Chapter 12 0012: Do You Have a Sister?

Remember this site for splendid, ad-free reading!

After Chu Yun and Ye Linglong entered the reception hall, they stood quietly in a corner.

“Who are they?” Chu Yun asked curiously, having noticed that the head of the Yi family had taken the seat of honor, while Ye Linglong’s father, Ye Zhenhuan, sat in the secondary position.

“They’re the Yi family from River City,” Ye Linglong answered softly. “The man in the honored seat is Yi Jifeng—the next candidate for Master of the Yi family, the second strongest among them, with the strength of a fourth-tier Warrior. Among everyone over thirty on the continent of Hope, he ranks 138th. The Yi family is one of the most influential households in River City—certainly not someone our Ye family of Sentinel City can compare to. My father is only at the ninth tier of the Warrior class, just a step away from reaching the threshold of true Warrior, but still no match for them, so naturally he wouldn’t dare offend them. That’s why I wanted you to leave.”

Chu Yun nodded in understanding.

Yi Tianxing, sitting not far away, kept his gaze fixed on the two of them. If not for the elders’ ongoing conversation, he would have already spoken.

“If it were Duanmu Ci who’d come to propose today, would you marry him?” Chu Yun suddenly teased Ye Linglong with the question.

She was stunned for a moment, turning to him in surprise. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing, just a random question,” Chu Yun shrugged.

At that moment, the mobile phone on Chu Yun’s wrist vibrated.

He glanced at the caller ID and frowned.

It was Hou Yaodong’s number. Could he really have arrived in Sentinel City so quickly?

Then again, it wasn’t so strange—this planet had aircraft, and the distance between a few cities was only an hour or two.

“I’ll take this call,” Chu Yun said, stepping out.

Ye Linglong thought he might be retreating after hearing her advice, pretending to answer a call as an excuse to leave. She felt a pang of disappointment. Though she’d said she didn’t want him involved, seeing him leave in this way left a strange emptiness in her heart.

Watching Chu Yun leave, Yi Tianxing merely smiled. He’d predicted that someone like Chu Yun would crumble under their pressure, but to his surprise, Chu Yun had left before the Yi family even began to exert any.

“Hello?”

“Young Master Chu, I’ve arrived at the flight station in Sentinel City. Where are you? I’ll come find you,” Hou Yaodong said.

“I...” Chu Yun hesitated. He really couldn’t leave right now. He frowned and replied, “Can you wait for me? I’m caught up with something.”

“That’s no problem,” Hou Yaodong chuckled. “How long do you think you’ll be? I can wait.”

“I can’t say for sure,” Chu Yun admitted. “I’m at someone else’s house, and I’m not sure how long things will take.”

Who could predict how easily the Yi family would let the matter rest? If things became deadlocked or contentious, there was no telling how long it might drag on.

“Then tell me where you are, and I’ll come to you,” Hou Yaodong said with a laugh. “I know Sentinel City well—lots of acquaintances here. Give me a location, and I’ll find you right away. Since my senior entrusted this deal to me, I’m eager to see it through properly.”

“Do you know the Ye family in Sentinel City?” Chu Yun asked.

“Which Ye family? There are three in Sentinel City,” Hou Yaodong replied.

“Ye Zhenhuan’s.”

“I know them—the little Ye family. I know the people there. All right, I’ll come over.”

After hanging up, Chu Yun returned to the reception hall. Ye Linglong was surprised to see he hadn’t left and stared at him in astonishment.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Chu Yun asked, standing beside her.

“It’s nothing,” Ye Linglong said, turning her attention back to the elders’ conversation.

“Brother Zhenhuan, let’s get straight to the point,” Yi Jifeng said. “Linglong is turning sixteen this year, isn’t she? It’s the proper age to find a husband. A girl as beautiful as Linglong, without someone to protect her, would be in great danger.”

Ye Zhenhuan’s face darkened, the atmosphere shifting instantly.

He forced a smile. “Brother Yi, I believe I made it clear over the phone. Our Linglong is already promised to another, a matter that dates back to my father’s generation and the debts owed between our families. He’s only just been laid to rest; I cannot go against his wishes. That would be unfilial.”

“I’ve heard as much,” Yi Jifeng replied coolly. “But circumstances can be changed by people. Who wouldn’t want a reliable husband or a son-in-law who’s a true powerhouse?”

He glanced at Chu Yun and then smiled at Ye Linglong. “Isn’t that so, Linglong?”

“You’re absolutely right, Uncle Yi,” Ye Linglong answered graciously. “However, Chu Yun and I are deeply in love. I believe in honoring my own feelings and this relationship.”

“Can love fill your stomach?” Yi Jifeng retorted sharply. “In times like these, survival comes first, then love. Besides, if you married Tianxing, you could still grow to love him.”

“Brother Yi, that’s a bit much,” Ye Zhenhuan interjected, attempting to smooth things over. “There’s an old saying: it’s better to tear down a temple than break up a marriage.”

“Can a marriage between mismatched families ever be happy?” Yi Jifeng snorted.

At this, Yi Tianxing spoke up. “Our Yi family may not be the most powerful on the continent of Hope, but compared to the Ye family, this union would only strengthen your position. Linglong marrying me would hardly disgrace her. At the very least, I can provide her with protection and security among our peers.”

He turned his gaze to Chu Yun, asking, “What can you offer her? I’ve heard you only got into school because the Ye family pulled strings, and last year you failed your exam in a humiliating fashion. It’s only a matter of time before you’re expelled. Your mother’s medical bills are also paid by the Ye family. I genuinely can’t understand how you have the face to stand here.”

He then turned to Ye Zhenhuan. “Uncle Ye, do you really believe he loves Linglong, and isn’t just leeching off the Ye family? A parasite like him clinging to you—do you want me to help get rid of him?”

Ye Linglong stepped in front of Chu Yun, blocking Yi Tianxing from acting.

Yi Tianxing would never be so tactless as to act out here. He simply laughed, casting a scornful glance at Chu Yun. “Nothing to say for yourself? I’d really like to hear what you have to say!”

Chu Yun met his gaze and let out a quiet chuckle. “Everything you said is true. But I’d like to add—what else would you expect from a live-in son-in-law? If I could offer all those things, why would I be marrying into someone else’s family?”

Yi Tianxing nearly spat blood.

Chu Yun had said it so boldly and without shame.

Even the Ye family members nearby couldn’t help but smile helplessly at his shamelessness.

“What do you want?” Yi Tianxing demanded, word by word. “Whatever the Ye family has given you, I can give you too. Name your price, but stay away from the Ye family!”

Chu Yun looked at him and asked, “Do you have a sister? I could marry into your family instead.”