Chapter 174 The good-for-nothing breaks off the engagement and becomes the child of destiny?
Shen Anyu and Su Hongmian exchanged glances, communicating silently. Then, they both nodded heavily, their expressions solemn.
"Mom, that's for sure. Brother Shen and I won't separate. Not now, not ever."
Su Hongmian's voice was firm, though her hand trembled slightly as she gripped Shen Anyu's sleeve.
"Auntie, I give you my word. I will take care of Mianmian for my entire life. Anyone who wants to separate us will have to step over my corpse."
Shen Anyu's declaration was calm but laced with an unshakeable domineering aura.
Upon hearing this, a wide, relieved smile spread across Su Wanqing's exquisite and mature face. The worry lines around her eyes smoothed out. She then reached into her white Chanel handbag, her fingers brushing against the quilted leather, and took out a yellowed envelope.
In this era of convenient internet access via mobile phones and instant messaging, handwritten letters are extremely rare—relics of a bygone era. But in the traditional and conservative Martial Arts World, they are common, carrying a weight that digital text cannot convey.
The letter contained a past event, sealed with the vermilion stamp of a sword.
Su Wanqing's beautiful eyes looked at Shen Anyu and Su Hongmian. She unfolded the letter carefully, the crisp paper rustling in the quiet room, and softly said:
"This concerns your future, Mianmian. And yours, An'yu."
"When Mianmian was born, she was betrothed to Long Hao, the young master of the Long family, another prominent Martial Arts family in the southwest. It was a union meant to unite our factions."
"I've received letters from old friends in Bashu Sword Tomb over the years—secretly, of course—and I know a little about Long Hao."
"He is... or was... exceptionally talented. It's said that at only eighteen, he's already at the [Innate Peak] realm and is expected to break through to become a [Martial Arts Grandmaster] before he turns twenty. Looking at the entire Martial Arts World, such talent is one in a century. He's truly a Son of Heaven, destined to become a powerful figure!"
Su Wanqing paused, her expression becoming complicated.
"However, three years ago, unforeseen circumstances arose. Long Hao, for some unknown reason, lost all his cultivation overnight. His Dantian shattered, and he became a cripple who couldn't even lift a sword. Following his fall, the Long family also fell into trouble, suppressed by rivals."
"This letter... it is from the current Acting Sect Master of Bashu Sword Tomb. It states that since Long Hao is now a waste, if Mianmian is unwilling to marry him, the engagement can be broken..."
Su Wanqing had initially thought that with Long Hao's talent and strength, if Su Hongmian could marry him, it would certainly be an excellent marriage—a safety net for her daughter in the dangerous Jianghu.
However, after Long Hao lost his cultivation and became a cripple, and the Long family fell into decline, becoming a third-rate family, she never brought it up. She was a mother first; she wouldn't push her daughter into a fire pit.
Coupled with Su Hongmian's strong personality, her advocacy for free love, and her current deep relationship with Shen Anyu, Su Wanqing was even less likely to mention it. She didn't want to become the villain in her daughter's love story.
But Su Wanqing also didn't expect that Bashu Sword Tomb would actually send a letter proactively, bringing up the matter of breaking off the engagement. It seemed they wanted to draw a clear line with the fallen Long family to avoid being dragged down.
After some thought, realizing she couldn't hide it forever, Su Wanqing didn't refuse the summons and told Shen Anyu and Su Hongmian about the matter.
Listening to Su Wanqing's narration, Shen Anyu's mouth twitched slightly.
A million alpacas stampeded through his mind, creating a chaotic dust storm of realization.
'Good heavens... seriously? Even a "Trashy Fiancé Breaking Off the Engagement" Child of Destiny has appeared??'
Shen Anyu was speechless. He wanted to laugh.
It seems this composite novel world isn't just about urban settings like doctors and CEOs; there are Sons of Destiny in the ancient Martial Arts World as well, following the classic Xianxia tropes.
Let's review the checklist:
Genius turned Trash: Check. (Long Hao went from genius to cripple).
Mysterious Loss of Power: Check. (Usually due to a grandpa ring absorbing his energy or a sealed bloodline).
Fallen Family: Check. (The Long family is being suppressed).
