Tonight Wasn’t So Bad After All

After a while, with the help of the Mu family's servants, Mu Zhan was finally escorted out of the attic.

"Kid, who are you? How dare you get close to my future wife?" Mu Zhan, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, snarled at Xiao Se while trying to support his injured body.

However, compared to his previous aggressive demeanour, his current presence was much weaker, like a tiger without its claws.

"Mu Zhan, you're insane!" Mu Zhan's rudeness had Ya Fei's cheeks flushed with anger, her chest heaving. Despite rejecting him numerous times, she never expected him to persistently harass her.

Xiao Se ignored Mu Zhan's question, taking a sip of juice and smiling at Ya Fei. "Is there something wrong with this guy's brain?"

"This is the troublesome guy I mentioned—a completely unreasonable madman," Ya Fei replied with a wry smile.

"No wonder. He kills people without warning. He must be crazy," Xiao Se said, finally understanding, though he never once spared Mu Zhan a glance.

The conversation between Xiao Se and Ya Fei infuriated Mu Zhan. He angrily shook off the servant supporting him, and a green aura of fighting spirit surged from his body, quickly forming into a gauzy cloak of power.

"Boy, you're seeking death! Green Wood Thorn!"

With a loud roar, Mu Zhan's arms transformed into the shape of withered trees. He stomped the ground, leaped into the air, and swung his wooden arms with immense force towards Xiao Se.

The attention of the entire crowd shifted towards Xiao Se. Seeing the enraged Mu Zhan unleashing his "Green Wood Thorn" attack, most onlookers couldn't help but hope for Xiao Se to suffer misfortune. After all, two of the most beautiful women in the imperial capital were suddenly surrounding Xiao Se, sparking envy and anger in many hearts.

As the saying goes: "If I can't have it, neither should you."

"Ridiculous." Xiao Se, now angered, hurled his jade cup like a hidden weapon, striking Mu Zhan square on the forehead, leaving him dizzy.

Then, using the Smoke Step technique, Xiao Se vanished from his spot and reappeared beneath Mu Zhan's airborne figure. With a powerful kick, he sent Mu Zhan flying even higher.

While Mu Zhan was helpless in midair, Xiao Se continued to strike him with a flurry of punches and kicks. After an entire cup of tea's time, Xiao Se finally cooled down, returning to his original spot.

Mu Zhan's body was covered in bruises. He crashed heavily to the ground, his face swollen like a pig's, and fainted.

"What are you all doing! Why are you gathering here like this? Disperse at once!" Nalan Jie, who had been hiding in the crowd, finally pushed through with a stern expression. Following him closely was Miteer Tengshan, his eyes narrowed.

The two stopped beside Xiao Se. Nalan Jie first checked on his beloved granddaughter. After ensuring her safety, he turned to Xiao Se and asked with concern, "Little friend Xiao Huohuo, are you alright?"

Xiao Se shook his head dismissively, feeling rather speechless. "You've been hiding in the shadows this whole time, watching. Of course, I'm the one doing the beating—what could possibly happen to me?"

As Nalan Jie gazed at Xiao Se's unremarkable young face, his understanding of the boy deepened. The strength Xiao Se had just displayed surpassed many older warriors or even great battle masters. It was no wonder Mu Zhan had lost so badly.

"So young, yet not only an extraordinary alchemist, but also possessing incredible strength far beyond his peers. If not for that engagement with Yanran, what a pity…" Nalan Jie sighed inwardly. As the Mu family servants came to take Mu Zhan away, Nalan Jie's expression darkened, and he shouted, "When Mu Zhan wakes up, tell him that Xiao Huohuo is a friend of the Nalan family. If he dares to cause trouble again, don't blame me, Nalan Jie, for being ruthless."

Though he regretted being unable to secure Xiao Se through marriage, Nalan Jie knew he had to build a good relationship. If such a talented individual were snatched away by the Miteer family, it would be a great loss for the Nalan family.

Miteer Tengshan, not to be outdone, also spoke up. "Tell him that Xiao Huohuo is residing at Miteer Auction House. If Mu Zhan dares to stir up trouble again, my Miteer family will not be so forgiving."

"Yes, yes, clan leaders," the Mu family servants quickly responded. Without hesitation, they carefully carried their young master away in embarrassment.

As the farce ended and the party resumed, the atmosphere grew noticeably strange. Now, when people looked at Xiao Se, their previous disdain and jealousy faded, replaced by awe. Mu Zhan, the once-dominant leader of the young masters in the imperial capital, had been beaten to a pulp. No one dared provoke Xiao Se again.

In a pavilion on the square's edge.

"How was my performance just now? I think I made for a decent shield," Xiao Se leaned against a pillar and smiled.

"I'm sorry, I've put you in a difficult position this time." Ya Fei's pretty face flushed red, and she apologized softly. "I never expected Mu Zhan to fight so recklessly. If you weren't strong enough, I'm afraid…"

"No need to apologize. Didn't you already pay me?" Xiao Se shook his head, his gaze sweeping across Ya Fei's charming face, finally resting on her seductive red lips. To ease the awkwardness, he teased, "Plenty of people would be thrilled to receive a kiss from one of the three great beauties of the imperial capital. If you still feel bad, how about another kiss? I wouldn't mind."

"You're so shameless." Relieved that Xiao Se wasn't angry, Ya Fei playfully rolled her eyes at him. After checking to make sure no one was watching, her face flushed even more. Under Xiao Se's astonished gaze, she quickly leaned in and pressed her soft red lips against his.

Unlike last time when she kissed his cheek, this time she kissed him on the mouth.

Feeling the soft warmth of her lips and the faint fragrance of Ya Fei, Xiao Se instinctively wrapped his arm around her slender waist, a figure that many in the imperial capital envied. The moment he touched her waist, Ya Fei's body stiffened for a second before relaxing again.

It was their first kiss, so both were a bit clumsy, accidentally bumping teeth several times.

At this crucial moment, Xiao Se mentally recalled all the romantic scenes he had seen in his past life and immediately put them into practice. Soon, Ya Fei's beautiful eyes grew hazy with emotion, and the glass in her hand slipped to the ground, shattering with a sharp sound.

The noise startled Ya Fei back to her senses. She quickly pushed Xiao Se away and, without another glance, fled like a startled cat.

Touching his slightly moist lips, Xiao Se chuckled and shook his head.

"Maybe tonight wasn't such a bad night after all."

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