Chapter 24 [VIP] The Martial World (5)

Chapter 24 [VIP] The Martial World (5)

At that moment, Nan Yan approached him with a smile, her face showing no guilt of being overheard.

As they got closer, the faint scent from him drifted over. Nan Yan feigned distress, shaking her head as if she didn't understand his words.

“Why does the divine healer always speak in riddles I cannot comprehend?”

“What scheme? Can’t I simply leave the room for a walk to alleviate my boredom?”

Xiao Guanxue frowned and took a step back, creating distance, “Stop pretending. I heard everything you both said. Su Mo is naive and doesn’t grasp the implications of your words, but don’t assume everyone else is foolish.”

Seems like he just called the female lead naive?

Nan Yan, who had been pursing her lips, suddenly looked up and smiled at him.

This smile instantly brought life and dynamism to his expression, his eyes shimmering brilliantly.

However, the change was fleeting; his expression soon became shallow, but still casual.

She circled around him as if sizing him up, then finally spoke.

“Why does the divine healer care so much about Su sister? Could it be... you also like her?”

Tilting her head, she looked at him, exuding a calm demeanor, without any hint of being caught off guard.

Her use of ‘also’ was apt, implying Xie Yu’s obvious interest in Su Mo, though their relationship remained unspoken. Even if he harbors feelings for Su Mo, is that wrong?

“That’s none of your business.”

Xiao Guanxue replied coldly.

Nan Yan didn’t seem perturbed by his response, still smiling, but with a more profound meaning in her smile.

“Indeed, it’s none of my concern. I’m just curious why you call her ‘Mo Er’, so intimately. Does Su sister have any relation to you?”

Stepping forward to face him, she said, “I thought the divine healer was a gentleman, but it turns out you’re also coveting your friend’s beloved, just a hypocrite.”

Shaking her head with a sigh, her face showed a look of disillusionment.

“My brother A-Yu regards you as a sincere friend, often speaking highly of your medical skills and benevolent nature. He even wanted to invite you to Ming Yue Mountain Villa as a guest. Despite his respect for you, you secretly covet the woman he cares for…”

“What does this make of my brother A-Yu, with you, the divine healer, so keen on Sister Su? Does A-Yu even know about this?”

She leaned in closer, a smile on her face.

Her gaze, dark as ink, collided with his, filled with a cold mist upon hearing her words.

Xiao Guanxue’s expression visibly changed, his eyes darkening, his look inscrutable. He had always been concerned about this very matter.

He and Xie Yu were close friends, and Xie Yu had confided in him about his feelings for Su Mo. Xiao Guanxue had even advised and consoled him before realizing his own feelings for her, which was indeed morally wrong towards Xie Yu.

But he never revealed his thoughts, and his feelings remained buried. He felt innocent, having done nothing inappropriate. Wasn't that enough?

Xiao Guanxue scoffed, indifferent to her words, his gaze towards her turning colder, “Think what you will, I’ve done no wrong to anyone.”

Nan Yan responded with a light "Oh," shaking her head, her earrings swaying, “Is that so? But isn’t it immoral to covet a friend's beloved?”

“You’re being absurd.”

“Where am I wrong? Don’t you like Su Mo, knowing that Xie Yu loves her? If you're aware, why not avoid her? Why continue to secretly desire his beloved? Isn’t that preparing to betray him?”

“...I haven’t done anything.”

“But harboring such thoughts, you'll eventually act on them. Even if not now, you'll wrong Xie Yu eventually.”

“You…”

Xiao Guanxue was left speechless in frustration by her irrational accusations. He had never encountered such an unreasonable woman.

“Utterly preposterous!”

Did his friendship with Xie Yu mean he had no right to love Su Mo? He hadn’t acted on his feelings; why should he be slandered like this?

Xiao Guanxue fixed his gaze on her, initially thinking she was just cunning, but was surprised at her eloquence.

He wasn't naive. He knew her words weren't just for a verbal spar; pondering rapidly, his mood gradually calmed.

“If you're only here to discuss this, let's not waste time. What do you really want?”

Nan Yan then turned serious, “I propose a collaboration with you, Divine Healer.”

Collaboration?

This piqued Xiao Guanxue's curiosity.

“What do you mean?”

“Since you like Sister Su so much, why not strive for her? Do you really want to watch your beloved in another man’s arms? I’ve never seen anyone as magnanimous and foolish as you.”

“You've heard our conversation. Su Mo’s pride would never allow her to be Xie Yu’s concubine.”

“I love Xie Yu, and he must be mine alone. Call me malicious or manipulative, but the woman by his side must be me.”

Xiao Guanxue's expression was complex, understanding her implications. But love wasn't something to be forced, “Is this your true intention?”

Nan Yan, sensing his hesitation, looked at him, “And what if it is? Are you unwilling?”

Xiao Guanxue hesitated, more concerned about Su Mo’s feelings.

Su Mo had already developed feelings for Xie Yu, her denials merely a facade of pride, unaware of her own heart.

“What’s the point of love obtained through coercion? My affection for her is my own. I won’t harm her, nor will I let her betray her heart.”

Nan Yan had to admit his magnanimity.

Such an extraordinarily forbearing man, no wonder he remained the perennial backup.

If he had been a bit more proactive, he might not have lost to the oblivious Xie Yu.

