Qiu Bujian is a carefree person and something of a scatterbrain. He can't read subtle cues and slapped Ye Sui's shoulder, laughing loudly, "Brother-in-law, it must have been tough for you managing the Hidden Abyss Valley in my absence. How's my precious daughter? She hasn't been causing you trouble, has she?"
Qiu Bujian's slap carried full force, causing the frail Ye Sui to shiver slightly.
Little White, who had been trying to hide her presence behind Wen Ran by wearing a veil, had never seen such a boorish person. She stared wide-eyed at Qiu Bujian as if regarding him as a monkey.
Ye Sui said helplessly, "Brother-in-law, Qiu Shui was kidnapped by an unidentified person earlier, and she just returned."
"What!?" Qiu Bujian shouted with his booming voice, belatedly noticing his daughter's displeased face in the crowd. He quickly walked over, "Daughter, who dares to kidnap you?"
Qiu Shui dodged swiftly, avoiding her father's affectionate hug. Faced with his overwhelming fervor, she was quite disdainful, "Dad, I have something important to discuss with you alone."
Qiu Bujian, nervous, said, "You want to get married!?"
Qiu Shui was speechless for a while, "It's not about me; it's about the Hidden Abyss Valley! I'll be waiting for you in the study!"
With that, Qiu Shui turned and left.
"Good daughter, tell Dad you weren't bullied! Daughter..." Qiu Bujian's hulking figure followed behind Qiu Shui like an oversized, comical tail.
Qiu Bujian could afford to be carefree, but Ye Sui couldn't.
Ye Sui looked at the white-clothed woman following Wen Ran. Even though the Immortal Cultivation World never lacks beauties, anyone who has lived long enough would have seen thousands if not tens of thousands of beauties.
But even with her face veiled, the grace and posture of this white-clothed woman marked her as an exceptionally rare beauty.
Little White shrank further behind Wen Ran, whispering, "That person keeps staring at me. Does he want to marry me too?"
Ye Sui: "..."
He's not one to covet beauty; he merely took an extra glance due to her uncommon rarity.
Since Wen Ran had shown kindness to Little White, it was natural for Little White, unfamiliar with the world, to stick to Wen Ran. However, her naivety often led to trouble.
Like now.
Wen Ran smiled apologetically at Ye Sui, then turned back to whisper to Little White, "Stay quiet and don't speak nonsense."
The next moment, someone grabbed Wen Ran by the collar, lifting her into the air. Before she could react and struggle, she was gently set down.
She looked at the young man, ethereal in his white clothes like snow.
Since that time when Shen Wu garnered sympathy with his bloodied, sorry state, Wen Ran realized she had to stay ahead of him. To prevent a repeat of his stunt, she had prepared several sets of menswear uniforms from the Ascension Immortal Mansion.
She recalled how, on the way back, when Wen Ran told him to change clothes, he shot up a tree and shook his head, "No, I don't want to."
She glared at the white-clothed young man.
Shen Wu had changed out of his blood-stained clothes for a clean set, which Wen Ran had thoughtfully carried in her Storage Bracelet.
Shen Wu was slippery as an eel; if he didn't want to be held, there was no way Wen Ran could catch him.
She employed her wits and came up with a clever plan, "I know where there are wild fruits to pick. Change your clothes, and I'll take you to them later."
From the tree, his eyes lit up.
Wen Ran had never seen anyone so childish before; even the youngest Daoist Child at Ascension Immortal Mansion was more obedient and sensible than Shen Wu.
But now, as Shen Wu lifted her by the collar and moved her several steps to the side, she couldn't figure out what kind of incident he was planning next.
Shen Wu's action was indeed perplexing. Facing other people's gazes, he still maintained that gentlemanly demeanor and pointed politely into the air, "Some leaves fell here."
Wen Ran looked up to see a few yellow leaves floating down onto the spot where she had been standing. She turned back to Shen Wu expressionless, wondering if he was mentally unsound.
A few leaves falling, was it worth lifting her?
Facing the reproachful gaze of his beloved junior sister, Shen Wu looked innocent.
Ye Sui just considered it young people's fun and laughed, "Young Master Shen truly cares for Miss Wen."
Shen Wu seemed a bit embarrassed, lowering his head slightly and softly saying, "Before leaving home, I promised my master to take good care of my junior sister."
Ye Sui gave a kind smile, "I suspect it's not just as simple as a senior brother protecting his junior sister."
Wen Ran's face was expressionless. Truthfully, she had gotten used to everyone thinking Shen Wu was enamored with her.
With so many people present, Little White didn't want to be under so many eyes, so she discreetly moved her foot aside, trying to stand behind Wen Ran again.
Suddenly, Little White yelped and fell to the ground.
The beauty fell, truly pitiful and delicate.
Wen Ran intended to help Little White, but the always-helpful Shen Wu happened to turn around to lend assistance too, resulting in them bumping into each other.
Shen Wu had no choice but to grasp Wen Ran's arm while concernedly asking, "Ranran, are you okay?"
Wen Ran frowned at him.
By now, Qiu Shan, who had been watching the scene, had helped Little White up. Though young, Qiu Shan was quite compassionate. He asked, "How did the young lady fall so suddenly?"
Little White, fragile-skinned, immediately had tears welling in her eyes from the fall, "Someone kicked me."
It was late, the lighting dim. The closest to Little White were Wen Ran and Shen Wu, and with Wen Ran lifted aside by Shen Wu, it obviously wasn't her.
But Shen Wu, who was he?
Noble as jade, bearing a calm and courteous demeanor, it's impossible he would do such a thing.
That left those crowded nearby, those disciples who rarely saw a young maiden and couldn't stop staring at Little White.
Ye Sui scanned through the close disciples, who quickly stepped back, shaking their heads in denial, "Mr. Ye, it wasn't us!"
Shen Wu said, "The Hidden Abyss Valley's reputation is excellent; naturally, none of them would do such a thing."
Despite his young age, Shen Wu had many brilliant achievements, making these young people idolize him. Now, speaking up for them, he elevated their admiration to another level.
Little White whimpered, "Someone really kicked me..."
"Miss Little White." Shen Wu's clothes were snow-white, spotless, like his unblemished character. He gently said, "We've been traveling a long way, you must be tired and in need of rest."
Everyone immediately felt it must be true.
Qiu Shan added, "Miss, perhaps you are tired."
Little White twisted the corner of her handkerchief, her innocent nature leading to self-doubt.
Only Wen Ran stared at Shen Wu for a long time, her eyelids twitching.