More Trouble

Within the Xiao Family, the Coming-of-Age Ceremony had completely ended. The spectators began to leave, while the Xiao Family members started packing up in preparation for tomorrow's New Year celebrations.

"Strange, where did Cousin Xiao Yan go?"

Xiao Mei made a full circuit of the ceremony grounds without seeing Xiao Yan, her brows rising in confusion.

Then Xiao Mei noticed that Xiao Ning was gone as well, and a hint of hostility appeared in her eyes.

"Could it be that Xiao Ning dragged Cousin Xiao Yan off to Ningchun Tower again?"

"No. After being beaten that badly last time, he probably doesn't have the nerve."

Xiao Xun'er softly denied it, but her Beautiful Eyes were tightly furrowed, filled with unease.

Because it was not only Xiao Ning who was missing. Even Nalan Yanran had vanished without a trace.

That woman, she couldn't have...

Xiao Xun'er could not help but grow worried.

Anyone with eyes could see Nalan Yanran's attitude toward Xiao Yan.

She had originally come with the Misty Cloud Sect to break off the engagement, yet after meeting Xiao Yan, she never mentioned it again. Instead, she had eagerly wanted to marry him.

At the time, Xiao Yan had still been a publicly acknowledged good-for-nothing. Whether in family background, strength, or future prospects, Nalan Yanran had been far above him.

Yet even so, Nalan Yanran stubbornly clung to Xiao Yan, looking as though she would marry no one but him in this lifetime.

Xiao Xun'er understood deep down that only someone who had truly spent time with Xiao Yan could pursue him with such determination. Xiao Yan's excellence was not something a person could understand after meeting him once or twice.

Damn it.

Xiao Xun'er's Jade Hand clenched tightly.

They had not even sorted out all the people in the family yet, and now another fiancée had appeared...

Moreover, Xiao Xun'er was absolutely certain that there would be far more than this many people surrounding Xiao Yan in the future.

What am I supposed to do?

"Ah! Cousin Xiao Yan!"

Just as Xiao Xun'er bit her finger in frustration, Xiao Mei suddenly cried out beside her. Xiao Xun'er looked up, and her Pupils abruptly contracted.

In the distance, Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran were slowly walking toward them. On Nalan Yanran's lightly swinging Jade Arm, a bracelet gleamed brilliantly beneath the sunlight.

In that instant, Xiao Xun'er's expression darkened.

If her memory was not mistaken, Nalan Yanran had not worn that bracelet yesterday.

But Xiao Mei was nowhere near as observant as Xiao Xun'er. The moment she saw Nalan Yanran beside Xiao Yan, her expression instantly turned ugly. She rushed over and planted herself between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran, Glowering At Nalan Yanran.

"You woman! What did you lure Cousin Xiao Yan away for?!"

I lured him away? In that situation just now, wasn't he the one who lured me away?

Nalan Yanran could not help but grumble inwardly. At that moment, Xiao Yu walked over and looked at Xiao Yan.

"Xiao Yan, the Clan Leader wants you over there."

"Oh, got it."

Xiao Yan nodded, lightly waved to Nalan Yanran, and headed toward the High Platform where Xiao Zhan was. Xiao Yu slowly followed behind him.

After Xiao Yan left, Nalan Yanran Gazed At Xiao Mei before her, a faint smile appearing at the corners of her lips. She raised her hand and said,

"Xiao Yan and I just took a stroll through the market. Is there a problem?"

"You—"

Xiao Mei was about to say more when she suddenly noticed the bracelet on Nalan Yanran's raised arm. Her Little Head went slightly blank.

She... didn't seem to have worn that yesterday?

"Hey!" A trace of unease rose in Xiao Mei's heart as she pointed at the bracelet on Nalan Yanran's arm. "Where did that come from?"

"You mean this?"

Nalan Yanran raised her arm and lightly shook the bracelet before Xiao Mei, smiling softly.

"My fiancé gave it to me. Is it pretty?"

Showing off!

Blatantly showing off!

Showing off without the Slightest attempt to hide it!!!

Xiao Mei's first thought was to ask Xiao Yan for one too!

