Inside the Xiao Clan, the coming-of-age ceremony had already ended, and the audience had dispersed as they should. The Xiao Clan members began packing up and preparing for Lunar New Year the next day.

"Strange, where did Cousin Xiao Yan go?"

Xiao Mei wandered around the venue of the coming-of-age ceremony but couldn't find Xiao Yan. She furrowed her brows in confusion.

Then she noticed that Xiao Ning was also missing, and a hint of displeasure appeared in her eyes.

"He couldn't have taken Cousin Xiao Yan to the Spring Pavilion (Tn: It's another name for Ningchun Building) again, could he?"

"No, he wouldn't have the guts after being beaten up like that last time."

Xiao Xun'er denied in a soft voice, but her beautiful eyes were tightly furrowed, filled with unease.

Not only was Xiao Ning missing, but even Nalan Yanran had disappeared as well.

Could it be that woman...?

Xiao Xun'er's heart couldn't help but grow anxious.

Nalan Yanran's attitude towards Xiao Yan was obvious, even a blind person could see it. She had initially come with the Yun Lan (Misty Cloud) Sect to break off the engagement, but after meeting Xiao Yan, she didn't mention the matter of breaking off the engagement at all. Instead, she was eager to marry Xiao Yan.

It should be noted that at that time, Xiao Yan was still a well-known waste. Whether it was family background, strength, or future prospects, Nalan Yanran was far superior to Xiao Yan.

However, even so, Nalan Yanran stubbornly held onto Xiao Yan, with an attitude that she would only marry him in this lifetime.

Xiao Xun'er knew deep down that to pursue Xiao Yan so resolutely, one must have spent a considerable amount of time with him, as Xiao Yan's excellence couldn't be understood by just meeting him once or twice.

Damn it...

Xiao Xun'er clenched her jade-like hand tightly.

She hasn't thought of a way to deal with the people in the Clan yet, and now there was another girl with the right of a fiancée as her opponent...

Moreover, Xiao Xun'er was certain that there would be more than just these few people surrounding Xiao Yan in the future.

What should I do...

"Ah! Cousin Xiao Yan!"

Just as Xiao Xun'er was anxiously biting her finger, Xiao Mei suddenly exclaimed. Xiao Xun'er looked up and saw Xiao Yan slowly walking towards them with Nalan Yanran by his side. The sunlight shone on the bracelet on Nalan Yanran's wrist, making it dazzling.

In that instant, Xiao Xun'er's face darkened.

If her memory served her right, Nalan Yanran wasn't wearing that bracelet yesterday.

But Xiao Mei wasn't as observant as Xiao Xun'er. Seeing Nalan Yanran beside Xiao Yan, her expression instantly turned ugly, and she rushed up, standing between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran, glaring at Nalan Yanran.

"What did you do to Cousin Xiao Yan?"

"What? Did I abduct him just now?"

Nalan Yanran couldn't help but mock internally. At this moment, Xiao Yu walked over, looked at Xiao Yan, and said, "Xiao Yan, the Clan Patriarch wants to see you."

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"Oh, I see."

Xiao Yan nodded and waved lightly at Nalan Yanran before heading towards the high platform where Xiao Zhan was located. Xiao Yu followed behind him.

After Xiao Yan left, Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Mei in front of her and smiled, raising her arm to show the bracelet.

"I just went to the market with Xiao Yan. Is there a problem?"

"You..."

Xiao Mei was about to say something when she suddenly noticed the bracelet on Nalan Yanran's arm. Her little head went blank for a moment.

Didn't she... not wear this yesterday?

"Hey!" Xiao Mei felt a sense of unease rising within her and pointed at the bracelet on Nalan Yanran's arm. "Where did you get this?"

"Oh, this?" Nalan Yanran lifted her arm, slightly shaking the bracelet in front of Xiao Mei, and smiled. "It was given to me by my fiancé. Do you think it looks good?"

Showing off!

This girl is blatant showing off!

She doesn't bother hiding it at all!

Xiao Mei's first reaction was that she should also ask Xiao Yan for one!

