My Arrogant Young Lady

After hearing what I said, Zhang Shixue immediately crawled a few steps to check my gunshot wound. Then she looked at my shoulder and bit her lip with heartache.

I smiled and squinted to glance outside. I saw that the dozen or so men in black had lowered their pistols and were cautiously approaching me step by step.

These people were clearly not sent by Long Yuan to deal with me. Long Yuan genuinely considered me a brother and wanted to befriend me. He's currently building his own empire outside the Long family, and being on good terms with me would be entirely beneficial to him. Why would he possibly want to harm me?

If I'm not mistaken, these people were sent by Wang Huan to kill me. He knows I've been released from prison and is currently preparing to marry Xi'er and bring her back to the Wang family.

But how did Wang Huan know my whereabouts? His informants in the provincial capital are already working for me. There's no way he could know that I met with Long Yuan on the cruise ship.

There are ghosts.

Just as I was thinking about these things, the door at the other end suddenly opened. A burst of submachine gun fire swept through, and more than a dozen men in black who were trying to assassinate me fell to the ground.

Then, Long Yuan, carrying a submachine gun, and Long Yun quickly walked to my side. Upon seeing the gunshot wound on my shoulder, Long Yuan cursed viciously, "Some bastard actually came looking for death!?"

"Wang Xi, are you alright?" Long Yun asked me.

"It's nothing." I smiled and shook my head.

After glancing at me, Long Yuan immediately said, "Wang Xi, these people weren't sent by me, Long Yuan, to deal with you. My Long family and your Wang family have always been on good terms, how could I possibly send people to deal with you? Just now, I received a call from the captain, who told me that we've been harassed by a group of pirates. If I'm not mistaken, these people should be a small group of pirates on the pirate ship."

As he spoke, Wang Yun had already walked up to the group of men in black lying on the ground. He ripped open the clothes of one of the men in black, revealing a skull-shaped tattoo on the man's skin.

“It’s a skull.” Long Yun frowned slightly as he glanced at the light-colored tattoo.

"A skeleton?" I exclaimed in surprise.

“Yes, the Skull Pirates are a group of pirates that have risen to prominence at sea in recent years. They have a large number of members, around a thousand in total. They have one warship, as well as two merchant ships converted into warships. I never expected that we would encounter them at sea.” Long Yun frowned slightly, her delicate voice pleasant to the ear.

“If it’s Skeleton, then things are not good. I am a mid-level God-rank expert, the second strongest in the Long family. My sister, Long Yun, is second only to me in the Long family, a low-level God-rank expert. This party is mostly attended by women and wealthy young men, so I didn’t bring many bodyguards. There are only a dozen or so martial arts experts under my command on this ship. We are no match for Skeleton’s gang.” Long Yuan, holding a submachine gun, knocked down a pirate who was about to get up and ambush us.

"Then what about the cannon fire just now?" Recalling the sudden rocking of the cruise ship, I gradually felt uneasy.

"It's pirate ships attacking us! Let's go check it out!" With that, Long Yuan pulled me up and headed towards the deck.

Behind her, the yellow dog quickly followed. Zhang Shixue glanced back at the injured Xiao Tao, frowned slightly, and said, "Jiaqi, Lanlan, Li Qiuzhe, you take good care of Xiao Tao. I'll go upstairs and check on him."

"Shixue, you're just an ordinary person. What are you doing with them? Be careful you don't get hurt by the pirates," Li Qiuzhe hurriedly said to Zhang Shixue.

"No, I want to go and see!" Biting her lip, Zhang Shixue followed us onto the deck.

On the way, Huang Gou thought for a moment, took out a pistol and said to me, "Brother Xi, I also have a gun. I can protect you."

Seeing the pistol on the yellow dog, I was surprised for a moment, then laughed, "Not bad, you're high enough rank now, you're even carrying a gun?"

"Hehe, it was given to me by your uncle in the dragon robe." The yellow dog smiled sheepishly.

We went up to the deck. At a glance, we saw three enormous ships approaching us from the darkness. The hulls of the three ships were vaguely visible, emitting a dense array of red lights in the darkness. Just as we stepped onto the deck, a huge burst of fire erupted from the opposite side. We felt towering waves, and our cruise ship rocked violently once more.

"Could it be for the Crown Prince? They've actually mobilized their entire army?" Long Yuan frowned deeply as he watched the three enormous ships approach.

“Brother, there are spies.” Long Yun frowned slightly.

“Strange, who could this spy be? My Long family’s men are absolutely loyal, and the celebrities and internet influencers I invited could never possibly know pirates. As for those noble scions, they’re grateful to me, how could they possibly contact pirates to attack us? This spy…” As he spoke, Long Yuan frowned and looked at me.

