Once the last of the Chen family members had left, only Chen Yinyin, Xie Ren, and Lan Yue remained in the hall.
"You're bold, Yinyin," Xie Ren remarked, his voice playful. "Calling me your husband, huh? How should I punish you for that?"
Chen Yinyin's usual bravado faltered a little now that they were alone. Feeling a sudden unease, she darted behind Lan Yue for protection, pouting as she whined, "Senior Sister, you have to help me. Master refuses to admit he's been with me!"
Lan Yue, who had been silently observing the scene, felt her temper flare. She dropped the respectful "Master" and addressed him directly. "Xie Ren, did you really marry Yinyin?"
Xie Ren's response was almost a sigh, a hand rubbing his temples as if preparing for an inevitable headache. "Yue, you know me better than anyone. You've seen me grow. Do you really think someone like me, someone who values freedom, would marry a girl like her?"
He waved his hand dismissively. "I mean, look at her, no chest, no figure."
Chen Yinyin, who had been listening intently, instantly stiffened at his words. Her pride flared as she puffed up her small chest, glaring at Xie Ren. "You scoundrel! Who are you calling flat-chested? Have your eyes gone blind?"
Xie Ren couldn't hold back his frustration anymore.
"Little girl, you really don't learn, do you?" His voice was a mix of exasperation and amusement, and before anyone could react, he reached over and gave her backside a firm smack. The sound echoed through the hall, and Chen Yinyin's face turned bright red.
The exchange ended with Chen Yinyin seething, her eyes welling up with tears.
"You scoundrel! You hit my backside again! Sooner or later, I'll kill you, I'll kill you!" She gritted her teeth, her fists clenched in rage, her voice shaking with both fury and embarrassment.
Lan Yue, who had been a silent observer, finally couldn't hold back a disapproving glare at Xie Ren. "Master, did you go a bit too far? Junior Sister Yinyin's backside is all bruised now!"
"She ruined my good reputation with all her nonsense! Now I don't even know how I'll explain this to the Chen family." He crossed his arms sighing. "If I ever wanted a companion, I sure as hell wouldn't choose someone like Yinyin, she's a complete wild. Who knows when she'll go off the deep end and start chopping off my second brother in my sleep?"
Lan Yue's expression softened slightly as she glanced at Yinyin's flushed face, which was still twisted in indignation.
"Master, Junior Sister Yinyin's quite beautiful, though," she said, almost teasingly. "If explaining is impossible, why bother? Why not turn the lie into the truth? It might be easier that way."
Xie Ren's eyes widened, a flash of disbelief crossing his features. "Impossible! I'd rather die than marry her!"
"Impossible! I'd rather die than marry him!" Chen Yinyin immediately echoed, her voice matching his in perfect unison. It was as if they were both trying to outdo each other in their vehement refusal.
Lan Yue watched them both with a slightly envious smile. The contrast between their fiery personalities was oddly charming.
"And what kind of master marries his own disciple?" said Xie Ren.
Seeing how the conversation was going nowhere, Lan Yue turned, a slight smile tugging at her lips. "Alright, you two have a lot of spirit. I'll leave you to it,"
"Yue, wait for me!" Xie Ren called out, unable to resist the urge to follow her.
Unlike with Chen Yinyin, Xie Ren preferred the peace and calm that Lan Yue's presence brought.
As Xie Ren and Lan Yue exited the Chen family hall, the cool evening air brushed past them, bringing a brief sense of calm after the intense events inside.
Lan Yue, usually so composed, suddenly broke the silence with a question that caught Xie Ren off guard.
"Master, have you ever thought about finding a companion?" Her voice was quiet, but it held a note of curiosity, as if she were wondering something that had been on her mind for some time.
Xie Ren's expression shifted, clearly contemplating.
"Before I'm strong enough, I don't plan to look for a companion," he said, his voice carrying a touch of melancholy.
There was an underlying sorrow in his words, something deep that Lan Yue could sense.
"Master, what do you mean by 'strong enough'?" Lan Yue asked.
Xie Ren hesitated before responding. "I don't know."
His eyes, dark and weary, stared ahead as if lost in a thought too heavy to voice.
Lan Yue's heart tightened as she caught the sorrow and helplessness flickering in his eyes. Without thinking, she reached out and gently grasped his hand, her touch soft but steady.
"Master, no matter what happens in the future, as long as I'm alive, I'll stay by your side," she said quietly.
Xie Ren paused for a moment, looking down at her hand in his before pulling her into a warm embrace.
He didn't need to say more, words seemed unnecessary at this moment. Instead, he just held her close, enjoying the rare sense of peace.
Lan Yue's face flushed bright red, and her heart raced in her chest. It felt as if it might leap from her body. She stole a glance at Xie Ren, noticing the sharp lines of his jaw, the intensity in his eyes.
A strange feeling of fulfillment washed over her. Was this her junior brother from before? She'd never truly noticed how handsome he was before. Why hadn't she seen it until now?
"Ahem, ahem!" A voice broke through the moment. "Excuse me, you two, you're blocking the way! Please move!"
Chen Yinyin, who had just emerged from the hall after her emotional outburst, couldn't help but interrupt, seeing the two of them so close.
She stood there with her arms crossed, a teasing smile on her face, though there was no hiding her discomfort at the sight.
Lan Yue quickly pulled away from Xie Ren, her face now an even deeper shade of red.
She lowered her gaze, her words a little flustered as she spoke, "Master, I need to return to the sect. What about you?"
Despite Lan Yue being in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, Xie Ren wasn't at ease letting her walk back alone. He hadn't forgotten the dangers they faced, and he wasn't about to leave her unprotected.
"I'll accompany you back to the sect,"
Just as they began walking, Chen Yinyin's voice called out again from behind them.
"Master, Senior Sister, could you help me resolve the current situation for the Chen family before returning to the sect?"
Xie Ren didn't even need to ask what kind of trouble she was in. He could guess it had something to do with the mess she had left behind. Without hesitation, he turned to her and nodded.
"Alright."