Yuncheng City, Haoting Hotel.

On the ground, intimate clothing was scattered everywhere. In the center of the bedsheet bloomed a red plum blossom, while the air was still thick with lingering sensuality…

Chen Xiao, who had been in a fierce battle the entire night, was still snoring away. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot across his face. He reached out to touch it, his eyes widening in shock. A bank card? Who's giving me money so early in the morning?

A memory surfaced. Next to him lay a stunning woman with a chilly expression. Her pale neck was adorned with numerous dark-red hickeys, her beautiful eyes blazing with rage.

Chen Xiao slapped his forehead. Yesterday, he had come down from the mountain to break off his engagement with his fiancée and, in passing, retrieve the engagement token. However, it was already late, so he hadn't gone to the Luo Family to call off the engagement. Instead, he chose to let loose at a bar. As a result, this woman had pulled him to the hotel without a word… and amidst his weak protests, she had her way with him.

Before he could speak, the woman had already spoken, her voice cold and proud. "There's one hundred thousand in the card. It's your fee for the night. Is it enough?!"

Chen Xiao's expression changed. He, the dignified Young Master of the Hidden Gate, was being treated like a gigolo?

He said seriously, "Miss, this was a one-night stand. I'm not a gigolo."

"As long as I've paid, you are!" Luo Qingli's tone was aggressive, her gaze scornful. "Remember, last night, I was the one who paid to have fun with you! And… your skills were really quite average. I give you a zero!"

Zero… a zero?

A rage surged in Chen Xiao's heart. Last night, this woman had initiated everything, even becoming a 'Dragon Knight' and actively taking the lead. And now she was saying he was no good?

Seeing the disgusted look on Chen Xiao's face, Luo Qingli nodded in satisfaction and patted his shoulder. "You should work out more, so you don't get rejected again!"

The more Chen Xiao listened, the colder his expression became. Did she really think him a pushover just because the tiger hadn't shown its claws? What man could tolerate such humiliation?

"Keep today's events to yourself and don't get any foolish ideas about me. I'm not interested in men with inadequate skills," Luo Qingli mocked coldly, then proudly rose to leave.

Suddenly, a large hand pulled her back!

Her expression changed drastically. "You… what do you think you're doing?"

Chen Xiao gave a wicked smile, leaning over her and slowly grazing her panicked face with the bank card. "Nothing much. I just want you to experience for yourself whether my skills are truly lacking."

"You! Let go! Or else I'll… MMMF—"

Luo Qingli struggled fiercely, only to find it was all in vain.

Soon, the room was filled with soft moans…

An unknown amount of time passed before Luo Qingli woke from her exhaustion. Her bones felt numb and she couldn't muster an ounce of strength, her pretty face still flushed with a lingering afterglow.

The man was long gone. All that remained on the bedside table was a note and a bank card.

The note contained only a few short words—

"You were also quite average. I give you a zero. This one hundred thousand is your fee for the night. We're even now."

Luo Qingli's body trembled with rage. She never imagined that a moment of carelessness would lead to this—not only losing her innocence after being drugged by her most trusted friend but also being humiliated like this by that bastard.

She slowly clenched the note in her hand. "Bastard! Don't let me see you again..."

「Meanwhile.」

In the Luo Family's main hall, Chen Xiao sat bolt upright, waiting for the key members of the family to appear. His purpose in coming to the Luo Family was to call off the engagement and get back his Jade Pendant. That tryst last night was nothing but an accident. He could even imagine the woman's face, twisted in fury, after she read his note...

Just as he was reveling in the thought, Old Master Luo, Luo Chenggong, walked in leaning on a cane. He was followed by a middle-aged couple dripping with jewels, who stormed in and stared daggers at Chen Xiao, their eyes filled with disdain and contempt.

"Old Master Luo, is this Qingli's fiancé? Are you joking? How could a country bumpkin like him be worthy of our Qingli?" Li Sufang's mouth was like a machine gun, firing off a relentless barrage.

Luo Qingli's father, Luo Jianghe, who was also the eldest son of the Luo Family, chimed in, "Father, don't be ridiculous. Young Master Qin is deeply in love with our Qingli. If she marries him, our Luo Family's status will skyrocket! We cannot acknowledge this engagement!"

Li Sufang added, "Kid, here's one hundred thousand. Get lost, and the farther, the better! Our Luo Family is not for someone like you to climb into! I feel like my floors are getting dirty just having a country bumpkin like you step through the door!"

