When Xiao Ruoxue was six, she was riding the carousel at the amusement park. She was so happy that she fell off, and a boy rushed over to save her. From that moment on, she kept that boy in her heart.
But she never saw that handsome boy again. She had searched for him for years, but there had been no news of him at all.
Now that she was being married into the Lin Family, she was naturally unwilling.
Xiao Yunxin said, “It’s settled, then. I’ll go to the Lin Family in three days. We’ll choose an auspicious date and finalize the wedding arrangements.”
In a family marriage alliance, it didn’t matter whether the couple’s temperaments and personalities were compatible. Their alliance was for the sake of their families’ interests; nothing else mattered.
“Father, I don’t agree. Since my sister doesn’t want to get married, then call off the engagement. The Lin Family isn’t some great aristocratic family. That Lin Fan is merely an Outer Sect Disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect. What kind of cultivation level could he have?”
An Outer Sect Disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect was little different from a menial disciple. Lin Fan had been a menial disciple since childhood. He had received no proper education and had no Heavenly Treasures to aid him. It was already fortunate if he had made it back alive; there was no need to expect him to become a Martial Artist.
Hearing Xiao Linghui’s words, Xiao Ruoxue’s eyes lit up. She gestured to him: Big brother, thank you.
Xiao Yunxin snapped, “How dare you! The marriage between the Xiao and Lin families was arranged long ago. How can you say there won’t be an alliance and expect it to be so? Besides, your sister is already eighteen. If we delay any longer, who will marry her?”
Hearing this, Xiao Ruoxue’s expression suddenly darkened. That was true. She had been waiting for that boy all this time. Even if she found him, would he be willing to marry her?
After all, her throat was injured, and she would never be able to speak again. On top of that, her face had been disfigured. No normal man would marry her.
Ye Chunlan comforted him, “Linghui, Ruoxue is only engaged for now. Marriage is still a long way off. If she finds someone suitable later, she can still break off the engagement with the Lin Family.”
Engaging Xiao Ruoxue to Lin Fan would bind the interests of the two families and give the pair time to get to know each other. If they developed feelings for one another, then getting married would be the natural next step.
As long as two people spent time together, they were bound to fall for each other eventually.
As long as Lin Fan wasn’t especially unattractive, Xiao Ruoxue would surely be happy after marrying him.
She no longer expected Xiao Ruoxue to marry some great, heroic man. As long as her daughter could live in peace and happiness, that was enough.
Xiao Linghui said unhappily, “An engagement is out of the question, too! An engagement is as good as marriage. How will Ruoxue find someone else afterward?”
Ye Chunlan said, “Who says you can’t break off an engagement? People can remarry after a divorce, too.”
Xiao Yunxin roared, “What are you all talking about? The women of the Xiao Family must be faithful to one man for life.”
He was a Level 8 Martial Artist, already considered a powerful fighter. His roar carried Inner Strength, making Xiao Linghui’s ears ring.
Xiao Linghui said cautiously, “Father, none of us has even met Lin Fan. How about we learn more about him before making a decision? We have three days, after all. Lin Fan hasn’t met Ruoxue either. Let them meet first. Perhaps the Lin Family will be willing to call off the engagement.”
“The Lin Family wants to curry favor with our Xiao Family. Why would they agree to call off the engagement?”
“If Lin Fan firmly refuses to marry her, the Lin Family will have no choice but to give up.”
Ye Chunlan said, “Linghui, arrange for Ruoxue and Lin Fan to meet.”
She had no idea that Lin Fan was watching from outside the window at that very moment.
If you ignored Xiao Ruoxue’s face, she was indeed a peerless beauty. But once you saw the freckles on her face and that scar, she became hard to look at.
As for Xiao Ruoxue’s muteness, it could be treated…
And that scar on her face… Heh, this woman was quite interesting.
At nine the next morning, Lin Fan arrived at Clear Lotus Teahouse on time. He had been told to come there today to meet Xiao Linghui, the eldest son of the Xiao Family.
