Formidable Enemy

Chapter 32: Formidable Enemy

In the early morning, sunlight streamed through the window and fell upon Xiao Yan's sleeping face, prompting him to slowly open his eyes.

"Yaaawn~~~"

Xiao Yan sat up, stretched lazily, then got out of bed and began dressing and washing up.

Today was the Xiao Family's annual Coming-of-Age Ceremony. Not only would the Xiao Family attend; anyone from Wutan City could come and visit. The Xiao Family Market would also offer discounts that day, making it one of Wutan City's major annual events.

"Once today's Coming-of-Age Ceremony is over, it'll be New Year's~"

Xiao Yan's eyes brimmed with vigor.

The New Year represented the beginning of another year.

The Dou Qi problem that had plagued him for so long had been resolved, and he had unexpectedly gained an alchemist teacher as well. Without a doubt, this was a year full of hope for Xiao Yan.

"Quit sighing to yourself already." Yao Chen suddenly appeared, grinning mischievously as she pointed outside. "You really are doomed to romantic trouble, Kid. You're already in for it first thing in the morning."

"Hm?"

Xiao Yan raised a brow. Just as he was about to ask what Yao Chen meant, arguing suddenly broke out outside.

"You're blocking Cousin Xiao Yan's door so early in the morning. What exactly are you up to?!!"

"I merely came to see how my fiancé rested. Isn't that my right as his fiancée?"

"Miss Nalan, you have yet to marry into the Xiao Family. You are currently only a guest, so please observe a guest's proper etiquette and do not wander around the Xiao Family as you please."

Hearing the three distinctly different voices outside, Xiao Yan's good mood vanished without a trace, and his hopeful future instantly became fraught with hardship.

"Hehe~ Hang in there, Yan Kid. You've got a long future ahead of you~"

Yao Chen heartlessly laughed at her disciple before returning to the Ring. Xiao Yan let out a deep sigh, pulled open the door, and saw Xiao Mei, Xiao Xun'er, and Nalan Yanran standing outside in a standoff.

"Cousin Xiao Yan!"

The moment Xiao Mei saw Xiao Yan open the door, her earlier anger disappeared completely. She threw herself at him, wrapping both arms tightly around his neck and hanging off him.

"Good morning! Come to the Coming-of-Age Ceremony with Mei'er~"

"Mm."

Xiao Yan nodded lightly and looked towards Nalan Yanran.

"Did Little Glutton sleep well last night?"

Since this was not a formal occasion, Xiao Yan was not someone who liked keeping himself tense at all times. If he could be casual, he would be casual.

However, that nickname was far from pleasant to Nalan Yanran.

"I told you not to call me Little Glutton!!!"

Nalan Yanran instantly lost her composure, her face flushing red as she glared at Xiao Yan and shouted.

Meanwhile, Xiao Xun'er lightly pinched her delicate chin and asked in confusion.

"Xun'er had been wondering about this for a while. Why does Brother Xiao Yan call Miss Nalan Little Glutton?"

Although Xiao Yan had not called Nalan Yanran Little Glutton many times in front of others, the nickname had left a deep impression. After all, judging from Nalan Yanran's appearance alone, she did not seem related to the word "glutton" at all.

At Xiao Xun'er's question, Xiao Yan chuckled softly.

"Oh, that's because—"

"Don't say it!!!"

Nalan Yanran shouted angrily, her face turning even redder, as though blood were about to spill from it. She looked exactly like a cat with its fur standing on end, utterly adorable.

"Alright, alright~ I won't say it~ Don't get mad~"

Xiao Yan promised with a smile, and only then did the flush on Nalan Yanran's face ease slightly.

Yesterday, at Xiao Zhan's enthusiastic invitation—no, it should have been at Nalan Yanran's own request—she had wanted to stay at the Xiao Family for a few more days. Thus, Xiao Zhan arranged a Guest Room for Nalan Yanran to rest in.

Xiao Zhan was also filled with helplessness over this. Looking at Nalan Yanran's attitude, she probably would not leave until after the New Year.

And during this time, Nalan Yanran would surely have quite a few conflicts with Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er. Yet faced with his nominal future daughter-in-law, Xiao Zhan truly could not bring himself to tell her to leave, so he simply gave up.

Let them make a fuss. It's all my son's business in the end, so why should I, his old man, worry so much?

And so, with Xiao Mei on his back, Xiao Yan slowly headed toward the Coming-of-Age Ceremony venue as Xiao Xun'er and Nalan Yanran faced off against each other.

Upon arriving at the venue and seeing the bustling crowd, Xiao Yan could not help but sigh.

No matter the time or place, there were always so many people who loved watching a spectacle.

"Oh! Cousin! Good morning!"

Xiao Ning spotted Xiao Yan and the others from afar and came over waving, with Xiao Yu following behind him.

"Good morning, Miss Nalan."

Xiao Yu softly greeted Nalan Yanran. As the acknowledged Big Sister among the Xiao Family's younger generation, her manners toward guests were impeccable. Unlike Xiao Yan, Xiao Yu's personality did not contain the word "casual."

"Good morning."

Nalan Yanran nodded lightly in reply. Her attitude was completely different from how she treated Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er, fully displaying the poise of the Nalan Family's young lady and the Misty Cloud Sect's Young Sect Master.

However, though she was so polite to Xiao Yu on the surface, Nalan Yanran remained on guard against her at all times.

A woman's intuition told her that Xiao Yu was also her rival.

Though Xiao Yu did not loudly declare herself like Xiao Mei, nor did she engage in the hidden confrontation that Xiao Xun'er did, she absolutely harbored romantic affection for Xiao Yan as well.

It was merely Xiao Yu's maturity that kept her from openly showing it, because she did not wish to trouble Xiao Yan over it.

This kind of opponent was the most terrifying, but also the easiest to naturally disappear.

Not arguing excessively over feelings was meant to avoid putting the person one loved in a difficult position. If her feelings were revealed later, it would surely multiply the other person's affection for her severalfold.

Yet precisely because she did not argue excessively over feelings, it was very possible that the man would never notice her intentions before the relationship ended, and those feelings would naturally fade away.

Compared to that, someone like Xiao Xun'er, who could scheme in the shadows, was still easier to deal with. As for Xiao Mei... pfft~

A disdainful smile rose at the corner of Nalan Yanran's lips.

To put it bluntly, Nalan Yanran did not take Xiao Mei seriously at all. In her eyes, Xiao Mei was merely an immature little girl who could not stir up any real trouble and was nothing to worry about.

"Sister Xiao Yu, entertain Miss Nalan for a while. I'll go see Father."

Xiao Yan asked Xiao Yu.

Nalan Yanran was a Distinguished Guest and could not be neglected. But as the Clan Leader's son, Xiao Yan also had to help receive some of the guests.

None of the other Xiao Family Disciples had spoken with Nalan Yanran. Xiao Ning was a man and not very suitable, while Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er, those two little girls, were even less possible.

Forget entertaining her—those two would be doing well if they did not start fighting Nalan Yanran on the spot.

Therefore, Xiao Yan could only entrust this task to the comparatively mature and steady Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu understood Xiao Yan's difficulties as well. She nodded lightly and said,

"Mm, leave it to me."

"Thanks~"

Xiao Yan waved and left. Gazing at Xiao Yan's back view, Xiao Yu's eyes flickered faintly with delight.

This could also be considered proof that Xiao Yan trusted her.

And when Nalan Yanran saw Xiao Yu's expression, alarms instantly went off in her heart.

Just as she had guessed! This woman was also a Formidable Enemy!!!