Chapter Four: Selling Oneself

Her tone was so cold it seemed to freeze the very air around her, carrying a chilling calmness that sent shivers down one’s spine. It was almost unbelievable that such ruthless and heartless words could come from a girl who looked so young and fair.

Facing the doubtful and astonished gazes of others, she appeared utterly indifferent, as if completely unaware of how shocking her words truly were.

In her worldview, nothing ever came without a cost.

Even a simple meal required an equivalent price to be paid. This was the principle by which she understood the world to operate—everything must be compensated.

At this moment, she had nothing left except the eradication of those considered her enemies.

Hearing this, the man standing opposite involuntarily trembled slightly. His profound, ink-black eyes fixed intently on the young woman before him, his lips parting: “Then come with me, will you?”

The words slipped out before he could stop them, and even he was momentarily stunned by his own sudden and strange request.

He himself was unclear why he had abruptly made such a bizarre and abrupt demand. Perhaps it was the influence of a prophecy foretold by the enigmatic old celestial being; or maybe because, during a time when he was trapped, this seemingly fragile girl had unhesitatingly extended her hand to help him... These tangled thoughts swirled in his mind, leaving him momentarily bewildered.

Suppressing the turbulent emotions surging within, the man silently reflected: Whatever the reason, since he was to remain in this mortal realm for a few days, protecting this young woman before him was no great challenge.

However, if this seemingly delicate girl turned out to be greedy, lacking self-awareness and restraint, then he would show no mercy whatsoever.

After a long silence that seemed to freeze time itself, Ouyang Xiaoyue finally nodded slightly, indicating her agreement.

Clearly, she had yet to fully comprehend the weight of the decision she had just made.

Seeing this, the man’s eyes—already as deep as the ocean—grew even more inscrutable, concealing any true thoughts within.

His low, magnetic voice sounded gently, as if stating the most ordinary fact: “From now on, you belong to me.”

Ouyang Xiaoyue slowly lifted her gaze. Her clear eyes seemed to pierce through the dust, staring directly into Mu Ruyi’s profound depths.

She parted her lips softly, a faint tremor barely perceptible in her voice: “My name is... Ouyang Xiaoyue.” Before the words had fully left her mouth, a gentle breeze stirred the loose strands framing her forehead, leaving a faint echo in the air.

At the same time, the jade bracelet on her wrist emitted a warm, lustrous glow again, as if resonating with her heartbeat. Mu Ruyi’s gaze casually flicked to that hint of green; a subtle, indescribable gleam flashed in his eyes before he regained his calm. He nodded slightly, as though silently engraving the name into his memory.

That name was both strange and familiar to her.

Strange, because she had never had a name before—this was her first; familiar, because it echoed countless times in her heart, as if it had been with her since birth.

“Ouyang family?” the man murmured, his voice deep and magnetic, tinged with an elusive emotion. “Remember, my name is Mu Ruyi.”

Mu Ruyi?

The name echoed in Ouyang Xiaoyue’s mind, and she nodded, indicating she had remembered it.

“Master, this man is very dangerous,” came the childish voice within her mind.

Just as Ouyang Xiaoyue was about to speak, voices calling from outside reached her ears.

“Miss!”
“Sister!”

Listening to the shouts from outside, the man regarded the girl standing motionless beside him with thoughtful eyes. He reached out to embrace her slender waist, and in a flash, they soared upward.

Instinctively, Ouyang Xiaoyue grabbed hold of his coat, her clear eyes wide with curiosity.

Seeing the intrigue in her gaze, Mu Ruyi instinctively raised his hand, using his sleeve to shield her from the wind.

His speed was astonishing, and in the blink of an eye, they landed above.

Before she could react, Mu Ruyi’s figure had already vanished.

Immediately after, a thick, nauseatingly strong scent assaulted Ouyang Xiaoyue’s nostrils, leaving her momentarily unsettled.

“Ouyang Xiaoyue, you shameless wretch! How dare you still live? You might as well go die!”

A sharp, piercing roar thundered in Ouyang Xiaoyue’s ears, shaking her dizzy and causing her ears to ring.

At the same time, a searing pain shot through her arm—a familiar sensation that instantly made her realize what was happening.

Instinctively, she tried to retreat to free herself from the grip, but the iron-like claw of a hand held her fast, tightening as if to crush her bones.

Clenching her teeth against the pain, Ouyang Xiaoyue lifted her head and finally saw the person before her.

The girl was about fifteen or sixteen, with a once-beautiful face now twisted by rage and resentment.

Most striking were her eyes, filled with fury and malice, glaring viciously at her while cursing relentlessly: “You and that good-for-nothing Ouyang Xiaoxing dare to inherit your father’s position as head of the family? What a ridiculous dream! You two are utterly useless—what right do you have to inherit the family headship?”