Chapter 27: Sister, what does it mean to be handsome?

Chapter 27: Sister, What Does "Handsome" Mean?

Who exactly is this man? Why does he possess such an overwhelming aura? Han Yao felt a surge of deep trepidation.

"Sister Han, I told you back then that the reason I wanted to become a star was to find the missing Xue An. Now that he is back, I don't care about this career anymore," Fan Mengxue declared.

Han Yao trembled all over, then looked at Fan Mengxue in disbelief. "Do you realize what you’re saying? Your acting career has only just started to take off. Endless flowers and applause await you, and you want to quit?"

Fan Mengxue lowered her head, remaining silent.

Seeing her like this, Han Yao gritted her teeth and summoned the courage to speak to Xue An. "Mr. Xue, I apologize for my previous words. But please understand, I’ve watched Mengxue grow up, and her backing down now is truly a disappointment to me."

Xue An remained noncommittal.

Han Yao continued, "I believe you are certainly no ordinary person, but I think a successful and world-renowned Mengxue would be far better than a woman who does nothing but linger by your side."

"Why are you telling me this?" Xue An said indifferently.

"I hope you can persuade her," Han Yao replied.

"As I said before, Mengxue is a living, breathing person. Whatever she chooses to do, I will support her."

Han Yao turned back to Fan Mengxue. "Mengxue, I hope you think this through carefully. Besides, Stephen is coming to Beijiang in a couple of days. If you have made up your mind, I can take you to meet him."

Fan Mengxue said nothing. Han Yao glanced at Xue An, seemingly wanting to say more, but then turned and left.

After Xue An went upstairs to settle the two little girls, Fan Mengxue asked in a trembling voice, "Xue An, do you think I should go?"

Xue An smiled slightly. "I said it before: living life is nothing more than following one's heart. If you like it, do it; if you don't, then don't. It’s that simple."

"But..." Fan Mengxue was still torn. She did not want to leave Xue An, yet she was painfully aware that Xue An’s attitude toward her could hardly be called love. Especially with An Yan, whom she had never met, standing between them. This made her feel even more insecure. Perhaps becoming a world-famous star would make it more likely for Xue An to accept her.

Fan Mengxue spent the entire night in turmoil. Finally, the day of the auction arrived. Qin Yu came early to pick up Xue An.

Seeing that Xue An was still wearing his usual clothes, she frowned slightly. "Mr. Xue, do you not have other attire?"

Xue An shook his head and said calmly, "Why? Do I need to change clothes just to attend an auction?"

"That’s not necessary, but since this is a gathering of many businessmen in Beijiang, it would be better for you and your two daughters to dress more formally."

Xue An remained noncommittal. The two little girls, however, cheered with joy upon hearing they would have new clothes. Even at their young age, they were girls, and they had an innate resistance to new outfits. Xue An, who originally cared little for such things, relented for the sake of his daughters.

Fan Mengxue, on the other hand, had brought plenty of clothes with her, despite her hasty return to Beijiang. She had changed into a high-quality qipao that exuded both grace and sophistication.

Qin Yu drove them to Yinlong Plaza, the most upscale commercial center in Beijiang City, which was also a property of the Longtai Group.

Leading them to the menswear department, Qin Yu said, "Time is tight, so we’ll have to settle for off-the-rack for now. When we have more time, we can find a master tailor to make something custom."

Soon, Fan Mengxue and Qin Yu had each selected an outfit for Xue An. Many sales clerks in the department were watching them secretly, as the scene was quite rare: two stunning beauties, both exceptional in looks and temperament, were competing to pick out clothes for a man dressed in rather plain attire.

What was their relationship? Siblings? Didn't look like it. Lovers? Was there such a thing as a one-man, two-woman couple? Or was one the lover and the other the mistress? The clerks whispered and speculated about their relationship.

"Try these on first," Fan Mengxue whispered.

Xue An went into the fitting room and quickly changed. When he stepped out, everyone’s eyes lit up. Xue An was naturally handsome, and his three thousand years of cultivation had given him an indescribable aura. In his every gesture, he carried the air of an emperor, making it impossible for anyone to look down on him. Previously, this had been masked by his outdated clothing.

Now, in a well-tailored outfit, his golden-ratio physique was fully revealed. Many of the sales clerks felt their hearts racing and couldn't help but lower their heads, marveling at how this man’s figure was simply heaven-defying.

Qin Yu felt her heart skip a beat and quickly looked away. Fan Mengxue, however, made no effort to hide her infatuation.

"Wow, Daddy is so handsome!" Xue Xiang shouted happily.

"Sister, what does 'handsome' mean?" Xue Nian asked.

Xue Xiang wrinkled her cute little nose and tapped Xue Nian on the head. "I told you to stop eating so much; you never listen! Handsome just means good-looking!"

"Oh! Daddy, you look so good!" Xue Nian also chirped happily.

The way the two little girls addressed him startled the sales clerks. This man already had children? What a pity!

"Mengxue and I are going to pick out clothes for the little ones. Do you want to come?" Qin Yu asked.

Xue An shook his head. He had no interest in going shopping with women. Even an Immortal Venerable couldn't handle the pressure of shopping with women.

"Then you wait here for a while."

Qin Yu led Xue Xiang and Xue Nian away. Xue An sat on the sofa, just about to rest for a moment, when a sickeningly sweet voice drifted over: "Honey, that outfit is nice. It really suits your figure. Why don't you try it on, honey?"

Xue An looked up to see a man with a beer belly walking over, accompanied by a young, beautiful woman. It was the woman who had spoken. Hearing her, the beer-bellied man said smugly, "Sure, that’s easy enough. Hey, bring me that outfit."

The sales clerk hurried over. "I'm sorry, sir, but that style is out of stock. Would you like to look at something else?"

The man’s face darkened, and the woman pointed at Xue An quite rudely. "What do you mean it's sold out? Isn't he wearing it right now?"

"Miss, he has already tried it on."

"So what if he’s tried it on? If I want it, we’re buying it. Tell him to take it off!" she demanded arrogantly.