They All Want to Be My Female Lead v2c96

Chapter 96: Proving They’re Not Faking It

“Hmph, Father, maybe you should do your research before you speak. Xiao Mie was defeated by my Little Brother Yan Zhen at the same time he achieved his breakthrough! Yan Zhen took his place as the top-ranked student! He’s the undisputed strongest student in the academy! Prince Ming Kong can’t even compare!” Mi Xue’er crossed her arms, her pride evident.

The elders exchanged skeptical glances.

The Mystic Academy had a Nine Star Rank. To be considered the strongest, one had to be at least a Ninth Star Mystic One.

A Seventh Star Mystic One wasn’t even eligible to be on the Nine Star Rank!

“You’re saying this Yan Zhen boy, a mere Seventh Star Mystic One, defeated Xiao Mie, a One Star Mystic Scholar?” Mi Shan scoffed. “I might be a One Star Mystic Master, but I’m not easily fooled.”

Mi Xue’er rolled her eyes. “Go ask the academy if you don’t believe me! You’re so out of touch!”

Her second uncle spoke up. “Xue’er, I did hear that Xiao Mie lost a duel against a junior and lost his top ranking. But I heard he intentionally yielded after his breakthrough, as a gesture of goodwill…”

“He didn’t yield! They fought fiercely! They both gave it their all! It’s disrespectful to say he just handed over the victory!” Mi Xue’er fumed. “The Xiao family must have spread that rumor to save face! How annoying!”

Mi Shan turned to Yan Zhen, his gaze sharpening. “Is what Xue’er saying true, young man?”

Yan Zhen, who had been passively basking in her praise, replied modestly, “I am currently the top-ranked student. As for whether I’m stronger than Prince Ming Kong… well, we’d have to fight to find out. However, I heard he could only tie with Xiao Mie when Xiao Mie was still a Ninth Star Mystic One. If he hasn’t improved much since then… I’m confident I can defeat him within twenty… no, ten rounds.”

The elders stared at him.

This kid… he might appear meek, but his words are bold.

A Seventh Star Mystic One defeating a One Star Mystic Scholar within ten rounds? That was an absurd claim.

But if it were true… then Yan Zhen was far superior to Prince Ming Kong.

Firstly, he was the Young City Lord of Martial Tang City, a descendant of a noble lineage. Secondly, he possessed exceptional talent. Once he entered the Sacred Land Academy, he would soar like a dragon, his future achievements boundless. He could become a Mystic General, or even… a Mystic King!

A Mystic King! Only the royal families and the most powerful nobles in the Royal Capital had Mystic Kings among their ranks.

The Mi family wasn’t lacking in wealth. What they needed were connections and powerful allies. A son-in-law who was both a City Lord and a Mystic King? That would secure their future!

The reason the Xiao family held the top position in Silver Moon City, their influence even surpassing the City Lord’s Mansion, was because they had three Mystic Generals among their ranks.

But first, they needed to confirm his claims… Suppressing his excitement, Mi Shan said calmly, “Seeing is believing. Since you’re so confident, show us your true strength.”

— Here we go.

Yan Zhen maintained his modest demeanor. “What would you like me to do, Patriarch?”

Mi Shan smiled cryptically. “It’s simple. Spar with our One Star Mystic Scholar guard. If you win, we’ll acknowledge you as Xue’er’s boyfriend. What do you say? Do you dare?”

Yan Zhen smiled faintly. “Of course I dare. I’m just worried I might injure your guard, Patriarch, and you’ll demand compensation.”

This kid… he’s so arrogant! And yet, he has this innocent, charming air about him… Is that how he seduced my precious daughter?

The other elders also found him arrogant. Of course, if he had the skills to back up his words, then it was all good. If not… then he was just being obnoxious.

…

They moved to the courtyard.

Mi Shan summoned one of his guards. “Guard Gou, spar with Young Master Yan. If you win, your salary for this month will be doubled. If you lose, it’ll be halved.”

Guard Gou frowned, assessing Yan Zhen. Sensing his Seventh Star Mystic One cultivation, he relaxed.

“Don’t worry, Master. I’ll try not to hurt him.”

Mi Xue’er cheered him on. “Go for it, Little Brother Yan Zhen! Don’t hold back!”

Yan Zhen gave her an “OK” sign and faced his opponent.

Guard Gou bowed respectfully. “Fists and feet have no eyes, Young Master Yan. Please forgive me if I accidentally injure you.”

Yan Zhen simply beckoned him forward. “Come on.”

They both channeled their Mystic Power.

