Let's Make a Match

Mio Nord returned two days before Qi Bei and Princess Mingyue's engagement ceremony. He was the legitimate eldest grandson of the family head, Cody Nord, and would, barring any accidents, inherit the position of family head in the future.

Therefore, Mio Nord's status within the family was beyond question. In this generation, he was the strongest and most respected. He was a King Grade water mage, currently managing the family's businesses in ten northeastern provinces, and also served as an executive in the Golden Leaf Dynasty's Mage Guild.

When Qi Bei returned, the family elders didn't say a word. But with Mio Nord's return, elders who were rarely seen even on normal days appeared one after another to offer warm greetings. The family was even holding a grand banquet that evening to welcome him back.

How could the gap between people be so vast?

However, Qi Bei wouldn't be envious. This was the honor that someone with strength deserved.

The banquet was held in the Nord Family's vast garden, attended by all the influential figures in the imperial capital.

Phantom was helping Qi Bei put on the robe she had personally sewn. Her craftsmanship was truly astonishing; the style and handiwork surpassed even the royal tailors.

Watching Phantom fasten his belt, Qi Bei's heart warmed. He suddenly reached out and pulled her into his embrace.

Phantom bit Qi Bei's firm chest through his clothes, saying in a delicate voice, "If Young Master misbehaves again, I'll really bite."

"If you bite my chest, I'll bite your butt. Go ahead and bite," Qi Bei chuckled.

Phantom was somewhat helpless, defeated by Qi Bei's rogue behavior. She obediently stayed in his arms, not daring to move.

Qi Bei held Phantom tight, rubbing his cheek against her ear and whispering, "I just want to hug you."

"Mmm," Phantom replied softly, like a cat, and wrapped her jade arms around his waist.

With the warm, fragrant beauty in his arms, Qi Bei didn't have any impure thoughts. However, seeing the mansion brilliantly decorated with colorful magic lights, he suddenly missed the neon lights of his past life's streets, and the beautiful girl who had once captured his heart.

After a long while, Qi Bei gently pushed Phantom away and looked in the mirror. He suddenly exclaimed, "Oh no!"

"What's wrong?" Phantom asked urgently, looking Qi Bei up and down to see if anything was amiss.

"Wearing the clothes you sewed, I'm actually so handsome and dashing. How many noble ladies and young girls will pine for me because of this," Qi Bei grinned.

Phantom rolled her eyes at Qi Bei, but it was true. Qi Bei had inherited his mother's excellent looks. His slightly curly blond hair and dark eyes, as bright as stars, made for a somewhat exotic combination, yet he had a remarkably clean smile.

"Young Master is a pretty boy," Phantom muttered.

Qi Bei, with his sharp ears, looked into Phantom's beautiful eyes and said seriously, "This Young Master wears the skin of a pretty boy, but actually has the wildest heart. Believe me, touch it."

Saying this, Qi Bei took Phantom's small hand and placed it on his chest.

Feeling Qi Bei's powerful heartbeat, Phantom snatched her hand back as if electrocuted and pushed him away. "The banquet is about to start. If you don't go now, you'll be late."

Qi Bei walked out of his courtyard with a chuckle, while Phantom, inside the room, had a complex expression, her small hands clasped together as if holding a beating heart.

As soon as Qi Bei arrived at the banquet venue, he ran into his elder brother, Mio Nord.

"Big Brother," Qi Bei called out indifferently. In his memory, this elder brother had always treated him with disdain.

As expected, Mio Nord merely nodded slightly before brushing past him.

Qi Bei shrugged and looked around, searching for the figure of his real elder brother, Huai'an Nord.

"Stop looking. Your eldest brother and eldest sister are hiding over there, talking about love," Feng Ruoyu appeared out of nowhere, pouting with an indignant expression.

"What's wrong? You two are a couple. Why are you pouting?" Qi Bei picked up a glass of wine and a glass of fruit juice, handing the juice to Feng Ruoyu as he spoke.

"I'm certainly not complaining, it's just that I suddenly feel a bit redundant. Qi Bei, why don't we become a couple too?" Feng Ruoyu took the juice.

"Pfft!" Qi Bei, who had just taken a large gulp of wine, sputtered it all out upon hearing her words.

Qi Bei became conflicted again. Although he had the same thought, wasn't this a bit too soon? In another two years... Well, if the little beauty insisted, perhaps starting with a kiss?

Just as Qi Bei was about to speak, Feng Ruoyu giggled and said, "Qi Bei, you didn't take me seriously, did you?"

Qi Bei reached out, pinched Feng Ruoyu's rosy little cheeks, and pulled them outwards, saying with a stern face, "Is Qi Bei how you address me? Call me 'Gege' (older brother)."

"Gege, good Gege, my pretty little face is going to get swollen..." Feng Ruoyu pleaded.

Qi Bei let go and said, "You have to call me Gege from now on. If you call me by my name again, I'll spank your butt."

Feng Ruoyu made a face and said, "You didn't say anything when I called you Qi Bei just now."

"That was then. Anyway, you have to call me Gege from now on." Qi Bei's face felt a little hot; he was embarrassed for himself.

"Then what if I want to call you Qi Bei in the future?" Feng Ruoyu blinked her lake-green eyes.

"Ahem, we'll talk about that when you're older," Qi Bei coughed twice, openly trying to seduce a loli.

"I'm already grown up," Feng Ruoyu puffed out her chest.

Qi Bei glanced at her and sneered dismissively.

Feng Ruoyu looked down at her still flat chest, then at several noblewomen whose snowy white [***] were largely exposed. She felt a little insecure, but quickly comforted herself, thinking she was still young. In a few years, her chest would definitely be as big and firm as her sister's.

"I'm not talking to you anymore," Feng Ruoyu stomped her foot and turned to leave. However, she quickly turned back, giggling, "My good Gege, wait for me! In two years, I'll be qualified to call you by your name."

"Pfft!" The wine Qi Bei had just taken into his mouth sprayed out again. This mischievous little imp truly understood everything.

Qi Bei held his wine glass, his Fiery Golden Eyes scanning the area. He spotted a group of noble young ladies not far away and took a step towards them.

"Fifth Brother, I heard you were back. I was just too busy with academy matters to get away. You won't blame your Second Brother, will you?" Just then, Will Nord, along with three other youths, walked over and said to Qi Bei with a forced smile.

Will Nord was twenty-four years old and assisted in managing affairs at the Nord Military Academy.

The Nord Military Academy was one of the three top academies in the Golden Leaf Dynasty. Its founder was the first Nord family head, Simon Nord. Most of its graduates joined the army controlled by the Nord family as key personnel.

Thinking about it, the first family head's foresight was truly extraordinary, realizing the importance of talent so early on.

With the Nord Military Academy, there was no worry about a lack of future core strength.