Chapter 281: Ning Would Rather Be a Hero’s Concubine Than a Mediocre Wife

Qin Wanru secretly sneered. The woman had finally revealed her true intentions. All her previous talk about being willing to be a servant was just a pretense; considering Qiu Honglei's status, it was simply impossible.

This was her real objective now.

Stealing a man and bringing the fight all the way to the Chu family—this was utterly outrageous!

Qin Wanru suppressed her anger, not exploding on the spot. Instead, she smiled at Zu An. "Our Chu family is a reasonable household. For years, there have been no rumors of us using power to oppress ordinary people. So, this mainly depends on whether Ah Zu himself is willing."

She also didn't want the Chu family's reputation to be tarnished. After all, this messy situation was his doing, so it was best for him to resolve it himself.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be willing?" Zu An blurted out. "To have such a beautiful courtesan volunteer to buy my freedom—from now on, please call me Mr. Sugar Baby!"

*Hmm, why does that sound like an insult?*

Although he didn't mind relying on others financially, his last argument with Qin Wanru had made him realize that the status of a live-in son-in-law in this world was too low. They were merely appendages to their wives' families, unprotected by various laws.

Thinking this way, it would be better to shed this identity as soon as possible.

Anyway, with my charm, changing identities wouldn't stop me from enjoying a comfortable life... *Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey, what "comfortable life" are we talking about?*

If a charming mature man like me inadvertently makes beautiful and wealthy women fall for him, is that my fault?

Qin Wanru was speechless.

Rage points from Qin Wanru: +666!

She had expected Zu An to politely refuse. In her eyes, no man would abandon the noble and equally beautiful Chu Chuyan for a courtesan, even if the latter was a celebrated beauty who captivated countless men.

And this would have been a good opportunity to ease the tension among them.

Who would have thought this fellow would completely defy expectations!

But the words were already out. If she went back on them now, how could she, the dignified Duchess, save face?

Just as she was in a dilemma, Chu Chuyan suddenly spoke:

"I disagree!"

Both Chu Zhongtian and Qin Wanru were somewhat surprised that their daughter had refused so directly.

Chu Zhongtian was less surprised, but Qin Wanru, knowing some things about the two of them, wondered if her daughter had truly fallen for Zu An.

The thought of her ethereal daughter and the renowned courtesan Qiu Honglei now vying for the same man made her wonder what kind of extraordinary person this man must seem to be to those who didn't know the full story.

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

Rage points from Qin Wanru: +233!

Qiu Honglei looked at her with some surprise. "Why would Miss Chu refuse? From what I know, your relationship doesn't seem to be very 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 secretly sighed, thinking how this woman's words struck a chord with him.

He thought that if he hadn't known from the beginning that she had ulterior motives, he would probably have been deeply moved by her words by now.

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

Rage points from Chu Chuyan: +587!

Zu An, standing nearby, thought, *My wife is really angry; she's not even calling me 'Ah Zu' anymore.*

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

*Extraordinary man?*

Chu Zhongtian and Qin Wanru's expressions were a bit odd. *Do you misunderstand that phrase?* they seemed to think.

Chu Chuyan, however, felt a pang in her heart. She had actually suspected some of this before but had subconsciously avoided thinking about it.

Hearing it from someone else's mouth now, she truly realized how much grievance Ah Zu had endured and how many disdainful looks he had received these past days.

"Who says our relationship isn't good?" As the thought of her previous neglect intensified her guilt, Chu Chuyan stepped forward and took Zu An's arm, leaning on him like a delicate 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 appeared on her face, her other hand subtly pinched the soft flesh around his waist, the unspoken threat clear.

Chu Zhongtian watched in surprise as his daughter intimately nestled against Zu An. He instinctively looked at his wife, his eyes filled with doubt: *Is there something I don't know?*

To his surprise, Qin Wanru was equally astonished. This was completely unlike her daughter's usual demeanor.

