# Chapter 3: Then Marry Me?
"Ah!!"
Xiao Lingxi let out a startled cry, leaping backward like a frightened little rabbit. She touched her inexplicably numb lips with her fingertips, her beautiful eyes wide as a crimson blush rapidly spread from her fair cheeks down to her neck: "You... you... you kissed me again!!"
"You always react like this." Xiao Che, clearly the one at fault, instead put on an expression of innocence mixed with hurt: "When we were little, you loved playing kissing games with me. Now every time I kiss you, you act like you've been greatly frightened."
"You... you... you know that was when we were kids!" Xiao Lingxi's face grew redder and redder. "We're adults now! You can't just randomly kiss me anymore! You... you're about to have a wife soon! From now on, you can only kiss your wife!"
"Why..."
"Because I'm your Little Aunt!" Xiao Lingxi stamped her foot in exasperation.
"Then... what if I always want to kiss you?" Xiao Che tapped his chin, smiling mischievously. The cute and sweet fifteen-year-old girl before him held absolutely no intimidating presence as a "Little Aunt."
"Hmph... then marry me!" Xiao Lingxi wrinkled her nose, her voice carrying a coquettish tone.
"Hey! You're my Little Aunt! How could I possibly marry you..." Xiao Che's voice lowered, but his eyes widened a bit.
"Then stop randomly kissing me! If you dare steal a kiss again, I'll tell your wife Xia Qingyue to deal with you, hmph!" Xiao Lingxi tossed her head back, looking at him with smug satisfaction.
Just then, Xiao Hong's voice came from outside again: "Young Master, are you ready? It's time to go to the Xia family to receive the bride."
"Alright, I'll be right out." Xiao Che glanced at his attire and prepared to leave. He had only taken two steps when Xiao Lingxi grabbed his arm, her expression turning serious: "Xiao Che! Before you go to fetch Xia Qingyue, repeat the promise we made yesterday, word for word. Not a single mistake allowed, or I won't let you leave."
The promise from yesterday? Xiao Che thought for a moment, then said with a hint of resignation: "Fine... After marrying Xia Qingyue, I must not forget my Little Aunt just because I have a wife. I must not reduce the time I spend with my Little Aunt. I must respond to my Little Aunt's summons as promptly as before... That should be word for word correct, right?"
"Hehe, that's a good boy." Xiao Lingxi showed a lovely smile, but still didn't let go of Xiao Che's hand. "But, I need to add one more condition that I forgot yesterday... Even though Xia Qingyue becomes your wife, her place in your heart cannot be higher than mine! Repeat it now, quickly, quickly, quickly!"
Xiao Che glanced sideways, looking into her beautiful eyes and said: "Kiss me, and I'll agree."
"Then... you marry me?"
"..." Xiao Che was defeated.
"Young Master, still not ready?" Going past the established "auspicious time" was a major taboo, and Xiao Hong's urging voice came from outside the door once more.
Xiao Che placed his hand on the door but didn't push it open immediately. Instead, he said softly: "I can't promise that, Little Aunt... because Little Aunt's place in my heart is something a hundred Xia Qingyues couldn't compare to. I wouldn't even think of comparing her with Little Aunt."
As his words faded, he pushed open the door and walked out calmly.
Xiao Lingxi stood rooted to the spot, dazed for a long moment. Then the corners of her lips curled up into a joyful arc, and like a little girl who had just received her most beloved candy, she skipped and bounced out after him.
As Xiao Che walked out of the room, the wedding procession, which could barely be considered splendid, was already waiting there. Xiao Hong smiled kindly at him: "Young Master, please mount your horse. On the way to receive the bride, I will do my utmost to protect you... Of course, on such a joyous day, there will only be happiness and no misfortune, so this old man probably won't be needed."
"Uncle Hong, I appreciate your trouble." Xiao Che smiled back at Xiao Hong and directly swung himself onto the horse. Just then, a friendly voice suddenly came from the left:
"Looks like I've arrived just in time. Brother Xiao Che is off to receive the bride? Congratulations indeed."
Xiao Che raised an eyebrow slightly and followed the voice. He saw two young men walking slowly toward him. The one who spoke was in his early twenties, of medium build with an elegant and handsome appearance, bright eyes, and a warm smile that made one feel like a spring breeze. Behind him, following a step behind at all times, was a rather thin young man who seemed slightly younger.
Seeing them, Xiao Che smiled: "So it's Brother Yulong and Brother Xiao Yang. Have you come here specially to see me off?"
Xiao Yulong—the only son of Xiao Yunhai, the current Sect Leader of the Xiao Sect. He was exactly twenty years old. In terms of appearance, talent, eloquence, and wisdom, he was the best among the younger generation of the Xiao Sect. Moreover, he was exceedingly proud. He had always despised Xiao Che, who was known as the number one waste of the Xiao Sect, and had always treated him with contempt and mockery.
But today, he actually came to "send him off"?
Xiao Yulong walked up to Xiao Che, the warmth in his eyes not diminishing in the slightest: "Brother Xiao Che is about to marry the number one beauty of Liu Yun City, Xia Qingyue. How could I not come to personally see you off? It's just a pity that our father, the Sect Leader, couldn't come because of some important matters. However, he asked me to give you his congratulations."
