548: They came specifically for you.

Initially, the Ruan Family was unwilling and tactfully rejected Liu Mang's proposal. However, since then, the Ruan Family's business has been under attack and has now shrunk by half.

If Ruan Xingzhu still does not agree to Liu Mang's proposal, the Ruan Family will completely collapse.

"Young Miss, you should know the status of the Liu Family. If you truly refuse, given Liu Mang's character, he certainly won't let the Ruan Family off."

"When that time comes, the Ruan Family will be truly finished," the Maidservant said anxiously, following beside Ruan Xingzhu.

The Maidservant's words caused Ruan Xingzhu's expression to turn completely gloomy. She naturally knew the status of the Liu Family; it was something their Ruan Family simply could not contend with.

However, she truly did not want to be ruined by Liu Mang like this.

But she also did not want the entire Family to be implicated because of this matter.

"Is there really no other way? Am I, Ruan Xingzhu, truly destined to be ruined by that bastard?" Ruan Xingzhu looked deeply sorrowful, her eyes red, as a single tear rolled down from the corner of her eye.

"Forget it, I will go back tomorrow. But before that, I do not want to be disturbed anymore."

"Yes, Young Miss. I will tell the Master about this first. Rest assured, no one will disturb you today." The Maidservant breathed a sigh of relief, her heart also aching for her mistress.

However, she was just a Maidservant; all she could do was take good care of her Master. She could not help with this kind of matter.

Ruan Xingzhu did not speak, simply walking toward Xiao Jing Lake.

She loved the environment here, with its mountains and water and beautiful scenery; she felt an unprecedented peace here.

Only here could she completely relax her mind and body.

Today was already the final deadline. She feared she would never have the chance to return, nor the opportunity to enjoy this moment of tranquility again.

Distraught, Ruan Xingzhu arrived at the lakeshore. Looking at the calm, blue waters, the sorrow in her heart deepened.

Suddenly, Ruan Xingzhu seemed to sense something. Snapping out of it, she looked into the distance, and when she saw the situation there, she couldn't help but be stunned.

"Since when has someone been fishing here? Why didn't I notice before?"

Ruan Xingzhu couldn't see the person's face because he was lying on a rocking chair with a fan covering his face, holding a fishing rod in his hand.

She couldn't tell if he was fishing or sleeping.

It was his leisurely and lazy temperament that gave her an inexplicable sense of attraction, and she couldn't help but walk toward him.

Duan Zhengchun had heard every word Ruan Xingzhu and the Maidservant had said. What he hadn't expected was that Ruan Xingzhu was facing such a predicament.

It seemed his timing was just right. A hero saving a beauty, combined with his peerless looks—what woman could resist?

Ruan Xingzhu reached Duan Zhengchun's side without speaking, just standing there quietly, looking at Duan Zhengchun and then at his fishing rod.

As it turned out, the time it takes for an incense stick to burn had passed, and the fishing rod hadn't moved at all.

Ruan Xingzhu knew a bit about fishing; one had to have patience, otherwise, one could never hope to catch anything.

However, as time passed and half an hour had gone by, the fishing rod still showed no movement. She knew the conditions in Xiao Jing Lake better than anyone.

There were many fish here; even if one didn't know how to fish, it was impossible to go this long without a bite.

"Do you really know how to fish?" Ruan Xingzhu finally couldn't help but ask the doubt in her heart.

This sudden voice caused Duan Zhengchun, who had been lying there motionless, to sit up abruptly.

The moment he sat up, the folding fan fell from his face, revealing his strikingly handsome features, leaving Ruan Xingzhu momentarily dazed.

"Heavens, how can there be a man with such perfect looks in this world? Truly, a man on the path is like jade, a Young Master without equal in the world."

Looking at Ruan Xingzhu staring at him in a daze, a smile played on the corners of Duan Zhengchun's mouth.

With his looks combined with his Succubus Physique, what woman could resist?

"Hmm? Young lady, what did you just say?" Duan Zhengchun looked at Ruan Xingzhu, feigning confusion.

"Young lady?"

Seeing Ruan Xingzhu not responding, Duan Zhengchun called out again.

"Ah? Oh, that... what did you just say?" Ruan Xingzhu snapped out of it, her face turning red with embarrassment.

"Nothing. Do you know how to fish?" Duan Zhengchun shook his head and asked in return.

"Fishing? Of course I do. Not only can I fish, but I can also catch fish by hand." Ruan Xingzhu looked proud, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.

For some reason, looking at Duan Zhengchun, her previously gloomy mood had improved significantly.

"Then why don't we do it together?"

"Sure, wait a moment, I'll go get a fishing rod." Ruan Xingzhu agreed without a second thought. After speaking, she turned to go to the Bamboo Hut to get a rod.

"No need for such trouble, I happen to have a spare here." As Duan Zhengchun spoke, he casually beckoned toward his back, and a piece of bamboo flew into his hand.

With a flick of his wrist, a fishing rod appeared. He casually pulled out a fishing line, tied it on, and handed it to Ruan Xingzhu.

Ruan Xingzhu was completely stunned by Duan Zhengchun's actions.

She had seen everything Duan Zhengchun just did, and it was precisely because of this that she was shocked.

Because she hadn't felt any Internal Energy fluctuations from him. There was only one possibility for this: the other party's strength far exceeded her own.

She was an Acquired Martial Artist after all. This young man before her was about the same age as her; how strong could his strength be?

Innate? Grandmaster? Or even a Great Grandmaster?

Was there such a young Great Grandmaster in the Jianghu? It seemed it wasn't impossible.

Rumors said that Prince Duan of the Kingdom was about her age and his strength was like an immortal or a demon; it seemed plausible that the person before her was stronger than her.

It wasn't until the fishing rod was handed to her that Ruan Xingzhu snapped out of it.

Looking at the bamboo pole in her hand with shock, and the fishing line tied to it that was as thin as silk, Ruan Xingzhu was curious. What kind of fishing line was this? She had never seen anything like it.

She reached out to touch it; it was incredibly soft, yet its toughness was very strong. With her strength as an Acquired Realm Martial Artist, she actually couldn't snap it.

This fishing line was not simple either.

The person before her was definitely not simple. He was handsome and his strength was so great; wasn't this exactly her ideal partner?

She just didn't know if he was already married.

"The Young Master has great skills. I am Ruan Xingzhu; may I ask how to address the Young Master?" When Ruan Xingzhu said her name, her face felt a bit hot.

This was the first time she had ever taken the initiative to ask a strange man's name.

"Hmm? This humble one's surname is Duan, with the single name Long," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

"Duan Long? The Duan surname isn't common in the Kingdom. You wouldn't happen to be a member of the Dali Royal Family, would you?" Ruan Xingzhu looked at Duan Zhengchun in surprise.

"How could that be? Have you heard of anyone in the Dali Royal Family named Duan Long?" Duan Zhengchun shook his head with a smile.

"There truly isn't anyone named Duan Long. However, based on your looks, age, and this name, I have reason to suspect whether you might be that legendary King Kaoshan, Duan Zhengchun, Prince Duan." Ruan Xingzhu looked at Duan Zhengchun with a sly expression.

Instantly, the fishing rod in Duan Zhengchun's hand shook for a moment. This was the first time he had such a reaction since coming to this world.