After everyone was reborn, I was strictly disciplined.

Since he is the chosen one, Xie Xingran doesn't mind giving him a friendly look for the time being.

His previously gloomy expression softened slightly, his brows, which had been filled with annoyance, relaxed a little, and his gaze towards He Chenxuan lost its indifference. "Speak," he said, "what do you want from me?"

He Chenxuan was still rubbing his sore calf when he heard the sudden gentle tone. He was taken aback at first, but then the restraint and wariness in his eyes quickly disappeared, and a perfectly timed smile instantly bloomed on his face.

He quickly straightened up, his tone becoming even more respectful: "It's nothing important. I just thought that since Young Master Xie is a distinguished guest of the He family, and this is your first time visiting the manor, you must be unfamiliar with the place. So I thought I'd accompany you to show you around, so as to show you the hospitality of a good host."

Xie Xingran smiled slightly upon hearing this.

He was trying to find out what made He Chenxuan so special that he was chosen by Heaven as the Chosen One, even though he was clearly just cannon fodder.

Moreover, he was also very curious about He Chenxuan's true purpose.

So Xie Xingran raised her little face and agreed, "Sure, you can come shopping with me."

Afterwards, He Chenxuan led Xie Xingran through the courtyards of the He family.

The He family courtyard is exquisitely laid out, with winding bluestone paths and plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum plants planted on both sides, interspersed with pavilions with upturned eaves and rockeries with babbling streams.

He Chenxuan was like a very knowledgeable tour guide, able to explain everything in detail at every place he visited.

The carvings in this corridor were made by a famous craftsman. The stone pavilion was once the place where the He family ancestors entertained guests. Even the inconspicuous potted plants in the corner can tell a story. The stories are well-organized and full of interesting anecdotes, making it anything but boring.

Xie Xingran was naturally impatient and didn't have much patience for these old courtyards. However, as He Chenxuan gave a vivid explanation, she gradually became attracted and unconsciously slowed down her pace, occasionally glancing at the scenery in the courtyard.

He Chenxuan was even better at reading people than he had expected. He even had a perfect rhythm in his explanations, which was neither verbose nor lacking in interest.

The two strolled around for about half an incense stick's time. Just as they turned past a moon gate filled with red plum blossoms, a slender figure suddenly stood in the middle of the road ahead, blocking their way.

It is He Chenyu.

He had been standing there for an unknown amount of time. His already pale, almost translucent face had become even more somber, with an unyielding melancholy between his brows and his thin lips pressed into a straight line. He simply stared at the two of them in silence, the air around him frighteningly low.

Upon seeing this, He Chenxuan felt a slight chill, but he immediately stepped forward, a familiar smile on his face, and greeted him warmly:

"Brother, what are you doing here?"

He deliberately took half a step forward, subtly blocking Xie Xingran and He Chenyu.

He Chenyu seemed not to have heard him at all. His gaze passed over him and landed directly on Xie Xingran. His eyes were complex and hard to decipher, showing worry, displeasure, and a hint of unspeakable obsession.

He remained silent for a moment before slowly opening his lips. His voice was somewhat hoarse from days of weakness, but it carried an undeniable authority: "The visit is over. My mother sent me to take you back."

Xie Xingran crossed her arms and raised her chin slightly: "You want me to take you back? Great-grandmother is really carefree."

"You've been publicly jilted, your reputation is shattered, instead of retreating to your room and playing dead, you're standing here making a fool of yourself. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at behind your back?"

The child's voice was clear and bright, with undisguised sarcasm. The servants passing by instinctively stopped in their tracks, then hurriedly lowered their heads, not daring to look any longer, only glancing at the two people confronting each other out of the corner of their eyes.

But He Chenyu seemed completely oblivious to these harsh words. His dark eyes, as deep as a frozen pool in the depths of winter, fell on Xie Xingran without a ripple. He parted his thin lips slightly, his tone flat and without a trace of emotion, and repeated, "My mother asked me to take you back."

Xie Xingran was never one to obediently follow orders, and upon hearing this, she immediately stiffened her neck and took half a step back, her toes grinding against the flower petals on the ground, her face full of arrogance:

"I'm not replying. Why should I reply just because you tell me to? Who do you think you are?"

He glanced at He Chenyu's gloomy face, growing increasingly annoyed, and added, "Always wearing that deadpan expression, who are you trying to impress? It's bad luck."

As he spoke, he deliberately rolled his eyes at He Chenyu, the upward curve of his eyes full of provocation.

Based on the situation in the main hall, He Chenyu should have been provoked by his words and broken down his defenses, causing the villain value on the system panel to soar.

But this time was very unusual. Even though Xie Xingran's words were extremely harsh, He Chenyu's emotions remained as steady as a rock.

He neither refuted nor got angry, not even raising an eyebrow, and his villainous value remained firmly in place, without the slightest fluctuation.

Xie Xingran couldn't help but feel uneasy, and her brows furrowed slightly.

He thought to himself that He Chenyu was clearly the most easily provoked. He could easily hit his sore spot and break his defenses with just a few words.

How come I said such harsh things today, but this person is like a rock that can't be warmed up, without any reaction at all?

He couldn't help but raise his eyes to take a closer look at He Chenyu.

He changed his clothes.

His dark brocade robe accentuated his tall and straight figure, but his face remained as pale as ever, half-dead. The shadows under his brows deepened his gloomy and cold demeanor, and he exuded an aura of icy indifference that kept people at a distance.

He was the same as before, but his emotions didn't fluctuate at all, as if those sarcastic words had just gone in one ear and out the other.

Just then, He Chenxuan strode forward, his face bearing his usual gentle and modest smile. He bowed slightly to He Chenyu and gently advised him:

"Brother, why don't we wait a little longer? The plum blossoms in this courtyard are in full bloom. Young Master Xie may not have had enough of exploring yet. Going back in such a hurry would spoil his enjoyment."

As he spoke, a quick glance flashed across his eyes, signaling to He Chenyu to slow down and avoid making things awkward.

"No need." He Chenyu's voice was as cold as ice, leaving no room for negotiation. He said decisively, "Go back now."

He Chenxuan's gentle smile froze instantly, and the curve of his lips became somewhat forced. A slight crack finally appeared on his usually calm expression.

He hadn't expected He Chenyu to suddenly become so unyielding and utterly unsympathetic.

He wasn't like this before!

He Chenxuan couldn't help but feel a surge of anger, but he couldn't show it because of his status. He could only clench his hands in his sleeves and forcefully suppress his surging emotions.

At this moment, Xie Xingran let out a breath, straightened his disheveled robes, and walked forward.

"Let's go, there's nothing much to see anyway."

He Chenxuan wanted to say something more, but was frozen in place by He Chenyu's cold gaze.

They could only watch helplessly as Xie Xingran left.