Dating Simulator

Not long after Meng and Che introduced to each other, the girl of this big day arrived in front of Xia's manor together with her escort of female servants. She was wearing a veil hiding her flawless and fairy-like face and red wedding dress, the way she walked, it was evident that she was extremely calm and tranquil just like the pond of still water.

Xiao Che immediately excused himself and approached her, trying to help her and lead her to the carriage. However, before he could make a contact with her delicate hand, he retracted his hand, and his expression slightly distorted in pain before becoming calm once again.

While Meng was observing that, Xia Yuanba, the big boy who was previously chatting with Xiao Che, approached him and greeted him as he knew about Meng and his family. He immediately expressed his condolences for what has happened to them with a sad expression.

"No need, life goes on, why taint this lovely atmosphere with such a topic?" Meng replied with a faint smile to Yuanba and then approached Xiao Che.

'Brother Meng is really different as father said...He used to behave slightly similar to brother-in-law, he was usually shy and pushover despite living outside in the dangerous forest. However, right now...his temperament is completely different. I don't understand...' Xia Yuanba thought while watching Meng and Che's backs.

"Brother Xiao Che, shall we go?" Meng asked and woke him up from his thoughts. Xiao Che nodded and got up on the horse, riding behind Qingyue's carriage.

'Heeeh~ Looks like she won't even let him touch her hand. I have also noticed some traces of ice on his hand...I don't think she is famous for being a cultivator with ice-affinity, interesting...' Meng faintly smiled before he quickly caught up to Xiao Che's horse by taking only a few steps. To others, it looked like he took a few big steps instead of numerous small ones. And since he didn't infuse any profound energy into it, any normal cultivator wouldn't recognize his steps as a footwork technique.

Xiao Che noticed Meng walking in quite a strange manner right next to him while he was on the horse. He looked slightly conflicted. Meng was one of a few people that didn't look at him in disdain neither did he ridicule him, which made him feel slightly bad for him that Meng had to walk right next to him while he was on the horseback.

'Still, what a strange manner of walking...it looks like he is taking slow and big steps, who would walk this way?' Che thought while observing Meng from the corner of his eye.

While Meng was happily practicing his Cloud Steps, the streets filled with numerous people due to the weddings started to get quite loud. What was the most surprising thing for Meng was that almost everyone ridiculed Xiao Che and pitied their city's treasure, Xia Qingyue.

'A treasure, huh? That makes me think of the old times when idols were banned from dating. I can still remember a few scandals that were discovered and the couple immediately became the target of everyone's hate, haha. No matter the era or culture, some things for humans never change, heh. They keep telling themselves that it's such a waste for her to marry trash while they secretly hope that she notices them. No one is going to notice you, you nobodies.' Meng thought with a faintly amused smile. He even started thinking that he might not regret coming along after all.

The journey from Xia Clan to Xiao Clan was extremely long, at least for Meng, fortunately, he was able to practice his Cloud Steps for the whole hour. There were even a few beads of sweat on his temple but he quickly wiped them off before anyone could notice. Although the number of steps he can travel at once didn't increase, he felt that his proficiency with the technique grew stronger, to him, traversing a few steps in an instant now felt almost like a habit.

When they arrived in front of Xiao Clan's enormous manor, it was time for Xia Qingyue to get out of the carriage and show herself to everyone.

When her handmaid helped her get down, the deafening street quieted down. Despite wearing a veil over her face, everyone couldn't help but be captivated by her noble aura.

While watching this, Meng who was leaning against the wall with folded arms couldn't help but think of only one word.

'Idiots'

[Host, although I said that I have no concept of beauty, I can see that this girl will continue becoming more and more beautiful as her power rises. It could be said that she is being favored by the heavens. I am quite impressed that the host is able to keep his composure after coming here from that relatively peaceful world.]

'Hehe, that's because...'

[Because...?]

'Because of my low self-esteem when it comes to dating, haha! I was average looking but I had an athletic body so I attracted at least some girls but I had absolutely no idea how to talk to them and I didn't want to act like someone who I am not, therefore, I ended up being all alone for the whole 20 years of my life before I have completely forgotten the matter of dating or having a wife. In the world, there are more important things other than women. For example...pets!' Meng thought with a proud smile plastered on his face.

[...]

'Vista? You there? ...Whatever' Meng thought while he was together with Xiao's outer disciples watching the ceremony.

After the ceremony was over, Meng discovered the reason behind this marriage due to other people running their mouths. Although Xiao Che was considered trash, his grandfather was 5th elder and strongest individual in Xiao Clan.

