Chapter 5: So… Will You Marry Me?

Everything happened in a flash.

Liu Qingxue was stunned by the slap, her mouth agape in disbelief. She then turned to Zhang Hao, screaming hysterically,
“Zhang Shao! She dared hit me! That little bitch—I want her legs broken and her face slashed!”

Zhang Hao squinted, recognizing the woman.
“Xiao Qingcheng?”

Why would someone from the Xiao family show up here and stand up for that idiot?

“She’s Xiao Qingcheng?”
Liu Qingxue’s pitch went up in confusion.

No matter how she tried, she couldn’t connect the noble lady of the Xiao family with the fool Ning Chen.

Hearing their exchange, Xiao Qingcheng also recognized Zhang Hao. Her expression grew more serious.

The Zhang family was one of Jiang City’s four great families. As the only son, Zhang Hao was arrogant and never showed anyone respect.

Though the Xiao family had influence, they were still a step below the top four families.

“Xiao Qingcheng,” Zhang Hao said grimly, “the Zhang and Xiao families have never interfered with each other. You slapped my woman—what’s the meaning of this?”

Standing protectively in front of Ning Chen, Xiao Qingcheng replied coldly,
“The Xiao family has no intention of becoming enemies with the Zhangs. But Mr. Ning is a benefactor to my family—I will not allow anyone to insult him.”

Zhang Hao sneered. “A fool, and you call him Mr. Ning? How laughable.”

“Miss Xiao, I know you’re engaged to the Long family, but that doesn’t give you the right to act arrogantly in front of me. For the Longs’ sake, I’ll let this go. You can leave.”

He pointed at Ning Chen.
“But he stays.”

“Impossible!”
Xiao Qingcheng’s tone was firm and unwavering.

Zhang Hao’s eyes turned cold. “I gave you a chance, didn’t I? Without the Long family, you wouldn’t even be worthy to talk to me. My men will be here in ten minutes.”

“You want to protect him? Let’s see if you can.”

Xiao Qingcheng glanced worriedly at Ning Chen.
“Mr. Ning, you should leave first. I’ll have someone escort you out. Zhang Hao wouldn’t dare touch me.”

But Ning Chen shook his head.

“I’ve never been one to stand behind a woman.”

“Mr. Ning—”
Xiao Qingcheng’s voice was urgent. “This isn’t the time for pride. I—”

Before she could finish, Ning Chen had already stepped forward.

His steps were unhurried, but each one carried weight.

“So the Zhang family is that impressive?”

He reached Zhang Hao and, without warning—

SMACK!

A heavy slap struck Zhang Hao’s face.

Several broken teeth mixed with blood flew from his mouth.

Zhang Hao clutched his face in disbelief, glaring at Ning Chen with murderous intent.

“The last person who looked at me like that… is already dead.”

With that, Ning Chen grabbed his arm.

Crack!

Zhang Hao’s arm was crushed with a snap.

“But you… won’t die so easily.”

Ning Chen’s tone remained flat.
“That would be too kind.”

Zhang Hao’s eyes widened with horror. The overwhelming pain and terror caused him to pass out.

Liu Qingxue stood trembling, her legs too weak to support her.

“You… you…”
After a few seconds, she stammered,
“You dared hit Zhang Shao? Ning Chen, you’ve really done it this time!”

Ning Chen turned coldly toward her.
“That’s none of your concern. Liu Qingxue—hand over the keys to the old house, and everything I brought into the Liu family. I’ll only say this once.”

Liu Qingxue gritted her teeth.
“I won’t! What can you do about it?”

“Don’t think just because Miss Xiao spoke up for you, you’re somebody now. She just pities you!”

Ning Chen’s eyes sharpened, killing intent radiating.

Seeing his silence, Liu Qingxue became bolder, her voice dripping with contempt.

“You think just because you’re no longer a fool, the Xiao family will take you seriously? Still the same idiot, Ning Chen!”

“Look at yourself—trying to play loyal dog to the Xiao family. They wouldn’t even want you!”

With eyes like ice, Ning Chen reached out and grabbed her neck.

A deadly aura enveloped Liu Qingxue.

“You think I won’t kill you?” he asked coldly.

Staring into his emotionless eyes, Liu Qingxue was paralyzed with fear.

“No… don’t…”

Her face turned red as she struggled to speak.

With a flick, Ning Chen threw her to the floor.

“I’ll give you one minute. If you don’t bring it out… you don’t deserve to live.”

Liu Qingxue trembled, legs like jelly.

She couldn’t even bring herself to meet his gaze.

“I-I’ll get it…”

She staggered inside and returned with a cloth bundle.

“Everything’s in here. As for the money… I don’t have it right now.”

At Ning Chen’s look, she nearly collapsed again.

“One million! I swear I don’t have it right now—just give me three days! Please!”

Seeing her so pathetic, Ning Chen gave a cold laugh.

“Fine. You have three days. I’ll be back.”

He took the bundle and walked back to Xiao Qingcheng.

“Miss Xiao, thank you again. That’s twice you’ve helped me now.”

Xiao Qingcheng’s eyes sparkled as she smiled.
“Then how will you thank me?”

Ning Chen thought for a moment.
“Name your price. As long as it’s not unreasonable, I’ll agree.”

“Good. Remember, you said that.”

Her lips curved slightly.
“My request is… marry me.”

Ning Chen froze, unsure he heard her correctly.

Liu Qingxue looked completely stunned.

The noble heiress of the Xiao family wanted Ning Chen to marry her?

What kind of miracle luck was this?

“This…”
Ning Chen hesitated.

