It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Bai Ruoxi stood outside the Mu Manor, staring blankly into the night.

The rain poured down relentlessly, the rhythmic drumming of water against the ground creating a hazy white curtain.

She had stormed out of the manor in a fit of anger, forgetting to take an umbrella. But returning now would mean encountering Mu Zhi’an again.

After the incident with Ye Yu and the spilled tea, she worried that seeing her might remind Mu Zhi’an of the unpleasant encounter and sour his mood.

It wasn’t an unreasonable concern. The old Mu Zhi’an was known for his petty grudges. While he’d seemed different these past two days, she couldn’t be sure if it was genuine or a carefully crafted facade.

But leaving without an umbrella meant getting drenched. Bai Ruoxi hesitated, gazing at the downpour.

“Ruoxi, let me walk you home.”

To her surprise, Ye Yu, who had already left, reappeared at the entrance. He smiled at her and reached out as if to take her hand.

A rainy night, a girl without an umbrella, and a boy who had returned to offer shelter. Such a scene would soften even the most hardened heart.

The sight of Ye Yu filled Bai Ruoxi with inexplicable anger. She swatted his hand away. “Control yourself, Young Master Ye!”

Ye Yu bristled, but he swallowed his retort, muttering instead, “And you think barging into the Mu Manor late at night is appropriate behavior?”

Bai Ruoxi’s eyes flashed. “I came to see Young Master Mu to discuss important matters,” she said coldly. “There’s nothing going on between us, contrary to what your imagination might be conjuring. Believe it or not.”

“He threatened you, didn’t he?” Ye Yu demanded.

“Don’t be fooled by Mu Zhi’an, Ruoxi! You know his reputation! Even if you offer him your body, there’s no guarantee he’ll help you or your family!”

“He didn’t threaten me!” Bai Ruoxi retorted.

Ye Yu frowned. “If he didn’t threaten you, then why were you at the Mu Manor so late at night? Did you go there willingly?”

This was the most beautiful woman in Tianxuan City. Countless men secretly yearned for her. Even Mu Zhi’an had pursued her relentlessly. It was no secret.

Ye Yu refused to believe that Mu Zhi’an wouldn’t exploit this opportunity to his advantage.

He wouldn’t put it past Mu Zhi’an to force himself on her. Hell, even he, Ye Yu, had harbored such thoughts.

Rain pattered against the ground, shrouding the street in a misty fog.

Bai Ruoxi stood there, her lips parted, but no words came out.

She couldn’t bring herself to admit that she’d been forced to come here by her mother.

Ye Yu’s heart burned with jealousy.

He was right.

Mu Zhi’an must have taken advantage of her. That’s why she was so hesitant to answer.

Her sudden coldness towards him.

It must be because Mu Zhi’an had poisoned her mind against him…

No, wait…

The Mu family was powerful. Maybe she was pretending to be cold towards him to protect him from their wrath… Ye Yu clung to this possibility, a glimmer of hope dispelling some of the jealousy that gnawed at him.

He looked at her earnestly. “Ruoxi, I’m not the same person I used to be. Give me six months… no, three months! I’ll reach the Foundation Establishment Realm! I promise!”

He was the Chosen One, blessed with immense destiny. Tianxuan City was merely his starting point.

Give him time, and he would surpass everyone in this city.

He had no doubt.

Because recently, he’d encountered a life-changing opportunity.

“Three months? You think you can reach Foundation Establishment in three months?” Bai Ruoxi scoffed.

Ye Yu smiled confidently. “Want to make a bet?”

Bai Ruoxi frowned. “No, thank you. Whether it’s true or not, it’s none of my concern.”

Ye Yu faltered. He forced a smile. “What are you talking about, Ruoxi? You’re my fiancée!”

“That was an arrangement made by our parents. If you’re so eager to get married, go talk to them.”

The Ye family, once prosperous, had conducted business with the Bai family. The two families had agreed to betroth their children, solidifying their bond.

However, the Ye family had fallen from grace, their status declining. While the Bai family patriarch, concerned about appearances, had refrained from breaking off the engagement, both Bai Yuanfeng and Bai Ruoxi were dissatisfied with the arrangement. The former believed Ye Yu was no longer worthy of her daughter and sought a more suitable match.

The latter simply resented having her future dictated from birth.

Bai Ruoxi ignored him and stepped out into the rain.

“Miss Bai!”

A voice called out from behind her.

She turned to see a maid from the Mu Manor hurrying towards her with an umbrella. “Young Master Mu asked me to bring you this,” the maid said. “He said the rain is heavy tonight, and you can return it whenever you have time.”

Bai Ruoxi was taken aback. Then, as if understanding dawned, a flicker of joy lit up her eyes. She took the umbrella.

“Please thank your young master for me. I’ll return it soon.”

The maid smiled and nodded, then turned and headed back into the manor.

Bai Ruoxi, ignoring Ye Yu completely, opened the umbrella and walked away.

Ye Yu watched her go, reaching out instinctively as if to stop her.

