"Ah!!"
Xiao Lingxi let out a startled cry, leaping back like a frightened little rabbit. Her fingers brushed her tingling lips as her wide eyes filled with shock. A quick blush crept from her snowy cheeks down to her neck. "You…you…you kissed me again!"
"You're reacting the same way as always." Xiao Che, clearly the one at fault, maintained an innocent, hurt expression. "When we were young, you loved playing kissy-face with me. Now, each time I kiss you, you act as though you've been gravely startled."
"You-you-you…you know that was when we were children!" Xiao Lingxi's face grew redder by the second. "We're adults now; we can't just kiss like that! You…you're about to have a wife, and from now on, you can only kiss her!"
"Why…"
"Because I'm your aunt!" Xiao Lingxi stomped her foot in exasperation.
"Well…what if I just want to kiss you?" Xiao Che placed his hand under his chin, grinning mischievously. The sweet and adorable fifteen-year-old in front of him bore none of the "aunt's" authority.
"Hmph…then marry me!" Xiao Lingxi wrinkled her nose, retorting in a playful tone.
"Hey! You're my aunt; how could I possibly marry you…" Xiao Che's voice trailed off, his eyes widening slightly.
"You know it, yet you keep stealing kisses! If you try again, I'll tell your future wife, Xia Qingyue, and let her deal with you!" Xiao Lingxi lifted her chin proudly, casting him a triumphant look.
At that moment, Xiao Hong's voice sounded from outside once more. "Young Master, are you ready? It's time to head to the Xia family for the wedding procession."
"All right, I'll be right out." Xiao Che glanced down at his attire, preparing to leave. Just as he took a step, Xiao Lingxi grabbed his arm, her expression serious. "Xiao Che! Before you go to fetch Xia Qingyue, repeat the promise we made yesterday, word for word, or I won't let you leave."
The promise from yesterday? Xiao Che thought back, a touch exasperated. "Fine… After marrying Xia Qingyue, I won't forget about my Little Aunt. I won't spend less time with her, and whenever she calls for me, I'll come running…did I get every word right?"
"Good, that's more like it." Xiao Lingxi flashed a sweet smile but kept holding his hand. "But I forgot something yesterday, so I'm adding another rule. Although Xia Qingyue will be your wife, her place in your heart cannot be above mine! Now, repeat that too. Quickly!"
Xiao Che turned to gaze into her bright eyes and replied, "If you give me a kiss, I'll agree."
"Then…marry me?"
"…"
"Are you ready yet, Young Master?" Xiao Hong's voice came from outside again; missing the "auspicious hour" would be inauspicious.
Xiao Che rested his hand on the door, pausing before he spoke softly, "I can't agree to that, Little Aunt…because in my heart, your place is one that a hundred Xia Qingyues could never surpass. I wouldn't even think of comparing you to her."
With that, he opened the door and stepped out.
Xiao Lingxi stood there for a moment, stunned. Then her lips curved into a delighted smile, and she skipped along behind him like a girl who had just been gifted her favorite treat.
As Xiao Che stepped outside, a rather grand wedding procession awaited him. Xiao Hong offered him a warm smile. "Young Master, please mount your horse. On the way, I'll do everything to ensure your safety…though on such a happy day, there should be no trouble."
"Thank you, Uncle Hong." Xiao Che returned his smile, mounting the horse with ease. Just then, a friendly voice called from the left.
"Right on time! Is Brother Xiao Che on his way to fetch his bride? Congratulations!"
Xiao Che raised an eyebrow, glancing in the direction of the voice. Two young men approached him. The speaker, in his early twenties, was of moderate build with a handsome and refined appearance, his clear eyes and warm smile exuding a gentle charm. Behind him walked another young man, lean and slightly younger, maintaining a deferential step behind.
Seeing them, Xiao Che smiled. "Brother Yulong, Brother Xiao Yang—you've come to see me off?"
