Category: Green Tea Villainess Fails

Chapter 120: Bonus – Together as One

Zuo Bian and Qin Ai didn’t want to throw a big party for Zuo Ling’s fifth birthday. It would be too high-profile, attracting people with ulterior motives, losing the true meaning of celebrating their child’s birthday.

So they decided to just invite close friends and family for a meal at their house. But when they started making the guest list, they realized they had quite a few “close” people.

“Qin Ai, wouldn’t it be too much work for you to cook for so many people? I can’t help you in the kitchen. Should we order catering instead? Or hire a maid?” Zuo Bian had been married to Qin Ai for five years and still hadn’t learned how to cook.

She was a natural-born kitchen disaster. No amount of training could help. And she hated wasting food, so she had given up on cooking.

They had initially planned to cook themselves, as it was a casual gathering of friends and family, but now with so many people coming, it wasn’t realistic for Qin Ai to cook alone.

“Maybe we can ask your brother for help. He’s a good cook,” Qin Ai suggested.

Zuo Bian’s eyes lit up. That was a good idea. She immediately called her brother.

All the culinary talent in the Zuo family seemed to have been passed down to Zuo Yuan. He could whip up restaurant-quality dishes effortlessly, while Zuo Bian’s cooking was barely edible.

Zuo Yuan, upon receiving Zuo Bian’s call and hearing her request, agreed without hesitation.

Early the next morning, he arrived at Zuo Bian and Qin Ai’s house with Tao Zi and a little boy. Zuo Yuan and Tao Zi had been married for six years, and their son was a few months older than Zuo Ling.

Little Zuo Ya, five and a half years old, was chubby and adorable. He was excited to see his two younger sisters and waddled towards them.

“Sister! Sister!”

Little Zuo Ling and Qin Long had just been woken up by their mothers. Although they had washed their faces and eaten breakfast, they were still sleepy, their eyes half-closed.

“Brother is here to see you!” Zuo Ya loved his sisters. He was a bit chubby, and bending down was a bit difficult for him, but he still tried to reach for their hands.

Tao Zi smiled, seeing her son’s adorable behavior. “It seems Xiao Ya really likes his sisters.”

“Let the kids play here. Zuo Yuan and I will go to the kitchen and cook.” Qin Ai rolled up her sleeves.

Before she could even finish speaking, Zuo Yuan had already entered the kitchen and started washing the vegetables.

He was truly a good husband and father. It seemed like there was no household chore he couldn’t handle, and he was efficient and organized.

With Zuo Yuan’s help, the kitchen was transformed into a well-oiled machine.

====

Zuo Bian brought a box of toys and joined Tao Zi in playing with the children.

555, who had slept in until the sun was high in the sky, finally woke up. Rubbing its eyes, it walked into the living room. Its body was about five years old, the same age as the three children.

Tao Zi adored children. Seeing 555, she beckoned it over. “Little Five Five, come play with your brother and sisters.”

555’s identity in front of outsiders was Qin Ai’s distant relative’s child, temporarily staying with Zuo Bian and Qin Ai.

It opened its eyes fully and saw two unfamiliar adults in the living room. Then it remembered that it was little Zuo Ling’s fifth birthday.

There were now four children in the living room, and 555 blended right in.

Soon, more guests arrived. Chang Wenyan and Liu Liu walked in, their hands full of bags and boxes, looking like they were moving house rather than attending a birthday party.

“Mr. Chang, Liu Liu, what are all these? Why so many?” Zuo Bian looked at the boxes curiously.

As for their names, she had become familiar with Liu Liu during her time in that alternate world, so she addressed him casually. However, Chang Wenyan was too awkward and formal, so she still called him “Mr. Chang.”

Liu Liu put down the boxes and stretched, complaining dramatically, “It’s all because this guy said that kids at Xiao Zuo Ling and Xiao Qin Long’s age grow fast and need new clothes and toys, so he bought a ton of stuff.”

“Ahem.” Chang Wenyan cleared his throat, his expression slightly awkward.

However, Liu Liu ignored him and continued, “New clothes, shoes, and books are understandable, but why do toys need to be replaced as they grow? I think he just loves girls. Say, are you jealous that we can only have boys?”

“Liu Liu, you misunderstood, that’s not what I meant.” Chang Wenyan tried to maintain his composure, but the sweat on his forehead betrayed his nervousness.

Zuo Bian tuned out their bickering and started opening the boxes.

Inside were two sets of dresses, one large and one small, one pink and one blue. The designs and materials were clearly high-quality. Zuo Bian could already imagine how adorable her daughters would look in them.

Tao Zi also came over to take a look. “They’re so pretty. It’s a pity Zuo Yuan and I only have a son. Zuo Zuo, can we have one of your daughters?”

Zuo Bian replied seriously, “No, I can’t bear to part with either of them. But Sao Sao, if you like girls so much, you can take Five Five home for a few days. Five Five has been wanting to go out and play, but Qin Ai and I are busy lately, we don’t have time to take it out.”

After all, 555 wasn’t a real child and was more mature. Zuo Bian was comfortable with it staying at someone else’s house for a few days.

Hearing this, Tao Zi’s eyes lit up.

“That’s great! You’re the best, Zuo Zuo.” She had always wanted a daughter, but Zuo Yuan had said that taking care of one child was already a headache, and he didn’t want another one. So they only had Zuo Ya.

If Zuo Yuan was a master of life skills, then Tao Zi was a black hole that devoured all life skills. If her skills were converted into numerical values, the numbers would be high, but with a negative sign in front of them.

So after their son was born, Zuo Yuan had been the one taking care of him. Tao Zi wanted to help, but she was incompetent. They could have hired a nanny, but Zuo Yuan shared the same belief as Zuo Bian: It was better to raise their own child.

Taking care of the child and his mother had made him lose ten pounds. If they had another child, he might be completely drained.

After her initial excitement, Tao Zi asked, “Where are Five Five’s parents? I’ve never seen them.”

Zuo Bian frowned, wondering who a system’s parents were. 555 had said it was created by the Heavenly Dao, so its parents should be the Heavenly Dao, right?

“They’re far away,” she finally said.

“Poor thing.” Tao Zi looked at 555, who was playing happily with the other children, her eyes filled with sympathy.

Zuo Bian tilted her head, feeling like something was wrong with her answer.

Just as she was about to contemplate it further, her parents arrived.

“Mom, Dad, you’re here.” She rushed to get them slippers.

Zuo Yan and Du Yundong were in their fifties, but they looked much younger, thanks to their good genes and healthy lifestyle. Only a few wrinkles at the corners of their eyes betrayed their age.

“Are we late?” Du Yundong looked around the living room, her arm linked with Zuo Yan’s.

The living room was bustling, especially the little ones who were clinging to Chang Wenyan, demanding a piggyback ride. Chang Wenyan, who was usually so concerned about his image, had actually agreed, making Liu Liu wonder if he had been possessed.

“This is Ling Ling’s birthday present, and this one is for Long Long.” Zuo Yan put down several large gift boxes.

The gifts alone were piling up like a small mountain. Zuo Bian said, “Mom, Dad, you don’t have to bring so many gifts every time you visit. It’s too much. Ling Ling and Long Long can’t even use them all.”

Du Yundong patted Zuo Bian’s hand. “If they can’t use them all, Five Five can use them too. Five Five is also five years old, all three children can share.”

“Okay. I’ll thank their grandparents on their behalf.”

“Silly child, there’s no need to thank us, we’re family. Come on, let’s hug our granddaughters.” Du Yundong dragged Zuo Yan to play with the children.

=====

Soon, everyone had arrived. Thankfully, Zuo Bian and Qin Ai’s living room was large enough to accommodate everyone.

The aroma of food wafted from the kitchen. With so many people looking after the children, Zuo Bian wasn’t worried. She entered the kitchen and asked if she could help with anything.

Qin Ai had tied her shoulder-length black hair into a ponytail, her slender waist cinched by the apron strings. Even in a shapeless apron, her good figure was evident.

Zuo Bian’s heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively hugged Qin Ai’s waist.

Qin Ai didn’t turn around. She smiled and transferred the cooked dish onto a plate.

“Hugging me so tightly, are you trying to steal a taste?”

Zuo Bian often acted clingy. When Qin Ai was cooking, she would often hug her from behind and ask for a taste, usually finishing half the dish before Qin Ai could even stop her.

Zuo Bian blushed, burying her face in Qin Ai’s back. “I’m not trying to steal food this time, I just wanted to hug you.”

Qin Ai’s smile deepened. “I know you missed me. Let go now, I need to take the dishes out.”

“Okay.” Zuo Bian obediently released her grip and carried the plate out of the kitchen.

Zuo Yuan, who was cooking at another stove, had stopped, his expression complex.

Qin Ai and Zuo Yuan hadn’t gotten along when they first met. After so many years, their relationship had improved slightly.

They had been working together in the kitchen, and Zuo Yuan could see Qin Ai’s qualities. It wasn’t just that she was a good cook, but the way she did things.

She was organized and efficient, never panicking even when she made a mistake. She was calm and collected, always learning from her mistakes and never repeating them.

Someone like Qin Ai would excel at everything she did, and she was also traditional at heart. Once she committed to someone, she wouldn’t change. Cheating was out of the question.

And the love between Qin Ai and Zuo Bian was obvious to everyone. His sister was happy, he didn’t need to worry.

“The food is almost ready. I’ll take these dishes out.” Zuo Yuan carried a few plates and left the kitchen.

“Mm.” Qin Ai responded, checking the soup.

With everyone present, the living room was even more lively. Chang Wensi, like her brother, had a soft spot for children. She was teaching little Qin Long to call her “Godmother.”

However, Qin Long wasn’t interested in talking. She was hungry, her attention completely captured by the aroma of food.

Chang Wensi, unable to exploit Qin Long’s weakness, was defeated by Qin Tian, the uncle, who lured her away with a milk candy.

Qin Long, like a greedy puppy, followed the candy wherever Qin Tian held it, looking adorable.

Five or six years had passed, and Qin Tian had grown from a little boy into a teenager. At his age, he should be entering his rebellious phase, but he was still the same talkative and slightly cowardly boy.

Qin Ai, carrying a pot of soup, saw Qin Tian tempting her daughter with candy. She frowned. “Long Long has already eaten a lot of candy today, don’t spoil her too much.”

“Xiao Long Long, your Big Mommy doesn’t want you to eat candy. It seems Uncle can only eat it himself.” Qin Tian teasingly ate the candy in front of Qin Long.

Qin Long’s lips trembled, and she was about to burst into tears when Zuo Yuan, who was nearby, quickly popped a pacifier into her mouth.

Qin Long’s eyes widened in confusion, but soon she was happily sucking on the pacifier, completely forgetting about the candy.

The dishes were served one after another, the long table filled with dozens of plates, their aromas mingling enticingly.

“The last dish is served. Everyone wash your hands and let’s eat.” Zuo Yuan placed the last dish on the table and took off his apron.

For today’s gathering, they had brought a large table into the living room, big enough for everyone to sit comfortably.

Qin Ai and Zuo Bian naturally sat together. Usually, they would be feeding their two babies, but today, with so many people around, they didn’t have to.

Zuo Yan was holding little Zuo Ling, Du Yundong feeding her with a spoon. Tao Zi was holding Qin Long, clearly smitten with the little girl.

555, being small, also needed help with eating. Qin Tian was the one feeding it. He was quite fond of 555 and was very attentive.

Little Frog, in comparison, was pitiful. It hadn’t found a human body yet and was pretending to be a toy on the coffee table, drooling over the delicious food. 555 secretly brought it a bowl of food, satisfying its cravings.

Zuo Yuan and Tao Zi’s son was in Zuo Yuan’s arms. He was clearly experienced at taking care of his son, but his son only wanted to play with his sisters, squirming in his arms. Despite his young age, little Zuo Ya was strong, and Zuo Yuan had to use some force to keep him in his lap.

Zuo Bian and Qin Ai chatted as they ate. Zuo Bian glanced at the people around the table.

Her parents were healthy. They had handed over the company to her brother and were now enjoying their retirement, traveling the world. Her brother was finally with Tao Zi, and they even had a child. Chang Wenyan had finally realized his true feelings and found the person he truly loved. Lin Qingqing had stopped chasing after Qin Ai and had found a girlfriend. And the awkward Chang Wensi had finally married Lu Letian last year.

Everyone was happy, it was wonderful.

A smile spread across Zuo Bian’s face. Qin Ai noticed it and asked, “What are you thinking about? You look so happy.”

Zuo Bian smiled. “I’m just happy.”

Qin Ai smiled too. “Me too.”

Little Zuo Ling, her belly full from being fed by her grandmother, shook her head, her mouth tightly shut.

Du Yundong, realizing she had overfed her, quickly wiped her mouth with a handkerchief.

Full and satisfied, Zuo Ling wanted to play. She tugged at her grandfather’s sleeve. “Grandpa, I want to go play with Long Long, Five Five, and Yaya.”

She rarely called Zuo Ya by his name and had mispronounced “Ya” as “Duck.”

Everyone at the table laughed at her “Duck Duck Brother.” Zuo Ling didn’t understand why they were laughing, but she giggled along.

Tao Zi, who was playing with Qin Long, stopped and glared at Zuo Yuan. “Zuo Yuan, I told you not to name him Zuo Ya, you insisted, and now look.”

Zuo Ya, Zuo Ya, if you said it fast enough, it sounded like “prostitute.”

Zuo Yuan pretended not to hear her, focusing on feeding his son.

Little Zuo Ya, also full, started squirming, echoing his sister’s request to play. Zuo Yuan finally let him down.

The children all wanted to play and soon ran off.

As the meal came to an end, Qin Tian took out a projector and played a video he had edited. It was a compilation of Zuo Ling’s growth.

Little Zuo Ling holding a milk bottle, learning to walk, getting her first teeth, saying her first words…

Qin Ai holding Zuo Ling, Zuo Bian holding Qin Long, everyone gathered around a large cake, singing “Happy Birthday.”

With the cheerful music playing, Zuo Ling blew out the five candles, her face flushed. She declared in her childish voice, “Ling Ling wants everyone to be happy!”

Zuo Bian smiled and patted her daughter’s head. “They will be.”

【The End】

Chapter 119: Bonus – Past Grievances

Overhearing the little divine beast’s words, Du Yundong’s heart pounded, her body turning cold. The sound of her heartbeat echoed in her ears.

She had never imagined that her master wanted her dead. The master she had worshipped and admired had no regard for human life, taking her in as a disciple only to demand her life as repayment.

Anyone who learned such a life-altering secret would struggle to remain calm.

But Du Yundong couldn’t afford to panic. She knew what kind of person her master was: meticulous, seemingly gentle, but with a cold and ruthless side.

She had witnessed Meng Zhen killing demon cultivators. It was supposed to be an act of righteousness, but Meng Zhen had turned it into a one-sided massacre.

A chill had run down Du Yundong’s spine, her body frozen in fear. It was a primal warning, telling her that her master, Meng Zhen, was dangerous.

But back then, she hadn’t known Meng Zhen’s secret. She had trusted her completely, seeing her as her savior and mentor.

Meng Zhen, blood staining the corner of her eye, had patted Du Yundong’s head and smiled. “Yun Dong, are you scared? Don’t worry, Master has killed all the demon cultivators.”

“I’m not scared, Master, because you’re here.” Her fear subsided, and she looked at Meng Zhen with adoration.

But now, recalling that moment, Du Yundong felt a chill run down her spine. One day, she would also be killed by Meng Zhen.

She couldn’t let Meng Zhen see through her fear, but how was that possible?

To hide her fear, she had to stay away from Meng Zhen.

She accepted a mission and descended the mountain alone, leaving only a letter for her master. The letter was as usual, betraying no hint of her inner turmoil.

As she left the mountain, her nerves were on edge. She was afraid that if she looked back, she would be killed.

Thankfully, Meng Zhen didn’t follow her. Du Yundong sighed in relief. If she could, she would never return.

But she knew it was impossible. If Meng Zhen wanted her dead, she would be caught no matter where she ran.

She was only at the Core Formation stage, while her master, Meng Zhen, had already ascended to immortality. The difference in their power was vast. Meng Zhen could crush her like an ant.

But she had survived the beast horde, she wouldn’t die so easily. During her time away from Mount Feimeng, Du Yundong had been thinking about how to survive.

Her wish was simple. She didn’t seek immortality, she was already grateful to have been saved by Meng Zhen from the beast horde. She just wanted to live a peaceful and ordinary life.

Because she had never doubted Meng Zhen before, she hadn’t noticed anything amiss about that incident. But now, recalling the sudden beast horde that had attacked her town when she was ten years old, she felt like something wasn’t right.

Her town was near the Demon Subduing Forest, but a thousand years ago, the demons and beasts in the forest had been sealed by forty-nine Buddhist monks. That was how the once demon-infested forest got its name.

The seal had remained intact for a thousand years. Every hundred years, a Unity Realm monk would come to inspect it and reinforce it if necessary.

But this time, just a few years after the monk had left, the seal was broken, and a horde of demons and beasts poured out of the forest.

Meng Zhen had appeared like a goddess, saving Du Yundong from the jaws of a beast.

Out of all the people in the towns surrounding the Demon Subduing Forest, only Du Yundong had survived.

When the beasts and demons attacked, her parents had protected her until their last breath. Her father had shielded her mother, and her mother had shielded her.

Slash—

Sharp claws ripped through flesh, a white spine bone exposed. The pain must have been excruciating, but her father’s embrace hadn’t faltered.

The warm blood splattered on her mother’s neck, then dripped onto Du Yundong’s face.

She tried to open her eyes, to see what had landed on her face, but her mother was holding her tightly, her vision obscured.

She knew what it was. Du Yundong, who had only ever killed fish, had never imagined that her father would die beside her.

