A Family of Hopeless Romantics, Except for the Evil Little Junior Brother

A cold glint flashed as the sword pressed against Li Xuanxiao’s throat.

Just an inch forward, and it would pierce that vulnerable spot.

Su Wan’s face was filled with shame and anger.

“If only you could be this tough when facing Jiang Luoshui.”

Li Xuanxiao spoke calmly.

Su Wan said in a low voice, “How is this the same? Speak! Why did you place a Twin Recording Stone in my cave dwelling?”

Li Xuanxiao shrugged. “Isn’t the reason obvious?”

“You…”

Su Wan’s fair face, usually as smooth as jade, now flushed like a peach blossom blooming in spring, a shade of red so enchanting it made her delicate features even more mesmerizing.

Su Wan had always thought she had a decent relationship with this Little Junior Brother. But never had she imagined he harbored such thoughts about her.

She hadn’t noticed a single sign before.

He had even installed a Recording Stone in her cave dwelling—for five whole years.

And she had never realized it.

“I knew this day would come,” Li Xuanxiao said. “From the moment Senior Sister brought Jiang Luoshui into the sect, I warned you—don’t bring just anyone back to the sect.

It didn’t take long before I noticed that Jiang Luoshui had ulterior motives. She says one thing and does another—one face in public, another behind closed doors.

So, just in case, I had no choice but to take this extreme measure.”

“Are you trying to fool a ghost?” Su Wan said coldly.

Under normal circumstances, if she found out that someone had installed a Twin Recording Stone in her cave dwelling…

Monitoring her every move for five years…

And had most likely seen her entire body…

She would have killed that person with a single sword strike.

But this same person had also stood up for her at a critical moment, proving her innocence.

That was the source of Su Wan’s inner conflict.

Li Xuanxiao remained unfazed. He was confident he could subdue Su Wan, even with her sword at his throat.

He appeared to have weak cultivation—that was only because he wanted others to think so.

He had no system, and he was not the Child of Destiny.

But with his unwavering heart for cultivation and his comprehension of the Dao of Emotionlessness, among the younger generation of Mount Shushan, Li Xuanxiao did not believe he was weaker than anyone.

Except for First Senior Brother Xue Yun.

That guy was a complete monster.

An unparalleled prodigy—tragically, a hopeless romantic.

Su Wan’s gaze flickered with surprise. She hadn’t expected that even in this situation, Li Xuanxiao could remain so composed, his breathing steady, speaking righteously as he explained himself.

“I can swear a Great Dao Oath,” Li Xuanxiao said. “Before today, I have never once spied on Senior Sister Su Wan inside her cave dwelling. Everything I did was solely to prevent Jiang Luoshui from framing you.”

Seeing how firm his words were, even willing to swear on the Great Dao, Su Wan found herself believing him a little.

“You… why did you do this?”

“What?”

“Why are you helping me?”

“We are fellow disciples. Helping you is helping Mount Shushan, which is also helping myself.”

Su Wan’s expression shifted slightly. “That’s all?”

“That’s all. Also, let me remind you, Senior Sister—when something like this happens in the future, don’t just stand there coldly and stare.

Not everyone will believe your silent explanation. You need to speak up. Even if there’s only a slim chance, you must argue your case.

Otherwise, today’s situation will happen again.”

Su Wan lowered her sword.

Li Xuanxiao smiled faintly. “Senior Sister, I hope you’ll be more careful in the future.”

“For today’s matter… thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“And don’t ever install a Twin Recording Stone in my cave dwelling again!”

“Understood.”

Su Wan left the cottage.

Li Xuanxiao shook his head with a smile.

“Fourth Senior Sister, Senior Brother Murong isn’t who you think he is. Be careful.”

“...........”

On her way down Silver Sword Peak, Su Wan’s thoughts were in turmoil.

Could Li Xuanxiao… like me?

Yes, if he didn’t like me, why would he do all of this for me?

He planned this out five years ago.

No… even earlier than that—when I first brought Jiang Luoshui back to the sect.

He warned me back then, but I didn’t take it seriously.

Now that she thought about it…

But judging from his past actions, there had never been any sign that Li Xuanxiao had feelings for her.

Li Xuanxiao was recognized throughout the sect as the most hardworking Little Junior Brother.

His days consisted of nothing but cultivation.

Later, he had saved the princess of the Great Xia Empire, Zhao Lu, who had then become his Little Junior Sister.

Everyone in the sect said that Li Xuanxiao had taken advantage of proximity and gotten lucky.

But for two years, their relationship had remained purely that of senior and junior disciples.

Even Zhao Lu—an otherworldly beauty—Li Xuanxiao had never once shown the slightest improper thought toward her.

Of course, she herself was just as beautiful as Zhao Lu.

Li Xuanxiao secretly liking her, silently protecting her from the shadows…

This explanation made perfect sense!!

And based on all the evidence so far, this had to be the case.

Thinking this, Su Wan’s cheeks flushed.

What a devoted man.

Even knowing that I have a deep relationship with Senior Brother Murong, he still chose to protect me in silence. As long as I am safe and well, he can be at peace.

Su Wan couldn’t help but imagine Li Xuanxiao standing under the moonlight late at night, letting out a pained howl of longing.

A longing for her—but no one knew.

And during the day, he had to pretend as if nothing had happened, focusing solely on his cultivation.

He works so hard at cultivation… is it because he wants to protect me?

Thinking of this, Su Wan nearly burst into tears.

Just then, a graceful figure stepped into her path.

Murong Mo was dressed in a robe as white as snow, his sleeves billowing gently. His handsome face carried a faint smile, as warm and soothing as the spring breeze, making those around him feel an incomparable sense of comfort.

There was a calm and unwavering confidence in his smile, along with an underlying tenderness and kindness.

His eyes were as bright as the stars, deep and captivating. When his gaze shifted, it seemed as if he could see through the deepest, most hidden corners of a person’s heart.

On ordinary days, whenever Murong Mo smiled, Su Wan’s heart would waver.

But at this moment, Su Wan looked at Murong Mo with a blank expression.

“Junior Sister, you didn’t go looking for Junior Brother Li Xuanxiao, did you? You didn’t do anything to him, did you?”

“No. He protected me. I only went to thank him. I never expected that, at the critical moment, the one to speak up for me would be him.”

Su Wan had none of her usual gentleness.

“Junior Sister, are you blaming me? For not speaking up for you at the time? You… how could you have such a childish thought? That really upsets me.”

Su Wan took a deep breath, recalling what Li Xuanxiao had said to her before she left.

She carefully examined the man standing before her.

Compared to Li Xuanxiao, the difference in how the two treated her was like night and day.

One had meticulously planned for years, all just to protect her safety.

The other had remained silent when she was falsely accused.

The difference was clear as day.