Celestial Night Emperor

Qin Tianxuan stepped out of the VIP lounge.

A tide of people surged before him. Shangdu City truly lived up to its reputation as an international metropolis on par with the Imperial Capital. The foot traffic was astounding.

Meanwhile, a few local punks had been staking out the airport for hours. Their phones were filled with pictures of Qin Tianxuan.

“Young Master Chang said if we find this guy, we get fifty thousand! If we track him to his destination, it’s a hundred thousand!”

The punks’ palms grew sweaty. The thought of that hundred thousand yuan had them slapping their hands together in excitement.

Up ahead, Qin Tianxuan appeared, strolling casually. He wore a gray trench coat and carried a simple duffel bag, exuding a peculiar air.

It was a unique quality that made him unforgettable after a single glance.

“That’s him! Follow that guy, lock down his position, and notify Young Master Chang, quick!”

A glint flashed in Qin Tianxuan’s eyes. He’d noticed these morons a while ago.

Punks of this caliber were so beneath him he couldn’t be bothered to pay them any mind.

His phone vibrated. It was a message from Han Biwei, back in Su City.

“Niannian was crying and asking for you, but I managed to soothe her. I don’t know what you’re doing in Shangdu City, but you’re not the commander of the Northern Domain anymore, so please don’t be as impulsive as you used to be. By the way, I have a friend in Shangdu City named Bai Chuxia. She’s a real local. I let her know you were coming, so she’ll look out for you.”

Warmth spread through Qin Tianxuan’s heart as he read the message.

‘Ah, Weiwei,’ he thought. ‘She’s always thinking of me. It’s hard enough for her to take care of our daughter, but she’s still so considerate about even a simple trip like this.’

In the arrivals area up ahead, a crowd of people holding welcome signs was packed shoulder to shoulder.

Suddenly, a bright, clear voice called out, “Qin Tianxuan? Are you Qin Tianxuan?”

He looked up to see a girl with a fresh, clean look standing on a suitcase, winking playfully. She wore a short skirt and a blouse, and her long hair flowed freely.

“It really is you! Weiwei told me all about you. Hurry over, I’m being crushed in here!”

The charming and cheerful Bai Chuxia waved her hand nonstop. “I’m Xiaxia! Didn’t Weiwei mention me?”

Even though it was only early spring, the girl brought with her the refreshing air of summer.

Qin Tianxuan followed her out of the airport.

The girl was incredibly energetic and warm. “I can’t believe Sister Weiwei actually got married! Brother Qin, don’t you worry. Now that you’re in Shangdu City, you’re on my home turf. If you need anything, just say the word.”

Qin Tianxuan smiled. “How do you and Weiwei know each other? I don’t think I’ve ever heard her mention you.”

“I used to be sick all the time, too. I had the same illness as Sister Weiwei, and we met in an online support group. Sister Weiwei even introduced me to a Divine Doctor.” Bai Chuxia smiled, her lips pursed. “After that, the Divine Doctor wrote me a prescription and I made a full recovery. Sister Weiwei and I are ride-or-die friends!”

A tremor went through Qin Tianxuan’s heart.

‘This girl was also someone Shuanghua saved.’

‘Fate is a strange and wonderful thing.’

As he looked at her, he suddenly felt a much stronger sense of kinship.

“Brother Qin, it’s peak tourist season in Shangdu City right now, so all the good hotels are completely booked. How about you stay in my guest room for a night? It’s not much, but I’ve already asked a friend to help you find a proper place.”

Qin Tianxuan immediately shook his head. “Xiaxia, thank you for your kind offer. I really appreciate it, but I can handle it myself.”

Bai Chuxia felt a bit awkward and was about to insist when her phone suddenly buzzed.

She glanced down at it, and her face immediately clouded over.

“Go ahead and take care of it if you’re busy,” Qin Tianxuan said gently.

“It’s not that…” Bai Chuxia gestured with her phone. “It’s the son of our company’s president. He’s a total playboy who’s been harassing me for six months, always making passes at me. If it weren’t for my job, I’d slap him right across the face.”

Qin Tianxuan had been about to leave, but his eyes caught the name on the screen: Chang Siming.

