Chapter 2

Chu Xingyun did not pay attention to Shui Qianyue. Instead, he turned his head to look at Shui Chongxian and said calmly, "Uncle Shui, the person I am proposing to is not Shui Qianyue, the eldest daughter of the Shui family, but Shui Liuxiang, the second daughter."

"What!" Shui Qianyue's pupils immediately constricted, and her voice became sharp, "You want to marry that lowborn Shui Liuxiang?"

The words echoed in the main hall, making the faces of the Shui family members present turn extremely ugly.

Especially Shui Chongxian, whose expression kept changing. First, it turned pale, then ashen, and finally red like a pig's liver, filled with both shame and anger.

The Shui family has only one daughter, and that is Shui Qianyue.

As for the Shui Liuxiang mentioned by Chu Xingyun, she was born to Shui Chongxian and a courtesan, with no legitimate status. In the Shui family, her position was even lower than that of a servant.

This time, Chu Xingyun's proposal had become known throughout the city, and everyone thought he was proposing to Shui Qianyue.

But in the end, he abandoned Shui Qianyue and chose Shui Liuxiang, who was even lower than a servant. Was he crazy?

Hearing Shui Qianyue's words, Chu Xingyun's expression turned grim, and he said coldly, "A person who arbitrarily breaks agreements and acts foolishly has no right to defame Liuxiang. In my eyes, you are like the difference between heaven and earth compared to her!"

*Slap!*

A sharp sound echoed, making everyone tremble.

Looking over, they saw a thin, frail girl standing outside the main hall door, wearing coarse clothes. She tightly covered her mouth, her eyes filled with tears.

"Liuxiang." The moment Chu Xingyun saw the girl, the coldness on his face disappeared, and there was a hint of emotion in his eyes, as if he had seen a long-lost lover.

He took a step forward, walked to Shui Liuxiang, and held her hand tightly. In his heart, he whispered, "Liuxiang, in this life, I will never let you leave me again!"

Seeing Chu Xingyun's devoted expression, Shui Qianyue clenched her fists tightly, her teeth grinding together!

For the past five or six years, Chu Xingyun had been madly pursuing her. This time, Shui Qianyue naturally thought Chu Xingyun was proposing to her.

But now, not only did Chu Xingyun propose to Shui Liuxiang, but he also showed such affection in front of everyone.

If this news spread, wouldn't outsiders secretly mock Shui Qianyue, saying she was even worse than a lowborn?

Shui Qianyue stared at Chu Xingyun with intense anger and laughed bitterly, "One is a Chu family waste, and the other is a Shui family lowborn. Truly a well-matched pair, made for each other."

As she spoke, Shui Qianyue said to Shui Chongxian, "Father, since someone is willing to fall so low, we can't refuse. Let's agree to it to avoid being threatened by promises."

"Chu Xingyun, do you really want to propose to Shui Liuxiang?" Shui Chongxian's tone was icy, and he didn't even look at Shui Liuxiang, showing no affection or regard for her.

"Of course!" Chu Xingyun immediately replied, "If the Shui family is willing to betroth Liuxiang to me, then the Shui family's debt to the Chu family will be completely forgiven, and we will be even."

"I'll say this upfront. If you marry Shui Liuxiang, she will no longer be a member of the Shui family. From now on, no matter what happens, the Shui family will not be responsible, and you will not receive any benefits." Shui Chongxian's tone was serious as he confirmed this.

"The Shui family is truly a prestigious family, always talking about benefits." Chu Xingyun sneered, full of disdain, "If I were to marry Shui Qianyue, what else could I gain besides wealth?"

"You... you!" Hearing these words, Shui Qianyue's face twisted. Chu Xingyun not only mocked the Shui family for being materialistic but also insulted her, saying she had no talent or virtue.

Seeing Shui Qianyue's teeth-grinding expression, Chu Xingyun's disdain grew, and he continued, "But by marrying Liuxiang, even though I can only have her, she is more important to me than anything else!"

Chu Xingyun proudly stood tall, his words firm, making Shui Liuxiang finally unable to hold back her tears, which streamed down her cheeks.

"Fine!" Shui Chongxian nodded heavily and announced, "Since you are so determined, from now on, Shui Liuxiang will be a member of the Chu family. From today, the Shui and Chu families will have no further ties!"

After saying this, Shui Chongxian suddenly turned, walked quickly to the table, wrote out the marriage contract, and threw it in front of Chu Xingyun.

"Sign it." Shui Chongxian said expressionlessly, but in his heart, he was filled with joy.

Shui Liuxiang's existence was insignificant to the Shui family.

He never expected that Chu Xingyun would personally come to propose to her and be willing to cancel the Chu family's debt to the Shui family.

This was a great surprise for the Shui family!

"What? Are you having second thoughts?" After a moment, seeing that Chu Xingyun made no move, Shui Chongxian became anxious and asked urgently.

Chu Xingyun shook his head and reached out to gently lift Shui Liuxiang's black hair, gazing at her delicate face.

In terms of appearance, Shui Liuxiang did not match Shui Qianyue.

But her eyes were filled with kindness and innocence, like a blooming lotus, refreshing and making one want to cherish and protect her wholeheartedly.

"Liuxiang, are you willing to marry me?" Chu Xingyun took a deep breath and spoke clearly, word by word.

"Brother Yun..." Shui Liuxiang's body trembled, and the tears she had barely stopped began to flow again.

When she was very young, her mother died of illness, and she lived a lonely and miserable life.

Later, when she was taken in by the Shui family, her situation did not improve. Instead, she suffered greatly, living a life even worse than a servant, with no status.

During those days, only Chu Xingyun treated her well, silently protecting her.

She remembered everything, and she had even naively dreamed of becoming Chu Xingyun's wife one day.

Today, that dream came true.

Chu Xingyun proposed to her in front of everyone!

"I am willing!" Shui Liuxiang nodded slightly, and as soon as she finished speaking, Chu Xingyun picked her up, overjoyed and shouting with delight.

Seeing Chu Xingyun's ecstatic expression, Shui Qianyue felt a sour feeling in her heart and mocked, "Truly, fish find fish, shrimp find shrimp, and toads find frogs."

Her words were extremely harsh, making Chu Xingyun pause, his eyes narrowing coldly. He said coldly, "I advise you not to be too arrogant and not to speak too confidently."

Raising a finger, Chu Xingyun said decisively, "In one year, the five major martial academies of the empire will hold a public selection. At that time, I will show you who the real toad is!"

"One year?"

Shui Qianyue raised her chin arrogantly and said with disdain, "Not just one year, even in ten or a hundred years, you will never match me. You will always be crouching in a dark, smelly ditch, forever looking up at me."

"Is that so?" Chu Xingyun did not continue arguing. He coldly surveyed the room, remembering all the mocking expressions of the Shui family members. Then, he turned and left the Shui family with Shui Liuxiang.

His steps were firm, without any hesitation.

Because he knew that time would prove everything!