The Villain Snatched the Protagonist’s Master at the Start - Chapter 3:

Chapter 3: Ye Ling’er

As those words fell, Xiao Fan froze.

In the next instant, Hei Long let out a sinister laugh. A terrifying aura surged forth, pressing down on the entire Xiao family.

The overwhelming pressure slammed everyone to the ground.

Only Xiao Fan remained standing—Hei Long had deliberately spared him from the pressure.

So he could clearly see the state of the Xiao family right now.

“Stop!” Xiao Fan’s eyes were bloodshot.

But his body was pinned in place, unable to move.

“If you choose the engagement, you’ll soar to the heavens from now on. My Qin family will treat you as one of our own and nurture you. But the Xiao family… will be no more. Of course, you can also choose the Xiao family, but the engagement… will be void.” Qin Jiang’s cold voice echoed in Xiao Fan’s ears.

He trembled, his eyes red, heart filled with helplessness.

“Power… I need power!!!”

Xiao Fan roared internally.

At this moment, he desired strength more than anything in his life.

“Choose.”

Xiao Fan looked up, eyes full of hatred, but Qin Jiang paid him no mind.

No matter how an ant struggled in the palm of a hand, it could never escape. Qin Jiang only wanted to squeeze every last drop of value from Xiao Fan.

“Spare the Xiao family… I’ll agree to annul the engagement.”

Xiao Fan’s voice was weak and tired.

That one sentence drained all his strength.

Qin Jiang smiled faintly. With a wave of his hand, Hei Long withdrew the oppressive force.

Only then did the Xiao family slowly and shakily rise to their feet.

Hei Long’s pressure had filled them with utter fear.

Under that aura, their lives had been completely at Hei Long’s mercy. Just a single thought, and they would’ve been wiped out.

It was too terrifying.

“A wise choice. But…” Qin Jiang’s tone shifted, “There was still an engagement, and it has affected my sister’s reputation. Therefore, the Xiao family must compensate her for the damage to her name.”

In the original plotline, Qin Jiang and Qin Lian’er were supposed to bring treasures as consolation to ease the Xiao family’s resentment after breaking off the engagement. But now?

Would the mighty Qin family ever care about some petty anger from the Xiao family?

What a joke.

So not only did Qin Jiang not intend to console them—he wanted compensation from them instead.

Qin Lian’er obediently stood beside Qin Jiang, letting him handle everything.

The Xiao family members all looked extremely upset at his words.

Compensation?

The esteemed Young Master of the Qin family came to their little clan and demanded compensation?

Was this even reasonable?

Xiao An sighed and looked at Qin Jiang respectfully, asking, “May I ask what kind of compensation you desire?”

Since Qin Jiang had brought it up, the Xiao family had no choice but to provide it. And he was sure Qin Jiang already knew exactly what he wanted.

He had made up his mind—no matter what, today’s goal was to get Qin Jiang to leave. Only then could the Xiao family survive.

The thought filled his heart with bitterness.

Who would’ve thought that the engagement arranged back then would become a death sentence?

That engagement had been secured by his father and the Xiao family’s elders, trading their lives for it.

But there was no way out. The Xiao family was weak.

The blade was in the hand of the butcher. They were the meat on the chopping block.

They had no choice but to be slaughtered.

“I only want two things.”

Qin Jiang raised his hand and pointed at Xiao Fan, eyes locked on the ring on his left hand.

“The ring on his hand—I’ll take it.”

“Impossible!” Xiao Fan shouted, “That ring is the only memento my mother left me! I’ll never give it to you!”

Qin Jiang sneered. Xiao Fan still didn’t understand his situation.

“In that case, I’ll kill your father and let him become your new memento in exchange for that ring. How about it?”

Xiao Fan: “…”

Xiao An: “???”

“Still the same two choices. You decide.”

Qin Jiang’s tone was indifferent.

Xiao Fan cursed madly in his heart. Was this even a choice? If he didn’t agree, his dad would die. You’ve gotta be—

“Fan’er…” Xiao An looked at Xiao Fan. Though the ring had been left by his wife, his own life was clearly worth more.

Xiao Fan understood his father’s meaning. Slowly, he took off the ring, his heart full of reluctance. He also felt that this ring was extremely important to him for some unknown reason.

But thinking of his father, Xiao Fan clenched his teeth.

However, just at that moment—

“Wait!”

A crisp shout came from within the Xiao residence. A beautiful young girl appeared by Xiao Fan’s side.

“Brother Xiao Fan, are you okay?”

Her eyes were filled with deep concern. Seeing his swollen face, her heart ached.

Xiao Fan forced a grin, “Ling’er, I’m fine.”

Xiao Ling’er—Xiao Fan’s childhood companion. Though he was talentless, when the entire Xiao family looked down on him, only she had stayed by his side.

Moreover, Xiao Ling’er had been adopted by Xiao An and wasn’t related to him by blood. In truth, Xiao Fan had always harbored feelings for her that went beyond mere sibling affection.

But because of his useless talent, he always felt inferior.

Especially when compared to Xiao Ling’er. She was like a phoenix soaring in the heavens—everyone in the younger generation of the Xiao family regarded her as their untouchable goddess.

Her talent, looks, and character were all exceptional.

Xiao Ling’er looked at Xiao Fan. Her delicate white hands clenched tightly. She raised her head and glared at Qin Jiang.

“Qin family, you’ve gone too far!”

Qin Jiang completely ignored her outburst and calmly said, “The second thing I want… is her—Xiao Ling’er.”

“You!!!”

Xiao Ling’er’s eyes widened. Her beautiful face turned red with fury. This guy actually treated her like an object?

Xiao Fan was even more furious.

To him, Xiao Ling’er was irreplaceable—perhaps even more important than his father.

“Impossible. Don’t even think about it!” Xiao Fan roared.

Xiao An’s expression was also filled with anger. He could give up resources and treasures, but when it came to a person…

“You have no choice.” Qin Jiang smiled faintly.

Xiao Ling’er took a deep breath. Unexpectedly, she smiled.

“No choice? Do you even know who I really am?”

Her voice was full of pride, though deep inside, she sighed softly. After today, she likely couldn’t stay in the Xiao family any longer.

“Of course I know.” Qin Jiang nodded and said calmly, “Xiao Ling’er… or rather, should I call you Ye Ling’er?”

Her pupils shrank. Shock filled her eyes. Qin Jiang actually knew her identity?

Even she had only recently learned the truth.

Qin Jiang continued, “Thirteen years ago, the Ye family’s old and new patriarchs exchanged power. The previous patriarch chose the second son as successor, which enraged the eldest son. A brutal internal struggle broke out in the Ye family, throwing the clan into chaos.

You—Ye Ling’er—were born during that conflict. Your parents were placed in danger because of it. They had no choice but to abandon you and lure the enemies away, hoping you could survive.

Eventually, your father won and became the new patriarch. But you… were picked up by Xiao An. A noble clan’s princess, reduced to a fallen duckling…”