Chapter 32: Go for it, Brother-in-law 9

Maria really is fast; here she is again, just one day later.

"Slan Lenann-Yuyanxue-Binglingmeng-J-Gamio, release my sister at once, or I shall raze your estate to the ground today!" Whenever Maria shouted that full name, Xining felt a headache coming on and wanted to claw at the walls.

Before she could process any further frustration, a massive explosion, loud as a thunderclap, shook the entire house twice. The shockwave made Xining’s blood churn, and she clutched her chest, feeling deathly ill.

Slan frowned slightly. "It seems your sister is using some sort of magical artifact. I will lure her away." With that, he vanished.

Soon, she heard Slan’s voice outside the window: "Maria Bingjingli-Yadie-Jilianna-von-Pomfard..."

What a perfect match! At that moment, Xining was more certain than ever that she had to get this slightly dim-witted Mary Sue sister of the original host married to Slan.

They traded barbs for two minutes—one of which was spent reciting their long, pretentious names—before they headed off to duel in the distance.

It seemed Maria was indeed using an artifact to boost her magic, as even from afar, the power was noticeably stronger than the day before. The Pomfards had been a major magical family for centuries; there was no telling what kind of dangerous items they might have stashed away. Xining felt a twinge of worry that Slan might not be able to hold his own.

After ten minutes of heart-stopping thunder and lightning, silence finally fell.

To Xining’s relief, Slan eventually returned.

The moment he appeared, he slumped into a chair. His face was deathly pale, and fine beads of sweat stood out on his high-bridged nose and broad, full forehead.

Seeing this, Xining rushed over, anxious. "What happened? Are you hurt?"

It wouldn’t matter if Maria sought her own demise, but she absolutely could not let the original host’s future brother-in-law get hurt.

Slan’s eyes were unfocused, filled with regret and apology. "Maria’s artifact was quite potent this time. I had to increase my attack, and I... I didn't quite control the force properly..."

Xining let out a breath of relief and comforted him. "It’s fine, it’s fine! If she’s injured, you can treat her; it’s the perfect opportunity to build a connection."

Slan froze, looking at her in confusion, barely stopping himself from asking if they were enemies.

"It’s not that!" Slan gulped. "The wind blade was too strong, and it... it shredded her clothes..."

As he spoke, his handsome face flushed crimson, even his earlobes turning hot. He was truly adorable.

Xining paused, then burst into a wide grin. She patted Slan on the shoulder. "Don’t worry, the prophecy is unfolding! Congratulations, brother-in-law, you’re one step closer to marrying my sister."

It seemed the plot was accelerating. The faster, the better. Once Maria had a child, she would forgive Slan, and they would marry. After the second son was born, he would take the Pomfard name, and all the tasks would be complete—a perfect, happy ending!

"Really?" Slan’s eyes lit up, his gem-like pupils shimmering.

"Yes! Did my sister run away crying again?" Xining felt like the model little sister, fretting over the host's behalf to secure this excellent brother-in-law. "Just watch, she’ll come back. Next time, you must find a way to make her have a child. Once she bears twins, a boy and a girl, the deed will be done, and she will surely fall in love with you and marry you!"

Slan was speechless.

Seeing his gaze drift, Xining sensed he had something on his mind. "What is it, brother-in-law?"

After some hesitation, Slan spoke with difficulty, his pride not as thick-skinned as his future sister-in-law's. "I... I cannot bully your sister. I love Maria very much, and I want to save our intimacy for... for after the wedding."

Xining rolled her eyes. A man like this wasn't just good; he was an endangered species! But if he didn't sleep with Maria, the plot might change.

She spoke earnestly, "Brother-in-law, having such a heart is truly my sister’s blessing. But you know her temper; if you don't do this, there might never be a wedding. So, brother-in-law, you must sleep with her next time. I believe in you, keep it up!"

Slan’s jaw hung open, his face looking as though he were suffering from constipation. How could someone as simple as Maria have such a devious little sister? She was like his own brother, who was always causing trouble. It was fortunate this sister-in-law didn't have magic, or she would be another Nightfeather.

After a long silence, Slan said with great difficulty, "No. Being pregnant before marriage would ruin your sister’s reputation. I cannot harm Maria."

He took a deep breath and stood up. His tall, straight figure seemed to radiate light. With firm resolve, Slan declared, "Maria has already been humiliated this time. When she returns, I will propose to her in person; I will take responsibility. This matter is settled."

With that, he left the room, gently closing the door behind him.

Now it was Xining’s turn to be stunned. A good man! A truly peerless man! Only a blind, deaf person like Maria would keep pushing him away.

But this wouldn't do. She could easily imagine how Maria would react to a marriage proposal when she returned, boiling with rage. She would view it as an insult and throw even more magic at him.

How could she get Slan to sleep with Maria? Xining sat down, resting her chin on her hand in frustration.

Thinking about it gave her a headache. Her first thought was drugs! In this world, aside from magic, there were alchemists. They would certainly have substances to stir up passion. But the original host rarely left the house and didn't know a single alchemist. Furthermore, she had no money, and buying such things required someone trustworthy and capital. If the drugs had bad side effects, wouldn't she be harming the host's good brother-in-law?

There seemed to be no other way. Whenever she tried to bring it up, Slan would give her a polite, cultured smile and cut her off.

Slan smiled like a big brother, gently patting Xining’s head. The original host hadn't fully grown yet, so she was only as tall as his chest.

Slan assumed Xining was doing this for his own good, trying to facilitate the marriage. His aristocratic pride had softened into gentleness. With a handsome face and a soft smile, he patted her head. "I will resolve this. You are still a child, so don't worry about it. I will marry your sister!"

Ugh... at this rate, it would be a miracle if he managed to marry her.

He needed to tear her clothes, have his way, and be aggressive! But Slan wouldn't do it. Xining was at her wit's end.

Nightfeather, who had been at school for two days, returned while she and Slan were eating.

Seeing Nightfeather, dressed entirely in black, stride into the side hall and sit down boldly, Slan looked up. "Brother, I’ve graduated! I haven't eaten yet, bring me some cutlery."

There was still half a year left until graduation. Slan found this incredible and kept a stern face. "Don't mess around, go back to class."

"I really did graduate!" Nightfeather pulled a piece of parchment from his tunic, spread it out, and shook it at Slan. "Look, my diploma."