Jiang Xuan was completely taken aback when he saw Xia Xiao Yu suddenly change her demeanor.
Finally snapping out of it, he hurriedly scolded her, “Xia Xiao Yu, what on earth are you doing? Aren’t you afraid I’ll call in the Jiang Family’s elite?”
“Sure! Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance, Brother Xuan. Go ahead, call them over. But when they do arrive, I’ll simply shatter your clothes. By then, our relationship will be solidified, and I’ll have every right to snatch you away. I’m dying to see if your fiancée will still want you after that,” she smirked.
Jiang Xuan: “…..”
After hearing this, Jiang Xuan fell silent as Xia Xiao Yu continued to pinch his face, enjoying the moment.
“What’s wrong, Brother Xuan? Aren’t you going to call anyone? I still want to put on a good show here.”
“Sigh, three years ago, I spent so many spirit stones, and all I managed was to hold your hand. I was happy for half a year over that! With tens of millions of spirit stones, I could’ve courted hundreds of top male courtesans, but with you, all I got was a handhold. Now you’re about to get married! I think I should collect some interest, like the really nice feel of your face when I pinch it,” he said, leading to Xia Xiao Yu pulling her hand back to sniff it, revealing an utterly ecstatic expression.
Jiang Xuan: “!!!!!!!”
Watching Xia Xiao Yu’s silky little maneuver, Jiang Xuan was completely dumbfounded. Where had his naive childhood friend gone? Who was this economically exuberant woman in front of him?
Was it his approach that was off? Checking the scanning system which stubbornly displayed her like a -6666 in affection points, he quickly spoke up for his own safety, “Xiao Yu, it’s my fault for all that, and the spirit stones and treasures you gave me these past years, I’ve kept all of them. I’ll return them all now, with interest, as a form of compensation. How does that sound?”
Originally, Jiang Xuan thought that giving up those items would placate Xia Xiao Yu. But to his shock, her affection shot up from -6666 to -8888.
Before he could think it through, her voice rang out again, “Brother Xuan wants to return everything I gave you? So you’re trying to erase our ties, huh? To think your fiancée is worth such efforts from you! So jealous! I was here first! Hmph, don’t even think about cutting ties with me.”
“By the way, as long as the spirit stones I give you satisfy you, Brother Xuan, you’ll do anything, right?”
Jiang Xuan: “???????”
“I didn’t do anything like that! Stop saying nonsense!”
Hearing Xia Xiao Yu’s politeness come across like a negotiation, Jiang Xuan realized things were getting more and more awkward. Sure, he had made trades in the past, but he had always kept it clean! He was the elite scion of the Jiang family; how could anyone think he had ulterior motives?
He simply needed some pocket money to build his empire. Indeed, in secret, he had formed a little group called the Xuantian Pavilion, with influence stretching across the Great Jiang Dynasty, and other dynasties and martial sects were infiltrated through it. Jiang Xuan had prepared just a little for his own safety, keeping things secret from his mother, Jiang Yu Yan, lest she find out and ask too many questions.
He thought being in the Jiang Family would give him some security, but clearly, he hadn’t been cautious enough!
On the other side, upon hearing Jiang Xuan deny it, Xia Xiao Yu smiled, squeezing his jaw. “So, Brother Xuan is implying that now that you have a fiancée, you won’t make any trades with me?”
Jiang Xuan was left speechless. What was this nonsense? Of course, he wanted to earn spirit stones, but the way Xia Xiao Yu was acting was so strange! Who knew what sort of requests she might make?
If she were still the money-rich childhood friend he knew, he could agree to these ‘business transactions.’ But in her current state, if he agreed, it’d be like jumping into a fiery pit!
If it weren’t for a fiancée who might as well be the hidden boss here, he would’ve considered going for it. After all, they shared a long history. But now, he couldn’t risk it. If his fiancée Nangong Liu Yun found out about any excessive requests, Jiang Xuan had a feeling the consequences would be disastrous.
Eventually, Jiang Xuan sighed, “Sorry, Xiao Yu, but you’re too late. I’m not making any trades; I am officially out of the game.”
“Brother Xuan, I can sweeten the deal with more spirit stones—just name your price.”
Jiang Xuan: “…….”
Internally, Jiang Xuan was crying out, “What does that mean? Am I just a money-grubbing guy to you? Is that who I am?”
But he put on a straight face and kept refusing, “I’m sorry; this isn’t about the number of spirit stones; it’s a matter of principle. I don’t…..”
Before he could finish, Xia Xiao Yu interrupted, holding up a finger. “I’ll offer you one hundred million top-grade spirit stones.”
At that, Jiang Xuan was wide-eyed. “How… how much? One… one hundred million?”
