Inside Meng Xuan's average-sized courtyard, two young ladies stood facing each other.
One had emerald eyes framed by long black hair, her figure refined and her chest ample. The other had fair skin, delicate facial features, and soft, succulent lips.
From the way they stared at each other, anyone could tell that a fight could break out at any moment.
The girl with the larger bosom stood with a refined air, but her eyes betrayed a hint of nervous ness.
"You must be a female vixen sent to seduce Meng Xuan, right? I'm just afraid you met me here instead," the emerald-eyed girl said coldly, her tone sharp as if she were challenging another woman for her lover.
"You're spouting rubbish—me and Meng Xuan are—" The large-bosomed girl's voice faltered, but she didn't back down. She stared just as coldly at the other lady.
"You claim to be Meng Xuan's friend? How do you expect me to believe you? You must be lying. Moreover, if truly you two are just friend, why are you acting so cocky over me meeting him?"
The large-bosomed girl bit her lip, silently cursing. She had only come here to deliver a message—never expecting to meet such a psycho. The situation was spiraling, and she was struggling to explain herself.
"How dare you call me a liar?" The emerald-eyed girl's voice trembled with fury. I can't let this gorgeous, big-bosomed girl take my Meng Xuan away.
Just as the sparks between them threatened to explode, a familiar voice called out from behind.
....
"Xiao Long, Miss Yue, what are both of you doing here?"
They turned around to see Meng Xuan approaching from the academy's training field.
The moment their eyes landed on him, both girls flushed. His upper torso was bare, revealing a strong, muscular physique. His abs glistened in the sunlight.
Meng Yue's face turned beet red as she quickly averted her gaze, trying to hide her nervousness. She wasn't used to situations like this.
Xiao Long, on the other hand, was the complete opposite—proactive and bold. She walked toward Meng Xuan, deliberately pressing her body closer to his as she glanced back at Meng Yue with a smug look.
"Didn't I tell you? There's really a relationship going on between us," Xiao Long said, her words dripping with provocation.
Meng Yue stood frozen, avoiding eye contact with Meng Xuan.
"Meng Xuan, this vixen claims to be your friend. Is it true?" Xiao Long asked sharply.
Pointing at Meng Yue, he said,
"Ling Long, mind your choice of words. Miss Yue is a good friend of mine—she once saved me from a gang of hoodlums in the past."
Meng Yue was surprised as she stared at Meng Xuan. She had expected him to reject their true relationship, yet it seemed he was still wary of her. And what's with that affectionate tone? Don't tell me that he could truly be in a relationship with such a woman. Would she really stoop so low for him? Maybe she had underestimated this stepbrother of hers.
"I'm really sorry if I offended you earlier, Miss Yue. Thanks for saving Meng Xuan back then. We should toast to each other someday."
Meng Xuan, too, was caught off guard. He had been watching from afar, and he knew—had he not stepped in earlier, a brawl might have broken out between the two. Truly, women are unpredictable creatures.
Meng Yue frowned slightly. Why was she suddenly being so cordial? She was also a woman—she knew when someone was just acting. She decided to let the matter go; after all, this was only feigned friendliness. Women's jealousy knew no bounds.
"It's my pleasure, Miss Xiao Long," she replied with a light smile.
"You can just call me Xiao Long. Since you're Meng Xuan's friend, you're naturally my friend as well."
Meng Yue's brows twitched. Where did Meng Xuan meet this devil? she thought. She's really good at acting.
"I'm sure you two are here for a particular reason. I'm all ears," Meng Xuan said, perking up.
"It's important, and it requires only the two of us," Xiao Long spoke first.
"Mine is also important and confidential. I hope you make the right decision," Meng Yue countered.
Meng Xuan now found himself in a dilemma. Both women's words hid dangerous undercurrents—Xiao Long was subtly trying to chase Meng Yue away, while Meng Yue was hoping he would side with her. Either way, he knew one wrong move could spark something he couldn't control.
It was his best friend on one side, and his stepsister—bound to him by blood—on the other. If he were truly forced to choose, he would have chosen his best friend. After all, he had been with her far longer. Their relationship had long since gone beyond mere friends.