Xiao Yulong, the son of Xiao Clan's current leader, Xiao Yunhai, was twenty years old. In appearance, talent, manner, and intelligence, he was the epitome of the younger generation, having reached the third level of the Nascent Profound Realm and carrying high expectations as the future leader of the clan. Despite his acclaim, he treated everyone with grace, even Xiao Che, whose profound veins were damaged. Yulong had never shown a hint of disdain and would often express concern for Xiao Che's condition.
For years, Xiao Che had admired him deeply and even felt gratitude and respect…well, the Xiao Che of yesterday had.
Following Xiao Yulong was Xiao Yang, grandson of the second elder and no ordinary disciple. Nineteen years old and already at the ninth level of the Elementary Profound Realm, he always trailed Yulong, showing deference. However, he held none of Yulong's kindness for Xiao Che. Although they were both grandsons of elders, Xiao Yang looked down on Xiao Che, barely acknowledging his greetings.
"Of course." Xiao Yulong laughed heartily, stepping closer. "Today you're marrying the city's brightest star. This is not only a great day for you and the Xiao Clan but also a grand occasion for all of Floating Cloud City. To marry such a remarkable woman—ah, as an elder brother, I feel both pride and envy, with a hint of shame, haha!"
Xiao Che laughed. "You jest, Brother Yulong. With your talents, you could choose from any of the finest ladies in Floating Cloud City."
"Young Master, we should be on our way," Xiao Hong reminded.
"Brother Xiao Che, go forth! We look forward to seeing you bring Floating Cloud City's jewel home in grandeur," said Xiao Yulong, smiling.
Xiao Che nodded, took his place on the horse, and the wedding procession moved forward, drums and gongs announcing their way to the Xia family.
The moment Xiao Che was out of sight, the smile on Xiao Yulong's face froze, replaced by a dark expression. He turned and struck Xiao Yang hard across the face, his voice a low growl, "You fool!"
Xiao Yang flew to the ground, his cheek swelling. Scrambling to his knees, he stammered, "I-I definitely slipped the Heart-Shattering Powder into his food. The news of his sudden fainting was true—I…I don't understand…"
"Useless!" Xiao Yulong's brow knotted as his face twisted in fury. "I went to great lengths to procure a poison so deadly that even Situ Yun couldn't detect it, and you botched it! Am I to watch Xia Qingyue marry that worthless wretch?"
"Boss, that boy just left. We'll have plenty of chances along the procession route… While we can't act directly, we can easily provoke the Yu Wen clan members or the sons from the City Lord's estate. They all desire Xia Qingyue and hate the idea of her wedding Xiao Che. With a bit of urging, along with their collective fury…"
"If it were so simple, would I have wasted so much effort on the Heart-Shattering Powder?" Xiao Yulong interrupted coldly. "Xiao Che may be worthless, but his grandfather Xiao Lie is a powerhouse at the tenth level of the Spirit Profound Realm. In Floating Cloud City, who dares challenge him? Xia Qingyue's father has raised no objections to this marriage, and any open disruption would offend both Xiao Lie and the Xia family. Even if the Yu Wen clan or the young lords dared, their families would surely intervene. Besides, didn't you see that old man Xiao Hong accompanying him? With him there, who would dare stir trouble?"
As he spoke, his fists clenched, and the cracking of his knuckles broke the silence. From the moment he laid eyes on Xia Qingyue, she had captured his soul. He had vowed to make her his woman.
And now, she was to marry the most despised member of the Xiao Clan? How could he accept this?
"But, Boss…maybe you don't need to worry too much." Xiao Yang, carefully observing Yulong's expression, ventured, "Think about it—Xia Qingyue has always ignored the young geniuses of Floating Cloud City. Do you really think she would favor Xiao Che? She's only marrying him due to a promise from sixteen years ago. I bet that even if she goes through with it, she won't let him so much as touch her. And once she's part of the Xiao Clan, you'll have plenty of chances to be close to her. With your talents and looks, next to a worthless Xiao Che, wouldn't you eventually win her over? By then…"
Yulong's dark expression began to relax, and his narrow eyes glinted as he mused aloud, his fingers tapping his chin. "You're right…perhaps it's fortunate that worthless wretch isn't dead yet after all."