Chapter 143 – Violent Useless vs. Delicate Cat (23)
But the person in his arms shook his head with a smile, saying, “I know, but I still wanted to quickly raise your soul power above the seventh level. You know that soul power practitioners at the seventh level or higher have extended lifespans.
Yan Yang, a human life is too short. A few decades aren’t nearly enough for me—I want to be with you for a long, long time. If possible, not just this lifetime; I’ll find you in the next one and the one after that, and we’ll live those lifetimes together, too.”
Hearing Mu Jin’s words, Yan Yang felt like his heart was being boiled in hot water. Seeing the resolve and determination in Mu Jin’s eyes, the last remnants of worry and doubt in his heart vanished.
This person really loved him. He worked so hard to help him, to increase his strength, just to ensure he could stay by his side for a little longer.
Although Yan Yang had been bothered by Mu Jin’s deception, if it stemmed from a fear of losing him, he could understand. After all, the person in his arms hadn’t harmed anyone; on the contrary, he had always been helping and protecting him, silently supporting his growth.
To be loved by someone like this was a blessing. Yan Yang lowered his head and kissed his lover’s lips again. He didn’t intend to do much more; he just wanted to express his emotions through this sweet kiss.
Mu Jin was planning to accompany Yan Yang home, knowing he still had school and things at the Yan family to take care of. However, Yan Yang, concerned for Mu Jin’s health, insisted he stay home and rest for another day.
After all, he was just a minor figure in the Yan family. Getting scolded by Yan Zhengqing upon returning home was nothing compared to caring for his lover.
Mu Jin nodded at Yan Yang’s words and had someone call the school to request an extra day off. It wasn’t until the following evening that he transformed into a cat and returned to the Yan family’s house with Yan Yang.
However, once home, Yan Yang found it odd that Yan Zhengqing didn’t immediately scold or hit him upon seeing him.
Usually, Yan Zhengqing would look for any chance to take his anger out on him. Even though Yan Yang was insignificant in his eyes, if he was away for two days, someone would report it, and Yan Zhengqing would react. So why was it so quiet now?
While he was pondering this, Yan Zhengqing spoke in a dissatisfied tone, “Next time there’s a school event and you need to leave, come home and ask for permission in person. Don’t always make your older brother pass on messages for you.”
Yan Yang, hearing this, glanced at Yan Xiao, who looked as calm and gentle as always, and instantly understood that he had covered for him.
Since Mu Jin had come into Yan Yang’s life, he had subtly influenced his outlook, encouraging him to view those around him more objectively. Because of Mu Jin’s guidance, Yan Yang had become less obsessive in his thinking.
With a more balanced mindset, he realized that Yan Xiao might not be as bad as he had thought. Yan Xiao never mocked him, and, in fact, had been the most decent member of the Yan family. Now he had covered for him once again.
Yan Yang pursed his lips and nodded at Yan Xiao, saying, “Thank you, big brother.”
Yan Xiao, surprised to hear Yan Yang greeting him first, was pleasantly surprised and smiled warmly.
A few days ago, Yan Xiao heard that Yan Zhengqing was upset that Yan Yang hadn’t returned home, so he casually made excuses for him. He thought it was better to bring him back quickly, or Yan Zhengqing might punish Yan Yang.
When he went to the school to inquire, he learned that Yan Yang had taken a leave of absence, presumably with Mu Jin. Since Mu Jin had called the school, it was clear they were together. Knowing Yan Yang would return in a few days, Yan Xiao made up a story to cover for him with Yan Zhengqing.
However, after Yan Zhengqing left, Yan Yang noticed that the entire hall was unusually quiet. Yan Lexin, who was usually lively, was silent, and even Yan Xiao looked tense.
Normally, Yan Yang wouldn’t get involved in others’ affairs, but given their recent help, he felt compelled to ask, “Did something happen?”
To his surprise, as soon as he spoke, Yan Lexin covered her face and began to cry.
Yan Xiao quickly moved to comfort her, then walked over to Yan Yang and whispered, “Father wants to arrange an engagement for Lexin.”
“An engagement? With whom?” Yan Yang was astonished. In his mind, Yan Lexin was just a young girl. How could she be engaged already?
Yan Xiao knew what was going on. Although Yan Zhengqing seemed to treat Yan Lexin well, he saw her as a chess piece to gain greater benefits through arranged marriages with other noble families. Yan Yang, feeling a bit lost, needed further explanation.
Yan Xiao knew how much Yan Zhengqing had calculated these things. Although Yan Zhengqing appeared to care about Yan Lexin, he was only using her as a pawn. Yan Xiao tried to explain this to Yan Yang as best he could, given his limited understanding of the situation.
At that moment, Yan Lexin was overwhelmed with sorrow. She never expected her father, who always seemed so fond of her, to be so harsh about this matter. No matter how much she cried or threw tantrums, he was determined to force her into a marriage alliance. To make matters worse, the person she was to be married off to was the head of the Bai family.
