"Xiao Clan Chief, could you give me some time to consider?"
After a moment of silence, Ya Fei finally chose to stall for time.
Given Xiao Zhan's strength, she would be powerless to resist if he forced the issue.
Now, she could only pin all her hopes on the Misty Cloud Sect.
After Xiao Zhan had provoked the Misty Cloud Sect so openly that day, Ya Fei was certain they would never let him off.
She only needed to hold out until the Misty Cloud Sect came to settle the score.
Xiao Zhan would undoubtedly die!
Then this predicament would resolve itself.
At that thought, a cold sneer flickered through Ya Fei's heart.
Xiao Zhan, oh, Xiao Zhan. To think I actually considered you someone of substance.
Now it seems you're nothing more than a lecher.
Though she felt some contempt for Xiao Zhan, a smile as gentle as spring water returned to her exquisite face. Looking at him, she said with a slightly coquettish air, "Xiao Clan Chief, surely you can grant me this tiny request?"
Her words seemed like a plea, but they were actually meant to goad him.
This was another of Ya Fei's usual tricks.
Whenever she had used it before, no man had been able to refuse her.
Xiao Zhan frowned slightly at her words. His gaze roamed over Ya Fei's graceful figure before a faint smile slowly spread across his lips. "Very well. I'll give you one day to consider."
He could afford to wait a day. He was not some man whose mind was clouded by lust.
Besides, since he intended to marry Ya Fei, and he was now effectively the lord of a city, the wedding naturally had to be handled properly.
Preparing the wedding alone would take several days.
"One day?"
Ya Fei froze at Xiao Zhan's words, then said anxiously, "Xiao Clan Chief, one day is too little."
"Then three days."
Xiao Zhan thought she had a point. One day would not be enough to prepare a wedding.
This was his first marriage, after all. He could not be too careless.
"Three days is still too little."
Bitterness showed on Ya Fei's face. How had she never noticed how difficult Xiao Zhan was to deal with?
"Three days is plenty."
Xiao Zhan's expression grew impatient. It was only a wedding; three days was more than enough to prepare it.
Seeing signs that Xiao Zhan was about to lose his temper, Ya Fei's expression shifted slightly. She could only plead softly, looking pitiful. "Xiao Clan Chief, how about this? Give me half a... one month. After one month, I'll definitely give you an answer."
Even if the Misty Cloud Sect moved slowly, one month should be enough.
"Hmph, Miss Ya Fei, do you think we're doing business here? Do you intend to haggle with me?"
Xiao Zhan's expression hardened. He had also realized that Ya Fei intended to stall for time, and immediately sneered. "You get three days, no more."
"When the time comes, I'll send a bridal sedan to fetch you, Miss Ya Fei. I hope you won't spurn my goodwill."
Ya Fei's lovely face changed. She fumed inwardly at his complete lack of manners. He was far too overbearing.
"Xiao Clan Chief, a melon plucked by force isn't sweet. Doesn't acting this way compromise your dignity?"
Perhaps because she was so furious, the smile gradually faded from Ya Fei's face, and her tone grew stiff.
"Then I'll have no dignity. It's not as though anyone in Wutan City dares criticize me anyway."
Xiao Zhan looked utterly unconcerned as he answered.
As long as his skin was thick enough, Ya Fei's attempts to goad him would have no effect.
A melon plucked by force might not be sweet, but Xiao Zhan did not care whether it was sweet.
It only needed to quench his thirst.
Besides, judging by Ya Fei's fair skin with its rosy glow, she looked wonderfully succulent. Tasting something so juicy would surely have a flavor all its own.
"..."
Ya Fei stared at Xiao Zhan in astonishment, her rosy lips parted, unable to speak for a long time.
She considered herself worldly, yet she had never encountered anyone so brazenly shameless.
"Xiao Clan Chief, I don't believe I've ever offended you. Why must you press me so relentlessly?"
Taking a deep breath, Ya Fei forced down her anger and spoke as calmly as she could. "One month. As long as you give me one month, Xiao Clan Chief, I'll marry you willingly."
"But if you insist on forcing me, I'm not someone who clings to life and fears death."
Xiao Zhan's shameless, overbearing behavior had become unbearable to Ya Fei, and a hint of threat crept into her voice without her realizing it.
If Xiao Zhan wanted to take her by force, he would get nothing but a corpse.
Now, Ya Fei could only pin all her hopes on the Misty Cloud Sect.
Xiao Zhan, let's see whether you can survive the Misty Cloud Sect.
Hearing Ya Fei's words, Xiao Zhan frowned slightly and narrowed his eyes, staring straight at the calm-faced woman before him.
He had to admit that this woman truly was capable.
She had courage and cunning, knew when to bend and when to stand tall, yet still had a line she would not cross.
If he married such a woman and won her wholehearted loyalty, she might truly become a worthy helpmate.
Apart from her poor cultivation talent, Ya Fei could be called perfect in every other respect.
At that thought, Xiao Zhan found himself increasingly drawn to the woman before him.
Marrying a woman like this would make things interesting.
"You're doing everything you can to delay this for a month because you're waiting for the Misty Cloud Sect, aren't you?"
A smile suddenly appeared on Xiao Zhan's lips. He was no fool. Judging by Ya Fei's attitude, she could not possibly be willing to marry him just like that.
She wanted to delay for a month because she was confident she could escape his grasp by then.
That immediately brought the Misty Cloud Sect to Xiao Zhan's mind.
By now, most people in Wutan City who knew about the matter were probably gloating, waiting to see him get his just deserts.
Indeed, as far as outsiders were concerned, how could the Xiao Clan's strength possibly contend with the lofty Misty Cloud Sect?
Some factions had even chosen to submit to the Xiao Clan only temporarily, waiting for the Misty Cloud Sect to settle the score. When that happened, they would naturally regain their freedom.
"The Misty Cloud Sect..."
A smile appeared on Xiao Zhan's lips.
Why should I fear a mere Misty Cloud Sect?
For every one who comes, I'll kill one!
I'll show everyone who the true overlord of the Jia Ma Empire is!
"I... you're overthinking things, Xiao Clan Chief. I had no such intention..."
With Xiao Zhan exposing her thoughts so directly, Ya Fei panicked inwardly and even began stumbling over her words.
"Really?"
Xiao Zhan regarded Ya Fei mockingly, disbelief written all over his face.
"Whether that's what you're thinking or not, since you're so insistent, I'll grant your request."
Looking at this great beauty whom nearly everyone in Wutan City knew, Xiao Zhan suddenly chuckled. He stepped forward and reached out, gently slipping his arm around her enticing, sinuous waist.
With his arm around that perfect waist coveted by countless men in Wutan City, Xiao Zhan could feel Ya Fei's body turn rigid in his embrace.
"Since you're all so eager to see me die at the Misty Cloud Sect's hands, I'll make a point of staying alive and well."
"Miss Ya Fei, just wait. In one month, you'll be my bride."
Resting his chin on Ya Fei's fragrant shoulder, Xiao Zhan breathed in her faint scent, the corners of his lips curling into a mocking smile as he spoke.
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