Xiao Yan and Xun Er

I jolted awake and rolled out of bed. After putting on my shoes, I crept toward the back door... I was only at the sixth stage of Dou Qi, with combat power roughly equal to zero. No matter who had come, running was my only option!

But to my surprise, those guards were utterly useless. With a deafening boom, the other party had already broken in and blocked me head-on.

Wood chips and dust filled the air, and a petite figure flickered in and out of sight, her robes fluttering.

I stood frozen in terror, not knowing who had come or what I should do. Should I kneel and beg for mercy later? Nalan Yanran was my cousin. If I got on my knees and begged, surely no one would still kill me, right?

My thoughts ran wild, but when the dust settled, the face that appeared before me was a youthful one that blended seductive charm with pure innocence.

"Xiao Meier."

Although this was our first meeting, the moment I saw that alluring yet innocent face, this name flashed through my mind.

"Nalan Ye!"

Xiao Meier stared fixedly at me. Her eyes, once full of charm and innocence, were now brimming with endless fury and embarrassment.

"Break off the engagement!"

She shouted it at me plainly and directly. Only then did I come back to my senses and realize that there were no old immortals from the Xiao Family around—only Xiao Meier herself. Behind her, more than a dozen of my family's guards surrounded her awkwardly, yet none dared to truly make a move.

I understood. Xiao Meier was merely dissatisfied with the marriage and had come alone to make trouble... As for breaking off the engagement? That was impossible. I was counting on this marriage to strengthen my relationship with Xiao Yan, so I could cling to his thigh!

I straightened my clothes and regained my usual composure. After a moment of silence, I said, "...Hello."

"Hello..."

Xiao Meier replied instinctively, then realized what had happened and shouted in anger and embarrassment, "Nalan Ye, you... you, break off the engagement!"

There was no way I was breaking off the engagement, and there was nothing to discuss with this hotheaded little girl. I had the guards restrain her, then sent someone to notify the Xiao Family.

Before long, Xiao Meier's Grandfather arrived at the inn. He sincerely apologized to me and presented a gift.

After thinking it over, I did not make things difficult for the old guy, mainly because I did not want to say much to him. I told him to keep a close eye on Xiao Meier after returning home, then sent the grandfather and granddaughter away, paying no heed to Xiao Meier's furious expression.

A little girl like her could hardly stir up any real trouble. I did not need Xiao Meier to like me. All I wanted was a title.

One where, when Xiao Yan thought of me, he would say, "Oh, that guy seems to be my brother-in-law..." rather than, "That guy is Nalan Yanran's cousin."

I opened the gift from Xiao Meier's Grandfather. Inside were cultivation resources such as Magic Crystals. They were not large, but they were quite valuable. He certainly knew how to give gifts.

At this moment, Dad, who had gone to see Yanran Jie off, finally returned. Seeing the inn in complete disarray from the fighting, he jumped in fright.

I casually explained a few things. After dinner, I returned to my room and began considering the future. My century-long plan was undoubtedly to stand firmly by Xiao Yan and Xun Er's side. Thanks to the Marriage Alliance, I had already accomplished that.

Perhaps it was time for me to return to the Nalan Family? Staying in Wutan City all the time—or rather, staying near Xiao Yan—was not particularly safe...

Several days later, at the Xiao Family marketplace in Wutan City.

On the street, two young men stood beside a Purple Skirt Girl whose robes fluttered gracefully. One of them was pale-faced, yet generous with money. Holding a Magic Crystal necklace worth over a thousand gold coins, he offered it to the Purple Skirt Girl with a flattering expression.

On the other side, the somewhat youthful-looking young man was much poorer and had a far worse attitude. He held a cheap roadside necklace worth no more than five gold coins, lazily extending it toward the girl with an expression that said, take it or leave it.

Anyone who saw this scene would probably think the Purple Skirt Girl would definitely accept the priceless Magic Crystal necklace... except me.

Because I knew that Purple Skirt Girl was called Xun Er, and that lazy young man was Xiao Yan!

Sure enough, Xun Er ignored the priceless Magic Crystal necklace and chose Xiao Yan's junk necklace instead. Seeing this, I could not help but smile bitterly. Brilliant. Truly brilliant!

In just three chapters, it went from encountering the Xiao Family's Guard Captain upon entering the marketplace as foreshadowing, to Xun Er seeing a necklace she liked yet not asking Xiao Yan to buy it, to Galeo offering a precious necklace while Xun Er intended to accept it and give it to Xiao Yan, then Xun Er accepting Xiao Yan's junk necklace, and finally Galeo flying into a rage while the Xiao Family's Guard Captain came to save the day... In only three chapters, the climaxes and satisfying moments came one after another, while the foreshadowing was utterly unobtrusive. If I had writing like this, I would have gone to Qidian long ago. Why would I have waited until now?

I sighed and came back to my senses. By then, Galeo had already flown into a rage and led his lackeys to surround Xiao Yan and Xun Er. I knew it was time for me to take the stage.

With a wave of my hand, more than a dozen elite guards from the Nalan Family immediately rushed out of the crowd and surrounded Galeo's group. Galeo shouted angrily, "Who are you? Which family do you belong to, daring to oppose this young master?"

The crowd before me automatically parted to form a path. I stepped forward, ignoring Galeo's shouting. I quickly approached Xiao Yan and Xun Er, gave a slight bow, and smiled. "Xiao Yan Gege, Xun Er Meimei."

Several days later, Xiao Yan saw me again, and an indescribably complicated look filled his eyes. After a pause, he nodded. "Mm."

I smiled, turned around, looked at Galeo, and berated him, "You surnamed Jia! You dare bully my brother-in-law and my sister-in-law? Are you tired of living?"

Galeo answered without backing down, "This young master's surname is Galie, not Jia! And who are you?"

"My name is Nalan Ye."

Before Galeo could speak, I drew my sword with a clang. Cold light flashed in every direction as the blade pointed straight at Galeo. I shouted, "I, Nalan Ye, declare in the name of the Nalan Family that from this day forward, the Xiao Family of Wutan City is under the protection of the Nalan Family!"

"If you filthy scum dare provoke the Xiao Family again, first ask whether your head is harder, or the sword in my hand is sharper!"

As my shout rang out, the dozen or so Nalan guards all let out strange cries... Pah, they all burst into laughter instead, recklessly releasing the aura of Dou Zhe.

More than a dozen Dou Zhe joining forces was truly rare in a small place like Wutan City. Unable to withstand their auras, the people in the marketplace retreated one after another in shock.

The Nalan Family was terrifying beyond measure!

Nalan Ye was terrifying beyond measure!