Chen Xiao sneered. He had already anticipated this kind of reaction from the Luo Family. After all, so many years had passed. They had probably long forgotten the debt of gratitude they owed his master. It was only natural for them to turn their backs now that they were successful.

He didn't care about any of that. His only goal was to retrieve his Jade Pendant. "Old Master Luo, who has the keepsake my master left behind?"

Luo Chenggong cleared his throat. "It's with my granddaughter."

At that moment, he felt deep regret. When the marriage had been arranged, it was because he believed his master had considerable skills, and more importantly, had been his savior! He never expected that he himself would become so prominent twenty years later. Now that the young man had come to his door, he couldn't just renege on the promise and kick him out. That would be too shameless. He had lived for many years and still cared about his reputation.

After a few seconds of thought, he smiled and said, "Little Xiao, when your master and I arranged this marriage, you were both still young. Now you've grown up and have your own ideas! How about we let the two of you decide this matter for yourselves? What do you think?"

"Whatever," Chen Xiao said with a dismissive wave.

"Good! I'll call my granddaughter back right now!" Luo Chenggong's smile was immediate. His granddaughter has impossibly high standards. She's rejected countless talented young men from Yuncheng City, so how could she possibly be interested in a boy like Chen Xiao from the countryside?

"It seems this toad still thinks he can eat swan meat!" Li Sufang sneered. "Once Qingli gets back, this kid will give up for good!"

Chen Xiao completely ignored her taunts. In the past, he would have slapped such a grating shrew across the face without a second thought.

About ten minutes later, a tall, slender figure appeared in the Luo Family's main hall. It was none other than Luo Qingli, who had just rushed back from the hotel.

Her high heels accentuated her tall, graceful figure. Her pencil skirt perfectly outlined the tantalizing curve of her hips, while a sliver of her snow-white skin peeked out from beneath the buttons of her white blouse. Combined with her cold yet exquisite features, the contrast was striking, stirring a desire in others to conquer her.

Luo Qingli tossed her hair. "Mom, you said my fiancé is here? Where is he?"

Li Sufen snorted. "Tsk! That country bumpkin is waiting for you. Hurry up, give him the Jade Pendant, and tell him to get lost. Make him give up completely!"

Luo Qingli's gaze followed her mother's gesture. She froze for a moment, and then rage surged through her heart. Unbelievable! She never would have guessed... this bastard was her fiancé whom she had never met?

Chen Xiao also felt a bit awkward. This world is damn small, he could only lament.

"Ahem!" Luo Chenggong cleared his throat. "Qingli, although Little Xiao has come today with the marriage contract, he will certainly respect your decision. Go on, tell him your choice!"

Just then, Chen Xiao stood up and said flatly, "I came today to annul the engagement. I only have one request: to get back the engagement keepsake."

Annul the engagement? Everyone in the Luo Family was stunned. This guy actually wants to annul the engagement? Shouldn't he be shamelessly clinging to Luo Qingli?

Luo Chenggong chuckled. "Excellent! That's excellent! I agr—"

Before he could finish, Luo Qingli cut in, her voice icy, "I don't agree."

...

"Wha—what?" At her words, Luo Chenggong, Luo Jianghe, and his wife were utterly stunned!

They all suspected they had misheard!

Even Chen Xiao couldn't figure out what this woman was up to. Could she have been conquered by my power? Does she want to marry me right away?

Luo Chenggong reminded her again, "Qingli! Arranged marriages are out of style. You have to think about your own happiness!"

Luo Qingli said flatly, "The Luo Family is a prominent household. Our word is our bond. If we were to break the engagement, it would tarnish our family's reputation, wouldn't it?"

Li Sufang lost her composure on the spot. "Qingli! Are you insane? If you marry him, what about Young Master Qin?"

Luo Qingli's red lips curled into a smirk. "What? You want me to buy him a doll to comfort him?"

The Luo family was speechless.

…

Chen Xiao was also speechless.

…

Luo Jianghe trembled with rage. "He… he's just a country bumpkin! He's not worthy of you! Don't ruin your own happiness just to spite your father over a petty argument! Young Master Qin is the right match for you!"

"Why don't you divorce Mom and marry him instead?" Luo Qingli retorted coolly.

Luo Jianghe nearly choked on his rage. He collapsed onto the sofa, clutching his chest. "Unfilial daughter! You're an unfilial daughter!"

Just then, Chen Xiao spoke calmly. "There's no need for all this trouble. Just give me the Jade Pendant, and I'll leave."

"You, come outside with me!" Luo Qingli walked past him, shooting him a fierce glare.

Chen Xiao followed her with a nonchalant swagger, admiring her figure. As he recalled their earlier intimacy and wildness, the blood in his veins stirred restlessly...

