Tense Mu Ningxue

Mu Clan Manor.

Even though the Mu Family knew full well this wasn't an engagement, after receiving all the benefits from the Chen Clan, Mu Zhuoyun still made a grand show of arranging things.

In fact, after a lengthy chat with Elder Chen Ming, Mu Zhuoyun gained a deeper understanding of what it meant to glimpse just the tip of the iceberg of a great clan!

His tiny Mu Family, able to receive the patronage of the Chen Clan, was nothing short of a blessing from their ancestors' graves.

Even the casual "handouts" from the Chen Clan were enough to give the Mu Family the foundation to nurture several High-level Mages!

Normally, a small family like theirs would need to accumulate who knows how much capital to achieve such a feat.

That wasn't all—the most important point was that from now on, their little family would have a massive backer...

"Tap."

"Tap."

"..."

Just as Chen Lang and the others were casually chatting with Mu Zhuoyun, the sound of high heels striking the floor rang out.

The members of the Chen Clan branch looked up and saw a stunningly beautiful woman walking toward them.

Her silver hair cascaded to her waist like untrodden fresh snow, the ends shimmering with a cold, moonlit sheen. A few unruly strands hung by her neck, which she tucked behind her ear with a raised hand, revealing earlobes like jade beads glistening with morning dew.

A light purple gauze dress made her skin appear even more translucent, her shoulder and neck lines flowing like ice sculptures, the hollow of her collarbone seeming to hold fragments of light.

Her silver hair and the ice-crystal patterns embroidered on her dress complemented each other, and as she walked, the hem swept across the floor, as if frost flowers bloomed with every step.

Her eyelashes were long and thick, like a layer of light snow, casting faint shadows on her eyelids when lowered.

Her lips were a natural pinkish-white, and from a distance, they still carried a girl's youthful shyness. But when she lifted her head and let her gaze sweep over the room full of guests, those clear eyes held an aloofness beyond her years.

Like the thin ice on an early spring lake—crystal clear and fragile, yet keeping others at arm's length.

Tonight, Mu Ningxue had clearly dressed up with extra care. Of course, this was most likely at Mu Zhuoyun's behest.

Purple had a certain charm, and paired with that icy, breathtakingly beautiful face, the combination on her created a uniquely captivating beauty.

At that moment, the members of the Chen Clan branch seemed to understand why Chen Lang had made such a big deal out of this...

This girl was truly beautiful enough!

But at the same time, some of the Chen Clan branch felt that Chen Lang making such a fuss over lust meant he wouldn't amount to much in the future!

No matter what they thought, though, it was just that—thoughts. Among everyone present, no one outranked Chen Lang.

Chen Lang, of course, didn't care about others' opinions. He walked straight up to Mu Ningxue.

Under Chen Lang's burning gaze, and with so many people watching, Mu Ningxue found it hard to bear.

Seeing her at a loss, about to lower her head, Chen Lang spoke softly, "You're beautiful tonight."

She looked at him but didn't know what to say.

Chen Lang didn't wait for her response. He offered his arm to her. "If you're really uncomfortable, hold my arm. I'll handle everything else."

Though Mu Ningxue wasn't used to such public displays, thinking of her father's instructions and what might happen tonight... she chose to loop her arm through his.

The moment she leaned into him, Chen Lang could clearly feel how nervous Mu Ningxue was.

"Don't be nervous. I've got everything under control."

Hearing his reassurance, Mu Ningxue softly hummed in acknowledgment.

With Chen Lang's status and position, there was no need for him to get to know the so-called nobles present. They weren't even on par with some of the families that were vassals to the Chen Clan.

As for the Chen Clan members there, there was even less need to flatter them. It was just going through the motions...

After all the necessary ceremonies were completed, Chen Lang led Mu Ningxue toward her private room. Though their arrangement was somewhat unconventional, this was how Mu Zhuoyun had planned it.

Chen Lang naturally couldn't refuse such goodwill.

Once inside her room, Mu Ningxue, who had been tense the whole time, now seemed like a tightly drawn string.

Chen Lang led her to sit by the bed and said again, "Don't be too nervous. I'm not going to do anything to you right now."

Mu Ningxue: You're already at my bedside, and you're telling me not to be nervous?

But then she recalled the words Mu Zhuoyun had spoken to her alone earlier... Indeed, if not for her father's push, how could the two of them have ended up alone in a room together so quickly?

In this regard, Chen Lang was a good judge of character.

After Mu Zhuoyun tore off the thin veneer of a "loving father," he turned out exactly as Chen Lang had expected.

They just sat there. Gradually, Mu Ningxue realized that Chen Lang really wasn't doing anything to her, and she finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.

She had chosen this path, yes, but she naturally needed time to adjust.

Still, she didn't understand why her father, who had been so adamant before, was now so eager to push her toward him...

"I haven't fulfilled my promises to you yet, so I won't take advantage of you. But... our previous bet—you haven't paid up yet."

With those words, Chen Lang leaned in close, right in front of Mu Ningxue.

Mu Ningxue soon felt Chen Lang's hand gripping her chin, gently turning her neck.

Then, she felt her lips being somewhat roughly enveloped by his, her teeth and lips easily pried apart by his strong yet soft tongue. Before long, Chen Lang was recklessly stirring inside her mouth...

Mu Ningxue had originally thought Chen Lang would only kiss her lips, but she hadn't expected him to probe his tongue into her mouth...

The long kiss lasted nearly ten minutes, only ending when Mu Ningxue had gone completely limp.

When the kiss ended, a faint blush crept across her once ice-cold face.

Like this, she was undoubtedly even more alluring.

But since she was already a delicacy ready to be savored, there was no need to taste her before she was fully ripe. He had plenty of time and opportunities.

"Get some rest."

Mu Ningxue had already convinced herself in her heart.

Yet, after waiting a moment, that was it?

Seeing her rich little expressions, Chen Lang smiled and teased, "What were you expecting?"

Mu Ningxue felt a bit awkward, but by now her face had returned to its usual cool composure. She didn't say anything more to Chen Lang, turned around, and lay down, curling herself into the blankets.

Seeing her wrapped up so tightly, Chen Lang said helplessly, "You know very well that if I wanted to do something, I could. Will you be comfortable sleeping in your clothes?"

Sleeping in clothes was certainly not comfortable; she just wasn't used to the current situation.

But hearing Chen Lang say this, Mu Ningxue felt it made sense.

If Chen Lang really wanted to do something, she wouldn't resist at all, because from the moment she came in with him, she had already accepted it...

Since that was the case, her behavior now seemed a bit ridiculous instead...