NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31: The Right Path and Emotions
Chapter 31: The Right Path and Emotions
"Uncle Xiao, Yanran suddenly visited today. I hope you don't feel disturbed."
In the Xiao family's reception hall, Nalan Yanran said softly to Xiao Zhan, who smiled lightly and waved his hand.
"There's no disturbance at all. Just next time, it would be best to inform me in advance, so I can prepare to receive you."
Clearly, compared to the last time Nalan Yanran came, Xiao Zhan's attitude toward her was much more friendly.
Nalan Yanran was a proud daughter of heaven, with a family background much larger than the Xiao family, and she was also the young sect master of Yunlan Sect. Back when Xiao Yan was considered a waste by everyone, Nalan Yanran had begged to marry into the Xiao family. If Xiao Zhan's attitude wasn't more amiable now, it would truly be ungrateful.
"Uncle Xiao, there's no need to be so polite. Yanran will eventually marry into the Xiao family. You can treat me as a daughter-in-law now, just be more casual."
Nalan Yanran covered the corner of her mouth with a soft smile. At that moment, an unpleasant voice suddenly interrupted.
"Tch! There's not even a proper beginning, and you're already daydreaming here!"
Upon hearing this, Nalan Yanran turned her gaze toward the source of the voice and saw Xiao Mei's face clearly showing her displeasure.
"Mei'er!"
The second elder was about to scold his granddaughter when Xiao Yu spoke first, reprimanding her sternly.
"No matter how displeased you are, don't show it so obviously, especially when Nalan Yanran is a guest!"
"Hmph!"
"This girl..."
Xiao Yu rubbed his temples with a headache, while Xiao Yan gave an apologetic look to Nalan Yanran.
"Sorry, Miss Nalan. My little sister is still young. Please be understanding."
"No problem~ Not at all," Nalan Yanran smiled gently. She turned to Xiao Mei and said, "Xiao Mei, if you have any dissatisfaction with me in the future, feel free to let me know. I will try my best to improve, as your future sister-in-law."
"Ugh!!!"
Xiao Mei immediately snapped upon hearing Nalan Yanran's words, about to stand up and throw some coarse remarks at her, but she was forcibly held down by Xiao Yu, who had already reacted.
Xiao Ning, sitting nearby, rested his elbow on the armrest of his chair, feeling helpless as he watched the scene unfold.
Honestly, with Xiao Mei's personality, only Xiao Yan could tolerate her.
Xiao Xun'er also reacted to Nalan Yanran's words, a dark aura appeared on her face. She smiled and spoke softly.
"Miss Nalan, you're still unmarried. Please don't joke like that, it could damage your reputation if word gets out."
"Let others say what they want. I just care about my own happiness," Nalan Yanran replied softly, her gaze fixed on Xiao Xun'er. "Let's get along well in the future, my future little sister-in-law~"
Crack!!!
The armrest of the chair that Xiao Xun'er was sitting in suddenly shattered without warning. Although Xiao Xun'er's smile remained unbroken, the temperature in the reception hall dropped sharply, and the air between Nalan Yanran and Xiao Xun'er crackled with an almost visible electric tension.
Everyone could even feel the faint scent of hidden danger in the air!
This wasn't a reception hall; it was practically a battlefield!
Xiao Yan was in a complete dilemma, looking conflicted as he didn't know which side to support.
If he supported Xun'er, Nalan Yanran was a guest and also his fiancée. That would make things difficult for her.
If he supported Nalan Yanran, Xun'er wouldn't get angry at him but would silently bottle up her frustration, something Xiao Yan couldn't bear.
Just when everyone was unsure how to handle the situation, a Xiao family member suddenly entered, looking toward Xiao Yan.
"Xiao Yan, everything is done."
"Oh!" Xiao Yan quickly responded, stood up, and pulled Xiao Xun'er away from the confrontation with Nalan Yanran. He turned to Nalan Yanran and apologized.
"Sorry, we need to take care of some matters. Miss Nalan, please relax here for now."
With that, Xiao Yan exchanged glances with Xiao Yu and Xiao Ning, who both nodded. They took Xiao Mei and left the reception hall, while Xiao Yan left with Xiao Xun'er to get away from the tense situation.
Once outside the reception room, Xiao Ning, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Yan let out a deep sigh of relief.
The atmosphere just now had been too intense, and the three of them were afraid that Nalan Yanran and Xiao Xun'er might have fought right then and there. If that had happened, Xiao Mei, who loved causing trouble, would definitely have joined in. At that point, things would have been impossible to resolve.
"Cousin, it's not that I'm blaming you," Xiao Ning sighed, putting his arm around Xiao Yan's shoulder and pulling him aside to speak quietly. "But ultimately, this problem is because of you. You need to think of a solution. You can't just sit back and watch."
As he spoke, Xiao Ning glanced toward Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er.
"Look at how they're treating Nalan Yanran. If she really marries into the Xiao family, I fear there won't be a moment of peace in the house."
There was another thing Xiao Ning didn't say out loud.
Although he felt it was unlikely, if Xiao Yan really married Nalan Yanran, and it caused Xiao Xun'er to turn completely cold, then it wouldn't just be the Xiao family that would suffer. The Nalan family and even Yunlan Sect might also face a bad situation!
Of course, Xiao Ning didn't want this thought to influence Xiao Yan's decision. After all, this was the woman he would spend his life with, and no external factors should sway that.
Xiao Yan needed to choose the person he truly loved, and that would be the fairest to him.
"Mm."
After hearing Xiao Ning's words, Xiao Yan also covered his head with a sigh.
Xiao Ning's concerns weren't lost on him.
But right now, all Xiao Yan wanted was to walk down the right path, and he hadn't thought much about emotions.
Or rather, Xiao Yan had been deliberately avoiding these emotional matters.
Right now, Xiao Yan cared more about how far he could go on the righteous path than anything else.
He glanced at Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Mei, sighing deeply within himself.
"Let's not think about these things for now," Xiao Yan scratched his head. "Let's go and get everything set up."
Soon, Xiao Yan and the others returned to the training ground and began preparing various items like lanterns and decorations. The once solemn Xiao family manor was now transformed, becoming festive with these decorations.
During the preparations, Xiao Mei, Xiao Xun'er, and even Xiao Yu couldn't help but be swept up by the lively atmosphere and their mood gradually improved, returning to their usual smiles.
Meanwhile, Nalan Yanran, following Xiao Zhan and the three elders, observed the changes in the courtyard. She looked at Xiao Zhan with some surprise.
"Uncle Xiao, is someone in the Xiao family getting married?"
It wasn't surprising that Nalan Yanran asked this, as the entire Dou Qi continent didn't have the custom of celebrating the New Year. Most families only decorated like this when there was a wedding.
"Ah, no, don't misunderstand, Nalan niece." Xiao Zhan smiled lightly and waved his hand. "This was something Yan'er suggested when he was young. Every year at the beginning of the year, the Xiao family halts all business operations. No matter where the Xiao family members are, they all return on this day to have a meal together and make some noise."
"I see."
Nalan Yanran nodded and looked at Xiao Yan, who was hanging lanterns from a bench. Her eyes sparkled brightly, and deep within them, a hidden tenderness lingered as memories from the past resurfaced.
He was such a special person, just like back then.
So gentle, yet able to make those around him feel warmth, making one want to stay by his side forever.
Nalan Yanran clenched her fists, her eyes flashing with unwavering determination. Her heart was full of nearly overflowing resolve.
Xiao Yan! I, Nalan Yanran, am determined to marry you in this lifetime! You can't escape!!!
(End of Chapter)
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