Chapter 284: Ning Prefers to Be a Hero's Concubine Rather Than a Mediocre Wife

Qin Wanru sneered inwardly. The woman had finally revealed her true intentions. All that talk about being willing to be a slave or maid was merely a pretense; considering Qiu Honglei's status, it was never a possibility.

This was her real objective.

Stealing a man and bringing the fight to the Chu family? This was absolutely outrageous!

Qin Wanru suppressed her anger, choosing not to lash out immediately. Instead, she smiled sweetly at Zu An: "Our Chu family is known for being reasonable people. For years, there have been no reports of us using our influence to oppress common folk. Therefore, this matter primarily depends on whether Ah Zu himself is willing."

She also wanted to avoid any damage to the Chu family's reputation. After all, this mess was his own making, so it was best for him to resolve it himself.

"Of course I'm willing, why wouldn't I?" Zu An blurted out. To have such a beautiful courtesan offer to buy his freedom—from now on, he thought, they could call him the King of Soft Rice!

Hmm, why did that sound like an insult?

Although he didn't mind living off a woman, his last argument with Qin Wanru had made him realize how low the status of a live-in son-in-law was in this world. They were completely subservient to their wife's family, often unprotected by law.

With that in mind, it would be better to shed this identity sooner rather than later.

Anyway, with his charm, changing identity wouldn't hinder his ability to live off a woman... *Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey*, what was he saying about living off a woman?

Was it his fault that a charming, mature man like him inadvertently attracted beautiful, wealthy women?

Qin Wanru was speechless.

Rage from Qin Wanru: +666!

She had assumed Zu An would find a reason to politely decline. In her view, no man would abandon the noble and equally beautiful Chu Chuyan for a courtesan, even if the woman was a famous courtesan who had captivated countless men.

Moreover, it would have been a perfect opportunity to mend their strained relationship.

Yet, this man completely defied expectations!

But her words were already out. If she were to backtrack now, what would become of her dignity as a duchess?

Just as she found herself in a predicament, Chu Chuyan suddenly spoke:

"I disagree!"

Chu Zhongtian and Qin Wanru were both quite surprised that their daughter had refused so directly.

Chu Zhongtian didn't seem too bothered, but Qin Wanru knew some details about the two and wondered if her daughter had actually fallen for Zu An.

The thought of her ethereal daughter and the famously beautiful Qiu Honglei now vying for the same man made her wonder. Anyone unaware of the context might assume this man was an incredibly remarkable individual.

What virtue or capability did Zu An possess to deserve this?

Rage from Qin Wanru: +233!

Qiu Honglei glanced at her with a hint of surprise. "Miss Chu, why would you refuse? As far as I know, your relationship doesn't seem particularly good, and Ah Zu's status in your family is quite humble. Continuing like this would be a torment for both of you."

Zu An sighed inwardly, thinking how every single word the woman spoke resonated deeply with him.

He mused that if he hadn't known from the start that this woman had ulterior motives, he would likely have been moved to tears by her by now.

"Did Zu An tell you these things?" Chu Chuyan's expression darkened.

Rage from Chu Chuyan: +587!

Standing nearby, Zu An thought his wife was genuinely angry; she wasn't even calling him "Ah Zu" anymore.

Qiu Honglei shook her head. "How could an extraordinary man like Ah Zu stoop to gossiping like that behind people's backs? Besides, he doesn't need to say anything; everyone in Brightmoon City already knows these things."

An extraordinary man?

Chu Zhongtian and Qin Wanru exchanged strange glances. Did she perhaps misunderstand the meaning of that phrase?

Chu Chuyan's heart, however, trembled. She had, in fact, been able to guess some of this before, but had subconsciously avoided dwelling on such matters.

Hearing it from someone else's lips now, she finally realized how much resentment Ah Zu had endured and how many scornful looks he had received all this time.

"Who says our relationship isn't good?" The thought of those injustices fueled Chu Chuyan's growing guilt. She stepped forward and immediately linked her arm through Zu An's, leaning against him like a small, dependent bird. "We faced life and death together in the Yaoguang Secret Realm; our relationship is incredibly harmonious, isn't that right, Ah Zu?"

While a faint smile graced her lips, her other hand discreetly pinched the soft flesh at his waist, conveying an unmistakable threat.

Chu Zhongtian watched in astonishment as his daughter intimately leaned against Zu An. He instinctively glanced at his wife, his eyes filled with confusion: *Was there something he didn't know?*

To his surprise, Qin Wanru looked equally astonished. This was entirely unlike their daughter's usual demeanor.

