"Who did I see? A Soul Master senior?"
Chen Silin’s mind went blank.
She felt a disorienting sense of confusion.
Jiang Fan, the mute whose useless reputation had spread throughout Lonely Boat City, looked exactly like a Second Grade Soul Master?
No, they were the same person!
Her best friend’s fiancé was actually the mysterious Soul Master senior she had been preparing to devote herself to?
For a long time, she was stunned until Xu Youran’s voice awakened her.
"Siling, don’t be angry."
"Fan, look at how you’ve agitated Silin. Apologize to her."
Chen Silin suddenly snapped back to reality.
She was inwardly gasping in shock!
How could she dare let a Second Grade Soul Master apologize to her?
Immediately, she dropped the sword in her hand and waved her hand: "No, no, it was my impulsiveness, I offended the Soul... Young Master Jiang."
She realized that Xu Youran seemed unaware of Jiang Fan’s true identity.
It appeared Jiang Fan was deliberately hiding it, so she quickly corrected herself.
"Young Master Jiang, please have a seat."
She was a bit nervous and politely invited Jiang Fan to sit down.
Then she personally picked up the teapot, poured him a cup of tea, and handed it to him with both hands: "Young Master Jiang, please have some tea."
Jiang Fan found it strange.
She had been fierce just a moment ago, but changed as soon as she saw him?
Xu Youran also looked puzzled.
Wasn’t she clamoring to teach Jiang Fan a lesson?
What happened to make her suddenly so polite?
Could it be that she was giving herself face and didn’t want to make trouble with Jiang Fan?
Thinking about it, Xu Youran smiled with relief: "Fan, Silin is my best friend. She was just testing you earlier, don’t take it to heart."
Jiang Fan nodded and wrote: "Understand."
Chen Silin, however, was drenched in sweat.
Recalling her earlier actions, she was terrified.
She had been challenging the powerful support of the Chen family and even drew her sword against him.
The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt, with a worried expression and a gentle voice: "Young Master Jiang, I heard from Youran that the Xu Family Matriarch made things difficult for you during the betrothal gift."
"Youran and I have been friends for many years, I can’t sit back and do nothing."
"I will have someone bring over 300,000 taels shortly, hoping it can help, Young Master Jiang."
She wanted to make amends.
But Xu Youran was puzzled.
Just now, Chen Silin didn’t say that!
She categorically stated she wouldn’t help!
She even swore to break them apart!
Jiang Fan hadn’t even asked for help, and she offered it voluntarily.
Even more outrageous was.
During their subsequent interactions, Chen Silin left Xu Youran aside and kept being attentive to Jiang Fan.
Offering snacks first to Jiang Fan.
When touring the Chen Family garden, she introduced Jiang Fan first.
Explaining the Chen family’s history, she disclosed many secrets to Jiang Fan that Xu Youran didn’t even know.
Chen Silin had never been this enthusiastic with her over all these years!
On the way back, Xu Youran was unhappy in the carriage.
Jiang Fan was sorting through the various big and small gifts Chen Silin had given.
Noticing Xu Youran’s troubled expression, he asked in confusion.
Xu Youran looked at Jiang Fan, hesitant to speak.
But in the end, she couldn’t hold back and sourly said: "It seems Chen Silin has fallen for you."
Jiang Fan’s eyes widened: "Don’t talk nonsense!"
Xu Youran felt even more bitter and said:
"I’ve never seen her so interested in a man."
"And at first, she was aggressive towards you, but seeing you in person, she changed."
"Isn’t that love at first sight?"
As she spoke, her eyes reddened.
She never dreamed her friend’s melodramatic story of snatching a man would happen to her.
Being kind-hearted, she didn’t blame Chen Silin but felt bitter: "Fan, if you think Chen Silin is good, choose her. I won’t blame you."
Her eyes showed a hint of insecurity.
In terms of family background, identity, and strength, Chen Silin was much stronger than her.
Jiang Fan marrying her could bring endless benefits.
