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Chapter 38: Things Are Getting Worse
Within the Xiao family, the ceremony had come to an end. The audience began to disperse, and the Xiao family members started packing up, preparing for the upcoming New Year.
"Strange, where did Cousin Xiao Yan go?"
Xiao Mei wandered around the ceremony venue, but she couldn't find Xiao Yan. She raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
Soon, Xiao Mei noticed that Xiao Ning was also missing. A hint of hostility appeared in her eyes.
"Could it be that Xiao Ning dragged Cousin Xiao Yan to Ning Spring Pavillion again?"
"No, after last time when he was beaten so badly, he probably wouldn't have the courage to do that again."
Xiao Xun'er softly denied, but her beautiful eyes were tightly furrowed, her expression filled with unease.
Because it wasn't just Xiao Ning who was missing; even Nalan Yanran was nowhere to be seen.
That woman, could it be...
Xiao Xun'er's heart became filled with worry.
It was clear to anyone, even someone blind, how Nalan Yanran felt about Xiao Yan.
At first, she came to break off the engagement with Yun Lan Sect, but after seeing Xiao Yan, she didn't mention the annulment at all. Instead, she was eager to marry him.
At that time, Xiao Yan was still known as a useless person. Whether it was family background, strength, or future prospects, Nalan Yanran was far superior to him.
Yet, despite this, Nalan Yanran clung to Xiao Yan, determined to marry no one else.
Xiao Xun'er understood deep down that someone who could pursue Xiao Yan so firmly must have spent some time with him, because Xiao Yan's excellence wasn't something that could be understood by just meeting him once or twice.
Damn it.
Xiao Xun'er clenched her jade-like hand tightly.
The people in the family still don't get it, and now there's another fiancée.
Moreover, Xiao Xun'er was certain that Xiao Yan wouldn't be surrounded by just these few people in the future.
What should I do...
"Ah! Cousin Xiao Yan!"
Just as Xiao Xun'er anxiously chewed on her fingers, Xiao Mei suddenly shouted. Xiao Xun'er looked up, and her pupils immediately contracted.
In the distance, Xiao Yan was walking toward them slowly, accompanied by Nalan Yanran. Nalan Yanran was gently swinging her jade arm, and a bracelet on her wrist gleamed brightly under the sunlight.
At that moment, Xiao Xun'er's face darkened.
If her memory served her right, Nalan Yanran hadn't worn this bracelet yesterday.
Xiao Mei, however, wasn't as observant as Xiao Xun'er. Upon seeing Nalan Yanran standing next to Xiao Yan, her face immediately turned sour, and she rushed up to stand between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran, glaring at Nalan Yanran.
"You woman! What did you take Cousin Xiao Yan for?!"
I took him? Wasn't it the other way around?
Nalan Yanran silently complained in her heart. Just then, Xiao Yu walked over and looked at Xiao Yan.
"Xiao Yan, the clan leader is asking for you."
"Okay, I understand."
Xiao Yan nodded and waved lightly at Nalan Yanran before walking toward the high platform where Xiao Zhan was. Xiao Yu followed slowly behind him.
After Xiao Yan left, Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Mei in front of her, then smiled faintly and raised her hand.
"I just went with Xiao Yan to the market for a walk. Is there a problem?"
"You..."
Xiao Mei was about to say something when she noticed the bracelet on Nalan Yanran's wrist, and her mind went blank for a moment.
Yesterday... she didn't wear this, did she?
"Hey!" Xiao Mei's heart filled with unease, her finger pointing at the bracelet on Nalan Yanran's wrist. "Where did you get this from?"
"This?"
Nalan Yanran raised her arm and gently waved the bracelet in front of Xiao Mei, laughing lightly.
"It's from my fiancé. Do you think it's pretty?"
Bragging!
Blatant bragging!
No attempt at hiding it whatsoever!!!
Xiao Mei's first reaction was to demand one from Xiao Yan as well!
