The man's voice carried a hint of anger, a touch of helplessness, and even a trace of disappointment.
Bai Xi listened to the familiar yet strange voice, her brow furrowed slightly.
Just then, the voice grew louder, almost enunciating each word: "Bai, Xi!"
Bai Xi shivered involuntarily. The body that had been unable to move suddenly gained mobility. She struggled to stand up, opened her eyes, and looked at the person who had called her name.
On the high platform stood a middle-aged man in armor, glaring at her. He spoke again, word by word, "During today's martial arts demonstration, you actually fell asleep in front of so many people. You've shamed our Bai family!"
As soon as these words were uttered, the people below began to whisper amongst themselves.
"This eldest miss of the Bai family is truly spoiled. She has no etiquette befitting a young lady of a noble house."
"So what? The Bai family's young miss lost her mother at a young age, and she's the only woman in the entire Bai manor. If I had a father who doted on me like that, and three brothers who cherished me so much, I might be even more willful than her."
"Indeed. Don't let General Bai's loud shouts and harsh words fool you. Everyone knows he would never punish this young lady. I'm so envious. Why wasn't I born into the Bai family, to be doted on by so many?"
"Ha, you're envious already? Don't forget the Han family. Young Master Han has been practicing martial arts here since childhood to strengthen his body. He and this Bai family young miss are childhood sweethearts. They are a perfect match, a match made in heaven. They are destined to be together in the future."
"Moreover, this Bai family young miss is also a martial arts prodigy. Don't be fooled by her sleeping during the demonstration. She practices for a short time, but her skills are excellent. I heard she's even better than her three brothers."
"Is that true? Can a woman defeat a man? That's a dream, surely?"
"I've only heard it. But the fact is, she possesses almost everything a woman could ever want: fame, status, adoration, and an inexhaustible supply of wealth and a gentle, considerate, perfect husband."
"People like that are just lucky. You can't envy them."
"..."
Bai Xi looked at the people before her, all dressed in ancient attire. They were discussing her noisily, and she frowned slightly.
The Bai family's eldest young miss, doted on by her father, cherished by her brothers, and with a childhood sweetheart as her destined husband… Was this talking about her? Not at all. Had she stumbled into some unknown film crew?
As she was contemplating, the person on the high platform spoke again: "My unfilial daughter, do you think you've learned everything and don't need to listen anymore? Then come up here right now and demonstrate for your father."
Bai Xi frowned, unwilling to respond.
But her body seemed to disobey her command, and with a sudden leap, she landed on the martial arts stage. "Demonstrating is so boring. Since my brothers can't beat me anyway, why don't you spar with me, Father?"
After saying that, Bai Xi froze.
These words were clearly spoken by her body, and these actions were clearly performed by her body, yet she had no intention of saying or doing any of it.
What was going on?
The middle-aged man roared, "Unfilial daughter, today I will teach you a good lesson!"
With that, he lunged forward.
Just as his fist was within an arm's length, Bai Xi regained control of her body and reacted instantly, evading the attack.
Bai Xi frowned. "Who are you? How did I get here?"
She was Bai Xi, the God of War of the Dark Department. How could she have become part of these people in ancient costumes?
At her words, the middle-aged man visibly faltered, his anger escalating: "Truly unfilial, not even recognizing your own father. You're utterly lawless."
He then threw a punch.
Bai Xi dodged again, but unexpectedly, the punch transformed into a flood dragon before her, charging at her and sending her flying.
What kind of power was this?
Seeing this, the person who had just attacked became anxious. "Xi'er!"
When Bai Xi regained consciousness, she was in bed. Standing beside her were the middle-aged man from before and three young, handsome men.
The three young men looked concerned. The eldest among them helped her up from the bed. "Xi'er, are you feeling better?"
The slightly younger one quickly brought the medicine from the table. "Xi'er, drink the medicine quickly."
The youngest, with his hands on his hips, said indignantly, "Father, how could you actually strike Xi'er?"
The middle-aged man also showed a trace of guilt and remorse. "How could I have known she wouldn't dodge? You know your little sister's skills yourselves, don't you? At that level, she should have been able to dodge..."
Bai Xi still felt that the people before her were complete strangers, but she still spoke, "Eldest brother, second brother, third brother, I'm alright..."
Who was she? Was she Bai Xi of the Dark Department, or Bai Xi, the only young lady of General Bai's manor?
Her head ached terribly.
The scene shifted again. She stood in the rain, watching two embracing figures before her. The light in her eyes gradually dimmed, and the umbrella in her hand fell to the ground, allowing the torrential rain to wash away her tears.
She couldn't see who the people before her were, but she could feel that she loved that person dearly. Otherwise, her heart wouldn't ache so much, to the point where she could barely breathe.
Alas, that person had found someone they wished to protect for a lifetime.
They embraced in the rain, seemingly oblivious to anyone else.
Just then, an umbrella was held over her head. Bai Xi turned and saw a man dressed in a white robe, with a handsome and refined appearance, gentle as jade. His warm eyes were looking at Bai Xi with concern. "Xiao Xi, I wish to repay the Bai family, and also to repay you. I hope you can give me a chance. I want to protect you for a lifetime."
Bai Xi looked up at the man before her and said faintly, "I may not love you."
She didn't even know who the man was, but the words came out of her mouth naturally.
The man gently reached out, turned her head, so that her eyes could only see him. "It's alright. I just want to stay by your side."
Bai Xi looked at him, about to refuse, when the entire scene changed again.
Before her, there was a sea of red. Her vision was obscured by something red.
Bai Xi frowned and reached out to pull it away.
Just then, someone beside her quickly stopped her. "Oh my, Miss Bai, you can't pull at the bridal veil at a time like this. This is something the groom will personally remove for you when you consummate your marriage."
Consummation? Marriage?
She was married?
At this thought, a dull pain pulsed in her chest. What was this pain? Suddenly, she remembered the two people embracing in the rain, and she understood instantly.
She was married, but not to the one she loved.
She struggled to leave.
Because marrying someone she didn't want to marry wasn't about forcing herself, but rather it was truly unfair to the person who had joyfully welcomed her into his home.
At this moment, the entire world twisted again.
What was the meaning of these repeated twists? Every time she wanted to resist, the world twisted, and it switched to the next scene? Could it be… her resistance was going against the choices the body originally wanted to make?
Would resistance lead to a different outcome?