What a kind brother…
"It's okay," Ye Chen said gently, seeing the guilt in her eyes. "This isn't your fault."
He truly didn't blame her.
If anything, he blamed the old head of the Nalan family for arranging such an engagement without considering her feelings.
Besides, if he had cared about her past, why would he have accepted her love?
A marriage contract? That's nothing.
Even if they were already married, I wouldn't mind.
He didn't see himself as a villain stealing someone else's fiancée.
They loved each other, and it was mutual. Nothing was forced.
"Brother, don't worry. I'll break off the engagement with him as soon as possible," Yanran promised anxiously, afraid that the issue might still bother him.
Ye Chen thought for a moment, then said seriously, "No let me go instead. I don't feel right letting you, a girl, handle this alone."
In the original story of this world, Nalan Yanran's public way of breaking the engagement had humiliated Xiao Yan and turned him into an enemy.
Ye Chen didn't want that to happen again.
He didn't want to make an enemy of the "main character" of this world.
Even with a powerful system on his side, he believed there was no need to create unnecessary trouble.
After all, he and Xiao Yan were both people who came from another world fellow travelers.
Ye Chen just wanted to live peacefully, get stronger through his system, and enjoy life.
But now that he had "taken" Xiao Yan's fiancée, it would be hard to avoid conflict entirely.
That's why he decided to break the engagement gently, hoping to avoid drawing too much hatred.
"I'll go to the Xiao family in Wutan City myself," he said. "I'll make sure it's handled properly."
"Mm," Yanran nodded, eyes sparkling with happiness. Her brother was so thoughtful it made her heart feel full.
Still, she asked nervously, "But… what if that guy refuses to break it off?"
Ye Chen smiled confidently. "Don't worry. I'll handle it. Just wait for my good news."
"Brother… you're the best!"
Unable to hold back her feelings anymore, Yanran leaned into Ye Chen's arms.
He gently held her by the waist, his tone warm yet full of strength.
"Yanran, you're already my woman. Your problems are my problems now."
"No matter what happens, I'll stand by your side always."
At that moment, Nalan Yanran felt completely wrapped in love.
The Next Morning
Ye Chen reluctantly got out of bed, leaving the warmth of Nalan Yanran behind.
He didn't want to be late Master Yun Yun had always been strict about discipline.
He made his way to the back mountain, stepping into a quiet forest.
Sure enough, Yun Yun was already waiting.
"Teacher," Ye Chen greeted respectfully as he walked up to her.
Yun Yun stood gracefully in her flowing white robe. Her long black hair was tied in a phoenix-shaped bun, and her presence was elegant and noble like a mountain spring, calm and clear.
Even with her usual cold expression, she had a beauty that stirred the heart.
Master looks even more beautiful today… Ye Chen thought silently.
Yun Yun gave him a calm glance. "Let's begin."
"Yes, Teacher."
Ye Chen summoned his spear from his ring and began to demonstrate.
He was practicing a high-level Xuan-rank technique: Thunderbolt Spear Style.
With a sharp whoosh, the spear moved like lightning in his hands, creating thunderous echoes in the air.
The weapon blurred as he moved, every strike fast and fierce yet smooth and controlled.
Yun Yun watched closely, her eyes calm.
"Not bad. Your skill has clearly improved since last time," she said after a moment.
Though she didn't use a spear herself, as a powerful Dou Huang expert, she could easily guide a Dou Zhe at his level.
She gave a few more pointers, then nodded.
"You may go."
Ye Chen bowed again before turning to leave.
But as he walked away, he couldn't help glancing back at her.
Master is really something else…
No wonder so many people admire her…
The moon hung high over Yunlan Sect, its silver light quietly spilling over the rooftops like a veil of silk. The mountains were silent, save for the occasional rustle of leaves stirred by the evening breeze.
Ye Chen stood beneath a pine tree near the edge of the female disciples' courtyard, hidden in the shadows. His heartbeat was steady, but his eyes showed a rare trace of nervousness.
He shouldn't be here.
This part of the sect was off-limits to male disciples. If anyone caught him, even with his status, there would be consequences.
But he didn't care.
Not tonight.
From a second-floor window, a small lantern flickered gently.
That was the signal.
A moment later, the window creaked open, and a familiar figure leaned out Nalan Yanran. Her long hair was unbound, falling like silk over her shoulders. She wore a light robe, pale blue, fluttering slightly in the wind.
Her eyes met his in the dark.
She smiled.
Moments later, she had slipped out quietly, barefoot on the grass, and ran into his arms like water finding its river.
"Brother… you came," she whispered.
Ye Chen held her tightly, breathing in the soft fragrance of her hair. "I said I would, didn't I?"
"But… what if someone sees us?" she murmured, voice trembling with excitement more than fear.
"They won't," he said simply. "And even if they do, I'll take the blame."
Nalan Yanran didn't answer. Instead, she reached for his hand, her fingers trembling slightly as she led him back through the quiet courtyard. This time, she didn't hesitate.
Inside her room, the lantern cast a warm golden light.
Everything was as it had been the first time except now, the shyness in her eyes had been replaced by something else.
Trust.
Desire.
Love.
She turned to face him, fingers reaching up to touch the collar of his robe. "You were gentle last time…"
Ye Chen smiled faintly, brushing her cheek with his knuckles. "I'll always be gentle with you."