The head of the Bai family was already over forty, and his wife had passed away early on. Although he was powerful, he was known for his unattractive appearance and notorious reputation for being a philanderer. Yan Lexin would undoubtedly have a miserable life if she married him.
But Yan Zhengqing showed no concern for her feelings. Initially, Yan Lexin thought her mother might be able to plead on her behalf, but when her mother tried, Yan Zhengqing scolded her harshly, saying that raising Yan Lexin was solely for her to be useful in this way.
Yan Lexin overheard these words and was utterly disheartened. Her mother, being timid by nature, could only hold her and cry, leaving the girl feeling utterly hopeless.
Yan Yang noticed the helplessness in Yan Lexin’s eyes and felt he couldn’t just stand by. Over the years, he had long seen through what kind of person Yan Zhengqing truly was—a cold-hearted man who had little genuine affection for his children.
So he firmly stood in front of Yan Lexin, harshly saying, “If you don’t want to get married, then don’t. I’ll help you escape. We’ll leave the Yan family.”
Yan Lexin’s eyes widened in shock. She never expected such words to come from Yan Yang. Even her eldest brother, who had been comforting her, hadn’t proposed a concrete solution, but Yan Yang was willing to take risks to help her.
Whether they could pull it off or not, Yan Lexin was deeply moved by Yan Yang’s words. After a long pause, she called him, “Second Brother.”
Yan Xiao, who hadn’t received the same support from the Mu family in this life, had less power in the Yan family. Even though he tried to plead on Yan Lexin’s behalf, Yan Zhengqing didn’t listen.
Hearing what Yan Yang said, Yan Xiao thought it might be the only way out of a desperate situation. He quickly surveyed the area and shushed Yan Yang, then led him and Yan Lexin to a secluded spot in the garden to discuss the matter further.
Meanwhile, Mu Jin, quietly tucked in Yan Yang’s bag, had heard their conversation. He thought he could help with this. Though he didn’t plan to reveal his identity as the head of the Mu family just yet, it would be easy for him to arrange things for Yan Lexin.
So after Yan Yang returned to his room, saying he had some things to take care of and would be back shortly, Mu Jin just nodded.
But as soon as the three siblings found a secluded spot in the garden to discuss, Mu Jin transformed into his human form and joined them.
Yan Lexin and Yan Xiao were surprised to see Mu Jin appear out of nowhere. Yan Lexin knew him, but Yan Xiao only knew him by name. Seeing Mu Jin, Yan Xiao became guarded and asked, “Who are you?”
The other boy, with his delicate features, quickly stepped forward and linked arms with Yan Yang, smiling as he said, “Big Brother, nice to meet you. I’m Yan Yang’s partner.”
Yan Yang blushed at Mu Jin’s words and nodded at Yan Xiao.
Yan Xiao paused for a moment, then asked, “You’re Mu Jin?”
Mu Jin politely smiled at Yan Xiao as a response. Yan Xiao was about to ask how he got in, but when he realized he couldn’t sense Mu Jin’s soul power despite being at the sixth level, he held his tongue.
If he couldn’t detect Mu Jin’s soul power, it meant it was at least at the eighth level, making him one of the strongest on the continent. It would be easy for someone like him to enter the Yan family compound undetected.
He never expected a powerful soul power practitioner like Mu Jin to fall for Yan Yang. Seeing the affection in Mu Jin’s eyes when he looked at Yan Yang, Yan Xiao couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy.
Mu Jin then said, “I heard what you were discussing, and I think I can help with your sister’s situation.”
Yan Lexin was surprised at Mu Jin’s offer to help, while Yan Yang felt grateful. He knew Mu Jin’s true identity, and if he arranged things, they wouldn’t have to worry. The Mu family could easily secure and protect Yan Lexin.
The next day, Yan Lexin went to school but never returned to the Yan family. Yan Zhengqing was furious about her disappearance, but no matter how many people he sent or how hard he tried, he couldn’t find any trace of her.
Meanwhile, Yan Lexin was comfortably staying at the Mu family’s estate, with Mu Jin assuring her that the situation would be resolved soon, and she could choose whether or not to return to the Yan family.
Mu Jin was surprised to find that even though Yan Lexin had to flee from home, she still remembered to tell Yan Yang how to have the butler buy small dried fish.
She explained that since she was no longer around, Yan Yang might have difficulty getting the Yan family’s servants to fetch things for him, so she asked Mu Jin to arrange for someone to buy the dried fish for his cat.
Mu Jin and Yan Yang found it amusing. How could this girl still think about feeding a cat even at a time like this?
Yan Zhengqing, despite his efforts to find Yan Lexin, soon had more pressing concerns. In a few days, the major competition among the various soul power families would begin, requiring his attention.
What a trash sperm donor