Chapter145-The Influence of the Chan Family
Ying Chan blinked, not saying a word, but she stopped gobbling her food and began to chew slowly, showing the demeanor of a lady from a distinguished family.
Howard noticed this with a slight raise of his eyebrows.
Ying Chan's reaction was entirely unexpected!
He had even thought that Ying Chan might flip the table.
After all, as the cherished daughter of the Chan family, she was used to being doted on. Could she really endure this?
Howard wanted her to react; after all, he had another girlfriend back at the academy. Without Ying Chan accepting this fact, it would be a major problem if Abby and she blew up at the same time.
"That girl, she can actually hold back, what is she thinking?" Howard was surprised internally, yet he did not show it on his face.
After the meal, as Margaret was about to get up, Ying Chan spoke, "Thank you for your hospitality, sister. I had no idea my huseband had such a considerate and attentive friend."
"Huseband?"
Upon hearing this, both Howard and Margaret were taken aback, looking at each other in disbelief.
Ying Chan smiled and said, "I forgot, according to the Alliance's terms, it should be husband!"
"What? He's your husband?!"
Margaret couldn't help but exclaim in shock.
She knew that Howard's relationship with her and Abby was at most that of boyfriend and girlfriend, far from marriage.
Suddenly discovering that Howard already had a wife, how could that of boyfriend and girlfriend, far from marriage.
Suddenly discovering that Howard already had a wife, how could she not be surprised?
Howard thought for a moment, and did not refute.
After all, according to the Chan family, Ying Chan was indeed betrothed to him, and aside from not having held a wedding, the parental consent had already been given!
In the current world, marriage was a matter between two families; it didn't require the Alliance's recognition.
Margaret quickly looked at Howard, and seeing that he did not object, her complexion turned ashen as she asked, "You have the elders' approval already?"
"There's no mistake, my father personally sent me here."
With one sentence, Ying Chan delivered a blow that left Margaret reeling.
No matter the sequence of events, it couldn't compete with an actual marriage!
Howard also understood Ying Chan's tactic, using the overwhelming situation to her advantage.
"Alright, I have one thing to say, you're both my women!"
Howard spoke decisively, cutting off any chance for further argument.
He could see that although Ying Chan was young, her cunning and strategies surpassed Margaret's.
Margaret was devoted to him, and Howard was too fond of her to stand by and watch her lose face.
Ying Chan laughed, "So you're showing favoritism? I am your wife!"
Howard shrugged, "They will be too, in the future."
"They?"
Ying Chan's eyebrows lifted in surprise, "It seems you have other women! Ah, indeed, all the handsome guys are already taken!"
Ying Chan wasn't overly angry; after all, the world they lived in was one where the strong preyed upon the weak.
If Howard had the capability, marrying dozens of wives wouldn't raise eyebrows.
Moreover, Ying Chan knew that her marriage to Howard was arranged by the family elders, and neither party would likely give up on this arrangement.
All she needed was to become Howard's wife and bear his child.
As for the rest, she didn't need to concern herself at all!
Besides, Howard's handsome features were enough to make her overlook other matters.
"Not too many, there's one more within Holy Abyss Academy," Howard whispered. "Once we're at the academy, don't make trouble with her."
"My father told me to listen to you," Ying Chan waved her hand dismissively, then mused, "Just two women, that's not too many."
"Heh, two now, who knows how many there'll be later," Margaret scoffed lightly.
Hearing this, Howard's eyebrows arched, and he couldn't resist giving Margaret's behind a playful slap, causing her to let out an "Oh!" as her cheeks flushed red.
"My dear mentor, it seems you might need a little lesson," Howard said, his lips curving into a smile as he gave Margaret's behind a pinch.
"Stop teasing, I'm going to tidy up!" Margaret felt a tingling sensation and quickly scurried away with the tray, her face awash with shyness, especially with Ying Chan still present.
Ying Chan blinked in surprise, "My goodness, she's actually your mentor, aren't you playing a little too wild?"
Howard, thick-skinned as ever, paid no mind to Ying Chan's comment.
