NOVEL NEXT Chapter 32: Strong Opponent
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Chapter 32: Strong Opponent
In the morning, the sunlight poured through the window into the room, illuminating Xiao Yan's sleeping face, causing him to slowly open his eyes.
"Ha~~~"
Xiao Yan sat up, stretching a big yawn. He then got off the bed and began to get dressed and wash up.
Today is the annual age ceremony of the Xiao family. On this day, not only the Xiao family members attend, but everyone in Wutan City can also come to visit the Xiao family. The Xiao family market will also have discounts on this day, making it one of the grand events of Wutan City.
"Once the ceremony is over today, the new year will be here~"
Xiao Yan's eyes were filled with vitality.
The new year represents the start of a new year.
The problem with his Dou Qi, which had been bothering him for a long time, had been resolved, and he unexpectedly gained a teacher in alchemy. This was undoubtedly a year full of hope for Xiao Yan.
"Let's not be sentimental about it right now." At this moment, Yao Chen suddenly popped out and, with a mischievous smile, pointed toward the door, "You're really cursed by peach blossoms, huh? Getting into trouble early in the morning."
"Hmm?"
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, about to ask Yao Chen what she meant, when suddenly, a quarrel broke out outside the door.
"Blocking the door of cousin Xiao Yan so early in the morning, what are your intentions?!!"
"I'm just here to check on how my fiancé is doing in his rest. Isn't that my right as his fiancée?"
"Miss Nalan, you haven't married into the Xiao family yet, you're still just a guest, so please abide by the rules of a guest and don't wander around the Xiao family."
Listening to the three contrasting voices outside the door, Xiao Yan's previously good mood instantly vanished, and the hopeful future became incredibly difficult in an instant.
"Hehe~ Good luck, kid. The future is long~"
Yao Chen laughed carelessly at her disciple and returned to the ring. Xiao Yan sighed deeply and opened the door, only to see Xiao Mei, Xiao Xun'er, and Nalan Yanran standing at the door, confronting each other.
"Cousin Xiao Yan!"
When Xiao Mei saw Xiao Yan open the door, her previously angry expression immediately disappeared, and she pounced onto him, tightly wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Good morning! Let's go to the age ceremony together, okay~"
"Mm."
Xiao Yan nodded lightly and then looked at Nalan Yanran.
"Did little foodie sleep well last night?"
Since it wasn't a formal occasion, Xiao Yan, who wasn't always on edge, was able to relax a bit.
However, this nickname wasn't as pleasant for Nalan Yanran.
"I told you not to call me little foodie!!!"
Nalan Yanran couldn't hold it in anymore and blushed furiously, glaring at Xiao Yan and shouting.
Xiao Xun'er, who was standing nearby, gently pinched her delicate chin and asked in confusion.
"I've been curious for a while. Why does Xiao Yan ge ge call Miss Nalan little foodie?"
Although Xiao Yan didn't call Nalan Yanran "little foodie" often in front of others, it was still quite memorable. After all, judging by her appearance, Nalan Yanran didn't seem like the type to be associated with the term "foodie."
Hearing Xiao Xun'er's question, Xiao Yan laughed softly.
"Well~ That's because—"
"Don't say it!!!"
Nalan Yanran shouted angrily, her face growing even redder, as if it might spill over with blood. Her posture made her look just like an angry little kitten, which was quite adorable.
"Okay, okay~ I won't say it. Don't be angry~"
Xiao Yan smiled and promised. Nalan Yanran's flushed face finally calmed down slightly.
The previous day, after receiving a warm invitation from Xiao Zhan—oh no, it should have been Nalan Yanran's initiative request—to stay a few more days at the Xiao family, Xiao Zhan arranged a guest room for Nalan Yanran.
Xiao Zhan felt helpless about this. Seeing Nalan Yanran like this, it seemed she wouldn't leave until after the new year.
During this time, Nalan Yanran would surely clash with Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er, but Xiao Zhan didn't dare to discourage her, as she was, after all, his nominal future daughter-in-law. So, he simply gave up.
Let them cause trouble; in the end, it would all be his son's business. Why should he worry so much?
Thus, Xiao Yan, carrying Xiao Mei on his back, walked toward the annual agr ceremony venue slowly, with Xiao Xun'er and Nalan Yanran at odds with each other.
When they arrived at the ceremony venue and saw the bustling crowd, Xiao Yan couldn't help but sigh.
No matter when or where, there are always so many people eager to watch the excitement.
"Oh! Cousin! Good morning!"
From a distance, Xiao Ning saw Xiao Yan and his group and waved as he approached, with Xiao Yu following closely behind.
"Miss Nalan, good morning."
Xiao Yu greeted Nalan Yanran softly. As the acknowledged eldest sister of this generation in the Xiao family, her manners toward guests were impeccable. Unlike Xiao Yan, Xiao Yu's personality didn't have the luxury of being casual.
"Good morning."
Nalan Yanran also nodded lightly in response, her attitude towards Xiao Yu was completely different from her attitude towards Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er, showing the grace of a young lady from the Nalan family and a sect master's daughter.
However, despite her politeness on the surface, Nalan Yanran was constantly on guard against Xiao Yu in her heart.
A woman's intuition told her that Xiao Yu was also her competitor.
Although Xiao Yu didn't openly express her feelings as blatantly as Xiao Mei or as subtly as Xiao Xun'er, Nalan Yanran was sure that Xiao Yu had feelings for Xiao Yan too.
But Xiao Yu's maturity kept her from making things difficult for Xiao Yan, which was why she hadn't directly shown her feelings.
This kind of opponent was the most dangerous, but at the same time, the easiest to make disappear naturally.
Not fighting too hard for feelings was a way to avoid making the person you like uncomfortable. If the feelings were revealed later, they would surely increase the other person's affection several times.
But also precisely because of not fighting too hard for feelings, it was possible that even by the time this relationship ended, the man wouldn't even realize her feelings, and that love would naturally fade away.
In comparison, Xiao Xun'er's subtle approach was easier to deal with, and as for Xiao Mei… pfft.
A trace of disdain appeared at the corner of Nalan Yanran's mouth.
To put it bluntly, Nalan Yanran didn't care about Xiao Mei at all. In her eyes, Xiao Mei was just a little girl who hadn't grown up, incapable of causing any trouble, and not worth worrying about.
"Sister Xiao Yu, please entertain Miss Nalan. I'll go see my father."
Xiao Yan asked Xiao Yu.
As a distinguished guest, Nalan Yanran couldn't be neglected, but as the son of the family head, Xiao Yan also had to help entertain some guests.
The other Xiao family members hadn't spoken to Nalan Yanran before. Xiao Ning was a man, so it wasn't appropriate for him, and Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er, these two young girls, were even less likely to handle it.
Forget about entertaining; it would be good enough if these two didn't end up clashing with Nalan Yanran.
So this task, Xiao Yan had to entrust to the relatively mature and steady Xiao Yu.
Xiao Yu understood Xiao Yan's difficulty and nodded lightly.
"Mm, leave it to me."
"Thank you~"
Xiao Yan waved his hand and left. As he walked away, Xiao Yu's eyes flashed with a hint of joy.
This was, after all, a sign that Xiao Yan trusted her.
And Nalan Yanran, upon seeing Xiao Yu's gaze, immediately felt a warning signal in her heart.
Sure enough, her guess was correct! This woman is also a formidable opponent!!!
(End of this chapter)
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For every 100 power stones = 1 chapter
300 power stones = 5 chapter
500 power stones = 8 chapter