Chapter Fifty-Three: A Chance Encounter

With a loud bang, the door to Ouyang Qihua’s office was kicked open. He didn’t even need to look up to know who it was; only one person here would dare to do such a thing—his beloved little sister, Ouyang Qianru.

Sure enough, before he could say a word, she burst in, her words tumbling out, “Big brother, you called me over—does that mean you’ve found the person I asked you to investigate?”

“Yes,” he replied, still not looking up from the files on his desk. “The man who harassed you in the car is named Zhang San. According to our investigation, he did return to City B and brought back a little girl about five or six years old. But the same day you got back, he went into hiding. As for where he’s hiding, no one knows yet—I’m still looking into it. Also, the man you’re looking for is currently at the Xuanyuan household. But I advise you not to provoke him. Their background might be far more complicated than you think.”

“No way, I have to find him! I’ve made up my mind—this life, I’ll marry no one but him! Big brother, you don’t want me to stay in the Ouyang family forever, do you? I know all of you are just waiting for me to get married and be out of your hair!” Ouyang Qianru laid bare their thoughts without a hint of anger, her meaning clear: she was threatening them—surely they didn’t intend to keep her at home forever.

Ouyang Qihua, caught off guard by her words, looked up and managed an awkward smile. “According to our investigation, the man’s name is Chen Xuan. His senior is Chen Shiyi. Both are at least cultivators in the early fasting stage, and their backgrounds are unclear. But we did find out they came to City B searching for a little girl named Yaya—probably connected to Xuanyuan family’s current recruitment. If you want to find him, they’ll be at the underground trading market tonight.”

“Great! I’ll wait for him at the trading market tonight!” Ouyang Qianru declared loudly.

Ouyang Qihua asked curiously, “Little sister, if you want to see him, just go to the Xuanyuan estate. Our families have always been close. Find an excuse to stay there—proximity breeds opportunity. Why bother waiting for him at the underground market?”

“You blockheaded men will never understand! I want a beautiful, fateful encounter, not some tasteless direct approach!” Ouyang Qianru dreamily pictured her plan.

“You’re not worried the Xuanyuan sisters will take a liking to him first?” Ouyang Qihua teased.

She shot him a look, full of confidence. “Xuanyuan Yunshuang is an ice queen—she could freeze a man with a single word. Xuanyuan Yunqian is just a childish brat who only knows how to play. How could they compare to a sensual beauty like me? Big brother, you really have no taste.”

Ouyang Qihua could only shake his head helplessly—there was really no reasoning with this girl.

Inside the old Xuanyuan residence, Xuanyuan Zhe, following the elder’s arrangements, was preparing to take Tang Wei and Zixuan to visit the underground trading market. The head of the Xuanyuan family was smiling as he watched them go. He was pleased that Xuanyuan Zhe was getting along with their guests. But not everyone was so agreeable; someone was determined to spoil things.

“Xuanyuan Zhe, why aren’t you taking me out with you?” The little princess of the Xuanyuan family made her entrance. It wasn’t that her father didn’t want her to go—he simply knew her mouth was too sharp and she was prone to offending people. Xuanyuan Zhe, though mischievous, knew his limits; but the little princess spoke her mind and did whatever she pleased, never caring if others could handle it. To keep her from offending Tang Wei and her companion, her father had specifically arranged for her to be sent to City S. Yet, here she was, and it was too late to stop her now.

“Weren’t you supposed to be in City S today? Why are you still here?” The Xuanyuan patriarch asked with a frown.

“You never let me go out, and now you actually found an errand for me? There must be something fun happening at home you don’t want me to know about—that’s why you tried to trick me into leaving. Hmph! I’m not falling for it!” Xuanyuan Yunqian quickly saw through her father’s intentions and pouted, demanding, “What fun thing are you hiding from me? Tell me! I promise I won’t misbehave or cause trouble!”

“Nonsense! Go back right now!” the patriarch barked, glaring at her.

She was used to his anger and wasn’t the least bit afraid, clinging to his hand and wheedling, “No! I want to know what’s going on. I want to join too!”

At the doorway, Xuanyuan Zhe saw her and whispered to Tang Wei and Zixuan, “That’s my twin sister. She’s a bit clueless and can easily offend people. The old man was afraid she’d be rude to you, so he sent her to City S—but apparently, she didn’t go!”

