint pearly luster, clearly indicating that they are not ordinary.

He gently raised the bracelet, bringing it close to Xie Xingran's eyes, his tone full of flattery: "Look, Ranran, this is a gift your grandfather brought you. Isn't it pretty?"

Xie Xingran rested quietly in He Anyao's arms for a moment before slowly raising her little head.

Her long eyelashes still held wet tears, and her big, moist eyes timidly fell on the sparkling bracelet. She then secretly glanced at Liu Xuan, the fear in her eyes fading slightly, replaced by a child's curiosity about something new.

"Ranran, look at Grandpa, don't be afraid."

Seeing his reaction, Liu Xuan smiled and spoke even more gently, even softening the way she held up the bracelet.

Xie Xingran blinked, her small fingers twitched slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then slowly reached out her hand towards the crystal-clear bracelet.

With his fingertips just a hair's breadth away from touching the cool pearl surface, his curiosity deepened.

But at that very moment, Liu Xuan suddenly tightened his wrist and pulled the bracelet back half an inch.

Xie Xingran's small hand missed its target, her fingertips hovering in mid-air, and she was stunned for a moment.

Startled by the sudden movement, she trembled slightly and quickly buried her head back in He Anyao's neck, her ears turning even pinker.

What are you doing?

He Anyao's face immediately darkened. She reached out and gently patted Liu Xuan's arm, her tone full of reproach and protectiveness.

"I told you not to scare Ranran, you're like a child!"

As she spoke, she increased the pressure of patting Xie Xing's back, gently comforting her, "Ranran, don't be afraid, Grandma is here."

Liu Xuan realized he had been too forward, quickly abandoning his joking manner and forcing a fawning smile as he waved his hand, "It's alright, it's Grandpa's fault. Ranran, don't be afraid!"

As he spoke, he carefully brought the bracelet closer and gently placed it on Xie Xingran's soft little ear, his fingertips avoiding the child's delicate skin, and he softened his tone to coax her.

"Ranran, be a good girl, call me Grandpa, okay? If you just say it, I'll give you this bracelet, okay?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he deliberately held the bracelet and gently swung it back and forth near Xie Xingran's ear. The smooth beaded surface brushed against her earlobe, bringing a slight coolness and a ticklish sensation.

Xie Xingran couldn't help but shrink her neck, her brows furrowed slightly, and her nose twitched slightly. The fear she felt from being startled was somewhat diluted by the sudden tickling sensation.

He hesitated for a moment, then slowly raised his little head. His big, wet eyes stared straight at Liu Xuan, his long eyelashes still damp with moisture. His eyes were full of hesitation, as if he was considering something. His little mouth was pursed into a shallow arc.

Seeing this, Liu Xuan's eyes shone even brighter with anticipation. He quickly moved the bracelet closer to Ranran's face, his tone full of coaxing: "Ranran, call me Grandpa, and this bracelet will be completely yours. You can play with it however you want."

He Anyao chimed in softly, patiently encouraging, "Ranran, call him Grandpa. Don't be afraid. He's your grandpa, and he'll always love you."

She glanced up at Liu Xuan, signaling him not to be too hasty.

Liu Xuan's gaze was fixed on Xie Xingran, his eyes almost overflowing with anticipation. He even unconsciously loosened his grip on the bracelet, afraid of disturbing the small figure.

After a few seconds of silence, Xie Xingran finally opened her small mouth, her voice soft and sweet, still tinged with lingering timidity, as she called out clearly, "Grandpa..."