As a One Star Mystic Scholar, Guard Gou’s Mystic Power formed a protective barrier around his body, a powerful defense that most Seventh Star Mystic Ones wouldn’t be able to penetrate.

However, a fiery aura, similar to a Mystic Scholar’s barrier, also enveloped Yan Zhen. The power he exuded was comparable to Guard Gou’s, as if he were concealing his true cultivation. However, upon closer inspection, they confirmed he was indeed only a Seventh Star Mystic One.

Guard Gou, along with the observing Mi family elders, frowned, trying to understand what trickery Yan Zhen was employing.

“Forgive me!”

Guard Gou attacked, his fist, empowered by Mystic Power, aimed at Yan Zhen’s chest. Despite his honest appearance, his attack was fierce and unrelenting.

Yan Zhen shrunk his Spiritual Perception to a one-meter radius. The moment his opponent entered his range, his body reacted instinctively.

He sidestepped, his left hand gently deflecting the incoming fist while his right fist struck the guard’s elbow, followed by a swift blow to his ribs. He then drove his elbow upwards, striking the guard’s solar plexus.

It was a classic “Tai Chi Shock” technique.

The spectators watched in astonishment as Guard Gou, after charging forward, was suddenly sent flying backward, crashing to the ground. He coughed, spitting out dirt.

Although he could still fight, the outcome was clear.

Mi Shan and the others stared in disbelief.

One move? Not even a full round, and a Seventh Star Mystic One had sent a One Star Mystic Scholar flying?

If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, they wouldn’t have believed it.

Guard Gou was equally bewildered. How had Yan Zhen caught his full-powered punch with his bare hand? It was absurd! Was he wearing some kind of special Mystic Tool?

“Alright, Guard Gou, you can stand down.”

“But Master, I can still–”

“Your salary is doubled this month. Go.”

“Ah? Thank you, Master! I’ll take my leave.”

Guard Gou happily retreated, his curiosity about Yan Zhen’s technique overshadowed by his financial reward.

“Little Brother Yan Zhen, you were amazing!”

Mi Xue’er rushed over to him, beaming, and looped her arm through his. They approached the Mi family elders.

Yan Zhen maintained his modest demeanor. “Is this satisfactory, Patriarch Mi?”

Mi Shan stroked his beard, laughing heartily. “What ‘Patriarch Mi’? You’re Xue’er’s boyfriend! Call me Uncle Mi! Or even Father-in-law, if you’re comfortable! Hahaha!”

The other elders joined in his laughter, showering Yan Zhen with compliments. “Such a promising young man!” “He’s surpassed his grandfather!” “No wonder Instructor Yu Xuan made an exception and accepted him as her disciple!” It was as if they had never doubted him in the first place.

Yan Zhen’s lips twitched. Real estate tycoons… they sure know how to change their tune quickly. And without a hint of embarrassment.

They might be materialistic and opportunistic, but they seemed to respect their daughter’s wishes. They weren’t forcing her into anything.

But calling them “good parents” would be a stretch. They were clearly willing to “sell their daughter” to the highest bidder.

Fortunately, dealing with her father was relatively easy. The real challenge was her mother, who had remained silent throughout the entire ordeal.

Although she hadn’t spoken, her gaze, sharp and piercing, had been fixed on him the entire time, as if trying to see through him.

“What do you think, dear?” Mi Shan turned to his wife, seeking her opinion.

She nodded slightly. “He’s certainly a fine young man, a true talent. It would be wonderful if he were to become our son-in-law. But I’m afraid this is all a charade.”

Her words hit the mark. If Yan Zhen didn’t have the script, and Mi Xue’er hadn’t been reborn, they would be panicking right now.

“What do you mean ‘charade’?” Mi Shan asked, confused.

She rolled her eyes at her husband. “Don’t you know your own daughter? She’s probably afraid you’ll arrange another marriage for her, so she found a classmate to pretend to be her boyfriend and fool us.”

Mi Xue’er’s third uncle shook his head. “Surely not, Sister-in-law? Xue’er might be mischievous, but she wouldn’t joke about something as important as marriage.”

“Naive! Look at them! Do they look like a couple?”

Mi Shan and the others scrutinized Yan Zhen and Mi Xue’er. They hadn’t noticed anything amiss before, but now that she mentioned it… something did seem off. But they couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

“Xue’er, tell me honestly, are you lying to us?”

Having experienced this in her previous life, Mi Xue’er remained calm. “I’m not lying! Don’t listen to Mother! Yan Zhen and I are a real couple! We’re even living together! If you don’t believe me…”

She suddenly turned and kissed Yan Zhen forcefully on the cheek, leaving a faint lipstick mark.

