At this moment, Chu Linfeng saw a face that he couldn't tear his gaze away from for a long time, "Ruoxi, your... your mark..."
Before Chu Linfeng could finish speaking, Lin Ruoxi interrupted, "What's wrong? Is it still the same as before?"
"No, it's not, Ruoxi, the mark on your face has disappeared, but there's a red dot on your forehead, kind of like a woman's vermilion mark."
Hearing that the mark on her face had disappeared, Lin Ruoxi smiled joyfully. Her smile was so radiant, so pure and beautiful, that Chu Linfeng couldn't help but be captivated.
Seeing Chu Linfeng staring at her, Lin Ruoxi's face flushed slightly, "Lin Feng, what are you looking at?"
"You're so beautiful!" This was Chu Linfeng's only feeling now; Lin Ruoxi in front of him seemed like a celestial maiden, her beauty beyond description.
Receiving praise from her beloved made Lin Ruoxi's heart feel sweeter than honey, "Let's go back, they must be worried since we haven't returned all night."
When Chu Linfeng and Lin Ruoxi returned home, the Lin Family members were already preparing to leave.
When everyone saw the woman holding hands with Chu Linfeng, they were so surprised they couldn't speak.
"Who is this, so beautiful? When did Chu Linfeng meet such a beautiful woman? Didn't he just get engaged to the Third Miss Lin yesterday?" a family disciple exclaimed in surprise.
"The clothes she is wearing look like what the Third Miss Lin wore yesterday. Could she be the Third Miss Lin?"
"Are you out of your mind? How could that ugly girl compare to her, and how would this good-for-nothing know such a woman?"
The chatter continued, but Chu Linfeng and Lin Ruoxi simply exchanged smiles, both very happy.
When the Lin Family members saw Lin Ruoxi, they were even more at a loss, especially Lin Ziping. She couldn't believe the person standing in front of her was her younger sister.
Lin Ruoxi's beauty had already surpassed hers, which was something she could not accept by any means, "You, how did you become like this?"
"Second sister, are you surprised? Didn't you always like to flaunt your beauty in front of me? Now, in my eyes, you're just so-so!" Lin Ruoxi finally had a chance to hit back at Lin Ziping.
"You... you..." Lin Ziping was momentarily at a loss for words, leaving her speechless.
Lin Long was also shocked, but quickly composed himself, believing Lin Ruoxi's transformation was certainly related to Chu Linfeng.
So, with a face full of anger, Lin Long said to Lin Ruoxi, "You really forgot about the family as soon as you found a man, but you haven't married yet. Just wait till I get home and see how I'll deal with you!"
These words were obviously meant for Chu Linfeng to hear, but Chu Linfeng wouldn't let it pass, "Lin Long, you're Ruoxi's brother, and I'm her fiancé now. If you dare to be disrespectful to Ruoxi, I won't let you off, remember my words, don't blame me for not warning you, future brother-in-law!"
"I will repay yesterday's disgrace sooner or later; Chu Linfeng, just you wait!" After saying that, Lin Long left without bothering with anyone else.
Lin Ziping, full of resentment, looked at Chu Linfeng and said, "I'll repay you yesterday's humiliation too; in my eyes, you're always a good-for-nothing! And you, Chu Ruoxi, are no good either."
Chu Linfeng did not rebut; he didn't have the patience to bicker with someone as self-proclaimed as Lin Ziping.
Chu Linfeng took out a small wooden sword from his belongings and said, "This is a wooden sword I've had since childhood, a toy I've never been willing to throw away. Today, I'll give it to you; every time you see this wooden sword, it's as if you're seeing me, remember what I've said to you!"
After receiving the wooden sword, Lin Ruoxi also took out an accessory from her belongings, a blue jade pendant with a hint of spiritual qi, "Lin Feng, I'm giving you this Blue Spirit Jade Pendant; it helps refresh the mind and will greatly aid in your martial skill practice!"
"Lin Ruoxi, you wastrel, this Blue Spirit Jade Pendant is a treasure of the Lin Family. How can you give it to an outsider so casually?"
Lin Ziping hadn't gone far; upon hearing Lin Ruoxi's words, she immediately stopped and turned around, expressing her dissatisfaction.
She had pleaded repeatedly to get this pendant from her father but never succeeded. Seeing Lin Ruoxi giving it to Chu Linfeng couldn't help but anger her.
"Lin Ziping, it's mine so I can give it to whoever I like. Who are you to meddle? Lin Feng is my fiancé; was I wrong to give him something?" Lin Ruoxi's sudden burst of feistiness was surprising to Chu Linfeng.
"You… you… just wait and see!" Lin Ziping ran out in anger; every second here felt suffocating to her.
After Lin Tian and Lin Dong had exchanged formalities with Chu Yuanba, Lin Ruoxi left. Chu Linfeng was touched by the tears shimmering in Lin Ruoxi's eyes as she departed.
Looking at the blue jade pendant in his hand, Chu Linfeng silently said, "Ruoxi, I'll definitely find the Ice Flame Crystal for you, wait for me!"
At this moment, Chu Yuanba approached Chu Linfeng, "Feng'er, everyone's left, why are you still dawdling here? Come to my study, I have something to ask you!"
Chu Linfeng followed Chu Yuanba into the study; he remembered it had been nearly two years since he'd last entered, the decor seemed unchanged, and a lifelike woman's portrait still hung on the wall.
Chu Linfeng had asked Chu Yuanba who the person in the portrait was countless times, and he never answered, only saying he would tell him when the time was right.
"Feng'er, you probably haven't come to this study for nearly two years. All the grievances you've suffered, your father has seen them."
"Though I'm the head of the family, there are many things I have no control over; your father has his difficulties, like this engagement with the Lin Family," Chu Yuanba said with some helplessness.
"Feng'er doesn't understand; is there anyone in the family your father is afraid of?" Chu Linfeng asked in confusion.
"Have a seat; the current situation of the Chu Family isn't as good as you might think. Among the five major families in Liuyun City, we are actually the weakest."
"The other four families have Earth Martial Realm experts, but our highest is just the Ninth Layer of the Black Tortoise Realm. Aligning with the Lin Family was a last resort."