A glint appeared in his eyes. “I’ve got some time. Why don’t I take a look at your place after all?”

Bai Chuxia was thrilled. “That’s more like it! Don’t treat me like a stranger.”

She drove him directly to her apartment building in Shangdu City.

It was a middle-class residential complex—nothing spectacular, but better than most.

Qin Tianxuan got out of the car and glanced over his shoulder. The punks were still tailing him.

By now, the rich young master, Chang Siming, had already gotten the update. He took a closer look at the location. It was his old man’s little secretary’s place!

‘Damn! What a coincidence!’

‘The girl I’ve been trying to get with for half a year… I can take care of her at the same time!’

Chang Siming shot out the door, completely fired up.

Father Chang, who had just rushed back, glared at him. “Where are you off to now, you little maniac?”

Young Master Chang flashed his phone. “That moron is in Shangdu City. I’m going to finish him!”

The photo on the phone flashed past.

But after Young Master Chang left with his bodyguards, something suddenly occurred to Father Chang.

He shot to his feet, his face turning deathly pale and his legs beginning to tremble.

‘It’s him! It’s that man!’

‘Oh my god!’

Still in his slippers, President Chang burst out of the house. “Driver! Dammit, go after that little bastard! Now, now, now!”

Chang Siming and his father arrived at the Bai family’s apartment building one after the other.

Inside the Bai family’s apartment, however, the room was filled with people.

As it happened, Bai Chuxia’s parents were hosting a family dinner, and the place was packed with relatives.

“Xiaxia, are you out of your mind? Bringing home some guy you met online? And he’s a man!”

Mrs. Bai shrieked, completely ignoring the fact that Qin Tianxuan was standing right beside them.

Bai Chuxia tried desperately to explain, but Father Bai appeared, his expression dark. “Are you bringing home any old riffraff now? Is that friend of yours, Han Biwei, out of her mind?”

Mrs. Bai sneered. “She’s not out of her mind. He’s just some country bumpkin who can’t even afford a hotel for his business in Shangdu City. He’s trying to freeload off of us! Tell him to get out, now!”

Bai Chuxia was on the verge of tears.

Carrying his duffel bag, Qin Tianxuan walked in nonchalantly and, without asking, sat down on the sofa.

He didn’t say a single word, acting completely at ease.

‘The nerve of him!’

The entire Bai family was about to explode.

They were just about to call the police and have him thrown out.

Just then, Chang Siming’s voice drifted in from outside. “My dear Xiaxia, I’ve come to visit!”

Father Bai and Mrs. Bai peeked through the window, their faces lighting up with ecstatic glee.

“Xiaxia, it’s the heir to the Changming Group! He actually came to see you in person!”

“Oh, Xiaxia, you have to snag this rich bachelor!”

“If our family ever wants to break into high society, it’s all up to this young master!”

The other Bai relatives looked on with envy. “Xiaxia is so lucky. She landed a job at Changming Group right after graduation, starting at 20,000 a month. The benefits are amazing.”

Bai Chuxia slammed the door lock, her face full of disgust. “Stop it! Chang Siming is a piece of trash! I’m already planning to quit. I’m going to pass the test and get a position at the Lanling Commerce Association this time for sure!”

Mrs. Bai was aghast. “You stupid girl, is Changming Group not good enough for you anymore? You think you can get into the Lanling Commerce Association? You must be dreaming! Your cousin Sisi got a fancy degree from overseas, has three doctorates, and her family spent over a million, but she couldn’t even land a receptionist job there! Xiaxia, our family doesn’t have that kind of money, and you don’t have that kind of talent!”

The entire family ganged up on her, bombarding her with criticism right at the door.

Outside, Chang Siming was knocking impatiently.

Father Bai went right ahead and opened the door, warmly calling for Young Master Chang to come in.

Chang Siming sauntered in with two bodyguards, a smirk on his face. His eyes immediately fell on Qin Tianxuan, who was sitting on the sofa.

“I came today for two reasons. First, to see Xiaxia and pay my respects to her parents. And second… to find someone!”

Chang Siming clapped his hands lightly. His bodyguards set down the gifts they had bought on the way, then menacingly surrounded Qin Tianxuan on the sofa.