Chaotic World Book
Chapter 72 - 72 71 A Three-Year Agreement

72: Chapter 71: A Three-Year Agreement?

72: Chapter 71: A Three-Year Agreement?

Only Yuan Yang truly understood Zhao Changhe’s feelings in this matter.

In the perspective of the Cui Family, the “Chaotic World Book” was a headache, but from Zhao Changhe’s perspective, wasn’t it just as troublesome?

He was simply sending someone home and drifting away, looking back on his journey through the Worldly Society with a sense of joy, yet now it had completely soured.

All his efforts to preserve Yuan Yang’s reputation had gone to waste.

The whole world was thinking about how Zhao Changhe would become a son-in-law; everyone envied him.

Did anyone consider that Zhao Changhe never wanted to be a son-in-law from the start?

Everyone imagined his relationship with Yuan Yang; was he supposed to be responsible?

But he was merely escorting someone home, had done nothing at all.

Was it necessary to risk a life filled with trials, and now also sacrifice the future life he had never intended to pursue?

Besides Yuan Yang herself, who considered his perspective?

Everyone just thought he was fortunate…

The young girl understood; that lingering, paused look in her eyes rippled in his heart to this day.

Unexpectedly, when Wen Jing heard this, he didn’t erupt in anger as expected.

Instead, Wen Jing slowly sipped his wine and casually mentioned, “Your so-called lover…

is it Xia Chichi from the Four Symbols Sect, or Yue Hongling, whom others think is a fake bandit’s wife?”

Damn, you know too much.

Zhao Changhe was surprised by Wen Jing’s attitude; the previously somewhat defiant demeanor suddenly became much more subdued, and he answered, “Chichi.

There is nothing romantic with Miss Yue; she’s a teacher and a friend, and there’s no other intention.

It’s just a misunderstanding, including your son…”

“Naïve,” Wen Jing scoffed, “You might as well say it’s Yue Hongling; at least that seems plausible.

Yet you actually defend the honor of a woman from the Demon Sect…”

Zhao Changhe pursed his lips somewhat defiantly, believing Chichi’s feelings for him were genuine.

Although he couldn’t say it was an everlasting, undying affection, it was hard to predict if these feelings would fade.

When Chichi left, she had mentioned, “If you find another woman in the future,” seemingly indifferent, but he felt that at least at that moment, she cared.

Wen Jing observed him for a long moment and seemed even more amused.

When he arrogantly maintained his demeanor, standing shoulder to shoulder and speaking openly, but when he was indifferent to rejection, and instead teased him, he turned humble, his aggrieved and unarguable demeanor quite endearing.

Just a clear-cut young man with a strong sense of justice, not some born rebel or innate outlaw.

Even his affections were typical of a young man.

What kind of bandit lord would behave like that toward women?

His identity…

seemed ever more genuine.

He lightly tapped his index finger on the stone table, slowly saying, “I asked Yuan Yang repeatedly last night; I believe you have no intentions toward her.

Physical contact during a fugitive escape is justifiable, and the Cui Family isn’t so foolishly conservative.

But the problem is, it seems Yuan Yang has intentions for you, and they are quite strong…”

Zhao Changhe didn’t speak.

This was the reason for his emotional struggle when coming to refuse today.

The grace of a beautiful woman is hard to decline.

The look of slight anger and resentment in the young girl’s eyes echoed repeatedly in his heart, making the words of refusal excruciatingly hard to say.

Facing her in person, Zhao Changhe wasn’t sure he could manage it; fortunately, he was facing her father.

Yuan Yang also knew and had chosen not to be present; perhaps she feared he wouldn’t be able to speak out with her there, and maybe she feared she would cry.

She actually understood everything…

Seeing his expression, Wen Jing’s smile grew, “I don’t blame the girl for her wandering heart…

Honestly, your heroic actions this time do justify Yuan Yang developing feelings.”

Zhao Changhe couldn’t help but scratch his head, somewhat confused.

How come the more we talk, the more reasonable and even complimentary you become?

I was clearly refusing you just now; shouldn’t you be furious?

Wen Jing continued, “For the family’s sake, one must weigh the pros and cons.

But on a personal level, who doesn’t honor a hero?

If you sought the Cui Family’s support or even just wanted wealth and a beautiful wife, we might agree, yet internally, we wouldn’t respect it, feeling our daughter was slighted.

But since you refused, I feel sorry for my daughter, yet personally, I admire you more; is that so hard to understand?”

Zhao Changhe: “Uh…”

Wen Jing chuckled, “Speaking of which, since understanding is mutual… do you understand Yuan Yang’s current situation?

Or do you think… with a clear conscience, you can just walk away and let Yuan Yang face the world’s opinion alone?”

Zhao Changhe was silent for a long moment before saying softly, “To be honest, if that were the case, I would feel guilty… I can’t stand the thought of Yuan Yang being ridiculed.”

Wen Jing’s smile deepened, “So in this dilemma, what do you plan to do?”

