Shang Yafang went straight to her father, Shang Yuanlan.
Shang Yuanlan saw the wide smile on Shang Yafang’s face. Before she could say anything, he smiled genially and said, “Little girl, why are you so happy? Have you found your father a son-in-law? That’s why you’re in such a good mood?”
Shang Yafang blushed and said, “What nonsense are you saying, Father? Big Brother Shaoyun is big brother’s friend. I was only bringing him back to wait for big brother.”
She knew that few things in the clan could be kept from her father. Someone had long reported to her father about the man she had brought home.
“Shaoyun? Xiang Shaoyun?” Shang Yuanlan asked in astonishment.
“Yes, him,” Shang Yafang replied.
“That doesn’t make sense. Your brother left with some men to help him up, so why is he here alone?” Shang Yuanlan muttered doubtfully. “Bring him to me.”
“Yes, Father,” Shang Yafang agreed, not daring to question her father.
But before she could leave, Shang Yuanlan stopped her. “Wait.”
“Is there anything else, Father?” Shang Yafang asked.
“You’re already 19. It’s time you found yourself a husband,” Shang Yuanlan brought up a completely random topic.
Shang Yafang’s face turned unsightly as she said, “Father, are you chasing me out of the clan?”
The moment the words left her mouth, tears trailed down her cheeks, making her look incredibly pitiful.
Shang Yuanlan did not see that coming. He quickly explained, “What? So you don’t like Xiang Shaoyun? Fine, forget it then. Just pretend I hadn’t said anything.”
Shang Yuanlan had heard of Xiang Shaoyun’s freakish physique from his son. Coincidentally, his daughter had suddenly brought that freak back home. He had assumed that his daughter had actually taken a liking to Xiang Shaoyun. It would seem like he had been making his conclusion too early.
Shang Yafang stopped tearing and asked, “Father, y-you’re going to match me with Xiang Shaoyun?”
“Hehe, that was the plan. I heard from your big brother that Xiang Shaoyun is an outstanding young man. But since my daughter doesn’t like him, for you, I won’t,” said Shang Yuanlan.
A bashful look covered Shang Yafang’s face as she said softly, “Father, i-if it’s him, I c-can give it a try.”
By the time she finished her sentence, her face had turned completely red, and she no longer dared to meet her father’s eyes.
When Shang Yuanlan saw his daughter’s expression, he laughed heartily and said, “Haha, very well. Bring him to me. Let me see just what’s so special about this kid to be able to attract even my daughter.”
At that, Shang Yafang jogged away, her heart thumping heavily with embarrassment as she thought to herself, What is wrong with me today? Have I gone mad?
After calming herself down, she returned to Xiang Shaoyun’s guest house. She found that Xiang Shaoyun had already taken a bath and was dressed in a new clean outfit. Looking at the clean and smart Xiang Shaoyun exuding a graceful temperament, she could almost picture a halo hovering around him. She stared at him in a daze.
His long hair drifted about freely, his person radiating confidence and a carefree bearing. His eyes were bright, and his perfectly proportionate figure seemed to contain boundless power, making him look incredibly noble and handsome. He was the kind of man that women of all ages would love.
“Why? Is there something on my face?” asked Xiang Shaoyun as he rubbed his face.
Only then did Shang Yafang recover from her daze. Too shy to meet his eyes, she said, “My father is inviting you over.”
“Sure. That’s what I have in mind as well,” answered Xiang Shaoyun. He then left with Shang Yafang.
Along the way, Shang Yafang grew more and more nervous until she finally said, “Whatever my father is going to say later, please don’t take him seriously.”
Xiang Shaoyun had no idea what she was talking about, so he nodded. “Alright.”
Soon, they reached Shang Yuanlan’s place, and Shang Yuanlan was personally waiting at the door. The sight shocked many Shang Clan members, piquing their curiosity as to who Xiang Shaoyun was. After all, he was a young man whom their future patriarch was personally receiving.
“This must be young Xiang Shaoyun. You are indeed an outstanding individual. I am Shang Yuanlan, Shang Jifeng’s father,” greeted Shang Yuanlan the moment he saw Xiang Shaoyun.
Somewhat shocked by the politeness, Xiang Shaoyun quickly offered a salute and said, “This kid is Xiang Shaoyun. Sorry for keeping you waiting, uncle.”
“Haha, I am the host, and you are the guest. There is nothing to be sorry about. Come, let’s have a talk. I heard that Shang Jifeng had gotten himself a boss. He has the utmost respect for you, you know?” said Shang Yuanlan with a chortle.
The amount of politeness Shang Yuanlan was showing a junior displayed his strong frame of mind, and it earned Xiang Shaoyun’s respect.
After entering the building, Xiang Shaoyun said, “Jifeng has been too polite. It’s just some minor conflicts between us fellow disciples of the academy. You don’t have to take the stories too seriously, uncle. By the way, Jifeng should have talked to you about the trouble I was in, right?”
“Yes. I was just about to ask why you two didn’t come back together,” asked Shang Yuanlan with a nod.
An awkward look covered Xiang Shaoyun’s face as he answered, “I didn’t manage to wait until he was there. Something changed, so I was forced to make a move first. I was then forced to leave Nisha Range, so I might have missed Shang Jifeng’s group. That is why I came straight here, so he wouldn’t get too worried about me.”
“I see. Well, just stay here for a couple of days. Get Yafang to show you around,” said Shang Yuanlan. “Young Shaoyun, are you married?”
The completely random question caught Xiang Shaoyun by surprise. He answered honestly, “No.”
He then recalled something and wanted to make it clear that he already had someone he liked, but Shang Yuanlan laughed and said, “I see. You are still young, so it’s right to focus on cultivation first and not waste too much time on romance.”
Xiang Shaoyun said, “You’re right.”
Shang Yuanlan immediately said, “However, cultivating without a partner can be very dry. Also, the selection of a partner is very important. Not only does the partner need to have good looks, the partner also needs sufficient talent in cultivation. Only then can a couple be happy together. Am I right?”
Xiang Shaoyun still couldn’t understand what Shang Yuanlan was getting at, so he nodded blankly.
“Um. You’re a really smart young man,” praised Shang Yuanlan. “The Shang Clan is one of the top clans of the Eastern Pass, while my Yafang is good looking, gentle, and refined. If it wasn’t because she is still too young, she would have joined the academy with you guys as well. Therefore, when looking for a partner, someone like her should be your choice.”