However, what Nalan Yanran said next instantly made Xiao Mei abandon the idea.
"Xiao Mei, you can also ask Cousin Xiao Yan for one. Your cousin loves you so much, he will surely buy one for you~"
"You!!!"
Xiao Mei was furious!!!
The one given by Xiao Yan willingly was a different matter than going to ask for one herself, right?!
And Nalan Yanran even deliberately emphasized the word "Cousin." Even if Xiao Mei really did ask for one, it would only be because Xiao Yan was being protective of his sister! It wasn't the same thing at all! If Xiao Mei asked for it, it would be useless!!!
Seeing Xiao Mei filled with rage, Nalan Yanran felt quite pleased in her heart, and then turned her gaze toward Xiao Xun'er, whose face had already turned a deep shade of black. She waved the bracelet in front of her.
"Xun'er, what do you think of this bracelet?"
"…"
Xiao Xun'er's fists clenched tightly, her shoulders trembling uncontrollably. After a long while, she slowly looked up, a smile full of murderous intent appeared on her face.
"Eh~~~ It really looks beautiful. Xun'er is so envious~"
Stay calm.
Stay calm.
Stay! Calm!!
Xiao Xun'er gritted her silver teeth, and the veins on her arms under her clothes bulged!
This woman just wants to watch me make a fool of myself! I can't let her feel smug!!!
Xiao Xun'er's resentment was about to reach its peak, but she repeatedly reminded herself to calm down and forcibly suppressed her anger.
Seeing Xiao Xun'er's smile, Nalan Yanran didn't feel triumphant at all.
On the contrary, she felt a deep sense of fear in her heart.
This girl's temperament is so terrifying.
Nalan Yanran couldn't help but mutter in her heart.
If it were her facing this situation, where her rival in love came to show off the gift from her beloved, although Nalan Yanran wouldn't show as much anger as Xiao Mei, she definitely couldn't smile at her rival like Xiao Xun'er did.
This was definitely not something an ordinary person could endure.
At that moment, the admonition from Ya Fei once again echoed in Nalan Yanran's mind, causing the joy of victory to instantly dissipate. She quietly gazed at her bracelet, and after a moment, she looked at the two and slowly spoke.
"I apologize for showing off in front of you."
"Huh?"
Both Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er were stunned by Nalan Yanran's sudden apology.
This woman is apologizing to them? Has she turned over a new leaf?
Then, Nalan Yanran continued.
"I truly, deeply like Xiao Yan. I'm confident that I love him more than anyone else."
"But before, I always thought that if I were to marry Xiao Yan, it would be him who was climbing up to my level."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Mei raised an eyebrow.
"Cousin Xiao Yan climbing up? You?!"
Before Xiao Mei could finish her sentence, Xiao Xun'er covered her mouth.
"Let her finish."
Then, Xiao Xun'er looked at Nalan Yanran again, signaling for her to continue. Nalan Yanran then spoke.
"But today's events made me reflect."
"If you truly love someone, you shouldn't think that the person who is in the stronger position should be the one holding the high ground, nor should the term 'climbing up' ever come into play."
"For Xiao Yan, our feelings should be equal. Not realizing this was my biggest mistake."
After speaking, Nalan Yanran looked at the bracelet in her hand, softly saying.
"The reason Xiao Yan and I went to the market was simply because Xiao Yan wanted to cheer me up when I was feeling down. To him, I am more like a guest of the Xiao family."
"As for this bracelet, it was just a prize we won at a store. Although it was indeed given to me by Xiao Yan, I can assure you, it was simply to make me feel better. There was no other intention behind it."
Nalan Yanran said this, and then, with a resolute look in her eyes, she continued.
"But this doesn't mean I will give up on him. In fact, it only strengthens my resolve."
"I will never give up on him. Not in this life."
"Absolutely not."
After hearing Nalan Yanran's words, Xiao Mei stared at her blankly, and Xiao Xun'er also furrowed her brows slightly.
This woman... things are getting worse.
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End of Chapter
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