“Is it that unreasonable?”
Xiao Qingcheng gazed at him, smiling. “Don’t tell me you’re regretting your promise?”

Ning Chen frowned slightly. He hadn’t expected this.

It wasn’t that her request was too much—it was that after his disastrous marriage, he had no more hopes for such things.

After a pause, he asked,
“You’re engaged to the Long family’s heir. Aren’t you afraid they’ll come after you?”

Xiao Qingcheng countered,
“What about you? Are you afraid?”

“I’m not.”

Ning Chen replied calmly.

He had faced the ten kings of the Southern Domain—each one a grandmaster-level force—and had never flinched.

The Long family of Jiang City wasn’t even worth his attention.

Xiao Qingcheng raised her chin, looking off into the distance.
“Then it’s settled.”

“This engagement was arranged by my family. I never agreed to it. They promised me to some military commander I’ve never even met.”

“I don’t want to marry him. I already have someone I like.”

Her eyes lit up as she looked at Ning Chen meaningfully.

“I see.”
Ning Chen nodded slightly, then asked again,
“But everyone knows I’m a fool. Aren’t you afraid I’ll ruin your reputation? After all, you’re a famous beauty in Jiang City.”

“Reputation means nothing to me.”

She looked at him seriously.
“So… Ning Chen, will you marry me?”

After a brief pause, Ning Chen nodded.

“Then let’s go.”
Xiao Qingcheng beamed, extending her hand.

Ning Chen took it, and together they left.

—

A while later, once she was sure they had gone, Liu Qingxue finally dared to wake Zhang Hao and recount everything.

“That bitch Xiao Qingcheng… she actually wants to marry that idiot!”

Liu Qingxue nodded heavily.
“Zhang Shao, what now? That guy broke your arm—are we just letting it go?”

Zhang Hao’s eyes darkened.
“Xiao Qingcheng dares marry that fool? What do you think the Long family will do when they find out?”

Liu Qingxue’s eyes lit up with admiration.
“Zhang Shao, you’re brilliant!”

“She thinks she’s all that?”
Zhang Hao sneered.
“I’d like to see what the Xiao family can do when the Zhangs and Longs join forces!”

—

Outside the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Xiao Qingcheng held the red marriage certificate, looking at it over and over.

No one knew how excited she was inside.

Although Ning Chen hadn’t officially divorced Liu Qingxue, that wasn’t a problem.

With a little help, she’d managed to get their divorce processed without Liu Qingxue present.

Then she and Ning Chen officially registered their marriage.

“The certificate’s done. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

Ning Chen noticed Xiao Qingcheng sneaking peeks at the certificate like it was a treasure and couldn’t understand.

They barely knew each other. She even said she already liked someone else.

Why was she this happy about marrying him?

“Where are you going?”
Xiao Qingcheng asked quickly.

“I’ve got things to take care of,” Ning Chen said. Then added,
“But since we’re married now, I’ll deal with the Long family. I won’t let them trouble you.”

Xiao Qingcheng shook her head.
“They should come to me. It’s not your place to deal with them.”

Ning Chen was a bit surprised.

The four great families of Jiang City weren’t easy to handle—especially the Longs, who were even more ruthless than the Zhangs.

But Xiao Qingcheng remained calm and confident. That impressed him.

Beep beep beep!

Her phone rang. She answered—it was her father, Xiao Longshan.

“Dad, what’s up?”

“Did you find Mr. Ning?” he asked urgently.

“Yes,” she replied, glancing at Ning Chen. “He’s right next to me.”

“Good,” Xiao Longshan sighed in relief.
“We’ve located the Purple Star Leaf. Bring him back immediately!”

Xiao Qingcheng’s face turned serious. She hung up and looked at Ning Chen.

“They’ve found the Purple Star Leaf. We need to go back to the Xiao estate.”

Ning Chen was slightly surprised at the Xiao family’s efficiency.

They’d located such a rare herb in so little time.

“Let’s go.”

They got in the car and left without hesitation.

—

Xiao Family Manor.

Located in the north of Jiang City, it spanned thousands of square meters.

White walls, black tiles, winding paths—it exuded wealth and elegance.

Ning Chen and Xiao Qingcheng were led straight into the main hall upon arrival.

“Mr. Ning, at last!”

Xiao Zhenbang stood up to greet him, face beaming.

“I was still unconscious before and couldn’t thank you properly. Please accept my apologies.”

“No need to be so formal,” Ning Chen replied.

Xiao Zhenbang smiled warmly and personally handed him a cup of tea.

“There’s one million on this card. It’s not much, but it’s a token of thanks. Also, we’ve located one Purple Star Leaf. We’ll try to find the others too.”

Xiao Longshan stepped forward and handed over the bank card.

Ning Chen glanced at it, then said coolly,
“I collapsed from an ambush. Miss Xiao brought me to the hospital. I happened to treat you when your illness flared up. That’s all. We owe each other nothing.”

“I’ll find the herb myself.”

Xiao Zhenbang felt a shift in tone.

He’d already investigated Ning Chen—former fool, humiliated by the Liu family.

A million wasn’t much, but it was a hefty sum for someone in Ning Chen’s position.

Yet Ning Chen refused it without hesitation.

Was he truly uninterested, or aiming higher?

At that moment, someone rushed in, panicked.

“Master, something’s wrong! The Long family’s young master is here—he’s demanding an explanation!”

Xiao Zhenbang’s eyes narrowed.
“Nonsense! The Longs and Xiaos are bound by engagement. We’re practically family—why would he demand anything?”

“He said Miss Qingcheng married another man despite her engagement. He wants justice!”

The servant nervously glanced at Xiao Qingcheng.

“He… he’s here to confront her!”