Chapter 161: Defection Plan

Gu Fan looked at Ruo Xi in front of him with some sympathy and sighed:

“This is the real world. From childhood until now, you probably haven’t had contact with outsiders. You’ve never experienced scheming and all the intricate relationships between people.”

“I’ve traveled across the continent and have long seen things like this. Friendship, family, love — as long as the benefits are sufficient, most people are willing to sacrifice these bonds.”

“And what you’ve seen in this world is just a minority. What I’m talking about is the common reality!”

At this moment, Ruo Xi weakly asked:

“Then with your years of experience traveling the continent, is it common for family, even biological fathers, to scheme against their own daughters?”

Gu Fan was momentarily speechless, holding it in for a while.

“Ahem, well, this really isn’t that common... As they say, ‘Even a vicious tiger won’t eat its cubs.’ But then again, there’s also a saying: ‘If not vicious, one isn’t a real man...’”

Ruo Xi suddenly burst into laughter. For some reason, she just wanted to laugh now.

“I believe what you said. Actually, I’m not as sad as you think. Strangely, I even feel a sense of relief in my heart.”

“Isn’t that weird? I don’t know how to explain it either, but the truth is, I do feel relieved now. I’m even grateful that you told me all this.”

This time it was Gu Fan’s turn to be surprised.

Did this silly girl get shocked into stupidity?

Her closest relative schemed against her, and yet she could still laugh.

The most important part was, Gu Fan could clearly see she wasn’t forcing herself — she was genuinely happy, a kind of wish-fulfilled happiness!

“Since childhood, my father has doted on me. I always thought I was the most loved child in the Ruo Family among the Dragon People. But ever since my mother passed away, everything slowly began to change.”

“I was moved from the core courtyard to here. At first, my father would visit me several times a month. Every day I looked forward to his arrival. Later, the visits gradually became fewer — twice a month, then once, and sometimes he wouldn’t even appear for an entire month.”

“I went from eagerly awaiting his visits to hoping he wouldn’t come unless necessary. Even if he did come, I wished he wouldn’t stay long, because pretending to be happy and honored by his favor made me feel very tired.”

“In the end, my father didn’t even come once a year. Sometimes he only remembered me when passing by.”

“So when I found out that I was the daughter chosen for this marriage, I didn’t know how to express my feelings for a while...”

Gu Fan silently listened. By now, he began to understand why Ruo Xi could smile from the bottom of her heart.

Because the shackle that bound her truly fell off at this moment.

Due to her father’s long neglect since childhood, she suffered from a lack of love. At the same time, Ruo Xi’s nature as a kindhearted Dragon Person made it so that when she learned her family was in trouble and needed her sacrifice, her rational mind told her to refuse — because this wasn’t the life she wanted — while the so-called bond of upbringing told her she had to repay her family and father.

To escape this situation without going against her heart, she needed a reason — a reason that could convince herself.

And now, Gu Fan told her all of this, giving her that very reason!

She might not even bear a trace of resentment toward her family or father now. Instead, she felt grateful and fortunate in her heart!

Finally, her father had given her a reason to resist — one that she could accept.

After figuring this out, Gu Fan’s expression became even more complex.

Perhaps this Dragon Girl in front of him really was foolish in some ways, but she wasn’t truly stupid — just lacking in experience.

So the moment Gu Fan explained it all, she immediately completed her own psychological adjustment.

At this point, Gu Fan couldn’t help but laugh and said:

“Ruo Xi Fairy’s reaction indeed surprised me a bit, but I can understand. I just have one question—aren’t you afraid that I’m sowing discord and making all this up?”

Ruo Xi looked Gu Fan up and down, then smiled brightly.

“I don’t think you would.”

“Why?”

“Because the first time I saw you that day, I felt that you were very much like me in some ways.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Fan raised his eyebrows, a bit surprised.

At this moment, the seemingly naïve Dragon Girl in front of him seemed to grow more complex.

It seemed he still couldn’t underestimate anyone. Despite suffering such a heavy blow and betrayal, Ruo Xi could digest it all so quickly. This could only mean that her heart was truly strong.

“That day, when I saw you, I felt you were very much like me—like a rootless duckweed. No matter where we fall, we can survive, because it doesn’t matter. We have no place to belong to!”

Gu Fan paused, and the girl in front of him still wore a smile, but her words were unbearably heavy.

After a moment, Gu Fan smiled.

“You’re right. People with a place to belong wouldn’t wander the continent. So then, Ruo Xi Fairy, what are your plans now?”

Hearing this, Ruo Xi also put away her smile and began to think seriously.

To be honest, after learning all of this, it was impossible for her to be willing to marry into the Lan Die Family.

However, because she had barely interacted with the outside world, she was afraid to leave her familiar circle.

“Can I hear your opinion?”

“Of course!”

Gu Fan smiled and took a sip of tea.

“I only have two suggestions on my side, depending on your situation.”

“The first is to confront your family—plainly put, break ties. If your family still insists on marrying you off, then find a chance to escape. As for whether you can survive in the outside world, that’ll be up to you!”

“And the second is to see if there’s anyone you can turn to. I don’t know if, in your knowledge, there’s anyone else worth trusting. If you do have someone to turn to, I’m willing to escort you there—provided it’s not too far.”

“To be honest, both of these options will lead to a complete break with your current family. There’s absolutely no chance of reconciliation!”

“Of course, there’s one last option—if you can break through to the Celestial Profound Realm right now. In that case, even if you were willing to marry, your family probably wouldn’t agree.”

After finishing, Gu Fan simply sat there, leaving plenty of time for Ruo Xi to think.

Ruo Xi lowered her head in silence, constantly weighing things in her mind.

Finally, she slowly raised her head and said:

“I choose the second option. After confronting them, I fear I won’t even get a chance to leave. Besides, I don’t have the confidence to survive outside alone…”

“As for breaking through to the Celestial Profound Realm… that’s impossible!”

Gu Fan felt a little troubled. As expected, what he feared had come true—he would have to personally escort her.

But just like Ruo Xi needed a reason for peace of mind in turning her back on her family, he too wanted a clear conscience.

So he was definitely going to take care of this matter.

“I vaguely remember that before my mother passed away, she gave me a jade pendant. I recall she told me that if I couldn’t survive in the Ruo Family in the future, I should go to Xuanguang City to find my uncle… but I don’t remember my uncle’s name. I was too young then. I only know that my mother’s surname was Qiao…”

Seeing this, Gu Fan stepped forward two steps, then turned around with a half-smile and said:

“In that case, let’s set off quickly—before daybreak. Our destination: Xuanguang City!”

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