Lin Zhecheng had come to discuss the marriage between the two families with the Xiao Family. Lin Fan had returned, so he was naturally willing to let Xiao Ruoxue become a Lin daughter-in-law.
Otherwise, he would never have been willing to let Lin Defei marry Xiao Ruoxue. He intended to groom Lin Defei to become the Lin Family Head. If he married a mute—and an ugly woman at that—how could Lin Defei have the face to serve as Family Head?
As for Lin Fan’s fanciful idea of establishing an independent household, as long as people knew he had married Xiao Ruoxue, that ugly freak, he would become a laughingstock.
If Lin Fan really established an independent household, it could only mean the Lin Family had kicked him out. He would have to hide deep in the mountains and scrape out a miserable existence for the rest of his life.
Lin Zhecheng inclined his head and said, “Xiao Family Head, my son Lin Fan returned yesterday. The marriage between the Xiao and Lin families can now be put on the agenda.”
He was only a Level 7 Martial Artist, while Xiao Yunxin, the Xiao Family Head, was a Level 8 Martial Artist. They seemed to be only one level apart, but the gap in strength was immense.
Perhaps he would never reach Level 8, even if he devoted his entire life to it.
In the face of absolute strength, he had to show sufficient respect.
“This marriage engagement was arranged back then by my Madam and Madam Lin. Now Madam Lin has passed away, and Lin Fan has never been raised by the Lin Family. You also know Ruoxue’s situation. I think this marriage could be…”
“Since it was an agreement made back then, the Lin Family is willing to honor the marriage engagement. No matter what Ruoxue looks like, we’re willing to welcome her into our family, and Lin Fan will surely cherish her.”
Before Xiao Yunxin could finish speaking, Lin Zhecheng hurriedly cut in.
Xiao Yunxin was surely going to say they should call off the marriage. Lin Zhecheng couldn’t let him say it.
At that moment, Lin Fan was pressed against the window outside, eavesdropping. He really wanted to go in and slap Lin Zhecheng hard across the face. He didn’t even know Xiao Ruoxue—how could he cherish her? Was his affection really worth so little?
“How has Lin Fan been doing after all these years away?”
Ye Chunlan, Xiao Yunxin’s wife, suddenly asked.
She had met Lin Fan when he was little. Back then, he was fair and adorable, and his big eyes seemed almost able to speak. She had liked him very much.
The Lin Family had sent Lin Fan to Nine Peaks Mountain when he was little, claiming he was a jinx. Now that they were bringing up the marriage again, she was naturally worried about her daughter’s happiness.
“Lin Fan is tall and handsome now, even more so than I was at his age. He’s also filial and kindhearted. He knew to come home as soon as he turned eighteen. He’s a truly exceptional man.”
As Lin Zhecheng said this, his face felt a little hot. If it weren’t for the Xiao Family’s resources, he would never have said such things against his conscience.
Lin Fan had been sent to Nine Peaks Mountain when he was little, and had been away for more than a decade. Lin Zhecheng had long since lost his affection for him, as if he had no such son.
Lin Zhecheng hadn’t really thought Lin Fan would ever come back. Since he had, he naturally had to make good use of him.
Ye Chunlan asked, “Do you have a photo? Let me have a look.”
“He only got back today. There wasn’t time to take one.”
Lin Fan had only just returned, looking like a rough country bumpkin. How could he show his face without cleaning himself up first? If Lin Zhecheng had taken a photo, the Xiao Family would probably have called off the engagement immediately.
Xiao Yunxin asked, “He cultivated at Nine Peaks Mountain. How strong is he now?”
This was the world of the Martial Dao. If one wasn’t strong, life would be difficult at every turn.
Lin Fan could be ugly, but he had to be strong.
“He was only an Outer Sect Disciple at Nine Peaks Mountain. We haven’t tested his Combat Power Rating yet.”
Xiao Yunxin said, “Lin family head, I need Lin Fan’s file. I also need to discuss this with my daughter. After all, so many years have passed, and Lin Fan never came back. I thought he wouldn’t return. How about we discuss it again three days from now? I’ll come personally to pay a visit to the Lin Family.”