Seeing her father ignore her and noticing Xuanyuan Zhe whispering to the strangers, Xuanyuan Yunqian became even more convinced they were hiding something fun from her. She ran over, shouting, “Little brother, I want to go with you too!” Then, turning to Tang Wei, she introduced herself, “Hello! I’m Xuanyuan Yunqian, his twin sister! Are you going out to have fun? Can I come with you?”

Tang Wei asked curiously, “Didn’t Xuanyuan Zhe just say you were his little sister? Which one of you is older?”

“Don’t mind that loser! Just because he can’t beat me, he keeps calling himself my elder brother. Shameless!” Xuanyuan Yunqian was a natural extrovert, taking Tang Wei’s arm with easy familiarity. “Sister, what’s your name?”

“Oh! I’m Chen Shiyi, and this is my junior, Chen Xuan!” Tang Wei quickly introduced herself and Zixuan.

“Sister, so your name is Chen Shiyi—doesn’t suit you at all! Never mind, I’ll just call you Sister Chen!” Xuanyuan Yunqian chattered away, oblivious to the awkward black lines forming on Tang Wei’s forehead.

The Xuanyuan patriarch’s face darkened further. What kind of people were these? Just yesterday he’d said that Tang Wei’s name suited her perfectly, and today his daughter had to contradict him. Never mind—better to pretend he hadn’t heard anything and avoid further trouble.

Tang Wei could only resign herself to fate. If Xuanyuan Zhe hadn’t spoken up first, she might have thought the girl was just looking for a fight with her. But since this was simply her nature, what was there to hold against her? In fact, people like her were easy to get along with—everything was on the surface, no hidden agendas. That was far better than dealing with petty schemers. Having thought it through, Tang Wei smiled and said, “Alright, let’s all go together then!”

Seeing Tang Wei didn’t mind his daughter’s words, the Xuanyuan patriarch let out a quiet sigh of relief.

At the entrance to the underground trading market, Ouyang Qianru spotted Zixuan and the others from afar and hurried inside to prepare for her fateful encounter.

Tang Wei’s group strolled leisurely into the underground market, Xuanyuan Zhe already pointing out the various stalls. Up ahead, a group of people approached, with Ouyang Qianru following at the rear—handbag in tow, clad in a black short dress, her voluptuous figure and long legs making her every step a display of seductive charm. Such a stunning woman was a rare sight indeed; compared to the so-called beauties on television, they all paled into insignificance. No wonder she was so confident.

All around, men and women alike stared at her wide-eyed, unable to look away. But for some reason, no one dared approach. Suddenly, with a sharp “crack,” her heel snapped, and she fell headlong right in front of Zixuan.

From Xuanyuan Zhe’s vantage point, he had a clear view of her exposed, rounded chest—the crystal-clear, flawless skin laid bare for all to see. Any man would have been left drooling at the sight, and those nearby could feel their hearts pounding in their chests.

Startled, Zixuan took a step back, hurrying in front of Tang Wei as if to shield her from any sudden mishap.

“Oh no! Qianru, are you alright? Did you hurt yourself? Hurry up and get up, or you’ll give those lousy men a free show!” Xuanyuan Yunqian rushed over to check on her.

Xuanyuan Zhe could tell immediately what this woman was up to, but he stifled his laughter and asked politely, “Miss Ouyang, where are your bodyguards? You’ve been lying here for a while and none of them came to help you. Maybe it’s time for a replacement when you get home.” As he finished, he clapped three times, and from the shadows, a woman appeared. “Hongyi, please escort Miss Ouyang to the Ouyang family’s office.”

“Yes, young master!” Hongyi responded crisply, then helped Yunqian lift Qianru up and led her away.

Seeing that the matter didn’t concern her, Tang Wei said nothing, pulling Zixuan along by the hand. She remembered all too well how this woman had harassed Zixuan at the train station. One look at her and Tang Wei knew she was trouble—a surge of anger rose in her chest, and all she wanted was to drag Zixuan away from the scene as quickly as possible.

As for Zixuan, he was too flustered to even recall if he’d met this woman before. Tang Wei’s initiative in taking his hand had his heart pounding. She had never been this forward before!