No wonder many men were afraid of marrying more than one wife,this kind of things would often happen.
Xiao Long suddenly pulled Meng Xuan into a tight embrace, holding him close as she looked at him with a soft, almost pleading expression.
"Meng Xuan, I really have something important to tell you."
Meng Yue, standing nearby, shifted uncomfortably at the sight. She couldn't bear it any longer.
_I give up—this is what you want, right?she lampooned inwardly ''You can talk with Meng Xuan inside. I'll wait outside," she said at last, her voice edged with resignation.
Meng Xuan's lips curved in relief. With the matter settled so easily, he turned and walked into the residence with Xiao Long.
Meng Yue gritted her teeth as they disappeared from view. Those two are really something… it's father fault for giving me this task,or how could she have been humiliated by that witch? The thought burned in her mind, her eyes glinting with rage.
Inside Meng Xuan's room, Xiao Long sat quietly at the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed on him as he wiped down his body. Her eyes softened, filled with a warmth that lingered despite the turmoil in her heart.
Suddenly, she rose to her feet and walked toward him.
"I've gotten information about that underground night market you told me about," she said, holding out a small card.
"Thanks a lot," Meng Xuan replied cheerfully, taking the card from her hand. His eyes scanned it carefully, sharp and calculating.
"This underground night market is illegal," she warned, her tone tightening. "There's a high risk of it being raided. You'll have to be extremely careful. Do you want me to come with you?"
Meng Xuan smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Long'er. You've already helped me a lot this time. I don't want to trouble you further. You should know—I'm extremely cautious in what I do."
"So,what do you plan on buying there?" she asked curiously.
"Something to tame my little dragon," he smiled teasingly. ('Xiao Long' means little dragon).
She chuckled as she told him about the location and other important information.
Meng Yue entered the room immediately after Xiaolong left. When she saw Meng Xuan sitting on his bed still half-naked, she turned around in a fluster.
"Wear something over your body, stupid idiot! Our relationship is that of a brother and sister, not a friend," she shouted.
"Why are you getting too worked up for? This is my room — I can do whatever I like."
"....."
She could not talk back. This was his house, and she had no right to decide for him.
"Meng Yue, what are you getting nervous for? Isn't he the wastrel stepbrother you blasted that day? But why did he look different?"
Meng Yue thought to herself inwardly when she remembered that particular day. Her face turned peach-red again.
She turned back with a cold, icy expression, but one could easily know she was faking it.
"Father needs you at the Meng Manor to come and undergo the Heaven Trial," she finally said.
"Oh!" Meng Xuan was surprised.
"Did he tell you any reason why he want me?" he asked.
"No, but from the way he talks about you every time, he really cares about your safety. You don't want to stay a weakling for life, huh?"
Though Father always mentioned him and his mother every time — which led to the natural hate she had for him — she still had a little bit of sisterly love toward him. No blood-tied siblings would want to see each other fall in life.
"Step-sister, why do you hate me so much? You know if I undergo the Heaven Trial, I would not have the chance to see the world again."
He suddenly stood up, walking toward Meng Yue.
She felt guilty as she was aware that Ninety percent of people die while undergoing the heavenly trial, not to talk of Mengxuan,death was certain.
She wanted to tell him that it was Father's idea, but when she saw him walking toward her with a smile, her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
"Meng Xuan, what are you doing? You're my stepbrother. You should know your limit!" she said sharply, instinctively stepping back.
"Really? I thought you said we shouldn't have any family ties between us, so why bring it up yourself?" A faint grin played across his lips.
Her breath caught, and she almost coughed out loud.
When he was only an inch away, their bodies almost touching, he suddenly turned aside and walked to the desk beside them.
He picked up a letter, scribbled a few words, and handed it to her.
"Give this to Father," he said.
She accepted it subconsciously, her cheeks burning a deep shade of red.
She was utterly embarrassed—she had judged him completely wrong. How would he think of her now?
She left silently, in an absentminded daze.