The Engagement

Chapter 2: The Engagement

Yin Zhao woke up early, the morning sun casting a warm glow through his window. Today was the day he would meet Xiu Li again, the woman who had once been his fiancée and the cause of his downfall. He had to play his cards right, pretending to be unaware of her betrayal while gathering information about her plans.

He dressed in his finest robes, the ones he had worn two years ago when he first met Xiu Li. As he looked at himself in the mirror, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions—anger, determination, and a hint of nervousness. This time, things would be different.

Yin Zhao made his way to the main hall, where his parents were waiting. His father, Yin Cheng, was a stern man with a strong presence, while his mother, Yin Mei, was gentle and kind. They both looked at him with pride and anticipation.

"Yin Zhao, you look splendid," his mother said, her eyes shining with affection. "Today is an important day for our family."

"Thank you, Mother," Yin Zhao replied, forcing a smile. "I will do my best."

As they made their way to the Xiu family's estate, Yin Zhao's mind raced with thoughts of how to handle the situation. He needed to be cautious, but also assertive. He couldn't let Xiu Li suspect that he knew about her true nature.

When they arrived, the Xiu family's servants greeted them with bows and led them to the grand hall. Xiu Li's father, Xiu Rong, was a powerful man with a commanding presence. He welcomed them warmly, his eyes lingering on Yin Zhao with a hint of curiosity.

"Welcome, Yin Cheng, Yin Mei, and Yin Zhao," Xiu Rong said, his voice booming. "We are honored to have you here."

"The honor is ours, Xiu Rong," Yin Cheng replied, bowing respectfully. "We look forward to strengthening the bond between our families."

As they exchanged pleasantries, Yin Zhao's eyes scanned the room, searching for Xiu Li. When she finally appeared, his heart skipped a beat. She was as beautiful as he remembered, with her long, flowing hair and graceful demeanor. But behind that beauty lay a heart of deceit.

"Yin Zhao," Xiu Li said, her voice sweet and melodic. "It's been a while."

"Indeed, Xiu Li," Yin Zhao replied, keeping his tone neutral. "You look as radiant as ever."

They sat down for tea, the atmosphere filled with polite conversation. Yin Zhao observed Xiu Li closely, noting her every move and expression. She seemed genuinely pleased to see him, but he knew better than to trust her facade.

As the tea ceremony continued, Yin Zhao's mind wandered to Xiao Tang. She had always been his confidante, and he wished she were here to support him. Just then, a servant entered the room, announcing the arrival of a guest.

"Miss Xiao Tang has arrived," the servant said, bowing.

Yin Zhao's heart lifted at the news. Xiao Tang entered the room, her presence like a breath of fresh air. She greeted everyone with a warm smile, her eyes lingering on Yin Zhao with a hint of concern.

"Xiao Tang, what a pleasant surprise," Xiu Li said, her smile faltering slightly. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"I couldn't miss such an important occasion," Xiao Tang replied, her tone light and cheerful. "I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not," Xiu Li said, her smile returning. "Please, join us."

As Xiao Tang took a seat beside Yin Zhao, he felt a sense of relief. Her presence gave him strength, and he knew he could face whatever came next.

The conversation continued, with Xiu Li and her family discussing various topics. Yin Zhao listened carefully, trying to glean any information that might be useful. He noticed that Xiu Li seemed particularly interested in their family's business, asking pointed questions about their financial situation.

"Yin Zhao, I heard that your family's business has been doing exceptionally well," Xiu Li said, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "You must be very proud."

"Yes, we have been fortunate," Yin Zhao replied, keeping his tone even. "But we must always be vigilant and prepared for any challenges."

"Indeed," Xiu Li said, her smile widening. "It's important to stay ahead of any potential threats."

Yin Zhao's mind raced. He knew that Xiu Li was fishing for information, trying to find any weaknesses she could exploit. He had to be careful not to reveal too much.

As the conversation continued, Yin Zhao felt a sudden urge to lighten the mood. He glanced at Xiao Tang, who seemed to sense his thoughts. She gave him a subtle nod, encouraging him to go ahead.

"Xiu Li, do you remember the time we went to the market and got lost?" Yin Zhao said, a playful smile on his lips. "We ended up wandering around for hours, trying to find our way back."

Xiu Li's eyes widened in surprise, and she let out a soft laugh. "Oh yes, I remember that. We were so young and foolish."

"And do you remember how we finally found our way back?" Yin Zhao continued, his smile growing. "We followed the smell of roasted chestnuts. You were so excited that you bought a whole bag and shared them with everyone."

Xiu Li laughed again, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yes, I remember. Those were good times."

Xiao Tang joined in, her laughter ringing out like a melody. "I wish I could have been there to see that. It sounds like you two had quite an adventure."

Yin Zhao felt a warmth spread through him as they shared the memory. For a moment, the tension in the room eased, and he felt a sense of camaraderie with Xiu Li. But he knew it was only temporary. He couldn't let his guard down.

As the evening drew to a close, Yin Zhao and his family prepared to leave. Xiu Li walked them to the door, her smile still in place.

"Thank you for coming, Yin Zhao," she said, her voice soft. "I look forward to seeing you again soon."

"Likewise, Xiu Li," Yin Zhao replied, bowing slightly. "Take care."

As they walked back to their carriage, Yin Zhao felt a mix of emotions. He had managed to keep his composure and gather some useful information, but he knew the road ahead would be difficult. He would need to stay vigilant and continue to build his strength.

Back at their estate, Yin Zhao sat down with Xiao Tang and Jang Wei to discuss their next steps. They talked late into the night, planning and strategizing. Yin Zhao's cultivation level had increased to the **Qi Transformation Realm**, and he could feel his power growing with each passing day.

As they wrapped up their discussion, Xiao Tang gave Yin Zhao a playful nudge. "You handled that well today, Yin Zhao. I almost believed you were genuinely enjoying yourself."

Yin Zhao chuckled, feeling a sense of relief. "It wasn't easy, but with you by my side, I can face anything."

Jang Wei grinned, clapping Yin Zhao on the back. "We're in this together, my friend. We'll take down Xiu Li and anyone who stands in our way."

Yin Zhao nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. With his friends by his side, he knew he could overcome any challenge. The journey ahead would be long and difficult, but he was ready to face it head-on.

As the night grew darker, Yin Zhao looked up at the stars, feeling a sense of hope. This was just the beginning, and he was determined to change his fate. With his friends by his side and his strength growing, he knew he could achieve anything.

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