"Hehe, I'm truly flattered." Xiao Che smiled modestly, but there was a faint coolness hidden deep in his eyes. As a waste who couldn't cultivate profound energy, he relied on a keen insight to evaluate people. And this Xiao Yulong, who was usually arrogant and condescending, was now giving him such a flattering welcome... It was strange!
"If nothing else, I'll be on my way." Xiao Che pulled on the reins, preparing to leave.
"Hold on." Xiao Yulong stretched out his hand to stop him. He took a small brocade box from his sleeve and handed it to Xiao Che with a smile: "This is a small token of my congratulations. I wish Brother Xiao Che a lifetime of happiness. I hope you won't refuse."
"Oh?" Xiao Che took the brocade box, lifted the lid, and a strong fragrance immediately assailed his senses. Inside lay an egg-sized deep red medicinal pill, its surface flowing with a strange crimson luster, exuding a potent energy fluctuation.
"This is..." Xiao Che's eyes flickered slightly.
"The Crimson Flame Mysterious Pill." Xiao Yulong said with a light laugh, "Although I know Brother Xiao Che's profound strength is limited and you might not be able to refine this mid-grade profound pill, there's no harm in keeping it. If one day you're lucky enough to break through the profound way, it can help you rapidly enhance your strength."
Crimson Flame Mysterious Pill! Hearing this name, the disciples behind the procession all looked shocked. Even Xiao Lingxi, who had just come out, was surprised.
This was a mid-grade profound pill, worth no less than ten thousand purple profound coins. For a not-so-prosperous clan like the Xiao Sect, this was already a rare treasure.
And Xiao Yulong actually gave such a precious pill to Xiao Che?
Xiao Che was also stunned for two or three breaths, then he slowly smiled again: "If that's the case, I gratefully accept it." He put the lid back on the brocade box and tucked it into his bosom.
"Brother Yulong is so generous, it makes me feel ashamed." Xiao Che shook his head and sighed, "I'm just a useless waste who, on such a big day, didn't even prepare a return gift of thanks. Well... how about this? When I come back with the bride, I'll offer Brother Yulong three cups of fine wine by way of thanks."
"Heh, I'll hold you to that." Xiao Yulong laughed heartily, and then stepped aside. Xiao Che urged his horse forward.
But as Xiao Che passed him, the smile on Xiao Yulong's face instantly vanished, replaced by a cold, gloomy sneer.
His eyes stared fixedly at Xiao Che's receding back, his tightly clenched hands constantly emitting cracking sounds of knuckles popping. The first time he saw Xia Qingyue, he was stunned beyond measure. This man, who was usually unflappable no matter the situation, had lost his very soul at that moment. From then on, he swore that in this lifetime, Xia Qingyue would become his woman.
But now, Xia Qingyue was actually going to marry Xiao Che—the most despised person in the Xiao Sect! How could he be resigned to this!
"Boss... actually, you don't need to worry too much." Xiao Yang glanced at Xiao Yulong's expression and said carefully, "Think about it. With Xia Qingyue's temperament, she never even deigned to glance at the top talents of Liu Yun City. Is it possible she actually likes that brat Xiao Che? She's marrying him only because of a promise made sixteen years ago. I think that even if she marries into the family, she will absolutely never allow a waste like Xiao Che to touch even a finger of hers... And after she marries into our Xiao Sect, Boss will have many more opportunities to interact with her. With Boss's appearance and talent, compared to that waste Xiao Che, given enough time, aren't you afraid you won't be able to win over Xia Qingyue? By then..."
Listening to Xiao Yang's words, Xiao Yulong's gloomy expression began to ease little by little, and his narrow eyes slowly narrowed. He tapped his nose with his finger and muttered in a low voice: "What you say... makes a lot of sense. It seems that not managing to poison that waste to death might actually be a good thing."
..................................................
A thousand thanks to every dear reader for every click, red ticket, collection, and reward.
Thank you to Zongheng officials, Shen Gun Wang Shang Xian, Luo Qing Die, Wu Liao Wan Wan Ni, Fang Zong_ Zi Wo, San Yue Jing Zhe _ Xing Yan Jiong, Xiao Sa Mi, Yu Hen_ Meng, Na Sha Kong, Ya Zi, Kuang Long Nu Zhan, _ Shao Rui Du Wu, Shu You 2504190, Sha Niu Zai 1991, Jiao Jiao Ji Ji, ai Xiu Luo J, Tian i Dao, Shuai Shen Er Dai, Lie Ri... and all the other friends who showed support. Thank you all.
Thank you to Yao Xue Xian Meng and Dan Mo Jun for the 100,000+ reward.
Thank you to Yan Hua Yang Leng for the 500,000 reward... Generous one, can we be friends?
With your tireless efforts, we have temporarily secured the first place on the monthly ticket list. Although the month has just begun and our position may be overtaken at any moment, to have this moment is already a thousandfold happiness and gratitude. A book like *Tian Qian* has kept you waiting for two years, yet you remain so supportive. I'm so moved I don't even know what to say...
——————————