Inside the Mask

"Um?"

When Xiao Yan heard Nalan Yanran's words, he was completely bewildered. Only the word "what" could describe the shock in his heart at that moment.

He murmured inwardly, "Is this... how girls in another world greet someone? So advanced?"

"She called herself my fiancée out of nowhere. Is she trying to scare me to death?"

"But this name, Nalan Yanran, sounds so familiar."

Nalan Yanran looked at the dazed Xiao Yan without saying a word. She wanted to see if Xiao Yan truly regarded her as his fiancée.

"Um?"

Xiao Zhan, who was seated high above, was slightly stunned when he heard Nalan Yanran's words, but he quickly regained his composure. He walked swiftly toward Nalan Yanran, his face filled with surprise, and asked, "Are you really my niece, Nalan Yanran?"

"It's me, Uncle Xiao," Nalan Yanran replied politely with a smile.

Xiao Zhan's face lit up. "Yanran, what brings you to the Xiao family? And why are you here with Xui'er?"

At that moment, Xiao Zhan was filled with questions. He had thought this little girl belonged to an ancient clan, yet he never imagined she was actually his future daughter-in-law.

(TL/N: We'll sooner it will be 'supposed to be'."

"I'm so embarrassed! I didn't recognize her earlier!" Xiao Zhan thought.

Finally, it clicked for Xiao Yan. He now understood why the name Nalan Yanran sounded so familiar. It turned out she was his fiancée, the one betrothed to him since childhood.

Suddenly, everything made sense—the reason why this girl called herself his fiancée. He had thought it was just a joke. But no, it was real. She really was his fiancée.

Realizing this, Xiao Yan began to take a closer look at Nalan Yanran. What could he say?

If before, he only had a vague impression of her, now he regarded her with admiration.

"Uncle Xiao, I came here today..." Nalan Yanran started, but before she could finish, Yun Xui interjected.

"This Miss Nalan was traveling alone. I heard she was headed to the Xiao family in Wu Tan City where I'm also heading, so I brought her with me," Yun Xui explained.

"Oh! So that's what happened," Xiao Zhan said, his expression suddenly clearing up. He bowed slightly toward Yun Xui. "Thank you for helping her, Xui'er."

"It's nothing," Yun Xui replied calmly.

Then he added, "Since that's settled, I'll take Xun'er back now and leave you to chat."

With that, Yun Xui gently pulled Xiao Xun'er away, giving the others the space to talk. His task of escorting Nalan Yanran was complete. Whether she wanted to cancel the engagement or not was no longer his concern.

At the same time, he wasn't interested in staying to watch the drama unfold. "Wouldn't it be better to spend time with Xun'er instead?"

---

In Xiao Xun'er's Courtyard.

Xiao Xun'er's living quarters reflected her status. Xiao Zhan had gone out of his way to ensure she was treated well. The small courtyard was proof of the comfort she enjoyed in the Xiao family.

Upon entering the courtyard, Yun Xui immediately noticed someone's gaze on him. He turned toward the source and nodded slightly.

The hidden figure, Ling Ying, was stunned.

"Can this man see me?" Ling Ying thought, his heart filling with alarm. "Who is he? His cultivation must be far above mine if he can detect me!"

Ling Ying started moving cautiously toward Yun Xui, his skills at concealing himself second to none. Even among those at his level, he was confident no one could spot him.

But Yun Xui stood still and, without turning, said calmly, "You are not my opponent. Don't test me."

"I am not someone you can afford to challenge."

Ling Ying froze. Both he and Xiao Xun'er were taken aback.

Ling Ying was horrified. "How did he notice me?"

He had always prided himself on his stealth abilities, believing even Dou Zong experts couldn't detect him if he was careful. And yet, here he was—discovered with ease.

At that moment, Xiao Xun'er spoke, breaking the tension. "Uncle Ling, this is Brother Xui'er. He's a family. There's no need to worry."

With that, she took Yun Xui's hand, leading him into the courtyard. They sat at a stone table in the center.

Ling Ying, meanwhile, quietly withdrew.

Resting her chin on her hands, Xiao Xun'er gazed at Yun Xui with admiration.

"Xun'er, could you stop looking at me like that?" Yun Xui said, feeling slightly awkward under her gaze.

"Why not? Xun'er is curious about what you look like under the mask."

Yun Xui smiled faintly. "Do you want to see?"

He reached out and patted her head, his eyes full of affection.

"Of course!" Xiao Xun'er nodded eagerly.

"If Xun'er wants to see, how could I refuse?" he said, gently pinching her cheek. Slowly, Yun Xui untied the mask's knot and removed it, revealing a face so handsome it left Xiao Xun'er stunned.

After a few moments, she snapped out of it and hurriedly stood up. Under Yun Xui's confused gaze, she quickly put the mask back on his face.

"Brother Xui'er, put it on quickly!" she murmured, her face flushed.