NOVEL WEB Chapter 4:
Chapter 4: You Don’t Want Anyone to Know About This, Right?
On the other side, Jiang Xuan and Nangong Liuyun had returned to the Imperial City.
On the way, Nangong Liuyun asked with a half-smile, “Husband, you dragged me away so quickly… are you hiding something from me? Don’t worry, I won’t hold anything from your past against you, so you can be honest with me.”
Looking at her smile, which felt as warm as a spring breeze, Jiang Xuan would’ve believed her if not for the scan system clearly displaying her affection level at –9999.
Only now did he realize—his fiancée was not as gentle and understanding as she appeared.
Who knew what kind of outcome he would face with a –9999 affection level?
His first priority now was to appease this big boss.
“Apologies. It was my decision to bring you away, Miss Nangong. I was just worried you might get hurt. After all, we didn’t have any guards with us at the mountains outside the city. We’re both just ordinary people without strength. I was afraid Xia Xiaoyu might lose control and harm you, so I wanted to get us out of there quickly.”
Hearing Jiang Xuan’s explanation, Nangong Liuyun paused briefly. Her affection level instantly returned to normal.
“So that’s how it is. As expected, husband, you still care about me. But why does the way you address me sound so unfamiliar now? I still prefer you calling me your wife. Our marriage was predestined. Just think of it as getting used to it a bit earlier.”
Jiang Xuan: “……”
After helplessly agreeing to change how he addressed her, Nangong Liuyun finally seemed satisfied and personally escorted him back to the Jiang family. She even invited him to visit the Nangong family tomorrow to discuss the details of their upcoming marriage.
Inside the Jiang family’s main hall, Jiang Yuyan smiled and asked, “Xuan’er, how did things go with your fiancée? If you like her, then we’ll go ahead with the marriage. Of course, if you don’t, I’ll plead with the Empress to revoke the imperial decree, even if it costs me my reputation.”
“I… I have no objections to the marriage. Miss Nangong… is a good wife.”
“It’s rare for you to agree. Since that’s the case, let’s proceed according to the proper wedding arrangements.”
After confirming things with his adoptive mother, Jiang Xuan returned to his room.
He was currently deep in thought about what kind of person Nangong Liuyun really was. All he knew was that she was a hidden powerhouse with an extraordinarily high affection level toward him… and a dangerously strong possessiveness.
In Jiang Xuan’s eyes, being around Nangong Liuyun carried a huge amount of risk. But refusing this marriage wasn’t really an option either. If she truly lost control and used her strength, there wouldn’t be a single person in the Dajiang Empire who could stop her.
In short, he had no choice.
Whatever. One step at a time. In the end, his golden finger was just too weak. If it were stronger, he wouldn’t even need to worry about any of this.
Scan System: You blaming me now?
Just as Jiang Xuan was planning to wash up early and sleep, a shadow suddenly appeared outside his room.
His guard immediately went up.
An assassin had infiltrated the Jiang family?
The chances were low—but not impossible.
Just as he was about to call for the Jiang family’s experts, a soft voice came through.
“Brother Xuan, it’s me. I want to talk to you about something. Can I come in?”
Hearing the voice, Jiang Xuan realized it was Xia Xiaoyu outside.
No wonder the Jiang family’s guards didn’t react.
But it was already late, and considering what had happened earlier in the mountains, Jiang Xuan hesitated, then said, “Xia Xiaoyu, if there’s something you need, come see me another time.”
“No. I want to know what you really think right now.”
As she spoke, Xia Xiaoyu pushed the door open and entered.
“You… what are you doing? I know our families are close, but barging into my room this late at night is going too far, don’t you think?”
Before he could finish, Xia Xiaoyu handed him a storage ring.
“There are five million top-grade spirit stones inside. Please accept them, Brother Xuan.”
Jiang Xuan’s eyes widened slightly. This former sponsor of his… seemed even richer than she was three years ago.
So she hadn’t gone bankrupt and run away after all. He had misunderstood her.
He smoothly accepted the five million spirit stones, then asked, “Xia Xiaoyu, I won’t fuss over you barging into my room, but tell me—what is it you really want? I already said what I needed to say back in the mountains.”
“Brother Xuan, I just want to clear up the misunderstanding between us and tell you the truth about why I left without saying goodbye three years ago.”
“No need. I’m not interested in your explanation…”
Jiang Xuan had no intention of listening. In his eyes, rich sponsors disappearing was common. There was nothing to explain.
He was just an honest, hardworking guy. He wouldn’t go digging into his sponsor’s private affairs. Besides, she wasn’t the only sponsor he had.
However, when Xia Xiaoyu handed him a second storage ring—also containing five million top-grade spirit stones—Jiang Xuan, being a responsible and devoted worker, immediately changed his tune.
“No need to explain. Honestly, I always believed you must’ve had no choice but to leave suddenly. I even looked for you for a long time… Eventually I learned you’d been taken by a sect for special training. I was heartbroken for quite a while.”
