NOVEL WEB Chapter 2:
Chapter 2: Only Children Make Choices, I Want Them All!:
“Stop standing around, everyone, sit down,” Duke Wei said, gesturing for everyone to take their seats.
Normally, guests would sit at separate tables, but today, a single large table had been set for everyone to gather around.
“Help yourselves to whatever you like. Don’t hold back,” Duke Wei encouraged.
He then picked up a glass of wine and began chatting casually with Xia Zehai, avoiding any direct mention of the marriage. It was clear he intended to let the young people observe each other first.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Wei watched her daughters closely, particularly Li Yunxin. Although she was the main subject of the marriage proposal, Li Yunxin seemed shy and avoided making prolonged eye contact with Qin Shu.
Li Yunhuan, on the other hand, glanced at Qin Shu a few times, memorized his appearance, and then lowered her head to focus on her food. For her, today’s events didn’t concern her. Eating well was the priority.
After three rounds of wine, Mrs. Wei whispered to her eldest daughter, “I’m quite satisfied. What about you?”
Li Yunxin blushed, nodding slightly. “Yes.”
In this world, marriage was primarily arranged by parents. Li Yunxin adhered to this tradition but naturally hoped her husband would be exceptional. Qin Shu met her expectations.
With his commanding presence, jade-like features, and heroic demeanor, Qin Shu was undoubtedly a catch. His cultivation talent matched her own, and his level even exceeded hers. In Capital City, countless women admired him—and she was no exception.
Although she had previously been engaged to the good-for-nothing Ye Han, having Qin Shu as her future husband felt like a dream come true.
Xia Zehai noticed the silent approval from Li Yunxin and her mother.
Sensing that the marriage would proceed smoothly, he couldn’t help but smile.
“It seems everyone is pleased,” he said, laughing.
Duke Wei raised his wine glass with a smile. “Indeed.”
At this moment, Xia Zehai gave Qin Shu a subtle signal. Taking the hint, Qin Shu stood up, holding his wine glass with both hands, and spoke clearly.
“Uncle Wei, I’ve come to propose marriage today. I wish to marry both Yunxin and Yunhuan. I hope you will grant me this honor.”
“Good, good…” Duke Wei began, but his words trailed off as he processed what Qin Shu had just said. His eyes widened in shock. “What?!”
“You want to marry both Yunxin and Yunhuan?”
The entire room froze. No one had expected Qin Shu to say such a thing.
Even Li Yunhuan, who had been quietly enjoying her meal, looked up in astonishment, her cheeks puffed out with food. Her clear eyes were filled with disbelief. She had only come to meet her sister’s future husband and enjoy a good meal. How did she get involved in this?
“Yes,” Qin Shu said confidently, his expression calm. “I want to marry both Yunxin and Yunhuan. Don’t worry, Uncle Wei—I’ll treat them both well.”
Qin Shu’s reasoning was simple.
Marrying Li Yunxin would already offend the protagonist, Ye Han, but the benefits outweighed the risks. If he was going to offend the protagonist anyway, why not go all in?
By marrying Li Yunhuan as well, he could intercept the heroine intended for Ye Han and further suppress the protagonist. Two wives, double the benefits!
[The host is greedy and shows his true nature as a villain. Reward: 1,000 villain points.]
Hearing the system prompt, Qin Shu’s eyes lit up. He had just started to grasp the value of villain points, and they were invaluable for purchasing items in the system’s mall. The more points, the better!
Duke Wei, however, looked troubled. He had intended to marry his eldest daughter, Li Yunxin, to Qin Shu. He had never expected Qin Shu to express interest in both his daughters.
“Commander Xia, didn’t you explain this to Qin Shu beforehand?”
Xia Zehai feigned regret, slapping his thigh. “Ah, my mistake! I told him we were coming to propose marriage but didn’t clarify the details. That’s my fault.”
Then, with a sudden shift in tone, he added, “But honestly, I don’t think it’s such a bad idea, Duke Wei!”
Qin Shu silently gave his uncle a thumbs-up. Well played, Uncle!
“Ah?” Duke Wei stared at Xia Zehai in disbelief. This wasn’t what they had originally discussed.
At that moment, the butler entered and bowed respectfully. “Sir, Ye Han is outside, demanding to see the eldest lady.”
“Why is he here?” Duke Wei asked, clearly surprised.
Qin Shu’s expression changed. So the protagonist had arrived—earlier than he had anticipated.
