CHAPTER 212: CHAPTER 212 ICE SEAL(3)_1

"Yes, Brother Qing, let’s go over there and watch the snowflakes; they’re so beautiful," Shangguan You also chimed in, then immediately looped her arm through Shangguan Qing’s and moved forward.

As the group of four—handsome men and beautiful women—strolled along, countless passersby stopped in their tracks, their gaze lingering on them. Shangguan You, like a cheerful butterfly, ran about now and then, occasionally pulling Shangguan Qing along to admire the mountain scenery, the pear trees white with blossoms, and the peach trees.

As they walked, the four even started a snowball fight. Their bodies, initially cold from the weather, gradually warmed up with the running.

"So tired, so tired, let’s rest a bit, let’s rest a bit," Yu Zijin panted heavily, lying sprawled in the snow. She was breathing deeply, overwhelmed by the heat.

"I can’t run anymore either," Shangguan You similarly lay in the snow, side by side with Yu Zijin.

"Youyou, you’ll catch a cold. Get up quickly."

"Zijin, get up quickly. Let’s just walk slowly for a while."

"Don’t wanna."

"Don’t wanna." Both of them spoke at the same time, then exchanged a smile and quickly got up.

"Youyou, your phone," a sharp ringtone pierced through the air.

"Hello," Shangguan You answered the call while letting Shangguan Qing pull her to her feet.

"Shangguan You, our Inferno Sect has suffered heavy losses." The voice on the other end of the line belonged to Zhuge Feng, tinged with annoyance.

"What happened?" The smile on Shangguan You’s face stiffened a bit. How could the Inferno Sect suffer any losses in just two days?

"The Inferno Sect has been provoked."

"What exactly happened?"

"Last night, Ouyang Xuan led his men in an attack on the Inferno Sect. Without a word, he blew up our headquarters..." Zhuge Feng’s words were filled with frustration. "He had only just taken charge of the Inferno Sect, and it was already targeted, losing half of its manpower. He hadn’t gotten the better of Ouyang Xuan, and neither had Ouyang Xuan gained the upper hand; otherwise, with Ouyang Xuan’s powerful arsenal, he wouldn’t have retreated. But he said he would come back—that those who bully his people must pay the price?"

Shangguan You’s lips twitched fiercely. What was this mess? An internal conflict, and her own territory was targeted, no less. Even if Ouyang Xuan was avenging her, he had no right to blow up her own base.

"I know, I’ll handle his issue. Are you hurt?"

"Just some minor injuries. I used your medicine; it’s not a big problem. But I’m afraid Ouyang Xuan might come again."

"I’ll take care of Ouyang Xuan. He won’t be coming again. You do whatever you want with the Inferno Sect; make any reforms you want."

"Ouyang Xuan is dangerous. I just want you to be more careful. I’ll handle his issue."

"I know. He’s my uncle. You don’t need to do anything on your side."

The silence on the other end of the call lingered. Zhuge Feng really wanted to know just how many more backers of such formidable power Shangguan You possessed.

"Be careful. I’ll take good care of the Inferno Sect."

"Hmm, you be careful too, and Happy New Year," Shangguan You said with a light smile. Perhaps no one else would wish Zhuge Feng a happy new year, so she’d be the first to do it.

Zhuge Feng felt a warmth coursing through his heart. New Year was something he had never really known about, but hearing it wished for the first time from her made him feel content.

"Happy New Year."

"Youyou, what happened?" Shangguan Qing came over, looking at Shangguan You with some concern.

"It’s nothing, just a call from a friend. Brother Qing, it’s getting late; we should head back," Shangguan You said as she glanced at the sky gradually darkening.

"Alright, let’s go." Shangguan Qing took Shangguan You’s hand, and they headed back to the hotel together with the two siblings from the Yu Family. Since their grandfather and father hadn’t returned yet, Shangguan Qing and Yu Zifeng escorted the young women to their rooms. Afterward, the two men headed to the chess club, where a fierce game awaited them.

In her room, Shangguan You dialed Ouyang Xuan’s number once more. Even though it was the festive period and she didn’t wish to bother Ouyang Xuan, she had to make the call for the sake of the Inferno Sect.

The call connected, and Ouyang Xuan’s distinctive voice came through—tender, domineering, slightly dangerous, and filled with deep concern.

"Youyou, are you alright?"

"Uncle, I’m fine. Happy New Year. Also, please say Happy New Year to Mummy for me." Shangguan You’s heart was filled with mixed feelings. Initially, she had resented Ouyang Xuan for taking away her mother and the maternal love she felt was rightfully hers. But as she gradually got to know him, she had come to accept this reality. Ouyang Xuan being her stepfather was a fact. As long as her mother was happy, she too would wish them well.

"Good, good, that’s my good daughter. I’ll tell Jiejie; she will definitely be happy. Today’s red envelope has already been deposited into your account," Ouyang Xuan said, his deep voice thick with emotion. This was the first year he had received New Year’s blessings from Shangguan You for him and Mengjie. Even though Mengjie couldn’t hear it directly, he would pass on the message.

"Uncle, I’m grown up; I don’t need a red envelope anymore."

"You’re my only daughter. If not to you, then who else could I give it to?" Ouyang Xuan’s voice rose excitedly. Shangguan You is willing to accept me.

"If anyone from the Inferno Sect dares to lay a hand on you, I will obliterate it, making it vanish from this world forever. No one who has bullied my daughter has ever lived to tell the tale," Ouyang Xuan’s dangerous voice transmitted through the phone. If he hadn’t arrived a step too late that evening, Youyou might not have returned to the Shangguan Family. In that case, she would have officially changed her name to Ouyang You. But regardless, Mengjie’s daughter was his daughter; nobody could alter that.

"Uncle, the current Young Master of the Inferno Sect is my friend, and he was the one who saved me. So, I’d like to ask that you no longer target the Inferno Sect."

"Zhuge Feng saved you?" Ouyang Xuan asked, puzzled. So that’s why I didn’t see that old turtle Zhuge Ao last night.

"Yes. Zhuge Ao tried to kill me, but Zhuge Feng risked his life to save me. Afterward, Zhuge Ao was poisoned and fled. And now, Zhuge Feng is running the Inferno Sect. So, Uncle, if you want to get revenge for my sake, just find Zhuge Ao and kill him alone."