Chapter 424: Don’t Call Me Brother

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation  Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“Do you want to go?” Huangfu Ruling didn’t seem particularly surprised and nodded. “In that case, I’ll arrange for you to come along when the time comes. You can join as a disciple of the Huangfu family.”

“Speaking of which, 1 1 m quite curious,” Ye Lengan gazed steadily at Huangfu Ruiling, speaking with a hint of confusion, “What kind of position do you hold within the Hidden World’s Huangfu family?”

It was clear that being able to secure her a spot so easily indicated that the Huangfu family held significant influence in the Hidden World. However, another point was apparent. She didn’t think Huangfu Ruiling was someone who would willingly submit to others.

“l am the head of the Huangfu family,” Huangfu Ruiling stated without any concealment when addressing Ye Lengan. “However, this matter is known only to a few elders within the Hidden World’s Huangfu family; others are not aware of it.’

“The head?” Ye Leng’an was taken aback upon hearing this. “You’re so young, yet you’ve become the head? Didn’t anyone object to it?”

Her intention was not to belittle Huangfu Ruiling but rather to express her surprise at the absence of opposition from the older generation. While Huangfu Ruiling was undoubtedly powerful, his youth should have been a point of contention. It was only natural for some resistance to arise.

“Strength commands respect,” Huangfu Ruiling responded casually, seemingly indifferent to the issue. “As long as one possesses sufficient strength, objections cease to matter. Those who did object couldn’t possibly continue holding positions as elders.”

He might not be a tyrant, but he wasn’t inclined to tolerate those who opposed him at every turn. It wasn’t about enjoying the suffering of others; there was no need to make life difficult for himself.

Ye Lengan gave a thumbs-up, then enthusiastically remarked, “Well then, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what the Hidden World is really like!”

“Hmm,” Huangfu Ruiling agreed with a smile, nodding in response. “Alright, let’s go!’

With that, Ye Lengan pushed Huangfu Ruiling as they left the scene. Many other guests followed suit.

No matter how one looked at it, it was unlikely that this banquet would end on a positive note. Such a significant incident couldn’t be made public by the Nangong family. Whether or not Ye Xiyuan’s promise as a goddaughter would hold depended on Mrs. Nangongs final decision.

In the lounge.

Niurong Yanshu sat on the sofa, her expression grave. She fixed her sharp gaze on Nangong Xuyao and Ye Xiyuan.

Nangong Xuyao occupied another sofa, his expression devoid of any emotion. It was fair to say that he looked quite serious.

Ye Xiyuan sat on yet another sofa, her face reflecting a certain unease. Her reactions revealed the substantial impact of Nangong Xuyao’s words on her.

At this moment, she felt even more anxious than she appeared. Currently, she had no way of contacting the system. Despite knowing that Murong Yanshu!s favorability towards her had declined, she remained uncertain about the extent of that decline, leaving her unsure of how to deal with Murong Yanshu.

After a prolonged silence, Murong Yanshu was the first to speak, breaking the room’s stillness. “Xuyao, what you said on stage, was it true?”

Even though she already knew the answer, she sought confirmation.

“It’s true,” Nangong Xuyao’s sharp gaze landed on Ye Xiyuan as he spoke. “I’ve been manipulated by her this whole time! I always believed she was my savior and provided the Ye family with many benefits! Now I realize I’ve been quite the fool!”

When Murong Yanshu turned her gaze back to Ye Xiyuan, the tenderness that once adorned her eyes had disappeared. Instead, a hint of disdain could be detected. “Xiyuan, how could you do something like this?”

“Godmother, I didn’t do it intentionally.” Ye Xiyuan lifted her tearful face. “At the time, when I saw Brother Nangong lying there covered in blood, I had no idea what had happened. I simply took him to the nearest hotel. Later, I found that there were no injuries on his body, which struck me as odd. I was planning to leave, but when Brother Nangong woke up, he immediately assumed I had saved him. I didn’t understand what was happening at that moment, and in the heat of the moment, I just agreed.”

“Ye Xiyuan, so this is all my fault!” Nangong Xuyao scoffed. “You were clearly the one seeking vanity and masquerading as a savior. Now, when it comes to light, you suddenly play the innocent card!”

“No, Brother Nangong, l…” Ye Xiyuan attempted to explain but was promptly interrupted by Nangong Xuyao.

“As 1 just mentioned, don’t call me brother. I’m not your brother,” Nangong Xuyao stated, looking at Ye Xiyuan with sarcasm. “Besides, I don’t have a sister full of lies like you.”

Hearing Nangong Xuyao’s words, Ye Xiyuan seemed to have suffered a severe blow, tears streaming down her face.

Any man seeing her cry would likely feel a pang of sympathy. Unfortunately, Nangong Xuyao wasn’t one to take pity on women. Moreover, he harbored resentment towards Ye Xiyuan for having played him for a fool. Consequently, her tears didn’t evoke any sympathy in him; rather, they only intensified his disgust.

“Alright, Xiyuan, I’ll have someone accompany you back,” Murong Yanshu said, her tone patient as she looked at Ye Xiyuan. “Go rest for a while. Regardless of the circumstances, you’re still my goddaughter, and that won’t change.”

Even though this incident made her genuinely reluctant to accept Ye Xiyuan as her goddaughter, she had just publicly announced it in front of so many people. If she were to retract her statement now, it would only invite ridicule.

Moreover, even if the claim that Ye Xiyuan had saved Xuyao was false, the fact that she had saved her was undeniable. She had done so in front of many witnesses, so it would be unwise to turn against someone who had extended a helping hand.

Thus, whether she liked it or not, Ye Xiyuan was already her goddaughter.

Thankfully, she had accepted Ye Xiyuan in her own name, rather than under the banner of the Nangong family. Otherwise, the situation would be much more complicated now..