Her mother pressed her head against her chest, her embrace tightening, her calloused hand covering Du Yundong’s ears.

Dark blood soaked Du Yundong’s clothes. The embrace that had been warm just moments ago was now growing cold.

She heard her mother say, “Yun… Dong, live… live…”

At that moment, Du Yundong’s mind went blank. She couldn’t think, it was as if her soul had left her body.

As her mother covered her ears, a claw pierced through her and her father’s abdomens.

Du Yundong wanted to scream, but her grief was stuck in her chest. Her last shred of sanity told her that she couldn’t cry.

If she cried, the beasts would find her. She didn’t dare to move, tears silently streaming down her face.

The air was thick with the scent of blood and the stench of the beasts. She trembled, wanting to hide in the cellar.

Even though she knew she might still be found, there was still a sliver of hope. She would survive, she had to!

The strong scent of blood masked her human scent, but it was only temporary. As more and more beasts arrived, her scent would eventually be discovered.

The beast that had killed her parents had already left, searching for other prey. The seal on the Demon Subduing Forest was weakening, and more beasts and demons were pouring out. Just as Du Yundong was about to be discovered and torn apart, a woman descended from the sky.

With a single sword strike, the woman slaughtered countless beasts, saving Du Yundong from certain death.

That woman was her master:

—Meng Zhen.

Why had the seal suddenly broken? Why had Meng Zhen arrived just in time to save her? Why was she the only survivor?

There were other towns beyond their town, Qingshi Town. With Meng Zhen’s strength, she could have saved more people.

Too many questions, each one chilling Du Yundong to the bone.

Who could easily break a seal created by dozens of Unity Realm cultivators? Meng Zhen could. And her master was always ruthless when it came to life and death. It was something Meng Zhen would do, to kill so many people just to set up a scheme.

Unfortunately, she had realized it too late. She had “mistaken a villain for her savior,” indirectly causing her parents’ deaths.

Meng Zhen had destroyed her family and then pretended to be her savior.

The more Du Yundong thought about it, the more she hated Meng Zhen. But she was also lost. What could she do to fight against her?

Perhaps there was one way: ascend to immortality. Only by becoming an immortal could she confront Meng Zhen as an equal and control her own destiny.

But this method was practically impossible.

How could Meng Zhen allow her to ascend? And even though she was a Pure Soul, and her cultivation speed was faster than most talented cultivators, ascension was still a difficult feat.

It wasn’t a one-in-a-thousand chance, it was a one-in-a-million chance. No, maybe not even one in a million Unity Realm cultivators could become an immortal.

Not to mention that some cultivators couldn’t even reach the Unity Realm, and many couldn’t even cultivate, remaining ordinary mortals.

Despair filled Du Yundong’s heart, impossible to dispel. While traveling the mortal world in disguise, she met a male cultivator of the same cultivation level.

===================

If it weren’t for the high risk of dying alone in the Ice Domain, Du Yundong wouldn’t have agreed to travel with him.

The male cultivator’s name was Zuo Yan. It was rare to see a man so handsome. Du Yundong couldn’t resist his good looks. If it were the past, the innocent and naive Du Yundong would have blushed and been shy around him. But now, she had no time for love, so she was always cold and distant towards him.

Zuo Yan, despite his aloof appearance, was actually quite simple and honest, expressing his emotions through actions rather than words.

They spent three months in the Ice Domain. The deeper they went, the more dangerous it became. They fought side by side, protecting each other.

Du Yundong didn’t know that Zuo Yan had fallen for her at first sight. The more he got to know her, the more he liked her.

She was strong, decisive, and level-headed in battle, not overly compassionate. She was afraid of pain, but she always endured it silently, making him心疼(xinteng, a feeling of distress and heartache).

When she risked her life to save him from an ice formation, despite her fear of death, Zuo Yan knew that she was the one for him.

But Du Yundong ignored his advances, even deliberately keeping her distance.

She wasn’t oblivious. She could sense his feelings, but she could be killed by Meng Zhen at any moment. Having a relationship with someone when she had no future was just hurting them.

The person who cared about her the most was already gone, she didn’t want anyone else to be heartbroken because of her.

Just as they were about to leave the Ice Domain, disaster struck.

They were being targeted. Du Yundong was certain she hadn’t revealed any information about her treasure, and she had been very careful.

Surrounded by several early Nascent Soul cultivators, Du Yundong and Zuo Yan stood back to back, their weapons drawn, ready to fight.

Du Yundong said to Zuo Yan, “Be careful, they’re so confident, there must be something wrong.”

“Mm.” Zuo Yan agreed.

These cultivators came from a notorious sect. Armed with treasures given to them by their elders, they roamed the outskirts of the Ice Domain, robbing cultivators who emerged from it.

Those who had just come out of the Ice Domain would be exhausted and less vigilant, making them easy targets.

“Possession of a valuable treasure invites trouble.” Besides, the cultivation world was a place where the strong preyed on the weak. It wasn’t unusual to die at the hands of someone stronger. These people, with their twisted logic, had killed countless innocent people.

Some cultivators even entered the Ice Domain and found nothing, only to be robbed by these shameless people upon exiting, truly pitiful.

Although Du Yundong and Zuo Yan had just emerged from the Ice Domain and had used up most of their pills and talismans, they had also gained opportunities, obtaining rare herbs. So their strength was still at a normal level.

Two peak Core Formation cultivators against four early Nascent Soul cultivators, even if their opponents’ foundations were weak, they were still at a disadvantage.

Thankfully, they were familiar with the rules of the Ice Domain. They managed to kill one of their attackers and escape. The remaining three cultivators, enraged, pursued them relentlessly.

Just as they were about to be caught, Zuo Yan took a fatal blow for Du Yundong. She unleashed her full power, defeating their pursuers. The immense pressure pushed her to break through, reaching the Nascent Soul stage.

With her newfound strength, she fought back, killing another attacker before escaping with Zuo Yan.

She had wanted to suppress her feelings, but love was uncontrollable.

Holding the cold and lifeless Zuo Yan in her arms, she shed two tears.

Zuo Yan, who had been unconscious, slowly opened his eyes. He struggled to speak. “Don’t… cry…”

Death always made her lose control. She couldn’t bear to see another person she cared about die before her eyes.

“Don’t sleep, don’t you dare sleep. I’ll save you, trust me!” She held his hand tightly, pouring her spiritual energy into him and feeding him all the healing pills she had.

Zuo Yan felt heavy and tired, his consciousness drifting away, as if floating towards the clouds. Maybe death wasn’t as painful as he had imagined, he thought.

But seeing Du Yundong’s face, he realized he didn’t want to die.

Thankfully, he was destined to live. He survived, but his foundation was damaged, and he could only reach the Core Formation stage. A Core Formation cultivator’s lifespan was only five hundred years, and he was already over a hundred years old. For a mortal, five hundred years was a long time, but for a cultivator, it was too short.

Zuo Yan understood this. He only had three hundred years left, while Du Yundong still had a long life ahead of her.

This time, it was Zuo Yan who started to push Du Yundong away, wanting to distance himself from her.

However, Du Yundong hugged him tightly. “Life is short, we should enjoy it while we can.”

He was right, so was she.

After a moment of hesitation, Zuo Yan hugged her back. “Okay. But if I die, promise me you’ll find someone better than me and live a good life.”

“Don’t say that, I don’t want to hear it.” Du Yundong closed her eyes, as if ignoring it would make it go away.

His words became a prophecy. He died before her. Du Yundong had known this day would come, but she hadn’t expected it to come so soon.

Meng Zhen killed him. Du Yundong had tried her best to save him, but the difference in their strength was too great. Her struggle was futile.

Exhausted and heartbroken, she was taken back to Mount Feimeng by Meng Zhen.

“I was careless, you saw through me. Some secrets are best left unknown. It’s a pity you found out.” Meng Zhen’s voice was as gentle as ever.

But Du Yundong’s heart was filled with a mixture of burning rage and icy coldness. Every second she lived, she was tormented by pain and hatred. She hated this woman who had played with her fate, she even wanted to die with her.

But she knew that even if she found an opportunity to self-destruct near Meng Zhen, it wouldn’t even scratch her.

She was imprisoned in a hidden cave, where she met a divine beast, a small, spherical frog.

The divine beast told her that she was pregnant. Du Yundong touched her belly, a strange feeling welling up inside her.

A new life was growing within her. If only she were an ordinary person. Mortal or cultivator, she just wanted a peaceful and happy life.

This child shouldn’t have been born. She was destined to be a bad mother.

Meng Zhen also discovered her pregnancy. She didn’t harm Du Yundong, instead, she let her rest and focus on her pregnancy.

Although Meng Zhen didn’t say anything, Du Yundong had a feeling that after giving birth to this child, her life would be over.

And her child, if born with a Pure Soul, would share the same fate. Du Yundong didn’t want her child to suffer the same fate as her, so she had to escape.

And she had to succeed on her first try. If she failed, Meng Zhen would be on high alert, and a second attempt would be impossible. Besides, she might not even live to see a second attempt.

During her imprisonment, Du Yundong subtly befriended the divine beast. Although it was powerful, its mind was like that of a five or six-year-old child. It was gentle and seemed to be afraid of Meng Zhen.

Perhaps she could use the divine beast to escape, but she couldn’t be too obvious. Meng Zhen might have left a wisp of her consciousness behind to monitor her.

As the days passed, Du Yundong’s belly grew larger. She was about to give birth. Meng Zhen provided her with food and shelter, but it didn’t ease her anxiety. Instead, she felt an even greater sense of danger.

One day, she noticed that the oppressive aura that had always surrounded her had weakened. The divine beast hopped onto her bed, its eyes wide with urgency.

“Dudu, ribbit, you have to escape now, ribbit. Master leaves every year at this time, ribbit. If you don’t escape today, you’ll have to wait until next year, ribbit.”

Suddenly being told that she could escape, Du Yundong felt a surge of disbelief. She quickly analyzed the truthfulness of Little Frog’s words.

Within seconds, she made her decision. Whether Little Frog was telling the truth or not, she had to try.

As she stood up, she felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen. She was going into labor.

She had never given birth before and had no experience, but as a cultivator, her physique was much stronger than an ordinary mortal’s. She safely delivered the baby.

Covered in sweat, she carefully held her child, a wrinkled little bundle, in her arms.

She gazed at her baby’s face, her vision blurring with tears.

It was a girl, and she was born with a Pure Soul. Meng Zhen wouldn’t let her child go.

During her time in the cave, Du Yundong had learned from the divine beast that Meng Zhen was collecting one hundred Pure Souls. Did Meng Zhen know that her child would most likely be a Pure Soul? Was that why she had let her give birth?

Du Yundong didn’t want to think about it anymore. She wrapped her baby in a blanket and held her close. She had planned to leave just like this, but before leaving, she did one thing.

She took the artifact that contained ninety-eight Pure Souls. Since she would be discovered eventually, she might as well do everything she wanted to do.

She wanted to destroy the artifact and release those innocent souls.

With the divine beast’s help, she finally escaped the cave.

The moment she saw the sunlight again, she couldn’t help but cry. When had such a simple thing as sunlight become a luxury?

There was no time for her to wallow in her grief. She had to leave quickly. With the divine beast’s help, everything went smoothly.

She asked the divine beast why it was helping her. Little Frog said, “I don’t want to see Master make the same mistake again, ribbit. If you die, ribbit, it will alert the Heavenly Dao, ribbit.”

It had inherited some of Meng Zhen’s abilities and could sense something watching over this world. Meng Zhen had killed many people, most of whom weren’t meant to die. Defying fate like this had already attracted the Heavenly Dao’s attention.

If Meng Zhen was obliterated by the Heavenly Dao, her soul would be scattered, leaving no chance of reincarnation. Little Frog didn’t want to see that happen, it wanted to do something to help.

But it was too naive. It thought it could help Du Yundong escape Meng Zhen. It forgot that its power came from Meng Zhen, who was much stronger than it. It couldn’t destroy the artifact that imprisoned the souls, and it couldn’t help Du Yundong escape Meng Zhen’s pursuit.

Half a month later, one of Meng Zhen’s puppets found them.

Little Frog tried to fight back, but its body was paralyzed, leaving Du Yundong to face the puppet alone.

Even against a mere puppet, she could barely hold her own.

Severely injured, she hugged her baby tightly, taking countless blows to protect her daughter.

It didn’t matter if she died, her daughter, Zuo Bian, had to live. At that moment, she finally understood how her parents had felt when they sacrificed themselves to protect her during the beast horde.

The blood loss was severe. The puppet’s attacks were unique, the wounds refusing to heal.

She was in pain, her body cold. Du Yundong could feel her life slipping away.

Just a little longer, she had to get Zuo Bian to safety.

But she was losing strength. She gasped for breath, her vision blurring. She looked down at Zuo Bian, who was still sleeping peacefully, a drop of blood from her chin landing on the baby’s forehead.

“Mommy might not be able to watch you grow up, but if there’s a next life, I’ll love you with all my heart.”

Her body started to become transparent, her blood transforming into shimmering red threads. The threads slowly intertwined, forming a complex seal.

This was a technique taught to her by the divine beast, their last resort. If they were caught by Meng Zhen, this was the only way to ensure Zuo Bian’s survival.

Using half of Little Frog’s power and sacrificing the rest of Du Yundong’s life force, it would activate when Zuo Bian’s life was in danger, saving her once.

The power was immense, fueled by Du Yundong’s unwavering will.

“Live…”

The last bit of warmth left her body. She had placed all her hopes on Zuo Bian.

…

Meng Zhen retrieved Little Frog, sealed Zuo Bian’s memories, fabricated a new identity for her, and became her mentor.

A familiar scene replayed, but with a different protagonist. Zuo Bian was naive and innocent, she hadn’t accidentally overheard the divine beast’s words like Du Yundong had.

Time passed, and Zuo Bian grew older, her cultivation increasing. It was time for her to become a sacrifice.

Meng Zhen sent the Demon Lord to kill her. The seal Du Yundong had placed on her activated, releasing its immense power and attracting the attention of the Heavenly Dao.

The power of the Heavenly Dao descended, creating a new world with a snap of its fingers, throwing all those who weren’t meant to die into this incomplete world.

The past couldn’t be changed, only the future could. So those who had been killed in this world couldn’t be resurrected. They could only be reborn in a new world. Throwing them back into their original world would disrupt causality, which was why the Heavenly Dao had created a new world.

It had saved those who shouldn’t have died and would now punish the one who had disrupted the natural order of life and death.

Unfortunately, the Heavenly Dao had only sent a wisp of its consciousness. Meng Zhen had already deceived it when Du Yundong died, and she did it again this time.

She followed the threads of causality to the new world and finally abandoned Little Frog. Perhaps she was afraid of it interfering again, or perhaps, like Qiao Shuang, she had foreseen her own death and wanted Little Frog to find a new master.

===============

“Let me see the baby.” Du Yundong’s cheeks were still damp with sweat. She was exhausted from giving birth, but her desire to see her child gave her strength.

Seeing her struggling to sit up, Zuo Yan quickly helped her, placing two pillows behind her back.

“It’s a girl, she looks just like you.” He placed the baby beside Du Yundong.

Du Yundong looked down at the wrinkled little bundle, chuckling. “How can you tell she looks like me?”

Zuo Yuan, who was five or six years old, looked at his baby sister curiously. “Mommy, Daddy, does she have a name?”

Zuo Yan said, “Not yet, let’s give her one now. Yun Dong, what should we name our daughter?”

Du Yundong gently touched the baby’s hand. The baby suddenly grabbed her finger. Du Yundong tried to pull her hand back, but the baby wouldn’t let go.

“You just placed her on my left side, why don’t we name her Zuo Bian?” Du Yundong found it amusing.

Someone had once jokingly said that if she ever had a child, she should name it Zuo Bian, since her surname was Zuo. Du Yundong had whacked him on the head, scolding him for being so casual about naming a child.

Those bittersweet days had been fleeting, like fireworks blooming in the night sky, beautiful but ephemeral. Now, those memories were buried in the past, replaced by the happiness of Zuo Bian’s family of four.

Zuo Yuan frowned. “What a random name. Mommy, Daddy, you didn’t choose my name randomly too, did you?”

Zuo Yan patted his son’s head. “Because we felt a connection when we first met.”

Du Yundong added, “Like our love from a past life wasn’t enough, we had to continue it in this life. But you were so clueless back then, it makes me angry just thinking about it.”

Zuo Yan didn’t dare to respond. Zuo Yuan stared at his baby sister curiously. He suddenly remembered that she hadn’t eaten anything for ten months while she was in their mother’s womb. She must be hungry. He took out a lollipop from his pocket.

“Want some candy?” He offered the unwrapped lollipop to little Zuo Bian.

Du Yundong quickly stopped him. “Good boy, Xiao Yuan, your sister is too young for candy. We’ll give her some when she’s older.”

“Oh.” Zuo Yuan put the candy away dejectedly. “Then I’ll eat it myself.”

“Good boy.”

Some things had changed, but some things remained the same.

Chapter 118: Bonus – An Unending Dream p2

===============

As Meng Zhen had expected, Wang Ershao’s death couldn’t be hidden for long. The Wang family soon discovered it.

The Wang family’s patriarch used a special technique to recreate the scene of Wang Ershao’s death and learned that Meng Zhen was the killer.

They sent several Unity Realm experts to hunt her down. Even though Meng Zhen and Qiao Shuang had hidden in the Northern Sea, those experts didn’t back down.

In the dangerous environment of the Northern Sea, their cultivation progressed rapidly. They both reached the peak of the Deity Transformation stage and were just a step away from breaking through.

The Wang family’s experts couldn’t use their full strength in the Northern Sea. They not only had to track Meng Zhen, but they also had to be wary of the demons lurking in the shadows.

