CHAPTER 85: CHAPTER 85: THE SNOW SEASON WELCOME CEREMONY

By the city gate, Nan asked about the price then went to find Wen Shu. Finding nothing at the cabin, he hurriedly followed the scent towards the alley.

As he neared, he heard the sound of punches and kicks, followed by the weak voice of a female begging for mercy!

His face turned pale, his heart leapt into his throat, and without thinking, he rushed in, "Stop! You guys..."

Seeing the scene before him, Nan’s actions froze, and he stood dumbfounded, "Ashu?"

In the secluded alley, five or six males lay weakly on the cobblestone road, their faces bruised and swollen like pig’s heads.

There were also two females, huddled together in a dark corner, trembling in fear, "Y-you, don’t come over!"

And the figure he worried for stood upright in place like a god of death, blocking the exit for the females.

Hearing Nan’s voice, her face covered with frost had not yet faded, and her gaze lightly swept towards the alley’s entrance.

Meeting her cold and glowing eyes, Nan’s heart skipped a beat; he had never seen Ashu with such an imposing presence...

Recognizing him, Wen Shu softened her expression, her voice gentle, "Nan, I have something to deal with."

Yet seeing her indifferent face slowly reveal a hint of warmth, Nan’s already chaotic heartbeat grew increasingly frantic, feeling unable to move from the sight fixed on her.

After explaining to him, Wen Shu noticed the females trying to escape and immediately looked away, asking coldly, "Bai Qiao sent you?"

Mina was too scared to speak, but Lili, proud by nature, still trembling, spoke menacingly, "What! You still want to trouble her! Just a wild female from the tribe wanting to seize the heir’s position, who do you think you are!"

Speaking indignantly, Wen Shu detected a hint of strangeness and just stared at her without speaking.

Seeing her silence, Lili thought she was guilty and became even more agitated, "Moreover, we’ve all heard about you, lazy and greedy, low pregnancy value and low spiritual power, what right do you have to be our future City Lord!"

Hearing this, Wen Shu raised an eyebrow; she had just arrived at Su’en City and overnight, these things spread?

Contemplating, she stared at Lili, coldly interjecting when she was mid-sentence, "Who did you hear these words from?"

Lili snorted coldly, "It’s spread among the noble circle of Beast City! If Craig hadn’t mentioned..."

Mid-speech, she widened her eyes and covered her mouth abruptly, "Why are you asking this?"

Craig again.

Wen Shu recalled his near-dead appearance, wishing she could strike one more blow.

This world is insane, what kind of person could survive with a pierced heart?

Narrowing her eyes dangerously, she fixedly stared at Lili, chuckling softly, and tenderly said, "If you see him, remember to send my greetings, say I wish him a speedy recovery, and..."

After pondering for a few seconds, her voice turned suddenly cold, "Hope next time, he’s just as fortunate."

After finishing this, she withdrew her gaze from Lili’s terrified face.

Since they’ve become enemies, either never meet again, or...

It’s either his death or her survival.

Patting the corner of her outfit, Wen Shu curved a slight smile. She walked out of the alley with ease, "Nan, it’s settled. How about your end?"

Seeing the female walking closer, Nan’s eyes reflected her smiling expression, and his dazed thoughts slowly cleared. He dumbly asked, "Ashu, what did you say?"

Wen Shu, familiar with his gentle but unfazed gaze, met his vacant stare and felt intrigued, unable to resist the mischievous urge.

She narrowed her eyes, drawing closer step by step, pretending to be fierce, "What? Did I scare you? With your cowardice..."

Before she finished, a pair of large hands suddenly embraced her waist tightly, pressing her head onto a broad shoulder, lips brushing her ear.

"Ashu, can I... kiss you?"

The low and seductive voice sounded beside her ear.

Wen Shu was stunned, her hand resting against Nan’s broad chest, wanting to push away, but a sudden warmth brushed against her earlobe.

Her whole body shivered, her earlobes burning fiercely, remembering they were at the alley entrance, her face instantly heated.

"Nan, let go first."

Wen Shu struggled to extricate from Nan’s embrace, catching a glimpse of a gaze.

Looking over the male’s broad shoulder, someone across the alley was staring at her.

It was a very uniquely dressed male.

His stature was slender, wearing a moon-white robe embroidered with golden patterns.

His light gray hair draped across his chest, with a white feather earring, enhancing his extraordinary temperament.

Meeting her gaze, the male’s deep brows bent slightly, his handsome face showing a gentle smile, nodding to her with considerable courtesy.

Then he walked away elegantly, as if a nobleman meticulously trained in a distinguished family.

Watching his back, Wen Shu paused, feeling as if this person’s temperament was very familiar.

Before she could think further, a straightforward stare landed beside her face, the resentment almost tangible.

"Ashu, was he handsome?"

Nan’s extremely gentle voice sounded quietly beside her ear.

Wen Shu inexplicably felt a chill down her back, hurriedly retracting her gaze, explaining incoherently, "No, it’s just that this person..."

Seeing Nan’s forlorn eyes, her heart tightened, and she swiftly changed her words, "He wasn’t handsome at all."

Wen Shu raised her hand, touched Nan’s mask, and tenderly lowered her voice, "Nan, let me heal your face tonight?"

Listening to her words, Nan’s long lashes trembled; he lifted his gaze to her, his expression filled with hope, yet still hiding a trace of panic, "Ashu, can it really be healed?"

He spoke, recalling countless past disappointments, lowering his eyes once again.

Seeing him like this, Wen Shu pinched his icy hand, softly comforting, "It can be, trust me."

Preparing to leave, the two retraced their steps back to the house they had newly rented.

Nearing the entrance, Wen Shu noticed something shining on the steps.

She walked closer, seeing it was a few Crystal Coins, her calm emotions stirring once again with a hint of heaviness.

She glanced around, but aside from the passing Beastmen, there were only wooden cabins, without that familiar figure.

Nan saw too. He bent down to pick them up, his gaze fixed on a corner, pausing for a few seconds before pulling Wen Shu’s hand, "Let’s go home."

He opened the door, but before Wen Shu could enter, a female voice with a crying tone suddenly sounded behind him.

"Ashu!"

The familiar voice somewhat stunned Wen Shu.

Turning to look, she indeed saw the face of Chief Weng.

Seeing her child safe was overwhelming for Chief Weng, she rushed forward and embraced Wen Shu.

"Good child, I’m so glad you’re alright!"

Wen Shu was not short, yet wrapped in Chief Weng’s embrace, with her head being stroked, she felt like a child again.

Nestled in the warm, fragrant female embrace, her nose inexplicably tinged with sourness. She hurriedly withdrew from Chief Weng’s arms, brought her inside to rest, and discussed recent events.

With the sunset on the horizon, Nan prepared to cook.

Suddenly, Chief Weng remembered something urgently, pulling Wen Shu out the door, "Almost forgot the main event; the snow season’s welcome ceremony is about to start!"