Young Lords of Wuling at the Eastern Gold Market, Silver Saddles and White Horses Ride the Spring Breeze Chapter 114 A Thousand Miles on a Lone Horse (2)

He rolled his eyes but kept scanning the surroundings for any sign of Xia Churan. Xia’s mother noticed this and quickly put on a bright smile.

“Xiao Fang, come inside quickly. Today, your uncle’s family is here for dinner. Churan is helping out in the kitchen.”

So, the cluster of aunts and relatives at the door turned out to be Xia Churan’s uncle’s family, and the woman pinching his arm was Xia’s mother’s sister—Churan’s aunt.

Helpless, he stepped into the courtyard, where the family swarmed around him, bombarding him with questions: How much do you earn a year? Where did you make your fortune? Can you help my son succeed?

“Heh, I’m actually a year younger than Churan. Just started college this year,” he replied, displeased as his new coat was tugged and pulled.

“Oh? You just started college and are already driving such a nice car? What does your family do?” Uncle Xia was astonished.

“Just a regular office worker. Where’s Churan? Why haven’t I seen her?” He was eager to find the girl and stood up.

“She’s helping in the kitchen. She’ll be out soon,” Xia’s mother said, feigning warmth as she tried to sit him down.

“I’ll go check,” Fang Yu said, stepping forward, wanting to leave as soon as possible.

“Tsk tsk, the young master sure has a temper,” Xia’s aunt muttered behind him.

Fang Yu strode into the kitchen, where he saw the once elegant girl now crouched by the earthen stove, struggling in a yellowed down jacket, poking at the firewood inside with a stick.

“Damn, why are you dressed like this?” he muttered.

Xia Churan was startled, turned around, and upon seeing Fang Yu, quickly stood up, her face still streaked with tears but her eyes shining with joy.

“Fang Yu, you came to pick me up? I thought you’d be late,” she said, wiping soot from her face.

“What’s going on? Why do you look like Cinderella? Are you doing this at home?”

The girl lowered her head shyly, no longer the proud student she was at school.

“Well, my little brother’s too young and can’t help. I have to help Mom take care of the guests.”

“Bullshit! Taking care of guests? Change your clothes quickly and come with me!” His anger flared as he slapped the firewood from her hands and pulled her out of the kitchen.

As they emerged, the aunts and relatives surrounded them again.

“Oh, come eat, eat! Let’s chat while we eat.”

“I’m not eating. I have things to do. Churan, go change your clothes—we’ll eat when we get back to school,” he said coldly, glaring at everyone.

Just then, Xia Churan’s younger brother yawned and walked out. The boy, about the same height as Lu Zhen, wore a lecherous expression.

“Sis, I’m hungry. Is the food ready?”

Hearing this, Xia’s mother smiled and said, “Yes, yes. Your sister made the food. Hurry and eat. Here, this is your sister’s boyfriend, Fang Yu. Say hello.”

The boy named Xia Yuan glanced at Fang Yu blankly, then nodded faintly.

“Oh, what are you here for?”

“Heh, what’s that got to do with you?” Fang Yu wasn’t his father and owed no favors.

Xia Yuan, clearly surprised by Fang Yu’s bluntness, turned to Churan.

“Sis, is this the kind of boyfriend you have? No manners at all. No red envelopes for the New Year? Aren’t you dating some rich guy at school?”

Before Xia’s mother could explain, Fang Yu stepped in front of Xia Yuan, grinning darkly.

“You little brat, don’t take me for a fool. Say one more disrespectful word to your sister, and I’ll smash every tooth in your mouth!”

Xia Yuan, just starting high school and unused to Fang Yu’s intimidating aura, quickly scampered behind Xia’s mother.

The relatives were stunned—didn’t expect Fang Yu to turn hostile so quickly. Aunt Xia hurriedly grabbed his arm.

“Young man, don’t be so hot-tempered. These are your elders. You should show some respect. Churan isn’t even married to you yet.”

“When did I ever have to consider your opinions? Elders? You all don’t deserve the title,” Fang Yu narrowed his eyes, sweeping a cold gaze over the villagers.

Xia Churan timidly tugged at his sleeve.

“Fang Yu, calm down. I’ll go change clothes, okay?”

Under his fierce glare, the aunts and uncles dared not speak further. After all, they were simple villagers, unlikely to confront him physically.

“Ten minutes. Don’t bring your makeup. I’ll buy you new stuff.” He nodded, pulled a chair, and sat down coldly.

Xia’s mother felt awkward. She had been praising Fang Yu to the relatives, but he had shown no respect to her. The relatives began whispering among themselves, so she pulled him aside to a corner of the courtyard, glancing at him sideways.

Fang Yu leisurely lit a cigarette. After five or six minutes, the girl hurried over with a suitcase, barely having time to loosen her ponytail.

“I’m ready. Fang Yu, don’t be mad. Let’s go now, okay?”

“I’m not mad. Let’s go.” He flicked the cigarette butt away.

After taking a few steps, his sleeve was grabbed by Aunt Xia, an old woman with a sallow face, who shouted loudly.

“What? Just take the girl away like that? No explanation to us?”

“Get lost! When have I ever had to explain myself?” Fang Yu shook off her hand with disgust, his eyes freezing over.

“Everyone back off! I’ve already paid off all the debts Xia Churan owed from school. We owe nothing to any of you. If anyone dares touch her again, I’ll break their bones!”

Frightened, the relatives backed down. Only Xia’s mother dared hold Churan’s hand.

“Churan, be sure to work hard at college. The family’s counting on you to send money back.”

The girl’s expression darkened. She nodded, lowered her head, and slipped into the car Fang Yu opened for her. Only after the 640 drove a few dozen meters did she look up.

“Fang Yu, thank you,” she whispered.

“No problem. Your face is all dirty. Wash up when we get to school.”

Along the way, the girl fell asleep immediately, no doubt exhausted from lack of rest at home. Usually, Xia Churan was energetic, even after staying up all night online, she only needed a short nap.

Fortunately, the school was just a two-hour drive away. At three in the afternoon, the 640 stopped steadily at the entrance to the snack street. Watching the still-sleeping girl, Fang Yu sighed and went straight to a real estate agency.

“I want to rent something upscale. Do you have any detached villas? Or large flats? I want to rent two units.”

The agent recognized him and quickly smiled.

“Oh, Boss Fang, you’re back early? Yes, yes, yes. Take a look—how about this townhouse?” She turned the computer screen toward him.