"Fiancée..."
This was a distant concept for Xiao Yan.
In his previous life, he had been an older single man who had never even held a girl's hand, without a house or car, unable to afford marriage.
Never did he expect that after transmigrating to this Dou Qi Continent, living as a young master, experiencing the life of a genius, and even after becoming trash, he would still have such an outstanding fiancée.
"But, I'm not worthy of her."
If his talent were still intact, Xiao Yan felt it wouldn't be a problem. Even though the Nalan Family was stronger than the Xiao Family, he had confidence in elevating the Xiao Family to their level, or even surpassing them.
But now he was just trash, unqualified to be with such a heaven-favored daughter.
"Could they be here to break off the engagement?" Xiao Yan's heart skipped a beat, feeling stifled and angry.
On the Dou Qi Continent, for a man to have his engagement broken by the woman was a great humiliation.
Now that he had become trash, he truly wasn't worthy of her. Terminating the engagement was only natural, and he didn't dare hope for a toad to taste swan meat.
But if they came with great fanfare to break off the engagement, that would be trampling his face, Xiao Zhan's face, and the entire Xiao Family's honor into the ground.
"Wait!"
Xiao Yan, after all, had an adult's mindset, forced himself to calm down.
If the Nalan Family had come to break off the engagement, Xiao Zhan and the elders wouldn't all appear so happy.
He remembered that his grandfather had saved the old Nalan master's life. Even if they wanted to terminate the engagement, they wouldn't do it in such a face-slapping manner.
So, they definitely weren't here to break off the engagement.
See, aside from Nalan Yanran, most people didn't think in such extreme terms.
These thoughts took a while to describe, but flashed through Xiao Yan's mind in an instant.
Nalan Su, hearing Xiao Yan guess his identity, exchanged a glance with Xiao Zhan before speaking: "Hahaha, you guessed right, nephew. I am indeed your Uncle Nalan."
"It's been ten years since we last met. The little fellow I could once lift with one hand has now grown almost as tall as me, becoming a handsome young man."
Nalan Su's voice clearly carried goodwill. Xiao Yan subconsciously rubbed his nose, somewhat embarrassed as he said: "Uncle Nalan flatters me."
"Don't call me uncle. Given our families' relationship, you should call me uncle." Nalan Su pretended to be displeased.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan looked toward Xiao Zhan. Seeing the latter nod, he stood up and clasped his fists, calling out: "Uncle."
Gu Han picked up his teacup and took a sip.
If Xiao Yan could still become Yan Di in the future, Nalan Su's current performance alone would earn him a place in the Endless Fire Territory.
"Good." Nalan Su took out a box from his Storage Ring and said: "It's been so many years since we last met. As your uncle, I should give you a belated meeting gift. This is a bottle of Thousand-Year Stalactite Spirit Liquid. Please accept it."
Gasp!
Hearing the words "Thousand-Year Stalactite Spirit Liquid," many people present drew sharp breaths, while the Xiao Family juniors didn't bother to conceal their envious and jealous glances toward Xiao Yan.
As everyone knew, during the Dou Disciple stage, cultivators' meridians were too fragile to rely on external aids. Very few natural treasures or pills could provide auxiliary effects during self-cultivation.
But rare didn't mean nonexistent. Thousand-Year Stalactite Spirit Liquid was a third-grade natural treasure. Adding a few drops during bathing could accelerate cultivation to some extent.
Used sparingly, an entire bottle could help increase one level of Dou Disciple over about a month's time.
Nalan Su was being extremely generous.
"This!"
Xiao Yan's eyes also grew fervent, but reason kept him from acting, still using his gaze to seek Xiao Zhan's opinion.
Having been a waste for three years, he was afraid this item would be wasted if used on him.
"Brother Nalan, this gift is too precious." Xiao Zhan spoke up to decline on Xiao Yan's behalf.