The Wang family must have used some special method, because they almost killed Meng Zhen several times. Thankfully, Meng Zhen was always on high alert and managed to escape.

But this made the Wang family’s experts impatient. They launched a full-scale attack, determined to kill Meng Zhen. As for the person who was always with her, they would kill her too. Anyone who was with Meng Zhen was guilty by association and deserved to die.

Meng Zhen and Qiao Shuang were in the midst of a breakthrough, and this attack almost killed them. They fled into the sea.

The so-called Northern Sea actually included a vast misty forest and the adjacent sea. The forest was dangerous, but as long as you were careful, you could survive. However, entering the sea was practically a death sentence.

Meng Zhen and Qiao Shuang were weaker than the Wang family’s experts, and they were outnumbered. Now they were severely injured, facing them directly would be suicide. The only chance of survival was to enter the depths of the Northern Sea.

Meng Zhen wouldn’t give up as long as there was a sliver of hope.

Qiao Shuang wasn’t as badly injured as Meng Zhen. If she left now, her chances of survival would be higher, but as she had said, she would always stay by Meng Zhen’s side.

Under pressure from the Wang family’s relentless pursuit, they plunged into the sea.

The sea was much more dangerous than the misty forest. There were demons whose strength rivaled Unity Realm cultivators. The water was their domain. Even if you were slightly stronger than them, you would still be at a disadvantage, let alone Meng Zhen and Qiao Shuang, who were severely injured.

They found refuge in a place where an ancient beast was slumbering. It was dangerous, but ordinary demons wouldn’t dare to approach it.

The Wang family’s experts didn’t pursue them. They either didn’t dare to enter the sea or had died trying.

This near-death experience allowed them to break through, reaching the Unity Realm.

Even at the Unity Realm, they couldn’t move freely in the Northern Sea. They still had to be cautious.

The greater the pressure, the faster their cultivation progressed. In the outside world, it would have taken them at least a hundred years to reach the peak of the Unity Realm with their talent. But here, in just thirty years, they were almost there.

Thirty years had passed, and the Wang family had long assumed they were dead.

In the current cultivation world, ascenders were rare, and Unity Realm cultivators were considered invincible. Plus, Meng Zhen and Qiao Shuang’s strength had been honed in countless life-or-death battles, far surpassing those who cultivated in a peaceful environment.

Even if the Wang family discovered they were still alive, Meng Zhen wouldn’t be afraid.

They had made a pact to find a secluded paradise and live there together after ascending, but ascension was incredibly difficult. After reaching the peak of the Unity Realm, they stayed in the Northern Sea for another ten years, but their cultivation showed no signs of breaking through.

Ascension seemed like a distant dream, and no sect would accept them now. They decided to find a place to live in seclusion. Meng Zhen found a place that was like a fairyland.

There were mountains, trees, flowers, and water. In spring, the gentle breeze carried the fragrance of crabapple blossoms, filling the air with a sweet scent.

“A’Zhen, this place is beautiful.” Qiao Shuang leaped gracefully, plucking a crabapple blossom from a branch.

It was April, and the crabapple blossoms were in full bloom.

She lowered her head, inhaling the flower’s fragrance, then looked up at Meng Zhen, smiling. “People say that crabapple blossoms have color but no fragrance, but if you smell them closely, they do have a fragrance, it’s just faint.”

Meng Zhen, seemingly mesmerized by either the flowers or the person before her, didn’t respond until Qiao Shuang called her name twice.

“They do have a fragrance.”

Qiao Shuang walked to the stone table and placed the flower in a white porcelain vase. “We can admire the crabapple blossoms in late spring, the lotus flowers in summer, the chrysanthemums in autumn, and the plum blossoms in winter. It’s a poetic life, but it might be a bit lonely.”

“Then I’ll find a way to make it more lively,” Meng Zhen said.

It was just the two of them here, outsiders would only disrupt their peace. Qiao Shuang dismissed her words as a joke.

One day, Qiao Shuang woke up on the couch. She glanced at the open window, the morning sunlight streaming in. She put on a robe and got out of bed. Standing by the window, she saw that the peonies she had planted were in full bloom.

She loved gardening. Seeing the peonies blooming, she immediately went outside to admire them.

With her cultivation level, she could easily use spiritual energy to accelerate the growth of plants, making them bloom and bear fruit within half a day. But she hadn’t done so.

Because that would defeat the purpose of gardening.

She and Meng Zhen had plenty of time, there was no rush. Everything could be done slowly.

“Ribbit, you’re so pretty, ribbit.”

Qiao Shuang, who was admiring the peonies, suddenly felt something soft bumping against her leg. She looked down and saw a small, round frog staring at her with its black eyes.

“Little one, where did you come from?” She picked up the frog.

Little Frog stretched out its tiny arms and patted her palm. “I’m your baby, ribbit.”

“Baby?” Qiao Shuang didn’t remember having a child.

And even if she did, it wouldn’t be a frog.

A voice came from behind her. “Didn’t you say it was too lonely here? I brought it to keep you company.”

Little Frog nodded vigorously, croaking that it was hungry.

Qiao Shuang looked at Meng Zhen, then at the little frog, its mouth open, waiting to be fed. She couldn’t help but smile.

“It does feel more lively now.”

Outsiders weren’t welcome here, but a cute little spirit pet like Little Frog was perfect.

Meng Zhen and Qiao Shuang had already reached a stage where they didn’t need to eat. There was barely any edible food in the valley. However, seeing Little Frog squirming pitifully and saying it was hungry, Qiao Shuang couldn’t bear to let it starve.

She asked Meng Zhen to roast a small bird. After it was cooked, Meng Zhen carefully tore off small pieces of meat and fed them to Little Frog.

Little Frog ate messily, its belly round and its body swaying.

Qiao Shuang wiped its mouth with a handkerchief, wrinkling her nose. “You’re so messy.”

Little Frog pouted. “Mommy, don’t you like me, ribbit?”

Seeing that it was about to cry, Qiao Shuang quickly said, “I like you, I like you.”

“Mommy, I like you too, ribbit!” Little Frog hugged Qiao Shuang’s finger and gave it two kisses.

Qiao Shuang turned to Meng Zhen. “A’Zhen, thank you.”

Meng Zhen poked Little Frog’s round belly. “There’s no need for thanks between us. And I like it too.”

Little Frog, forced to roll over, croaked, “I like Zhen Zhen Mommy too, ribbit.”

With the addition of Little Frog, their lives became more lively. It was like their child, always cheerful and playful, but also surprisingly well-behaved at times.

Another spring arrived. Qiao Shuang was playing the guqin under a tree, while Meng Zhen sipped plum wine.

A small frog was soaking in a wine cup, its face flushed, occasionally blowing bubbles with a hint of alcohol.

It seemed like these peaceful days could last forever, but it was just an illusion.

Without immortality, there was no eternity.

Countless people embarked on the path of cultivation, seeking longevity, but immortality was elusive.

To mortals, cultivators’ lifespans seemed long, and they would be content with living for a few hundred or a thousand years. But once you became a cultivator, you would realize that even a cultivator’s life was fleeting.

One closed-door cultivation session, and decades would pass in the blink of an eye. Spending hundreds of years without making any progress was common.

Having witnessed the cycle of life and death in the mortal world, how could they bear to die of old age?

The difference between a cultivator and an immortal was like the difference between a mortal and a cultivator. Meng Zhen wanted to live forever, she was unwilling to die.

She could clearly sense that her cultivation had reached its limit. She couldn’t go any further.

Ascending to immortality seemed like an insurmountable obstacle, no matter how hard she tried.

But there was one way for her to reach for immortality: abandon her current path of swordsmanship and cultivate the Path of Heartlessness.

To gain something, you had to pay a price. Meng Zhen didn’t know what the price would be yet, or rather, she had a vague feeling, but she chose to ignore it.

The Path of Heartlessness. The name itself spoke volumes.

Meng Zhen had always been ambitious. Once she decided to do something, she wouldn’t turn back. Just like when she had entered the Northern Sea, knowing it was a dangerous gamble. And she had won that gamble.

She would gamble again, and she believed she would win again.

If she succeeded, she would become immortal, living forever. If she failed, she would die under the Heavenly Tribulation.

Even if she was qualified to take the next step, there was still a risk of death. Before ascending, cultivators had to face a deadly trial.

Staying complacent meant certain death. Taking a gamble might lead to immortality.

On the eve of her tribulation, Qiao Shuang, sensing something, said to Meng Zhen, “A’Zhen, after you ascend, you’ll have a long life ahead of you. If I die, take good care of Little Frog.”

Meng Zhen felt a lump in her throat, unable to speak. Her words were stuck, and she could only manage a weak “mm-hmm.”

The sky darkened, thick black clouds gathering, forming a giant vortex.

Lightning flashed within the vortex, the rumbling growing louder. A bolt of lightning as thick as a water snake struck Meng Zhen.

Inside the small bamboo hut, protected by a barrier, Little Frog was sleeping soundly, oblivious to the storm outside. To it, this day was no different from any other day.

===========

The Soul-Extinguishing Dagger pierced Qiao Shuang’s chest, her blood splattering on Meng Zhen’s face. A drop landed on the corner of her eye, a crimson tear slowly sliding down her cheek.

“A’… Zhen…” Qiao Shuang called out Meng Zhen’s name one last time. Perhaps she had more to say, but she died before she could finish.

Meng Zhen gazed at Qiao Shuang’s pale face, her arms finally wrapping around her.

The lightning subsided, but the dark clouds still lingered in the sky. A raindrop fell, followed by countless others.

The rain poured down, washing away all traces.

It rained for an entire day and night. Little Frog woke up in the evening and hopped to the window, but the rain was too heavy, the mist obscuring the view.

It wondered why its mommies hadn’t returned yet. It was waiting anxiously.

After several days, Little Frog, who had been flattened into a pancake by the window, finally saw Meng Zhen.

“Zhen Zhen Mommy!” It could speak clearly now, no longer calling her “Mama.”

Meng Zhen seemed different. Little Frog didn’t understand why, but she seemed scary. It shrank back, trying to make itself invisible.

From that day forward, Little Frog started calling her “Master.” Meng Zhen had given it power. Although it wouldn’t starve and was strong, it wasn’t as happy as before.

It wanted to ask where Shuang Shuang Mommy was, but seeing Meng Zhen’s face, it didn’t dare to ask.

Meng Zhen continued to live in the valley. It was filled with memories of their time together. No matter where she went, Qiao Shuang’s image would appear in her mind.

She leaned against the crabapple tree. The wind rustled the leaves, casting flickering shadows on her face.

A bird chirped, and Meng Zhen drifted off to sleep.

She hadn’t dreamt in a long time. In her dream, she was back in the early days of their life in the valley.

Qiao Shuang was playing the guqin, she was making tea, the air filled with the fragrance of flowers and tea. The days passed peacefully, their simplicity bringing joy.

She wished the dream could last longer, forever if possible.

But she woke up. It was winter now, the crabapple blossoms long gone, even the last few withered leaves had been swept away by the wind.

The midday sun shone directly on her face. It looked bright and warm, but Meng Zhen felt cold.

How long could a dream last?

No matter how long, as long as you were alive, the dream would eventually end.

Meng Zhen knew that the only person she truly loved was herself. She loved Qiao Shuang, but Qiao Shuang would always come after everything else.

But why did she feel so sad? Her heart ached, as if a part of it was missing.

She wanted Qiao Shuang back. There was an ancient secret technique: If you gathered one hundred Pure Souls, you could summon the soul of the deceased.

Qiao Shuang was a cultivator, so these one hundred Pure Souls also needed to have a certain level of cultivation. Otherwise, the energy wouldn’t be enough to summon her soul.

This technique had been passed down for generations, but no one had ever succeeded. It was more like a false hope for the living, a delusion that the deceased could return.

Meng Zhen traveled to an incomplete world, searching for the hundredth sacrifice, Zuo Bian.

Actually, after gathering the sixty-fifth Pure Soul, she had already realized that this technique would never work. But she continued anyway.

If she didn’t, she wouldn’t even have a reason to live.

Zuo Bian had said to her, “Master, everyone wants to achieve immortality, to live forever. But what’s the point of living forever if you have no one by your side?”

Indeed, what was the point? There was no point.

In the illusion she had created, Zuo Bian had faced the same choice as her. Zuo Bian had chosen to push away her loved one, even though she knew it meant certain death.

She would never be like Zuo Bian. Her ambition was too great, her ego too inflated. She had thought she was invincible, but in the end, she had only hurt herself.

An immortal, undying and indestructible, could still be obliterated by the Heavenly Dao.

This time, she fell into an eternal slumber, a sleep from which she would—

—never wake up.

Chapter 118: Bonus – An Unending Dream p1

With a twang, the string snapped, the sound piercing, as if the guqin was weeping.

Meng Zhen looked at her hand. Each finger was flawless, as if sculpted by the heavens, without a single scratch.

She was gone, and the guqin no longer recognized its owner.

Meng Zhen withdrew her hand and, with a flick of her sleeve, the guqin with its broken string disappeared.

The scenery remained unchanged. The crabapple blossoms still filled the garden, their fragrance carried by a gentle breeze. The delicate petals trembled on the branches, then drifted down like rain.

The crimson petals swirled around her, and for a moment, Meng Zhen saw her standing under the tree, smiling.

She instinctively reached out, but her hand grasped nothing.

When she looked again, there was only a carpet of fallen petals beneath the tree.

Meng Zhen composed herself and turned away.

After killing her with her own hands, every time she instinctively turned to look for her, she would ask herself, “Do you regret it?”

Meng Zhen, true to her name, had always been honest with herself.

She couldn’t lie to herself. She didn’t regret it.

Even though she was gone, and Meng Zhen would never see her again, even in her next life, she would still make the same choice.

She did love Qiao Shuang, but she loved herself more.

She had learned from a young age that the weak had no voice. Life was fragile, and she didn’t want to die. She wanted to live, to live forever.

Both Meng Zhen and Qiao Shuang were orphans. Meng Zhen had witnessed her parents and family being killed by an evil cultivator. The cultivator had left in a hurry, and she and Qiao Shuang had survived by hiding in the cellar.

The so-called righteous cultivators arrived late and rescued them, taking them into their sect.

Everything seemed to be going well, but fate was cruel. Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse, something even worse happened.

Both Meng Zhen and Qiao Shuang were talented in cultivation, but not exceptionally so. Their cultivation levels were similar to those of the children from wealthy families who relied on pills to advance.

They had no background, their talent wasn’t outstanding enough to attract the attention of the sect leader and elders, and they were both beautiful.

In the cultivation world, relationships were much more open than in the mortal world. After all, they had long lifespans, and clinging to chastity was meaningless. So they pursued whomever they desired.

Many cultivators in the sect had expressed interest in Meng Zhen and Qiao Shuang, but they had made a pact to focus on their cultivation and not waste time on love.

Most people accepted their rejection and moved on. But there were always those who enjoyed a challenge, believing that the harder a woman was to get, the more appealing she was.

The young master of a wealthy family had set his sights on Meng Zhen. He loved cold beauties and enjoyed seeing them break down and beg for mercy.

Wang Ershao’s cultivation level was at the Deity Transformation stage, the same as Meng Zhen’s, but his progress was solely due to consuming rare treasures. If they actually fought, he wouldn’t be a match for Meng Zhen.

However, Wang Ershao came from a powerful family, and his parents doted on him. He didn’t need to do anything himself, he could just order his subordinates around.

In his eyes, using numbers to capture a beauty and force her into submission was just a game, nothing serious. He ordered a few senior disciples, all at the peak of the Deity Transformation stage, to capture Meng Zhen.

Although Meng Zhen trained diligently and had rich combat experience, she couldn’t defeat several cultivators who were stronger than her.

As she was being subdued, memories from her childhood surfaced. When her parents were killed, she had been just a child, powerless to stop it.

She had also been unable to resist when she was captured and almost violated, even though she was a Deity Transformation cultivator.

The world was cruel, both in the mortal realm and the cultivation world. Why was she always the victim? Why?

Meng Zhen kept asking herself this question. Her lips were bitten raw, blood dripping down, her eyes filled with hatred, as if she wanted to tear Wang Ershao and his accomplices to pieces.

Wang Ershao, however, wasn’t discouraged. He was even more excited. He caressed Meng Zhen’s smooth face, his eyes filled with lust and obsession.

“Look at that defiant look. Be even fiercer. But no matter how fierce you are, you’ll still be writhing under me.” He licked his lips, his eagerness evident as he threw her onto the couch.

Meng Zhen’s cultivation was sealed, and she was bound by immortal-binding ropes. She could only move her legs slightly. Her clothes were torn from the previous fight, and her struggle had exposed more of her fair skin.

Wang Ershao licked his lips again and said to the other cultivators, “You can all leave now.”

The other cultivators were also tempted. Such a stunning beauty was rare, and a cultivator at her level could endure any kind of play.

Seeing that they weren’t moving, Wang Ershao’s expression darkened. “What are you waiting for? Get out!”

The other cultivators reluctantly left, closing the door behind them and reinforcing the barrier.

Wang Ershao wanted to enjoy his time with the beauty undisturbed. It was a pity that these ordinary cultivators couldn’t even eavesdrop.

Although Meng Zhen was filled with hatred, she remained calm. She knew that panicking wouldn’t help. She had to analyze the situation and find a way to escape.

She wouldn’t let this disgusting man violate her. If he touched her, she would cut off that part of his body.

She pretended to be submissive, and Wang Ershao, lowering his guard, started sweet-talking her.

“Beauty, as long as you cooperate, you’ll have access to all the cultivation resources you need. If you please me, I’ll even give you a spot in the Bodhi Secret Realm.” He unbuttoned her clothes, his lustful gaze making her sick to her stomach.

