"I-I’m sorry. My na is Jun Jun. I’m the child of a servant, and I don’t know the proper etiquette."
The girl reacted quickly, her eyes red as she offered Qian Duoduo a pitiful apology. She had so cunning, knowing her actions had not only offended Qian Duoduo but had also displeased Jun Hongyan. If she didn’t apologize, all her previous efforts would be for nothing!
"You should be grateful it’s here. If my elder brother were present, your head would be rolling by now!"
Qian Duoduo had no intention of making an issue of it. After saying this, he gave Jun Hongyan an emotionless nod. The mont he looked back at Ning Sanwu, however, a broad smile returned to his face. He even took out a delicate porcelain bottle and said winsoly, "These candies are pretty good. Why don’t we go over there and share them?"
As they spoke, the two of them walked away.
Jun Hongyan watched their retreating backs, a flash of anger in her eyes. Once they were a good distance away, she beckoned with her hand, and a person instantly appeared by her side.
"Is my third sister-in-law still in the pavilion?" she asked coldly.
Just as the person was about to answer, he clasped his fist in a salute toward a certain direction and said respectfully, "Third Master."
Jun Tianchen waved his hand. "You are dismissed."
The man imdiately looked toward Jun Hongyan.
"Get lost!"
Only then did he vanish.
Jun Jun, who stood beside Jun Hongyan, trembled and bowed to Jun Tianchen.
"You... I rember your na is Jun Jun, correct? You’re dismissed for now. I need to have a word with Hongyan."
Jun Jun withdrew with an excited expression on her face.
After nodding, Jun Tianchen finally turned to Jun Hongyan and asked with a smile, "What’s wrong, Hongyan? Who’s upset you this ti?"
"Who else could it be! That fatso Qian Duoduo! I’m so furious! If it weren’t for my third sister-in-law, I would have..."
Jun Tianchen cut her off. "Hongyan, you can’t be so willful. Just now, Lin Xihua died in the residence."
"What?! What happened?!" All the color drained from Jun Hongyan’s face. Although she disliked Lin Xihua for his lechery, his background was terrifyingly powerful. His death in their residence ant big trouble for the Jun Family.
"He tried to make a move on your third sister-in-law and was stopped by your second uncle and Ning Xuan. As it turned out, your second uncle was no match for him. Luckily, Ning Xuan was there. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable!"
If Jun Tianzheng and Lin Xihua could hear this from the afterlife, they would surely be enraged enough to spit blood. So, they had died only to beco scapegoats, while all the credit went to Ning Xuan! Is there any justice in this world?!
"Ah? Second Uncle, too... Wait, why is Ning Xuan still at the residence?!"
"If he weren’t here, wouldn’t your third sister-in-law be in danger?" Jun Tianchen replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "By the way, your third sister-in-law was frightened. Do you want to go see her?"
"Yes, I do!"
"They’re in the pavilion. You should go."
Watching Jun Hongyan’s rapidly retreating figure, Jun Tianchen smiled. Ning Xuan was remarkably handso; even he had a favorable impression of the man.
This is settled, then!
Jun Tianchen left, feeling quite satisfied. He was completely unaware, however, that events were not unfolding according to his plan.
In the pavilion, Qian Yourong had already made an excuse to leave. After all, she was a married woman, and scandalous rumors could easily arise from being alone with another man. In her place, Qian Duoduo and Ning Sanwu had returned.
"You big villain! You’re not... How are you not dead? They must have been pathetic!"
Ning Sanwu, who had been in low spirits, brightened at the sight of Ning Xuan. She rushed forward two steps before catching herself, stiffening her small face to feign disappointnt.
"They weren’t pathetic at all; I almost died out there," Ning Xuan said with a look of lingering fear, making exaggerated gestures. "But at the critical mont, I thought of you. I have to save my life for you to take, don’t I? The thought gave a sudden burst of strength, and I managed to turn the tables and escape with my life!"
"Just keep on bragging!" Ning Sanwu said, struggling to keep a straight face.
"Big Brother, I..." the chubby Qian Duoduo had just begun to speak.
"Hee hee hee! Fatty, you’re hilarious!" Ning Sanwu burst out, pointing at Qian Duoduo as her eyes crinkled with laughter.
Qian Duoduo was completely baffled. What did he do?
"No, I..." He looked from Ning Xuan to Ning Sanwu and back again, utterly dumbfounded.
"Stop staring. Even though he’s my enemy, I’ll give credit where it’s due. He’s a bit handso, while you... you’re just comical." She dissolved into a fit of giggles.
Qian Duoduo was so stunned he felt numb.
Outside the pavilion, Jun Hongyan, who had rushed over, happened to hear this remark and her expression froze. The next mont, her gaze t that of Ning Xuan, who had turned his head.
’A bit handso’? Are you blind? He’s gorgeous!
Jun Hongyan felt as if her heart was about to leap out of her chest. She was just about to compose herself and offer him a smile to make a good impression. But unexpectedly, no sooner had the thought ford than she saw him give a casual nod of acknowledgnt before turning away. His gaze, when it fell upon the little girl, was filled with gentle, doting affection.
Jun Hongyan stood frozen for a second, then her fists clenched tight. Her personality dictated that she should turn and leave, but for so reason, she couldn’t bring herself to. Gritting her teeth, she marched straight into the pavilion. Ignoring Qian Duoduo and Ning Sanwu, she deliberately stood in front of Ning Sanwu and smiled at Ning Xuan.
"My na is Jun Hongyan, daughter of the Family Head. On behalf of my father, I welco you as a guest to the Jun Family."
"Thank you, but we’re leaving right now!" Ning Sanwu blurted out nervously before Ning Xuan could even speak, moving to his side and tugging on his sleeve.
"You two know each other?" Ning Xuan asked, sensing sothing was off.
Ning Sanwu frantically shook her head.
Jun Hongyan, however, said, "We do. We just t a mont ago. I was even thinking of taking her in as a little sister. Fatty... Qian Duoduo, isn’t that right?"
"Ah, this... this is delicious!" Qian Duoduo deflected, downing the entire bottle of "candies" in one go.
Ning Xuan was starting to get the picture. "We appreciate the kind sentint. San Wu, I was just about to look for you. It’s getting dark, so we need to get on our way."
Ning Xuan had made his choice.
Ning Sanwu’s beautiful eyes lit up, shining with a dazzling light.
Jun Hongyan’s expression turned exceedingly sour. She was always the one who rejected others. But today, in her own family’s ho, she had been rejected twice in a row. Regarding Ning Sanwu, she had only been interested in her status, thinking it would be prestigious to have her as a handmaiden. Being rejected was no great loss; she had plenty of ways to find a replacent of similar standing. But Ning Xuan... this was the first ti she had ever felt her heart stir for soone. And yet, this guy had the nerve to reject her!
She exploded. "Ning Xuan, what is the aning of this?!"
Ning Xuan was a little bewildered. "What is the aning of what?"
"Why did you choose her over ? Look at her! What’s so great about her? She has no figure and no status! I, on the other hand, am Jun Hongyan, the daughter of the Jun Family Head! My brother is the most outstanding genius in the history of the Jun Family!"
Ning Xuan frowned. "I choose my friends without regard for their status. Of course, soone like , with my humble origins in the Lower Realm, wouldn’t dare to aspire to the great Young Miss of the Jun Family. We’ll take our leave."
With that, he took Ning Sanwu’s hand and left without a second glance. "Fatty, we’re leaving now. Please let your aunt know for us."
Qian Duoduo, who had been about to chase after them, stopped in his tracks. A mont later, he took off running in another direction.
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