If the Xiao Family was willing to form a marriage alliance with the Lin Family, he would need to visit the Lin Family. If he was going to refuse the marriage, he would need to go in person and explain clearly.
“All right. I’ll be waiting to welcome you at the Lin Family three days from now.”
As soon as Lin Zhecheng left, Lin Fan prepared to look for Xiao Ruoxue. He had already extended his divine sense, allowing him to search Xiao Family Manor quickly.
“Call the young lady downstairs.”
Xiao Linghui, the Xiao Family’s eldest young master, who had been standing beside Xiao Yunxin all along, suddenly said, “Dad, the Lin Family is so small and insignificant. Why form a marriage alliance with them? Ruoxue doesn’t like interacting with people, and she isn’t even eighteen yet. Isn’t it too early to arrange her marriage?”
Xiao Linghui was a Level 7 Martial Artist, ranking among the top five of the younger generation. He doted on Xiao Ruoxue.
Xiao Yunxin pondered for a moment. “The Lin Family wants to curry favor with the Xiao Family, and we need an ally like the Lin Family, too. Besides, Ruoxue… she has to marry eventually.”
“From what Lin Zhecheng said, Lin Fan probably doesn’t have much of a cultivation level.”
“If he has no cultivation, that might actually be a good thing. Maybe he and Ruoxue can live out their lives together in peace…”
Ye Chunlan said, “Let’s wait for Ruoxue to come down and hear what she thinks. I do feel that if Lin Fan is truly willing to marry Ruoxue, it might not be a bad idea.”
She was a collateral member of the Ye Family. Now the Xiao Family’s matriarch, she held a position of considerable standing in the Xiao Family.
The marriages of aristocratic family children often required sacrifices for the sake of family interests.
When she married Xiao Yunxin, the Ye and Xiao families had also needed to bind themselves together through marriage.
In fact, most of the top ten families in Chujiang had formed marriage alliances.
Given Xiao Ruoxue’s circumstances, probably no one among the Ten Great Families would be willing to marry her. Otherwise, she would have refused Lin Zhecheng’s proposed alliance just now.
Lin Fan had spent more than a decade in the mountains. He surely didn’t have much cultivation. What qualifications did he have to become the Xiao Family’s son-in-law?
Just as Xiao Linghui was about to speak, he suddenly saw Xiao Ruoxue coming downstairs.
“Ruoxue, someone from the Lin Family came just now. They want to form a marriage alliance with the Xiao Family.”
Xiao Ruoxue was tall and possessed an outstanding bearing. If one didn’t look at her face, she would undoubtedly have been considered breathtakingly beautiful.
However, a few freckles on her otherwise stunning face badly marred her looks. Worse still, a horrifying scar, a full inch long, stood out on her left cheek, turning her from an unparalleled beauty into an ugly woman.
Xiao Yunxin said gently, “Ruoxue, you were engaged to the Lin Family when you were little. Now that Lin Fan has returned, the marriage alliance between the Xiao and Lin families can be put on the agenda. The Lin Family wants to work with the Xiao Family and have Lin Fan marry you. What do you think?”
Though he was the Xiao Family Head, a Level 8 Martial Artist, and the most powerful person in Chujiang Prefecture, he was like a loving father in front of his daughter.
Xiao Ruoxue lowered her head and said nothing. After a long while, she finally gestured, “Father, I don’t want to get married yet.”
Ye Chunlan, standing beside her, urged, “Ruoxue, you’re grown up now, and it’s time to think about the family. As children of an aristocratic family, we don’t have much say in choosing whom we marry. Besides, given your situation… it would be good for you to settle your marriage early.”
Xiao Ruoxue could no longer speak, and her face had been disfigured. It was already fortunate if she could find someone to marry her. The Lin Family might not be as powerful as the Xiao Family, but Lin Fan was at least a normal person. If Ruoxue married him, it would put one of Ye Chunlan’s worries to rest.
Xiao Ruoxue made no more gestures. She simply lowered her head and remained silent.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to marry. Her heart already belonged to someone, and she had been waiting for him all along.