Xiao Linghui was a Level 7 Martial Artist, even stronger than Lin Zhecheng. Among the younger generation, Xiao Linghui was unquestionably a powerhouse.
After reaching a private room on the second floor, Lin Fan knocked. The Xiao siblings, Xiao Linghui and Xiao Ruoxue, had already arrived.
Xiao Ruoxue was wearing sunglasses and a face mask today, covering her face completely. Even standing right across from her, he couldn’t make out what she looked like.
As for her graceful figure, there was no way to conceal or hide it.
“You’re Young Master Xiao, right? I’m Lin Fan. And I suppose this is Miss Xiao.”
Lin Fan looked confident and composed. He was wearing casual clothes today, giving him the air of a sunny young man.
“Lin Fan, what level Martial Artist are you?”
Based on Lin Fan’s appearance alone, he fit Xiao Linghui’s expectations for a future brother-in-law very well. If Lin Fan were a Martial Artist, he would have wanted to persuade Xiao Ruoxue to change her mind.
After all, for a woman to marry such a handsome man was a kind of happiness in itself.
“I’m not a Martial Artist.”
Lin Fan was in the Deity Transformation Realm, so of course he wasn’t a Martial Artist. He couldn’t understand why he had to be one. Why not just proceed directly to Foundation Establishment?
Xiao Linghui said coldly, “You’re not a Martial Artist? Then what makes you think you can marry my sister? When trouble comes, will Ruoxue have to step in and protect you?”
“Young Master Xiao, this is the Eldest Miss of the Xiao Family, right? Could you let us talk alone? Only she and I can know whether we’re suited for each other.”
Lin Fan didn’t want to force anyone into anything. The previous night, he had seen Xiao Ruoxue’s attitude at Xiao Family Manor.
He hoped Xiao Ruoxue would give him an answer to his face. As long as she didn’t want to marry him, he promised he wouldn’t pester her.
Xiao Linghui said coldly, “You’re not a Martial Artist. You’re not qualified to marry my sister.”
“So the Xiao Family isn’t planning to form a marriage alliance with the Lin Family? If you just ask to call off the engagement, I’ll agree.”
“No. Your Lin Family should be the one to ask to call off the engagement.”
Xiao Linghui had come to meet Lin Fan today to get him to call off the engagement. He couldn’t persuade Xiao Yunxin, but surely he could persuade Lin Fan and the Lin Family, couldn’t he?
Lin Fan said, “All right, then. Go tell my father. I’ll be leaving.”
Since the Xiao Family didn’t want the marriage alliance, there was no reason for him to keep pursuing it.
At most, he’d lose the villa, the car, and the rest of his settling-in allowance.
That morning, to get him to come to Clear Lotus Teahouse, Lin Zhecheng had transferred another 400,000 yuan to him. He had sent it through Alipay as well as WeChat.
The government was strict about financial transactions these days, and individuals could receive only 200,000 yuan per day.
If he went back and said he wanted to call off the engagement, the money he was supposed to receive afterward probably wouldn’t have anything to do with him anymore.
Xiao Ruoxue suddenly tugged at Xiao Linghui’s sleeve and signed, “Big brother, go outside for a moment. I want to talk with him.”
“He can’t understand sign language. What is there for you two to talk about?”
Xiao Ruoxue pointed at her phone, indicating that she would communicate with Lin Fan face-to-face by typing on it.
“All right.”
After Xiao Linghui left, Lin Fan and Xiao Ruoxue added each other as friends.
Lin Fan asked, “Does your big brother not want you to marry me because I’m not a Martial Artist?”
Xiao Ruoxue: This is a world of the Martial Dao. If you’re not a Martial Artist, you can’t enter high society.
Lin Fan: “So, are you willing to marry me?”
He already knew the answer, but he still wanted Xiao Ruoxue to say it herself—especially in writing.