However, Nalan Yanran's next words instantly crushed that idea.

"Sister Xiao Mei can ask Xiao Yan for one too. Your cousin cares for you so much, he'll definitely buy you one~"

"You!!!"

Xiao Mei was furious!!!

Was a gift Xiao Yan gave her on his own initiative the same as one she had to ask for?!

And Nalan Yanran had even deliberately emphasized the word "cousin." Even if Xiao Mei really got one, it would only be something Xiao Yan gave her out of affection for a Sister! It was fundamentally different from the one in Nalan Yanran's hand! Asking for one would be pointless anyway!!!

Watching the enraged Xiao Mei, Nalan Yanran felt immensely pleased with herself. Then her gaze shifted to Xiao Xun'er, whose face had already gone utterly black, and she shook the bracelet at her.

"Sister Xun'er, what do you think of this bracelet?"

"..."

Xiao Xun'er's fists were clenched tight, and her shoulders trembled nonstop. Only after a long while did she slowly lift her head, revealing a smile brimming with Killing Intent on her grim expression.

"Ehh~~~ It's really pretty. Xun'er is so jealous~"

Stay calm.

Stay calm.

Stay! Calm!!!

Xiao Xun'er's Silver Teeth clenched tightly, while veins bulged across her arms beneath her clothes!

This woman just wants to see me make a fool of myself! Don't let her feel smug!!!

The resentment in Xiao Xun'er's heart was about to shoot into the sky, yet she continuously warned herself like this, forcibly suppressing her anger.

Seeing Xiao Xun'er's smiling face, Nalan Yanran did not feel smug at all.

On the contrary, she felt deep fear in her heart.

This girl's temperament is far too frightening.

Nalan Yanran could not help but mutter inwardly.

If she herself faced a situation where a romantic rival came before her showing off a gift from the person she loved, Nalan Yanran might not display all her resentment and fury on her face like Xiao Mei, but she certainly could not smile at her rival as Xiao Xun'er did.

This was not something an ordinary person could endure.

At that moment, Ya Fei's admonition echoed in Nalan Yanran's heart once more, instantly dispelling the joy of victory. She quietly gazed at her bracelet, then looked at the two of them and slowly said after a moment,

"I'm sorry for deliberately showing it off in front of you."

"Eh?"

Faced with Nalan Yanran's sudden apology, not only Xiao Mei but even Xiao Xun'er was stunned.

This woman would apologize to the two of us? Has she changed?

Nalan Yanran continued.

"I really do like Xiao Yan. I am confident that I like him more than anyone else."

"But before this, I had always believed that if Xiao Yan and I married in the future, then Xiao Yan would be the one marrying up."

Hearing this, Xiao Mei's brows abruptly rose.

"Cousin Xiao Yan would be marrying up? You—mmph?!"

Before Xiao Mei could finish, Xiao Xun'er covered her mouth with one hand.

"Let her finish."

Then Xiao Xun'er Looked Towards Nalan Yanran once more, signaling her to continue. Nalan Yanran went on.

"But what happened today made me reflect on myself."

"If you truly like someone, then you should not believe that the stronger party in a relationship ought to hold the higher position. Nor should there be such a term as 'marrying up.'"

"For Xiao Yan, feelings should be equal. My greatest mistake was failing to realize that before."

After saying this, Nalan Yanran looked at the bracelet in her hand and spoke softly.

"The reason Xiao Yan and I went to the market together was only because he wanted to cheer me up when I was feeling down. In his heart, I am more of a guest of the Xiao Family."

"As for this bracelet, it was merely a prize we won at a stall. Though Xiao Yan did indeed give it to me, I dare guarantee that he only wanted to make me feel better. There was not even the tiniest bit of any other meaning behind it."

After saying this, Nalan Yanran abruptly changed the subject, determination filling her eyes.

"But that does not mean I will give up on him. On the contrary, it has only made my resolve firmer."

"I will not give up on him. Not in this lifetime."

"Absolutely not."

After Listening to Nalan Yanran's words, Xiao Mei stared at her blankly, while Xiao Xun'er also frowned slightly.

This woman was even more troublesome.