Chapter 2: A Jest Written on Paper

“Big sister, you’re awake?”
“That scoundrel just left.”
Lin Ziqing replied hastily, her heart full of shock at seeing her sister return to normal. Yet she couldn’t believe that it was Xiao Nan who had cured her sister’s illness!
“What scoundrel?”
“Mr. Xiao is a miraculous doctor with extraordinary skills. We haven’t even thanked him yet—how can you call him a scoundrel?”
“And if my guess is correct, he might be able to cure Dad’s stubborn disease,” Lin Shuyun said urgently.
“That’s impossible. Dad’s been sick for years—how many miracle physicians have we consulted, all to no avail. Can he really cure Dad?” Lin Ziqing was skeptical.
“Mr. Xiao saw through my illness at a glance, even deduced when I would suffer attacks. With just a few techniques, he cured me—doesn’t that prove his skill?” Lin Shuyun was still elated.
No one knew her body better than she herself. She had consulted countless doctors, all saying the illness was nearly incurable.
Yet now, Lin Shuyun could feel her heart beating strong and steady, wrapped in a surge of vitality.
“I don’t believe it. He just tapped you a couple of times—how could that possibly cure you?”
“Maybe you’re just feeling better temporarily; it has nothing to do with him.”
“Trust me, Ziqing. Right now, only Mr. Xiao can save Dad,” Lin Shuyun insisted.
Lin Ziqing pursed her lips. “But Luocheng is so big, he’s already gone—where are we supposed to find him?”
“Didn’t Mr. Xiao say he was going to the Xie family to fulfill a marriage contract?”
“Let’s go to the Xie family and look for him!” Lin Shuyun said without hesitation.
“If you want to go, go by yourself. I’m not looking for that scoundrel!” Lin Ziqing declared, storming out of the car.

…

Meanwhile, at the Xie family villa.

Lights blazed brightly.

Today, the Xie family was hosting a banquet, attended by all the prominent figures of Luocheng.
Upon hearing of Xiao Nan’s arrival, the Xie family patriarch hurried out to welcome him personally.
“Little friend, your sudden visit—I apologize for not coming out to greet you sooner!”
“How is your master?”
The Xie patriarch, Xie Wenqiang, dressed in traditional attire and brimming with energy, stood among his relatives.
Xiao Nan’s expression was somber. “My master has passed away.”
“What?!”
An outcry erupted among those present, as if they had heard earth-shattering news.
“Passed away? How could that be?”
“The old master was like an immortal—how could he just leave us?”
Xie Wenqiang’s heart sank, but he quickly asked, “How much of your master’s art have you learned?”
He was desperate.
Xiao Nan modestly touched his nose. “Only a small part.”
“Just a small part?”
Hearing this, Xie Wenqiang’s demeanor changed instantly; his initial warmth faded, replaced by disdain—he was like a different person.
He straightened his back and asked coldly, “Then why are you here today?”
“I come at my master’s command, to fulfill the marriage contract made years ago,” Xiao Nan answered truthfully.