Li Yunxin’s face turned cold at the mention of Ye Han. She had never liked him, and her distaste had only grown after being engaged to him. Now, with her emotions already unsettled by Qin Shu’s bold proposal, Ye Han’s arrival was an unwelcome opportunity to vent her frustration.
“Father, let me handle this,” she said, standing abruptly and walking out.
After a brief hesitation, Qin Shu decided to follow her. Convincing Duke Wei would be easier for Xia Zehai, given their equal standing. Leaving the negotiation to his uncle, Qin Shu quickly left the room.
Noticing the commotion, Li Yunhuan stuffed a few more pieces of meat into her mouth before hurriedly trailing behind them.
Back in the room, Xia Zehai leaned toward Duke Wei. “My lord, let the younger generation handle this. Meanwhile, let me explain things more thoroughly…”
…
Outside the mansion, a young man dressed plainly stood angrily at the gates. His face was tense, his fists clenched.
This was Ye Han.
At this moment, his eyes burned with frustration. His parents had once arranged an engagement with Duke Wei, but after their passing, the Ye family had fallen into decline.
Now, Ye Han had heard rumors that Commander Xia had visited the Wei household with boxes of lavish gifts. This wasn’t just a casual visit—it was clearly a proposal.
Ye Han’s heart sank. He could guess who the proposal was for, but he needed confirmation.
As Li Yunxin approached, Ye Han stepped forward.
“Yunxin,” he said, his voice trembling slightly, “I heard Commander Xia Zehai came to your home. Is he here to propose marriage?”
Li Yunxin glanced at Ye Han coldly and replied, “So what?”
Her icy demeanor only confirmed Ye Han’s suspicions. He pressed on, “Who is the candidate for the marriage proposal? What’s the outcome?”
“Ye Han, don’t you already know the answer?” Li Yunxin’s tone was sharp, not bothering to answer directly. She wasn’t just the sole focus of the proposal—Qin Shu had proposed to marry her and her sister. Yet, she wanted to make it clear that she was far beyond Ye Han’s reach.
Ye Han clenched his fists as realization dawned.
Someone had indeed proposed marriage, and judging by Li Yunxin’s attitude, the Duke of Wei had likely accepted. His frustration quickly turned into anger.
“Alright, I see how it is! I misjudged you, Li Yunxin! Your father made a promise with my father, and now that my father is gone, you—a shallow, power-hungry woman—have broken off the engagement to pursue wealth and influence!”
Li Yunxin’s expression darkened, her disgust for Ye Han deepening.
She interrupted him harshly, “So what if Uncle Ye was here? Do you think you’re worthy of me? You, a useless waste? Don’t you know your place?”
Her words were like daggers.
“If Uncle Ye were still here, it would have been better. He could have annulled this ridiculous engagement! It’s the one thing I’ve been hoping for,” she continued, her tone full of disdain. “If my father weren’t bound by this promise, he wouldn’t need to sacrifice my sister by marrying her off to someone like you. Even if her talent is lacking, she deserves better than you!”
Ye Han’s voice trembled with anger. “You dare call me a waste?”
Li Yunxin’s gaze sharpened. “What’s wrong with calling you a waste? Am I wrong?”
Her bluntness was like a blade piercing his chest. Mediocrity had always haunted Ye Han, and his inability to cultivate was his greatest regret. But now, his fiancée not only welcomed another’s proposal but also ridiculed him as worthless right to his face.
The humiliation was unbearable.
Ye Han’s heart burned with fury. The pain was overwhelming, but his anger outweighed it. His voice roared with defiance.
“Li Yunxin! Thirty years in Hedong, thirty years in Hexi—don’t look down on a struggling youth! I dare you to make a bet with me!”
Li Yunxin raised an eyebrow, suddenly intrigued by his outburst. “A bet? Why not? What do you want to bet on, you pathetic loser?”
Ye Han’s voice was firm. “Three years from now, we’ll have a duel. If I lose, I’ll kneel and apologize. But if I win, you’ll do whatever I say!”
Li Yunxin couldn’t suppress her laughter. “You? Bet with me? Fight me?”
She found it absurd. She was currently at the 9th stage Spiritual Movement Realm, while Ye Han wasn’t even qualified to practice cultivation. What could he possibly rely on to defeat her? His delusion was almost laughable.
“Do you even have a plan? What are you going to use to fight me? Your bare hands?”
Her disdain was palpable, but Ye Han remained undeterred. “Answer me—do you dare?”
For a moment, Li Yunxin felt a wave of irritation. How dare this useless man provoke her like this?
“What…” she began, but her words were cut off by another voice.
“Wait!”