Claiming Jiang Nannan First

After checking on Jiang Nannan's mother's condition, Su Ming led Jiang Nannan to the door and said softly:

"Sister Nannan, just stay home and take good care of Auntie for the time being."

"I'll write a letter shortly and have people from the sect come pick you and Auntie up."

"And there will be a dedicated physician to look after Auntie along the way, so accidents will be less likely to happen."

"Once you return to the sect, we can begin comprehensive treatment."

Hearing Su Ming's words, which were filled with concern for her, Jiang Nannan felt a warm current rise in her heart. She said gratefully:

"Su Ming, I really don't know what to say. If I hadn't met you today, I probably would have..."

After learning about the sect Su Ming belonged to and Su Ming's identity, the glimmer of hope that had risen in Jiang Nannan's heart finally became impossible to extinguish.

Her mother could finally be saved.

But as she spoke, Jiang Nannan's eyes reddened, and she poured out all the grievance and pain she had kept inside.

Though she appeared so strong at the academy and in front of her mother every day,

in private, Jiang Nannan had no idea how many times she had fallen into despair.

Now, Su Ming's timely appearance and his consideration for her in every regard had undoubtedly broken through Jiang Nannan's emotional defenses.

As she spoke, Jiang Nannan bent her knees and was about to kneel directly before Su Ming.

In her eyes, such a life-saving kindness deserved this.

And not only that—she needed to spend the rest of her life repaying it with all she had.

"Sister Nannan, you can't, you can't." Seeing this, Su Ming hurriedly helped her up.

The reason Jiang Nannan displayed such an attitude was naturally because she was intelligent and had seen through many things.

She knew, of course, that her talent was quite good. If she were willing to join some faction, they would certainly be willing to fund her mother's treatment.

But the problem was that every faction Jiang Nannan had approached wanted nothing more than to devour her whole.

This inevitably drove Jiang Nannan into despair, leaving her no choice but to grit her teeth and hold on until now.

At the beginning, her mother's condition had been all right and not particularly serious.

With Jiang Nannan's Soul Master stipend, her work-study earnings, and the family's meager savings, they had still been able to manage.

But as her mother's illness worsened, Jiang Nannan had now nearly reached the end of the road.

If she had not happened to meet kind-hearted Su Ming today, she would have had to consider selling herself next.

Yes, selling herself to some great faction.

Compared to the ugly faces of those local factions in Xuanyuan City, Su Ming was truly a great benefactor and a genuine lifesaver.

He said he was recruiting for the sect, and that she would still need to undergo assessments and testing after arriving there.

Yet he was so considerate, so thorough in his arrangements, and so gentle toward her. Clearly, he had taken pity on her.

Especially since there had never been even a trace of lust in the way he looked at her. It was as though he was simply thinking of her welfare.

That made Jiang Nannan feel incredibly safe and reassured.

I never thought that one day, luck would descend upon me.

Looking at Su Ming, who was still comforting her, Jiang Nannan felt as though sweetness had finally come after all her suffering.

Even now, everything that had happened to her today felt like a dream. It was simply too surreal.

Thus, Jiang Nannan was afraid—afraid that it was all fake, all an illusion.

But when she felt the lingering warmth from Su Ming's palm, Jiang Nannan knew that it was all real.

Unconsciously, when Jiang Nannan looked at Su Ming's face, a blush appeared on her delicate little face.

"Sister Nannan, what's wrong?" Seeing her expression, Su Ming deliberately pretended not to know.

"Nothing, nothing." Jiang Nannan quickly shook her head as she pulled back her hand.

She could not help cursing herself inwardly. Jiang Nannan, what's wrong with you? How could you have such thoughts about your benefactor...

After that, Su Ming chatted with Jiang Nannan about many more matters, considering virtually everything that needed to be considered.

"Sister Nannan, now that everything here has been handled, I should be leaving as well."

The next day, Su Ming expressed his intention to depart.

Though Jiang Nannan was somewhat reluctant, she still nodded. "Mm, you should head back early too. We'll meet at the Heavenly Dragon Sect."

During their earlier conversation, Jiang Nannan had already learned why Su Ming was passing through Xuanyuan City.

Although she was somewhat disappointed that she could not return to the Heavenly Dragon Sect with Su Ming, she never showed it on her face.

Nearly a day together had allowed Jiang Nannan to learn much about Su Ming and see many of his admirable qualities and charms.

"Uncle Zhao, I'm leaving Sister Nannan's family in your care."

Before departing, Su Ming instructed a middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man whom he called Uncle Zhao replied with utmost solemnity:

"Please rest assured, Young Master. During this time, this subordinate will certainly protect Miss Nannan's family."

On the surface, it seemed that only Su Ming's family was returning to Weihai City this time.

But in truth, several stewards and guards were secretly accompanying them for protection.

The man Su Ming called Uncle Zhao and left behind in Xuanyuan City to protect Jiang Nannan's family was one of the stewards accompanying them on this trip.

With his cultivation as a Soul Emperor, he could absolutely intimidate any petty figures who had their eyes on Jiang Nannan.

After all, at present, those targeting Jiang Nannan were merely some trash factions native to Xuanyuan City.

Xu Sanshi had yet to meet Jiang Nannan, so how could there have been love at first sight?

Even though the Xuanming Sect had already placed Jiang Nannan on its selection list because of her beauty, talent, and family circumstances,

Su Ming was not worried in the slightest.

After all, what did being placed on a selection list prove?

The Xuanming Sect had always cast a wide net to catch more fish.

Especially since this sort of thing was disgraceful to begin with, and they carried it out in secret.

Up to now, Jiang Nannan had not yet been approached by anyone from the Xuanming Sect, so there was absolutely no problem with Su Ming making the first move.

"Son, what's going on with that little girl?"

Inside the carriage as they officially set off, Su Long looked at his son with a gossiping expression.

Zhou Yun, seated nearby, also spoke up. "Ming'er, remember that you already have an engagement. Don't wrong Nannan."

"Don't worry, Mom. I know what I'm doing." Su Ming did not argue and simply went along with his mother's words.

After all, his parents still did not know about his declaration that day that he wanted a harem.