And he wouldn’t be entangled in troubles like he was with the Xu family.
Seeing she was about to cry, Jiang Fan realized she was genuinely upset. He quickly pulled her into his arms.
"No matter what Chen Silin feels about me, let’s not talk about it."
"But do my feelings for you need to be questioned?"
"During my most difficult time, it was you who saved me. This kindness deserves a lifetime to repay."
Hearing Jiang Fan’s sincere words, Xu Youran started to feel better.
"I gave you a Top Grade Qi Cultivation Liquid earlier. Use it secretly, don’t save it. I have plenty more."
"Also, work hard on the High Yellow Level mental method," Jiang Fan reminded her again.
He considered giving her the top-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid too.
But he worried she might ask too many questions and discover his Soul Master identity.
So for now, he let her use the Top Grade Qi Cultivation Liquid.
Xu Youran’s face finally showed a smile: "Mm, I’ll work hard."
With the Top Grade Qi Cultivation Liquid and the High Yellow Level mental method, she was confident she could quickly improve her cultivation.
Although she couldn’t catch up with Chen Silin, she would close the gap.
Leaning against Jiang Fan, she regained some sense of security and said: "Silin promised to help us gather the betrothal gifts, so we don’t have to worry now."
However, when they returned to the Xu family.
They saw several luxurious carriages parked at the Xu family’s entrance.
Upon entering, they found boxes covered with red paper lined up from the door to the living room.
Seeing Xu Youran return.
Wang Yingfeng’s face beamed with joy: "Youran, come quick! Meet Young Master Zhu!"
"Do you remember him?"
Xu Youran, puzzled, walked into the hall and saw a young man in fine clothes sitting on par with her father, Xu Zhengyan.
Tall and handsome, with a sharp and extraordinary gaze.
His cultivation had reached the Foundation Establishment Realm!
Except he was much older than Xu Youran, around thirty years old.
Xu Youran recognized him and called his name with slight resistance.
Jiang Fan followed and couldn’t help but frown.
Five years ago, Zhu Jianshen was found to have a Fourth Grade Spirit Root. His relative from the Green Cloud Sect managed to bring him into the sect.
Back then, he was only at the Third Layer of Qi Cultivation. Now, after years of training in the Green Cloud Sect, he had become a Foundation Establishment Realm expert!
What Jiang Fan remembered most was Zhu Jianshen luring Xu Youran to a ruined temple, attempting to defile her.
It was Jiang Fan’s father who intervened and chased Zhu Jianshen away.
That’s why, after his father’s death, Xu Youran took care of Jiang Fan.
Xu Youran looked at the ground full of red boxes, feeling an ominous premonition: "Father, what’s this?"
Xu Zhengyan sighed deeply and said: "Young Master Zhu came back from the Green Cloud Sect to heal and, upon learning you were still unmarried, came to propose."
Xu Youran immediately opposed fiercely: "I already have a fiancé! Young Master Zhu, please take back these betrothal gifts!"
Wang Yingfeng retorted: "Fiancé? You mean Jiang Fan? Did he present any betrothal gifts?"
"Even if he did, can he give as much as Young Master Zhu?"
"Do you know how much these gifts are worth? A total of 500,000 taels of silver!"
"Can Jiang Fan afford that?"
Everyone turned their gazes to Jiang Fan.
Many of the clan members showed sympathy.
Poor Jiang Fan, facing one challenge after another.
Zhu Jianshen also looked at Jiang Fan provocatively. If it hadn’t been for Jiang Fan and his father, he would have already made Xu Youran his.
But today’s timing wasn’t too late.
500,000 taels of betrothal gifts were enough to make Jiang Fan watch helplessly as his woman was taken away.
Xu Youran was also anxious. Chen Silin had only promised 300,000 taels as the betrothal gift.
500,000 taels, Chen Silin couldn’t produce such an amount all at once!
Jiang Fan unceremoniously wrote a line.
"After five years in the Green Cloud Sect, you could only come up with 500,000 taels for betrothal gifts?"