Mr. Xiao, can I borrow your wedding invitation?

Chapter 245 It was just a charade.
Of course, although the other younger members of the Xiao family were also present, they were not qualified to speak at the dinner table at all; they could only listen. Not to mention them, even Xiao Jiayang was not qualified.

Grandpa Xiao looked at his youngest daughter with a smile in his old eyes, "What I want to talk about today is about you!"

Xiao Ruonan had a bad feeling. "Me?"

"Could it be that the marriage with the Yan family has been arranged?" Lan Ruo asked casually.

Grandpa Xiao nodded, "That's right, but it's not an engagement, it's a wedding!"

Everyone at the table looked shocked.

"Madam Yan's illness has relapsed and has not been cured despite treatment. I heard from a folk doctor that washing her can remove the bad luck. I was thinking, since Ruonan has no objection, let's just do it all at once. What do you say, Ruonan?"

Xiao Ruonan was caught in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat. She forced a smile and asked, "Dad, you haven't even set a date with someone yet, have you?"

"It's booked, three days from now!"

Xiao Ruonan almost fell over. "So fast?"

"Yes, I thought you're not getting any younger, and it wouldn't be a good idea to keep putting it off. Besides, the Yan family thought the date was good, so I agreed. Ruonan, get ready, Dad will personally take you to the wedding car in three days!"

Xiao Ruonan deflated slowly, like a punctured balloon.

Lan Ruo: "Ruo Nan, congratulations! I never imagined you'd be getting married so soon!"

Xiao Jiayang: "Congratulations, Fifth Aunt! It's an honor for the Yan family to have you as their daughter!" "Congratulations!"

"congratulations!"

Others echoed this sentiment.

Xiao Shen withdrew his gaze from Xiao Ruonan, slowly sipping his tea, half-joking and half-serious, "Old man, what's the difference between this and an arranged marriage? Anyone who didn't know better would think you were in a hurry to marry Ruonan off so you could reap some benefits!"

Old Master Xiao glared at him, "What benefit could I possibly gain? You brat!"

"If you're not getting any benefits, why are you panicking? Besides, I've heard that the Yan family has some strange quirks. Our Xiao family is a reputable family, and we can't let a single bad apple spoil the broth!"

Grandpa Xiao waved his hand, "It's all rumors, all rumors. I have a pretty good impression of that young man from the Yan family. He's polite, humble, and kind, much better than some people!"

Xiao Shen burst out laughing, his chest heaving with laughter. "Old man, you might as well just say my name directly, why beat around the bush!"

"As the older brother, you can't ruin your sister's good fortune just because you're not getting married yourself. I think this marriage is great; they're a perfect match, both handsome and beautiful. You can ask them if you don't believe me!"

The old man had hoped for everyone's full support, but to his surprise, everyone kept their eyes down and no one dared to speak up.

Since Xiao Shen denied it, none of them dared to speak; anyone who did would be courting death.

"Dad, it's in three days, right? Okay, I understand. I'll prepare in advance!" Xiao Ruonan smiled, looking very happy.

After saying that, she took her leave.

Back in the apartment building, she sat on the sofa in a daze for a while, then exclaimed, "Someone, call Ah Lie here!"

Before long, Ning Zhiyuan arrived.

"sit!"

"No, I'd better stand!" Ning Zhiyuan was used to it.

Xiao Ruonan didn't order him this time either. Leaning against the sofa armrest, she pressed her temples. "My dad just announced something in front of everyone. Do you know what it is?"

Ning Zhiyuan shook his head.

"I will be marrying Young Master Yan in three days. He has already reached an agreement with the Yan family!"

Ning Zhiyuan listened quietly, as if he had been mentally prepared.

"It seems that the old man is serious this time. Don't be fooled by how glamorous the young masters and ladies of our big family are on a daily basis. If they are lucky and dare to rebel, they may be able to fight their way to freedom. But someone like me... is destined to be unable to escape the arrangement of fate!"

Ning Zhiyuan clenched his fists. "Right now, immediately, buy me a plane ticket to the United States tonight, the sooner the better!" "Fifth Miss, are you trying to elope?"

Xiao Ruonan laughed, "Do you really want me to marry that pervert Yan Shao?"

"I……"

"In short, are you going to help me or not? If not, I'll do it myself!"

Ning Zhiyuan swallowed hard. "Help!"

The night is dark and windy.

A dark figure flashed out from the building.

"Fifth Miss, there's no one here!"

With Ning Zhiyuan there, Xiao Ruonan felt very reassured. They went to the side gate of the old house together, as the main gate was guarded by bodyguards, which was inconvenient.

Before stepping out, Xiao Ruonan looked back one last time at the place that had raised her. Everything was so familiar and dear, yet at the same time, it felt so distant.

She loves this land and everyone here, but reality forces her to give it up. From the moment she was born, she was well protected by the Xiao family like a little princess, like a flower in a greenhouse, never experiencing any wind or rain. This time, it's time for her to experience the outside world, otherwise, if she just gets married like this, her life will be incomplete.

"Fifth Miss, we should go!"

Ning Zhiyuan's voice pulled Xiao Ruonan back to reality.

Xiao Ruonan took a deep breath and stepped out of the old house one after the other with Ning Zhiyuan.

The moon overhead was very round, but Xiao Ruonan had no heart to appreciate it anymore. She didn't know what kind of life awaited her after she escaped from here.

Just then, two beams of light shone down, suddenly illuminating the area.

Ning Zhiyuan instinctively stepped in front of Xiao Ruonan.

"Ah Lie, have we been discovered?" Xiao Ruonan nervously tugged at Ning Zhiyuan's sleeve. Ning Zhiyuan grasped her wrist. "Don't be afraid, I'm here!"

As Xiao Ruonan gazed at his tall and imposing back, a smile unconsciously curved her lips.

It seems she made the right choice in this step.

"It's Miss Wu!" Su Ying was surprised. What were these two people doing out so late at night?
Xiao Shen took a long stride down.

"Fourth Brother?" Xiao Ruonan's eyes widened.

"What are you doing with your luggage so late at night?" Xiao Shen's gaze fell on the suitcase in Ning Zhiyuan's hand.

Then, he looked at Xiao Ruonan and narrowed his eyes, "Fifth Sister, are you trying to run away?"

"I……"

Ning Zhiyuan stepped forward. "Fourth Master, it was I who instigated Fifth Miss. I should take responsibility for my actions. If you have any complaints, come at me!"

Xiao Shen scoffed, "Who do you think you are? Do you have the right to negotiate with me? Get out of my way!"

Her gaze was fixed on Xiao Ruonan. "I'm asking you a question. You're usually quite talkative!"

"I..." Xiao Ruonan mustered her courage, "Fine, I'll say it. That's right, I want to run away. I don't want to marry that Young Master Yan. I'm still young and haven't had enough fun yet. Let's talk about marriage later. I'm going to go out and have some fun for a few days first!"

She took a few steps forward and shook Xiao Shen's arm. "Good fourth brother, you're my own brother. You wouldn't just stand by and watch me suffer in this dire situation without helping me, would you?"

Xiao Shen pressed his temple and cleared his throat. "I know nothing about tonight's events!"

"Yes? Fourth Brother, you..."

"I'll count to three. If you don't leave now, I'm taking you back with me!"

"Let's go, let's go, I'm leaving now, thank you Fourth Brother!" Xiao Ruonan was extremely excited, and the two of them immediately disappeared into the night.