Mubai's Pain, Zhuqing's Embrace

"Ah-ah-"

The force in Ning Rongrong's right hand steadily increased, beyond anything Dai Mubai could resist. The pain made him howl.

It was a truly pitiful sight, enough to make anyone feel sorry for him.

But every pitiful person had something hateful about them.

For what he had done and what he had said, he had to pay the price today.

"Ning Rongrong." Tang San sprang forward, spreading his hands and using Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon in an attempt to divert the Soul Power Ning Rongrong had unleashed to either side.

But to his surprise, he could only divert half of it. No matter how hard he tried, he could do nothing about the other half. "We're all classmates. Let it go."

Even so, this gave Dai Mubai a chance to catch his breath. The pain lessened considerably, though his shattered bones would not recover in the short term.

Ning Rongrong looked coldly at Tang San, who stood in her way, without restraining her Soul Power. "Why should I give you face?"

"..." Tang San was speechless for a moment.

Ning Rongrong's left hand was also enveloped in emerald light. She gave a gentle push, and Tang San was sent staggering back several steps, rendering all his previous efforts futile.

She then fixed Dai Mubai with another fierce stare. "Don't worry. I can tell you plainly that you won't die, but..."

"That's because you didn't hurt Zhu Zhuqing. If you'd actually attacked her just now, I guarantee you wouldn't have lived until now."

A flicker of hope passed through Dai Mubai's eyes, as though he had heard good news. Enduring the searing pain in his right hand, he asked in a trembling voice, "Th-then what do you want?"

"Don't you love picking flowers and flirting with women?" Ning Rongrong smiled scornfully, swiftly crushing Dai Mubai's hopes. "Then I'll make sure you can never have anything to do with flowers again!"

"Wh-what? No, no, ah-"

Under Dai Mubai's terrified gaze, Ning Rongrong released her right hand. At the same time, her right foot enveloped in all the Soul Power she had accumulated, she kicked him in the crotch with all her might.

The sound of something shattering could be heard with unmistakable clarity.

At the same time, the tremendous force sent Dai Mubai flying, and he crashed heavily to the ground some distance away.

When she was done, Ning Rongrong glanced at Zhu Zhuqing. Seeing that she showed little reaction, she finally let out a long breath and headed straight into the academy.

"Ah-ah-ah-"

Dai Mubai's agonized howls rang out from the distance after his balls were shattered. Tang San hurried over to check on him, and Xiao Wu followed.

Oscar froze for a moment before following them as well.

Everyone except Zhu Zhuqing.

Without the slightest hesitation, she turned and followed Ning Rongrong instead.

Even after they entered Shrek Academy, Dai Mubai's howls were still clearly audible.

Ning Rongrong was somewhat surprised to find Zhu Zhuqing beside her. She couldn't help giving a bitter smile and saying in a low voice, "I thought you'd blame me."

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head. She was neither angry nor happy; her expression was merely indifferent, betraying neither sorrow nor joy. "Blame you for what? For helping me get away from that scumbag too late?"

"I was betrothed by the Star Luo Imperial Family when I was little, made a sacrifice for a marriage alliance between families. My fiancé was Dai Mubai, but I never had the slightest affection for him. To escape this boring political marriage, I traveled thousands of miles to Shrek Academy. First, I wanted to get away from my family and have some peace and quiet. Second, I wanted to see what kind of person this so-called fiancé was."

"And what did I find? He's a womanizer who flirts with every woman he sees, has a violent temper, and bullies the weak while fearing the strong. Some fiancé he is. Every flaw I despise is plain to see in him."

"I was utterly disappointed in him long ago."

Ning Rongrong sighed helplessly.

Having read the original story, how could she not know about Zhu Zhuqing's tragic fate? But reading about it and hearing it firsthand were very different things.

At least, hearing it firsthand allowed her to better understand Zhu Zhuqing's grief, helplessness, and heartache at that moment.

For an instant, it was as if she were Zhu Zhuqing herself, having lived through a tragic childhood, helpless in the face of her family and the betrothal imposed on her.

She had actually considered letting Dai Mubai go, allowing his story to unfold as it had in the original, with him and Zhu Zhuqing ending up together.

But Dai Mubai had failed to live up to expectations. He had insisted on provoking her, and his true nature had never changed in the slightest.

Was she supposed to submit to him?

That was impossible.

At least, now that she was Ning Rongrong, that would never happen.

Besides, Zhu Zhuqing could be with Dai Mubai, but she could also be with someone else.

The seemingly happy ending the two had in the original story was actually built entirely on Zhu Zhuqing silently forgiving him.

There was no telling how many times she had forgiven Dai Mubai.

In truth, it had merely worn away at Zhu Zhuqing's kindness.

If that was the case, couldn't Zhu Zhuqing find someone more suited to her?

Fail to make a clean break when you should, and you'll only be caught in the tangle.

What she had done might not necessarily have ruined Zhu Zhuqing's other half.

"Don't worry." Ning Rongrong gently stroked Zhu Zhuqing's head, her fingers sliding down through her glossy black hair before she wrapped an arm around her waist. In a low voice, she said, "From now on, no one can make you submit to anyone you don't like. Forget a marriage alliance between families-even if the Star Luo Imperial Family puts pressure on you, you'll still have me. I'll help you take care of it all."

"Pfft." Zhu Zhuqing smiled, touched by her words. "Are you silly? That's the Star Luo Imperial Family! How could you possibly deal with them alone? Don't try to be a hero!"

"Huh? What should I do, then?" Ning Rongrong tightened her arm around Zhu Zhuqing's waist, making her face turn bright red.

"Naturally, you can count me in. The two of us will face them together!" Zhu Zhuqing patted her chest confidently. "It's my problem, after all. How could I let you go alone?"

"Will two people be enough?" Ning Rongrong joked, mimicking Zhu Zhuqing's tone. "That's the Star Luo Imperial Family."

"Won't they?" Zhu Zhuqing pouted and muttered, "Then I'll just sneak back to the empire on my own. I can't drag you into this."

Zhu Zhuqing's voice was very low at the end, as though she had not been speaking to Ning Rongrong at all, but had instead gathered her courage and made a final resolution to herself.

A slight pang shot through Ning Rongrong's heart. She stopped, turned Zhu Zhuqing's head toward her, and scolded her with a resolute gaze. "Don't you dare!"

"I..."

Zhu Zhuqing stuck out her tongue playfully and said no more.

The moonlight was beautiful that night. It illuminated Zhu Zhuqing's flawless face, and her large, blinking eyes sparkled like diamonds. For an instant, Ning Rongrong actually felt her heart stir.

Zhu Zhuqing gazed back at Ning Rongrong. After a long while, she meowed like a kitten, then nestled into Ning Rongrong's arms.

"Thank you, Rongrong~"

Her voice was soft and gentle, like a homeless kitten that had suddenly found a new home.

Beneath the bright moonlight, Zhu Zhuqing realized that her once ever-frozen heart was beginning to thaw.

Even though the person holding her was, like her, a girl of indescribable beauty...