However, what Nalan Yanran said next instantly dispelled that thought from Xiao Mei's mind.

"Little sister Mei, you can also ask Xiao Yan for one. Your cousin loves you so much, he will definitely buy one for you~"

"You!!!"

Xiao Mei exploded with anger.

Xiao Yan gave it to her willingly, while asking for one herself would be completely different! Moreover, Nalan Yanran specifically emphasized the word "cousin." Even if Xiao Mei did ask for one, it would only be because Xiao Yan cared for his little sister! It wouldn't be the same as what Nalan Yanran had!

As Xiao Mei glared at Nalan Yanran, and the future leader of the Yun Lan Sect, feeling smug, turned her gaze to Xiao Xun'er, whose face was already pitch black, and shook the bracelet in front of her.

"Xun'er, how do you like this bracelet?"

…

Xiao Xun'er tightly clenched her fist, and her shoulders trembled uncontrollably. After a long time, she slowly raised her head, revealing a sinister smile filled with killing intent.

"Ah~~~ It's really beautiful. Xun'er is so envious~"

Stay calm...

Stay calm...

Stay! Calm!!!

Xiao Xun'er gritted her silver teeth, and the veins on her arm beneath her clothes bulged!

This woman just wants to see me embarrassed! Don't let her feel triumphant!!!

The resentment in Xiao Xun'er's heart was about to soar, but she kept admonishing herself not to let the anger overpower her and forcefully suppressed her rage.

Seeing Xiao Xun'er's smiling face, Nalan Yanran didn't feel triumphant at all.

On the contrary, she deeply felt fear.

This girl's temperament is too terrifying...

Nalan Yanran couldn't help but feel a sense of despair.

If she were in the same situation, facing a love rival who came to flaunt a gift from her beloved, Nalan Yanran wouldn't display all her resentment and anger on her face like Xiao Mei did. However, she couldn't possibly maintain a smile like Xiao Xun'er.

This is not something an ordinary person can endure.

At this moment, the teachings from Ya Fei echoed in Nalan Yanran's mind once again, instantly dispelling her joy of victory. She silently gazed at her bracelet and, after a moment, looked at the two girls and said slowly:

"I apologize for intentionally showing off in front of you."

"Huh?"

Faced with Nalan Yanran's sudden apology, not only Xiao Mei but even Xiao Xun'er was stunned.

This woman is apologizing to both of them? Did she hit her head?

Nalan Yanran continued speaking.

"I do indeed have strong feelings for Xiao Yan. I am confident that I love him more than anyone else."

"But before, deep down, I always believed that if I were to marry Xiao Yan in the future, I would be the one on the higher level and he would be the one climbing up to reach my level."

Upon hearing these words, Xiao Mei's eyebrows raised abruptly.

"Cousin Xiao Yan climbing up your level? You– hmph!!!"

Before Xiao Mei could finish her sentence, Xiao Xun'er covered her mouth with her hand.

"Let her finish."

Then Xiao Xun'er looked at Nalan Yanran again, indicating for her to continue. Nalan Yanran nodded and continued speaking.

"However, the events of today have made me reflect."

"If you truly love someone, you shouldn't hold the belief that one side should be fully dominant to the other."

"For Xiao Yan, emotions should be equal. It was my biggest mistake not realizing this before."

After saying that, Nalan Yanran looked at the bracelet in her hand and spoke softly.

"The reason Xiao Yan and I went to the market together was because he wanted to cheer me up when I was feeling down. In his mind, I'm mostly just a guest of the Xiao Clan."

"As for this bracelet, it's just a prize we obtained at a stall. Although Xiao Yan did give it to me, I can assure you that he only did it to lift my spirits. There's absolutely no other meaning behind it."

Nalan Yanran said this, then shifted the direction of her words, her eyes filled with determination.

"But that doesn't mean I will give up on him. On the contrary, it has only strengthened my determination."

"I won't give up on him, not in this lifetime."

"Absolutely not."

After hearing Nalan Yanran's words, Xiao Mei stared at her in astonishment, while Xiao Xun'er furrowed her brows slightly.

This woman has become even more troublesome.