"Impossible! There's no way I, Little Good Guy, could have spies around me! I brought people from the entertainment industry, and quite a few noblemen who are no less capable than your friends. They couldn't possibly know pirates, so how could they possibly contact them to attack us?" Little Good Guy sobered up and stumbled up from below the deck.

Seeing that there were no pirates near Little Good Guy's side, Long Yuan's doubts deepened. As for me... I had a thought in my mind but dared not voice it.

Could it be that the curse my brother Wang Huan cast on me has come true? Pirates—I've encountered such bad luck, something that happens only once every ten years?

Wang Huan's jinx! This time, I didn't encounter a shipwreck while traveling. Instead, I ran into pirates.

Seeing that I didn't speak, Long Yuan, fearing I was burdened, immediately said to me, "Young Master, these pirates aren't necessarily after you. It's their leader who has a significant grudge against your father. The year the Skull Gang was causing trouble at sea, they had the audacity to rob the charity supplies you were sending to Africa. Your father, enraged, personally led his men to kill the Skull Gang's leader. The current leader of the Skull Gang is a mid-level Divine-rank expert named Ula Hai. The original leader of the Skull Gang was a high-level Divine-rank expert named Ula Shan. The leader your father killed a few years ago was Ula Hai's older brother, Ula Shan."

"So, they're planning revenge for Wula Mountain now? They're coming for me." I lit a cigarette, my eyes coldly fixed on the three enormous ships opposite me.

Just then, several speedboats from the three large ships opposite us sped towards us. As the speedboats approached, they immediately opened fire with their submachine guns. We had barely retreated when over twenty hooks quickly snaked onto the edge of the boat and tightened their grip. Then the ropes became taut, clearly indicating that someone was climbing down the hull towards us.

"A bunch of scoundrels, how dare they attack our Long family?" A burly man drew a machete and slashed. He quickly cut off several hooks.

Then, a dozen or so of Long Yuan's men, armed with pistols, ran towards us quickly. When they reached us, they fired at the ship's underside while explaining, "Young Master Long, Your Highness, a small group of pirates just infiltrated the ship's workshop and have been taken care of by us."

"Not bad!" Long Yuan nodded slightly after hearing their words.

“However, most of the people on this ship are women, and the rest are aristocratic young men who indulge in wine and women. My brother is a mid-level god-level expert, and I am a low-level god-level expert. With just the two of us, we still can’t fight the enemy. Right now, we only have ten escape boats on our ship, but we can’t take everyone on board with us. We can’t abandon ship, and we can’t drive them back. Our situation is quite difficult,” Long Yun said.

“I can help you,” a young man said coldly as he emerged from a corner of the darkness.

"Wang You!?" Seeing the boy's cold face, Long Yuan was overjoyed. But seeing that Wang You was all alone, Long Yuan quickly shook his head and said, "It's still not enough. No matter how high our martial arts are, we are no match for guns and cannons. In a one-on-one fight, you, me, and Long Yun can all fight against Wula Hai. But in terms of team strength, we are still somewhat weak."

"What if I were added to the mix?" Another cold voice came from the darkness.

"You?" Upon hearing that pleasant voice, Long Yuan, Long Yun, Wang You, and I all frowned and looked at her.

"It's me." Her face was expressionless, just like Wang You's, and she walked slowly out of the darkness with dignified steps.

"Tong Jialing'er!?" Upon seeing her, Long Yuan took a deep breath and called out her name.

Chapter 240 Conquering the Iceberg Beauty

Tong Jia Ling'er is a top expert among the younger generation of the Ye family. She is at the same level as Ye Shuang, the Ye family's renowned senior brother, but she is only eighteen, four years younger than Ye Shuang. In terms of talent, she surpasses Ye Shuang and is considered the Ye family's most likely candidate to become the third prodigy above all gods.

She's cold, she's beautiful, she's the goddess pursued by countless scions of noble families. And a person with immense potential, possibly even surpassing the gods, is the object of fierce competition among many powerful clans. It's important to understand that a master above the gods is qualified to establish their own sect and become a peerless expert dominating a region. Even the four major families in the country only have one master above the gods in their ranks. If they could win over Tong Jia Ling'er, their family's power would instantly double.

Tong Jia Ling'er is also the niece of Xi'er's mother and Xi'er's cousin. As a descendant of an ancient noble family, her status is equally noble.

Now, watching Tong Jialing'er emerge from the darkness, Long Yuan stared at her in astonishment, completely mesmerized. Even if his girlfriend was a top star, adored by millions, so what? Compared to Tong Jialing'er, his celebrity girlfriend paled in comparison. If he could win her over, his status within the family would undergo a significant change.

