Quentin Hua would never pity her, and Sylas Ren was not the kind of person who knew when to stop.
Sylas Ren quickly finished off the chicken leg, as if he'd just replenished his energy and come back to life. No longer looking listless, he took up a napkin and wiped his hands with a gesture that seemed both noble and elegant.
Sylas Ren—known as 'The Wanderer' throughout the martial world—was famous for his lone heroics. Despite his unruly appearance, his air of nobility and the effortless elegance in his movements made him seem more like a young lord than a wandering swordsman. ('The Wanderer' is Sylas Ren's nickname in the martial world.)
Placing the napkin on the table, Sylas Ren ignored Joyce Du and instead looked at Quentin Hua and Roxy Shangguan. "When are you two getting married? Don't forget to invite me!" The question dropped like a bombshell, its effect on the group impossible to ignore.
Joyce Du's eyes widened in shock as she stared at Sylas Ren. What was he saying? Married?
"Cousin..." Joyce Du turned to Quentin Hua, hoping to hear him say that Sylas Ren was just talking nonsense.
But Quentin Hua simply replied, "When Roxy grows up."
Of course, if it were up to him, the sooner the better—he didn't want to risk losing her. Originally, he'd planned to whisk Roxy away as soon as Crown Prince Adrian and Mona Shangguan left, so he could do whatever he pleased. But that brat Ethan Gray just had to make trouble, insisting that as the eldest brother, his approval was necessary, and that Roxy couldn't marry Quentin until he agreed. It drove Quentin mad!
Roxy said Ethan Gray was worried she’d suffer, and wanted to observe Quentin for a few more years. Since it was out of concern for her, Quentin endured it. After all, Roxy was still young—he could look, but not touch. Still, he worried someone might steal her away.
Roxy continued tending to her food, while Quentin Hua kept picking out fish bones for her. The tender scene made Joyce Du feel uncomfortable, her eyes stinging as she bit her lip, still unable to believe Quentin Hua could fall for Roxy Shangguan.
She opened her mouth, struggling to get the words out. "Cousin, she's still a child!"
Sylas Ren glanced at her, replying nonchalantly, "She'll grow up sooner or later!"
Joyce Du was at a loss for words. Her mind was in chaos, emotions threatening to spill over. Afraid she might lose control and do something inappropriate, she didn't dare stay any longer.
"Cousin, I'm not feeling well. I think I'll go rest." With that, she hurried out, not daring to look at Quentin Hua—unsure if his face showed any emotion at all.
Sylas Ren stretched lazily and sighed, "Now that the eyesore is gone, we can finally enjoy our meal!" With that, he picked up his chopsticks and continued eating.
The next morning, the deadline given by Raymond Lei arrived. At dawn, Raymond Lei led several disciples from Iron Sand Hall, carrying a shabby bridal sedan chair, and came to Hua Mansion to fetch the bride.
Upon hearing that Raymond Lei had arrived, Charles Hua felt uneasy. He quickly brought Autumn Du and Wendy Hua to invite Quentin Hua. This time, his attitude was noticeably better than before, and he didn't bring up Quentin's previous transgressions.
Joyce Du followed as well, but she remained quiet, no longer pestering Quentin Hua. Her head was bowed and she wore a veil, hiding her expression from view.
Seeing how flustered everyone was, Quentin Hua remained calm and unhurried. He spoke coolly, "Master Hua, you'd better go greet Hall Master Lei first. It's not proper to keep guests waiting."
Charles Hua frowned. Seeing Quentin Hua's indifferent expression, he began to doubt whether Quentin would actually help them.
Charles Hua had relied on Quentin Hua, the Lotus Sect Master, living at the mansion and hadn't taken Raymond Lei seriously at all. He hadn't made any preparations in the past few days. If Quentin suddenly washed his hands of the matter now, the consequences would be unimaginable.
He glanced again at Quentin Hua, who seemed completely unconcerned, and anger flared in Charles Hua's heart. After all, Wendy Hua was his sister, and Quentin showed no care at all. The Hua Family had raised him for years, and out of gratitude, he ought to help resolve their troubles!
Still, though he was angry, Charles Hua held back, knowing better than to offend Quentin Hua at such a critical moment.
But while Charles Hua knew how to hold his tongue, Wendy Hua—the spoiled young lady—did not. Watching Quentin Hua calmly eating breakfast with Roxy Shangguan in his arms, as if none of this concerned him, she snapped, "What do you mean by this? You're nothing but a bastard, do you really think you're so important? If you weren't the Lotus Sect Master, you'd never set foot in the Hua Family! We're only asking for your help out of courtesy—do you really think we can't do without you?"
The Hua Family had always enjoyed smooth sailing, never facing any problem that couldn't be solved with money. As the richest household in Dongkui Town, merchants flocked to curry favor, and even local officials gave them respect. The Hua Family was like the local emperor, untouchable, and this fostered Wendy Hua's sense of superiority.
To her, Quentin Hua was just a lowly bastard. If Raymond Lei weren't so formidable, no one would care for his help. Now, Quentin's attitude had pushed all her resentment to the surface—if he refused to help, so be it. She didn't believe the Hua Family needed him!
"Wendy..." Autumn Du hadn't expected her to say such things at this moment and was stunned. Regaining her composure, she hurriedly scolded Wendy, but it was already too late. Wendy blurted out every harsh word she could think of.
Roxy Shangguan grabbed the teacup from the table and hurled it at Wendy Hua. Although Wendy knew some martial arts, she was no match for Roxy.
Smack—the teacup struck Wendy Hua squarely on the forehead, then shattered on the floor. Wendy staggered back two steps, blood streaming from her brow.
"You really are an uncultured brat!" The once soft and sweet voice was now icy cold, cutting into everyone like a blade, leaving them with a sharp pain in their hearts.
The harsh words snapped everyone back to reality. Autumn Du cried out, "Wendy, are you alright?"