In the Luo family's living room, the faces of Luo Chenggong and the others were terrifyingly grim.

Once they were outside, Luo Qingli crossed her arms and spoke coldly. "You mentioned an engagement token earlier. Is it very important to you?"

"That's none of your business. Just give it back to me," Chen Xiao said coldly. "Last night was a first for both of us. We don't owe each other anything, so there's no need to make a big deal out of it, right?"

The engagement token was a Jade Pendant, and it was connected to his origins. My unique constitution, the Celestial Yang Body, means that even with my master's best efforts, I can only live to the age of twenty-four. The Jade Pendant in Luo Qingli's hands very likely holds the key to curing my condition. I have to get it back.

Luo Qingli was exceptionally sharp. Seeing from his eyes how important the token was to him, she smiled. "I have the Jade Pendant. Let's make a deal."

"Agree to a contractual marriage with me. After three months, I can give it back to you!"

Chen Xiao's gaze turned frigid. "Are you threatening me?"

Seeing him lose his composure, Luo Qingli felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction. "What do you think?"

Chen Xiao enunciated each word. "I don't know why you're trying to give me a hard time, but no one in this world can threaten me!"

Staring into his sharp eyes, Luo Qingli felt an unexpected shiver. She never imagined that this man, who had seemed so harmless in her presence, could possess such a powerful aura.

In the end, Luo Qingli was the first to break eye contact.

She said sullenly, "You've seen it for yourself. My family is constantly setting me up with disgusting lowlifes. So, I need you to enter a contractual marriage with me to act as my shield."

"If you refuse, I guarantee you will never get this Jade Pendant!"

"A shield?" A cold smirk formed on Chen Xiao's lips. "Is that all?"

"What else?" Luo Qingli's smile was laced with sarcasm. "Did you really think that just because we slept together once, I fell in love with you?"

"Just a reminder," Chen Xiao said evenly, "it was at least a dozen times."

Luo Qingli was so angry she was rendered speechless, glaring at him icily.

Chen Xiao held up three fingers. "Three months is too long. I will do three things for you. Once those three tasks are complete, we get a divorce, and you return the Jade Pendant to me!"

With less than half a year left until his twenty-fourth birthday, he had no time to play house with this woman.

Luo Qingli scoffed mockingly. "Anything?"

His tone was calm, yet brimming with confidence. "Anything."

"Such big words!" Luo Qingli nodded. "I hope you don't regret your bragging today. I bet you'll never get that Jade Pendant back in your life."

"Now, get in the car. We're going to get registered!"

「Outside the Civil Affairs Bureau.」

The two emerged after finishing the paperwork.

Chen Xiao held the marriage certificate, a dazed look on his face.

Luo Qingli added, "Remember, this is a contractual marriage. We don't interfere in each other's lives. I won't try to control you, and I don't like being controlled."

"Fine!" Chen Xiao nodded, completely unconcerned. "Suits me. I'm not about to give up an entire forest for a single crooked tree like you."

Luo Qingli laughed in anger, her eyes filled with disdain. "You? Who would even look twice at you? You're so narcissistic!"

Chen Xiao couldn't be bothered to respond. He got into the car, closed his eyes, and feigned sleep.

Meanwhile, the Luo family's house was already in turmoil.

Besides Luo Chenggong, Luo Jianghe, and his wife, a young man and woman had arrived. It was Qin Zihao, the Young Master of Yuncheng City's top-tier Qin Family. With him was Su Yingxue, the young mistress of the Su Family—another second-tier family like the Luos—and the woman Luo Qingli had once considered her best friend.

Behind them stood several burly, towering men, their presence intimidating.

Breaking the heavy silence, Luo Chenggong took a deep breath. "Young Master Qin, what is the meaning of this?"

Qin Zihao fought to control his fury. "Old Master Luo, Luo Jianghe had already promised Luo Qingli to me, but then she turned around and made a cuckold out of me! Is your Luo Family playing me for a fool?"

He played a video on his phone. It was the clip of Luo Qingli dragging Chen Xiao into a car and kissing him passionately.

Su Yingxue, standing beside him, quickly tried to soothe him. "Young Master Qin, a slut like her isn't worth your anger. Please, calm down, calm down!"

She was the one who had arranged for Luo Qingli to be drugged the previous night, aiming to make her lose her virginity so she could take her place.

