Chapter 3

At this moment, he was dressed in a bright red wedding robe, and the room was adorned with “囍” characters and red cloth everywhere. This was all arranged by his grandfather, Xiao Lie, and his aunt, Xiao Lingxi, the night before. This was the room where he usually lived, and it was also the bridal chamber for his wedding this time.

The door was pushed open at this moment, and a light and agile figure hurried in. Xiao Che immediately stood up, smiling as he called out, "Aunt Lingxi, has Grandfather come back?"

Xiao Lingxi was Xiao Lie’s daughter, born in his middle age. Although she was Xiao Che’s aunt, she was only 15 years old this year, one year younger than Xiao Che. Despite her young age, she was already charming and beautiful, and her mystic power had reached the sixth level of the Initial Mystic stage. Although she couldn’t compare to Xia Qingyue, it was still quite impressive, and she was highly valued in the Xiao family.

"Hehe, Xiao Che, you’re awake." A gentle voice came, and Xiao Lie slowly walked in. Seeing Xiao Che already out of bed and looking quite well, his expression relaxed a bit. Behind him were two people: one was the butler Xiao Hong who took care of his daily life, and the other was the first physician of Liuyun City, Situ Yun.

"It’s good that you’re awake, and your complexion looks fine. However, let Master Situ check you over. Today is your wedding day, and there must be no mistakes. Master Situ, please." Xiao Lie said, stepping aside.

Putting the medicine box he had been carrying on the table, Situ Yun sat opposite Xiao Che, placing his fingers on his pulse. After a moment, he removed his hand from Xiao Che’s body.

"Master Situ, how is Xiao Che’s condition? Is it serious?" Xiao Lingxi quickly asked, her worry and tension evident.

Xiao Lie’s gaze was on Situ Yun, and although he didn’t speak, his expression was also grave... He couldn’t help but notice that Xiao Che’s sudden fainting the previous night was not normal.

Situ Yun slowly stood up and smiled gently, "Elder Xiao, there’s no need to worry. Your grandson is in excellent condition. He doesn’t even have a minor illness. The fainting might have been due to excessive excitement, causing a rush of blood to the head. After all, your grandson is getting married to the former Miss Xia, the first beauty of Liuyun City, hehehe."

Although Situ Yun tried to hide it, his words still revealed a hint of regret. It was hard to accept that a girl of such high status was marrying a useless, futureless waste.

"That’s good." Xiao Lie sighed in relief and nodded, "Thank you, Master Situ, for coming so early. Old Hong, please escort Master Situ to the reception hall to rest."

"No need." Situ Yun waved his hand and picked up the medicine box, "Since your grandson is fine, I won’t stay. Congratulations, Elder Xiao, on soon welcoming the most outstanding granddaughter-in-law in Liuyun City. Many will envy you, hehe. I’ll take my leave."

"Remember to come for a drink. Old Hong, see Master Situ off."

"Xiao Che, are you really fine? Do you feel any discomfort?" As soon as Situ Yun left, Xiao Lie frowned, still not at ease. Xiao Che’s sudden fainting, the sudden drop in body temperature, and the loss of vitality were not something that could be caused by excessive excitement. But seeing Xiao Che now, he seemed to be perfectly fine, which left him puzzled.

"Grandfather, don’t worry, I’m really fine." Xiao Che said with a relaxed expression. Seeing Xiao Lie’s worried face and his head of white hair, his nose tingled involuntarily.

The Xiao family had five elders, and although Xiao Lie was the fifth elder, he was the strongest in mystic power, having reached the tenth level of the Spirit Mystic stage five years ago. Now, he was at the peak of the tenth level, just one step away from breaking through to the Earth Mystic stage, which countless mystic practitioners dreamed of.

Xiao Lie was only 55 years old, yet he had a head of white hair. Every time Xiao Che saw his white hair, his heart ached.

The reason for Xiao Lie’s white hair in his middle age was known throughout Liuyun City. His only son, Xiao Che’s father, Xiao Ying, was once the first genius of Liuyun City. At 17, he broke through to the Initial Mystic stage; at 20, he reached the fifth level of the Mystic stage; and at 23, he directly broke through to the True Mystic stage, shocking the entire Liuyun City and becoming the pride of the Xiao family and Xiao Lie. Almost everyone believed that Xiao Ying would be the most qualified to inherit the position of the head of the Xiao family in his middle age.

But unfortunately, perhaps due to heaven’s envy of his talent, just one month after Xiao Che’s birth, Xiao Ying was assassinated. A few days before the assassination, Xiao Ying had used a lot of his mystic power to save a girl from the Xia family, and during the assassination, he couldn’t even use half of his usual strength, ultimately leading to his death. His wife, in grief, severed her heart and died with him. Under such a huge blow, Xiao Lie’s hair turned white overnight. Nine months later, Xiao Lingxi was born, and her mother, suffering from the long-term pain of losing her son, died of depression a month after Xiao Lingxi’s birth.

After losing his son and his wife, it’s hard to imagine how Xiao Lie got through those years. That snow-white hair contained unspeakable pain, sorrow, and hatred.

And to this day, Xiao Lie still hasn’t found out who killed Xiao Ying.

Later, he placed all his hopes on Xiao Che... but the cruel fact of his innate damaged mystic veins became another bolt from the blue in his life.