Perhaps, after discussion, the elders of the family might depose the eldest son, who has accomplished nothing in the family, and make him the new heir apparent.

After all, the girls in the Yehenara family were exceptionally talented. Their status was also remarkably prominent.

As for Long Yun, she was also deeply surprised by the radiant beauty before her. In terms of looks, Long Yun was confident she was second to none. But compared to the vibrant eighteen-year-old Tong Jia Ling'er, Long Yun paled in comparison. If she were a man, she would definitely marry Tong Jia Ling'er.

However, their eyes widened even more quickly. They clearly saw me, and upon seeing Tong Jialing'er, their faces showed impatience. "Tong Jialing'er, you actually followed us again?"

You see, even though Tong Jia Ling'er is as cold as ice and unapproachable, just being able to exchange a few words with her, or even establish a slight connection, would be enough for someone to boast to the family head and elders back home and gain their favor. But in my eyes, Tong Jia Ling'er is like a clingy plaster, annoying and something I desperately want to get rid of or throw away.

Long Yuan's tiger-like eyes widened instantly as he looked at me. "Young Master, you actually dislike Tong Jia Ling'er?"

"Heh, you can ask her yourself how annoying she is," I said coldly, looking at Tong Jialing'er.

Upon hearing my words, Long Yuan's breathing instantly became labored. He stared at me, dumbfounded, as if I were a monster.

However, Tong Jia Ling'er didn't disagree with my words. Instead, she let out a disdainful sneer and didn't argue with me. In the moonlight, her skin was translucent white. She walked gracefully towards me, and with a swaying gait, she slammed her hand hard against the edge of the boat. The remaining dozen or so hooks attached to the edge sprang up and fell away, immediately followed by screams and the sound of heavy objects hitting the water. Then, in a charming voice, Tong Jia Ling'er said to me, "If Ling'er hadn't secretly followed you and protected you, do you think you could have returned to marry Xi'er on time?"

Although Tong Jialing'er spoke to me in a coquettish tone, almost like she was pleading, I was already familiar with her and knew that she only used that tone when she was mocking someone. Because of Zhang Xuan's matter, I had no good feelings towards her whatsoever. Disdainfully, I lit a cigarette and sneered, "I have Wang You; even without you, I can still get back on time to marry Xi'er."

"Alright, then Ling'er will leave. Let's see how you manage to return to marry Xi'er on time." Tong Jia Ling'er frowned slightly, her expression slightly displeased.

"Let's go!" I shouted to Tong Jialing'er.

"Then Ling'er will leave!" Tong Jia Ling'er's expression became even more furious after I shouted at her.

"Let's go, let's go now!" I continued to shout at her, completely unconcerned.

"Wang Xi, you've gone too far!" Tong Jia Ling'er was finally provoked by me and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Long Yuan felt a pang of envy. His friendliness towards me, besides being genuine, also carried a degree of politeness befitting an allied family. As the twelfth young master of the Long family, one of the four great families in the country, he still harbored a certain arrogance. Although he was three years older than me, I held a higher status. He didn't really dare accept being called "Brother Long." But when I did call him that, he did, though he still looked down on me somewhat. After all, his family was only slightly inferior to my Wang family, and he himself was a mid-level Divine Realm expert.

Now, watching me chase away Tong Jia Ling'er, whom he desperately wanted, and yelling at her—and Tong Jia Ling'er, an ice queen with a temperament far more arrogant than most girls—he was convinced at that moment, no matter how I tried to drive her away, she only uttered angry words and never actually left.

He's not as good as me, and he certainly wouldn't dare to yell at a goddess like Tong Jialing'er.

Beside me, Zhang Shixue frowned slightly upon seeing my obvious dislike for Tong Jialing'er. Tong Jialing'er was exceptionally beautiful, and her aura was truly awe-inspiring. Zhang Shixue herself admitted inferiority in both looks and demeanor. Yet, I had actually dared to shout at such a beauty. That seemed rather ungentlemanly.

However, Zhang Shixue felt relieved after only a few seconds. It turned out he treated every girl this way.

So, is he treating me differently from others?

Thinking of this, Zhang Shixue secretly clutched the bracelet I had given her. Ever since I gave it to her, she had treasured it and cherished it carefully. Even though Xiao Tao and Li Qiuzhe said it was a worthless bargain from a street vendor.

Gradually, Zhang Shixue felt gloomy again.

No, he probably doesn't like me. The person he truly likes is a girl even more beautiful than Tong Jia Ling'er.

In this life, I will simply protect him silently.

Only thirty seconds had passed. But in those thirty seconds, everyone was preoccupied with many thoughts.

