NOVPUBA simple sentence was like an invisible knife stabbing deeply into Chen Nan’s heart, bringing a wave of intense suffocation that made it hard for him to breathe.
After snapping back to reality, he said with a face full of concern, "Are you silly? Just because I’m nice to you, you want to force yourself?"
Nie Xiaoyu nodded repeatedly, "As long as you’re kind to me, I’m willing to do anything, even things I don’t like."
Chen Nan sighed helplessly and silently vowed to protect the pitiful girl in front of him at all costs, not allowing her to suffer the slightest grievance or harm!
Taking a deep breath, Chen Nan said, "Let’s go, go back to your room and I’ll give you a couple of acupuncture needles, you’re probably just having a stomach flu, it’s not a big problem."
Nie Xiaoyu hummed in agreement and obediently followed Chen Nan to her bedroom. Then, as Chen Nan instructed, she lay on the bed, lifted her clothes, and revealed her flat stomach.
Had it been another girl, Chen Nan would have definitely had malicious thoughts by now, especially since the cultivation technique he practiced made it hard for him to resist the allure of women.
Not to mention Nie Xiaoyu was once the beauty of Jizhou First Middle School.
But facing Nie Xiaoyu, his mind was clear of any impure thoughts because she was a girl he felt deeply sorry for, and he only wanted to protect her from being bullied by others.
After putting needles in her abdomen, Chen Nan asked softly, "How do you feel now?"
Nie Xiaoyu nodded again and again, "Much better."
Chen Nan’s worried heart also settled. He sat beside Nie Xiaoyu and casually said, "A while back, my father passed away. After the funeral, I got sick just like you did."
"I rested for several days before I finally recovered."
Nie Xiaoyu looked puzzled, "I’ve heard that many people get sick after attending a close relative’s funeral, why is that?"
Chen Nan answered, "There’s a folk belief that when a close relative dies, it’s like the bond of blood is severed. This emotional break directly affects our physical and mental state, thus leading to some illnesses."
"Of course, I don’t deny the folk saying, but I’m more inclined to believe that the intermingling of sorrow and loss has a detrimental effect on the body and mind."
"Also, the hygiene at rural funeral feasts is worrying, and having to keep vigil without rest, the body definitely can’t bear it in the long run."
"Unless it’s those heartless people, who can still eat heartily, laugh loudly at a close relative’s funeral, such people won’t get sick at all."
Nie Xiaoyu forced a smile, "You’re right, I have someone like that around me who you just described."
Chen Nan smiled and said nothing more, knowing who Nie Xiaoyu was referring to. He knew even better than Nie Xiaoyu what kind of person her aunt Nie Yunyan was!
Calling her a devil wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
Just then,
a ringtone came from the dining room.
"You stay put, I’ll go and get your phone for you!" Chen Nan quickly stood up and fetched Nie Xiaoyu’s phone from the dining room.
It showed the word "Aunt" on the screen.
After Nie Xiaoyu took the phone, she pressed the answer button and said softly, "What’s wrong, Aunt?"
A middle-aged woman’s voice came from the phone, "Xiaoyu, I’ve found you a man with excellent family conditions and handsome looks. Come to my house tomorrow evening, and I’ll introduce you to him."
"If you two get together, your grandfather will also rest in peace."
"After all, you were what your grandfather worried about the most before he passed away."
Upon hearing this, Nie Xiaoyu’s expression suddenly changed, clearly not expecting her aunt to arrange a blind date for her.
She was very averse to her aunt’s arrangement.
But she didn’t know how to refuse.
Just as she was at a loss, Chen Nan took Nie Xiaoyu’s cell phone and said to the woman on the other end, "Hello Auntie, my name is Chen Nan, Nie Xiaoyu’s boyfriend."
"What?" Nie Yunyan’s voice rose sharply, "You’re Xiaoyu’s boyfriend? When did she get a boyfriend? Why didn’t I know about this as her aunt?"
A hint of shyness appeared on Nie Xiaoyu’s wan face, and her heart pounded like a startled deer. She hadn’t expected Chen Nan to pretend to be her boyfriend.
It would have been one thing to pretend in front of someone else, but this was her aunt!
Was this akin to striking first and reporting afterwards, directly confirming their relationship?
Chen Nan smiled and said, "We just confirmed our relationship moments ago and were planning to visit you tomorrow."
"Well then, come with Xiaoyu tomorrow," Nie Yunyan’s voice was indifferent, "I’m the only family Xiaoyu has left in the world, and I need to properly scrutinize her future husband. If you want to be with her, you’ll have to pass my test first!" With that, she hung up the phone.
Listening to the busy tone on the other end of the phone, a strong murderous intent surged in Chen Nan’s heart!
Perhaps in Nie Xiaoyu’s eyes, Nie Yunyan was considering her best interests by arranging this matchmaking.
But Chen Nan was well aware of Nie Yunyan’s intentions.
She wanted to use Nie Xiaoyu’s marriage as an excuse to exploit and squeeze her value ruthlessly!
Chen Nan was thinking of securing justice for Nie Xiaoyu, as Nie Yunyan had exploited her for too long. Not making her pay a heavy price would not quell the hatred in his heart.
Yet he hadn’t expected this despicable woman to mess things up again.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions, then removed the silver needles from Nie Xiaoyu’s abdomen and said softly, "You rest well for now, I’ll accompany you to your aunt’s house tomorrow."
Nie Xiaoyu nodded with a flushed face.
Afterward, Chen Nan left Nie Xiaoyu’s room and picked up his cell phone to dial Zhou Long’s number.
Previously, when Nie Xiaoyu returned home for her grandfather’s funeral, Chen Nan had wanted to stay by her side. Even if he did nothing, he could provide her with some support.
However, Nie Xiaoyu had refused Chen Nan’s suggestion, emphasizing the importance of her studies.
Having no choice, Zhou Long had his subordinates follow Nie Xiaoyu, firstly to provide her with support and secondly to keep an eye on Nie Yunyan’s family.
Now, he needed to know how Nie Yunyan and her family had behaved during the funeral.
Twenty minutes later.
Zhou Long drove his old Pusang to the front of the promising future gate, accompanied by two young men in their mid-twenties.
By then, Chen Nan had been waiting for quite some time.
"Hello, Mr. Chen," Zhou Long greeted respectfully before turning to the two subordinates and saying, "Tell Mr. Chen everything you saw at the funeral."
One young man respectfully reported, "There wasn’t much happening at the funeral. The three members of Nie Yunyan’s family seemed heartless, never shedding a tear throughout the ceremony and even chatting and laughing, appearing quite happy."
"Oh, right."
"Zhang Wei, Nie Yunyan’s son, he really likes playing cards."
"He even played Tien Gow with some villagers from Nie Family Village during the funeral, and he reportedly won several hundred dollars."
Hearing this, a nearly imperceptible gleam of intensity passed through Chen Nan’s eyes. Every person had their weaknesses, and as long as he could find them, why worry about them not paying dearly?
