Apologizing Excessively

 Chapter 12

【Du Yinyun's favorability increased from 75 to 76】

Though Du Yinyun's favorability is optimistic, He Yunxiao's situation with Chu Fan is far from it.

After He Yunxiao loudly announced his intention to apologize, the expressions of the people around Chu Fan were quite spectacular.

There were looks of surprise, shock, and bewilderment...

But the ones directly involved, Chu Fan and Chu Xiaoxiao, remained unchanged.

It's understandable that Chu Xiaoxiao didn't react, as she had been informed in advance. But why was the protagonist Chu Fan, known for his sense of justice and being overprotective of his sister, also unmoved?

Logically, after my previous demeaning comments to Chu Xiaoxiao, Chu Fan should bear a grudge. Although I didn't participate in the duel, he should still want to cut me down. Why isn't he reacting now that I'm here to apologize?

At this moment, Chu Fan's mood was not exactly calm, but it was without waves.

This was because Chu Xiaoxiao had just explained her encounter with He Yunxiao to him.

Chu Xiaoxiao didn't hide anything and immediately told Chu Fan the "truth" as soon as she returned to Spring Breeze Tower.

When Chu Fan saw Chu Xiaoxiao return, he was worried about his sister going out alone and hurriedly asked, "Xiaoxiao, you just now..."

Chu Xiaoxiao seriously said, "Brother, He Yunxiao just asked me out."

Chu Fan's heart skipped a beat, thinking: As expected, it was him.

Chu Xiaoxiao knew her brother Chu Fan's sense of justice and his hatred for scum like He Yunxiao, who did none good deeds, wanting to kill him on the spot. But He Yunxiao had proven his strength by dealing with Du Yinyun. The current He, a notorious playboy, was very useful to her and couldn't die.

She wanted to save He Yunxiao's life and thus planned to reinforce her brother's previous speculation: that He Yunxiao was actually a "fake playboy, real gentleman."

So she said, "Brother guessed right. In the Great Qi, culture is valued over martial prowess. General He holds a large army, and He Yunxiao fears that being too outstanding would cause the court to be suspicious, so he pretends to be a playboy to protect himself. He just asked me out to apologize."

Chu Fan was relieved to find out that He Yunxiao had discussed serious matters with his sister.

He thought: Xiaoxiao is just sixteen, the age where she is easily deceived. I hope she doesn't get tricked by He Yunxiao.

...

Fearing that Chu Fan didn't hear him, He Yunxiao intensified his apology.

"Brother Chu, Miss Chu, I was previously disrespectful, saying I wanted to enjoy the moonlight with Miss Chu, and couldn't control myself from touching her face. I now realize my mistake and am deeply sorry!"

Chu Fan:

Chu Xiaoxiao: ...

Crowd: Are you here to pick a fight?

He Yunxiao: ?

He Yunxiao was very puzzled.

Why didn't Chu Fan shout, "He* scoundrel, prepare to die!" and then rush to beat me up."

[T/N- He means He Yunxiao not He pronoun]

This isn't how it's supposed to go. Isn't Chu Fan supposed to be overprotective of his sister? Could it be that because I survived, the storyline changed, and Chu Fan's personality altered?

I must make Chu Fan fight me!

He Yunxiao stopped being subtle and directly said, "Brother Chu, as warriors, we don't speak much. All emotions are expressed through fists and kicks! Are you interested in a couple of moves with me? To apologize to Miss Chu, I'm willing to let you have three moves first!"

Everyone present gasped.

A seventh rank challenging a ninth rank? And letting him have three moves?

Those who knew He Yunxiao said, "That's exactly like He Da Shao*'s style!"

[T/N- Da Shao means eldest son , Here used as successor of Marquis]

Those who didn't know He Yunxiao said, "Is this what it means to be a marquis' son?"

In short, He Yunxiao maintained his consistent villainous image with his arrogance.

Without waiting for Chu Fan's response, he assumed agreement and walked to the duel stage, watching the ongoing courtesan selection duel.