While Xiao Che and Xia Qingyue went to the bridal chamber, others went to the banquet.

Meng did as Xia Hongyi wanted and attended as well, he found the most remote place and just started slowly savoring the taste of the wine. While he was drinking all alone with a content smile to not look like he is bored at Xiao's banquet, he couldn't help but overhear a few outer disciples talking while looking at him.

"Hey, that's the guy with the same condition as "that" Xiao Che."

"Seriously? What is he even doing here? Is he that trash's friend?"

"Shh, keep your voice down, he is here together with Xia's Clan master. However, it is indeed the truth that people saw him talking with Xiao Che. Well, both are cripples, they suit each other, haha."

"Haha, maybe if they married each other, everyone would be happier, haha."

Although they were trying to keep their voice down, their drunkness didn't exactly help them, fortunately, they were in a separate room from the elders so only other disciples could hear them.

When Meng was about to send them a provoking smile while raising his cup to drink on them, someone interrupted quite a tense atmosphere.

"You guys stop talking about Xiao Che like that! And Su Meng is also our guest, you talk so loud that everyone can hear you!" A young girl dressed in a green dress said with an angered tone but despite her current mood, her face was still very gentle. She was exhibiting a very unique charm, quite different from the one Xia Qingyue exhibited.

The disciples quickly quieted down, however, their expressions told that they were quite unhappy but they couldn't do anything against this girl, instead, their eyes transferred to Meng who finally had a chance to smile towards them before taking a sip of wine out of his cup.

"Hello, I am sorry about that...May I join you?" The girl approached the corner where Meng was enjoying his wine and apologized to him with a gentle smile.

"Sure, be my guest...but I guess I am your guest, in the end, heh" Meng said with a slightly amused tone.

"Hihi, I guess that's true. My name is Xiao Lingxi, I have heard that brother Su Meng used to live outside on the edge of the forest, however, looking at brother Su Meng's clothes and temperament, one would mistake brother Su Meng for a highly reputable businessman." Xiao Lingxi let out a light giggle which would sound in anyone's ears lovely.

'Used to? I guess I will discover this once everything is over.'

"I don't deserve such a compliment. May I know why such a beautiful lady as yourself decided to approach a cripple like me?" Meng asked with a polite smile.

Xiao Lingxi slightly blushed at his polite return of the compliment before she quickly explained her relationship with Xiao Che and that she has heard about Xia Hongyi's request so she wanted to help Xiao Che by showing Meng around.

Meng immediately understood and accepted, two of them were for a tour around the entire enormous Xiao manor that took almost an hour.

.

.

Currently, they were all alone outside in the courtyard.

"...Brother Su Meng, in my eyes, I can see you resemble slightly Xiao Che...maybe it is because both of your conditions are the same or maybe it is because of your kind nature..." Xiao Lingxi suddenly said while looking up at the night sky, observing the stars.

"?! Please don't call me kind. I am just being polite, isn't that what a businessman should be like? Although, I am not an official businessman, haha" Meng corrected her.

"But you aren't being polite because you have to, right?" She smiled gently and suddenly said something that made Meng slightly frown down.

"Why do you think so?" Meng asked curiously.

"I can tell, you were sitting all by yourself in the remote corner, however, your expression indicated that you were quite happy. Others would try to score points with some strong people, also, brother Su Meng's politeness isn't as forced as others'. You will be able to tell it apart once you live a long time around people who used to be very polite to someone before becoming quite distant in an instant." She explained with a bright smile that would make any man's heart throb before her bright smile was replaced with a sad expression.

'...Am I supposed to comfort her?'

"I see...You are very wise, brother Xiao Che is fortunate to have someone like you beside him. I believe that he can endure so much disdain and ridicule mostly thanks to you and your father." This was the best that could come out of Meng's mouth, however, even though he felt it was quite bad, Xiao Lingxi's expression actually brightened.

"Thank you, brother Su Meng! I wasn't mistaken, you are indeed kind." Xiao Lingxi said which caused Meng to have a troubled expression.

'Maybe I should have just left her alone...'

[Good going, host! +10 Xiao Lingxi's affection points. Keep at it!]

'?! What is this?! A fucking dating simulator?!' Meng's corner of his lips twitched a bit in anger however he had to endure it as long as he is together with Xiao Lingxi.

[+1 Xiao Lingxi's lust points.]

'Fuck off already, Vista. Shouldn't you be artificial intelligence programmed by someone? How can you be aware of those adult games I used to play, creep?!' Meng was clenching his fists in anger.