As soon as he spoke, the crowd paused, then burst into mocking laughter.
“Who is this pauper, coming to my Xie family, waving an old marriage contract, thinking he can marry our eldest miss? Even a toad wouldn’t dare dream so big!”
“Does he think our eldest miss is a cabbage to be picked at will?”
“Get out of here! Stop disgracing yourself and us!”
Today was supposed to be the engagement day between Miss Xie and Young Master Li Yadong of the Li family, with many distinguished families in attendance.
The banquet was bustling, but now their mood was spoiled by a poorly dressed young man.
The Xie family found themselves in an awkward position.
Though only a third-rate family in Luocheng, they weren’t people that ordinary folk could climb to.
Besides, the Li family was a second-rate family, and this marriage alliance was a rare opportunity.
How could they let it slip by?
Anyone who dared obstruct the alliance would be eliminated!
At first, Xie Wenqiang had respected Xiao Nan’s master, but now, learning the master was dead and Xiao Nan only knew a little, he immediately turned hostile.
Surrounded by verbal attacks, Xiao Nan remained remarkably composed.
Looking at the marriage contract in his hand, he didn’t care for Xie Meina herself.
Though she was attractive, compared to the Lin sisters, it was like heaven and earth.
But the contract was a matter left to him by the old man; he had to reclaim his master’s dignity.
“Old Xie, years ago my master saved your life, and extended it by twenty-five years. You were so grateful that you offered your entire fortune, and so the marriage contract was made. Are you trying to go back on it now?”
Xiao Nan looked at Xie Wenqiang with a cold smile.
Before Xiao Nan left the mountain, his master had told him: if the Xie family honored the marriage, Xiao Nan should extend Xie Wenqiang’s life by another ten years.
Now, it seemed unnecessary.
“A childish promise from back then—can it be taken seriously?”
“Times have changed. If your master were still alive, my Xie family would honor the contract. But now, it’s nothing but a scrap of paper!”
Xie Wenqiang sneered inwardly.
He would never let his granddaughter marry a penniless country boy.
He’d only been polite then, but someone had actually taken him seriously.
“Where did you come from, country bumpkin? You think you’re worthy of a marriage contract with me?”
“Look at yourself—just a yokel from the mountains. What right do you have to marry me?”
“I advise you to leave quickly, or I’ll have the guards break your legs and throw you out!”
Xie Meina stepped out from the crowd, staring coldly at the toad who wanted to dine on swan.
At the same time, a man in a white suit strode forward, looking at Xiao Nan with utter contempt.
“Kid, allow me to introduce myself.”
“I am Li Yadong, sole heir of Luocheng’s Li family, and a director of Haoli Group.”
“I don’t know where you crawled out from, but you clearly came at the wrong time. Look at your shabby appearance—you’re not even fit to carry my shoes, let alone compete for Meina. Get lost.”
“Brother Yadong, there’s no need to waste words with him. He’s just here to cause trouble—let me have someone throw him out,” Xie Meina said hurriedly.
As soon as she spoke, several Xie family guards stepped forward to seize Xiao Nan.
Xie Wenqiang slapped his chair, shouting, “Enough! Today is not the time for farce!”
If not for the presence of Luocheng’s elite, Xie Wenqiang would not have let Xiao Nan leave so easily.
He still needed to save face. Turning to a young man beside him, he said, “Guotao, give him five hundred thousand and send him on his way.”
Xie Guotao nodded, pulled a check from his suit pocket, scribbled quickly, and coldly tossed it at Xiao Nan’s feet.
“Be smart—take the money and get out.”

Xiao Nan’s eyes darkened. “Xie Wenqiang, my master extended your life by twenty-five years—is your twenty-five years worth only five hundred thousand?”
His words immediately sparked another wave of discontent among the Xie family.
“Boy, don’t push your luck—you’ll never earn five hundred thousand in your life, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth!”
“Hand over your marriage contract, take the money, and leave!”
“For someone as poor as you, five hundred thousand is the greatest favor you’ll ever get.”
Xie Meina snatched the marriage contract from Xiao Nan’s hand, and before everyone’s eyes, tore it to shreds and scattered it on the floor.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Nan’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Xie Meina, I hope you remember what you’ve done today, because one day, you’ll come crawling to beg me.”
“And the entire Xie family—you’ll all pay for what you’ve done to me today.”
Xie Meina laughed, radiant as a flower, and even the Xie family members burst into laughter.
“Beg you?”
“Has this boy gone mad in the mountains? Our Xie family, beg him? What a joke!”
“Today is the engagement banquet for the Li and Xie families, and you, an outsider, are here to meddle—do you think that’s appropriate?”
Just then, a voice rang out from outside the door.
“Miss Lin, the eldest daughter, has arrived!”
At the sound, the crowd fell silent, eyes turning toward the entrance.
A graceful figure approached slowly.
Fair-skinned, beautiful—a peerless beauty!
Beside her, Xie Meina seemed utterly outclassed, not even on the same level.
Even the daughters of other prominent families couldn’t help but show envy in their eyes.
“My goodness, she’s like a fairy descended to earth!”
“That’s the eldest daughter of the Lin family, the richest in Luocheng? Why is she here?”
“Could she be attending the engagement banquet? What an honor!”
The crowd discussed feverishly, their eyes burning with excitement.
The Lin sisters rarely appeared in public, almost never attending banquets.
For her to come to the Li and Xie family engagement was a rare blessing!
“Miss Lin, why didn’t you say you were coming? I would have prepared a proper welcome!” Xie Wenqiang, leading the Xie family, greeted Lin Shuyun with excitement.
Not just him—all the heads of other families, the CEOs of various companies, hurried forward.
The Lin family was the richest in Luocheng!
If they could form a connection, even just a passing acquaintance, it would be immensely beneficial.
Xiao Nan watched the Xie family’s fawning faces from the crowd, quietly sneering.
“Get out of my way, you worthless loser—you’re blocking my path.”
As Xie Meina passed by Xiao Nan, she glared at him with disdain, as if avoiding a bothersome toad.
Lin Shuyun smiled at the crowd, quickly spotting Xiao Nan at the back, and walked toward him with delight.
“Mr. Xiao, you’re really here! I finally found you!”