Meng Zhen lowered her eyes, feigning shyness and hesitation. “Really?”

Wang Ershao chuckled lewdly. “Of course, beauty. Let me kiss you.”

It was a lie, of course. Wang Ershao wouldn’t bother getting a spot in the Bodhi Secret Realm for Meng Zhen. He was just trying to deceive her with empty promises.

Meng Zhen knew this, but she didn’t let on. She played along, pretending to believe him.

Wang Ershao eagerly tore at her clothes, his touch rough and forceful. If he had looked up at her face, he would have seen the unconcealed killing intent in her eyes.

Although she had already killed him a thousand times over in her mind, her voice was soft and seductive.

“These immortal-binding ropes are uncomfortable, Young Master. Can you untie them for me?”

Wang Ershao paused, his lips buried in the crook of her neck. He hesitated.

Meng Zhen continued, “Young Master, how can I please you if I’m tied up? And my cultivation is sealed, what are you afraid of from a weak woman like me?”

Wang Ershao also thought it wasn’t much fun to keep her tied up, so he untied the ropes. With her cultivation suppressed, Meng Zhen’s strength was no different from an ordinary mortal’s. It would be effortless for him, a Deity Transformation cultivator, to subdue her.

Finally free from the ropes, a flicker of killing intent flashed in Meng Zhen’s downcast eyes, but she quickly masked it.

She played along, further lowering Wang Ershao’s guard, making him feel invincible.

Just as he was about to take the final step, Meng Zhen forcefully circulated her spiritual energy, her entire body feeling like it was being torn apart by invisible blades. But her expression remained unchanged as her delicate hand reached for his chest.

Her hand slowly moved upwards, stopping at his throat.

“The Land of Bliss is even more enjoyable than this,” she said with a smile.

Wang Ershao didn’t understand what she meant at first. Then his eyes bulged, and he struggled, his mouth open wide in a silent scream.

Just as he was about to be strangled, Meng Zhen released her grip.

It would be a pity to let him die so easily. She chuckled softly and crushed his jaw, silencing him.

Her hair cascaded down her shoulders, her lips painted red, her appearance seductive, but her eyes were cold. She looked down at him, her gaze filled with disgust.

“Someone like you wouldn’t go to the Land of Bliss, you’re destined for hell.” She crushed his testicles, her smile chilling.

Wang Ershao was in excruciating pain, but his jaw was shattered, and he could only make muffled sounds.

He was like a lamb to the slaughter, powerless to resist. His eyes were wide with fear and pleading. But it was useless. He had tortured countless others without mercy, and now it was his turn.

Blood splattered on Meng Zhen’s cheeks, like red plum blossoms blooming in the snow.

The couch was stained with blood. Meng Zhen calmly wiped her hands with a silk cloth. She knew she couldn’t stay here any longer. After killing Wang Ershao, she would have to face the consequences.

As for regret, she didn’t know the meaning of the word. She never regretted her actions.

After killing him, Meng Zhen’s mind was clear. She thought about how to escape. There were still a few Deity Transformation cultivators outside.

She scanned the room, her gaze landing on Wang Ershao’s storage ring.

After searching through it, she found a useful treasure: a temporary disguise talisman. It could change her appearance for three hours. It was probably considered too weak and useless for Wang Ershao, so he had never used it.

A moment later, “Wang Ershao,” adjusting his slightly messy clothes, walked out of the room. The cultivators guarding outside curiously peeked inside, but before they could see anything, “Wang Ershao” closed the door.

“The beauty is still resting, don’t disturb her.”

“Wang Ershao” walked a few steps and noticed that the cultivators were still following him. He took out two bottles of pills from his storage ring. “Here’s something good for you.”

The young master of the Wang family always had good stuff. The cultivators immediately started examining the pills, not noticing that “Wang Ershao” was acting differently.

This “Wang Ershao” was actually Meng Zhen in disguise. She didn’t care about revealing flaws because she knew she couldn’t hide for long.

After leaving Wang Ershao’s pleasure house, she bumped into Qiao Shuang, who had rushed over after hearing about what had happened.

Qiao Shuang was only at the early stage of Deity Transformation. She knew she was powerless and her cultivation was average, but she would help Meng Zhen regardless of the consequences.

However, she couldn’t even enter the pleasure house, she was stopped at the entrance.

The guards, seeing Meng Zhen, immediately bowed respectfully. Meng Zhen, wearing Wang Ershao’s face, snorted in response.

“The little beauty is here to see your friend?” Meng Zhen said, her tone flippant. With Wang Ershao’s appearance, she truly resembled a scoundrel.

Qiao Shuang glared at her. “Where did you hide Meng Zhen?”

Meng Zhen chuckled and put her arm around Qiao Shuang’s slender waist. “Want to know? Be a good girl and listen to me, and I’ll tell you.”

The servants who served Wang Ershao were used to his behavior. It was normal for him to talk to beauties like this.

Qiao Shuang usually seemed gentle and agreeable, but when it came to her principles, she was unyielding.

She pushed Meng Zhen’s hand away and said angrily, “I don’t believe you. Let me see Meng Zhen first.”

Meng Zhen secretly transmitted a message to Qiao Shuang, briefly explaining what had happened and asking her to play along.

Qiao Shuang’s eyes flickered for a moment, then she resumed her angry expression.

“Believe it or not, you have no choice but to trust me,” Meng Zhen said, her tone frivolous.

Qiao Shuang pretended to struggle internally, then reluctantly agreed.

“Fine, I’ll listen to you.”

“That’s more like it. Come with me to the Spring Breeze Pavilion first. Make me happy, and I’ll let you see her.” Meng Zhen put her arm around Qiao Shuang’s waist again.

These words were typical of Wang Ershao, so the guards didn’t suspect anything, watching as they walked away.

As soon as they left the sect, Meng Zhen and Qiao Shuang summoned their flying swords and headed towards the Northern Sea, leaving everything behind without even packing.

The Northern Sea region was a lawless land, a haven for rogue cultivators and those on the run. Besides them, there were also rare beasts and powerful demons, their cultivation levels no weaker than average cultivators.

It was a chaotic and dangerous place, but Meng Zhen and Qiao Shuang had no other choice.

Wang Ershao’s life token had shattered. Even if Meng Zhen hadn’t killed him, the Wang family, with their domineering nature, would still seek revenge on everyone who had been in contact with him before his death.

So Meng Zhen had no choice but to seek refuge in the Northern Sea.

Before entering the Northern Sea, she said to Qiao Shuang, “This is as far as I go. Don’t follow me. I killed Wang Ershao, it has nothing to do with you. You can change your name and live a carefree life.”

Qiao Shuang shook her head. “No, I’m coming with you. You’re my only family. Wherever you go, I’ll go with you. Besides, the Northern Sea is dangerous, it’s better to have someone with you.”

Meng Zhen understood. They had grown up together, cultivated together, and had never been apart. She didn’t want to be separated from Qiao Shuang either.

Finally, she said, “Okay, you can come with me. A’Shuang, we need to become stronger, or we’ll always be bullied. I don’t want to live like this anymore. A’Shuang, when we ascend to immortality, let’s find a secluded paradise and live there together, okay?”

Qiao Shuang took Meng Zhen’s hand. “Okay, it’s a promise.”

“Mm.”

They crossed the border of the Northern Sea, hand in hand, leaving their past behind.

Meng Zhen eventually achieved immortality and lived in a secluded paradise, but Qiao Shuang wasn’t by her side.

Promises were unreliable, but Qiao Shuang had chosen to believe.

Chapter 117: Bonus – The Little Shadow

“Boss, want to go to the racetrack today?” Liu Liu asked, munching on a popsicle, his head swiveling like a restless monkey.

Qin Ai, one hand in her pocket, the other scrolling on her phone, replied, “Not today.”

“Then how about skewers? I heard the new Lao Han Barbecue is pretty good.”

Chang Wenyan, who was standing beside them, frowned. “Barbecue isn’t healthy. Qin Ai, come have dinner at my place. I’ll make your favorite dishes.”

“Barbecue is great! A little dirt never hurt anyone!”

“It’s unsanitary, come to my place.”

Qin Ai’s head was pounding. She declined a friend request on her phone and shoved it into her pocket.

“I’m not going anywhere. You guys can go if you want, just leave me alone.” She seemed to be in a bad mood.

Liu Liu winked. “Boss, are you being bothered by those hopeless admirers again?”

Chang Wenyan’s expression changed slightly. “They’re just small fry, nothing to worry about.”

Qin Ai rubbed her temples. Chang Wenyan was her childhood friend, and their families were close, but he was truly annoying.

She already had many admirers, and now she had Chang Wenyan constantly by her side, and Lin Qingqing pestering her on weekends. The more she thought about it, the more irritated she felt.

“Don’t tell me about them, it’s annoying. And don’t follow me, or I’ll beat you up, and begging for mercy won’t help.” She strode off, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Chang Wenyan reluctantly looked away, not following her.

Liu Liu, sucking on a lollipop, was unfazed. He took out his phone and texted his other friends, asking if anyone wanted to go to Lao Han Barbecue with him.

“Hey, Chang Wenyan, want to go? Barbecue?” He turned to Chang Wenyan.

“I’m not in the mood,” Chang Wenyan replied.

Liu Liu loved a good crowd. He wouldn’t let anyone off the hook. He slung his arm around Chang Wenyan’s shoulder and said earnestly, “Come on, barbecue is the perfect way to cheer yourself up. You know you can’t force love. You guys aren’t Boss’s type.”

Chang Wenyan pursed his lips, not saying anything, but in the end, he was dragged off to eat barbecue by Liu Liu.

===================

Qin Ai didn’t want to run into anyone she knew, so she deliberately walked in a direction she rarely went. She didn’t have a destination in mind, just wandering aimlessly.

She didn’t encounter anyone she knew, but there were many middle school and elementary school students around. She realized she had reached the vicinity of No. 2 Middle School.

Qin Ai was striking, even with her cold expression. The sudden appearance of a beautiful older sister in this neighborhood attracted attention.

However, Qin Ai didn’t enjoy the envious and admiring gazes. She found them annoying.

She chose a less crowded path, the number of stares decreasing. Just as she was feeling relieved, she heard noise.

“Your family is rich, right? Why are you so stingy? Oh, I forgot, you’re stupid, hahaha.”

Another voice, filled with mockery, said, “You should be grateful that we’re even talking to you, you idiot.”

Thump—

The sound of a body hitting the ground, followed by a muffled groan. The person being bullied didn’t say a word.

Qin Ai didn’t care about students from other schools. She couldn’t save every bullied person, she would be exhausted.

She took out her earphones and had just put one in her ear when she heard the insults again.

“Are you so stupid that you don’t even know what money is? You have a pretty face, although you’re a bit young. But some people have a thing for that.”

The other girl hesitated. “This isn’t right. I heard she comes from a wealthy family. What if her parents find out?”

The first girl scoffed. “What are you afraid of? Who would believe a stupid girl like her? And look at her, she probably can’t even speak properly. Let me tell you, girls like her are in high demand—Ah!”

Qin Ai cracked her knuckles, her eyes cold as she looked at the two bullies.

The boy lying on the ground wiped the blood from his lip, anger rising within him. The girl standing beside him quickly helped him up, her eyes filled with fear and wariness.

“Don’t act like humans when you’re nothing but animals. It’s disgusting.” Qin Ai’s disgust was palpable.

The girl who had been bullied cowered in a corner, her body trembling, her hair covering her face, only one beautiful eye visible.

Her eye was clear and bright, filled with tears, but there was more confusion than fear in her gaze.

“Mind your own business! Who are you to her?” The boy had been scared when he was punched, but seeing that his attacker was a girl, he felt emboldened.

What was there to be afraid of from a girl?

Qin Ai snorted, her bad mood worsening. When she was in a bad mood, she wanted to vent her anger, and this piece of trash was the perfect target.

“Who am I? I’m the person who’s going to beat you up so badly that your parents won’t recognize you. Oh, wait, orphans don’t have parents.”

Her words enraged the boy. He lunged at her, his fist aimed at her face.

Qin Ai had trained in martial arts and often got into fights. Even students from the sports school weren’t her match, let alone this brute who only relied on brute force.

“Ah—”

“Stop hitting him! Stop it!” The girl tried to stop Qin Ai, but Qin Ai pushed her away.

From what she had heard, Qin Ai suspected that this boy was experienced and might have hurt other girls before.

After venting her anger, she kicked him away and took out her phone.

“Hello, Uncle, I need a favor.”

========================

Fifteen minutes later, the police arrived and took the two bullies away. A background check would reveal if they had any prior offenses.

Qin Ai dusted off her sleeves, feeling disgusted that she had to touch them. She was about to leave when she felt a tug on her clothes.

She stopped and turned around, seeing the little girl she had rescued.

She had almost forgotten about her. Qin Ai gently released the girl’s grip. She was usually rough, but she was subconsciously gentle with girls.

“Go home if you remember the way.” Her tone was cold.

However, the girl didn’t seem afraid of her. She looked up at Qin Ai, her eyes fixed on her face.

Her eyes were so clear and innocent, Qin Ai couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

She didn’t like clingy and delicate creatures like this, they were troublesome. But she also couldn’t bring herself to abandon her.

“Hey, what’s your name? Do you remember your parents’ phone number? Tell me, and I’ll have them pick you up.” Qin Ai bent down, patiently talking to the little girl.

The girl tilted her head, as if she didn’t understand.

Qin Ai realized that this girl might truly have some intellectual disabilities, as those bullies had said.

This was even more troublesome. She shouldn’t have interfered.

But even if the situation repeated a hundred times, she probably would still impulsively step in and beat those bullies up.

“Where do you live? I’ll take you home, okay?” Qin Ai sighed.

Thankfully, the girl finally reacted. She pointed in a direction with her slender finger.

She still remembered where she lived. Qin Ai managed to take her home safely. She also learned the girl’s identity. She was the youngest daughter of the Zuo family, named Zuo Bian.

What a strange name, Qin Ai thought to herself.

She told Zuo Bian’s parents about what had happened, advising them to have more people looking after Zuo Bian.

Du Yundong and Zuo Yan were heartbroken when they heard the story. They thanked Qin Ai profusely and even invited her to stay for dinner.

But Qin Ai just wanted to go home, so she declined.

=====================

After that day, Zuo Bian had several bodyguards by her side. Her parents hadn’t hired them before because they were afraid of her being ostracized at school.

But Zuo Bian was special. Even without special attention, she was still bullied.

Zuo Bian herself didn’t seem to care whether she was bullied or not, but she could tell who was kind to her and who wasn’t.

She could sense the malice from her classmates, so she didn’t interact with them much. Although she wasn’t very intelligent, when she set her mind on something, she became surprisingly sharp.

As Qin Ai was leaving school that day, a little girl suddenly bumped into her. She looked down and saw Zuo Bian’s smiling face.

The girl looked about eleven or twelve years old, her face delicate and pretty, her smile sweet and charming.

But cuteness was useless. Qin Ai didn’t want to take care of a child. No, she didn’t want to take care of anyone, child or not.

“Little kids should go home after school. What are you doing here? Do you want me to take you home again? Hmm?” Qin Ai bent down to meet Zuo Bian’s gaze.

Zuo Bian stared at her with wide eyes, her smile unwavering, as if she didn’t understand what Qin Ai was saying.

Qin Ai sighed. This girl was selectively deaf. If she wanted to follow, then let her follow. Whether she could keep up was her own problem.

She strode off, her long legs carrying her quickly. Liu Liu, who was dragging Chang Wenyan to Haidilao Hot Pot, spotted her.

“Boss! Boss!” He waved at her with a smile.

But Qin Ai, with a little shadow trailing behind her, ignored him.

“Why is there a little girl following you? Hey, she’s quite pretty. As expected of Boss, even little girls are attracted to you.” Liu Liu chuckled.

He nudged Chang Wenyan with his elbow. “Aren’t you jealous? A new rival has appeared.”

Chang Wenyan, who still had a crush on Qin Ai, scoffed. “She’s just a little girl, nothing to worry about.”

He didn’t know that this little girl, whom he deemed insignificant, would become Qin Ai’s wife in the future. And he wouldn’t stand a chance against her, completely outmatched.

=================================

Qin Ai walked fast, and Zuo Bian had to run to keep up. She was panting, her face flushed, but she didn’t give up. She looked pitiful, like an abandoned animal desperately following its owner, begging not to be left behind.

Qin Ai suddenly turned around, and Zuo Bian, caught off guard, bumped into her arms.

“Stop following me, or I’ll sell you.” Qin Ai grabbed Zuo Bian’s collar, pulling her away.

Threatening to sell someone was typical Qin Ai, but she was just talking. She wouldn’t actually sell her.

Zuo Bian blinked and finally spoke her first words that day. “You’re good.” Implying that she believed Qin Ai wouldn’t sell her.

Her voice was soft and gentle, her tone a bit strange, probably because she didn’t talk much.

Qin Ai deliberately put on a fierce expression. “Don’t judge a book by its cover. The more beautiful a woman is, the more venomous she is.”

Zuo Bian ignored her words and reached out, wanting a hug.

Qin Ai was caught off guard and lost her grip. Zuo Bian clung to her like a sticky rice cake.

“Hey, hey, let go, you’re annoying.”

“You smell good.” Zuo Bian even rubbed her face against Qin Ai’s chest.

Qin Ai chuckled in exasperation. “You’re a little pervert.”

Buzz, buzz, buzz—

Her phone vibrated. She took it out of her pocket.

“Hello.”

“Qin Jie, coming to the racetrack today? It’s been a while since we last hung out.”

She realized it had indeed been a while since her last visit to the racetrack. “Okay, I’ll be there soon.”

While Qin Ai was on the phone, Zuo Bian took the opportunity to climb onto her, her entire body hanging on Qin Ai.

