Galie Ao

Wutan City was one of the major cities of the Jia Ma Empire.

Though it lay in a remote region, far from the empire's heartland, its prosperity did not pale in comparison to many inland cities.

Broad bluestone streets crisscrossed the city, lined with countless shops and fluttering banners.

Stores selling weapons, pills, medicinal herbs, Magic Cores, scrolls, cloth, and grain stood shoulder to shoulder. Shouts, sales cries, and haggling rose and fell, weaving a lively, noisy picture of city life.

Though the blazing sun hung high overhead, the streets remained packed with people brushing shoulders.

All kinds of people moved through the crowds.

There were armored mercenaries, hurried merchants, richly dressed noble youths, and ragged beggars.

Now and then, strange races could be seen passing through the crowd. Some were built like iron towers, while others had unusually colored skin, drawing curious glances from passersby.

Perhaps because Xiao Yan was with her, Xiao Xun'er seemed like a different person after leaving the Xiao Clan.

Back at the Xiao Clan, she had been the quiet girl who was nearly easy to overlook. She did not like talking or smiling, and she treated everyone with calm detachment, always keeping her distance.

But now, she had shed that cold outer shell, revealing the real girl inside—vivid, lively, and full of youthful energy.

She had become much more cheerful.

Holding Xiao Yan's hand, she darted around from stall to stall.

One moment, she picked up an unusually shaped hairpin and held it against her hair, asking Xiao Yan whether it looked good.

The next, she crouched before an antique stall, turning over an old coin covered in verdigris, her little face full of curiosity.

Then she was drawn to a street vendor selling candied hawthorns, her bright eyes fixed on the strings of red fruit as she muttered, "I really want one."

She laughed happily, her laughter as light as a mountain spring and as crisp as a jade chime, especially pleasant amid the noisy streets.

A few passersby turned at the sound. When they saw Xiao Xun'er's beauty, amazement flashed through their eyes. Then they looked at Xiao Yan beside her and showed expressions of understanding.

Xiao Yan had been pulled along by her all the way, a faint smile never leaving his face.

He did not care about the gazes cast their way, nor did he mind Xun'er dragging him wildly between the stalls.

He simply followed quietly behind the girl, watching her back, her skipping steps, and the way she cheered with delight over every tiny discovery.

He rarely saw Xun'er like this.

At the Xiao Clan, she always sat quietly in a corner, like an orchid that never fought for attention—blooming silently, fading silently, never disturbing anyone.

Only when she was with him would she show the side a young girl ought to have. She would act spoiled, throw little tantrums, tug on his sleeve and refuse to let go, or laugh for ages over some insignificant little thing.

He gladly accepted that special place in her heart.

After wandering around for roughly half an hour, Xiao Xun'er was already carrying several things: an antique bronze hairpin, a handwoven bracelet, a packet of preserved fruit, and two candied hawthorn skewers.

She hugged the packet of preserved fruit to her chest. She had taken a bite from one candied hawthorn, puffing out her cheeks like a squirrel caught stealing nuts.

Seeing her like that, Xiao Yan could not help laughing.

"What is it?"

With her cheeks puffed out, Xiao Xun'er asked indistinctly.

"Nothing." Xiao Yan shook his head, though he could not suppress the curve of his lips. "You eat like a little kitten."

At his words, Xiao Xun'er's cheeks flushed slightly. She raised her sleeve to wipe the corner of her mouth, then shot Xiao Yan a glare.

That glare had no force behind it. With the candied hawthorn still in her mouth, her eyes held a mix of reproach and embarrassment, making her look especially adorable.

Xiao Yan was just about to say that he wanted to visit the Miter Auction House and ask Xun'er to head back first or wait outside.

But before he could speak, someone stepped into their path.

It was a richly dressed young man.

He looked to be around twenty years old, dressed in a brocade robe with a jade belt around his waist and cloud-patterned boots on his feet. From head to toe, he radiated an air of wealth.

He was quite handsome, with regular features and refined brows and eyes. Even in a crowd, he would have stood out.

But his complexion was somewhat pale—not the healthy ivory white of good skin, but a sickly pallor from lack of sunlight.

His eye sockets were slightly sunken, and his lips were thin, giving him the impression of someone harsh and unfeeling.

At that moment, his eyes burned as they locked firmly onto Xiao Xun'er beside Xiao Yan.

That gaze contained undisguised admiration, along with a trace of—greed.

Like a collector who had finally seen a treasure he had long coveted, desperate to claim it at once.

Xiao Yan's steps paused slightly.

Galie Ao.

The biological son of Galie Bi, patriarch of the Galie Clan, and the young patriarch of the Galie Clan.

The Galie Clan was one of Wutan City's three great clans, standing alongside the Xiao Clan and the Oba Lineage. The three factions had kept one another in check and struggled openly and secretly for many years.

Xiao Yan naturally recognized that face. Though they had never interacted much, the core members of the three great clans all had some impression of one another in this city.

Twenty-one years old, a One-Star Dou Fighter.

That level was not bad in Wutan City, but it was certainly not strong either.

With the Galie Clan's resources, reaching One-Star Dou Fighter only at twenty-one could only mean his talent was ordinary.

"Miss Xun'er, it has been a long time."

Galie Ao stepped forward with a gentle smile. It was perfectly measured—not overly familiar, yet not too cold, kept at just the right level to leave no room for fault.

His gaze shifted from Xiao Xun'er to Xiao Yan, sizing him up. A flicker of barely perceptible chill passed through his eyes before he quickly resumed that refined, courteous look.

"Miss Xun'er is as beautiful and captivating as ever."

His voice carried a deliberate hint of magnetism, as though he had practiced it.

Xiao Xun'er looked at the delighted Galie Ao, her delicate brows drawing together ever so slightly. The movement was so small that one would hardly notice it without watching her closely.

But Xiao Yan noticed, because he was holding Xun'er's hand and could feel her fingers tighten slightly.

"Young Master Galie Ao, if you have no business with us, please step aside."

Xiao Xun'er's voice was not loud, yet it carried a coldness that kept others at a thousand miles' distance.

Her tone was completely different from when she had spoken to Xiao Yan earlier.

Just moments ago, she had been soft and warm, with a spoiled lilt in her voice. Now, she was cold and distant, without a trace of unnecessary emotion.

Galie Ao's smile stiffened for an instant before returning to normal.

His gaze fell on Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yan's clasped hands, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

In that instant, Xiao Yan clearly saw the jealousy in his eyes—burning, unwilling, desperate to take his place.

He put on that gentle smile again, his tone becoming even more eager.

"Did you two come to the market to buy something? I happen to be free. Why not let me accompany you? I know Wutan City fairly well and can show you around."

His words were polite and proper, without the slightest flaw.

But his eyes never left Xiao Xun'er's face. It was obvious whom that "eagerness" was truly meant for.

Xiao Yan tightened his grip on Xiao Xun'er's hand, then stepped sideways and shielded the girl behind him.

His calm gaze fell on Galie Ao's face. The corners of his lips lifted slightly into a polite but distant smile.

That smile was perfectly measured—not cold, yet not warm either, held at just the right level to leave Galie Ao with nothing to criticize.

"No need."

Xiao Yan spoke unhurriedly. "There is no need to trouble yourself, Young Master Galie Ao. Xun'er and I can look around on our own."

With that, he gave Galie Ao no chance to speak again. Holding Xiao Xun'er's hand, he prepared to walk around the young man blocking their way.