An hour later, the two had dressed up. They were wearing the everyday attire of a prince and princess, featuring subtle embroidery of Minx Beasts’God Son Mingxiu on it. The low-key luxury could only be seen in sunlight.
Anqiluo appeared a little nervous, “Xiang Lin’s family is ordinary. Do you think Xiang Zuo’s parents will disagree?”
Shuai Chang chuckled and lightly flicked his nose, “With the two of us around, even if they disagree, they will agree.”
After all, the one Xiang Lin recognized as her elder brother was the prince, a future emperor, an immensely promising male beastman. It would be foolish for Xiang Zuo’s parents to disagree.
When they arrived at the designated location, Arylin paced back and forth, his head lowered in agitation. Shuai Chang called out, “Arylin.”
“Elder brother!” Arylin stopped and walked over, “Elder brother, sister-in-law, you two are wearing matching outfits today.” He felt a pang of envy.
Arylin was an easy-to-understand person, making Shuai Chang chuckle, “Let’s go. Once you succeed in proposing today, you can wear matching outfits with Xiang Zuo every day.”
Anqiluo added, “Not just matching outfits, but also matching slippers, matching pajamas, matching cups… anything you can think of.”
Arylin’s eyes brightened at their encouragement. He stood tall and raised his head, exuding a dignified air, “Elder brother, sister-in-law, thank you for encouraging me. I am now filled with determination to win!”
Five minutes later, the three stood outside Xiang Zuo’s family villa, and Arylin grew timid again.
Looking at the house before him, he began to doubt whether he could truly make Xiang Zuo happy.
Shuai Chang lightly kicked him from behind, using the top of his foot so as not to leave a mark on his clothes, “If you can’t even knock on the door, you might as well go home. You won’t need to register for this year’s army selection either. If Xiang Zuo marries someone else, whether they are happy or living a plain life, it will have nothing to do with you.”
Imagining that scene, Arylin felt heartache so intense that he could barely breathe. Clenching his fists, he angrily declared, “Xiang Zuo is mine! Only I can bring him happiness!”
Gathering his courage, Arylin pressed the doorbell. Just as the ring sounded, the door opened, and Xiang Zuo looked at him with a warm smile, “Arylin.” The tone of his voice held a subtle lure that instantly captivated Arylin’s heart.
Arylin grinned foolishly, “Xiang Zuo.” Their Xiang Zuo looked so beautiful.
The two exchanged glances, lost in each other’s eyes, while Shuai Chang stretched out his foot again, only to be stopped in time by Anqiluo: “Weren’t we just like that?” Their gazes met and wouldn’t budge.
“Xiang En, who’s out there?” A cold, elderly voice came from inside, startling Xiang Zuo. He averted his gaze, saying, “Mother, Father, it’s Arylin.”
“Then hurry up and let him in,” Xiang Zuo’s parents said, their tones displeased.
After greeting Shuai Chang and Anqiluo, Xiang Zuo allowed them inside.
Arylin quietly asked, “Is your brother not here?”
Xiang Zuo replied, “Brother is upstairs.”
“Oh,” Arylin felt a twinge of disappointment.
In the elegantly decorated living room, two elderly people in their fifties sat on the couch. Upon seeing them enter, they merely cast a glance before quickly turning their attention back to the television, their expressions suggesting disdain for Arylin.
Xiang Zuo took Arylin to stand before his parents, “Father, Mother, this is Arylin, the one I told you about.”
The frail-looking elderly man on the left said, “Didn’t you say this was just a fling? Why hasn’t it ended?”
Xiang Zuo was taken aback, “Mother, when did I ever say that?”
“Arylin, be sure not to believe what my parents say.”
Arylin nodded quickly, “I understand. Such words surely weren’t from you.”
Xiang Zuo’s mother clarified, “Your brother mentioned it. Since you are a guest, let’s sit down and chat.”
Arylin helped Shuai Chang and Anqiluo find a seat where they wouldn’t have to face Xiang Zuo’s parents directly, while he obediently sat facing them with Xiang Zuo.
“Who are these two?” Xiang Zuo’s father asked.
Arylin stood to introduce himself, “Uncle, this is my elder brother, Yadunis, and sister-in-law, Anqiluo.”
Xiang Zuo’s mother frowned, “You had to bring the whole family when visiting?”
Xiang Zuo’s brother Fin Qi often spoke ill of Arylin to their parents, leaving them with a very negative impression of him. They thought, why should a poor boy like him marry their beloved daughter who they had pampered since childhood?
Xiang Zuo had mentioned the proposal to his parents last night; there was no way they would agree!
“Mother, this is His Majesty’s appointed Inspector and his wife. They are here today to formally help Arylin propose,” Xiang Zuo explained.
Upon hearing this, the furrow between Xiang Zuo’s parents relaxed, “Oh, so it’s His Excellency the Inspector. He looks quite young; Arylin is your younger brother?”
Shuai Chang nodded with a smile, “Yes.”
Arylin awkwardly interjected, “Though not by blood, since I recognized Yadunis as my elder brother, that will never change.”
Xiang Zuo’s mother regarded Arylin with a neutral expression. Although the Inspector could directly reach the throne’s ears, their eldest son’s company was involved with the military. They did not need to curry favor with such a minor rank like an Inspector. Even if Arylin were Yadunis’ biological brother, they wouldn’t consider him.
The atmosphere suddenly grew tense when footsteps echoed from the staircase. Xiang Zuo’s brother Fin Qi approached.
Upon seeing him, Arylin’s expression darkened, and Fin Qi’s face was even more sullen.
“Arylin, you should leave. My brother will never marry you,” Fin Qi said coldly, standing beside their parents.
“You!” Arylin was furious; why did this brother always come to disrupt everything?
Fin Qi scoffed, then turned to see Yadunis and Anqiluo. The sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a faint golden hue that outlined an ethereal pattern. Fin Qi found the pattern familiar and couldn’t help but glance twice, though he still couldn’t place it.
“Mother, who are these two?” It was clear from their attire they weren’t here with that poor guy Arylin.
Xiang Zuo’s mother responded, “This is the Inspector and his wife; Arylin is the Inspector’s god brother.”
Arylin wanted to say he was more of a younger brother, not a god brother, but was halted by Xiang Zuo, “Don’t say anything yet.” His little treasure always caused trouble by speaking at the wrong moments.