Qin Ai wanted to pull her off, but Zuo Bian clung to her tightly, refusing to let go.

She could have used force, but she didn’t dare to be too rough. If she made the little girl cry, she would be the one who had to comfort her.

It was incredibly troublesome, even more annoying than her usual admirers.

“Let go!” Qin Ai pinched Zuo Bian’s cheek.

The little girl’s skin was delicate, and it turned red with the slightest pressure. Tears welled up in her eyes, and Qin Ai quickly released her grip.

“Why are you crying? Did I hurt you?”

Zuo Bian shook her head, then smiled sweetly at Qin Ai.

Qin Ai patiently coaxed her for a while, promising not to abandon her. Only then did Zuo Bian let go.

Qin Ai had thought about running away as soon as Zuo Bian let go, but seeing the girl’s innocent eyes, she gave up and resigned herself to taking her to the racetrack.

This time, she was riding her motorcycle. Zuo Bian wanted to ride with her.

But Zuo Bian was only twelve years old, not even 1.5 meters tall. Her first attempt at getting on the motorcycle failed.

Qin Ai watched her struggle with amusement, not offering any help.

Zuo Bian, clueless as ever, didn’t even think about asking for help.

On her ninth attempt, her foot slipped, and she lost her balance, about to fall.

Qin Ai quickly caught her.

“You’re so useless.” Despite her words, she lifted Zuo Bian onto the motorcycle.

Zuo Bian was delighted to be on the motorcycle. She patted the seat and urged Qin Ai to get on too.

Qin Ai got on and told Zuo Bian to hold on tight, warning her, “Don’t let go, or you’ll be thrown off.”

Zuo Bian nodded obediently, her big, bright eyes reflecting Qin Ai’s profile.

Qin Ai was actually blushing, being stared at by a little girl. She looked away, her tone gruff. “Stop staring, or I’ll beat you up. I’m starting the engine, hold on tight.”

Zuo Bian wrapped her thin arms around Qin Ai’s waist, her face pressed against Qin Ai’s back, her features squished, but still undeniably cute.

Qin Ai thought, I’ll just drive fast and scare her so she won’t follow me anymore. But she was also afraid that Zuo Bian might fall off.

She stopped the motorcycle and took out a rope from a compartment, tying it around their waists.

Now she could drive as fast as she wanted without worrying. She revved the engine, and the motorcycle sped off like an arrow.

The speed created a sense of weightlessness, the tires seeming to leave the ground.

Qin Ai felt every pore in her body open, the exhilarating feeling intoxicating, making her forget about the little girl behind her.

When they arrived at the racetrack, Qin Ai took off her helmet in high spirits. Her friends were waiting for her at the entrance and waved when they saw her.

“Qin Jie, you’re finally here! We’ve been waiting for you.”

Qin Ai smiled, took out the key, and was about to get off the motorcycle when she felt a weight on her back, as if something was pressing against her.

“Dizzy…” Zuo Bian mumbled, her head swaying slightly.

Qin Ai’s smile vanished. She had forgotten about this little troublemaker.

“Get off yourself.” She tried to untie the rope, but she had tied it too tightly.

Her friends, seeing that she had brought a little girl with her, gathered around curiously.

“Qin Jie, where did you find this kid? She’s quite cute, but she’s a bit young. Is she your relative?”

Qin Ai didn’t want to answer, she was getting frustrated with the rope.

“Don’t ask so many questions, help me untie this rope.” She tugged at it, but it wouldn’t budge.

Zuo Bian was still sitting on the motorcycle, her eyes dazed, as if she didn’t even know what was happening.

They worked together and finally managed to untie the rope.

Qin Ai sighed in relief, lifted Zuo Bian off the motorcycle, and said, “Little troublemaker, do you even remember who I am? If you’re sober now, follow me. If you can’t keep up, I’m leaving you here.”

Zuo Bian immediately caught the keywords. She grabbed Qin Ai’s clothes and followed closely behind her.

After walking for a while, Qin Ai suddenly realized that she should have just ignored Zuo Bian and left. But now that the little shadow was following her again, it wouldn’t be easy to shake her off.

She must have owed Zuo Bian something in her past life and was now paying her debts.

She couldn’t take Zuo Bian with her when she was racing, so she coaxed her into sitting and watching. Thankfully, Zuo Bian was obedient. She would listen to any reasonable request and automatically ignore anything she didn’t like.

Although Zuo Bian didn’t understand much, she enjoyed watching the races. When Qin Ai won, she even jumped up and down, clapping her hands.

Qin Ai got off the motorcycle, took off her helmet, and flipped her hair, her smile carefree and confident.

“As expected of Qin Jie, none of us can beat you.”

Qin Ai smiled, seeing Zuo Bian’s joy. She instinctively patted Zuo Bian’s head. Zuo Bian, like a little animal, rubbed her head against Qin Ai’s hand, making Qin Ai freeze.

Zuo Bian wasn’t very talkative, she mostly expressed her emotions through actions. Many people thought she was slow and disliked her.

But Qin Ai found her much more endearing than those who only talked big.

“You’ve been with me for so long today, you should go home now. Your parents must be worried about you.” Qin Ai knew that this little girl responded better to gentle persuasion than harsh words.

One of her friends said in surprise, “Qin Jie, when did you become so gentle? Is this your child bride?”

“Get lost!” Qin Ai rolled her eyes at him, then turned back to Zuo Bian, her expression softening.

At that moment, Qin Ai didn’t know that Zuo Bian would actually become her wife in the future.

Zuo Bian understood Qin Ai’s words. She didn’t want her parents to worry, so she nodded.

Qin Ai took her home. For the next two weeks, every day after school, a little girl would be waiting for her at the school gate, without fail.

Her friends teased her, saying that she had captured the little girl’s heart. Qin Ai retorted, “What are you talking about? I’m not a beast, I wouldn’t do anything to a little kid.”

Only Liu Liu, sharp as ever, noticed the implication in her words. “Boss, are you saying that if she was older, you would make a move?”

Qin Ai, “embarrassed and angry,” threw thirty-eight erasers at Liu Liu’s head, giving him a bump.

Just as Qin Ai was getting used to having this little shadow by her side, Zuo Bian suddenly disappeared.

The reason was that after having bodyguards, Zuo Bian became even more isolated at school. Her parents didn’t want her to be hurt anymore, so they stopped sending her to school. Without the opportunity to go out, she naturally stopped coming to find Qin Ai.

However, Qin Ai didn’t know this. She was upset for a while, thinking that Zuo Bian had probably gotten tired of her. Then she gradually forgot about it.

Not long after Qin Ai turned eighteen, her father and grandfather died, and she had to shoulder the responsibility of running the Qin family business. This incident buried the memory of the little girl even deeper.

Until one day, many years later, the little girl, now a young woman, reappeared in her life.

She was still persistent, innocent, and clingy, only following and relying on Qin Ai.

When they first met again, Qin Ai had asked, “Why are you following me?”

Zuo Bian: “I-I… I’m new to this mall, I don’t know anyone, and you’re the only one I can rely on.”

An adult wouldn’t be unfamiliar with a mall. If they were lost, they could ask a staff member for directions. Her words sounded strange coming from an adult.

Qin Ai suddenly remembered the balloon in Zuo Bian’s hand, a memory surfacing. “You…”

“Hmm?” Zuo Bian tilted her head.

A familiar gesture. The young woman before her seemed to overlap with the innocent little girl from her past.

“You look familiar. What’s your name?” Qin Ai asked.

“Zuo Bian, my name is Zuo Bian!” Years had passed, but the girl’s smile was still bright, her innocence undimmed by time.

Her speech was much clearer now, but she still seemed a bit naive. Qin Ai frowned. “Do you remember your parents’ phone number?”

Zuo Bian shook her head. “Phone number? I don’t know.”

A moment later, her stomach growled. Zuo Bian blushed and covered her stomach. “I’m hungry.”

“Fine, I’ll take you to eat first.”

If she left her alone, Zuo Bian would probably get lost.

After taking her to her car, Qin Ai discovered that Zuo Bian was still clueless, but at least she had a phone now, that was progress.

She taught her how to answer a phone call, and Zuo Bian’s responses were hilarious:

—Qin Ai is taking a shower.

—I’m the one who’s going to sleep in her bed later.

—Don’t misunderstand, we’re just good sisters who eat and sleep together.

Qin Ai didn’t know where Zuo Bian had learned such strange phrases, but they were effective.

555, seeing that Zuo Bian had finally managed to connect with Qin Ai, sighed in relief. Their encounter was a major step forward. Karma was a cycle.

Qin Ai owed Zuo Bian her life, and she was here to repay her debt.

555 flipped through the “Destined Love” booklet. The mission number was 520.

Destined Couple: Zuo Bian and Qin Ai

Causal Relationship: Zuo Bian saved Qin Ai’s life, and Qin Ai would repay her kindness in her next life, breaking Zuo Bian’s curse of eternal solitude.

Without Qin Ai, Zuo Bian would be destined to die alone, no matter how many times she reincarnated. But good deeds were always rewarded. Zuo Bian had saved the child with her own life, planting a seed of kindness and reaping the fruit of Qin Ai’s love.

Chapter 116: Bonus – This Is Love

Ever since he hit puberty, Chang Wenyan had believed that he was in love with Qin Ai.

They were childhood sweethearts. She was beautiful, talented, and excelled in everything. Chang Wenyan thought that if he had to marry someone, it would definitely be Qin Ai.

Unfortunately, Qin Ai was always impatient with his advances. Liu Liu often told him that “you can’t force love” and advised him to give up.

But Qin Ai had been single for so many years, and Chang Wenyan never gave up on pursuing her.

When she rejected him before, he thought it was because she didn’t want to be in a relationship. Later, when she rejected his confession, he thought it was because of the strained relationship between the Chang family and the Qin family, that she held a grudge against him.

When Qin Ai’s father and grandfather passed away, and the Qin family was in crisis, he had wanted to help, but he had no power in the Chang family.

He was still a university student then, not yet involved in the family business. His grandfather made all the decisions. He had begged his grandfather to help, but his grandfather was stubborn and only cared about profits. So, not only did he refuse to help, but he also forbade Chang Wenyan from seeing Qin Ai.

In recent years, Chang Wenyan had started working at Chang Corporation and gradually gained power. He resumed his pursuit of Qin Ai, hoping to marry her.

If they joined forces, they could achieve great things.

But Qin Ai still rejected him. Chang Wenyan couldn’t understand what was wrong with him.

He wasn’t ugly, he was in good shape, and his status was comparable to Qin Ai’s.

If she disliked his family, they could just limit their interactions with them after marriage. But Qin Ai had firmly rejected him, leaving no room for negotiation.

After much deliberation, Chang Wenyan could only come up with one reason:

She didn’t have feelings for him. But he didn’t think this was a problem. Love could be cultivated. They had grown up together, they had an advantage over strangers.

However, Qin Ai’s destined partner appeared. At first, Chang Wenyan still tried to compete, but then he came to his senses.

Love couldn’t be forced. Liu Liu had already advised him ten years ago, but he hadn’t listened. Now he finally understood.

Love was love, no matter what he did, it wouldn’t change anything. It wasn’t that he wasn’t good enough, it was just that he and Qin Ai lacked that crucial spark.

But understanding was one thing, accepting it was another.

He attended their engagement ceremony, watching as the person he had loved for ten years committed to someone else.

It was time to let go, he told himself.

He wasn’t even sure if he truly loved Qin Ai or if loving her had simply become a habit.

Qin Ai had told him that he didn’t really love her. Then what was true love like? He was twenty-seven years old, but he didn’t even know what it felt like to truly love someone.

Perhaps he didn’t need to know. Just like his grandfather had said, he should just marry someone of equal social standing. It would be convenient and hassle-free, he wouldn’t have to overthink things.

But deep down, Chang Wenyan didn’t want that. But further contemplation only led to confusion. The best solution was to forget about it for now.

That night, he went to a bar alone, drowning his sorrows in alcohol. When he was drunk, he wouldn’t have to think anymore.

He was determined to get drunk, so he drank one glass after another, non-stop. Many people approached him, both men and women, but he rejected them all.

It was pointless, everything was pointless.

He downed another glass, his mind becoming hazy, his vision blurring.

Someone seemed to be talking to him, but he couldn’t hear their words.

It was so noisy. Chang Wenyan waved his hand, trying to shoo away the person talking in his ear.

Liu Liu caught his hand, his expression exasperated. “This is why I hate drunk people, they’re so troublesome.”

Chang Wenyan’s neck was red from drinking, his eyes unfocused, unable to even tell where he was, let alone recognize Liu Liu.

“Go away, you’re annoying…” He stumbled, his head about to hit the floor.

“Hey—” Liu Liu caught him and slapped his face lightly. “Wake up, you don’t even recognize me? It’s Liu Liu. Forget it, I’m an idiot for trying to talk to a drunk person. Come on, I’m taking you home.”

Liu Liu’s appearance wasn’t a coincidence. Someone who knew Chang Wenyan had seen him drinking alone and, knowing that he was close to Liu Liu, had called him to come and get him.

Liu Liu had just finished exercising and was about to go home to shower and rest when he received the call. He had rushed over, his body still sweaty.

Chang Wenyan, of course, wasn’t cooperative. He even mumbled, “You stink, stay away from me.”

Liu Liu almost laughed in anger. He was only sweaty because he had come to get him!

It wasn’t safe for a beautiful woman to get drunk alone in a bar, and it was the same for a handsome man. He was worried about this virgin’s safety.

“Say another word, and I’ll print a million copies of your drunk photos and plaster them all over the city as flyers,” Liu Liu threatened.

Chang Wenyan seemed to understand. Whether he recognized Liu Liu or not, he was quiet now.

After half an hour of struggle, Liu Liu finally managed to get him home. Or rather, to Chang Wenyan’s apartment. Both Chang Wenyan and Chang Wensi disliked the atmosphere at their family home and had moved out after they became adults.

This meant that there was no one to take care of the drunk Chang Wenyan after Liu Liu left. Liu Liu sighed, rubbing his temples. “Well, I’m your best friend, so I’ll clean you up and throw you on the bed. Then I’m leaving.”

He rolled up his sleeves and dragged Chang Wenyan to the bathroom. Giving someone a bath wasn’t difficult. He often bathed his cat, he was experienced.

But—

Half an hour later, Liu Liu wiped the water from his face, thinking that Chang Wenyan must be a large feline. He was afraid of water and a handful to deal with, much more troublesome than his cat.

This wasn’t efficient. Liu Liu’s patience was wearing thin.

He decided to resort to force. He grabbed Chang Wenyan’s hands, pinned him down in the bathtub, and threatened, “If you don’t wash up, I’m taking nude photos of you. But don’t worry, I’m a good photographer, I’ll make sure you look good.”

This threat actually worked. Chang Wenyan finally cooperated. He had to be threatened to behave, he was stubborn.

Chang Wenyan sat slumped in the bathtub, covered in bubbles, his hair wet, reminding Liu Liu of his cat.

His cat always hated baths. It would struggle at first, then give up, sitting there pitifully, waiting to be washed.

Thinking about this, Liu Liu chuckled as he scrubbed Chang Wenyan clean.

Chang Wenyan, on the other hand, was enjoying the bath. He had exhausted Liu Liu and then fallen asleep in the bathtub.

Liu Liu wasn’t that gentle with his best friend. Carrying him to bed? No way. He slapped Chang Wenyan awake and told him to crawl into bed himself.

But when he actually raised his hand, he softened his slap. If he accidentally bruised Chang Wenyan’s face, he would definitely be strangled tomorrow.

Chang Wenyan was too concerned about his image, always putting on a facade.

“Hey, hey, wake up. Get dressed and get into bed, you hear me?” Liu Liu slapped him a couple more times, but there was no response.

Feeling sticky and uncomfortable, Liu Liu decided to ignore Chang Wenyan and took a shower himself.

After showering, Chang Wenyan was still asleep in the bathtub, as if it were more comfortable than his bed.

Liu Liu touched the water in the bathtub. It was ice cold. He didn’t want this idiot to get sick, so he relented and dragged him to bed.

“You’re a grown man, getting wasted over a heartbreak? No, you weren’t even with Boss in the first place. Aren’t you embarrassed?” Liu Liu chided Chang Wenyan, his hands on his hips.

If Chang Wenyan were awake, he would be fuming.

After venting his frustration, Liu Liu glanced at the time. It was already 11:40 p.m. If he went home now, it would be past midnight. Too lazy to move, he simply lay down on the bed.

Chang Wenyan, used to sleeping alone, instinctively kicked Liu Liu in his sleep, hitting him in the waist.

Liu Liu moved back, grabbed Chang Wenyan’s ear, and gritted his teeth. “I went through so much trouble to bring you home and take care of you, can’t I even sleep on your bed? Just bear with it!”

After all the commotion, Liu Liu was exhausted. He quickly fell asleep, not even reacting when Chang Wenyan hugged him.

==================

The morning sunlight streamed through the open curtains, falling on Chang Wenyan’s face. He groaned, his head pounding, something heavy in his arms.

He forced his eyes open and was startled to see a familiar face. He instinctively pushed the person away.

“Why are you in my house?” Chang Wenyan sat up, rubbing his temples. His head felt like it was filled with cotton.

Liu Liu, who had been sleeping soundly, was annoyed by being pushed. He grumbled, scratching his head, his eyes still half-closed. “You have the nerve to ask? Have you forgotten how you tormented me yesterday?”

Chang Wenyan noticed that his bathrobe was wide open, revealing several red marks on his chest. Liu Liu’s bathrobe was also messy.

Had they… last night?

“I… did something to you?” Chang Wenyan’s throat felt dry.

Liu Liu lifted the blanket and pointed at his waist. “You almost broke my back.”

