Chapter 24: Time to Meet the Parents
After a moment of stunned silence, Bai Ruoxi, unable to believe what she was seeing, tried to get a better look through the window. Mu Zhi’an grabbed her hand, placing a finger to his lips and hushing her.
Peeking at Bai Yuanfeng wouldn’t be a problem. She was a relatively weak cultivator. But Gongsun Xiong was a different story.
Even though he seemed relaxed in Bai Yuanfeng’s presence, and Wei Mengrou was helping to mask their aura, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t be detected.
Despite their precautions, Mu Zhi’an could hear the sounds of laughter and playful banter coming from the room.
That alone was enough confirmation.
He glanced at Bai Ruoxi, her face pale with shock. He knew this was a devastating blow to her.
He called her name softly, but she didn’t respond.
Seeing her unresponsive state, he swept her into his arms and carried her away from the Bai Manor, their movements swift and silent.
It wasn’t until they were back in the carriage, the rhythmic clatter of hooves filling the air, that Bai Ruoxi seemed to come back to her senses. She stared out the window at the passing scenery, her expression a mixture of shock, anger, and despair.
It was all clear now. That’s why Bai Yuanfeng had refused to relinquish the Meridian Connecting Pill. That’s why her father had been ambushed.
It wasn’t a coincidence. It was a carefully orchestrated plan, a betrayal by Bai Yuanfeng, working in collusion with the Gongsun family.
“Young Master Mu, why would my mother do this?” she asked softly, turning to look at him. “What does she gain by destroying our family?”
Mu Zhi’an sighed. “She gains nothing.”
“But human emotions and actions are often irrational. If we could understand everyone’s motives through simple logic, there wouldn’t be so many shocking crimes in this world.”
“You can never truly understand how another person’s mind works.”
The most terrifying creatures weren’t beasts, but humans.
And a woman’s heart was the most unpredictable of all.
After a long silence, Bai Ruoxi seemed to reach a decision. She looked at Mu Zhi’an, her voice firm. “Young Master Mu, if you can save the Bai family, I’ll give you the Meridian Connecting Pill tomorrow.”
Mu Zhi’an looked at her, a sad smile on his face. “Miss Bai, do you honestly believe the Meridian Connecting Pill is still at the Bai Manor?”
Bai Ruoxi froze.
She fell silent, listening to the rhythmic clatter of hooves against the cobblestones. A bitter smile touched her lips.
“You’re right…” she murmured. “Regardless, thank you for everything, Young Master Mu.”
She asked the coachman to stop, then reached for the curtain, intending to leave.
“Where are you going?” Mu Zhi’an asked.
She paused, her hand hovering over the curtain. “I need to… take care of the Bai family,” she replied softly.
Her father was gravely injured, and her mother was a traitor. She was the only one left who could shoulder this burden.
“Do you need my help?” Mu Zhi’an asked.
Bai Ruoxi shook her head. “You have no obligation to help us, Young Master Mu. You’ve already done so much.”
“I’ll visit you again soon to express my gratitude properly.”
She still has some pride… Mu Zhi’an watched as she made to leave the carriage. He reached out and gently grasped her hand, pulling her back inside.
She turned to look at him, her eyes filled with confusion.
Her usually vibrant beauty was now muted, her face pale and drawn, her eyes moist. She looked fragile, vulnerable, making him want to pull her into his arms and comfort her.
He signaled for the coachman to continue, then turned back to Bai Ruoxi.
“Is there something else, Young Master Mu?” she asked softly, lowering her gaze. Her white dress swayed gently as the carriage moved, revealing a glimpse of her slender legs.
Mu Zhi’an’s goal was the Meridian Connecting Pill, but it was likely already in the Gongsun family’s possession. The Bai family had nothing left to offer him.
“What do you think our relationship is, Miss Bai?” he asked.
Bai Ruoxi was taken aback.
She’d never considered that question before.
Their dynamic had shifted from simp and goddess to equals, and in the past few days, a layer of undeniable intimacy had developed between them.
“We’re definitely not Dao Companions. But… we’re more than just friends, aren’t we?”
He gently squeezed her hand.
Bai Ruoxi hesitated, then nodded, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. She didn’t pull away, allowing him to hold her hand.
“Your father is injured, but that doesn’t mean he’s useless,” Mu Zhi’an said, his gaze fixed on her.
“I think… with our current relationship, it’s time we met the parents.”
The parents…?
Bai Ruoxi stared at him, her eyes widening in understanding.
“You… You want to meet my father?!”
Mu Zhi’an nodded.
Compared to the scheming Gongsun family, he now believed the Bai family was a more reliable ally.