Engagement Annulment: Check. (The heroine comes to break it off when he is at his lowest).
Three Year Pact: Pending. (He will likely shout, "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west, don't bully the young for being poor!").
Based on Shen Anyu's judgment and intuition—honed by reading thousands of web novels in his past life—Long Hao is nine-tenths likely to be a classic "Rise of the Waste" Child of Destiny.
'Interesting. Very interesting,' Shen Anyu thought, swirling the wine in his glass. 'This type of Protagonist usually has a very high destiny value. And they are very resilient.'
As for whether he is or not, he still needs to send someone (likely the Shadow Guards) to investigate and then identify him using the [Son of Destiny Identifier] system function. But Shen Anyu was already salivating at the potential harvest.
However, what also surprised Shen Anyu was the overlap.
Su Hongmian... wasn't she the associated heroine of the [Country Divine Doctor] Child of Destiny, Xia Liu? She was supposed to be Xia Liu's fiancée originally.
Now she also had an engagement with Long Hao?
'Or perhaps, because it's a composite novel world, the relationships between Sons of Destiny and destined heroines have overlapped quite a bit. One woman, multiple protagonists vying for her... only to be stolen by me, the Villain.'
Shen Anyu pondered thoughtfully, a dark amusement filling his eyes.
And Su Hongmian, who was already in a bad mood from hearing about the past regarding her biological parents' deaths, spoke directly. Her tone was sharp, cutting through the silence.
"I'm not marrying that inexplicable Long Hao. I don't care if he's a genius or a cripple. I've never met him!"
She slammed her hand on the armrest of the sofa.
"I'm definitely breaking off the engagement. What era is this? Arranged marriages are for antiques!"
Even without Shen Anyu, the proud Su Hongmian—the CEO of a listed company, a modern woman—wouldn't casually marry some stranger just because of a promise made when she was in diapers.
Moreover, she had already completely fallen for Shen Anyu. She had given him her heart, her body (well, almost), and her loyalty. They had even done things last night that were incredibly shameful—things that made her blush just thinking about them. How could she possibly marry someone else?
That Long Hao, he should roll as far away as possible.
Su Wanqing was not surprised by Su Hongmian's reply. She knew her daughter's temper better than anyone. She nodded gently, smoothing the creases on the letter.
"I expected you to say that. And I agree. You should choose your own happiness."
"Since that's the case, then next month, on July 15th, the [Chuan Shu Martial Arts Tournament] will be held. It's a grand gathering."
"Bashu Sword Tomb and the Long family, along with other Sichuan Martial Arts sects and Martial Arts families, will all attend. It's the perfect neutral ground."
"At that time, Mianmian, you'll come with me to discuss breaking off the engagement formally. We need to return the betrothal tokens."
At this point, Su Wanqing glared at Su Hongmian over the rim of her glasses and said seriously, her tone turning stern:
"But listen to me, Mianmian."
"You must not throw a tantrum about this matter. You must not act arrogant."
"Breaking off an engagement when someone is at their lowest point—when he is a cripple and his family is suffering—already seems like kicking them when they're down. It's humiliating for a man."
"You absolutely must control your temper. Be polite. Be apologetic. Or you'll make enemies unnecessarily and ruin our reputation."
"This matter will be discussed privately and handled by me. I will compensate the Long family with money and resources. We will give them face."
Su Hongmian pouted. She knew her mother was right, but she hated the idea of apologizing for wanting freedom.
"Fine. As long as I don't have to marry him, I'll act like a lady," she muttered, not refuting further.
Then, she suddenly remembered something. She frowned and looked at Su Wanqing doubtfully, saying:
"Mom, wait a minute."
"Didn't you say that my parents' deaths were suspicious? You said there was a traitor in Bashu Sword Tomb. That's why you ran away with me and never took me back for twenty years."
"You said it was dangerous. How come now it's okay? Are we walking into a trap?"
Although Su Hongmian now knew that Su Wanqing was not her biological mother, she still called her Mom out of habit. In her heart, Su Wanqing was the only mother she knew.
Shen Anyu also became curious. He leaned forward slightly.
Su Wanqing was a cautious and vigilant woman; she had survived in the business world by being paranoid. She shouldn't willingly put herself and her precious daughter in danger unless she had a guarantee.
