Ning Aoxue let out a light laugh, her gaze falling on the disheveled and humiliated Yan Yuntian. âLooks like youâve got no objections to annulling the engagement now, do you?â
At her words, Yan Yuntian fell silent.
What can he say? He couldnât win in a fight, and if he kept running his mouth, heâd only invite more humiliation. So in the end, he chose silence.
Ning Aoxue was in high spirits. Now that she regained her freedom, even the air she breathed felt fresher and sweeter than usual.
âI suddenly feel inspired again. Forget the tea. Iâd rather continue painting.â Wang Haoran stood up as he spoke.
The show was over, after all, and there was no reason to remain in the living room.
âIâll go with you,â Feng Xuansu replied instantly, her tone soft and obedient. Toward her husband, she was always yielding, never hesitating to follow.
âI have some interest in painting too. I wonder⊠would I be honored enough to watch from the side?â Ning Aoxue stepped forward, her eyes bright as she asked with a teasing smile.
âNo,â Feng Xuansu answered first, cutting in before Wang Haoran could speak.
âWho are you to speak for him?â Ning Aoxue frowned.
âIâm his⊠his friend,â Feng Xuansu stammered, nearly slipping again.
âSo just a friend? Then arenât you being a little too controlling?â Ning Aoxueâs tone remained calm, but the barb was unmistakable.
Wang Haoran sensed the tension and quickly stepped in to mediate.
âLetâs not argue. Itâs just a minor matter. No need to get heated over it.â
Hearing this, Feng Xuansu immediately withdrew her sharp gaze. Not wanting to disturb her husbandâs creative mood, she turned into the picture of a gentle, demure wife and replied sweetly, âOkay, I wonât argue with her.â
Ning Aoxue turned back to Wang Haoran. âThen⊠may I come along and take a look?â
âIf you want to, then come.â He gave a casual nod, unconcerned.
With that, he began walking ahead. Feng Xuansu quickly caught up and took her place at his side. Not wanting to fall behind, Ning Aoxue also hurried forward, walking beside him on the other side.
And so, with a beauty on his left and another on his right, Wang Haoran strolled through the old estate toward a quiet corner.
ăDing! The Host has caused damage to Protagonist Yan Yuntianâs mental state. Gained 800 Villain Points. Yan Yuntianâs Protagonist Halo -40. Hostâs Villain Halo +40!ă
Crack.
A brick beneath Yan Yuntianâs palm was crushed into dust.
The woman he had long admired, and the fiancĂ©e he had just annulled the engagement with, both now vied for another manâs attention right before his eyes. How could he possibly stay calm?
Back in the secluded part of the estate where heâd painted earlier, Wang Haoran resumed his performance, pretending to be immersed in his art.
Ning Aoxue and Feng Xuansu stood quietly behind him, not daring to make a sound for fear of disturbing his creative flow.
Halfway through his sketch, Wang Haoran felt his phone vibrate. Citing the call of nature as an excuse, he left the two womenâs field of vision.
Not far away, he encountered Yu Ning.
âSheâs awake,â Yu Ning reported softly.
âLead the way.â Wang Haoran couldnât waste timeâafter all, the other two women were still waiting.
Yu Ning nodded and led him to a bedroom.
Inside, a beautiful woman stood before a mirror, gently smoothing out her long hair that had become tousled during her sleep.
Hearing a movement, Yun Xuan turned her head. She glanced briefly at Yu Ning, then her eyes fell upon the man beside her.
And in that moment, she couldnât look away.
ăDing! Host used Charm Halo on supporting female Yun Xuan. Favorability increased to maximum.ă
Several minutes later, Wang Haoran quietly left the room.
âYu Ning⊠who⊠who is he?â Yun Xuan stood at the doorway, watching his retreating figure with a dazed expression, her voice low and dreamy as she asked her close friend.
Yu Ning smiled, then leaned in to whisper softly.
Wang Haoran returned to where he had been painting.
âIâm suddenly feeling a little tired. Letâs call it a day.â His objective was already achieved, so there was no reason to linger.
âIâll help you pack up,â Feng Xuansu offered with a gentle smile, crouching to gather his brushes and tools.
âIâll help too,â Ning Aoxue said eagerly.
Wang Haoran simply stood aside, not needing to lift a finger.
Once everything was packed, the three of them walked out of the estate together.
âHaoran, I know Yan Yuntianâs temperament far too well. Now that someone has made him look bad, I fear heâll bear a grudge and try to take it out on you. Let me stay by your side for the time being.â
As she spoke, Feng Xuansu cast a displeased glance at Ning Aoxue and turned to Wang Haoran, her tone filled with worry.
Hearing this, Ning Aoxue was secretly puzzled.
She fought Wang Haoran the night before and was still nowhere near his level. Yan Yuntian had no right to stir trouble. Clearly, Feng Xuansu believed Wang Haoran was just an ordinary man.
The thought made Ning Aoxue recall what Jiang Gaoxuan once said about Wang Haoran, that he was extremely low-key and avoided showing his strength in public.
So, Feng Xuans,u being unaware of his true power was entirely reasonable.
Having considered that, Ning Aoxue decided not to reveal his capabilities.
âItâs not necessary. Miss Ning and I are completely innocentânothing happened between us. Yan Yuntian just misunderstood. You should go explain things to him,â Wang Haoran said, hoping to avoid being followed around constantly.
âIt wonât work. Yan Yuntian is too self-centered. Even if you explained, he wouldnât listen. Thatâs why I must protect you. Otherwise, I wonât be able to sleep in peace,â Feng Xuansu insisted.
âThis matter was my fault. I should be the one protecting him,â Ning Aoxue interjected. She didnât like how close Feng Xuansu was getting and took the chance to insert herself.
âItâs broad daylight. Yan Yuntian wouldnât dare try anything. You both donât need to worryânothing will happen,â Wang Haoran replied, shaking his head.
âBut what about at night? Under the cover of darkness, itâd be far too easy for someone like Yan Yuntian to make a move. I must protect you,â Feng Xuansuâs tone left no room for compromise.
Wang Haoran felt a headache coming on. After some thought, he sighed and compromised. âHow about thisâduring the day, Iâll be in public places where he wonât dare act. So no need to follow me then. But at night⊠you can watch over me as you see fit.â
âFine,â Feng Xuansu finally agreed, albeit reluctantly. Then, with a serious look, she added, âYour villa is pretty spacious. Iâll move in for a while. That way, itâs more convenient for me to protect you.â
âIf itâs that big, then there should be room for me too,â Ning Aoxue chimed in smoothly.
âIâm more than enough to protect him. No need for you to bother,â Feng Xuansu replied coldly.
âIf Iâm not mistaken, your Internal Energy cultivation isnât as strong as Yan Yuntianâs. If he really wanted to make a move, you wouldnât be able to stop him. But I can.â
Though Ning Aoxue didnât expose Wang Haoranâs true strength, her words struck with reason and precision.
Feng Xuansu was briefly stunned. Out of concern for Wang Haoran, even though she disliked Ning Aoxue, she couldnât argue back.
Seeing the two women fall into a strange sort of truce, Wang Haoran felt both annoyed and⊠inexplicably expectant.
After all, that villa had always been his quiet little haven. Visitors came and went, but no one ever stayed long. Most of the time, the place was silent and empty.
Now, it would house not one, not two, but three residents.
It was about to get lively.