Qian Renxue's Revenge: "Once We're Married, I'll Give You Eight or Ten Kids and Make You Raise Them All by Yourself"

Bo Saixi stood quietly to one side, taking in every subtle change in Qian Renxue's expression, the resolve in her voice, and Li Qing's inner panic.

A flicker of understanding passed through her deep blue eyes, along with a hint of... a complicated emotion even she hadn't noticed.

Bo Saixi sighed inwardly.

Given Qian Renxue's pride and intelligence, learning that her future might be so tragic—and that Li Qing seemed to possess key information that could change her fate—it was only natural for her to strike first and bind Li Qing to her side.

After all, if Bo Saixi were in her shoes, she would probably make a similar choice.

There was nothing better for avoiding danger and securing a brighter future than a partner who could foresee what lay ahead.

This wasn't merely a marriage. It was more like... an investment and a gamble concerning their fate.

But...

Bo Saixi's gaze drifted of its own accord to the black-haired boy standing nearby, his face a picture of confusion and bewilderment.

Watching him fluster under Qian Renxue's sudden marriage proposal, Bo Saixi found that the shock she'd felt upon hearing the prophecy was strangely tempered by a faint, subtle sense of schadenfreude.

That's what you get for mocking people in your head all the time. Now you've finally met your match, haven't you? Bo Saixi thought with a hint of malice. The corners of her lips lifted slightly, then quickly pressed together again.

However, the schadenfreude didn't last long. A subtler, stranger emotion quietly welled up inside her, and her lips slowly fell back into place.

It was... a faint sense of loss.

As if something that had belonged to her—or something she'd secretly hoped for—was slipping away, clasped tightly in someone else's hands.

Why... did she feel a little unhappy?

Bo Saixi furrowed her brow slightly, puzzled by the sudden emotion.

Wasn't it a good thing for Li Qing and Qian Renxue to become engaged?

They were well matched in status and looks, their union could forge an alliance between two great powers, and it might even change certain tragic futures... It was clearly a win all around.

As High Priestess of Sea God Island, she ought to be glad to see it happen.

So what was this faint bitterness and hollow feeling in her heart?

Was it because... that boy wouldn't be around her all the time anymore, making those irreverent jokes?

Or was it because... she'd grown used to that little rascal, who always looked at her with sparkling eyes and occasionally said something astonishing, and now he was about to become someone else's fiancé?

The thought startled Bo Saixi. She quickly composed herself, not daring to dwell on it.

It had to be that boy throwing her off balance lately. That was why she was having all these ridiculous thoughts!

Yes, that had to be it!

Just then, Qian Renxue turned her gaze from Li Qing to her grandfather and Bo Saixi.

Her stunning face once again wore a gracious, faintly questioning smile, as though her sudden marriage proposal had been nothing more than an ordinary suggestion.

"Grandpa, Senior Bo Saixi, what do you think... of my proposal? We can get engaged first, give each other a title and a reason to spend time together. We can cultivate our feelings gradually."

Qian Daoliu had finally come around. He didn't understand why his granddaughter had suddenly come to her senses, but this was undoubtedly wonderful news!

A radiant smile spread across his face, and he nodded repeatedly, unable to hide his delight. "Haha, good! Xiao Xue, I'm so glad you see it that way! I have no objections, of course. It's entirely up to you!"

As he spoke, he looked at Bo Saixi expectantly. If she agreed too, the marriage would be all but settled!

Bo Saixi suppressed the inexplicable feeling within her, and her lovely face returned to its usual elegant smile.

She looked at Qian Renxue, then at Li Qing, whose face was utterly bleak, and gave a slight nod. Her voice was ethereal and calm.

"Since you're being so reasonable, girl, Sea God Island has no objections. We'll do as you say."

With the two elders' approval, the matter seemed settled.

"W-wait!"

A timid voice, making one last desperate stand, rang out. Li Qing cautiously raised his hand like a student asking a question in class. His face was full of helplessness as he looked from Bo Saixi to Qian Daoliu, then finally at the culprit, Qian Renxue.

"Um... aren't you going to ask what I think?"

His voice grew quieter, full of grievance.

What happened to democracy?

What happened to freedom?

How had this suddenly turned into an arranged marriage?

He was still a kid!

At that, Qian Renxue gave a soft snort. Her voice had a girl's familiar, slightly coy lilt, but paired with her forceful push for marriage, it felt strangely intimidating.

She lifted her chin slightly and glanced sideways at Li Qing with her violet eyes, her tone haughty and challenging.

"What? Li Qing, little brother, do you think... this young lady isn't good enough for you?"

There was a hint of satisfaction in Qian Renxue's words at getting back at him for his earlier thoughts.

Qian Renxue's bold question nearly left Li Qing choking for breath.

He hurriedly waved his hands and shook his head like a rattle. "No, no! Not at all! Sister Qian Renxue, you're beautiful as a celestial maiden, blessed with peerless talent and a powerful family. How could you possibly not be good enough for me?!"

He meant it, too. From an objective standpoint, Qian Renxue was flawless.

Yet he couldn't help slipping into his usual inner grumbling:

She's definitely good enough for me... It's just that brain of hers... What if it jams at a crucial moment again, or she suddenly gets carried away and makes some unfathomable decision? Then we'd both be the ones paying for it...

Bo Saixi: "!!!"

Bo Saixi nearly burst out laughing on the spot!

She quickly covered her mouth with her wide sleeve, her shoulders shaking suspiciously twice as she fought back the laughter threatening to burst from her chest.

Good heavens!

That boy!

Even now, he couldn't resist mocking her brains in his head!

He really was... an expert at courting death!

She suddenly felt a little sorry for Qian Renxue. With such a sharp-tongued fiancé, her future was bound to be eventful.

And Qian Renxue...

Hearing Li Qing's merciless follow-up in his thoughts, her pretty face—which had softened a little at his claim that she was good enough for him—darkened again before their very eyes!

It was even darker than before, with a red tinge beneath the black: the face of someone burning with humiliation and fury!

Damn him! Damn him! Damn him!!!

That bastard! All he ever did was go on about her having a bad brain, getting stuck, or acting on impulse!

In her twenty-one years of life, she'd never been this furious—not even all the other times she'd been angry put together. And it was all thanks to this little brat who called her "Sister" to her face and "idiot" in his heart!

Burning with rage, a vicious idea shot uncontrollably into Qian Renxue's mind:

Fine! You say I'm stupid, do you? Once we're married, I'll give you eight or ten kids and make you take care of them all by yourself! I'll wear you out! Let's see if you still dare call me stupid then!

The moment the thought appeared, Qian Renxue herself froze.

Then an astonishing wave of heat surged up to her head and swept through her body!

Her pretty face, darkened by anger only a moment ago, turned bright red in the blink of an eye, like a ripe tomato. Even the tips of her ears and her neck flushed a tempting pink!