He was left speechless, utterly stunned. He knew Xia Xiao Yu was a rich girl who could toss hundreds of thousands around like it’s candy, but one hundred million? That was something else! The richest empress in the entire dynasty might struggle to put that sum together on short notice!
Jiang Xuan had to admit he was a bit tempted—one hundred million top-grade spirit stones would give him a significant boost for his Xuantian Pavilion. He had spent over a billion on it over the years; that had taken patience and countless late nights!
But here it was, a chance at a hundred million spirit stones, and he was hesitating!
If it weren’t for this fiancée of his being such a formidable hidden boss, the old Jiang Xuan wouldn’t have let a golden goose like this get away without pampering it first.
Considering his precarious situation, Jiang Xuan finally spoke. “No… no way. I can’t do that…”
Noticing Jiang Xuan’s turmoil, Xia Xiao Yu kept going. “Is Brother Xuan worried I’ll make excessive demands? Don’t fret! I promise I won’t pressure you into anything.”
“But hey, two lonely hearts like us are perfectly matched. How about this: you kiss me, and I’ll give you the hundred million spirit stones.”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!!!!!!”
His eyes bulged. A hundred million top-grade spirit stones just for a smooch? Was this what life was like in the lavish world of the rich?
He didn’t quite understand her method, but he was definitely shocked. Clearly, compared to those truly wealthy women, his perspective was far too limited!
Before, he thought Xia Xiao Yu in this state wouldn’t be as easy to deal with, but instead, she had become even more lavish! Seriously, how could someone splurge like this?
Wait! Wasn’t her spending a waste of the sect’s spirit stones? Rest in peace, Hundred Flowers Sect, for having such a spendthrift saint!
While he was tempted to take the hundred million spirit stones, he also knew he must hold back. Spirit stones were great, but life was priceless! If this leaked to his fiancée Nangong Liu Yun, Jiang Xuan would be toast.
Better not to take unnecessary risks, right?
In situations like this, it was clear who held the power, but Jiang Xuan couldn’t accept it.
In the end, he shook his head and firmly said, “Xiao Yu, you keep the spirit stones. I can’t agree to your terms. Besides, it’s getting late; please leave my room.”
Suddenly, Xia Xiao Yu’s expression turned dark.
“So, I gathered a hundred million top-grade spirit stones and still couldn’t shake her position in your heart? Even you, who loves spirit stones, have turned me down?”
“Fine, fine, Brother Xuan, if you won’t respond to my kind offer, don’t blame me for taking a more aggressive approach.”
“Hmph! If you don’t agree to this deal, I’ll bring the Jiang Family’s powerful experts over. There are no walls that don’t leak wind; if I spread this around, I’ll ruin your marriage.”
Jiang Xuan: “???????”
“This…”
He didn’t really care about his reputation, but it felt like Xia Xiao Yu wasn’t just out to ruin his name; she’d drag him into it too!
Who knew what would happen if his fiancée found out? Judging by the affection meter hitting -9999, anything was possible!
Xia Xiao Yu had been a quirky, naive girl, even with her -8888 affection, and yet hadn’t tried to hurt him so far. But with Nangong Liu Yun, it wasn’t stable just yet. She possessed a strength that wasn’t a joke!
After weighing the pros and cons, Jiang Xuan lowered his head and said slowly, “If… if I agree to the deal, can you guarantee that no one else will find out?”
Seeing Jiang Xuan finally relent, Xia Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow, a pretty smile appearing. “Of course, I swear on my martial heart that I won’t reveal the deal.”
With Xia Xiao Yu’s guarantee, Jiang Xuan felt a wave of relief wash over him. Who would have thought he’d end up profiting from a hundred million top-grade spirit stones! Though he resisted, circumstances had forced his hand.
And honestly, he couldn’t say no to a hundred million spirit stones.
So, Jiang Xuan gradually leaned in closer to Xia Xiao Yu and sweetly pressed a light kiss to her red lips.
But just as he wanted to escape, Xia Xiao Yu wrapped her arms around his neck, clumsily breaching his defenses, leaving him completely stunned.
He had been single his whole life, and this was his first encounter with something like this.
In that instant, he recalled what his cheap mother always told him: “Handsome boys have to be wary of bad women while out in the world.”
Clearly, that saying was wrong—he hadn’t even left home before…
Snapping back to reality, Jiang Xuan pushed Xia Xiao Yu away but then accidentally touched some very inappropriate areas in the process.
Xia Xiao Yu, still savoring the moment, swallowed hard and fixed her gaze on Jiang Xuan’s youthful, celestial face. “Brother Xuan, it’s been three years, and I’ve grown a lot. Are you going to verify that with your own hands?”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!!!!!!!!”
Verification? More like getting himself into deep trouble!