However, facing this hopeless grandson, Xiao Lie never showed any disappointment or anger. Instead, he cared for him greatly, almost to the point of spoiling him. In his view, the innate damage to his mystic veins was already an injustice from fate, and what he least deserved was condemnation, indifference, and ridicule. Instead, he should be given more love to make up for it. Over the years, he had been seeking various possible medicines to repair the mystic veins, but damaged mystic veins were like a broken lifeline of mystic power, not something easily repaired.

With such a grandfather, even though Xiao Che grew up in the indifference and even ridicule of others, he still felt lucky.

Looking at Xiao Lie’s white hair, Xiao Che’s gaze gradually became firm... Since heaven has given me a chance to be reborn and endowed me with the memories of two lifetimes, even to make Grandfather a bit more pleased, I must live a glorious life! What if my mystic veins are damaged? I am the successor of the Medical Sage. As long as I find the right herbs, I can completely restore my mystic veins in just three weeks.

"It’s good that you’re fine." Seeing his appearance, Xiao Lie finally felt relieved. He glanced at the light outside and said, "It’s almost time. Xiao Che, get ready. I’ll arrange the wedding procession... By the way, do you want to ride a horse or... take a sedan chair?"

If it were yesterday’s Xiao Che, he would have definitely answered, "Take a sedan chair." Although he was the grandson of an elder, he was practically useless, and the gap between him and Xia Qingyue was like the difference between heaven and earth. On the wedding procession, he would undoubtedly face countless pointing fingers, envy, ridicule, and regret. If he showed his face, the experience would be unbearable. But now, Xiao Che smiled, "Of course, I’ll ride a horse! Grandfather, don’t worry. No matter how noble Xia Qingyue is, she is already destined to be our Xiao family’s daughter-in-law. I will bring her back with dignity and honor, without disgracing you."

Xiao Lie’s expression froze for a moment, seemingly surprised by his words. Then, a gentle smile appeared on his face, and he nodded slightly, "Good."

A single word, filled with long-lost joy. Xiao Lie stepped out of the room and gently closed the door.

As soon as Xiao Lie left, Xiao Lingxi stood in front of Xiao Che, her lips curled, and her eyes showed a bit of displeasure, "Turns out you fainted from excitement, making me worry for so long. You and Xia Qingyue haven’t even met a few times, and you like her so much... Well, she is the first beauty of Liuyun City, humph!"

Xiao Che quickly waved his hands, "How could that be! Although Xia Qingyue is very beautiful, Aunt Lingxi is much more beautiful! If I fainted because of her, I would have fainted countless times with Aunt Lingxi always by my side."

"Hehe..." Xiao Lingxi’s tense face finally relaxed, and she smiled, "I knew you would say something to make me happy. But, it’s fine if Xiao Che fainted from excitement about marrying her. After all, Xia Qingyue is so beautiful and recognized as the first genius of Liuyun City. The Xia family is the richest in Liuyun City, and many dream of marrying her. But, in the end, she is marrying our Xiao Che."

Saying this, a proud look appeared on Xiao Lingxi’s face, but then her eyes became distant, and her voice softened, "It just feels so fast... Xiao Che is getting married so soon..."

"Knock knock," a knock came from the door, followed by the steady and deep voice of Xiao Hong, "Young Master, the auspicious time is almost here. It’s time to go to the Xia family to welcome the bride."

"Ah... so soon?" Xiao Lingxi glanced at Xiao Che’s attire and became anxious, "Uncle Hong, please wait a moment, we’ll be ready soon."

Saying this, she quickly moved to Xiao Che’s front and began to tidy up his wedding robe, "This robe is so troublesome. After what happened, it’s all messy. Just stand still, I’ll be done soon."

Her delicate, white hands began to smooth out the collar and retie the loose sash... Her movements were clumsy but very focused. Xiao Che watched her silently, his eyes gradually becoming misty...

Today, he was marrying Xia Qingyue, but he was very clear that she was not genuinely willing to marry him. If it weren’t for the agreement between his father, Xiao Ying, and Xia Qingyue’s father, Xia Hongyi, Xia Qingyue wouldn’t even bother to look at him. The only people who truly cared for him in this world were his grandfather, Xiao Lie, and his aunt, Xiao Lingxi.

When he was young, Xiao Lingxi would stick to Xiao Che like a piece of bubble gum. Wherever he went, she followed, and he couldn’t shake her off. If he didn’t see her for a moment, she would cry. When Xiao Che was confirmed to have damaged mystic veins at the age of ten, Xiao Lingxi seemed to grow up overnight. She knew the consequences of damaged mystic veins and the meaning of her “aunt” identity. She began to practice mystic power diligently to protect her nephew, Xiao Che, who would always be at the bottom of the Tianxuan Continent.

After experiencing 24 years of “a dream in Nankuo,” Xiao Che felt the luxury and preciousness of Xiao Lingxi’s kindness toward him.

Although Xia Qingyue would soon become his wife, she would remain like a cold moon in the sky, visible but untouchable.

If he could marry a girl like Xiao Lingxi, it would be a perfect thing... This thought uncontrollably appeared in Xiao Che’s mind.

The complicated wedding robe was finally tidied up, and Xiao Lingxi let out a small sigh of relief. She tiptoed and reached out to tidy up the slightly messy hair on Xiao Che’s forehead. As she tiptoed, her delicate, porcelain-like face was suddenly very close to Xiao Che’s. Her eyes and expression clearly showed the tenderness and weakness of a young girl, evoking a desire to protect and cherish. Her lips were slightly curved, looking soft and pink.

In a moment of impulse, Xiao Che’s head suddenly tilted down, and his lips lightly touched Xiao Lingxi’s soft lips...

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