Chapter 556 - 556: My Aunt Sold Me?

Meanwhile.

In Jiang Xinghai's bedroom.

"Why do I feel like my aunt just sold me out?"

Feng Lulu sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the door. "She... she seems to have left me here on purpose. Is Auntie trying to set us up?"

"Looks that way," Jiang Xinghai said, also a little dumbfounded.

"This..."

Feng Lulu's face was burning hot. She never would have dreamed her aunt was so forward!

The implication of leaving her in Jiang Xinghai's bedroom in the middle of the night was all too clear.

"I... I'll step out for a bit."

Feng Lulu mulled it over and felt it wasn't right. She knew her aunt also had feelings for Jiang Xinghai. 'Am I supposed to fight my own aunt for a man?'

After leaving Jiang Xinghai's bedroom, she pushed open the door to Lin Liping's room.

"Auntie, what did you mean by leaving me alone in his room?" Feng Lulu asked shyly.

Lin Liping was changing, slowly peeling off her stockings. She smiled meaningfully. "What's so bad about it? Xinghai is a rare catch. You two would make a perfect couple. I'm rooting for you! Go on, keep him company. He's leaving the Provincial City soon, and I'm waiting to be a grand-aunt, you know."

"Auntie..."

Feng Lulu grew more and more flustered. She'd never imagined her aunt would be so enthusiastic about setting her up with Jiang Xinghai.

"You're a big girl now, don't be shy. Go on." Lin Liping got up and started to push Feng Lulu.

"I... You... Forget it. I'll just get some rest, too." Feng Lulu knew her aunt had given up Jiang Xinghai for her sake, a hurdle she just couldn't overcome in her heart. She turned and ducked into her own bedroom.

Lin Liping followed right behind her, only to be blocked by the door. "Honestly, this child..."

"What's wrong?"

Just then, Jiang Xinghai walked out of his bedroom.

Lin Liping, dressed only in her underwear, was instantly mortified. She stood there frozen, not knowing what to do.

"COUGH COUGH COUGH..." Jiang Xinghai gulped. He certainly hadn't expected to see Lin Liping like this.

Even though they had been intimate before, the Dragon Locking Secret Technique left him with very little resistance to women.

Especially a mature woman like Lin Liping. His breathing immediately grew ragged.

"Get some sleep."

Lin Liping's face was flushed as she glanced at Jiang Xinghai, an inexplicable longing welling up inside her.

But in the end, she steeled herself and ducked into her own bedroom.

'I've already decided to give Lulu this chance. How can I go back on my word now?'

"Okay, you too!"

Jiang Xinghai stood there with a silly grin, looking at the closed bedroom doors of Lin Liping and Feng Lulu before turning and heading back to his own room.

He felt restless. After all that, both women had returned to their own rooms.

He quickly regulated his breathing, sat cross-legged on the bed, and began to cultivate the Eight-Nine Profound Skill to extinguish his wicked thoughts.

「The next morning.」

Jiang Xinghai woke up very early and went out to buy breakfast. By the time he returned, Lin Liping and Feng Lulu were already up.

The three of them had a tacit understanding not to mention what happened last night.

"Wow, soy milk and fried dough sticks! My favorite!" Feng Lulu did her best to hide her feelings for Jiang Xinghai, deliberately sitting next to Lin Liping.

Lin Liping, on the other hand, added with a delighted smile, "And he even got the soup dumplings I like."

"I should get going."

Jiang Xinghai had already eaten. Looking at the two women, his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

"Travel safely."

Lin Liping looked up at Jiang Xinghai, then silently went back to eating her soup dumplings.

"Right, you have to take care of yourself out there. Be safe," Feng Lulu said, watching Jiang Xinghai quietly.

Jiang Xinghai shouldered his bag and glanced at the two women. His heart felt a little bitter, but also resolute.

"Today the Shen Family is announcing their move into the Provincial City, so I have to make a trip there. Tomorrow is the official opening of the AM branch office. I might leave right after the ceremony, so if you two have time, you can go check it out."

Before leaving, Jiang Xinghai added, "Of course, plans can change. I might be on a flight to Shanghai as early as tonight."

"I... I don't think I'll go. The shop is pretty busy," Lin Liping said, her smile gradually becoming more relaxed.

Feng Lulu glanced at Lin Liping, then looked at Jiang Xinghai. "I won't go either. I'm going to focus on my studies. I'll wait for you to come back when you have time."

Jiang Xinghai nodded slowly, giving his signature smile. "Don't act like this is some tragic farewell. I'll be back."

With that, he strode away.

When he arrived at the former Zhao Family residence, now the Shen Family's estate, the Patriarchs of the Provincial City's Yu Family, Feng Family, and Yan Family, along with Zhao Wenxiang, were already gathered.

These three families, plus the soon-to-rise Shen Family, would from now on be the four great Martial Arts families of Shanhe Province.

As for the Zhao Family of Piaomiao Mountain Villa, who had long since secluded themselves from the world, they still held a position above these four families.

Fortunately, however, all five of these families had ties to Jiang Xinghai. With their harmonious relationships, they were sure to support each other and grow stronger together.

「After the banquet.」

Jiang Xinghai and Shen Lingxue were strolling in the rear garden when he suddenly sensed two familiar auras approaching.