Zhu Zhuqing's Dark Turn?

Zhu Zhuqing's Dark Turn?

"Is this how you plan to talk to me? Aren't you going to invite me in to sit?"

Zhu Zhuqing froze for a moment, then opened the door and invited Yin Hao inside.

Yin Hao did not stand on ceremony. He walked straight over and sat down on the sofa.

After a brief hesitation, Zhu Zhuqing sat on the sofa across from Yin Hao as well.

"Zhuqing, something is clearly wrong with you today. I have experience treating injuries, so there's no need to lie and say your wounds flared up again..."

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head slightly. That was indeed what she had planned to say.

Seeing that Zhu Zhuqing remained silent, Yin Hao continued.

"We've been together for a month now, haven't we? We can be considered friends, right?"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded. This time, she did not hesitate. From him saving her and treating her injuries, to camping in the wilderness together while she recovered, then strolling around Suotuo City together—they were certainly friends. In fact, he was one of only two friends she had ever had in her life.

"Then, a month ago, we didn't know each other at all. I don't know about your past, your family, or anything around you. If you don't mind, I think I could be a very good listener."

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing still hesitate, Yin Hao continued to fool her... Ahem... continued persuading her.

"Some things are like wine. If you keep them bottled up inside, they'll only ferment more fiercely. Say them out loud, and perhaps you'll get an unexpected result."

Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Yin Hao, nodded, and spoke.

"Hao Ge, can I ask you a few questions?"

Yin Hao nodded.

"Of course. We're friends, and isn't that what friends are for—to confide in each other?"

A faint smile appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's frost-cold face, like an epiphyllum blooming amid ice and snow. It was fleeting, yet extraordinarily beautiful.

"If... I mean, if... you had an enemy. She was older than you, started cultivating before you, and was stronger than you. The distance between you was so vast that you couldn't even see her, yet in a few years, you would inevitably have to fight to determine the winner. And the price of losing was death... would you choose to face her with everything you had, or flee far away?"

Yin Hao pretended to ponder for a moment, thinking about how to lead her astray.

"If you don't give it your all, who would be willing to become a loser? Even if you lose, at least you would have done right by yourself..."

"But what if losing means death? If you hide your name and run away, perhaps you could survive. You might even... live well..."

When she said those last few words, Zhu Zhuqing's tone noticeably darkened. She had probably thought of Dai Mubai.

Yet Yin Hao acted as though he had not noticed anything unusual. He rose to his feet and said,

"Better to die fighting than live in cowardly disgrace!"

After saying that, Yin Hao felt as though his whole being had been elevated. Come on... Hurry up and carve my current appearance into a statue for future generations to admire.

Ahem... He had gone off topic. Back to the point—though he himself probably could not manage it if it came down to it, that did not stop Yin Hao from saying it.

"Better to die fighting than live in cowardly disgrace..."

Zhu Zhuqing's crimson lips parted slightly as she softly repeated Yin Hao's words.

Then she widened her eyes and looked at him.

"Then... what if there were two of you, but your companion ran away?"

"Companion?"

Yin Hao looked at Zhu Zhuqing with utter seriousness.

"Zhuqing, remember this: when you're walking the line between life and death, traitors are always more detestable than enemies!"

"Traitors... more detestable... than enemies..."

Zhu Zhuqing suddenly smiled. Since meeting her in the forest, Yin Hao had never seen her smile so brilliantly.

She stood, walked over to Yin Hao, and gently pressed her crimson lips to his. Though it lasted only an instant, it still left Yin Hao utterly stunned...

Did I... fail to control my strength again... and ruin another one?

"Thank you, Hao Ge."

After giving Yin Hao that light kiss, Zhu Zhuqing released him.

Yet even after Yin Hao left the room, he was still somewhat dazed. It was over, he had overdone it... and ruined another one...

Originally, Yin Hao had only wanted Zhu Zhuqing to understand this principle and then take the initiative to distance herself from Dai Mubai. Then he could take advantage of the opening.

But... judging by this... she seemed to understand the principle... so why did it feel like she was turning dark?

Yin Hao shook his head. Forget it, he would stop thinking about it. Whatever happened, happened. When the cart reached the mountain, there would be a road.

Returning to his own room, he opened the door with the spare key.

Xiao Wu was already asleep inside. She lay sprawled across the bed without the slightest regard for her image. Beside her was half of a half-eaten Top Grade Crystal Carrot.

She was spread out on the bed in the shape of a "big" character, a trace of glistening drool hanging from the corner of her mouth. Who knew what she was dreaming about? She was even muttering in her sleep.

"Crystal Carrot..."

Yin Hao helplessly curled his lips. After twelve years of struggle in the Douluo world, two of Shrek's three beauties had, for the time being, probably been led astray by him. Only Ning Rongrong, whom he had yet to meet, was still relatively normal.

Yin Hao gently adjusted Xiao Wu's body into a proper position. Mm... long and white...

Then he held Xiao Wu and peacefully fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing stood before the window. Cold moonlight shone upon her beautiful profile, adding a touch of sinister charm to her allure.

"Traitor... Hehe..."

The next morning, Xiao Wu woke first. Feeling that familiar human pillow, she realized she had slept especially sweetly the night before.

A voice sounded beside Xiao Wu's ear.

"Are you still not going to let go?"

But Xiao Wu seemed not to hear him at all. She even shifted her long legs further onto Yin Hao.

"No, no... Hao Gege is the most comfortable to hold..."

"Xiao Wu... if you keep fooling around like this, I can't guarantee I won't do something to you..."

Hearing Yin Hao's "threat," Xiao Wu was not afraid in the slightest. Instead, she hugged him even tighter.

"What does Hao Gege want to do to me? I'm so curious..."

What a little rogue rabbit. Yin Hao did not hold back either. He wrapped an arm around Xiao Wu's waist and directly pinned her beneath him.

Even then, Xiao Wu did not panic. Instead, she put on a pitiful, delicate expression.

"What does Hao Gege want to do? I'm a little scared..."

The feelings between Yin Hao and Xiao Wu had long since reached that point. He had only refrained from touching her before because she had been too young, but now... there was nothing left to worry about...

But just then, a knock sounded from outside the door.

"Hao Ge, Hao Ge? Are you there? We should go look for an academy. If we're too late, we might not be able to get in line."

Only then did Yin Hao release Xiao Wu and call out toward the door.

"Got it..."

Then he turned and lightly kissed Xiao Wu on the cheek.

"I'll let you off this time. If you provoke me again next time, I'll really eat you up..."

"Mm..."

After saying that, Yin Hao turned to get dressed. What he did not notice was the deep disappointment that appeared on Xiao Wu's face after he turned around.