But his hand fell back to his side, limp and defeated.

It wasn’t time yet. He just needed a little more time to cultivate, to regain his former glory. Then, she would surely come back to him.

He would amaze everyone in Tianxuan City!

Ye Yu clenched his fists.

For now, all he could do was wait.

…

Bai Ruoxi returned to the Bai Manor, her umbrella shielding her from the rain. It was late, and the manor was deserted.

As she walked down a long corridor, she passed her mother’s room. A warm, familiar voice called out from within.

“Ruoxi? Is that you? You’re back early.”

“Come in and chat with your mother.”

She just wants to know how my meeting went.

Bai Ruoxi thought to herself, a cold smile playing on her lips. “I’ll be right there, Mother.”

She opened the door and found her mother, clad in a nightgown, sitting in a chair. Bai Yuanfeng poured her daughter a cup of tea.

“Have some tea. You must be cold.”

“Thank you, Mother,” Bai Ruoxi replied softly, taking the cup.

“Did things wrap up quickly with Young Master Mu?” Bai Yuanfeng asked, her tone laced with suggestive innuendo.

As expected…

A flicker of anger flashed in Bai Ruoxi’s eyes. “He didn’t touch me,” she said quietly.

Bai Yuanfeng’s expression changed. “He rejected you again?!”

“Not exactly… He said I should return the umbrella sometime in the next few days,” Bai Ruoxi replied.

Bai Yuanfeng frowned, worry creasing her brow. “He’s giving himself more time to consider. What does he want?”

“The Meridian Connecting Pill, I imagine,” Bai Ruoxi said, her voice filled with a mix of emotions.

She finally understood her mistake. Mu Zhi’an had indeed liked her… perhaps he still did. But he was thinking in terms of the Mu family’s interests. To intervene, they needed something of value in return—the Meridian Connecting Pill, not her.

As he had said, she might have captivated him, but she hadn’t captivated the Mu family.

Remembering his words and the way he’d held her hand, a blush crept up her cheeks.

“Ruoxi?” Bai Yuanfeng called out, noticing her daughter’s distracted state.

Bai Ruoxi snapped out of her thoughts. “By the way, Mother,” she asked, “has Father returned yet?”

The Bai family patriarch had gone to an auction in a neighboring city three days ago. Even accounting for delays, he should have been back by now.

Bai Yuanfeng hesitated, a troubled look on her face.

Bai Ruoxi’s heart sank. “Did something happen to Father?”

Bai Yuanfeng sighed softly. “He was ambushed on his way back. He’s gravely injured. We’ve taken him to a safe place to recover.”

“But even if he recovers, he’ll never reach the Nascent Soul Realm.”

The Bai family patriarch was at the peak of Core Formation. He was just one step away from reaching the Nascent Soul Realm.

However, he’d been stuck at this bottleneck for six years. They had spent a fortune gathering the necessary materials to refine a Meridian Connecting Pill.

He’d hoped to use the pill to break through, but he’d been ambushed and critically injured before he could even return home.

Even if he recovered, the injuries would leave lasting damage, shattering his hopes of reaching the Nascent Soul Realm.

Bai Ruoxi was devastated. Then, a thought struck her. “So the Meridian Connecting Pill is useless now?”

The Meridian Connecting Pill was a treasure meant for cultivators on the verge of breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm. It increased the chances of a successful breakthrough to seventy percent and even offered temporary protection against the Heavenly Tribulation.

However, it had no effect on cultivators who weren’t at the peak of Core Formation.

Bai Yuanfeng sighed. “I know what you’re thinking, Ruoxi. But the Meridian Connecting Pill is priceless. We can’t give it to the Mu family.”

The Mu family was already dominant. If they obtained the Meridian Connecting Pill and used it to help one of their own reach the Nascent Soul Realm, their power would become absolute. The other families would be crushed under their heel.

That was not a future Bai Yuanfeng wanted to see.

The Meridian Connecting Pill is priceless, but your own daughter is expendable… Bai Ruoxi thought bitterly. “It’s late, Mother,” she said quietly. “I’m going to bed.”

She rose to her feet and left the room.

The next morning.

Bai Ruoxi woke up and turned to her maid.

“Go and find out if Young Master Ye was attacked last night,” she instructed.

Mu Zhi’an had been doused with tea last night, yet he’d remained calm. She wanted to know if it was an act for her benefit or if he’d secretly retaliated against Ye Yu later.

The old Mu Zhi’an was notorious for his vindictiveness. He never let an insult go unanswered. And with his powerful bodyguard, few dared to cross him, fearing Wei Mengrou’s wrath.

After a while, the maid returned. She knocked softly on the door. “Miss, Young Master Ye is fine.”

Bai Ruoxi sat before a bronze mirror, gazing at her own reflection. “I see,” she said calmly. “You’re dismissed.”

As the maid left, a strange light flickered in Bai Ruoxi’s eyes. She placed her hand on her chest, taking a deep breath.

It seemed Mu Zhi’an truly had changed.