Miao Qing was practically drooling. He never expected Li Chuwen to be so beautiful, and her younger sister just as gorgeous. If he could marry both sisters, it would be perfect.
But as soon as Miao Qing uttered those words, Li Chuwen’s parents’ expressions darkened.
Nobody expected Miao Qing to say such a thing—after all, their youngest daughter was only a child.
"No, absolutely not!"
How could her parents let their daughter marry someone like him?
Li Chuwen’s parents firmly refused.
"Father-in-law, mother-in-law, some things aren’t up to you to decide," Miao Qing retorted coldly.
His grotesque face looked exceptionally menacing.
At this moment, a skinny man with a pockmarked face stepped forward and addressed Li Chuwen’s parents directly: "Our Miao Qing has taken interest in your daughter—that’s a blessing for your family! Stop being so difficult!"
The neighbors thought Miao Qing was being excessive. After all, the girl was only twelve years old. Yet given the Li Family’s current circumstances, Miao Qing showing interest in their daughter was indeed a rare fortune for them.
"Anyway, the betrothal gifts have been delivered. Whether you agree or not, the marriage will proceed!" the pockmarked man declared.
Miao Qing then turned to Li Chuwen’s parents and said, "You have one day. Bring Li Chuwen back quickly. Your family has already accepted my betrothal gifts, which means Li Chuwen is now my wife. Tomorrow, we’ll have the wedding. If I don’t see her, then I’ll take her sister instead!"
After speaking, Miao Qing waved at the people beside him, "Let’s go!"
Only then did the large group of people leave.
Inside the bamboo house, only Li Chuwen’s parents and her younger sister remained. The couple stared at the luggage brought into their home, their faces heavy with worry, not knowing what to do next.
"What... what should we do?" Li Chuwen’s mother, a traditional woman from the Southern Border Tribe, relied on her husband’s decisions for everything and now turned to him for guidance.
Li Chuwen’s father glanced at the betrothal gifts. Truth be told, he was tempted—after all, they were indeed substantial.
"Perhaps... we should let Wenwen marry him."
"No! Absolutely not! Haven’t you seen what kind of person Miao Qing is? He could never treat Wenwen well! Besides, Wenwen’s been living in Jianghai City and said she wants to find a boyfriend in that big city!" Li Chuwen’s mother argued.
"Forget the big city! Our Southern Border is perfectly fine. Marrying Miao Qing wouldn’t be a bad choice!" Li Chuwen’s father was finally swayed by the hefty betrothal gifts.
"No! Absolutely not! Wenwen should have the right to choose for herself!" Li Chuwen’s mother insisted.
"That’s enough—stop talking about it! It’s settled then. Call Wenwen back and get her ready for marriage!" Li Chuwen’s father said decisively.
"But wouldn’t that be pushing her into a pit of fire?"
"What pit of fire? You know the Master of Gu here in our Southern Border, don’t you?" Li Chuwen’s father said mysteriously.
"The Master of Gu? You mean the one who claims to be a fortune teller? The one who’s lived to be 99 years old while always saying he’ll die at 100?" Li Chuwen’s mother asked.
"That’s him! Miao Qing, they say, is his grandson. And Miao Qing’s father is known as a Gu cultivator. Being from the Southern Border, you should know how terrifying Gu Art can be. Miao Qing has even learned some rudimentary techniques. If he wanted to come after us, we wouldn’t stand a chance. So, letting Wenwen marry him is undoubtedly a wise choice!" Li Chuwen’s father explained.
"Still..." Li Chuwen’s mother hesitated.
"No more ’still’! Hurry up and call Wenwen back!" Li Chuwen’s father commanded.
"I won’t call!" his wife responded defiantly.
"Fine, I’ll do it!" Li Chuwen’s father quickly picked up the phone, dialed, and spoke hurriedly: "Wenwen, come home quickly—Miao Qing has taken your mother!"
After saying this, he hung up without waiting for a response.
"You... how could you lie to her like that?" Li Chuwen’s mother protested.
"Lie? This is a white lie. I’m trying to help her find a good match. Besides, there’s no way anyone better than Miao Qing will come along," Li Chuwen’s father argued.
He then turned to look at the betrothal gifts scattered in the room. Excitement welled up in his heart—marrying off one daughter in exchange for such wealth was definitely a sweet deal.
Meanwhile, on the way back to the Southern Border, Li Chuwen had just gotten off the phone with her father. His claim that her mother had been taken left her frantic. She wanted to ask more, but he had already hung up.
Li Chuwen was anxious, clutching her phone, unsure of what to do.
"What’s wrong?" Tang Zhong asked while driving.
"Can you drive faster?" Li Chuwen pleaded.
"Sure!" Tang Zhong responded and pressed down hard on the accelerator. Instantly, the roar of the Cadillac’s engine erupted, thick black smoke pouring from the exhaust as the car surged forward.
Nearby vehicles hurriedly moved aside, and several traffic officers checking for drunk drivers suddenly felt a gust of wind blow past them.
One officer was stunned and stared ahead. "Did something just whiz by? Did you guys notice that?"
"Nonsense, there was nothing!" the others laughed dismissively.
The officer scratched his head, puzzled. "Did I imagine it?"
Li Chuwen’s home in Dirt District was still some distance away—from Xuanjing City to the Southern Border required significant travel time. But with Tang Zhong’s driving, it felt like they were covering vast distances in mere moments.
When the road could still be navigated via GPS, their pace remained fast. But upon entering the Southern Border, Li Chuwen took over as the guide, and the speed slowed noticeably.
Eventually, they reached their destination.
It was Tang Zhong’s first time in the Southern Border.
Driving into Li Chuwen’s tribal village immediately attracted the attention of locals wearing distinctive Southern Border attire.
When they recognized Li Chuwen, whispers spread like wildfire.
"Isn’t that the Li Family’s girl?"
"Yes, it’s her! Why has she returned this time?"
"Hey, look—there’s a man with her. Could he be her boyfriend from the big city?"
The car stopped at the entrance of Li Chuwen’s home.
Li Chuwen immediately jumped out, yelling, "Mom! Dad!"
Her mother emerged from the house and, seeing her, exclaimed, "Wenwen, you’re finally back!"
"Mom, Dad said Miao Qing took you! Is that true?" Li Chuwen demanded.
Her mother was taken aback, unsure how to respond. She was fully aware that this was merely a ruse to bring Li Chuwen back.
Just then, her father stepped outside, grinning. "Wenwen, you’re back just in time! I’ve already accepted Miao Qing’s proposal. Soon, he’ll be here with his people to formalize the arrangements. Get ready for your wedding!"