Suddenly, she leaned in, placing her cool hands abruptly on his forehead, feeling around, "Hey, is there something wrong with your blockhead brain?"

Xiao Guanxue, caught off guard, was touched directly.

Then came her unique fragrance, faintly fresh and elegant. Having grown up in the valley, he rarely had such close contact with outsiders, especially such refined and gentle ladies.

As she moved closer, her light scent filled his nostrils, momentarily dazing him.

Xiao Guanxue's expression stiffened for a moment.

He took a deep breath, her fragrance intensifying in his nostrils, causing his earlobes to unconsciously heat up.

Xiao Guanxue, slightly annoyed and disregarding gender boundaries, abruptly grabbed her wrist on his forehead and pulled her away forcefully.

“What's with the touching? Who allowed you to touch me?”

Xiao Guanxue glared at her, his jade-like complexion blushing with irritation.

Nan Yan didn't get angry, just incredulously stared at him, “Who wants to touch you? I'm just amazed at how such a fool exists in this world.”

“Having heard our conversation, you should know that Su Mo's initial affection wasn't for Xie Yu. Someone like you, who doesn't even dare to try, deserves to be alone for life.”

Nan Yan looked disdainfully at him.

“……”

Xiao Guanxue's face twitched with irritation.

How could such a sharp-tongued and relentless woman exist?

For every word he said, she could retort with ten. Even the most patient would struggle to endure her.

How could Xie Yu claim his childhood friend was gentle and virtuous? It seemed laughable.

She was clearly a shrewd and sharp-tongued tigress.

Xiao Guanxue felt engaging with her any further was a mistake. What she did was none of his business; why should he stoop to her level?

As they were jostling, Xiao Guanxue abruptly brushed his sleeve, ready to push her away―

When suddenly Xie Yu's voice came from behind:

“What are you two doing?”

Xie Yu's surprise was understandable, given the peculiar posture the two were in at that moment.

Xiao Guanxue was holding Nan Yan's wrist, his lips tightly pressed, the usual calm and indifferent expression gone, replaced by a slight blush on his cheeks.

But no one knew that it was out of irritation.

Nan Yan, on the other hand, seemed relaxed, eyebrows slightly raised in an untroubled stance, with a faint smile on her face, displaying a lively charm he had never seen before.

Xie Yu’s gaze swept over their intertwined hands, his brow imperceptibly furrowed, “Why are you two together? What happened?”

Xiao Guanxue paused in his motion.

Realizing he was still holding the young lady's hand, he felt somewhat awkward, quickly releasing her and replying, “Nothing.”

However, this answer was obviously not very convincing.

Nan Yan turned around, smiling brightly at Xie Yu.

“I was bored inside, so I came out for a walk. I didn’t expect to meet Xiao Big Brother here, so we just had a little chat. But what brings you here, Brother Xie Yu?”

Nanyan's eyes held just the right amount of surprise as she casually glossed over the recent events, her face maintaining its usual gentleness.

Seeing her unharmed, Xie Yu’s expression finally relaxed, "I came to find you. When did you and Guanxue become so close? What were you two talking about just now? Why not share it with me too?"

“That won’t do.” Nanyan shook her head, giving Xiao Guanxue a secret look. She smiled and said, “It’s a secret between me and Brother Xiao.”

“A secret between you two?”

Xie Yu frowned unconsciously, staring at her for a moment.

This was the first time Nanyan had a secret with another man in his presence, and a secret she wouldn’t share with him, giving rise to an indescribable feeling in his heart.

“That's right.” Nanyan pursed her lips, smiling mischievously, “I can’t tell you.”

After speaking, she winked at Xiao Guanxue, who remained silent for a moment, then turned his head away, not wanting to engage with her, but his reaction obviously did not refute the suggestions she had just made.

It seemed he wasn’t as magnanimous as he claimed. She knew it – how could there be such foolish people in this world?

When you truly love someone, how could you just watch them be with someone else without even trying to compete? After all, love is selfish, and fair competition is reasonable.

What's the point of saving face, especially when it means being so cautious about not letting your feelings show to the one you like? That’s just too painful.

After teasing him, Nanyan felt quite pleased with herself.

Consequently, her gaze towards him was filled with much more satisfaction.

Xiao Guanxue, however, felt extremely troubled, especially disliking her two-faced behavior, acting one way to his face and another behind his back.

When she's with him, she's a scheming woman full of tricks. Yet, with Xie Yu, her demeanor changes entirely, embodying gentleness, intelligence, restraint, and subtlety. Her treatment of the two men couldn't be more different.

Even though he tries to remain indifferent, her dual personality frustrates him.

Fortunate for his self-awareness, he knows staying any longer would only invite her disdain. He doesn't even bother with a goodbye, simply turning and leaving expressionlessly.

However, as he departs, he reflects on her words.

In a rush of the moment, he inadvertently concealed their conversation, leaving him feeling unsettled and confused.

Where does her confidence come from?

So sure he would agree to her proposition.

Xiao Guanxue scoffs coldly to himself. He does love Su Mo, but he would never do anything to hurt her…

Meanwhile, Nan Yan, still at the spot, gazes after his retreating figure until Xie Yu's questioning voice brings her back to reality.

“Yanyan…”

“Hmm? What’s up, Brother Xie Yu? Did you need something from me?”