Chapter 424: Paying Respects
Sensing that Di Youlin’s condition was improving day by day, the resentment in Wen Yuebai’s heart gradually faded. Of course, what was done was done; she had no choice but to accept it.
“Ning Xuan’s attitude toward contracted slaves is the same as her attitude toward Contractors. The only difference in treatment is based on who she likes. Whoever can win her favor, she’ll treat a little better,” Di Youlin said, his eyes darkening.
Ning Xuan was just strong-willed and didn’t tolerate disobedience. She wasn’t like other Controllers who were arrogant, disregarded life, and didn’t treat Contractors as human.
“You’ve never learned how to win people over. If you really can’t manage, I’ll find someone to teach you.” Wen Yuebai’s eyes reddened as she looked at Di Youlin. Since things had come to this, she just wanted her son to have the best life possible under the circumstances.
“Mother, don’t worry. I’m doing just fine,” Di Youlin reassured her.
Di Youlin hadn’t activated the privacy shield while speaking with his family, so their entire conversation was recorded by the smart butler.
Ning Xuan was too busy being intimate with Yun Han to check the logs, but Yu Mingche, who had administrative access to the villa, saw the recording. He knew Di Youlin wasn’t careless enough to forget the privacy shield; he must have intentionally revealed this conversation to Ning Xuan.
The Di Family’s power was in the upper echelons of the Seven Great Families and not to be underestimated. Their clear decision to side with Ning Xuan would certainly benefit her security.
Of course, based on what they’d revealed, they wouldn’t oppose Ning Xuan at this stage. They would provide intelligence support and have Di Youlin protect her with all his might. As for any further assistance, that would depend on what concessions Ning Xuan was willing to make.
Yu Mingche fell silent for a long moment before standing up. ‘The Di Family has considerable power, and Di Youlin’s personal Combat Power is high,’ he thought. ‘And it seems Di Jingtian and his wife are very supportive of their son. I can talk to Di Youlin about our next steps.’
「Early the next morning」
As soon as Ning Xuan woke, she sensed several familiar auras outside. She lowered the courtyard’s protective shield and, just as she’d expected, Yu Mingche and the others were waiting outside.
The moment Ning Xuan stirred, Yun Han awoke as well. Seeing her rise, he quickly got up to fetch her clothes. The young man’s slender frame slid from beneath the brocade quilt, the morning light streaming across his bare back. Every inch of his skin was smooth and delicate, the lines of his muscles shifting and flowing as he reached for the garments. His body combined the refined elegance of a youth with the strength of a warrior. His throat and the hollows of his collarbones were dappled with red marks, and the outline of his abdominal muscles was faintly visible as he moved.
Bright red whip marks crisscrossed his chest and back. The wound at the corner of his lip had faded to a small scab, inexplicably lending him an air of battle-worn beauty.
Yun Han brought over Ning Xuan’s garments, dressing her one piece at a time. He bowed his head to tie her sash, then knelt to put on her shoes. Just as Yun Han was about to continue helping Ning Xuan wash and dress, Yu Mingche’s soft cough sounded from outside. “Xuanyuan, may I come in?”
Ning Xuan pulled her gaze away from Yun Han. “Come in,” she replied.
“Go and get dressed. I’ll take care of the Contractor,” Yu Mingche said to Yun Han, his gaze flickering as he glanced at the marks on Yun Han’s body.
It was clear that Ning Xuan was very fond of Yun Han.
Yun Han glanced at Ning Xuan. Seeing no reaction from her, he bowed and agreed. He picked up his own clothes from the nearby carpet and quickly dressed. As he was putting on his outer garment, he realized it was torn—ripped by Ning Xuan the previous night. He froze for a moment. He had spare clothes in his Space Button, but they were mostly military-issue, protective leather armor, which was clearly unsuitable for wearing around the house.
Yun Han looked back at Ning Xuan and saw that Yu Mingche had already deftly helped her finish washing up and was now arranging her hair.
Yu Mingche had noticed Yun Han’s hesitation. Seeing the troubled look on his face as he stared at the torn garment, he guessed that he probably didn’t have any other suitable clothes.
“Yun Han, a while ago I had Feng Linran design some outfits for everyone. These are in your size. Why don’t you try them on?” Yu Mingche said, retrieving several sets of clothes from his Space Button and handing them to Yun Han.
Yun Han bowed, accepting the clothes with both hands. “Many thanks, Lord Yu.”
Ning Xuan glanced over. “Wear the orange-red one,” she said.
“Yes.” Yun Han obediently put on the one Ning Xuan had chosen. The bright color against his fair skin, combined with the fabric’s light texture and perfect tailoring, accentuated his slender figure and handsome features, making him look absolutely radiant.
When Ning Xuan entered the living room, the others were already waiting.
“We greet you, Lord Contract Master.” Led by Yu Mingche, they all knelt before Ning Xuan.
This was their first formal meeting since the Contract ceremony. According to custom, they were supposed to not only pay their respects to Ning Xuan this morning, but also to her family’s elders. However, Ning Xuan had already informed Yu Mingche that she had no elders; paying respect to her alone would suffice.
“All of you, rise and be seated.” Ning Xuan took the seat of honor at the head of the room. Seven chairs were arranged on either side. To her left sat Yu Mingche, followed by Lin Mo and Chen Nan. To her right sat Yun Han, followed by Lan Xin, Di Youlin, and Nine-tailed.
“There’s no need to be so formal. Aside from Ying Yaoshi, everyone is here today. The last time we were all together like this was back on the New Star Body—more than a year ago now. The ceremony was just yesterday. Now, whether in legal terms or social ones, we are all one family. The outside world will see us as a single entity. I expect all of you to watch over and support one another. Do not do anything foolish, like fighting amongst yourselves or undermining each other,” Ning Xuan said, her cool gaze sweeping over them.
“We will humbly follow the Family Head’s teachings.” Everyone stood and bowed in response.
“It’s normal to have disagreements when you spend a lot of time together. You can squabble in private, but don’t air your conflicts in front of outsiders. When facing a common enemy, you must present a united front. If any of you can’t tell friend from foe, then don’t blame me for being merciless.” This was Ning Xuan’s way of extending an olive branch before showing her steel; she was making the unpleasant rules clear from the start, regardless of what the future held.