"Father, are you really going to be so heartless?"
Xiao Yan knelt on the ground, murmuring.
From now on, would he have to leave the Xiao Family?
He could leave, but he couldn't allow Xu Ran to wield power and influence within the Xiao Family.
He was certain that Xu Ran was up to no good.
What was Xu Ran's purpose for coming to the Xiao Family? What would happen to the safety of his father and clansman if he left?
At this moment, Xiao Zhan was no longer prepared to listen to Xiao Yan's explanations. Xiao Zhan waved his hand and several Disciples of the Xiao Family appeared, capturing Xiao Yan's hands and feet. Then Xiao Zhan grabbed a wooden plank and fiercely struck Xiao Yan's butt.
"Ah!"
"Father, don't drive me away. I had my reasons."
"I promise I won't repeat it, please spare me."
Xiao Yan screamed miserably while begging.
He hoped Xiao Zhan would change his mind.
He truly didn't want to leave the clan, nor did he wish to sever ties with his father.
Even if many in the Xiao Family looked down on him, it was still his family after all! If he left, would he let Xu Ran, an outsider, take control of the family? Xu Ran was very powerful; what would he do to the Xiao Family eventually?
Xu Ran, that lustful bastard, might end up harming all the women in the Xiao Family...
Xun Er, Xiao Mei, Xiao Yu... the most outstanding girls in the Xiao Family all had connections with Xu Ran. Xu Ran was truly shameless!
He couldn't understand why girls as exceptional as Xun Er would want to be with someone as fickle as Xu Ran. Perhaps Xu Ran had used some despicable means to deceive them.
What else was there that Xu Ran wouldn't do?
Xu Ran, the demon.
He could have killed him and taken Xun Er and the others.
But Xu Ran didn't do so; in his eyes, destroying his will and then winning their hearts was more important, perhaps.
Ah, the agony!
Xiao Yan kept screaming in pain, gradually losing his strength.
Finally, the two hundred strikes were complete.
Xiao Yan's buttocks were a mess of blood and flesh, looking extremely tragic.
However, no one sympathized with him at that time. Xiao Zhan and several elders despised Xiao Yan deeply, not to mention the other Disciples of the Xiao Family. Those people were infatuated with Xiao Yu, a great beauty.
Although they couldn't have a girl as beautiful as Xiao Yu, they definitely didn't wish to see her with another man.
But upon hearing Xiao Yan's vile intentions to harm Xiao Yu, they really wished they could kill Xiao Yan outright.
Did Xiao Yan, that damn dog, deserve her?
Xiao Yan wasn't even a Dou Zhe; even a dog was better than him.
With this status, Xiao Yan still dreamed of the toad lusting after swan's flesh, wishing to get Xiao Yu? He was shameless in the extreme.
Although they were shameless too, they wouldn't dare to harbor such thoughts.
But now it was good, after this, Xiao Yan would no longer be a part of the Xiao Family; they would finally not have to see Xiao Yan, the waste, every day.
"Drag him out, and never let Xiao Yan enter the Xiao Family again." Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Yan and waved his hand, seemingly aging a lot in that moment. He had always thought that Xiao Yan was the future of the Xiao Family, but he never expected...
Xiao Zhan turned around and left in silence, alone.
Xiao Yan was taken away by several others.
"Xiao Yan…," Xun Er watched as Xiao Yan now looked so miserable, feeling no ripples in her heart. Her heart had already died the moment she saw Xiao Yan preparing to do that to Xiao Yu.
No matter what Xiao Yan did to her in the past, it only made her sad.
But Xiao Yan's behavior now had completely disappointed her.
"Don't be sad, it's not worth it," Xu Ran said gently, naturally noticing the change in Xun Er.
Xun Er had had a fondness for Xiao Yan for so many years, which naturally couldn't be erased in a moment. Even before, Xiao Yan's shadow lingered in her heart. But now, he could see that Xun Er had thoroughly let go.
"It's okay. I've figured it out, I was wrong before," Xun Er said softly, wearing a beautiful long dress, standing graceful and dignified in a way that was breathtaking. Xun Er's temperament was incomparable to others.
At that moment, Xun Er's heart was filled with regret, feeling that her feelings for Xiao Yan were not worth it.
Even though Xiao Yan was beaten so miserably, even on the verge of being expelled from the Xiao Family, she felt no sympathy.
This was the punishment Xiao Yan deserved.
"It's good that you've realized it. Everyone here is just a passerby in your life, only I can accompany you to the end," Xu Ran said, gently holding Xun Er's hand, speaking earnestly.
"Mhm," Xun Er smiled sweetly, her smile extremely charming.
She was born into the Gu Clan, and everything about the Xiao Family had nothing to do with her. In the future, only Xu Ran would have the capability to go to Zhongzhou.
"Even if your family doesn't accept me in the future, I will still stay with you," Xun Er said blushing, whispering softly. As long as Xu Ran wasn't intimidated by the family, she would always hold steadfast in her beliefs.
At worst, they could elope together, fleeing to a place where even the family couldn't find them.
Although the Gu Clan was vast, she didn't believe the Gu Clan's reach extended to every place on the Continent.
As long as she could be with Xu Ran, even if she didn't hold the title of a lady of the Gu Clan, even if she wasn't some peerless genius, she would be happy. She had never been a girl who valued material things too highly. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been truly deceived by Xiao Yan before.
"Silly girl. I've said it before, your family won't disapprove," Xu Ran responded.
"No matter what happens, a good punch will set things straight," he said nonchalantly, anyway, even the people of the Gu Clan all together were no match for him.
"Oh," Xun Er stuck out her tongue playfully. She didn't know how strong Xu Ran was, but she believed that in the future, he was bound not to be a mere ordinary figure. Many of the young elites from the Ancient Families didn't compare to Xu Ran.
…
"Heh…"
"My life, Xiao Yan, is so bitter," he said as he looked at the Xiao Family estate, tears of despair rolling down.
He was truly suffering!
He was a victim of injustice!
Xun Er had followed him for so many years, yet in the end, he had to hand her over to Xu Ran!
If he hadn't misunderstood, no matter what, Xu Ran wouldn't have been able to take Xun Er away!
"Little Flame, let's go. Maybe this isn't a bad thing. Facing the outside world will make you stronger quickly. As long as you're willing to work hard, you will grow rapidly. When the time comes, you'll be able to take back what belongs to you," Yao Lao reminded.
"Teacher, I understand," Xiao Yan took a deep breath, knowing that with great strength, when he returned to the Xiao Family, everything would be made clear.
But he couldn't just leave like this; he wanted to see Xun Er one more time before departing. He wanted to warn her, to make her beware of Xu Ran.