He was momentarily distracted, but Long Yuan immediately reacted and reached out to pull Tong Jialing'er away. However, just as his hand was about to touch Tong Jialing'er's body, he pulled his hand back as if he had been electrocuted.

Tong Jia Ling'er was too beautiful; one couldn't bear to defile her. His face flushed, and after a couple of seconds of awkward silence, Long Yuan immediately said to Tong Jia Ling'er, "Miss Tong Jia, with a formidable enemy at hand, and all of us on the same side, why quarrel over such a small grudge and let those pirates from the Ula Sea benefit? Why don't we join forces and deal with those pirates first? Then we can settle any grudges between us privately."

"Hmm?" After hearing Long Yuan's words, Tong Jialing'er frowned slightly and snorted coldly.

"Miss Tong Jia, why don't you leave now and stop being angry with the young master?" Feeling the chilling aura emanating from Tong Jia Ling'er, Long Yuan felt extremely nervous.

"Long Yuan, what did you say in your last sentence?" Tong Jialing'er frowned slightly.

"The previous sentence? We're all on the same side?" Long Yuan asked Tong Jialing'er in surprise.

“Yes. That’s it. Long Yuan, remember this well: I, Tong Jialing’er, am not one of your own, and I have no connection with the four major families in your country, do you understand?” Tong Jialing’er said coldly.

"Yes." Hearing Tong Jialing'er's words, Long Yuan felt a pang of sadness. Indeed, it was too difficult to establish a relationship with Tong Jialing'er.

As for me, I already looked down on Tong Jialing'er, and seeing her disrespect my friend like this made me even angrier. I glared at her and said coldly, "Tong Jialing'er, you disdain being one of us, but do you think we want to be one of you? This is none of your business. Get out of here, I, Wang Xi, don't want your help!"

At that moment, Tong Jialing'er was enraged by my words. She stared at me coldly, her gaze almost killing me in that instant.

A chill ran through me. Besides Wang Huan and Ye Shuang, Tong Jia Ling'er became my third most disliked person. I won't speak ill of the Empress Dowager, after all, she's my mother-in-law. But... in my heart, I've always felt that, apart from Xi'er, the members of the Yehenara family all share one thing in common: they're too arrogant and look down on everyone. Ye Wuji was like that back then. Ye Shuang was like that, and so is Tong Jia Ling'er.

So what if they're descendants of royalty? What's there to be so arrogant about? If we're really talking about it, my father was the emperor of the Golden Triangle, and I'm a prince too, but I'm not as arrogant as them. People from those big families are too pretentious.

Seeing me arguing with Tong Jialing'er again, Long Yuan was already sweating profusely. He didn't mind that Tong Jialing'er wouldn't acknowledge him as one of their own. But she had come all this way to help me, and I was disdainful of being her friend. What a waste! It's like a well-fed man not knowing the hunger of an starving one. Before, when people said the Wang family's heir was of high status, he was somewhat unconvinced. Now, he truly understood. From now on, he would put away his arrogance and slight disdain and try to befriend this heir properly.

However, at that very moment, Wang You uttered something that completely surprised him. He glanced coldly at Tong Jialing'er and then said to me, "Brother, the Yehenara family is indeed nothing special. Since you dislike her, then let her leave. I, Wang You, am absolutely confident in your safety and guarantee that you can marry Xi'er within the agreed time."

Arrogant! This Wang You is even more arrogant than him! Proud! This Wang You is even more arrogant than him! The arrogance inherent in the Wang family's heir had already deeply shocked him, but he never expected that Wang You would be even more arrogant than the Wang family's heir. In his eyes, Tong Jia Ling'er, whom he couldn't win over and had no connection with, was not even as good as an ordinary person in the eyes of Wang Xi and Wang You.

It seemed that Tong Jialing'er, who was eagerly waiting for him, was about to be driven away by the two brothers. However, Tong Jialing'er's reaction made his mind go blank and he almost fainted.

All I saw was Tong Jia Ling'er biting her lip in anger at me and Wang You, staring at us coldly for a long time as if she wanted to kill us with her eyes. Suddenly, Tong Jia Ling'er put away her anger, then walked up to me and said in a gentle voice, "Young Master, stop making trouble."

"What did I do wrong?" I asked coldly.

"Ling'er, I'll never tattle on you again." Tong Jia Ling'er smiled, but in her heart she wanted to kill me. If she weren't afraid of delaying this boy's wedding to Xi'er, she, Tong Jia Ling'er, would never have given in to me.

"That's more like it." I pinched Tong Jialing'er's fair cheek hard, and a smug smile gradually appeared on my face.

So what if you're a beauty? So what if you're an ice queen? If you offend me, I'll still make you apologize obediently!

Chapter 241 Wang You's Congratulatory Gift