Luo Jianghe quickly tried to explain, "Young Master Qin, there must be some kind of misunderstanding…"

"Misunderstanding my ass!" Qin Zihao snarled, slapping him hard across the face. "I'll give you one chance. Have that slut Luo Qingli deliver herself to my door tonight for my entertainment. If you do, I might consider letting your family off the hook!"

Luo Jianghe was stunned by the blow. Li Sufang rushed forward to support him. "Young Master Qin, you…"

"What?" Qin Zihao licked his lips. "You want to make it a mother-daughter special? You've certainly held up well…"

A chill ran down Li Sufang's spine, and she stumbled back.

Luo Chenggong's beard trembled with rage as he slammed the table and shot to his feet. "Young Master Qin, you've gone too far!"

He had lived a long life, and now some junior dared to ride roughshod over him? He felt a sliver of relief that his granddaughter hadn't married such a scoundrel!

Su Yingxue sneered, "Your Luo Family produced such a disgraceful slut, and now you're telling us we can't come here and demand justice? Get Luo Qingli out here to explain herself!"

"Su Yingxue, who are you calling a slut?" A clear, cold voice cut through the air as Luo Qingli entered, arm in arm with Chen Xiao, her high heels clicking on the floor.

"I'm talking about you!" Su Yingxue retorted with a sneer. "It's a shame I couldn't get a picture of you in bed with this country bumpkin. Otherwise, the sight of the so-called 'Ice Queen' acting like a whore in bed would have caused a massive sensation in Yuncheng City!"

Luo Qingli clenched her teeth, a sharp pain piercing her heart.

Betrayed by my best friend. My virginity stolen. This is a thorn in my heart!

Su Yingxue pursed her lips in a provocative smile, swaying her hips as she approached the pair.

"My, my, you only slept with him once and you've already brought this country bumpkin home? Hmm… He has that sour stench of the countryside. It suits you perfectly."

...

As she spoke, she deliberately covered her mouth and nose with a look of disgust.

Chen Xiao frowned. "You have bad breath. Stay away from me."

"You..." Su Yingxue glared at Chen Xiao. "Say that again if you dare!"

Chen Xiao's frown deepened. "You also have some nasty infection. The stench is overpowering."

These words completely shattered Su Yingxue's composure. She lunged at Chen Xiao, nails outstretched like claws.

SMACK!

Chen Xiao showed no mercy, slapping her hard across the face.

I could have gotten the Jade Pendant easily by just annulling the engagement, but this woman had to make everything so difficult!

A fire ignited in his heart, and he landed another ferocious slap!

"Ah!" Su Yingxue crumpled to the ground, clutching her face. It was already red and swollen, and she looked utterly wretched.

Everyone was stunned. They couldn't believe Chen Xiao had dared to strike her!

Even Luo Qingli's beautiful eyes flickered with a hint of surprise.

One of Su Yingxue's high heels had snapped. She limped to her feet and sobbed into Qin Zihao's ear, "Young Master Qin, you have to stand up for me!"

Qin Zihao's face turned grim. I've always considered Luo Qingli my private possession, a prize I've yet to claim. And this bastard beat me to it?

"Cripple him and drag him out of here!"

At his command, several burly men immediately surrounded Chen Xiao, pulling out collapsible batons from their belts to strike at him.

"Is this pathetic crew all you have?"

Chen Xiao snatched a collapsible baton and effortlessly deflected a blow. The man holding it was sent stumbling into his companion, and the two of them went flying, tangled together.

Taking the baton, Chen Xiao advanced on the remaining men with a powerful, intimidating gait.

A series of agonized screams rang out.

Without exception, every one of the large men was left sprawled on the ground, howling in pain.

Striding with that same powerful gait, Chen Xiao stepped over their bodies and approached Qin Zihao.

Qin Zihao's eyelid twitched violently. He tugged at his collar. "Kid, you've got some nerve. You think you can—"

Before he could finish, Chen Xiao's hand clamped around his neck like an iron vise and lifted him off his feet.

The breath was choked out of him. Qin Zihao's mouth gaped open as he fought for air, but the collapsible baton was suddenly shoved inside and brutally twisted...

"MMMPH!" Qin Zihao whimpered as blood streamed from his lips.

The moment Chen Xiao let go, he let out a scream like a pig being slaughtered and spat out a mouthful of bloody, broken teeth.

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

"Get lost." Chen Xiao tossed the baton onto Qin Zihao's head, knocking him unconscious.

"Young Master Qin! Young Master Qin!" Su Yingxue shrieked, her face drained of color.

The other thugs scrambled to their feet, hastily propping up the bloodied Qin Zihao and making a disgraceful retreat.

