The Jilted Male Lead

The Xu Residence.

An Yi strolled with his hands behind his back, taking in the grand scale of the Xu estate, and nodded to himself in approval.

No wonder the Xu family was a major power in Qicheng—this place was truly impressive.

Two white marble pillars were carved with exquisite reliefs, clearly the work of a master craftsman—luxurious and elegant.

The lush lawn was trimmed with precision, and in the center of the courtyard stood a fountain of considerable size.

Although the technological development of this ancient continent wasn't much to speak of, it was nothing like the old days of Daxia.

To someone from Blue Star, it was a pure otherworld.

In An Yi's view, the Xu estate would be considered a mansion of staggering wealth even across the whole of this ancient continent.

"This servant..."

Butler Zheng frowned as he watched An Yi stroll ahead with his hands behind his back, acting like some big shot.

He had never seen such an arrogant servant before!

Ye Tian quickly said, "That's just how he is. Just ignore him."

Butler Zheng forced a smile. "Master Ye truly is generous with his subordinates."

Ye Tian smiled faintly, but his eyes grew serious as he looked at Butler Zheng: "Butler Zheng, I've heard rumors outside that Yiyun is going to marry the Young City Lord's son. Is that true or false?"

"This..."

Butler Zheng hesitated, his eyes darting around as he thought of a reply: "Perhaps it's better that you hear it from the young lady herself."

Seeing Butler Zheng's evasive look, Ye Tian's face turned pale, and he clenched his fists.

At this point, he didn't need to ask any more.

That Xu Yiyun was getting married—it was almost certainly true!

"Little Tian-ge!"

A soft, honeyed voice rang out.

Ye Tian looked up and paused, his gaze freezing.

The newcomer was a beautiful girl, of the gentle and delicate type. She had a pair of peachy eyes—affectionate and brilliant.

Her graceful figure was wrapped in a pink dress, with a low neckline that pushed a modest but pert curve into full bloom.

Every move she made carried an indescribable, seductive charm.

An Yi glanced at her, then sighed faintly.

She was no longer untouched, and by the look of it, she had considerable experience.

But honestly, she was a bit too coquettish, though she did have some charm.

The system hadn't given a prompt, so that meant she wasn't above 9 points.

But an 8.5 might be fair.

Otherwise, how could someone of ordinary looks catch the eye of the Young City Lord?

Ye Tian stared at the girl, a lump in his throat, and finally spoke: "Yi... Yiyun!"

The girl was indeed Xu Yiyun.

Five years had passed, but her looks hadn't changed much; she was as beautiful as before.

"Little Tian-ge, long time no see."

Xu Yiyun extended her delicate hand, brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, and said softly.

In the breeze, she looked incredibly picturesque.

An Yi sighed inwardly. What a tea artist!

Ye Tian smiled with nostalgia, as if he had returned to the time five years ago: "Long time no see."

"Little Tian-ge, come to the main hall. Father has been waiting for you for a while."

Xu Yiyun quietly looked at Ye Tian, her eyes carrying a hint of implied affection that seemed to draw people in.

Watching Xu Yiyun's graceful retreating figure, Ye Tian stood there, lost in thought for a long time.

"Idiot, don't be fooled. She's another man's wife now," An Yi said as he passed by Ye Tian, nudging him with his elbow.

The sharp pain snapped Ye Tian back to reality.

"Let's go."

Ye Tian's eyes gradually sharpened with resolve.

Inside the Xu family hall, the family's several stewards were already seated.

At the front sat a dignified, refined middle-aged man.

"Heh, a banquet with knives. Interesting," An Yi said cheerfully, swaggering in as if completely forgetting that he was supposed to be a servant.

"Is that Ye Tian?"

"He looks so plain! What a born lackey," the Xu stewards murmured among themselves as they eyed An Yi with frowns.

"Uh, no, he's Ye Tian," An Yi quickly corrected, stepping back to reveal Ye Tian behind him.

Today, this kid was the main character, and he couldn't steal the scene.

"Ah, that's more like it. Much better to look at."

"That figures. Ye Yunqing's son couldn't possibly be that ugly."

Seeing Ye Tian's clear and handsome features, the stewards lowered their voices.

An Yi was speechless.

What a bunch of old hag! Judging people by their looks!

"Uncle Xu! Uncles!"

Ye Tian bowed respectfully.

He looked toward the imposing middle-aged man at the center of the hall, his eyes reddening as emotions surged.

Xu Chun, his father Ye Yunqing's sworn brother, a man who had risked life and limb with him.

His father had told him many times: if anything happened, go find Uncle Xu! Uncle Xu would help him for sure!

Now that the Ye family had suffered such a calamity, he, the sole surviving son, was despised by all—except for Xu Chun, who had offered his help in time of need.

Xu Chun looked at Ye Tian, his expression cold: "Mm."

That single sound carried a chilling distance, like a cold wind cutting into Ye Tian's heart.

Ye Tian stared at the man with the cold eyes, his emotions gradually calming as a bitter smile spread across his face.

Rats leave a sinking ship.

Now that the Ye family was gone and his father Ye Yunqing's whereabouts were unknown, he—a worthless leftover of the Ye clan—had no leverage.

That's just reality.

Brotherly bonds of blood and battle... hah, so much for that.

A trace of mockery flickered in Ye Tian's eyes.

An Yi remained calm, as if he had long expected this.

Ye Tian had been secretly taken away by Luo Xian, a former captain of the Ye family's guard.

But even an outsider from the Divine Cult could easily track down Ye Tian's whereabouts, let alone the Xu family, which was well-established in Lingchuan Domain.

And if they truly wanted Ye Tian to come to the Xu family, they could have simply brought him back when they delivered a letter to Luo's Town. There was no need to make him travel all this way.

"By now, you must have heard. My daughter Xu Yiyun will marry the Young City Lord, Qi Zun, in seven days. That betrothal agreement between you and your father was a childish joke back then. Now, it seems inappropriate, so let's annul it."

Xu Zhengde spoke in a light tone, but his words carried a commanding authority, bitingly cold.

"Annul the marriage?"

Ye Tian's fists tightened, and his eyes turned bloodshot.

The Xu family had once been a fallen clan, only revived with Ye Yunqing's help, gradually rising to where they were today.

Who would have thought that only half a year after the Ye family's downfall, they would kick him while he was down?

An Yi raised an eyebrow from the sidelines.

Ah, the betrothal backout trope!

He could have predicted the entire scene with his eyes closed.

"Master Xu, with just one breezy word, you want to dissolve our young master's engagement? Seems a little too simple, doesn't it?"

An Yi stepped forward, a mocking smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

Seeing An Yi's sudden interjection, one of the Xu stewards stood up, furious and cold: "This is no place for a servant to speak!"

Boom!

Cracks spread across the floor like a ghost.

The Xu steward who had stood up felt a tremendous weight press down on his shoulder.

Unable to bear it, he fell to his knees with a thud, his spine nearly broken.

An Yi's eyes turned icy as he said calmly, "Do I have the right now?"