C18 To Urge Marriage

Nangong Yue was a complete mess, her eyes glazed over with a vacant stare.

She swore to herself that she had never looked so wretched before.

Touching her face, Nangong Yue wished she could bore a hole through Loong Ling with her gaze.

Loong Ling's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, clearly trying not to appear weak in front of Nangong Yue.

"Alright, I'm heading home to see my dad and brother," Nangong Yue said, attempting to smooth her disheveled hair, her voice tinged with irritation.

"I'll definitely help you with the pill issue."

"Thank you, I'm counting on you."

Though the pill was a potential money-maker, Lee Xuan wasn't planning to rely solely on it for income.

"Are you coming back with me now? My family's curious about you, or have you made other plans?"

Nangong Yue gave Lee Xuan a questioning look. After a moment's thought, Lee Xuan shook his head, declining the offer. It wasn't for any particular reason other than feeling the need to stick with Loong Ling. Besides, he had plans to scout for some unfortunate souls to recruit for Azure Cloud Academy; he wasn't ready to face the political games of the Nangong family just yet.

"Okay, then I'll call you later. By the way, what's your phone number?"

Lee Xuan winced at the question, realizing he didn't even own a cell phone.

"What? You don't have a cell phone? Where did you spring from? Even Sun Wukong has gone modern! Never mind... How am I supposed to contact you?"

Nangong Yue exclaimed in astonishment. Lee Xuan knew there was a way to communicate, but he needed to create a messaging jade slip first.

"Don't worry, when I need to get in touch with you, you'll know," Lee Xuan assured her enigmatically.

Nangong Yue was still skeptical, eyeing Lee Xuan with a mix of curiosity and doubt.

What kind of person was he? Could he really be from some secretive hidden family?

He lacked a phone, yet seemed well-adapted to modern conveniences...

Deciding to keep her suspicions to herself, Nangong Yue bid Lee Xuan farewell and headed straight home.

"Brother."

Upon reaching her brother, Nangong Yu, the future heir to the Nangong family, appeared far more mature and composed than Nangong Yue. But Nangong Yu had a serious weakness: he was chronically ill and his days were numbered.

Gazing at his only sister, Nangong Yu's eyes were filled with tenderness.

Aware that his time was limited, Nangong Yu believed that the future of the Nangong family rested on Nangong Yue's shoulders.

Yet, as a young woman, she would need someone to look after her.

Thus, Nangong Yu's sole intention was to find a man capable of caring for Nangong Yue for the rest of her life and to entrust her to him.

"Why did you rush back like a little kid?"

Nangong Yue's cheeks flushed with embarrassment upon hearing Nangong Yu's words.

Inwardly, she scolded Loong Ling. Without Loong Ling's interference, would she have ended up in such a disheveled state?

Nangong Yue's internal monologue was relentless, though she maintained a composed exterior as she spoke to Nangong Yu.

"Brother, I suspect that Lee Xuan might be someone from a hidden family."

"There's no need to rush that matter," Nangong Yu said with a smile. Lee Xuan's behavior suggested that he had no desire to become an enemy of the Nangong family.

Despite this, Nangong Kun harbored a deep resentment toward Lee Xuan because of past grievances.

He was itching for the Nangong family to take action against Lee Xuan.

However, the Nangong family members were more inclined to follow Nangong Yu's commands than Nangong Kun's.

After all, Nangong Kun was nothing more than a debauched wastrel concerned only with indulgence, and the others were not foolish enough to follow him to their downfall.

"You've returned at the perfect time. I've arranged for you to meet some promising young men. Perhaps you'll find one to your liking."

Nangong Yu mentioned, causing Nangong Yue's heart to sink.

"Brother, why are you, still so young, acting like an old man trying to set me up on blind dates? I'm not that old!"

Nangong Yue's voice echoed the exasperation of someone being pressured into marriage.

Upon hearing this, Nangong Yu coughed, his complexion turning deathly pale.

Seeing her brother's condition, Nangong Yue rushed to his side, filled with remorse and concern.

Her brother was brilliant, but his frail health was a constant worry, and the uncertainty of his future loomed over them.

This was precisely why my brother was adamant about finding a man to stand behind me. If Nangong Yu were to pass away, the reins of the Nangong family's power would transfer to my hands, Nangong Yue.

Without Nangong Yu's protection, I would become a target, vulnerable to everyone's whims.

The thought terrified Nangong Yu; the prospect of leaving his sister defenseless was unbearable.

He took my hand firmly and advised, "I'm not trying to pressure you, Yue'er. I just want you to give it a chance. You might find someone you like... Please, don't be stubborn. You need to understand that you must find a protector."

"I... I can manage on my own!"

I protested, biting my lip in frustration.

Why should I need a man to support me when my abilities are just as strong?

I was determined to accomplish everything my brother could.

"Yue'er..." Nangong Yu sighed, shaking his head. I was still too naive in his eyes.

As a woman, I would inevitably face more dangers than men. Once he was gone, I would have to weather the storms alone.

Our father was far from dependable, and with a myriad of illegitimate siblings, the family dynamics were complex.

Being a woman meant facing resistance to my authority, a challenge I had yet to fully grasp.

For now, these issues seemed distant to me, but they would become all too real when they eventually surfaced.

Nangong Yu didn't wish to debate with me. He simply hoped that among the candidates he had in mind, there would be one who caught my eye.

With no desire to argue with my ailing brother, I steered the conversation towards Lee Xuan.

"Azure Cloud Academy was a revelation. I was skeptical at first, thinking it might be a scam, but it turned out to be legitimate. Brother, did you know that sword flying is actually possible in this world? Lee Xuan even said I have immense potential. Perhaps one day, I'll be like a deity from the novels... and then you wouldn't have to worry about dying!"

I shared my excitement, my voice bubbling with the innocence of a child, unaware of its own vibrancy.