"Father, he can't marry me, it will ruin him," Xu Nian said seriously, her earnest look causing her father to sigh.
He also knew that his daughter's character was not the first choice for a man to marry.
"A-Nian, you've broken off the engagement. What are you going to do now?" Xu's father asked with a worried expression.
He felt terrible whenever he thought about the day he would pass away, leaving his daughter alone and miserable in this world.
"Father, don't worry, your daughter will pass the imperial examination and give you a good life," Xu Nian comforted her father.
She didn't tell anyone about that person; now wasn't the time.
"It's good that Anian has ambition." Mr. Xu was tolerant of his daughter.
Even if she cancels her only engagement, he can accept it with a calm mind.
Everything he did was so that his daughter could live happily.
He wouldn't force her if she didn't want to.
"Father, let Yu Hao stay home with you today. I have to go to school first, and I'll send him away later." Xu Nian entrusted Yu Hao to her father and hurried off to school.
With Xu's father present, that person wouldn't lay a hand on Hao.
Despite rushing, Xu Nian finally entered the school before the teacher began his lecture.
As soon as she entered the school, she received surprised looks from everyone.
Xu Nian had just sat down in her seat when a spineless person leaned over.
"Zhao Xian, why are you here so early today?" Xu Nian knew that Zhao Xian was a man, so she naturally wouldn't let him lean on her.
He forcefully pushed the person away and placed the book between them, creating a clear dividing line.
"Xu Nian, what do you mean by this?" Zhao Xian, who was originally not serious, immediately sat up straight and looked at Xu Nian with great displeasure.
"In other words, you're not allowed to come near me anymore." After Xu Nian finished speaking, she carefully examined Zhao Xian's features.
His face is indeed androgynous, but upon closer inspection, one can see that his overall features still retain a masculine strength.
Zhao Xian's brow twitched when Xu Nian stared at him; had she discovered his secret?
That shouldn't be happening!
He hid it so well, if she knew, why didn't she expose him?
Does she have ulterior motives?
A cold glint flashed in Zhao Xian's eyes. She had better not know anything, or she shouldn't blame him for being ruthless.
Xu Nian noticed Zhao Xian's emotional change, raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything, opened the book on the table and began to read carefully.
The original owner of this body had a very poor foundation, so if she wanted to pass the next exam, she had to seize the time to study.
Time slipped away unnoticed as they studied. As soon as the teacher left, Zhao Xian dragged Xu Nian out.
"Zhao Xian, what are you doing? Let go of me, I can walk by myself." Xu Nian's protests had no effect, and she continued to drag Xu Nian forward.
Throughout the journey, Zhao Xian maintained a cold expression, and no one tried to persuade him to stay away.
Once they reached the back of the academy and made sure no one else was around, Zhao Xian released Xu Nian.
"Are you crazy?! What are you trying to do by suddenly dragging me out like this?" Xu Nian muttered in frustration.
She hated the height difference; he walked effortlessly while she had to jog to keep up.
If she slowed down even a little, she would be dragged along by him with her feet off the ground.
"Xu Nian, do you know my secret?" Zhao Xian leaned closer with a smile, the scent of his cosmetics making Xu Nian back away.
"Zhao Xian, just talk, don't get so close." Xu Nian pinched her nose, and the disgust on her face froze Zhao Xian's smile.
"Xu Nian, how dare you despise me?" Zhao Xian gritted her teeth; no one had ever dared to treat him like this before.
"Zhao Xian, I need your help with something, don't you think?" Xu Nian asked bluntly.
Zhao Xian pulled her to this secluded place, probably because she didn't want their conversation to be overheard.
She had no intention of threatening him; she simply wanted him to help protect Yu Hao.
"Xu Nian, who are you to me? Why should I help you?" Zhao Xian crossed her arms and coldly smiled at Xu Nian.
"Your secret, in exchange for your help this time." Xu Nian remembered that Zhao Xian was the son of the Minister of Personnel in the plot, but for some reason she was disguised as a woman.
He frequented brothels year after year, all to cultivate the image of a spoiled, dissolute woman.
"So you really knew, then you can't be allowed to live." Zhao Xian suddenly pulled a dagger from her sleeve, her expression instantly turning sinister.
He hated being threatened more than anything in his life, yet he wanted to make a deal with him: only the dead can keep secrets.
"Zhao Xian, everyone saw it just now, you were the one who dragged me out."
"You said I died in this back mountain. If someone reports it to the authorities, won't they arrest you? Won't they search you? And won't more people know your secrets?"
Xu Nian finished speaking calmly, but Zhao Xian's dagger was already at her neck.
The sharp blade easily sliced through the delicate skin, and bright red blood flowed down, dripping into the collar.
"Xu Nian, aren't you afraid that if you speak too slowly, you'll die?" Zhao Xian put the dagger away with a dark face. Her fearless attitude surprised him.
"Zhao Xian, I believe you're not a fool, much less a reckless brute." Xu Nian continued to smile, her calm and composed demeanor leaving Zhao Xian speechless.
"What do you want me to do for you? Let's make this clear first: if I can't do it, don't even ask." Zhao Xian's face was cold, but the murderous intent in her eyes hadn't completely dissipated.
If she dares to make unreasonable demands, he will kill her even if his identity is exposed.
Xu Nian nodded and said, "Of course, I won't ask you to do something you can't do."
"Zhao Xian, I need you to protect someone for me. He's an ordinary man, about your age."
"Is your request really that simple?" Zhao Xian raised an eyebrow upon hearing Xu Nian's request. He had thought she would ask for gold, silver, or power, but it turned out she just wanted him to help protect someone.
"What's so special about that person? Why did you ask me to protect him?" Zhao Xian wasn't stupid; he wouldn't easily agree before clarifying the situation.
"It's all my fault. He's my ex-fiancé. For some reason, I brought this upon him and he's now in grave danger. Until his life is out of danger, I hope you can let him stay by your side," Xu Nian said with heartache.
"You've messed with another man. That man knows you have a fiancé, so he wants to get rid of him and take his place?" Zhao Xian said slowly, scrutinizing Xu Nian.
"Pretty much!" Xu Nian twitched her lips, accepting this fabricated charge.
"Tsk! I never would have guessed you were this kind of person." Zhao Xian's gaze swept over the edge of Xu Nian's collar. Having frequented brothels, he naturally knew what kind of mark it was.
Zhao Xian was very curious about who this man who had taken a liking to Xu Nian was, given his shallow judgment.
"Zhao Xian, don't change the subject." Xu Nian awkwardly tugged at her clothes.
"I can help you with this, but you can't threaten me again, or we'll both go down together." Zhao Xian said calmly, withdrawing her probing gaze.
"Zhao Xian, you're overthinking it. Actually, I don't know anything." Xu Nian smiled faintly, her cunning appearance causing Zhao Xian to snort coldly.
"That would be best."
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