To be honest, there was no real affection between him and Ying Chan; both were aware their marriage was purely contractual.
Thus, they were quite indifferent to any complications that arose.
After Margaret had tidied everything up, Ying Chan, bypassing Howard, started chatting directly with her.
It's strange sometimes, the friendships that form between women.
In just a quarter of an hour, Ying Chan and Margaret became chummy, affectionately calling each other sisters in a display of newfound warmth.
Through Margaret, Ying Chan came to understand Howard's background.
Learning that Howard had achieved such growth with merely an F-level talent awakening, Ying Chan was so shocked her jaw dropped.
After all, years of education had drummed into her that talent was everything!
Awakened with lower-grade talents simply couldn't keep up with those of higher talents, in terms of level and strength.
They were even disdained when forming contracts with pets.
Yet, Howard had shattered this common belief.
Margaret might not have known, but Ying Chan was very much aware that Howard had somehow made the Oriental Divine Dragon, a guardian of her family for generations, voluntarily sign a Soul Blood Pact.
If one were to rank such a being, the Oriental Divine Dragon would undoubtedly be a pet of SSS-level.
How could it take interest in someone with an F-level Talent Awakening?
Howard was unaware of what Ying Chan and Margaret had discussed.
After resting a bit, he took Ying Chan back to the Holy Abyss Academy.
It had been a long time since he left the academy, and it was time to return.
There were things Howard remembered needing to do at the academy!
Like, for instance, the task of capturing a shape-shifting Butterfly Fae for his two roommates.
Completing that task was sure to yield substantial benefits.
And as for Margaret?
With Ying Chan present, a wild celebration with Margaret was out of the question.
Staying behind served no purpose. It was better to return to the school first, deal with other matters, and then come back to her alone.
After all, he now knew Margaret's current address.
Margaret, understanding Howard's intentions, couldn't help but roll her eyes, though she said nothing more.
Her affection for Howard, much like Abby's, had seeped deep into her bones.
As long as it was to Howard's benefit, no matter what it was, they wouldn't refuse.
Thus, as night fell, Howard returned to the Holy Abyss Academy with Ying Chan.
Just as he returned to the academy, Howard noticed that many students were hurrying toward the training field.
This piqued Howard's curiosity, but he had to accompany Ying Chan for her registration and didn't dwell on it.
Upon reaching the administration office, Howard saw that Wales had already returned, casually sitting with his legs crossed on a chair to the side.
At the desk sat a female mentor with an impressive figure and glasses.
Her appearance was quite similar to the young girl Howard had encountered at the administration office on his previous visit, only more mature.
She looked to be around thirty years old.
However, given the good maintenance of cultivators, Howard estimated she might be around forty.
Definitely in the prime of her years!
Reining in his thoughts, Howard led Ying Chan straight into the office.
Seeing Howard, Wales immediately smiled, "Kid, you're finally back. Where did you run off to?"
Wales had entered the teleportation array after Howard but had returned to the Holy Abyss Academy earlier than him, naturally making him curious.
As for why he didn't go looking for Howard?
Well, Howard was outside the city, and if Wales dared to use his powers, it could've been troublesome if Rick found out.
It was only within the academy that he dared to use some of his methods.
After all, the principal was not around, and the other mentors couldn't sense him.
"Just went out to buy some things."
Howard replied with a slight smile, "Mr. Wales, student admissions are handled here, right?"
"That's correct."
Wales asked knowingly, "But, we're past the enrollment period now, aren't we?"
Ying Chan, having never interacted with Wales and unaware of his omniscience, quickly stepped forward upon hearing his words and respectfully presented a letter: "Good day Mr. Wales, this is a letter from my grandfather to your esteemed academy."
Wales took the letter, opened it, and feigned surprise as he read: "Ah, so you are a member of the Chan family. My apologies for the oversight. Had it not been for Dragon Chan leading our human defenses against the onslaught of the other races, the Alliance itself might no longer exist."
"Since a member of the Chan family seeks enrollment, I shall approve it on behalf of the principal!"
Wales didn't hesitate in the slightest.
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