Extra Chapter 5: When Three's Company, There's Always a Third Wheel
Since Xiao Bai's identity was exposed, the atmosphere in this "Jianghu Travel" team has become somewhat subtle.
Although Pei Niannian accepted the fact that "Xiaobai has become Dabai" in a carefree manner, she still regarded him as a brother.
But Xiao Bai clearly didn't want to be brothers.
He wants to rise to power.
He wanted to break through this barrier and transform "brotherly affection" into "romantic affection."
However, on his road to love, an insurmountable mountain stood in the way—
Pei An.
...
Scene 1: Dinner at the Inn
The table was laden with delicious food.
Xiao Bai diligently picked up a piece of the tenderest fish, carefully removed all the bones, and then gently placed it into Pei Niannian's bowl:
"Niannian, this fish is good, try it."
Pei Niannian was just about to pick up her chopsticks.
"Smack."
A pair of ebony chopsticks suddenly appeared, precisely picking up the piece of fish and then ruthlessly transferring it to their own bowl.
Pei An ate the fish without expression, then coldly commented, "The bones weren't removed properly; my sister will choke if she eats it."
Xiao Bai: "..."
I shattered the thorn with my internal force!
How could it not be cleaned thoroughly?!
Scene 2: A Stroll Under the Moon
Night fell, and the moonlight was perfect.
Xiao Bai suggested taking a walk by the lake to digest their food.
Pei Niannian readily agreed.
A gentle breeze blows by the lake, and willow catkins drift in the air—it's the perfect time to pour out one's heart to another.
Xiao Bai looked at the profile of the girl in red beside him, and his heart raced.
He quietly reached out, wanting to take Pei Niannian's hand that was hanging by her side.
One inch, two inches.
Just as the fingertips were about to touch.
"Clang—"
An unsharpened wooden sword was ghost-like, stuck between their hands.
Pei An emerged from the shadows of the trees like a ghost, standing right between the two of them, separating them.
"An'an?" Pei Niannian asked in surprise, "Didn't you go to practice swordsmanship?"
"I'm done practicing."
Pei An, holding his sword and gazing ahead, said in a calm tone, as if reciting a memorized text, "I also want to take a walk."
Xiao Bai took a deep breath, smiling as he gritted his teeth:
"Little An, this road... is a bit narrow. Isn't it too crowded for three people to walk side by side?"
"It's not crowded."
Pei An turned to the side, squeezing himself between the two of them: "I don't take up any space."
Xiao Bai: "..."
...
Scene 3: The standoff inside the carriage
After several days of setbacks, Xiao Bai finally couldn't hold back any longer.
On this day, the carriage was traveling on the official road.
Pei Niannian was driving the carriage from the outside (because she thought it was fun).
Inside the carriage, only Xiao Bai and Pei An remained.
Xiao Bai stopped pretending, and his once smiling peach blossom eyes revealed the pressure and helplessness of an emperor.
He took out a rare sword manual and a piece of top-quality warm jade from his pocket and pushed them in front of Pei An.
"Pei An".
Xiao Bai lowered his voice, attempting to negotiate between men:
"This 'Flowing Cloud Sword Manual' is what you've always wanted. This piece of warm jade is also a rare treasure, as it keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer."
There is only one condition.
Xiao Bai pointed outside the carriage curtain:
"When we get to the post station, could you... disappear for about half an hour?"
"Or, even being five steps away from your sister would be fine?"
Pei An looked down and glanced at the sword manual.
It's definitely a good product.
He reached out and picked up the sword manual.
Xiao Bai was overjoyed; there was hope!
However, the next second, Pei An put the sword manual back.
He raised his head, and his phoenix eyes, which resembled Pei Yunjing's, were filled with the unwavering determination that "poverty and lowliness cannot sway him, and power and force cannot subdue him."
"No way." Pei An refused decisively.
"Why?!" Xiao Bai broke down. "My feelings for your sister are genuine! We've been childhood sweethearts..."
"Father said..."
Pei An interrupted him, bringing out the mountain that had been weighing on everyone's hearts:
"When you're out and about, beware of fire, theft, and Xiao Bai."
He held up three fingers and waved them in front of Xiao Bai, repeating Pei Yunjing's "ironclad rule" word by word:
"No wild man can be allowed within three feet of my sister."
"Especially you."
Xiao Bai: "..."
Three feet?! That's not even enough to hold hands!
“That’s your father’s prejudice!” Xiao Bai tried to reason with him. “Besides, am I a wild man? I am the King of Nanzhao!”
"In my father's eyes, all other men are wild except for himself."
Pei An shrugged, with an expression that said, "I can't help it either." He continued, "Besides, your heart is beating too fast."
He pointed to Xiao Bai's chest and ruthlessly exposed him:
“Whenever you get close to your sister, your blood flow increases and your breathing becomes erratic. According to Father’s teachings, this is… a sign of ulterior motives.”
"For my sister's safety, I have to keep an eye on you."
Xiao Bai was utterly desperate.
He covered his face and collapsed onto the cushion.
This is hardly a brother-in-law.
This is clearly a human surveillance camera that Pei Yunjing planted next to him!
With a third wheel who can act as a "human lie detector" around, does he still have any hope of winning over his wife?
Outside the car, Pei Niannian's cheerful singing could be heard.
Inside the car, Xiao Bai looked at Pei An, who remained unmoved by reason, and shed two lines of regretful tears.
If I had known back in the academy, I should have bought this kid more candied hawthorns!
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