He had carried Chang Wenyan home from the bar, bathed him for half an hour, and then Chang Wenyan had fallen asleep in the bathtub, forcing Liu Liu to carry him to bed. And then he had been kicked!

He hadn’t felt anything yesterday, but this morning, his waist was aching.

Chang Wenyan’s face paled. He couldn’t remember what had happened last night, but judging by Liu Liu’s words, he must have lost control and assaulted him.

After a moment of silence, he said, “I’m sorry, I’ll take responsibility.”

“Responsibility? You should. Now give me a back massage.” Liu Liu rolled over, lying on his stomach, and patted his waist. “Hurry up, my back is killing me.”

Chang Wenyan silently massaged his back, his mind already imagining their married life, wondering if Liu Liu would complain about him working too much.

He wasn’t joking about taking responsibility. Although he could afford to be a playboy like his father and grandfather, he had inherited his mother’s personality. He was responsible and principled, not the type to shirk his responsibilities.

“We’ll start dating today, and we’ll get married in six months. How many kids do you want?”

Nowadays, both same-sex and heterosexual couples could have children. In vitro fertilization and artificial wombs were mature technologies. Lesbian couples usually opted for natural pregnancy, while gay couples, due to their biological limitations, could only choose artificial wombs.

Liu Liu, enjoying the massage, was stunned by Chang Wenyan’s words. He didn’t understand what he was talking about.

“Are you sick? Or did you drink too much and damage your brain? Who wants to date you?” He swatted Chang Wenyan’s hand away and sat up abruptly.

Chang Wenyan grabbed his hand, his expression serious. “I said I’ll take responsibility, and I will.”

“Responsibility, my ass!” Liu Liu pulled his hand back in disgust. His clothes from yesterday were wrinkled beyond recognition.

He rummaged through Chang Wenyan’s closet and found a set of clothes to change into. “I’m borrowing your clothes. And don’t drink so much next time. You’re a grown man, it’s just a heartbreak. Besides, it was just a one-sided crush. I’m leaving.”

Chang Wenyan wanted to stop him, but his head was pounding, his throat was dry, and his muscles ached. He let Liu Liu leave.

He went to the bathroom and washed his hair, his eyes meeting his reflection in the mirror.

His eyes were bloodshot, dark circles under them. He looked like a mess.

He had drunk, he had vented his frustrations, it was time to let go of that childish and ridiculous crush.

He should cherish the people in front of him, not dwell on the past.

After freshening up, he regained his usual handsome and composed appearance.

===============

From that day forward, Liu Liu was constantly pestered by Chang Wenyan. This guy was actually pursuing him.

They had known each other for more than twenty years, and Chang Wenyan had never shown any romantic interest in him before. Liu Liu suspected that Chang Wenyan had lost his mind. To stop being harassed, he decided to have a serious talk with him.

They met at Liu Liu’s house.

Finally, the truth was revealed. Chang Wenyan had thought he had slept with Liu Liu when he was drunk and was trying to take responsibility.

Liu Liu facepalmed, speechless.

“Do you even understand what love is? What dating is? Who pursues someone like this? You’re acting like a debt collector. Haven’t you noticed that I’ve been avoiding you? Even if something happened between us, I wouldn’t be with you if I didn’t like you. Besides, I just carried you home from the bar and gave you a bath.” Liu Liu made it crystal clear.

Chang Wenyan pursed his lips. After a moment of silence, he asked, “Then can you teach me?”

Liu Liu looked at his clueless best friend, unsure whether to laugh or cry. Seeing how naive Chang Wenyan was, despite his age, he decided to take pity on him.

“Okay, let’s date for three months. We’ll break up after three months. Whether you understand what love is or not is up to you.” He patted Chang Wenyan’s shoulder.

Chang Wenyan nodded in agreement and then leaned forward to kiss Liu Liu.

Liu Liu was startled and instinctively punched Chang Wenyan in the eye.

A few minutes later, Liu Liu was applying an ice pack to Chang Wenyan’s eye.

“Why did you suddenly get so close? I couldn’t control my fist.” He accidentally pressed the ice pack a bit too hard.

Chang Wenyan winced, and Liu Liu apologized, easing his grip.

“Because couples kiss, don’t they?”

Liu Liu wanted to punch Chang Wenyan’s other eye, just for symmetry, but he patiently explained, “That’s true, but you can’t just kiss someone without warning. You need to give them some mental preparation.”

Chang Wenyan took note. “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

“At this rate, I’m worried you’ll never find a partner, let alone get married.” Liu Liu shook his head.

Chang Wenyan was handsome, but he was also clueless. His EQ was so low that Liu Liu didn’t even know where to start.

Since they were now a couple, Chang Wenyan took Liu Liu out for a candlelit dinner that night. However, Liu Liu wasn’t enjoying himself. He preferred to eat meat with chopsticks, using a knife and fork was annoying.

But Chang Wenyan taking him to a fancy restaurant was already a step in the right direction. At least, he wasn’t completely clueless anymore.

In the following days, Chang Wenyan, who had apparently been reading dating guides, kept inviting Liu Liu out on dates, showering him with flowers and small surprises.

However, Liu Liu didn’t feel the joy of being in love. He just felt tired.

He could sense Chang Wenyan’s sincerity, but his actions were too superficial, as if he was just going through the motions.

Liu Liu realized that expecting Chang Wenyan to figure things out on his own was too much to ask. Unless a lightning bolt struck him, this clueless guy wouldn’t get it.

One day, Chang Wenyan invited Liu Liu out again, saying he wanted to take him to the mountains to stargaze.

It was a romantic idea for normal couples, but for Chang Wenyan and Liu Liu, it felt off.

“Do we really need to bring so much stuff? We’re just spending one night on the mountain.” Liu Liu felt like Chang Wenyan was moving house.

Chang Wenyan seriously explained the purpose of each item and concluded, “We might need them.”

“Fine.” Liu Liu had known Chang Wenyan for many years and understood his personality.

He was always like this, considering every possibility, unable to adapt to the situation. If he wasn’t like this, he wouldn’t be reduced to asking his best friend to teach him how to date.

They set off for the mountains, carrying their heavy backpacks. Thankfully, Liu Liu wasn’t a girl, or he wouldn’t be able to help Chang Wenyan carry the weight.

Even for two strong men, carrying dozens of kilograms of stuff up the mountain was exhausting.

By the time they reached the summit, the sun was setting, casting a golden glow on the landscape.

Liu Liu threw his backpack on the ground, spreading his arms and enjoying the mountain breeze.

Far away from the city, the air was fresh and clean, the environment serene. The only downside was the mosquitoes. Before Liu Liu could fully enjoy the moment, he urged Chang Wenyan to set up the tent.

They managed to set up the tent before dark. They were tired but also felt a sense of accomplishment.

For dinner, they ate instant food. Forget about building a campfire, roasting meat, and cuddling by the fire.

One spark on the mountain, and the police would be at their doorstep.

Besides, they had to avoid wild game and protect wildlife.

After eating, Liu Liu didn’t feel any romance at all. He decided to have a serious talk with Chang Wenyan about this.

But before he could speak, Chang Wenyan pointed at the sky. “Look, the stars.”

Liu Liu followed his gaze, his eyes filled with the twinkling lights.

Countless stars were scattered across the dark night sky, forming a dazzling Milky Way.

This was a sight they could never see in the city, where their lives were filled with artificial lights. It seemed like enough beauty for them.

But the brilliance of nature was always breathtaking. At that moment, Liu Liu finally felt a hint of romance.

“It’s beautiful.”

Chang Wenyan leaned closer to Liu Liu. “Can I kiss you now?”

His question instantly shattered the romantic atmosphere. Everything was perfect, why did he have to ask?

“You don’t need to ask at a time like this.” Liu Liu took the initiative and kissed Chang Wenyan’s lips.

If it were the old Chang Wenyan, he would never have imagined himself doing such a seemingly pointless thing. But now, he didn’t think coming to the mountains to stargaze with someone was a waste of time.

===============

From that day forward, their relationship changed subtly. Or rather, it changed after that kiss.

Liu Liu, who used to be able to find a list of flaws in Chang Wenyan, now found him more and more appealing, even cute.

Chang Wenyan’s dating skills also improved. No, it wasn’t that he was following a guide anymore, he was genuinely dating Liu Liu now.

They went from being a fake couple to a real one. No one mentioned their agreement to break up after three months.

Chang Wenyan still had his clueless moments, but love didn’t require skills. As long as he loved Liu Liu, everything else was insignificant.

As for when he had started to like Liu Liu, it might have been a long time ago, he just hadn’t realized it.

He didn’t like people touching his things, but Liu Liu could steal his notes and homework. He didn’t like people getting too close to him, but Liu Liu could wrap his arm around his neck and drag him around. He didn’t like spicy food, but he always went to eat hotpot and barbecue with Liu Liu.

Qin Ai loved racing and video games. He had never been interested in those things, but he was willing to try them for Liu Liu, to love what he loved.

There were so many signs, starting from a long time ago. Otherwise, Chang Wenyan wouldn’t have been so eager to take responsibility, and he wouldn’t have tried to kiss Liu Liu immediately after he agreed to fake date him. Deep down, he had already wanted to do it.

Looking back, Chang Wenyan realized that everyone else was right. He hadn’t truly loved Qin Ai. He just thought he should be with her. His heart didn’t race when he was with her, and he never had the urge to kiss her.

He had thought that love was about compatibility and following the rules. But true love was about being drawn to someone, making even the seemingly wasted time meaningful.

Chapter 115: Bonus – Wedding Bells

Six months after the release of “Twins,” preparations for Zuo Bian and Qin Ai’s wedding began.

It had been a year since their engagement. Qin Ai was twenty-eight, and Zuo Bian was twenty-three. Their careers were stable, it was the perfect time to get married.

Qin Ai’s mother was excited about her daughter’s wedding. Qin Ai wasn’t young anymore, and she had never been in a relationship before, only starting to date at twenty-six. Since they loved each other, Tian Yumeng naturally wanted them to get married as soon as possible.

However, it was different for the Zuo family. Zuo Bian was still young, and at twenty-three, most girls were still enjoying their youth. But they had been engaged for a year now, delaying the wedding any longer wouldn’t be appropriate.

Seeing how lovey-dovey the couple was, they decided to let them get married. They couldn’t stop them anyway.

They were still a bit sentimental. Zuo Yan patted his wife’s back, saying that they could visit their daughter often after she got married.

=========================

On their wedding day, Zuo Bian woke up early to get ready.

After waiting for so long, she and Qin Ai were finally getting married. Although twenty-three might seem young to others, it wasn’t too early when you had found the right person.

She had found her soulmate, and she wouldn’t change her mind. They were meant to be together.

As the bride, the makeup and hairstyling took a long time. Zuo Bian sat in front of the vanity mirror, her reflection smiling with happiness and anticipation.

“Zuo Zuo, you don’t seem nervous at all,” Tao Zi said, sitting beside her, keeping her company.

Tao Zi was already married to Zuo Yuan, officially Zuo Bian’s sister-in-law.

The hairstylist was curling Zuo Bian’s hair, so she couldn’t shake her head. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror. “I’m nervous, but I’m more excited.”

Tao Zi recalled her own wedding day and realized she had felt the same way.

“Getting married to the person you love is indeed exciting. I wish you a lifetime of happiness.”

“Thank you,” Zuo Bian said with a smile.

After getting ready, she waited for Qin Ai to come and pick her up. She hadn’t seen Qin Ai for almost a day and missed her dearly.

She kept asking for the time every five minutes. She wasn’t asking when Qin Ai would arrive, just the time. But her eagerness was evident.

Tao Zi was tired of answering her questions. “Zuo Zuo, stop asking. They’ll be here in half an hour.”

A faint blush appeared on Zuo Bian’s cheeks. She was embarrassed by her impatience, but she couldn’t help it. Her desire to see Qin Ai was overflowing.

Someone knocked on the door. Tao Zi answered it.

Before the door even fully opened, a voice rang out.

“Let me see how beautiful the bride is today.” Chang Wensi walked in, followed by Lu Letian.

Chang Wensi was Zuo Bian’s bridesmaid, and Lu Letian was naturally the best man.

Besides Chang Wensi and Lu Letian, Lin Qingqing and her girlfriend were also there.

Not long after attending Zuo Bian and Qin Ai’s engagement ceremony, Lin Qingqing had finally found her soulmate. With someone she truly loved, her obsession with Qin Ai had faded.

Actually, Lin Qingqing was similar to Chang Wenyan. Their so-called love for Qin Ai was more like a habit, or rather, they believed that Qin Ai was their destined partner. They were essentially pursuing someone they considered perfect.

Lin Qingqing had even apologized to Zuo Bian for her past childish behavior. Zuo Bian had never disliked Lin Qingqing, so there was no need for forgiveness.

Lin Qingqing had let go of the past. She and her girlfriend were here to be Zuo Bian’s bridesmaids.

Chang Wenyan, on the other hand, was more sensitive. He didn’t show it, but he was incredibly awkward. He would excuse himself to go to the bathroom whenever someone teased him.

His boyfriend was Liu Liu, Qin Ai’s high school classmate. Liu Liu was outgoing and friendly, a natural conversationalist. He had wanted to be a groomsman with Chang Wenyan, but Chang Wenyan, due to his inexplicable pride, refused. So Liu Liu had given up on the idea.

The bridesmaids and groomsmen entered the room, filling it with chatter.

“You look beautiful, just a tiny bit prettier than me.” Chang Wensi, even when complimenting someone, couldn’t resist praising herself.

“Of course, our Zuo Zuo is beautiful.” Tao Zi took out her camera and started taking photos of Zuo Bian, shaking her head after each shot. “This camera can’t capture Zuo Zuo’s beauty.”

Zuo Bian smiled for the camera, and Tao Zi couldn’t stop clicking the shutter.

Years of experience as a fangirl had made her a skilled photographer, with her own unique style.

After taking solo shots of Zuo Bian, Tao Zi said, “I’ll take a photo of you and Qin Ai later. After ten or twenty years, you can look back at these photos and remember your wedding day.”

Zuo Bian smiled and agreed.

=======

They were all close friends, and time flew by as they chatted and laughed.

Zuo Bian heard a commotion outside and instinctively wanted to go out and see what was happening, but Tao Zi stopped her.

“Don’t be so impatient, bride.”

Chang Wensi crossed her arms and snorted. “You’ve been together for so long, what’s the rush?”

At this moment, Chang Wenyan, who had “returned from the bathroom,” entered the room. He was in a bad mood after being teased and immediately retorted to his sister’s comment.

“Who was the one who cried and demanded to see Lu Letian after just two days of filming in another city?”

“W-Who wanted to see him?” Chang Wensi’s face flushed red.

Lu Letian, standing beside her, couldn’t hide his smile. To avoid further angering the tsundere Chang Wensi, he turned his head away to laugh.

Love couldn’t be hidden, not in your expressions, your eyes, or your heart.

Zuo Bian wanted to see Qin Ai. Her brother must be trying to stop her, he had always been reluctant to let her get married.

Although she knew her brother couldn’t stop Qin Ai, she still wanted to help.

Tao Zi, sensing her thoughts, said reassuringly, “Don’t worry, Qin Ai is smart, she’ll overcome all obstacles and come to you with the most beautiful bouquet.”

“Overcome all obstacles? Is it that difficult?” Zuo Bian was surprised.

Tao Zi coughed awkwardly. “It’s not difficult, just a few small tests.”

“I’ll go and see.” Zuo Bian headed towards the door.

Tao Zi couldn’t stop her. After all, Zuo Bian was stronger than her. She could only follow behind, shouting, “Slow down! You can see her soon, don’t trip over your dress!” She sounded like a worried mother.

================

Meanwhile, a group of people were staring at Qin Ai with serious expressions. The atmosphere was tense.

Qin Ai, dressed in her wedding gown, was holding a pen and solving math problems.

Zuo Yuan, being a siscon, had accepted Qin Ai, but on his sister’s wedding day, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of protectiveness. He had given Qin Ai a difficult task.

No, not just one difficult task, but 520 tasks. Various questions, covering all sorts of topics. For every correct answer, she would get a key.

On the table beside her was a box covered in locks. Inside the box were Zuo Bian and Qin Ai’s wedding rings.

Qin Ai could choose to give up on the challenge, but she wouldn’t get the rings.

The questions were moderately difficult, but solving so many problems and finding the right keyhole for each key would still take a lot of time.

That was Zuo Yuan’s goal. Since his sister’s marriage was inevitable, he would delay it for as long as possible.

He had thought his parents might stop him, but they were also in on it. It seemed like they all had the same idea.

Qin Ai wasn’t angry about being challenged. She calmly sat at the table and worked on the problems one by one. There were already more than two hundred keys piled up beside her.

Liu Liu, who was in charge of handing out the keys, was so bored that he was yawning. Unlike Zuo Bian’s family, he was on Qin Ai’s side.

“These problems are too easy for Qin Jie. Qin Jie, do you want me to help you unlock some of the locks? To save some time?”

Before Qin Ai could answer, Zuo Yuan said, “It’s best to get the wedding rings yourself.”

“Mm.” Qin Ai agreed, continuing to work on the problems.

“Ah, this is so boring. How did a wedding turn into a study session?” Liu Liu tossed another key onto the table.

“Qin Ai! So you’re here!” Zuo Bian’s eyes lit up the moment she saw Qin Ai, her face breaking into a radiant smile.

“Xiao Bian, why are you here?” Zuo Yuan had tried to prevent this, but his sister had come looking for Qin Ai.

Tao Zi, following behind Zuo Bian, smiled wryly.

Zuo Bian said calmly, “I wanted to see Qin Ai, so I came.”

Qin Ai finally stopped writing and beckoned Zuo Bian. “Come and help me unlock these locks.”