That part, at least, wasn’t a lie. Losing a rich, naïve sponsor out of nowhere—anyone would be upset.
Upon hearing this, Xia Xiaoyu burst into tears.
“Wuwu… I knew you still cared about me, Brother Xuan. Back then, my special physique awakened suddenly, and my Master hurriedly brought me back to the sect. I didn’t even get the chance to explain things clearly to you. The awakening stage is the best time for training, so I was forced to stay there for the past three years. I only got permission to leave for experience training after my cultivation got stuck at the Half-Step Heaven Martial Realm with no progress. I missed you so much it made me ill. I nearly developed a heart demon. But in the end… I was still too late.”
Jiang Xuan: “…”
The scan system showed her affection level had risen to 9999.
Jiang Xuan knew what she said was likely all true.
Three years ago, her affection level was only 999. He never expected it to jump tenfold upon their reunion.
This heartfelt scene was quite moving, and Jiang Xuan really wanted to say something like, No, you came back at the perfect time or I’ve always been thinking of you too to comfort his childhood friend.
After all, she had just handed him ten million top-grade spirit stones. That was a bit much. Offering some emotional support was reasonable.
But he couldn’t do it.
In front of a big boss like his fiancée, this little sponsor was just a minor character.
If he said something like that, it’d only provoke her into doing something reckless. After all, she had said she would win.
And from the look of things, she didn’t stand a chance.
Having made up his mind, Jiang Xuan calmly said, “I understand what happened three years ago. If there’s nothing else, you should go. I need to rest.”
“Brother Xuan, it’s just the two of us here. Can’t you be honest with me? I’ve already looked into it. Your so-called fiancée is just someone the Empress forced on you. She’s not worthy of you. As long as you say the word, I’ll help you escape her clutches. Don’t worry. I don’t even see the Dajiang Empire as a threat. Even if I have to stand against the entire empire—I’ll win. So please, Brother Xuan, don’t hold back. I only want to hear what’s in your heart.”
Jiang Xuan: “…”
His thoughts: Sigh… I can’t just tell her that my fiancée’s cultivation is at the Peak 9th stage Martial Emperor Realm. Not to mention no one would believe me, but if that info gets out, I’ll expose my golden finger.
On the surface, he shook his head and said, “My marriage with her is fated. As for us, perhaps our bond ended three years ago. No matter what you do now, you won’t be able to stop it. And if you dare attack her, I’ll live and die with her.”
Hearing this, Xia Xiaoyu collapsed to the floor.
She had thought that once she explained everything, their misunderstandings would be cleared up, and Jiang Xuan would naturally choose her over the infamous, unruly girl from the Imperial City.
But she never expected things to end up like this.
Jiang Xuan’s feelings for his fiancée were so deep that he’d even declare “live and die together”?
Only then did Xia Xiaoyu realize she had lost—completely and thoroughly.
Still, her heart burned with unwillingness.
She had come first. How could someone else steal him away? And the one who did it was a spoiled brat?
Why? Was she supposed to throw away the love she had cultivated so carefully all these years?
Back then, she had already held his hand. If not for that incident three years ago, she was 90% certain Jiang Xuan would already be her husband—maybe even a father by now.
She had even thought up names for their ninth child.
As Xia Xiaoyu drowned in her self-blame and regret, a voice echoed in her mind:
Hmph. Still so useless. Something this small shakes you?
Are you stupid? It’s the dead of night. A man and a woman alone. And you’re wasting this perfect opportunity?
Since he didn’t choose you, then stop holding back.
Did you forget what Mother taught you? Men always say no with their mouths, but their bodies are honest.
If you want to win him back now, there’s only one method.
If you can’t do it, then step aside and let me take over. I’ll handle it… because I… am you.
As the voice repeated itself, Xia Xiaoyu’s golden eyes slowly became hollow.
Jiang Xuan frowned slightly.
Crap… did I hit her too hard? Sigh. One day, she’ll understand I was trying to protect her. I’ve already done everything I can out of respect for our childhood bond… and the sponsor-client relationship. I can’t just watch her go and get herself killed. She has zero chance of winning.
Just then, Jiang Xuan noticed something troubling on the scan system.
Xia Xiaoyu’s affection level was plummeting—and finally stopped at –6666.
Just as Jiang Xuan thought she had given up, the girl who had fallen to the floor slowly stood up.
The hollow gold in her eyes turned blood red.
Her previously cool and elegant aura now had a seductive edge—and it made Jiang Xuan instinctively feel a hint of danger.
Xia Xiaoyu licked her lips and stared at him with a greedy gaze. She stepped forward and gently cupped his face.
Then she spoke softly, “Nice to meet you, Brother Xuan. You wouldn’t want anyone to know what happens between the two of us tonight… especially your fiancée, right?”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!”