Chapter 21: Marry if You Want

Chapter 21: Marry if You Want

Lu Mingchao felt slightly anxious, as if some force was pulling her in different directions.

Indeed, background checks are important; you cannot just hope for the best.

Otherwise, you will end up in a dilemma, torn between Xie Yan, who perfectly matches her heart, and her warm, caring family.

"Really?" Lu Mingchao asked, turning her head.

His assurance that he would not take risks gave her a boost of confidence, making her feel that it was not impossible to take a gamble.

Her hesitation was not entirely because of Xie Yan.

Since hearing about Lu Minghui's actions, she had been feeling uneasy.

She always felt that Lu Minghui would haunt her, and they would eventually face off.

Lu Yao's hatred for Lu Minghui also meant that the two sides were destined to be irreconcilable.

Not to mention, Lu Minghui likely carried memories from a past life, filled with deep-seated grievances.

Backing Lu Minghui were the powerful Yongning Marquis family and the Duke's family. Eliminating the Lu family would be no harder than squashing a few ants.

One fire could turn Changxi Village into ashes and rubble.

"Really!" Xie Yan said, emphasizing each word with utmost care.

"Mingchao, revenge matters, but staying alive is even more crucial. Even if I do not think about my own life, I have to consider the safety of Huaiqian and the others."

"If I can take revenge, that is best."

"If not, it is my responsibility to protect them and ensure they grow up safely without danger."

The soft winter sunlight, like water, poured through the bare branches and cascaded over Xie Yan's face, creating a mottled and hazy effect.

"I also have something to tell you; consider it carefully."

"The Lu family is not really peaceful and stable either. Lu Miao harbors malice towards the Lu family; are you afraid?" Lu Mingchao raised her eyebrows and looked directly at Xie Yan without flinching.

Her eyes, under the sunlight, looked like a vast autumn river, deep and majestic.

Xie Yan's dark, deep-set eyes met Lu Mingchao's gaze. "What is there to be afraid of?"

What is there to be afraid of?

Lu Mingchao felt a slight stir in her heart, as if a thin layer of something had shattered.

"You revealed your past and Huaiqian's background, are you also gambling?"

"Betting on my trust?"

"Or gambling on my infatuation, unable to let you go?"

Lu Mingchao moved closer, a hint of playful anger in her expression, the light around her soft and diffuse.

"It is not gambling on these."

"It is a strong belief in you, in your character as bright and radiant as the morning sun." Xie Yan spoke openly and confidently, each word clear and distinct.

Lu Mingchao pressed her lips together. "Just because you talk sweet doesn’t mean I’ll lose my mind."

"Let me think about it a bit more."

Xie Yan agreed without hesitation.

Lu Mingchao, feeling irritated, scratched her head and paced around the courtyard. She turned her head and saw Lu Yao standing tall and straight by the window, gazing softly at her and Xie Yan.

Lu Yao nodded slowly at her.

Lu Mingchao: "Why are you nodding?"

Lu Yao, with a helpless gesture, covered his forehead, adjusted his clothes, lifted the heavy door curtain, and stepped inside.

"Chaochao, forget the outside factors for a moment—do you really want to marry Xie Yan?"

Lu Mingchao frowned. She couldn’t shake off those concerns.

"Chaochao, if you want to marry him, then go ahead."

"You have Xie Yan and second brother to rely on," Lu Yao said as he gently smoothed Lu Mingchao's messy hair.

Lu Mingchao asked, puzzled, "Do you know what Xie Yan said?"

Lu Yao's lips quirked slightly. "More or less."

"Everything will fall into place. Xie Yan isn’t one to act on impulse."

Lu Mingchao: ...

Her cautious approach felt like overkill.

"Alright."

To cancel the wedding again would be inappropriate.

That single word carried the warmth of spring, resonating softly in Xie Yan’s mind like a gentle feather caressing his heart. Endless joy spread, as if it was about to drown him in it.

Lu Mingchao sighed. "So, does this mean I actually have to have kids?"

She thought Xie Yan had already completed the task of continuing his family line, but it seemed that was not the case.

Xie Yan was taken aback, then chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "It’s entirely your call."

The bright moon, after all, had finally shown some mercy on him.

Lu Mingchao's eyes lit up. "So it’s settled then?"

"A gentleman’s word," Xie Yan said clearly and loudly.

With the cold wind blowing, Lu Mingchao wrapped her cloak tighter and hurried back inside. She picked up a warm, sweet cup of milk tea and took a sip, feeling very satisfied.

In the courtyard, only Xie Yan and Lu Yao remained.

"Thanks, Second Brother," Xie Yan said earnestly.

Lu Yao was once again in his cold and aloof demeanor, rubbing the faintly fragrant, fierce scar on his right hand. There was a hint of softness hidden deep in his eyes. "Chaochao is smart and always thinks of the family. As her older brother, I need to help her out instead of dumping every problem on her."

"Xie Yan, I can roughly guess your background."

"What truly made up my mind was your honesty today, so I just hope you'll remember Chaochao's kindness."

"Whether you're the young hunter from Changxi Village or a nobleman from a prominent family, don't betray Chaochao."

Of course, if Chaochao ever gets tired of Xie Yan, they should still break it off.

This person generally takes the side of reason.

But obviously, Chaochao does not belong to the general case.

Xie Yan raised his hand and swore, "I, Xie Yan, swear on the honor of my entire clan. If I betray Chaochao, may our blood feud never be resolved."

Lu Yao: ...

You don't have to be so serious.

"Xie Yan, why is it that after only a short time with Chaochao, you fell for her and were even willing to expose your bloody scars to her?"

After all, Lu Miao had been chasing after Xie Yan for months, but he never gave her a second glance.

And yet, she was completely smitten and dazed by him.

Xie Yan pondered for a moment, his dark eyes filled with gentle ripples. "She is very good."

"So good that I feel like the heavens have finally blessed me, willing to bestow upon me a ray of light."

"She understands human warmth and coldness, yet still loves and hates with clarity and purity."

"It's as if she was born with light, fearless and undaunted."

"Isn't it the same for you, Second Brother?"

Lu Yao was at a loss for words.

"Forgot to mention, Chaochao also had a betrothal in Shangjing City."

"Chaochao took Lu Miao's place, you got a great bargain."

"What about Chaochao's fiancé? Given how amazing Chaochao is, would the Duke of Zhenguo'son really accept the deceitful and cruel Lu Miao?"

"After years of friendship, would the Duke's son really stay indifferent, watching his once cherished gem slip away?"

"When the Duke's son comes to his senses, who knows what kind of trouble he might stir up."

"Some people just love stirring up trouble after losing something, purely out of spite."

"Since Chaochao is marrying you, you should find a way to protect her."

"Do you plan to wait until the Duke's son comes back with some disgusting excuse of old feelings and then hand Chaochao over to him?"

Lu Yao doesn't think there is anyone who could remain unmoved after being treated sincerely by Chaochao for years.

He especially doesn't believe that the foolish Lu Miao could replace Chaochao.

Unless the young master of a prestigious family has such severe eye problems that they are beyond cure.

He can give up on the future.