Chapter 71: I Will Come Back After I Cancel the Engagement
"Um."
The girl nodded slightly.
"I am Nalan Yanran."
Yun Xiu looked at her for a few seconds before saying, "You are very cute."
"Are you complimenting me?"
When Nalan Yanran heard Yun Xiu's words, she smiled slightly.
"Um," Yun Xiu nodded. "I guess so."
Immediately, Yun Xiu changed the subject and said, "You want me to save you. As far as I know, Nalan Su is your father. Are you sure he will harm you? Why do you need my help?"
When Nalan Su heard this, he quickly responded, "Senior is right. She is my daughter. I only have one daughter like her. How could I harm her?"
"No!"
Nalan Yanran retorted loudly, "You are lying."
"Yanran, I am your father. Do you have to speak to me like that? Come here quickly," Nalan Su said, his expression darkening.
Nalan Su understood that they had encountered a powerful individual this time, and he was afraid his daughter would say something wrong, putting everyone in danger.
The continent is extremely dangerous; how could a young girl like her understand the law of the world?
Though Nalan Yanran had read about danger in books, she hadn't experienced it firsthand.
Thus, Nalan Su didn't want his precious daughter to encounter the harsh realities of the world.
When Nalan Yanran saw her father's expression, she felt a little scared but still shook her head firmly.
"No, I won't come unless you promise me to go to the Xiao family and break off the engagement. I don't like being controlled. I have my own say in my marriage."
"If you agree, I will come over."
As she spoke, Nalan Yanran started crying, her tears flowing in a way that touched everyone's hearts.
Who could argue with her? She was just a girl—a young, innocent child.
Her crying made those who cared for her feel deeply distressed.
At least, for Nalan Su, his heart broke completely seeing her cry like that.
He understood that his beloved daughter deeply resented the idea of having a fiancé with a formal engagement.
She had always wanted the engagement canceled, desiring the freedom to choose her own happiness.
Although she was young, she had her own thoughts and disliked being controlled—especially in matters affecting her future happiness.
However, this marriage was arranged by the family patriarch. Nalan Su had no say in it. Breaking off the engagement would be akin to slapping the Xiao family in the face—a disgraceful act the patriarch would never agree to.
Thus, he was caught in a difficult position.
"Yanran, you know this was decided by your grandfather. Your father cannot change his decision," Nalan Su said helplessly.
"Come here, and let's go back to discuss this with your grandfather. We can talk about canceling the engagement, all right?"
"I don't..."
Nalan Yanran cried loudly, her tears streaming down her face. She sobbed pitifully, "I won't go back. If I do, Grandpa will lock me in a small dark room and make me reflect on myself."
"If none of you care about me, I will go to the Xiao family myself to cancel the engagement. I will decide my own marriage."
Turning her tear-streaked face toward Yun Xiu, she said, "Hero, please save me."
"What an interesting girl," Yun Xiu murmured with a smile.
After listening, Yun Xiu roughly understood the situation.
It seemed Nalan Yanran had been resisting the engagement since she learned about it. She wanted her family to cancel the marriage, but they refused.
In frustration, the young girl ran away but was eventually caught.
At first, Yun Xiu thought she was in danger and tried to help. However, it turned out to be a misunderstanding.
Now, the little girl seemed to rely on him as her savior.
Yun Xiu asked, "How do you want me to save you?"
"Take me away and drop me off at a place where my father and the others can't find me," Nalan Yanran said quickly, wiping her tears.
"Senior, she was only joking. Please don't take it seriously," Nalan Su said hurriedly, his tone panicked.
He understood that if Nalan Yanran left with this man in white, he might never see her again.
"Yanran, come back. If canceling the engagement is what you want, I promise you. Now, please come here," Nalan Su pleaded desperately.
"I don't believe you," Nalan Yanran said firmly, shaking her head.
"Come here, Yanran. This time your father really isn't lying," Nalan Su said, his tone gentle.
For once, he wasn't lying—at least not this time.
"This..."
Nalan Yanran hesitated.
Finally, she raised her foot, preparing to walk toward her father.
But just then, Yun Xiu spoke calmly, "Girl, my destination is the Xiao family in Wutan City. If you wish, I can take you there."
"Really?"
Nalan Yanran looked up at Yun Xiu with surprise.
"Of course," Yun Xiu nodded slightly. "What do you say, girl?"
"Yanran."
When Nalan Su heard this, he panicked. He wanted to scold Yun Xiu for meddling, but considering the man's sixth-level magical beast as a mount, he held back.
Nalan Yanran glanced at her father, then at Yun Xiu, who was dressed in white as pure as snow, his long black hair cascading down his back.
After a brief hesitation, Nalan Yanran made her choice.
"I will go with you," she said crisply.
"Good."
Yun Xiu nodded, raising his hand. The little girl floated into the air, landing gently on the horse's back in front of him.
"Yanran, you..."
Nalan Su panicked as his daughter chose to leave.
But what could he do? He was only a Dou Ling, far weaker than Yun Xiu. Even Yun Xiu's mount could crush him with a single hoof.
Nalan Yanran noticed her father's worry and said, "Don't worry, Father. I'll be fine. I'll come back after I cancel the engagement."