Feeling the murderous intent beside him, Zu An smiled faintly. "Indeed, my wife and I have a very good relationship, and I can't bear to leave her. Honglei, you might only be able to become a concubine."

Given his personality, how could he miss such a golden opportunity?

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

Feeling his hand, Chu Chuyan stiffened, appearing as if she might explode at any moment.

Ultimately, however, she said nothing, pressed her lips together, and then relaxed again.

Chu Zhongtian and Qin Wanru had nearly choked when they heard him suggest Qiu Honglei become a concubine. This fellow's shamelessness truly redefined their understanding.

However, they quickly noticed the unusual dynamic between the two, staring intently at the hand on their daughter's waist. Seeing that she showed no sign of resistance, they couldn't help but exchange a glance, wondering if their daughter had already become a true wife to him.

Chu Zhongtian was usually polite and amiable towards Zu An, but that was merely due to his cultivation. Now, the thought of his beloved daughter, whom he had painstakingly nurtured, being "taken by a pig," filled him with a sense of frustration and loss that every father could surely empathize with.

Rage points from Chu Zhongtian: +211!

In contrast, Qin Wanru found it slightly easier to accept. After all, she had already been somewhat mentally prepared after her daughter told her they had undressed for healing.

Qiu Honglei looked at the two clinging tightly together, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appearing on her lips. "How could Honglei be the kind of shameless woman who breaks up families..."

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

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

Qiu Honglei continued, "Since you can't bear to leave Miss Chu, and I also can't bear to leave you, then I'll just be Miss Chu's sister. I wonder if Miss Chu would be willing?"

"I already have a younger sister!" Chu Chuyan dearly wanted to just say no, but her concern for the Chu family's future prevailed. She coldly added, "If I say no, will Miss Qiu then not reveal the whereabouts of Young Master Wang?"

"Sister Chu, saying that truly makes me feel quite ashamed. However, unfortunate people like us, in pursuit of our life's love, inevitably resort to some means. I hope you don't mind." Qiu Honglei was quite frank, and with her exquisite beauty and exceptionally amiable demeanor, it was genuinely difficult to feel any ill will towards her.

Still, Chu Chuyan felt somewhat uncomfortable because Qiu Honglei had just called her "sister"!

Rage points from Chu Chuyan: +369!

She took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "With Miss Qiu's reputation and beauty, countless people in the world would be willing to marry you as their principal wife. Wouldn't it be too much of a sacrifice to become a concubine to our Ah Zu?"

To be honest, she couldn't understand it either. No matter how outstanding Ah Zu might be, in the eyes of the world, he was just a low-status live-in son-in-law. What exactly was Qiu Honglei after?

"No sacrifice at all!" Qiu Honglei shook her head, then gazed at Zu An with deep affection. "Better to be a hero's concubine than an ordinary man's wife. To become Ah Zu's woman is the greatest blessing of my life. How could that be considered a sacrifice?"

Chu Chuyan was speechless.

Chu Zhongtian was speechless.

Qin Wanru was speechless.

Only Zu An was there, grinning from ear to ear, like the landlord's foolish son.

Chu Chuyan's expression shifted between cloudy and clear. After a long moment, she said, "I have a question for Miss Qiu. How exactly did you find out Young Master Wang's whereabouts? You know, our Chu family mobilized countless people and resources but couldn't uncover his location."

"Sister, are you suspecting that I sent someone to abduct Young Master Wang? Honglei wouldn't dare to do such a thing." Qiu Honglei smiled slightly. "It's just that cats have their ways, and rats have theirs. Immortal's Abode has guests from all corners of the world, and information circulates faster there than anywhere else. I merely happened to overhear it."

Chu Chuyan nodded slightly, acknowledging her explanation. "Alright, I agree to let you join the family. The Chu family will send someone to Immortal's Abode to buy your freedom and formally welcome you. Now, can you finally tell us where Young Master Wang is?"