"This is my meeting gift for my worthy nephew, Brother Xiao, don't interfere." Nalan Su waved his hand: "Besides, we'll be family soon. Yan Er should call me uncle, so what does this matter?"
Uncle!?
Xiao Yan had thought Nalan Su was just being generous with his earlier words, but the final statement left him utterly confused.
Wasn't Nalan Yanran Nalan Su's daughter, but his niece?
Or had the visitor not been Nalan Su, but Nalan Su's elder brother?
For a moment, Xiao Yan's mind became a tangled mess.
"Alright then, since you put it that way, I'll prepare meeting gifts for both Yanran and Yanyun nieces when the time comes." After careful consideration, Xiao Zhan chose to accept.
His words made Xiao Yan even more bewildered, unable to understand the current situation.
A subtle smile flashed in Gu Han's eyes as he set down his teacup and spoke: "Uncle Nalan, while the Sect Master and Young Sect Master believe marriage matters should follow matchmakers' arrangements to unite families, they also think we should respect the opinions of the two parties involved."
"Wouldn't it be better to have the Xiao Family's Third Young Master show Miss Nalan around the Xiao residence, so they can become familiar with each other?"
If Nalan Su and Xiao Zhan continued their conversation and brought up the matter of switching marriage partners in front of so many people, it was hard to say how things would develop.
While it might not lead to hatred and a three-year agreement, Xiao Yan might feel humiliated and find reasons to refuse.
Since Nalan Yanyun was willing to marry, it would be better to let her "persuade" Xiao Yan.
Even heroes find it hard to resist beautiful women, let alone the Yan Emperor who was currently regarded as trash by most of his family.
"An excellent suggestion." Seeing Gu Han speak up, Nalan Su naturally wouldn't refuse, turning to Xiao Zhan: "Brother Xiao, what do you think?"
"Worthy Nephew Gu makes a valid point." Xiao Zhan followed Nalan Su's form of address, nodding with a smile: "Although this marriage was arranged by our elders, we should still respect the young people's opinions."
"Yan Er, take your Nalan cousin for a tour."
Nalan Yanyun immediately stood up, performing a slight bow to Xiao Yan as she said softly: "Brother Xiao Yan, thank you for your trouble."
Her voice was gentle, sounding like a breeze brushing past one's ears.
Xiao Yan felt as if his bones had lightened by several ounces, his "old face" flushing red as he nodded almost involuntarily: "Alright, Cousin Nalan, please."
Under the envious gazes of the Xiao Family's younger generation, Xiao Yan led Nalan Yanran out of the main hall.
"A perfect match, like gold boy and jade girl." Nalan Su watched the departing young pair and said to Xiao Zhan: "Brother Xiao, don't you think?"
"I believe this will work out. I know my son well." Xiao Zhan picked up his teacup: "Brother Nalan, I think we can begin discussing engagement arrangements in advance, holding the wedding ceremony after the children come of age."
"Excellent, excellent." Nalan Su readily agreed.
The Nalan Family had long analyzed that Nalan Yanyun marrying Xiao Yan was the best scenario.
For Nalan Yanyun, she would have a husband she could manage, a powerful Dou Grand Master father-in-law to rely on, plus generous dowry and the Nalan Family's connections with the Cloud Mist Sect - ensuring a comfortable future.
For the Nalan Family, this would fulfill their obligation to the Xiao Family, while the Xiao Family would gain a reliable in-law family.
As for Xiao Yan, needless to say, having a capable and reliable wife would make his future life much easier.
Nalan Yanran could wholeheartedly devote herself to cultivation, striving to become a powerful expert.
The Cloud Mist Sect no longer needed to worry about their Young Sect Master's reputation being tarnished and affecting the sect.
"Everyone wins. I truly am a good person."
Gu Han, who had secretly facilitated all this, sighed with emotion.
If the Ancient Clan learned of his actions, they would surely feel grateful as well.
His gaze swept over Xun Er, and a trace of surprise flashed in Gu Han's eyes.
"She actually doesn't mind at all?"