He blushed. It had been one thing to be kissed in the privacy of the carriage, but to be kissed in front of her family… it was mortifying.

Mi Xue’er’s cheeks were also flushed. “Do you believe us now?”

Mi Shan was about to nod when his wife scoffed. “That’s it? A kiss on the cheek makes you a couple?”

Isn’t that enough? Mi Shan and his brothers stared at her in surprise, but no one dared to speak.

Yan Zhen lowered his head, bracing himself for another round of their bickering. I want to leave!

However, instead of arguing, Mi Xue’er simply pouted. “Isn’t a cheek kiss enough? You want me to kiss him on the lips in front of everyone to prove it?”

Her mother replied calmly, “No one’s asking you to do that. If you’re not ashamed, I still have some dignity.”

“Then what do you want, Mother?”

“It’s simple. Sleep in the same bed tonight, and I’ll believe you’re a real couple.”

Mother, you’re the best! Mi Xue’er thought to herself, though her words sounded petulant. “Fine! We’ll sleep together! That’s what I was planning to do anyway… We’re in love! We don’t want to be apart for even a moment!”

Her mother remained unmoved. “Good.”

Mi Shan, alarmed by their conversation, was about to intervene when his wife silenced him with a glare.

Apart from major decisions, his wife held the reins of power in their household.

His brothers, too intimidated to challenge her, remained silent, though inwardly, they questioned her methods.

Yan Zhen, however, was calm. This scene was in the script. He would simply sleep on the floor after the lights were out. There was no mention of any intimate encounters. He didn’t need to worry about losing control and shattering his persona.

He was, however, puzzled by Mi Xue’er’s lack of resistance. She and her mother were usually so skilled at arguing, their verbal sparring often spanning hundreds of words, longer than his fight against Lan Ke.

It felt strange without their usual bickering.

“Alright, let’s eat. The food is getting cold. I’ll have the kitchen prepare some fresh dishes.”

His wife led the way back to the dining room, the others trailing behind her.

…

During dinner, she kept piling food onto Yan Zhen’s plate: oysters, sea cucumbers, abalone, chicken gizzards, lamb kidneys, chives… Her intentions were clear.

Fortunately, he could suppress his… reactions with his Mystic Power.

After dinner, she personally escorted him to Mi Xue’er’s room, summoning servants to fill the bathtub with hot water. Then, she instructed her daughter to bathe her future husband.

“I don’t expect you to be a paragon of wifely virtues, but you should at least learn how to bathe your own husband.” Her gaze was sharp. “Unless… you’re not a real couple and you’re afraid to do this?”

“We’re not faking it!” Mi Xue’er retorted. “Fine, I’ll do it! I’ve been wanting to anyway! It’s just that Yan Zhen is shy!”

“Then I’ll watch closely.”

She settled into a chair, poured herself a cup of tea, and sipped it leisurely.

— Madam, this is a bit much, even for you.

Even with the script, Yan Zhen couldn’t understand her motives. He recited his lines. “Aunt, Xue’er and I aren’t married yet. There’s no need for her to do this. She can learn after we’re married.”

She remained unmoved.

Mi Xue’er grabbed his hand and pulled him behind the screen.

“Come on, Yan Zhen. I’ll bathe you.”

He didn’t know how to respond. In the script, she was supposed to kick her mother out and then pretend to bathe him while secretly turning away.

— Wait! Don’t take off my clothes!

He tried to convey his message with his eyes, but they seemed to be on different wavelengths.

Moments later, he was stripped down to his elephant-patterned boxers, his “dragon” already stirring.

She blushed, then closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before reaching for his boxers.

Slap!

A sharp pain on her cheek startled her. She opened her eyes, her gaze meeting his, his “dragon eye” glaring at her. Her face paled, her legs trembling.

Strangely, she couldn’t tear her gaze away. She stared at it, mesmerized.

Finally, she snapped out of her trance, quickly standing up and wiping her cheek, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Yan Zhen, why don’t you… go soak in the bath first?”

He felt mortified, quickly jumping into the tub and sinking beneath the water. After a long silence, he mumbled, “I’m sorry, Senior Sister Xue’er.”

“It’s not your fault. I wasn’t paying attention… I’ll… I’ll wash you now.”

She composed herself, picked up a washcloth, and moved behind him, her movements awkward as she began to scrub his back.

She had never bathed anyone before. He was her first.

Gradually, she lost herself in the task, imagining herself as a newlywed wife tending to her husband.