Chapter 64: I’ve always seen you as a brother.
Jiang Yanran had actually hoped that Lin Mo would speak up for her.
In past meetings, Lin Mo had always been very respectful of her opinions and maintained an appropriate distance.
Now, she never expected Lin Mo to be so assertive about the engagement.
Had his true nature as a lecher finally been exposed?
Was all his previous image just a pretense?
Or perhaps, now that he knew she was a prodigy, he was so eager to get married?
Regardless of the reason, it disgusted her.
Indeed, leaving this man was the right decision.
Lin Nantian sensed something was amiss. His grandson had already made so many concessions, yet this Jiang family girl remained hesitant, unwilling to make a clear statement.
His expression darkened slightly. “Yanran, why are you still hesitating?”
The atmosphere in the hall began to feel awkward.
The gazes of the attending guests and the Lin family members all turned towards them.
At this moment, a white-clothed girl standing beside Jiang Yanran spoke up.
“Elder Lin, Yanran only sees Lin Mo as a brother and harbors no romantic feelings for him.”
The white-clothed girl spoke calmly and unhurriedly, maintaining a composed demeanor towards Lin Nantian.
Many people present grew curious about the girl’s identity.
Lin Nantian narrowed his eyes, his expression gradually turning grim. “And who are you? When did it become your turn to speak here?”
He was not being polite at all. After all, he was a cultivator whose cultivation was half a step into the Nascent Soul stage. He directed his imposing aura towards the girl, intending to shame her as a form of reprimand.
However, to Lin Nantian’s surprise, the white-clothed girl’s expression did not change at all. She revealed her background: “I am Yanran’s senior sister, from the Ice Palace.”
‘Hmph, is she trying to pressure Grandpa using the Ice Palace?’ Lin Mo sneered inwardly. This Jiang Yanran was no less disgusting than Shen Ke’er.
Lin Nantian’s expression shifted slightly. The Ice Palace, one of the five Rank 1 immortal sects, was a power that only the Lin family from the upper realm could contend with.
The intentions of the girl from the Ice Palace were also quite clear.
Suppressing his anger, Lin Nantian asked with a dark expression, “This is a matter between our Lin family and the Jiang family. Even if Jiang Yanran has joined the Ice Palace, it seems you have no reason to interfere.”
He no longer addressed Jiang Yanran as “girl” but called her by her name.
The white-clothed girl’s attitude remained calm. “Just because our Ice Palace has taken the Jiang family under its wing, is that reason enough for you?”
This statement shocked everyone present.
No one had expected the Ice Palace to become the Jiang family’s patron. This meant that no matter what happened to the Jiang family, the Ice Palace would come to their aid.
The Lin family had managed to reach its current status due to connections in the upper realm. However, it was unlikely that the upper realm Lin family would intervene unless their collateral bloodline was about to be wiped out.
In the past, the Lin family’s influence had overshadowed the Jiang family. Now, it seemed the Jiang family had surpassed them.
Even though he knew the outcome, Lin Nantian still asked with a grim face, “So, what do you intend to do?”
The white-clothed girl’s expression was indifferent. “Break the engagement. People rise to higher places, and water flows to lower depths. It’s about matching social statuses, a principle that Elder Lin should understand, shouldn’t you?”
“Our Palace Master dotes on Yanran as a disciple, so we respect her wishes and will help her find a suitable match for her current standing.”
The teacup in Lin Nantian’s hand suddenly shattered into powder. “Does Old Man Jiang also know about this?”
The white-clothed girl smiled. “You don’t need to worry about it. I will naturally explain things on that end.”
Upon hearing the word “break the engagement,” the expressions of those present varied.
Many guests and members of the Lin family began to mock Lin Mo.
Looking at Lin Nantian’s extremely gloomy expression, and knowing that she had the backing of the Ice Palace and the Nangong family, she finally spoke. “Please, Grandpa Lin, grant our request to dissolve this engagement.”
Her engagement to Lin Mo had been arranged by Lin Nantian and her grandfather.
With the parents’ and grandparents’ consent, as long as Lin Nantian agreed, at least the relationship between the two families would not be completely severed.
Lin Nantian turned to Lin Mo. “Mo’er, what are your thoughts?”
At this moment, Lin Zhan angrily stood up and shouted, “Mo’er, speak your mind freely; your father will definitely support you.”
He then glanced at Gu Ningxin and added, “Your mother also supports you.”
At this point, grandfather and grandson, along with Lin Mo’s mother, stood united on one front.
After all, they were descendants of the upper realm Lin family and possessed their own pride.
Even if Lin Mo truly fell out with the Jiang family, they would see it through to the end.
Everyone’s attention shifted to Lin Mo, wondering what his stance would be.
Lin Mo’s expression was nonchalant as he asked Jiang Yanran, “Is breaking the engagement also your wish?”
There were some questions, even if he already knew the answer, he had to ask for clarity. This was also for the sake of the original owner of his body.
Jiang Yanran’s attitude was firm as she met Lin Mo’s gaze directly. “This is also my wish. For all these years, I have always seen you as a brother.”
Heh, Lin Mo sneered inwardly.
Over the years, the original owner of his body had given Jiang Yanran pills and rare spirit herbs every year.
Now, Jiang Yanran had successfully reached Core Formation seventh rank, becoming a prodigy and joining the Ice Palace, only to annul their engagement.
Wasn’t this like the ancient tales where women supported their husbands through their studies, only to be abandoned for a princess once the husband achieved success?
Oh, rather, a “scum woman.”
The current Jiang Yanran was no different from such a person.
Especially her final statement, “I’ve always seen you as a brother,” was a classic line from “scum women.”
Instead of being angry, Lin Mo even smiled. He asked gently, “In all these years, have I ever wronged you?”
Jiang Yanran had expected Lin Mo to be furious but was surprised that he actually smiled.
What did this mean?
Not only she, but others were also confused.
Could it be that Lin Mo couldn’t accept reality and had lost his mind?
Jiang Yanran shook her head. “No!”
“Who says you haven’t?”
This shout immediately drew everyone’s attention.
The speaker was Nangong Xu, who was extremely agitated. He clearly remembered the Talents Assembly at Jiangyue Building, where Lin Mo had won first place and spent a night with Yan Ruyu.
If it weren’t for Lin Mo, he would have been the one spending the night with Yan Ruyu.
He decided to settle old scores and new grievances together.
Lin Mo naturally understood Nangong Xu’s thoughts. He smiled and asked, “Fellow Daoist Nangong, have we met before? What evidence do you have that I have wronged Jiang Yanran?”
Even though he had indeed done something, it was under duress!
Besides, the original owner of his body hadn’t done anything.
He was certain that Nangong Xu would not dare to reveal what happened at Jiangyue Building.
Nangong Xu looked at Lin Mo’s smile and suddenly realized something was wrong.
He had also been present at the event. If he revealed it, it would definitely affect Jiang Yanran’s perception of him.
With this thought, he could only swallow his pride and change his words with a dark expression. “I must have mistaken you for someone else.”
‘Tch.’ The crowd, expecting a juicy scandal, felt disappointed.
Jiang Yanran also looked at Nangong Xu’s behavior, completely perplexed.
Lin Mo smoothly brought the topic back to its intended course. “Since I haven’t done anything to wrong you, then we need to settle our accounts properly.”
…