It was several long seconds before the people in the Luo Family's main hall snapped back to their senses.

The sheer ruthlessness of Chen Xiao's actions had shaken them all.

Most importantly, Chen Xiao had just beaten up the young master of the Qin Family, one of Yuncheng City's Four Great Families!

"You're insane! Now the Luo Family is facing a disaster!" Luo Jianghe collapsed onto the sofa. "You're going to get us all killed!"

Li Sufang gritted her teeth. "Luo Qingli, look at the kind of person you've brought home! Cut all ties with him and tell him to get lost! Then you'll go to Young Master Qin and beg for his forgiveness. Maybe then there's a chance for us to survive!"

"Get out of the Luo Family, now!"

Luo Qingli looked at Luo Jianghe and his wife and said calmly, "I've already registered our marriage. He's my legal husband."

Her words struck the couple like a bolt of lightning.

"Have you lost your mind?!"

"It's over! It's all over! That man is going to be the death of the Luo Family..."

The two of them wailed dramatically, their faces as pale as death.

"Enough!" Finally, Old Master Luo spoke up. "All this wailing and fussing is a disgrace! The Luo Family is not so fragile that a few jabs from the Qin Family will destroy us. You two are an embarrassment!

"We were bullied in our own home, yet all you can think about is how to appease that dog. What Little Xiao did today was right! He avenged an old grudge for me!"

Old Master Luo had built his fortune from nothing. He had seen his share of storms.

He gave Chen Xiao a meaningful look. "Little Xiao, from now on, you're family. We'll all have dinner together tonight. Aunt Mei, tell the staff to prepare a family feast!"

And just like that, Chen Xiao's position as the son-in-law of the Luo Family was cemented.

At the dinner table, Luo Jianghe and Li Sufang still regarded Chen Xiao with open hostility. When they learned he had barely gone to school and possessed no useful skills, their remarks grew even more sarcastic.

In this day and age, a man couldn't even survive without brains or a valuable skill, let alone be worthy of being their son-in-law!

Their daughter was the top CEO in Yuncheng City, an untouchable ice queen and the dream girl of countless men. How could such a perfect flower be planted in a pile of cow dung?

They were so frustrated they could have coughed up blood.

Throughout it all, Luo Qingli simply ate with elegance, occasionally firing back a sharp retort on Chen Xiao's behalf.

Chen Xiao, however, completely ignored them. He wolfed down his food, clearing the table like a storm passing through.

After dinner, Luo Chenggong chuckled. "Little Xiao, you two just got married and have only just met. You should spend tonight getting to know each other better. Get some rest."

A faint blush appeared on Luo Qingli's cheeks. "Come upstairs with me."

Inside Luo Qingli's room, a pleasant, faint, yet comforting fragrance filled the air. The decor was simple. Lying on the quilt were several pieces of her underwear, which she hadn't put away.

Chen Xiao blurted out, "Are those... cartoon characters?"

Luo Qingli's face burned. She hastily snatched up the underwear and, feigning composure, ordered, "Go take a shower!"

By the time Chen Xiao returned from his shower, Luo Qingli had already finished hers.

She wore a silk nightgown as thin as a cicada's wing. Her long hair cascaded down her back, lending her an air of lazy sensuality. Her long, pale legs were almost fully exposed. Their snowy-white skin was so dazzling it irresistibly drew one's gaze upward...

Chen Xiao couldn't help but stare.

"Have you seen enough?" Luo Qingli asked, raising her limpid eyes.

Chen Xiao feigned nonchalance. "I've already seen everything there is to see. What's the big deal?"

Luo Qingli's expression turned to ice.

Playing tough, are we? We'll see how long he can keep that up!

CLICK! Luo Qingli switched off all the lights in the room. "Let's get some sleep. We have important business tomorrow."

Chen Xiao shrugged. "Where do I sleep?"

"Choose for yourself," a cold voice replied from the darkness.

Chen Xiao couldn't be bothered to argue. Sleep on the floor? Not a chance in hell!

He dove straight into the bed.

To his surprise, the space under the covers was incredibly warm. As he shifted, a fragrant scent filled his nostrils, accompanied by the feeling of hot breath against his skin. His own body temperature began to rise...

Suddenly, a soft hand began to explore his body...

Chen Xiao immediately went rigid, arching his back. "What are you doing?"

"Warming up."

The sensation grew more intense, and he was instantly aroused. His voice trembled slightly. "I thought you said we had important business tomorrow."

Luo Qingli suddenly moved closer, her voice a low whisper by his ear. "Our wedding night... consummating the marriage... doesn't that count as important business?"