Sensing the murderous intent beside him, Zu An smiled faintly. "Indeed, my wife and I have an excellent relationship, and I cannot bear to leave her. Honglei, you might only be able to become a concubine."

Given his personality, how could he let such a perfect opportunity slip by?

As he spoke, he naturally extended his hand and wrapped it around Chu Chuyan's waist. The slender feel of her waist in his grasp sent a thrill through him.

Upon feeling his hand's movement, Chu Chuyan's entire body stiffened. For a moment, she seemed on the verge of exploding.

Ultimately, however, she said nothing. She pursed her lips, then gradually relaxed her body once more.

Chu Zhongtian and Qin Wanru nearly sputtered when they heard him brazenly suggest Qiu Honglei become a concubine. This man's shamelessness truly redefined their understanding of the concept.

However, they quickly noticed the strange interaction between the two, staring intently at Zu An's hand resting on their daughter's waist. Seeing that she showed no signs of resistance, they involuntarily exchanged glances, wondering if their daughter and Zu An had already become a true married couple.

Chu Zhongtian was usually amiable and courteous toward Zu An, but that was merely due to his good breeding. Now, the thought of his precious daughter, whom he had painstakingly nurtured and raised, being "defiled" filled him with a profound sense of melancholy and loss—a feeling surely relatable to any father.

Rage from Chu Zhongtian: +211!

Qin Wanru, relatively speaking, found it easier to accept. After all, she had learned from her daughter that they had undressed for healing, so she had some psychological preparation.

Qiu Honglei gazed at the two tightly embracing figures, a faint, fleeting smile playing on her lips. "How could Honglei be such a shameless woman who breaks up families..."

Hearing her words, Qin Wanru inwardly scoffed, *Aren't you exactly that?*

Chu Chuyan's face was also cold, clearly in a sour mood.

Qiu Honglei continued, "Since you, Ah Zu, cannot bear to leave Miss Chu, and I also cannot bear to leave you, then I shall become Miss Chu's sister. I wonder if Young Lady Chu would be willing?"

"I already have a sister!" Chu Chuyan was tempted to refuse outright, but her concern for the Chu family's future prevailed. Rationality taking over, she added coldly, "If I were to say no, would Miss Qiu then refuse to disclose the whereabouts of Young Master Wang?"

"Sister Chu, your words truly make me feel quite ashamed. However, unfortunate people like us, in pursuit of our lifelong love, inevitably resort to certain methods. I hope you don't mind," Qiu Honglei said with surprising frankness. Her exquisite beauty and remarkably approachable demeanor made it genuinely difficult to harbor any ill will towards her.

Nevertheless, Chu Chuyan still felt a pang of discomfort, especially since she had just been addressed as "sister"!

Rage from Chu Chuyan: +369!

She took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Given Miss Qiu's reputation and beauty, countless men in this world would be willing to marry you as their proper wife. Wouldn't it be too demeaning to become a concubine for our Ah Zu?"

To be honest, she couldn't fathom it. Even if Ah Zu was outstanding, in the eyes of the world, he was merely a low-status live-in son-in-law. What exactly was Qiu Honglei hoping to gain?

"Not at all demeaning!" Qiu Honglei shook her head, then gazed at Zu An with profound affection. "It is better to be a hero's concubine than a commoner's wife. To become Ah Zu's woman is the greatest blessing of my life. How could that be considered demeaning?"

Chu Chuyan was speechless.

Chu Zhongtian was speechless.

Qin Wanru was speechless.

Only Zu An stood there, grinning from ear to to ear, like the foolish son of a wealthy landowner.

Chu Chuyan's expression fluctuated between dark and light. After a long silence, she finally spoke: "I have a question for Miss Qiu. How exactly did you come to know Young Master Wang's whereabouts? You should know that our Chu family mobilized countless resources and personnel, yet we couldn't find any trace of him."

"Sister, are you suspecting that I sent people to abduct Young Master Wang? How could Honglei possibly possess the audacity to do such a thing?" Qiu Honglei smiled faintly. "It's simply that cats have their ways and mice have theirs. Heavenly Immortals' Abode hosts guests from all corners of the world, and information tends to circulate faster here than elsewhere. I merely happened to overhear it."

Chu Chuyan nodded slightly, accepting her explanation. "Very well, I agree to your entry. At that time, the Chu family will send people to Heavenly Immortals' Abode to redeem you and formally welcome you into the family with all due honor. Now, can you finally tell us where Young Master Wang is?"