Chapter 68: Petty Chen Yuan, Dragon Tooth Rice

Shang Hongxue, you must come back with me.

Shang Hongchen lunged, trying to pull Shang Hongxue back, but Shang Hongxue refused, shook off her hand, hid behind Chen Chuyang, and even made a face at Shang Hongchen. This scene truly enraged Shang Hongchen; her well-behaved, obedient little sister had been led astray and could never return.

Come back with me.

No.

Longshe Shan is not your home; you've stayed here for so many days, that's enough.

I don't want to go back; I just want to stay on Longshe Shan.

You... do you want to make me die of anger?

Shang Hongxue didn't care at all; the more she saw her older sister furious and flustered, the happier she became.

The older sister has always been like this, forcibly changing others' thoughts; if they don't follow the path she arranges, she gets angry and uses her status to suppress them.

Shang Hongxue will no longer endure; before, she was naive and didn't resist, but now she knows who treats her well and who truly cares for her—Chuyang older brother has always been helping her, regulating her body, and she can feel her body improving day by day; she's not stupid, so she can naturally tell.

Although the older sister also meant well for her, it was mostly to satisfy her own desire for control; she and her brother are both people controlled by the older sister, unable to break free, so she must rebel and cannot continue letting the older sister dictate her life—her life and future are her own choices.

Older sister, I'm no longer a child; I've grown up and have my own life.

"Nonsense, how old are you?" Shang Hongchen snapped angrily: "Your life is to follow me to the Heavenly Heart Sect, pursue higher realms, not stay in Longshe Shan and be a frog in a well for life."

"Hongxue, don't make trouble, come back with your sister; could the older sister possibly harm you?"

Longshe Cheng, Longshe Shan—these are just specks of dust beneath the vast world.

A remote corner of the world; such a place shouldn't trap the sisters for life. Since they can leave this small place, why would they come back?

She cannot leave alone; once she gains firm footing, she will bring her younger sister and brother, then her parents, and together they will stride toward a broader world.

She feels her younger sister should have a far greater future, rather than remain here to fend for herself.

"This world is vast, so vast you can hardly believe it; your body, the older sister will find someone to heal you, and from now on she will take you onto the path of cultivation, so you won't suffer bodily pain."

"Hongxue, don't be willful; everything the older sister does is for your own good."

"Be obedient, okay?"

"Come, go back with the older sister."

Shang Yingnian said nothing; if he intervened, things would change their nature.

Both are daughters, no mistake.

What the elder daughter thinks of is the future, which is indeed beneficial to the younger daughter's growth.

The Heavenly Heart Sect is undoubtedly a good place, yet that place may not be suitable for Hongxue.

The elder daughter also hasn't found firm footing; hastily taking Hongxue there might not be good. As for healing Hongxue's body, Shang Yingnian holds no hope; instead, staying in Longshe Cheng and Longshe Shan, Chen Chuyang will treat Hongxue well and will try to heal her—at least he has seen a hope, and Hongxue's body is steadily improving.

This is something Shang Yingnian could not achieve despite doing many things.

The younger daughter's choice to stay on Longshe Shan is her own decision; as a father, I respect her opinion.

The daughters have grown up and have their own opinions; Shang Yingnian has never liked arranged marriages, nor does he like selling off his daughters. The younger daughter and Chen Chuyang being willing to be together is actually a good thing: first, it can become a marriage alliance; second, the daughter can also be happy—why not?

Furthermore, he is the head of the Shang Clan and must also consider the clan's interests.

"Hongchen, that's enough; leave your sister's matter to her to handle."

"Father."

"As a father, I know, Hongchen, your sister has grown up."

Upon hearing this, Shang Hongchen fell silent.

This time, the father stood beside Hongxue.

The younger brother Shang Yue remained silent; at this moment, saying anything would be wrong.

Better not to speak.

Chen Chuyang looked at the pair of sisters, then at Shang Hongxue, and became much more resolute.

The well-behaved girl Shang Hongxue also has this side, which greatly shocked Chen Chuyang.

Upon hearing her father speak up for her, Shang Hongxue instantly became overjoyed.

"Thank you, Father; Father treats me best."

Shang Yingnian gave a warm smile: "Hongxue, you've stayed on Longshe Shan for how many days? It's time to go back; your mother misses you."

"Father, daughter..."

Shang Hongxue looked at her father, knowing that today she must return no matter what.

She turned her head, looked at Chen Chuyang, and looked aggrieved.

Chen Chuyang smiled and nodded, letting her go back first.

"Hehe, what a lively scene; what are you making a fuss about?"

An untimely voice sounded; Father Chen Yuan walked over leisurely—he had arrived early, just been hiding; Chen Chuyang let him in, and Father observed the whole scene until now before coming out.

The father, strolling out leisurely, raised his right hand.

"Shang Brother, you've also come to Longshe Shan; you look rather disheveled—would you like to rest a bit?"

Shang Yingnian's face fell, and he gave Chen Yuan a white-eyed glance.

"When did you arrive?"

Father Chen Yuan yawned and said: "Just arrived, just arrived; are you here to propose a marriage?"

Shang Yingnian's eyes widened, looking at Chen Yuan in disbelief.

Shang Hongxue's face flushed red, as if she had thought of something.

Like Shang Hongchen and Shang Yingnian, Shang Hongchen opened her mouth wide, staring blankly at Chen Yuan, even forgetting to call out.

Shang Yue blinked, looking at Chen Yuan; hearing those words, he was astonished to the extreme.

In his heart remained only one thought: "This is just too damn awesome, right?"

"Son, isn't it?"

Chen Yuan tilted his head, asking despite knowing the answer.

Chen Chuyang said, speechless: "Father, don't talk nonsense."

No, it's a shame—I thought Brother Shang had come to propose marriage. I'm not boasting; my Chuyang is outstanding, excellent in every way. Your Hongxue is more than a match for our Chuyang.

I fully support this marriage; as long as Brother Shang nods, I'll have someone go propose without hesitation. How about it?

This matter has been discussed in private all along.

Chen Yuan, say it outright.

Or, to say it in front of Shang Hongchen, it's like wounding someone's heart.

Shang Yingnian's expression turned awkward; he glanced at his eldest daughter, coughed, and said, "Brother Chen, you're joking."

Hongxue, let's go home.

This topic must be cut off; we can't keep going on about it.

Shang Yingnian saw his eldest daughter about to erupt and quickly stopped her.

Shang Hongxue also sensed the danger, quickly came to her father's side; Shang Yingnian waved his hand at Chen Chuyang, his eyes flickering, then gave Chen Yuan a white-eyed look—the kind of person who brings up a sore point—we had agreed not to say it to his face, but you insist on courting death; this matter must not go wrong.

The family of four left; Chen Yuan watched their retreating backs and muttered, "Hongxue, such a fine girl, must become my daughter-in-law; son, you agree, right?"

Turning to meet Chen Chuyang's gaze, Chen Yuan did not avoid it at all.

Chen Chuyang wondered, "Father, can't you pick the right occasion to say such things next time?"

Chen Yuan said: "I've already been polite; she, Shang Hongchen, wanted to call off the engagement, and we agreed, but she keeps coming back to cause you trouble and humiliate you, really thinking our Chen clan is easy to bully? If I don't disgust her a little, I won't be satisfied."

Son, here, this is the Dragon Tooth Rice you wanted; take a look.

Chen Chuyang took a small bag containing not many Dragon Tooth Rice seeds.