THE REAL PROTEGE-Chapter 528: FOUR EYES’ HEARTBREAK

Kim Kim and Chin Chin gasped together, fear streaking through their awe as their eyes widened, breath catching in their throats.

Both girls reached for Four Eyes’ sleeves, their hands clutching desperately, as if only his steady presence could stop them from slipping away into trembling uncertainty.

Until now, the only dragon they had seen was His Majesty’s, the great azure dragon they met earlier. His overwhelming blue scales shimmered at the edge of their thoughts.

The Azure Dragon’s true form was vast and timeless, scales radiating with the deep blue of distant seas.

But what hovered before them now was entirely different.

This felt more immediate and alive.

The air itself sounded to hum with life.

Every movement shimmered with unsettled energy.

And this time, the dragons were close enough to touch.

"Papa..." Kim Kim whispered breathlessly.

Chin Chin stood rooted in place, her eyes fixed wide and unblinking while watching the yellow dragon’s elegant arc through the sky.

Her mouth parted in silent wonder, breath suspended as she watched the dragon’s golden form sweep through the air.

The phoenix gave a melodious cry.

The dragons spiraled once, elegantly, then descended.

Just before touching the courtyard stone—

Light gleamed calmly around them.

Their massive forms turned inward.

Wings vanished.

Scales retracted.

And in their place—

Three children stood.

The phoenix transformed into a little girl, who looked only a year older than the twins, Kim Kim and Chin Chin. Her ruby hair tumbled down her back like flowing fire, and her eyes sparkled with a gentle, clever light.

The yellow dragon stood tall, towering above any mortal youth, his presence both imposing and serene.

Beside him, the red dragon crossed his arms with easy confidence, his features sharper and his eyes glinting with slyness.

Red came forward, pride noticeable in every movement.

"Allow me introduce my children."

The yellow dragon bowed slightly, movement refined and dignified.

"Our eldest. You may call him Huang."

The red dragon nodded lazily.

"Our second son. Zhu."

The phoenix girl tilted her head curiously.

"And our youngest, our little princess — Xiao Chi."

“....”

Xiao Chi.

Quite literally, Little Red.

The name suited her perfectly.

Chin Chin’s thoughts spun in frantic shock, her heart pounding with dizzying force as she stared, unable to tear her eyes away.

Her stare remained fixed on Huang, as though drawn by hidden threads.

Huang — The Yellow Dragon

Huang stood with a fluid dignity, his posture quietly commanding the space around him.

He was tall, yet nothing about him was intimidating.

His shoulders were broad but not heavy, and his presence conveyed a calm strength that comforted rather than threatened.

Golden hair brushed his shoulders, catching the golden light like strands of woven gold. His amber eyes were deep and steady, the sort of gaze that could calm even the wildest storm.

His features were refined yet unmistakably masculine—a sharp jaw, a straight nose, and lips curved in the faintest, most polite of smiles.

There was no arrogance in him.

Only stability.

Every movement he made was measured and deliberate.

He seemed utterly grounded, as if nothing could shake him.

Even when he remained motionless, he gave the impression of being anchored, like a pillar supporting a palace.

The Yellow Dragons were known among dragon clans — the different groups or families of dragons, each with their own colors and special powers — as the most revered lineage.

They embodied three things above all:

Wisdom — their judgment rarely faltered.

Wealth — their aura naturally attracted prosperity and abundance.

Stability — their mere presence could calm turbulent qi and soothe chaotic lands.

They were never the flashiest or most flamboyant.

But they were always the foundation upon which others relied.

Huang appeared to hold that inheritance as naturally as breathing.

When he glanced toward the gathered group,

His gaze swept over them with courteous curiosity.

Then, just for a moment,

It stayed on the twins for a fraction longer.

A sudden, fluttery warmth exploded in Chin Chin’s chest, flooding her with a rush of unfamiliar longing that made her hands tingle and cheeks burn.

She wondered, dazed, why she felt so mesmerized.

Because even at three years old, her natural instincts recognized something.

Huang did not radiate aggression.

He did not radiate unpredictability.

He gave off a sense of safety.

Strength without harshness.

Confidence, but not a trace of cruelty.

When his lips curved in a delicate smile as he watched the younger ones,

It was a kind of smile that comforted the heart, like sun rays breaking through after a summer rain.

Chin Chin’s Demand

Heat stormed into Chin Chin’s cheeks as wild embarrassment clashed with giddy excitement, making her pulse hammer uncontrollably.

"Dad!" she suddenly shouted.

Four Eyes snapped out of his observation.

"Yes?"

Four Eyes’ heart stumbled in his chest, eyes glancing uneasily to his daughter.

That tone.

There was a mischief glint dancing in her eyes.

’Danger.’

"I want to marry the yellow dragon, Brother Huang, as my future husband!" Chin Chin proclaimed proudly.

Silence.

Utter, devastating silence.

Four Eyes almost slapped his palm over her mouth.

Four Eyes understood immediately.

He absolutely knew.

Whenever this daughter opened her mouth, calamity followed.

The room became still.

Ling Li let out a strangled sound, caught between chuckles and shock.

Fatty slapped his thigh, trying not to laugh.

Shun coughed violently.

Ren blinked.

Shi Min closed his eyes slowly.

Lily turned pale.

The Azure Dragon’s eyes widened — then burst into thunderous laughter.

Red clasped her hands together delightedly.

"Oh my!"

"Ling!" Red exclaimed. "I knew it! We will become family!"

Ling Li’s mouth quivered.

Just once.

Shi Min shot Lily a pointed look.

Lily fluttered her eyelids. "What?"

"It’s your silly, useless love story books," Shi Min snorted quietly. "You’ve clouded her little brain."

Lily sensed her cheeks heat uncomfortably, embarrassment prickling her skin.

"...I didn’t even give her the advanced ones..."

She immediately regretted saying that.

Shi Min gave her a look that could freeze lava.

She lowered her head.

Xiao Chi pulled on her mother’s sleeve.

"Mother, what does she mean she wants to marry Brother Huang?"

Shi Min pointed dramatically at Xiao Chi.

"See? That’s how a normal baby girl should think."

Chin Chin gasped.

"Big Brother! Do you mean I’m abnormal?"

Her lower lip trembled.

The room burst into laughter.

Even Ren, who had been reserved, broke into a smile.

Shi Min shook his head helplessly.

"Xiao Chi, don’t listen to her," Ling Li said calmly. "She’s joking and spouting nonsense."

"Mom!" Chin Chin stomped her tiny foot. "I’m not joking! I’m serious! And I’m not a baby girl! I’m a lady!"

The Azure Dragon laughed so hard the courtyard trembled faintly.

"Come here, little girl."

Chin Chin peeled herself out of Four Eyes’ arms instantly and ran toward the Azure Dragon.

Four Eyes stared at her retreating back.

He felt betrayed. Deeply, achingly betrayed.

A crushing ache pulsed in his chest, raw betrayal radiating from the tiny, beloved source he’d sworn to protect.

"Hmph," he snorted under his breath.