Chapter 43: Deceived Back

Not only was Xuanye puzzled and curious, but Xuan Wumin, who had been caught by Ou Xinlai, was just as surprised. Most people dreaded the fire within them—on that day, he had fallen ill, his qi and blood were blocked, and naturally, he hadn’t been able to release the fiery energy, which allowed Ou Xinlai to approach him. Yet today, his body was in excellent condition, the fire within him undiminished, and still Jian Qin had approached him with such ease. Xuan Wu’s heart thudded—he truly had stumbled upon a treasure!

“What’s your relationship with that Xuanye?” Ou Xinlai pulled Xuan Wu aside and immediately began probing into his connection with Xuanye.

“Is there a problem?” Xuan Wu’s aged face wrinkled into a frown. But despite his years, Xuan Wu’s health was robust, his state youthful, and his skin smooth, hardly lined. No matter how mischievously he smiled, it never showed a trace of leathery creases.

“You’re not fully recovered, are you!” Ou Xinlai thumped Xuan Wu’s chest with force. Originally, she’d intended to negotiate with Xuanye. But as long as her goals were met, what did it matter who she struck a deal with? Since their first negotiations, Xuanye had dragged things out, giving her no clear answer, even now.

Ou Xinlai had patience, but when a better opportunity appeared, Xuanye lost all value in her eyes.

“What are you getting at?” Xuan Wu was momentarily dazzled by the sparkling brilliance in Ou Xinlai’s eyes, like polished black gems. Ah, even the wisest can be caught off guard. How had he never realized the true nature of Ouchenfeng’s daughter? She was truly a pearl buried in dust, mistaken for a mere pebble.

He glanced at Xuanye. He knew about the engagement between the two young people. In the past, he’d thought Ou Xinlai and Xuanye were equals, but now, standing beside Ou Xinlai, Xuanye was utterly outshone.

Just Ou Xinlai’s calm in the face of honor or humiliation, her unyielding authenticity—Xuanye couldn’t compare at all.

Xuan Wu sighed inwardly. The Xuan family truly had lost its vigor.

Xuanye was hailed as the most promising of the younger generation, but his temperament and bearing were disappointing. Because of his position, the proud Xuanye had obediently become a mere follower.

Look at Ou Xinlai—unaware of his identity, she cared little for his condition; once she knew, she openly threatened him with his illness to secure greater benefit for herself. The difference between people was truly vast! Why did the younger generation elsewhere grow ever stronger, while in the Xuan family, they faded with each generation?

Ou Xinlai glanced at Xuanye with faint meaning. Anyone who could make Xuanye wary must hold considerable status—he must know of her engagement to Xuanye. In any case, there weren’t many things she cared to do, but dissolving her engagement to Xuanye was one she desired most.

When Ou Xinlai lifted her gaze toward him, Xuanye immediately met her eyes. Yet he saw, even after meeting Xuan Wu, those dark, lively eyes of hers remained free of falseness or flattery, holding only the purest, truest self. At that, a wave of embarrassment flooded Xuanye’s heart.

Compared to Ou Xinlai, he was left with nowhere to hide.

He had always treated others and all matters with indifference, rarely sparing anyone even a glance. Yet today, he followed Xuan Wu attentively, knowing well why he did so. It was precisely this that made Xuanye uneasy before Ou Xinlai’s candor, vexed that she did not understand the art of currying favor.

“He… is he your grandson’s grandson?” Ou Xinlai asked with a friendly slap on Xuan Wu’s shoulder.

“Something like that,” Xuan Wu nodded. He was away often and didn’t remember many new faces. The fact that he remembered Xuanye’s face was already impressive; as for lineage and generation, those things were fleeting.

“That makes things easy. I’m engaged to him, but we can’t stand each other. If you help me dissolve the engagement, I’ll cure your illness!” Ou Xinlai arched her brow, her eyes gleaming mischievously, so bright that Xuanye, caught off guard, found himself entranced, his usual clarity lost.

Xuanye was shocked. When had Ou Xinlai’s every move, every smile, become so dazzling and captivating?

Even more startling, he realized that recently, whenever he saw or thought of Ou Xinlai, what appeared before his mind’s eye was no longer the ugly birthmark on her left temple, but those eyes of hers, clear and bright as the stars, seeming never to dim.

“I’ll consider it,” the old Xuan replied, flicking his chin and dusting off his clothes. His earlier eagerness vanished, and he played his own game with Ou Xinlai, swaggering out of the Ou family’s residence.

Xuanye frowned and approached Ou Xinlai. “You knew Xuan Wu before?”

“No, this was our first meeting, a few days ago,” Ou Xinlai shook her head. “Brother, you can rest easy now. You no longer have to face pressure from the Xuan family. With him around, everything will be taken care of.” Whether or not Xuanye intended to use their engagement to his advantage, Ou Xinlai would not give him the chance.

Xuanye felt a trace of awkwardness, uncertain if her words were genuine or a veiled mockery.

“Actually, this engagement… doesn’t need to be broken.” Though his last words were spoken very softly, Ou Xinlai still heard them. After she reacted, Xuanye followed in Xuan Wu’s steps and left the Ou family.

Even so, he did not miss Ou Xinlai’s low mutter behind him, “Damn it!”

After leaving the Ou residence, Xuan Wu had no trouble shaking off Xuanye, then slipped into the Marquis’s manor to find the prim little Marquis Wu.

“Little fox, I’m back,” he announced.

“Well, well, Old Xuan, long time no see.” Ye Zifei narrowed his eyes, the corners of his lips curling up. His jade-white cheeks were tinged with pink; he looked exactly like a little fox that had just stolen a chicken.

“Don’t play games with me. How I returned to Dragon City—others might not know, but you, boy, surely do. I fell for your trick and let you con me back here!”