Zuo Bian looked at the pile of locks curiously. The people around her explained what was happening.

Qin Ai added, “It’s our wedding, it’s not against the rules for us to work together to get the rings.”

It wasn’t against the rules, so no one dared to stop them.

One solved the problems, the other unlocked the locks. Time seemed to pass faster now. When the last lock was opened, they lifted the lid together.

The contents of the box made their smiles freeze.

Inside the large box was a smaller box, covered in at least fifty or sixty locks.

Zuo Yuan chuckled awkwardly. “Just kidding, the rings are actually with Mom.”

Du Yundong took out a red ring box. “The rings are with me. Qin Ai, I’m entrusting Xiao Bian to you. You have to make her happy.”

Qin Ai took the ring box. “Don’t worry, Mother-in-law, I’ll definitely make Zuo Bian happy.”

With the rings in hand, the wedding ceremony officially began.

They exchanged rings, the diamonds sparkling in the sunlight.

They had already exchanged rings during their engagement ceremony, but those rings were worn on their middle fingers. Now, they were on their ring fingers.

From this day forward, their ring fingers would be engraved with each other’s names. They would hold hands, their fingers intertwined, and walk together until the end of their lives.

Chapter 114: Bonus – A Match Made in Heaven

He had suddenly said they shouldn’t meet again, then he suddenly reappeared, not to break up with her, but to ask her to be his girlfriend? Tao Zi thought Zuo Yuan was playing games, so she rejected him.

Zuo Yuan, experiencing his first heartbreak, couldn’t understand why Tao Zi had rejected him. Didn’t she love handsome men? Was he not handsome enough?

Previously, it was Tao Zi who had always invited him out for meals. Now the roles were reversed, and Zuo Yuan was the one initiating contact.

But his messages went unanswered for three days. He started to feel uneasy. He sent her a message from a different number and received a reply: Who is this?

According to helpful netizens, he had probably been blocked.

Zuo Yuan had never been ignored like this before. He was angry at first, thinking that if Tao Zi didn’t want him, he would just give up. After all, he had already decided that they had no future together.

But he couldn’t do it. Tao Zi’s face kept appearing in his mind. Her smile, her evasive behavior, he didn’t want it to end like this.

So he started “bumping into” her frequently. Tao Zi, being a visual person, finally agreed to give him a chance, swayed by his persistent pursuit and handsome face.

===

Being able to openly admire a handsome man was too tempting for Tao Zi to resist.

However, good looks were one thing, Zuo Yuan being clingy was another.

After officially dating him, Tao Zi discovered that he was completely different from the reserved and aloof man she had met at the milk tea shop. He was now clingy, affectionate, and even romantic. And by “romantic,” she meant that he expected her to be the romantic one.

He would sulk if she didn’t give him flowers on their anniversaries. If it weren’t for his handsome face, Tao Zi would have punched him.

One day, the familiar scene repeated itself.

“Today is the 233rd day of our relationship,” Zuo Yuan said as soon as he entered her apartment, dropping a hint.

Tao Zi was prepared. She took out a small daisy she had plucked from a flower bed and handed it to him.

“Here’s your flower.”

Zuo Yuan smiled, taking the flower. “Do you want to go out for dinner tonight? To celebrate?”

Not only had Zuo Yuan revealed his true nature after they started dating, but Tao Zi had also changed. She embraced her inner homebody, sprawling on the sofa and turning on the TV. “No, I’m too lazy to change clothes. My idol’s show is airing tonight, and the online replay won’t have HD quality on the first day. I don’t want to wait.”

“What do you want to eat for dinner then?” Zuo Yuan asked.

Tao Zi browsed through her phone, waiting for the show to start. “Instant noodles? Takeout? Anything is fine.”

“Those aren’t healthy. I’ll cook. What do you want to eat?” Zuo Yuan rolled up his sleeves.

Tao Zi was too busy playing on her phone and didn’t hear him clearly. She just mumbled a response.

Zuo Yuan didn’t mind. He went to the kitchen and started washing his hands, ready to cook.

Not only could he cook, but he could also sew, do makeup, and style outfits. He was much more refined than most men.

Tao Zi, in comparison, was much more rough around the edges. Cooking? Sorry, she only knew how to make instant noodles and order takeout. Dressing up? As long as she didn’t look ugly, it was fine. Makeup? She could only apply lipstick and foundation.

After they started dating, whenever they went out, Zuo Yuan would dress her up like a doll before taking her out.

As for why Zuo Yuan was so skilled in so many areas, it was all thanks to his mother, Du Yundong, who was obsessed with having a daughter.

An hour later, the aroma of food wafted from the kitchen.

Tao Zi sniffed the air, her stomach growling. But the show had already started, and it wasn’t a commercial break yet. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the screen.

“Dinner’s ready, come and eat,” Zuo Yuan said, placing the dishes on the table.

“Wait a minute, it’s not a commercial break yet. I’ll eat after this segment,” Tao Zi replied.

This scene had played out many times before, and Zuo Yuan was used to it. He ate quickly, then filled a bowl with rice and Tao Zi’s favorite dishes and sat on the sofa, ready to feed her.

Tao Zi opened her mouth and took a bite, her voice sweet and flattering. “You’re the best, Yuanyuan. I want beef.”

“Okay.” Zuo Yuan picked up a piece of beef and fed it to her.

After taking care of her, Zuo Yuan finally left, carefully tucking the small, seemingly insignificant daisy into his chest pocket.

Before going to bed, he placed the flower on his pillow, inhaling its faint fragrance as he drifted off to sleep.

=======

Zuo Yuan had already confessed to using Tao Zi. He had been worried that she would be angry, but after learning the reason behind his actions, she had simply acknowledged it with a calm “mm-hmm.”

Tao Zi didn’t like to overthink things. She reasoned that they weren’t dating back then, they weren’t close, so it didn’t matter.

However, Zuo Yuan had only confessed to that one incident, he hadn’t revealed his true identity. He didn’t say it at first, and then he couldn’t find the right opportunity.

And he was afraid that if he revealed his true identity, Tao Zi would break up with him because he wasn’t “ordinary” enough. Although this thought seemed absurd, he couldn’t help but worry.

People in love often worried about things that seemed unnecessary to outsiders.

Zuo Yuan thought, he would tell her when their relationship was more stable, then she wouldn’t be willing to break up with him.

During the time he was blocked by Tao Zi, he couldn’t eat or sleep properly. He had tried to convince himself that he would forget about her eventually.

But some feelings weren’t so easily forgotten. Perhaps some things were destined from the moment they met.

Thinking back, he had actually fallen for her the first time they met.

Her bright eyes, her pleasant voice, her genuine smile. She had been so kind and eager to “enlighten” him, even though they were strangers.

He knew that Tao Zi was attracted to his looks. She never hid her admiration and fondness for him.

But that was all it was. She looked at his face as if it were a priceless work of art.

Zuo Yuan disliked being looked at with ulterior motives, but many people approached him with impure intentions. Few people were as genuine as Tao Zi, who simply liked his face without any other motives.

That was why he had chosen to get close to her and push away the Yao family’s daughter. He believed that Tao Zi wouldn’t force him into anything.

And if he told her to stop contacting him, she would probably do so.

His plan had worked, but he was the one who felt unbalanced now.

He had assumed that Tao Zi had some feelings for him, but she had blocked him without hesitation, truly stopped contacting him, and even maintained a distance when they met.

Tao Zi really only liked his face. Without him, she could easily find someone else.

===========

Time passed, and they had been dating for almost two years. But whether he proposed before revealing his identity or after, the answer was always no.

Zuo Yuan couldn’t understand why Tao Zi kept rejecting him. She might have only loved his face before, but he was certain she loved him now.

But after being rejected so many times, he started to doubt himself. Was he being delusional again?

Sometimes, he wanted to ask Tao Zi directly if she was playing with his feelings. He was like an insecure girl, desperate for reassurance.

In terms of experience, he was a novice compared to Tao Zi. He might seem shrewd and experienced to others, but this was his first relationship.

Tao Zi, although not exactly experienced, was still more mature than him. And she wouldn’t hesitate to leave if she lost interest. Coupled with the failed proposals, Zuo Yuan felt insecure.

The night before he decided to have a serious talk with Tao Zi and ask her why she wouldn’t marry him, he received a call from his secretary.

He walked alone through the empty hallway, the lights off, no one around.

Suddenly, the lights turned on, and a group of people appeared before him.

He heard Tao Zi say, holding a bouquet of “flowers,” “Zuo Yuan, let’s get married.”

All the heartache and disappointment had led to this moment. He smiled and accepted her proposal.

Chapter 113: Bonus – First Encounter in the Rain

For a long time, Tao Zi had no idea about Zuo Yuan’s true identity. She had chosen to be with him mainly because he was handsome.

There were many good-looking and kind people in this world, but as a visual person, Tao Zi was very satisfied with Zuo Yuan.

They first met in autumn, on a rainy day.

Tao Zi was sitting in a milk tea shop, sipping her drink and playing on her phone. It was pouring outside.

Large raindrops pounded the ground, creating a misty curtain. There were few pedestrians, and even cars were scarce.

The milk tea shop was almost empty. The warm air from the air conditioner made her feel drowsy.

Her eyelids felt heavy. She yawned and, upon opening her eyes, saw a drenched figure standing outside the glass wall.

The man had a good physique and was wearing a well-tailored suit. His expression was stormy. Anyone caught in such heavy rain would be in a bad mood.

Tao Zi rested her chin on her hand, watching him. The man turned slightly, revealing most of his face.

The moment she saw his handsome features, her heart skipped a beat. Honestly, this man was more handsome than most male celebrities!

She was wide awake now. She tapped on the glass wall, catching the man’s attention.

Tao Zi smiled and gestured to him, mouthing the words, “Milk tea?”

Whether he accepted or not, she had already made the first move.

The man looked at her for a moment, not responding. Just as Tao Zi thought she had failed, he finally moved.

Tao Zi watched him with excitement. The man entered the shop and finally sat down at her table.

She didn’t expect anything to develop from this encounter. Just being able to sit at the same table and chat with such a handsome man was a win for her.

However, the handsome man seemed to be in a bad mood and didn’t speak. Tao Zi didn’t mind. She said, “Maybe something sweet will cheer you up. Can I get you a latte?”

The man thanked her, then rested his head on his hand, gazing out the window.

The rain was still pouring, shrouding the world in a misty haze.

The man’s hair was wet, water droplets dripping from it. His suit was wrinkled and soaked. But even in this state, Tao Zi could still sense an air of nobility about him.

She sipped her warm milk tea, her eyes curving into crescents as she admired his profile. She was feeling incredibly lucky to have encountered such a handsome man in distress.

Soon, a steaming hot latte was served. Tao Zi pushed the cup towards Zuo Yuan.

“Have something warm. Life is full of unexpected challenges, but you just have to persevere. Nothing is insurmountable.” She smiled at him.

She was just trying to make conversation. He wasn’t talkative, so she had to take the initiative to liven up the atmosphere. As for what she said, she just randomly threw out some motivational quotes. She could talk for hours about such things.

The man reached for the cup, the warmth radiating through the ceramic.

“Mm.”

His single syllable confirmed Tao Zi’s suspicion that he was facing some kind of problem in his life.

It seemed like not all good-looking people had easy lives. A handsome man from a humble background might be ostracized by his colleagues, especially if he was also quiet and reserved.

Tao Zi’s imagination ran wild, creating a backstory for him.

He was so handsome, he must have many female admirers. But he wasn’t the smooth-talking type, which would make his male colleagues jealous.

Perhaps there was also a female boss trying to take advantage of him. Of course, same-sex marriage was legal now, and being gay wasn’t considered shameful. More people were expressing their true selves, so it could also be a male boss…

The man couldn’t refuse his boss’s advances and was being harassed and bullied, which was why he ended up drenched and miserable.

The more Tao Zi thought about it, the more she sympathized with the man. Her gaze softened with pity.

The man noticed her look and frowned slightly. He finally spoke, uttering the longest sentence since they had met.

“Hello, my name is Zuo Yuan. Thank you for the latte.”

His voice was incredibly pleasant, and Tao Zi’s eyes lit up. Even his voice was perfect, she thought. Another blow to her heart.

Not only was she a visual person, she was also an audiophile. To be more precise, she loved anything beautiful.

After a moment of admiration, she smiled. “You’re welcome, it’s just a latte. I’m Tao Zi, Tao from pottery, Zi from purple. Not the peach you eat.”

“Mm.” Zuo Yuan hummed in response and fell silent again.

“It’s raining so heavily outside, you can’t leave for a while. Keep me company and chat with me. It’s okay if you don’t like to talk, I can do all the talking. Ah, I just realized I’m talking a lot. Are you annoyed?” Tao Zi suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. She had gotten carried away and talked too much.

Zuo Yuan finally took a sip of his latte, his lips curving into a faint smile. “It’s okay, you can talk.”

Tao Zi relaxed and let her talkative nature take over. She talked about everything and anything, jumping from one topic to another. But her voice was pleasant, and her expressions were lively, making her chatter enjoyable and even calming.

Zuo Yuan had been feeling irritated. The youngest daughter of the Yao family had been clinging to him, making him restless. He had finally managed to get away from her, only to be caught in the heavy rain, drenched and miserable. He couldn’t go back to the company either, he would definitely be caught.

He hadn’t done anything wrong, but he was hiding like a guilty man, as if he had betrayed someone.

But now, after calming down, he realized there was no need to be so upset over such a trivial matter. It was a waste of time and energy. And his rejection had been too “gentle,” he hadn’t been firm enough, leaving the Yao family’s daughter with false hope.

After spending the entire afternoon in the milk tea shop, the heavy rain finally stopped as dusk approached.

Zuo Yuan glanced at his watch and smiled at Tao Zi. “Thank you for talking to me. I feel much better now.”

In reality, Tao Zi’s words hadn’t helped him at all. He was just being polite.

Tao Zi, however, was delighted. She genuinely believed that her motivational quotes had worked. It would be a pity to let such a handsome man leave without getting his contact information. She asked for his number, hoping for the best.

“Let’s exchange numbers. If you ever need someone to talk to, you can call me. Bottling things up isn’t good for you.”

Zuo Yuan instinctively wanted to refuse. He didn’t like interacting with strangers. But before he could say no, he remembered the troublesome youngest daughter of the Yao family.

“Okay,” he agreed.

“Great!” Tao Zi happily exchanged numbers with him.

This encounter was just a trivial matter to Zuo Yuan, he soon forgot about it. If it weren’t for Tao Zi’s text message, he wouldn’t even remember what had happened that day.

After some thought, he accepted her invitation.

They sat in a newly opened restaurant. Tao Zi felt like she was dreaming.

She hadn’t expected Zuo Yuan to agree. In her mind, he was the type who stayed at home after work, with no social life.

But it was good that he had agreed. She could admire his handsome face for a while longer.

Usually, men as handsome as Zuo Yuan were either celebrities or arrogant and unattainable.

After that, Tao Zi often invited Zuo Yuan out for meals. The youngest daughter of the Yao family, after seeing photos of them together, had confronted Zuo Yuan several times, but it was futile.

She had asked if Tao Zi was his girlfriend. Zuo Yuan didn’t answer verbally, but his expression confirmed her suspicions.

Being outdone by an ordinary girl like Tao Zi, with no special qualities, infuriated the Yao family’s daughter. But she had her pride. Since Zuo Yuan already had a girlfriend, it would be embarrassing for her to continue pursuing him, so she gave up.

But Tao Zi wasn’t as bad as the Yao family’s daughter made her out to be. Her looks were definitely above average, she was considered a beauty, and her smile was infectious.

Now that the troublesome situation was resolved, there was no need for Zuo Yuan to continue accepting Tao Zi’s invitations.

However, he couldn’t just use her without offering anything in return. Zuo Yuan didn’t like owing people favors, so he anonymously sent her a gift.

It was an autographed photo of her idol and a VIP ticket to his concert, something Tao Zi had been longing for. Then he declined her latest invitation, adding that they shouldn’t meet again.

Zuo Yuan was always rational and maintained clear boundaries with those who weren’t close friends or family.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Tao Zi was overjoyed when she received the gift. An autographed photo of her idol! And a VIP ticket, which was being sold at exorbitant prices! It was expensive, but she could afford it if she gritted her teeth. The problem was, it was sold out!

The VIP tickets had been snatched up on the first day of sales. Tao Zi hadn’t even had a chance to try.

After her initial excitement, she wondered who was so kind to give her exactly what she wanted. This wasn’t something that could be achieved with just a bit of money.

She examined the package multiple times but couldn’t find any clues. It seemed strange. She wanted to ask the delivery person, but they had already left, and she didn’t remember what they looked like.

As she was scrutinizing the ticket, she received Zuo Yuan’s reply.

The smile on her face slowly faded. She lowered her head and mumbled, “What? He suddenly doesn’t want to see me anymore. He must have a girlfriend or boyfriend now. Sigh, it’s a pity I can’t see that handsome face every day anymore.”

However, her disappointment didn’t last long. She was about to meet her idol up close! She might even be able to interact with him. It was something most fans could only dream of.

As for Zuo Yuan…

It seemed like they wouldn’t be seeing each other again. Tao Zi thought, she had never blocked anyone before, maybe she should try it now.

She was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to resist contacting Zuo Yuan again. Although she had initially invited him out for meals just to admire his handsome face, after so many meals together, she had developed feelings for him. She was reluctant to let go.

But if his girlfriend found out that she was still in contact with him, she would be labeled as a homewrecker, and that would be embarrassing.

It was better to cut things off cleanly.

Tao Zi couldn’t imagine any other reason for a man to cut off contact with a woman besides being in a relationship. So she decisively blocked him.

The concert was in a week, and Tao Zi was excitedly preparing her light board and discussing fan support plans with other fans in their group chat.