Su Wanqing smiled slightly. A look of softness, perhaps reminiscence, appeared in her eyes.
"Things have changed, Mianmian."
"A friend of mine in Bashu Sword Tomb... an old senior brother... has now achieved success in martial arts. He has broken through to become a Grandmaster expert and has taken over the position of Acting Sect Master of Bashu Sword Tomb."
"He reached out to me. He guaranteed our safety."
"He was a good friend of mine and your biological parents back then. He can be trusted. With him there, holding the reins of power, our safety will definitely not be an issue."
Su Hongmian blinked. Her gossip radar pinged.
She immediately giggled, leaning closer to Su Wanqing, her earlier gloom vanishing.
"Mom, you trust him that much? A 'Senior Brother'? What's your relationship? Is there an old flame burning?"
"Mind your manners!"
Su Wanqing glared at Su Hongmian, flushing slightly. She tapped Su Hongmian's forehead.
"For the past twenty years, I've been busy raising you and managing my business. I've been fighting wolves in the boardroom. Where would I have any other thoughts about romance?"
"Now I'm thirty-seven, almost thirty-eight... I'm an old woman. I've even prepared to be single for life."
"As for him..."
At this point, Su Wanqing recalled something. Her gaze drifted to the window, looking at the distant sky. She sighed softly:
"He's a very good person. Or at least, he was. And yes, he did pursue me back then."
"But there's no way I could leave Modu. I couldn't leave you, or Jinxiu Mingcha Company, to go live in a mountain sect. So it was destined to have no outcome, and naturally, I wouldn't accept his pursuit."
"Besides, I only see him as a brother; there's no romantic affection whatsoever."
"You, stop overthinking. Focus on your own love life."
Su Hongmian stuck out her tongue and made a funny face, her exquisite and beautiful small face full of mischief.
Shen Anyu raised an eyebrow.
He didn't share their lightheartedness. As a Destined Villain, his instincts were screaming.
'A "Good Senior Brother" who takes over the sect after the previous generation dies suspiciously? Who pursues the widow/guardian? Who invites them back right when the engagement drama starts?'
Shen Anyu keenly sensed that the person Su Wanqing mentioned might not be a good guy. In fact, he smelled a hypocrite.
'This "Senior Brother" is either the mastermind behind the parents' death or a secondary antagonist aiming for Su Wanqing.'
Shen Anyu narrowed his eyes. He absolutely had to eliminate such bad men who harbored ill intentions towards Su Wanqing. Su Wanqing was his... well, his future mother-in-law (and potentially more). No one else could touch her.
Based on this suspicion alone, he could confirm that this guy was no good.
"Auntie, Mianmian," Shen Anyu spoke up, his voice cutting through the banter.
"I also happen to be free next month on July 15th. I'll accompany you to Bashu Sword Tomb."
At this point, Shen Anyu reached out and clasped Su Hongmian's fair, slender hand. He squeezed it gently but firmly.
"You're breaking off an engagement; it's a big event. As your boyfriend, how could I not go with you? I need to show this 'Long Hao' that you are taken."
"Besides, I'm also worried about your safety. The Martial Arts World is treacherous. I don't trust this 'Senior Brother' completely."
Listening to Shen Anyu's tender words of love and seeing the doting, protective expression on his handsome face, Su Hongmian's heart melted completely.
She threw herself into Shen Anyu's arms, hugging his neck tightly, burying her face in his shoulder.
"Brother Shen, you're so good! I knew you would come!"
Shen Anyu held her, stroking her hair, while his eyes met Su Wanqing's over Su Hongmian's shoulder.
Su Wanqing looked at the intimate scene of the young couple before her.
A faint, gentle smile remained on her exquisite and beautiful face—the smile of a mother happy for her child.
But beneath that smile, deep in her chest, her heart felt somewhat empty and lonely.
She watched Shen Anyu's strong arms around her daughter. She remembered the warmth of his shoulder earlier when she cried. She remembered the way he looked at her.
The silence of the large villa suddenly felt oppressive.
Although she had long prepared to be single for life to take care of Su Hongmian... in the dead of night, when the house was quiet and the bed was cold... she still felt lonely...
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