The two on stage shivered under He Yunxiao's gaze.

He Yunxiao generously said, "It's okay, you two continue. Chu Fan and I can wait for a bit."

Chu Fan and me?

A marquis' eldest son and a twenty-year-old ninth rank martial arts genius?

Making these two wait?

They dared not delay any longer and hastily admitted defeat and left the stage.

He Yunxiao felt even more that being a villain was nice.

As a good person, when you are polite, others take advantage of you; as a villain, when you are polite, others are even more respectful.

Sitting next to Chu Fan, Yang Qi felt something was off. He had often heard of He Yunxiao's name, knowing his arrogance and not weak martial skills. But he wasn't stupid. A seventh rank challenging a ninth rank, even a pig would know there's no chance of winning. Why did He Yunxiao seem determined to fight Chu Fan?

This was really confusing.

Yang Qi, always cautious, immediately said to Chu Fan, "Brother Chu, He Yunxiao's martial skills are far inferior to yours. This kind of futile effort might be a trap."

The white-clothed young man, Zui Xian Ju Liu Feiyun, waved his fan and said, "Brother Yang is overthinking it. He Yunxiao left before Brother Chu's duel with Liu Kaixiong, so he doesn't know Chu Fan's ninth rank strength and wants to use his seventh rank skills to teach Brother Chu a lesson. What's strange about that?"

The fat Shen Kuan, who had just been embarrassed by He Yunxiao, also fanned the flames.

"Right, Feiyun is right. He Yunxiao has always been arrogant, often bullying the weak. But he didn't expect Brother Chu to be ninth rank, far superior to his seventh rank! Brother Chu, don't hold back. Let He Yunxiao understand there are always people better than him!"

"Not wise." The thin man, Qi Wang's retainer Yan Cong, said, "No matter what He Yunxiao's motive is, he is the marquis' heir. Brother Chu's exceptional skills aside, offending a marquis over a moment's dispute is unwise. I think this duel should be just a sparring match."

Chu Fan, focused on his sister and swordsmanship, couldn't decide and looked at his sister.

Chu Xiaoxiao pursed her lips, blinked her big eyes, tilted her head slightly in thought, then said softly, "Hmm... I think this brother is right."

Yan Cong, usually indifferent to women, couldn't help but pause at the sight of the pure and beautiful Chu Xiaoxiao.

Since Chu Xiaoxiao was addressing him, Yan Cong quickly regained his composure and bowed.

"But..." Chu Xiaoxiao continued, "My brother practices the way of the sword, and the sword path fears hesitation and fear. So, even if there's a trap or potential offense, he must proceed without hesitation. However, it should be a fair fight, just a spar."

Chu Fan, hearing his sister, made up his mind.

No holding back, but no harm either.

He stood up, ready to head to the duel stage, but was surprised to see chaos around He Yunxiao.

Amongst the group of spoiled brats, true friendship was rare.

But with many friends, you would encounter a few fools.

As the marquis' heir, future Marquis of Wu Qing, He Yunxiao was just below a few people, above many. Countless people envied his status.

Even so-called "friends" often wished to see him embarrassed.

But childhood friend Chen Zimo wasn't like that.

Chen Zimo, son of He Yuanhao's deputy, fifth rank officer Chen Beirong, was different. Although a fifth rank officer wasn't insignificant, it wasn't much compared to He Yunxiao's status.

Everyone wanted to see the marquis' son humiliated by a ninth rank, except for Chen Zimo, who came to stop him.

"Brother Xiao! Do you know Chu Fan's rank?"

He Yunxiao pretended not to know, "What rank?"

"Ninth rank! He's ninth rank, one above my father's eighth rank! You usually get beaten by my father in two moves, how can you fight Chu Fan?"

Seeing Chu Fan's side still whispering and not making a move, He Yunxiao laughed, "Ninth rank? So what? I'm here to fight a ninth rank!"

Those advising Chu Fan to be cautious, Yang Qi and Yan Cong, exchanged glances.

Fighting a ninth rank?

Is He Yunxiao an idiot?