Being a fangirl was pure bliss, so much so that Tao Zi forgot about Zuo Yuan’s existence.

She was an optimist. Nothing could dampen her spirits for long. She always found ways to enjoy life.

Her friends had once said that she had the potential to be a “heartbreaker,” falling in and out of love easily, her heart spacious enough for countless crushes. If her idol made a mistake that violated her principles, she would unfollow them immediately, unfazed by her previous devotion, as if she had never been a true fan.

Tao Zi didn’t take this evaluation to heart. Wasn’t it a good thing? She shouldn’t be a fan of someone unworthy of her admiration, it would only lower her IQ and get her criticized.

Besides, if one handsome man or beautiful woman was gone, there were countless others waiting for her!

“There are plenty of fish in the sea,” Tao Zi believed this wholeheartedly.

When Tao Zi stopped inviting Zuo Yuan out for meals and even ignored his message, Zuo Yuan initially thought the matter was settled. But he couldn’t help but wonder how she had reacted to his message.

Someone as optimistic as Tao Zi probably wouldn’t be sad for long. But then again, she had invited him out so often, she must have had feelings for him. Maybe she was hurt by his cold and heartless message.

Although he hadn’t actively tried to understand Tao Zi, he could tell that she was a principled person, even a bit proud. She loved being a fangirl, but she never lowered herself.

If her idol looked down on their fans or used them for publicity, she would immediately unfollow them, her love vanishing instantly.

Zuo Yuan rubbed his temples, feeling like he was going crazy. Why was he worrying about someone irrelevant?

But every evening, he would instinctively check his phone, hoping for a message from Tao Zi.

However, there was nothing. His life had returned to normal.

Zuo Yuan told himself that time heals all wounds. Tao Zi wasn’t that special, he would forget about her eventually, and his life would be back on track.

One rainy day, he found himself near the milk tea shop where they had met. He couldn’t explain why he was there.

But he didn’t expect to see Tao Zi. Coincidences like that were rare. Besides, he and Tao Zi were from different worlds. She had told him that although she loved being a fangirl, she wanted to marry an ordinary person.

He didn’t need to be rich or charming. Someone too outstanding would make her feel insecure. She wanted a stable and peaceful life. Of course, it would be a bonus if her future husband was handsome.

She had said those words while looking at him, her eyes sparkling.

In her eyes, he was the perfect candidate. But at that time, Zuo Yuan didn’t want anything to develop between them, so he had just smiled and pretended not to understand her hints.

The real him was far from the image Tao Zi admired. He was wealthy, smooth-talking, even hypocritical when dealing with those who weren’t close friends or family. He had used Tao Zi and then ruthlessly discarded her.

Being with him would also mean a chaotic life, as there were too many people vying for the position of his wife.

They weren’t compatible in any way.

Lost in his thoughts, Zuo Yuan’s gaze suddenly fixed on a certain spot, his eyes darkening.

Tao Zi was sitting at the same table where they had first met, but the person sitting across from her wasn’t him. It was a stranger.

The man looked ordinary, his lips moving as he talked to Tao Zi. Tao Zi was smiling, and they seemed to be having a pleasant conversation.

However, if Zuo Yuan had looked closely, he would have noticed that Tao Zi’s smile was strained, more like a polite courtesy smile, and her eyes held a hint of impatience.

“You’re quite pretty, but a woman’s looks can’t put food on the table. What matters most is being a good homemaker. My parents and I aren’t picky eaters, as long as you can cook at the level of an average restaurant, it’s fine.” The man took a sip of his coffee, his cup empty. He immediately beckoned the waiter for a refill.

Tao Zi was struggling to maintain her smile. She was only twenty-three, just a year out of college, and she was already being forced to go on blind dates.

In their hometown, they counted age in lunar years, which meant she was already “twenty-five” this year. Twenty-five was considered an “old maid,” and if she didn’t get married soon, she would be “devalued.” Tao Zi rolled her eyes inwardly. What era were they living in? The notion that unmarried women were undesirable was outdated.

When and if she wanted to get married was her own decision. And this man they had set her up with was simply unbearable.

He was talking as if they were already married. She did want to marry an ordinary person. But marriage was about building a life together, not becoming someone’s maid.

Cooking, cleaning, taking care of his parents, having children, and not getting paid, maybe even being forced to quit her job.

As expected, the man’s next words were: “If we get married, it’s best if you quit your job. Too many girls these days are trying to be strong and independent, thinking they can compete with men. They’re too career-driven, neglecting their families. Who will take care of the children? I think women should stay at home and take care of the children after marriage. A child needs their mother. I’m busy with work and often have social engagements, but you need to understand, men have unavoidable dinners and drinking parties.”

Tao Zi was tuning him out. She knew this was how it would be. She wanted to check her phone, look at pictures of her idol to cleanse her eyes, and listen to his latest album to cleanse her ears.

The man noticed her inattentiveness and frowned. He was about to say something when he suddenly stopped.

Tao Zi rolled her eyes, not caring about what the man was thinking. After this blind date, they probably wouldn’t see each other again.

But the silence dragged on for too long, and Tao Zi felt something was wrong. She looked up and saw the man’s unpleasant expression.

“Tao Zi, is this your colleague? I’ve never heard you mention him before.” A hand landed on her shoulder. Tao Zi instinctively turned and saw Zuo Yuan’s profile.

“He’s a distant relative from my aunt’s side, we’re not close. What are you doing here? Didn’t we agree to have dinner tonight?” Tao Zi didn’t want to stay with this man any longer. Zuo Yuan was here, and they had been friends for a while, he wouldn’t mind being her temporary shield, right?

As for whether Zuo Yuan would cooperate, Tao Zi thought he probably would. He wasn’t very talkative, but he was observant and could read the atmosphere.

Zuo Yuan casually put his arm around Tao Zi’s shoulder and smiled politely at the man. “Hello.”

Although he didn’t explicitly state their relationship, his words and intimate gesture spoke volumes.

The man slammed his hand on the table, his face red with anger. “Tao Zi, you have a boyfriend, and you’re still going on blind dates?! What do you take me for?!”

Tao Zi was stunned. She didn’t understand why he was so angry. They had just met for the first time today, and she had been so cold and distant, clearly showing her disinterest.

“Blind date?” Zuo Yuan narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed on the man with hostility.

“I should be the one asking, what do you mean by going on a blind date with my girlfriend?”

The man could tell from Zuo Yuan’s expensive suit and watch, as well as his appearance and demeanor, that he wasn’t from an ordinary family.

But his pride wouldn’t allow him to admit it. He even felt a twinge of sour grapes.

“Tao Zi, do you really think a man like him truly likes you and wants to marry you? He’s just playing with you. When you’re truly heartbroken, you’ll realize how good a man like me is.” The man’s expression was both smug and malicious, as if he could already see Tao Zi’s future heartbreak.

Tao Zi, who wasn’t actually dating Zuo Yuan, didn’t care about his words.

“Mr. Chen, we just met today, don’t you think you’re overstepping your boundaries?” Her impatience was evident.

The man scoffed, pitying Tao Zi’s naivety. “Don’t regret it later. Don’t come crying to me when you realize your mistake.”

“Don’t let the door hit you on the way out,” Tao Zi said coldly.

After the man left, Zuo Yuan sat down beside Tao Zi in silence.

Tao Zi took a sip of her milk tea, cursing the man in her mind.

After venting her anger, she turned to Zuo Yuan. “Were you taking a walk nearby? No, that’s not right, why would you be taking a walk in the rain? But thank you anyway. If you hadn’t shown up, I would have had to listen to that man’s nonsense for longer.”

Zuo Yuan stroked his knuckles, his gaze lowered. He didn’t answer.

Tao Zi wasn’t expecting an answer. She continued, “Although I’m grateful, you must have a girlfriend now, right? It’s not good for us to be seen alone together. I’ll be going now. Waiter—”

Zuo Yuan stopped her hand as she was about to call the waiter. Tao Zi quickly withdrew her hand and moved away from him.

“We should maintain some distance, we don’t want to cause any misunderstandings.”

Her evasive reaction irritated Zuo Yuan. “I don’t have a girlfriend,” he said.

“Ah?” Tao Zi was stunned. Then she thought, why would he send that message if he didn’t have a girlfriend? Or maybe he had a boyfriend?

“Oh, so you have a boyfriend. Even if you’re gay, it’s still not appropriate for us to be too close.” She didn’t want to be mistaken for a third party.

Zuo Yuan’s lips thinned into a line. “I don’t have a boyfriend either. I think we should give it a try. As boyfriend and girlfriend.”

“Ah?” Tao Zi was even more confused now. She couldn’t understand his logic.

 

Chapter 112: Bonus – When We Were Young (End)

“She’s so beautiful.”

“As expected of Boss’s girlfriend, she looks like a fairy.”

“If I had even a tenth of her beauty, I would be smiling in my dreams!”

Qin Ai was stunned the moment she saw Zuo Bian.

Zuo Bian was wearing a crimson dress, her silky black hair flowing down her shoulders, braided on both sides and tied at the back, adorned with a delicate red rose.

Her fair face had minimal makeup, only her eyebrows and lips were accentuated.

She smiled, and in that instant, Qin Ai understood the phrase “more beautiful than flowers.”

Her heart raced uncontrollably. She ignored everything and everyone around her, her eyes and mind focused solely on Zuo Bian.

“Qin Ai.” Zuo Bian called out her name.

Like Qin Ai, she had spotted Qin Ai the moment she entered the room.

Qin Ai snapped out of her daze and walked towards Zuo Bian.

Before she could reach her, Zuo Bian extended her hand.

Qin Ai took her hand, unable to suppress her smile.

Everyone around them was praising Zuo Bian’s beauty and wishing her a happy birthday.

Chang Wenyan and Lin Qingqing felt a pang of jealousy. Knowing that Qin Ai had someone she loved and that they were happy was one thing, seeing it with their own eyes was another.

Chang Wensi and Lu Letian, who had been dragged along, were busy stuffing their faces with food. They were still clueless teenagers who only cared about having fun.

“Thank you.” Zuo Bian thanked everyone for their gifts.

The gifts were varied and unique, some of which she couldn’t even name. But they were all tokens of their well wishes, and she accepted them all happily.

The gift she was looking forward to the most was, of course, from Qin Ai.

After everyone had given their gifts, Zuo Bian turned to Qin Ai expectantly. “Qin Ai, where’s my birthday gift? Everyone else has given theirs, you’re the only one left.”

Qin Ai cleared her throat, about to speak, but her words caught in her throat.

Zuo Bian tilted her head, her eyes questioning. “Hmm? Where’s the gift?”

“All you care about is the gift, as if I wouldn’t give you one. What’s the rush?” Qin Ai said, taking out her gift.

Zuo Bian’s eyes followed her movements, her face filled with anticipation.

Remembering how envious Zuo Bian had been of those who received hand-knitted scarves from their girlfriends, Qin Ai imagined how happy Zuo Bian would be when she saw the scarf she had knitted. A month of hard work hadn’t been in vain.

“Here, your gift.” Qin Ai shoved the box into Zuo Bian’s arms.

Zuo Bian hugged the box, her eyes shining. “Qin Ai, can I open it now?”

A suspicious blush crept onto Qin Ai’s ears. She mumbled in agreement.

Zuo Bian immediately opened the box, but her movements slowed down as she lifted the lid.

But no matter how slowly she moved, the lid would eventually be opened.

She removed the lid, revealing a neatly folded scarf lying on a velvet cloth. She could see half of the character “Ai” (love) knitted into the scarf.

“Qin Ai, I know you love me.” Zuo Bian smiled, her eyes crinkling.

The word “love” was foreign to Qin Ai, but hearing Zuo Bian say it, she felt like it might be true.

However, she was a master of denial, using her gruffness to hide her feelings. “Love, my ass! Unfold the scarf and see what it says.”

“Okay.” Zuo Bian carefully unfolded the scarf and read the words aloud. “Qin, Ai, and, Zuo, Bian, together, forever.”

She had just said “love, my ass,” but the scarf said “together forever.” What else could it be but love?

The moment Zuo Bian read the last four characters, Qin Ai felt her heart skip a beat, as if it was about to burst out of her chest.

She wanted to shout, “Yes, I love you! I want to be with you forever! You can’t refuse!”

But such cheesy lines were too embarrassing for her to say. She grabbed Zuo Bian’s hand and stammered, “So, do you want to?”

Zuo Bian nodded with a smile. “Of course, I do.”

“Let me put it on you. Once you wear this scarf, you’re mine for life.” Qin Ai took the scarf and wrapped it around Zuo Bian’s neck.

The scarf was soft and smooth, tickling her cheek.

“Okay,” Zuo Bian replied.

Qin Ai couldn’t hold back her smile any longer. “You’re trapped now.”

“I’m willing to be trapped.” Zuo Bian took Qin Ai’s hand.

Their fingers intertwined, their grip firm.

“The candles are ready. Boss, sister-in-law, I know you’re sweet, but it’s sister-in-law’s birthday today.” Liu Liu had been chosen to interrupt their moment.

Qin Ai had been hogging the spotlight with her gift-giving. No one dared to rush her, but she had been chatting with Zuo Bian for so long that the candles were already half burned down. If they didn’t call them over soon, there would be no candles left to blow out.

But no one dared to interrupt them, afraid of being scolded. They even played a game of drawing straws, the unlucky one having to call them over.

Unfortunately, Liu Liu was tricked by his cunning classmates and drew the short straw.

Qin Ai glared at him for interrupting their alone time, making him cower.

“Hey, we were just worried that the candles would burn out before sister-in-law could blow them out and make a wish!”

Qin Ai felt guilty. “I know, do I need you to remind me? Zuo Bian, go blow out the candles and make a wish.”

“Mm-hmm.” Zuo Bian nodded.

For Zuo Bian’s birthday, the cake was, of course, extravagant. It was a half-meter-tall castle, so intricately decorated that it looked more like a model than a cake.

Eighteen candles were burning on top, already half melted. The flames flickered in the breeze as everyone started singing “Happy Birthday.”

Zuo Bian clasped her hands together and blew out the candles with a powerful breath. Most of them went out, but a few stubborn ones remained lit. She took a deep breath and blew them out in one go.

“Make a wish,” Qin Ai said, looking at Zuo Bian’s profile. She had lost her usual gruffness, replaced by a gentle tenderness.

Zuo Bian didn’t make a wish immediately. She smiled and said, “My birthday wish is for Qin Ai’s wish to come true.”

—Qin Ai and Zuo Bian, together forever.

The moment she said those words, the scene froze, as if everyone had been paused.

【Xiao Bian, time’s up, we have to go.】

Zuo Bian felt like she was dreaming.

Everything was so perfect.

“555, what will happen to this world after I leave?”

【This is just a fragment of time, the story has already happened. Whether you were here or not won’t affect the future. When you return to your world, everything will go back to normal. They will forget about you, and everything will be as if you never existed. Only you will remember what happened here.】

“This Qin Ai won’t remember me? But that’s good. If I suddenly disappear, and she still remembers me, she’ll be heartbroken. Let me kiss her one last time.”

Zuo Bian leaned forward and kissed Qin Ai’s lips. It was a gentle kiss, filled with reluctance.

But no matter how reluctant she was, she had to leave.

“Goodbye.”

=================

A vortex appeared behind Zuo Bian, slowly engulfing her. She closed her eyes, her body feeling like it was immersed in a hot spring.

Her mind was hazy, in a state between dream and reality.

The scenes from her time in that time period played in her mind like a fast-forwarded movie. The moment it ended, she opened her eyes.

Sunlight streamed through the open window, shining directly into her eyes.

The golden light blurred her vision, and she saw a blurry figure standing before her.

“Awake?”

“Mm.” Zuo Bian felt weak, her voice soft.

“Did you enjoy pushing me off the bed?”

“Ah?” Zuo Bian was still groggy, she didn’t understand what Qin Ai meant.

Then Qin Ai said, “Were you deliberately trying to provoke me by replying to those love letters, hoping that I would write one for you too?”

Finally understanding what was going on, Zuo Bian immediately asked 555, “555, didn’t you say that only I would remember?”

“Well… I extended the package, and Qin Ai also having that memory was a bonus for spending over 999 points. Isn’t it better that she remembers? Hahaha, I’m out of here.” 555 quickly scurried away.

With 555 gone, only Zuo Bian and Qin Ai were left in the room. The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

Zuo Bian hadn’t done it intentionally, but looking back, it did seem intentional.

“Ai Jiejie, I didn’t do it on purpose.” She hugged Qin Ai’s waist, acting cute to soften her heart.

This tactic was very effective against Qin Ai, but Qin Ai was twenty-nine now, she had experienced a lot, she wasn’t a naive teenager anymore. Although her heart softened, her attitude remained firm.

“Was it also intentional when you said you were envious of others who received hand-knitted scarves from their girlfriends?” Qin Ai pushed Zuo Bian onto the bed and tickled her side.

Zuo Bian burst into laughter, tears streaming down her face. “Ai Jiejie, please spare me, I really didn’t do it on purpose, hahaha… And I really liked that scarf!”

To others, a scarf with such a straightforward message might seem cheesy and silly, but Zuo Bian genuinely loved it.

Because Qin Ai had knitted it for her, and the words on it were their shared wish.

“You better like it, or I’ll punish you.” Qin Ai stopped tickling her, her hands framing Zuo Bian’s face, her eyes bright.

Zuo Bian wrapped her arms around Qin Ai’s neck, smiling. “I like it, I like the scarf, and I like you even more.”

Qin Ai couldn’t help but smile. “You’re trapped now. Qin Ai and Zuo Bian will be together forever.”

Zuo Bian pulled Qin Ai closer and repeated before kissing her lips, “Mm, together forever.”