Chapter 298

"Wait, why are you here too...?"

She had deliberately chosen a time with absolutely no flaws to launch her surprise attack, but who knew there was someone else... who had arrived even before her?

What on earth is going on?!

"I..." Mei was also taken aback. She, too, didn't understand why Mei would be here at this time.

Clearly, the other party is specifically looking for Qiao Ran now in order to keep it a secret from others.

But... aren't they close sisters in private? Why can't she understand any of the things they're doing?

"I actually just wanted to ask some questions..."

Mei gave up on thinking about it. She was determined to find out the answer tonight, and since Mei was here too, she might as well just tell her as well.

Mei prefers to face things directly rather than hide, but Mei feels the same way. They basically share similar thoughts, and it is precisely because of their similarities that they make similar choices.

"Don't just stand at the door, come in with me."

Qiao Ran welcomed Mei, who was standing at the door, inside. It wouldn't be good if she were noticed by other Trainer passing by.

The key point is that they can now be considered semi-public figures, so it's best for them to control their image in front of others.

"You're here to ask a question?"

Mei also sat down on the edge of Qiao Ran's bed. The moment she heard Mei's words, she probably guessed what was going on.

Yes.

Now that I've come here... isn't that the only thing I can ask?

"Actually, I came here... to talk about this issue as well."

Mei observed Lillie's reaction while carefully considering her words.

She had originally planned to just chat with Qiao Ran privately, but she hadn't expected Mei to be there too, which completely threw her into a bind.

... If I just say it outright, will it affect Lillie and Mei's relationship...?

"Alright, all of you, stop talking and listen to me."

After watching them stammer for a long time, Qiao Ran finally stepped forward. He was prepared to be frank, but Mei interrupted his spell. However, it didn't matter; doing Encore wouldn't be a big problem.

"Me and Lillie, she..."

"Tap tap tap."

However, just as Qiao Ran was about to speak again, a soft knock sounded on the door once more.

"?????"

What on earth is wrong with me today??

Can you let me finish what I have to say?

Qiao Ran stood up, bewildered and speechless, and walked to the door of the room. Standing in front of him was the very person he had just wanted to mention.

The blonde girl standing at the door looked behind Qiao Ran and saw two familiar figures as well.

Wait... why are they here?

"Um... I came at an inopportune time?"

Lillie couldn't help but ask cautiously.

"No."

In response to her question, Qiao Ran simply shook her head.

"You've come at just the right time."

Since Qiao Ran is already prepared to have an open and honest discussion, it would be even better if Lillie were there.

After experiencing so much, Qiao Ran finally understood his own heart. In countless battles, he faced death countless times. Did he ever choose to back down then?

Since we face such danger at all times, we might as well follow our hearts when we are able to act.

He will not regret it.

Although Lillie had mentioned wanting to conceal these relationships during Lillie previous conversation, this choice did not align with Qiao Ran's own thoughts and went against the path he wanted to take.

It's a complete mess; no matter how much you try to cover it up, it will only get worse.

Listen to me.

He led the girls into the room and had them sit on the edge of the bed. Qiao Ran sat on another chair, her expression very serious.

"I can tell you what happened yesterday, but I have one condition: don't interrupt me before I finish, okay?"

"..." Lillie's expression shifted, and she glanced at the two people around her with some panic and worry, but when she saw Qiao Ran's serious eyes, she chose to remain silent.

It seems... Qiao Ran has made up his mind.

"Um."

"... Um."

Mei and Mei nodded, looking somewhat uneasy. In fact, they already had some premonitions in their hearts, but... nothing had been confirmed yet, and they didn't want to think about it in certain ways.

"That's how it is..."

"Lillie and I, yesterday..."

"That's all."

After briefly recounting what had happened yesterday, the girls blushed deeply, but for them, shock clearly outweighed shyness. What Qiao Ran said had completely overturned their current worldview.

"Wait... wait, did you really do that kind of thing... did it really come to that?"

Mei was completely flustered, and her expression turned strange. She glanced at Lillie furtively, then quickly looked away...

Is this... is this really... really?

Lillie, who seems so innocent, could actually...?

"They've already admitted it, so it must be true."

Mei's expression also turned strange. Although she had already guessed, this was completely different from hearing the other person admit it to themselves!

What... what should I do?

She even felt as if a whirlpool had appeared beneath her, making her dizzy and lightheaded.

"So your relationship is already..." Mei's eyes widened, and tears seemed to well up in her eyes. She didn't know why, but... it hurt so much.

I feel so awful.

"I'll address this later, please hear me out first."

Seeing their expressions, Qiao Ran felt a pang of pity, but he still had to continue speaking.

"Even though what happened between Lillie and me... we're still a group, and I hope our relationship can remain the same as before, that we can travel together, and..."

"How... how is this possible!"

Qiao Ran was interrupted halfway through his sentence by a voice—it was Mei.

She suddenly stood up, her face, which had been full of smiles, now streaked with tears.

Is this the ending she wanted? Her two closest friends... after all this happened, they still said these things to her...

"How is this possible... how can it possibly be the same as before!"

"Why is it the same as before?!"

Mei couldn't help but sob, tears sliding down her cheeks and dripping onto the ground.

This was the second time she had cried; the first time was when she first met Qiao Ran.

"Mei..." Mei, who was standing next to her, was also startled, but more than surprise, she felt understanding and sadness.

She's not the only one holding the same view...

Although she had considered giving up and had resolved to completely withdraw after Lillie and Qiao Ran confirmed their relationship, it was easier said than done.

"..."

Lillie watched all this silently. She looked at Qiao Ran, observing his movements. The current situation... was clearly not the outcome she wanted to see.

Hurry up and do something... Qiao Ran...

She could only trust this man who had created countless miracles, and believe that he must have his reasons for doing so.

"I know."

Qiao Ran nodded slightly.

Only by expressing your emotions can you understand your truest thoughts.

Seeing Mei Mei's expressions at that moment, Qiao Ran understood what he should do.

For them,

Is it just an idea?

Everything is now clear.

Qiao Ran forward and, amidst everyone's shocked expressions, pulled the crying Mei into his arms.

"...?!"

Mei herself was the first to react; her body trembled violently for a moment, and even her crying stopped abruptly.

"No... no...!"

Mei struggled.

However, Qiao Ran did not grant her her wish.

"As I said, we are a team, so... I hope everything will be the same as before."

Mei placed her hand on Qiao Ran's chest, trying to push him away, but it didn't seem to have any effect.

Moreover, Qiao Ran continued speaking.

He held her tightly as he spoke.

I will bring happiness to everyone.

"Everyone is the same."

No matter how much time is left in the future.

"No matter what dangers we may face in the future."

"No matter how treacherous the paths to other worlds may be, no matter what enemies we may encounter in the future..."

"We can overcome challenges together, take on challenges, and travel to every corner of the world."

"We will always be best friends, best partners... and even... a deeper relationship."

"Waaah..."

After listening to everything Qiao Ran said, Mei gradually gave up resisting.

She didn't push Qiao Ran away as before, but her sobs became clearer, and she reached out and hugged Qiao Ran.

"Too cunning... too cunning..."

"How could anyone say such a thing? How could anyone say something so utterly absurd..."

She buried her head in Qiao Ran's chest, her loose chestnut hair obscuring her face.

What does it mean to go on an adventure together? What does it mean to go to other worlds? What does it mean to be best friends? What does it mean to have a deeper relationship?

Too cunning... too cunning...

"Don't you know... saying such things... is a foul for Trainer?"

Scenes from the past seemed to flash before Mei.

At first, it might have just been a small feeling, but as time went on, he became an irreplaceable presence in my heart.