Zhao Changhe suddenly said, “Yuan Yang is still young; it’s not even time for marriage talks.”

Cui Wenjing stared at him silently.

Zhao Changhe scratched his head, “If I say we’re sworn siblings, would the elder agree?”

Cui Wenjing’s mouth twitched, “It’s not about whether I agree or not; you’re probably taking everyone in the world for fools.

Even if I hold a grand ceremony to consider you my sworn son — does the etiquette at Zhao Mansion not allow sworn siblings to become husband and wife?

Anyway, there’s no such rule in the world.”

Zhao Changhe: “…”

Cui Wenjing: “…”

“Then… give me three years,” Zhao Changhe tried to say.

“The Cui Family can proclaim all over the world that Zhao Changhe comes from bandits and if within three years, he fails to rank on the Heaven, Earth, and Human List, he shall not have the right to marry Yangyang.

What does the elder think?”

Cui Wenjing found it rather amusing because this was one of his own backup plans; he was wondering if saying it would make Zhao Changhe feel targeted.

Surprisingly, Zhao Changhe brought it up himself.

According to this rationale, it would seem as though the Cui Family expelled Zhao Changhe, saving Yangyang’s face without making definitive statements, and providing hope without appearing too harsh or ungrateful.

The world’s view of the Aristocratic Family always included this fault of scrutinizing one’s background, something they were accustomed to; perhaps they would be criticized a bit, but it wouldn’t be a total ruin of reputation.

Three years later, Zhao Changhe might be dead somewhere or might not have met the requirements; for the Cui Family, wouldn’t that perfectly close the matter?

This Zhao Changhe is quite interesting; he wasn’t in the wrong yet he felt guilty, and his proposal put himself in an awkward position.

Proposing to marry a lady from an Aristocratic Family while being despised as a bandit doesn’t make good gossip in the Worldly Society… Is this heartless towards Yangyang?

He obviously loves Yangyang deeply and doesn’t care about his own reputation.

“But the problem is… what if you really do make it onto the Heaven, Earth, and Human List within three years?” Cui Wenjing asked with a smile.

“And you really come back to marry Yangyang, what about Xia Chichi?”

Zhao Changhe said, “At that time, why couldn’t it be Zhao Changhe holding a grudge over the past and no longer bothering about it?”

“If Yangyang still harbors old feelings then, would you truly bear to ignore her?” Cui Wenjing burst out laughing.

“We’re all men here; why hide it!

You’re just betting that by then you’ll have the power to have both!”

Zhao Changhe blinked and stopped talking.

Actually, it was a bit unjust; he hadn’t thought that far.

He was no strategic military adviser calculating ten steps ahead; coming up with a generally acceptable solution in such a short time was already challenging.

How could he have planned so far ahead?

But Cui Wenjing, laughing heartily, didn’t show a trace of anger; this attitude made him think, huh…

Cui Wenjing laughed, “I had thought about this plan too, but I didn’t expect you to bring it up first… But your proposal differs slightly from what I envisioned.

Do you know where?”

Zhao Changhe shook his head; how could he know.

Cui Wenjing said, “You said three years… I was originally planning on five years.”

Zhao Changhe was twenty this year, and the age limit for the Hidden Dragon List was twenty-five; therefore, Cui Wenjing initially planned on giving five years.

The Chaotic World Book sets such age limits for a reason, for there are many heroes in the Worldly Society, and talent always has its limits.

After all, why should someone who has honed their skills for three to four decades not defeat a mere youngster?

Young people should naturally first be judged on potential.

By the age of twenty-five, one should have weathered the storms of the Worldly Society; by then, talking about potential is hardly fitting; it’s time to properly compete on the Human List.

Of course, once-in-a-lifetime geniuses do exist who accomplish what others cannot; while others consider potential, such a person has achieved Grandmaster status and ascended to the Human List.

Such individuals exist in history, albeit rarely.

The last one to achieve this was Xia Long Yuan.

When he ascended to the Human List, he was twenty-two.

And Zhao Changhe said three years; by then, he would be twenty-three.

With the precedent set by Xia Long Yuan, it’s not too astonishing, but it’s still an achievement no one in the world dares to boast about, especially since you only started practicing martial arts at nineteen…

Cui Wenjing thought giving five years was already challenging enough, yet this fellow himself proposed three years; do you even realize what that represents?

Of course, Cui Wenjing isn’t exactly a gentleman either; after spiriting away his daughter’s heart, not killing you last night was merely to prevent his daughter from going mad.

You proposed three years yourself, why would I give you five or ten years?

He just grinned and took a sip from his wine cup, “I myself have several concubines; naturally, I wouldn’t tell you to allow only one… If you truly have the ability to ascend to the Human List within three years, what’s so strange about taking a few concubines?”

Zhao Changhe always felt that this attitude was unexpectedly agreeable, completely unlike any scenario he had mentally rehearsed before.

After thinking for a long time, he suddenly realized.

After all the maneuvering, wasn’t this still a type of marriage contract?

The old fox had already tacitly agreed on the main wife…