Quickly waving his hands, he said, “No, no! The deal is done. Please just go home now.”
“But I didn’t even get to enjoy it properly before you pushed me away! Can we do it again?”
“No way!!!!”
Jiang Xuan wanted to say that would require a different price, but he feared Xia Xiao Yu would whip out another hundred million spirit stones, and that would be utterly embarrassing.
Seeing Jiang Xuan panic like this, Xia Xiao Yu’s crimson eyes shimmered slightly. Then she chuckled softly, “Fine, I’ll come back for you next time. I won’t let you dismiss me so easily then.”
After saying this, she leaned in and planted a light kiss on his face, leaving behind a storage ring before vanishing from the room in a flash.
Once Xia Xiao Yu finally left, Jiang Xuan let out a relieved breath, noticing her affection points had become 6666.
Though this felt like good news, something still felt off.
Could it be that a kiss really had such a positive outcome?
He was filled with doubt: “Is Xia Xiao Yu really so quick to let me off the hook in this state? Something doesn’t feel right. Is she under some kind of mental influence, or is this truly her real self?”
Sighing, Jiang Xuan concluded that at least he made a billion top-grade spirit stones today, so it wasn’t a total loss.
“But I should really tighten up security. I can’t let her waltz into my room so easily next time.”
Meanwhile, back at Xia’s residence, she was fiddling with an exquisite crystal, her spirit energy infusing into it.
The crystal projected a scene, revealing the moment Xia Xiao Yu kissed Jiang Xuan.
If Jiang Xuan were to see this, he would be utterly bewildered! How could such advanced technology exist in this world?
If this went public, he’d be toast!
At that moment, Xia Xiao Yu whispered, “A hundred million top-grade spirit stones for this priceless treasure—what a steal! This recording crystal from the sect is truly excellent. With this, I can’t be severed from Brother Xuan’s ties.”
This will be my bargaining chip; if he dares to misbehave, I’ll just hand it to Nangong Mansion. It’s always good to keep some leverage. Simply being wealthy won’t hold onto a man—have you learned that, other me?”
As she spoke, the vivid red in her eyes faded, replaced by a golden hue.
Looking at the image on the recording stone, her cheeks flushed. “Is this… really me? Did I actually kiss Brother Xuan…?”
Xia Xiao Yu grew excited, quickly grabbing the recording crystal to admire it in secret.
In the long, drawn-out night, there were sounds of her merriment.
The next day, back at the Jiang family.
Jiang Xuan hadn’t gotten a good night’s sleep, worrying about Xia Xiao Yu’s potential return. He looked utterly worn out.
His maid, Ling Yue, fretted, “Young Master, did you not sleep well last night? Should I serve you later…”
“No need, Little Yue’er. Go prepare the carriage. We’re heading to Nangong Mansion.”
“You’re in luck, Young Master. The people from Nangong Mansion are already waiting outside.”
After hastily finishing breakfast, Jiang Xuan boarded the carriage on his way to the Nangong family.
Before long, he arrived at their doorstep. As he stepped down from the carriage, he saw Nangong Liu Yun approaching him with a beaming smile.
“My beloved husband, you finally arrived! Come on, let me show you around Nangong Mansion. After we’re married, you’ll be living here,” she chirped, taking his hand and leading him inside.
Jiang Xuan planned to exchange pleasantries, but immediately noticed Nangong Liu Yun’s affection level plummeting from 10000 to -6666 in an instant.
His heart dropped, panic setting in.
“Husband, you look like you didn’t sleep well last night.”
“Uh… yes, I was just missing my wifey and eagerly waiting to meet you, so…”
Before he could finish, her affection level plummeted again to -9999.
At that moment, Jiang Xuan was entirely dumbfounded, wondering where everything had gone wrong. He hadn’t done anything!
Could it be that his scanning system had really gone haywire? What a useless tool!
It seemed the system caught onto his mumbles. A notification beeped in his head.
“Beep! Please rest assured, host! The system is functioning properly; all displayed data is accurate!”
Jiang Xuan: “??????????”
Before he could respond, Nangong Liu Yun leaned in and whispered in his ear, “Really now? You missed me, huh? That makes me so happy. But why do I sense another woman’s fragrance on you?”
“Hm? And it’s the scent of that sect saintess who interrupted us yesterday in the mountains?
Weren’t you two childhood friends? Did you sneak off to meet her last night?”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!!!!!!!!”
Hearing that, Jiang Xuan realized he had seriously misjudged his useless system. Even if it was a junk system, it hadn’t erred this time.
But now he understood just how terrifying his fiancée was; she was piecing things together even though she wasn’t there!
Talk about a situation going south too quickly! Was this woman’s intuition really that sharp? It was unfair!
