Tomb Raider: What kind of heroine is she?

"you!"

At this critical moment, when the Fourth Elder was about to attack, Ah San, who was standing by, quickly glanced at Zhang Qiling and released the hand that was tightly holding Zhang Xingxing without hesitation. He knelt on his knees, his expression was extremely serious, and he looked up at the Fourth Elder and said in a sincere and firm tone.

"Your Highness, the Saint has absolutely no romantic feelings for our clan leader. Besides, the clan leader just took over the Zhang family not long ago, and the situation has not yet stabilized. It's probably too early to discuss this matter at this time. I hope the elders will think twice..."

The fourth elder's deep and sharp eyes slowly swept across the scene in front of him, and finally fixed on the young man who was holding Zhang Xingxing tightly, seemingly controlling her but actually protecting her. Then, his eyes shifted to Ah San who was kneeling on the ground.

Normally, Ah San always obeyed the Fourth Elder's orders and dared not disobey him in the slightest. However, at this moment, Ah San was willing to risk contradicting the Fourth Elder and insisted on his position.

The fourth elder couldn't help but purse his lips, revealing a barely perceptible sense of helplessness on his face. He shook his head gently, sighing inwardly, this silly child... there was no way he could stop this.

No matter what, the marriage between the patriarch and the saint is a foregone conclusion. This is not only because of the responsibilities given by their respective special identities, but also the common ardent expectation and deep hope of all the Zhang family members. All the Zhang family members are waiting for a stable spiritual pillar to support the future of the Zhang family.

"Are you questioning my opinion? Do you know what will happen if you disobey me?" The fourth elder's face darkened, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. He stared at the ignorant fool in front of him. His originally amiable face instantly became eerie and terrifying.

“Yian wouldn’t dare…” Being stared at by the Fourth Elder with such a sharp gaze, Ah San lowered his head, looking silently in guilt.

"I dare not. I think you are very brave. I don't care what you are thinking when you stand up, but if you talk back to the elders, you will go to the punishment hall and receive ten lashes. I hope this will teach you a lesson and you won't make the same mistake again!"

Zhang Xingxing, who was startled, woke up instantly and felt suffocated by the scene before him. Yes, this was the Zhang family with strict rules.

"No, I was the one who bumped into the elder just now. It's my fault and has nothing to do with Third Brother. If you want to punish someone, please punish me, Elder." Zhang Xingxing forcibly pried open the little brother's hands and knelt down with Asan.

The fourth elder looked at this scene that was like a pair of "unfortunate couples" and felt a knot in his chest, which was not very angry at first. He was afraid that the clan leader would not be able to see the deep friendship between the two of you. He looked at the scene in front of him with a headache, squinted his eyes slightly, and simply threw this difficult problem to Zhang Qiling.

"I wonder what the clan leader thinks about this matter and how he thinks the punishment for these two people is appropriate."

The young man looked at Zhang Yian, who was kneeling on the ground and accepting the punishment, and Zhang Xingxing, who looked completely obsessed and focused on Ah San. His eyes were slightly disturbed. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke slowly in a low and powerful voice: "It is certain that the Saint Girl just bumped into the elder. She should be punished with thirty strokes of the ruler! However, although Zhang Yian's words were slightly offensive, his thoughts were sincere, so I will give him a lighter sentence of fifty strokes of the ruler to serve as a warning to others."

Zhang Xingxing, who was kneeling on the ground, blinked at the young man in gratitude when he heard this.

The fourth elder standing by saw the whole scene, and seeing his family leader being so kind to Zhang Yian, he couldn't help but smile in his heart, and slowly reached out his hand to stroke his beard. He thought to himself: Well, it's just as I expected...

Afterwards, Zhang Xingxing tried his best to deal with the four elders, but the final result of the marriage was just to successfully postpone the wedding date for some days.

When Zhang Xingxing dragged her heavy feet and slowly walked out of the courtyard of the Fourth Elder, she felt as if all her strength had been drained away. Her body was limp and she seemed to collapse at any moment. At this moment, Ah San, who had been guarding outside the courtyard, saw her like this and squatted down anxiously and said, "Xingxing, are you okay? If not, can I carry you back?"

Zhang Xingxing raised her head and looked at Ah San's familiar and warm face standing against the light. At this moment, he was like a beam of dazzling light, illuminating the softest corner of Zhang Xingxing's heart. She nodded slightly and said softly like a docile kitten: "Okay, Brother San..."

After receiving the promise, Ah San's face immediately bloomed with a bright smile. He quickly stood up and gently carried Zhang Xingxing on his back, so gently that he was afraid of hurting her. In this way, Ah San and Zhang Xingxing's figures gradually walked away, and the light shone on them, outlining a warm and beautiful picture.

However, the young man who followed the two of them could not help but frown when he saw this scene. His deep eyes revealed a deep sense of helplessness and confusion. In his opinion, Zhang Xingxing's behavior today was really abnormal. She was not like the lively, cheerful and quirky girl she usually was.

He took a few steps forward to stop Zhang Xingxing and the others, pursed his lips, and looked straight into Zhang Xingxing's eyes that were as bright as stars. Time seemed to freeze at this moment. After a moment, it seemed like a long time had passed. He still said in a deep voice: "Xingxing, I have something to tell you."

After saying this, he stood there quietly, waiting for Zhang Xingxing's response.

Zhang Xingxing, who had just been smiling particularly happily on Asan's back, restrained her smile slightly. Her big, lively eyes were now staring straight at the young man in front of her, and the young man was staring at her quietly with his dark and deep eyes that seemed to be able to see through everything in the world.

She bit her cheek, hesitated for a moment and replied: "Okay, little brother. Come to my room later. My third brother and I have to go to receive our punishment now, so let's talk later."

Hearing this, the young man just said "OK" softly, then slightly stepped aside to make way, watching the two figures gradually walk away. His eyes always stayed on the cheerful Zhang Xingxing, who was chatting and laughing with Ah San again. I don't know what interesting things she was talking and laughing with Ah San. The two of them were talking and laughing, and the atmosphere was very cheerful.

The young man just stood there silently, watching their backs as they went away, until they completely disappeared from his sight. Then, he slowly withdrew his gaze and walked towards Zhang Xingxing's courtyard.