Following Chen Xuan's pointing finger, Xu Mu saw a young woman in a floral long dress.
She looked about twenty, her hair neatly tied up with light bangs framing both cheeks. Her expression was cold, distant.
From her looks and temperament, she was clearly of the aloof, high-cold type—
yet her round, bright apricot-shaped eyes were clear and innocent, completely at odds with her demeanor.
The contrast gave her an oddly endearing air—cold on the surface, naïve underneath, almost foolishly pure.
Xu Mu blinked. She looked familiar, but he couldn't immediately recall from where.
Still, he was certain they had met before. He opened his Divine Eye for a scan.
Name: Xia Sihan
Affiliation: Daughter of the Demon Sword Sect; heroine of The Expert Descends the Mountain: My Seven Senior Sisters Are All Peerless Beauties
Favorability: 20
Fate Level: 8 (out of 10)
It's her!
Xu Mu suddenly remembered—she was one of his judo-club acquaintances.
Last time, she had been poisoned by Spring-Night Grass, and Xu Mu had helped cure her—
that was also the time he met Dai Xingluo.
Back then, Xia Sihan had been drenched in sweat, her messy hair sticking to her cheeks—hardly elegant.
Now, though, she looked entirely different: neatly dressed, refined, her hair in a graceful style.
No wonder he hadn't recognized her at first glance.
"Old Chen, wait a sec," Xu Mu said curiously. "The photo you showed me earlier—she wasn't in it, right?"
"She was! Hold on."
Chen Xuan unbuckled his seatbelt, turned to grab his woven urea sack from the back seat, and rummaged through it.
Finally, he pulled out a photo. "See? Isn't that her?"
Xu Mu took the photo and examined it closely. The girl in it was about fifteen or sixteen, without that frosty air yet—
but those same bright, innocent eyes gave it away.
He nodded. "Yes, looking at the photo—it's definitely her."
Handing the photo back, Xu Mu smiled. "Old Chen, to be honest, I know her."
He recalled the time he had used the Illusionary Sword—a technique from her own sect.
She'd mistaken him for one of her junior brothers, which explained the Favorability increase back then.
"What? What a coincidence!" Chen Xuan grinned. "Brother Mu, why don't we stage a little hero-saves-beauty scene? I'll play the villain, and you can win her heart."
As he spoke, he pulled a red marriage contract from the sack.
Xu Mu looked awkward. "Let's just talk things out first. If it doesn't work, then we can think about that."
Chen Xuan paused, then nodded. "Makes sense. Her father and my master were good friends, after all."
Xu Mu parked the car beside an old brick-tiled house. From the rusted iron lock on the gate, it was clear no one had lived there for years.
They got out and walked toward Xia Sihan.
She was standing by a small village shop while her companion went inside to buy something.
Xu Mu noted that if he did find the ruin's entrance, he'd better stock his storage space with some provisions.
"Long time no see," Xu Mu greeted with a smile when they were a few meters away.
Xia Sihan turned her cool face toward him—and broke into a bright smile.
"Junior Brother!"
[Favorability +5]
She hadn't expected to run into Xu Mu here again.
The Illusionary Sword he had used last time had amazed her to the point of shame.
"Sihan, what brings you here?" Xu Mu asked, now standing beside her with Chen Xuan.
She hesitated, then took Xu Mu aside. "Rumor says there's an ancient ruin here—a very powerful one."
"What? How did you hear that?" Xu Mu asked curiously.
"Word leaked somehow. As soon as we found out, we came to investigate. We're about to head into the mountain to find the entrance."
Seeing Xu Mu's strength again, she added, "Why don't you come with us?"
"Before that, let me introduce someone—my buddy, Chen Xuan." Xu Mu patted Chen's shoulder.
"Chen Xuan?" Xia Sihan narrowed her eyes. The name sounded familiar.
"Hello, Xia Sihan. I'm not sure if you've heard of me, but I've got our marriage contract right here," Chen Xuan said, pulling out the red document and handing it to her.
At the word "marriage contract," Xia Sihan instantly remembered.
She opened it and saw her father's signature. Her expression turned cold.
"What are you doing here? If you came to marry me, let me make this clear—forget it!" she said icily.
"Perfect! I'm here to cancel it," Chen Xuan smiled. "You think it's ridiculous too, right?"
Her expression softened a little. "You think so as well?"
"Of course. Since you don't agree, the engagement's null and void."
Chen Xuan grinned and turned to Xu Mu. "Brother Mu, another engagement settled!"
"Don't celebrate too soon," Xu Mu said. "Are you sure you have the authority to cancel it?"
He knew how these things worked—words alone weren't enough; such matters always dragged on.
Xia Sihan looked relieved. "I couldn't before, but now I can."
When she'd first learned of the arrangement, she'd quarreled fiercely with her father.
He'd finally agreed: if Chen Xuan personally dissolved it, he would approve.
And now, Chen had indeed done so.
She took out her phone and started a video call—just to prove to her father she wasn't making it up.
Soon, the call connected.
On screen appeared a long-haired middle-aged man in black armor.
Xu Mu couldn't help thinking he looked like an actor in a historical drama.
"Father! Look what I've got here!"
Xia Sihan held up the marriage contract.
Xia Chuan frowned slightly. "Your marriage contract with Chen Xuan?"
"That's right. Now look who's here." She turned the phone toward Chen Xuan.
Chen cupped his hands politely. "Uncle Xia."
"Chen Xuan," Xia Chuan said, "you've been in mourning for three years. Did you come down the mountain to marry my daughter?"
"No, Uncle Xia. I came to cancel it. I already have someone I like. My master arranged this without my consent—it doesn't count.
Your daughter feels the same. So why not end it cleanly? A clean break—wouldn't that be best for everyone?"