Chapter Fifty-Four: A Modest Marriage... A Modest Marriage...

[Ding... Task triggered...]
[Detected that the protagonist Chen Jia's mood is gradually improving. This is an utterly unacceptable behavior. For a villain, letting the protagonist feel better is a disgrace.]
[Task: 1. Host, please shout at the protagonist Chen Jia, 'No! You are not mistaken! I do like Lady Wu Die, Wu Die is mine!' 2. Host, please mock the protagonist Chen Jia, 'How can a flat plain compare to towering mountains?']
[Make your choice and advance towards becoming the world's ultimate villain. Countdown begins... 3... 2...]

"If one day I, Jiang Lin, reach the Ascension Realm, I'll scatter your system's ashes!"
Jiang Lin’s mind was in utter turmoil. He had only intended to treat them to a meal tonight and discreetly ask Aunt Lin about the Demonic Sect’s intelligence. How had so many strange incidents erupted from such a simple plan?

"So, what are you saying?"
Nestled in Wu Die’s arms, Chen Jia lifted her petite head to look at Jiang Lin. Though most of her anger had subsided, her eyes still held a deep, lingering grievance.

"So, Miss Chen, how could I possibly be involved with Lady Wu Die?"
Jiang Lin tucked the spirit stone into his robe and looked at Chen Jia earnestly.

"To be frank, Miss Chen, there are countless men in this world who believe that women should possess graceful curves and enchanting figures—like Lady Wu Die. But!"
Jiang Lin walked to the table and drank a deep cup of tea.

"I, Jiang Lin, am different! Why must the bosom be large? Isn’t it tiring to be so endowed? Surely it is! Though I do like... but that's not the point! In comparison, I much prefer Miss Chen’s petite and adorable type!"

"Jiang Lin! What do you mean by that?"
In an instant, Chen Jia's delicate, fair face darkened. She slipped out of Wu Die’s embrace, and her fist intent surged!

She didn’t fully grasp Jiang Lin’s roundabout words, but they clearly weren’t compliments.

"My... what I mean is..." Cold sweat began to bead on Jiang Lin's forehead.

Though his heart raced in panic, Jiang Lin maintained a calm facade.

He swallowed hard, and as Chen Jia approached with tiny steps, Jiang Lin unexpectedly met her head-on, grabbing her small fist in his hand...

"Ah..."
For the first time being so enveloped by a man's hand, Chen Jia’s tender body trembled, bristling like a startled kitten before gradually calming.

"Rogue! What are you doing!"
Chen Jia swiftly pulled her hand back, raising her tiny fist to strike Jiang Lin's chest.

"Go ahead! Hit me!"
Jiang Lin closed his eyes and spread his arms wide.

"Even if Miss Chen beats me to death, even if you flatten my chest with your little fists, I must say: Though the flat plain can't compare to the lofty mountains, in the face of cuteness, sensuality pales! Even if Miss Chen kills me,
I, Jiang Lin, will shout from the coffin: Even if Lady Wu Die is wonderful, I, Jiang Lin, prefer the grasslands..."

"Ah!!!"
Jiang Lin thought he’d been sufficiently tactful and heartfelt. Coupled with his handsome demeanor, how could she possibly bear to strike him?

But reality proved that romance dramas were deceptive; Chen Jia’s punch landed squarely. And it wasn’t just a tap—it smashed right into his chest, powerful enough to cave it in.

"Bang!"
Jiang Lin was sent flying against the wall, sinking into it so deeply that he couldn't be pried out.

Even with the soundproofing array, the commotion upstairs faintly reached the lower floor, and the building seemed to shudder.

...

"Tsk tsk tsk... As expected of a young man, half an hour in and still making such a ruckus. Impressive."
"Ah, after all, Brother Jiang has been single for so many years. Quite normal."
"Indeed, let's not mind Jiang Lin. Let’s keep drinking."
"Cheers..."

...

"Jiang Lin! You beast! Shameless! Despicable! What are you saying! What do you mean you like... like... me... So what if I’m small! Do I need your pity? Do I need you to deliberately say you like me? Mother was right! No man is any good!"

Her cheeks blushed furiously as she spoke, both angry and embarrassed, covering her mouth as she dashed out of the room.

"Little Jia... Young Master Jiang, I know you’re being thoughtful because Little Jia feels insecure about her innate shortcomings. But this sort of thing can be remedied; how could you say it so bluntly?"
Wu Die cast a helpless glance at Jiang Lin and hurried after her...

Downstairs, the group drinking and playing games heard the "bang" of the door upstairs and looked up. They saw a girl they'd never seen before, in a plain palace dress, running down the stairs.

Her face was pure and adorable, skin fair, and a light touch of makeup added an alluring charm to her innocence. Though she was somewhat flat, she was undeniably a beauty.

But why had they never seen her before? A newcomer to Spring Breeze Pavilion? Yet somehow, she seemed familiar...

Under everyone's gaze, the girl quickly ran out of Spring Breeze Pavilion.

"Little Jia... Little Jia..."
Wu Die hurriedly lifted her skirt and ran down the stairs as well. Her graceful figure swayed with every step, dazzling onlookers.

Wu Die chased after her, leaving a faint floral scent in her wake.

"I still prefer the grasslands."
"No! I like mountain peaks!"
"Grasslands are wonderful!"
"Peaks are splendid!"

"Grasslands are for galloping!"
"Mountains are for climbing!"

Once the two girls ran off, downstairs plunged into a debate between "grasslands" and "mountains," each argument well-reasoned, neither side yielding.

Soon, Jiang Lin, with little Nian Nian perched on his head, hobbled downstairs, holding his waist.

[That punch really hit my old back... Looks like I’ll need to rest well for the next couple of days.]

As soon as Jiang Lin descended, he saw the drunken crowd eyeing him strangely.

Their gazes held envy, disdain, pity, and... mockery?

"Brother Jiang, how was the flight today? Are your wings working well?"
"Brother Jiang, really, two pairs of wings and still not enough? Here, have a kidney skewer!"
"But seriously, Brother Jiang, Nian Nian is still sleeping upstairs. Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?"
"Yeah, what if Nian Nian accidentally wakes up? It might set a bad example for the child."

"Get lost, you fools! I just strained my back, nothing more. You’re the ones with weak kidneys, your whole families are!"

Clutching his aching waist, though the task was complete, the pain lingered—had that punch really hit his kidney?

Pushing past the drunkards, Jiang Lin left Spring Breeze Pavilion. As he walked down the street holding his back, a raspy, slightly lewd voice sounded behind him:

"Young man, holding your waist at such a young age... I think you need a kidney tonic..."

"I’ll tonic you..."

Turning around, Jiang Lin's expression froze.

"Hm? Ancestor?!"

"Hm? Jiang Lin, my boy~~~~"

...

...

[Well... just one update today, saving up some drafts for the New Year~~~ If there’s a new recommendation this Sunday or after the holiday, I’ll resume two updates. Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, just got home—so many relatives and friends, have to help out at home. Please forgive me, everyone~~~
Salty Fish wishes you all a Happy New Year~~~
May blessings be as vast as the Eastern Sea, wealth flow in abundance, may you be safe in all things, and may you find your ideal girlfriend~~~]