It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

In the Bai Manor’s side hall, Bai Heng sat leisurely, sipping tea.

Two servants stood before him, reporting the family’s recent losses.

Bai Heng listened, his brow furrowing at times, his face darkening with anger. But eventually, he calmed down, his voice regaining its usual gruffness. “Has the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce withdrawn?”

He had been lured away to a neighboring city, leaving the Bai family vulnerable to their attacks. And on his way back, he’d been ambushed. If not for that Mu boy’s intervention, the damage to the Bai family would have been catastrophic.

“They’ve all retreated, Master. They withdrew yesterday, as soon as you returned,” a servant replied respectfully.

Bai Heng snorted. “Typical merchants. Always siding with the strongest.”

Despite his rough exterior, he was a shrewd man. He knew that fighting both the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce and the Gongsun family would be suicidal.

Their true enemy had always been the Gongsun family.

“You’re dismissed.”

He massaged his temples, a headache forming as he contemplated the task of rebuilding the Bai family.

“Is Ruoxi still in her room?” he asked a nearby servant.

“She’s been cultivating since she returned, Master. I believe she’s determined to pass the sect entrance exams,” the servant replied.

Bai Heng sighed, shaking his head.

Passing the exams… that was just an excuse. With her talent, entering the sect wouldn’t be a problem for her.

She was simply avoiding them.

Because of her mother.

It seemed that he needed to have a talk with his daughter.

And with his wife.

He couldn’t believe his wife had tried to force their daughter into a marriage with the Mu family while he was away. No wonder Ruoxi was so distant now.

He had made up his mind. The engagement with the Ye family was over. His daughter was free to choose her own path, to love whomever she wished.

Although… it would be best if she chose someone from a respectable family. He didn’t want her to suffer.

“Inform her that I wish to speak with her,” he instructed the servant.

She was his daughter. She deserved to know the truth.

He watched as the servant bowed and left, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest, his thoughts drifting.

…

The servant walked along the Bai Manor’s corridors, heading towards Bai Ruoxi’s room.

She knocked gently on the door.

*Knock, knock.*

“Miss, Master requests your presence in the side hall.”

Silence.

She frowned, knocking again. “Miss?”

A faint rustling sound came from within.

She hesitated, a sense of unease creeping into her heart. She cautiously opened the door. “Miss, I’m coming in.”

She found Bai Ruoxi sitting on her bed, her white skirt revealing a glimpse of her slender legs, her feet clad in white stockings.

She was as beautiful as ever, her expression as cool and composed as always. But there was a faint blush on her cheeks, and her eyes held a hint of panic she’d never seen before.

Bai Ruoxi looked up at her, her voice calm, but her tone slightly rushed. “I was cultivating. I’m a little distracted. Please inform Father that I’ll join him shortly.”

“Yes, Miss.”

The servant, despite her curiosity, didn’t dare to question her further. She bowed and retreated, closing the door behind her.

Mu Zhi’an dropped down from a ceiling beam, looking at Bai Ruoxi, who was clutching her chest, her breath coming in short gasps. “You know… there’s no need to hide me.”

With the Mu family’s status in Tianxuan City, even if the servant had seen him, it wouldn’t have been a problem.

She would have been surprised, of course.

After all, the Bai family’s young mistress had never invited a man into her room, especially not for such an extended period.

Bai Ruoxi sat at her vanity, brushing her slightly disheveled hair, her gaze meeting his in the mirror. “If people found out, the rumors would be unpleasant. It wouldn’t be good for your reputation.”

If news of his presence in her room spread, rumors of him forcing himself on her would surely follow.

That was the image people had of him, a spoiled and arrogant young master. Even Bai Ruoxi had believed it, looking down on him with disdain.

However, these past few days had changed her perception of him.

Love is blind, they say.

She finished brushing her hair, adjusted her robes, then touched up her lipstick, biting gently on the stick to even out the color.

It was a captivatingly alluring gesture, and Mu Zhi’an couldn’t help but stare.

She rose to her feet, turning to leave.

But she bumped into him, his hands resting on her shoulders, his gaze locked on hers.

She instinctively stepped back, her back pressing against the vanity.

She turned her head away, a blush creeping up her cheeks, her voice a soft whisper. “Don’t… I have to go see Father…”

He looked at her, his voice gentle. “One last time. It won’t take long.”

Their previous encounter had been interrupted by the servant. He was still… unsatisfied.

She looked up at him, a mixture of helplessness and desire in her eyes. “When I get back—”

He silenced her with a kiss.

Her eyes widened, her hands hovering in the air. She wanted to push him away, but a part of her wanted to stay.

She hesitated, her resistance fading, her arms eventually wrapping around his neck.

It’s just a kiss, it’ll be over soon…

She could always reapply her lipstick later.

…

After reapplying her lipstick, Bai Ruoxi left the room, reminding Mu Zhi’an to stay put.

The Bai Manor wasn’t as secure as it used to be. If he left the room, he might be discovered.

She paused at the door, looking back at him. “The Heavenly Dao Aura has purified the spiritual energy in this area. You can absorb it directly. I’ll be back in half an hour. Don’t wander off.”

“Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing,” he replied with a smile.

She smiled back, a strand of hair falling across her cheek, lending her an alluring charm. She nodded, then left, closing the door behind her.

“To think I’d be meditating in a girl’s room…” Mu Zhi’an murmured, looking around at the abundance of refined spiritual energy.

He recalled her coldness in the carriage, her disdain for him. How things had changed.

He couldn’t help but smile, remembering their kiss.

That lipstick… it tasted quite good.

He glanced at her vanity, at the collection of delicate boxes containing various shades of lipstick, from deep reds to soft pinks.

I should try a different flavor next time. He turned away, focusing on the abundant spiritual energy.

The Heavenly Dao Aura was truly remarkable. Its refining speed was astonishing.

It was a shame it only chose those with exceptional luck.

He shook his head, dismissing those thoughts.

He sat down on the bed, preparing to meditate.

But then, he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. He looked up, his gaze drawn to a faint, pink mist rising from a distant corner of the courtyard.

The refined spiritual energy was invisible, intangible, but that mist was clearly visible.

It was… demonic aura.