My Name Is Zhu Zhuqing

The girl had fair skin, a delicate and adorable appearance, and what attracted Ling Qianyue most was the rounded fullness before her chest.

Ling Qianyue had already recognized her as Zhu Zhuqing.

She had only awakened her martial soul not long ago, and her body had only just begun developing rapidly, yet the little kitten had already displayed her extraordinary gifts.

Her figure, far more voluptuous than those of girls her age, stood in sharp contrast to her exceedingly cold expression, deepening Ling Qianyue's impression of her at once.

Rather than strike up a conversation with Zhu Zhuqing, Ling Qianyue openly admired her for a while before turning back and continuing his nap.

"Why didn't you drive me away like you drove them away?" A cool voice suddenly rang out.

If I really drove you away, you'd be unhappy again.

"You didn't provoke me."

"Oh? Oh." Zhu Zhuqing fell silent for a moment. "You fought well. Thank you."

"Thank me?" Ling Qianyue was puzzled.

"The Dai Family is very annoying."

"Is that so? You're welcome."

Their conversation came to an abrupt halt. The entire space seemed to grow even quieter because of their silence, with only the occasional breeze softly brushing past the treetops.

Zhu Zhuqing sat there, her fingers unconsciously rubbing together. Her clear yet somewhat indifferent eyes occasionally stole glances at Ling Qianyue before quickly looking away, as though afraid of being noticed.

"What a strange person."

Her fingers unconsciously tugged at the hem of her skirt. Then, she suddenly pulled out a packet of candied fruit wrapped in oiled paper from the small pouch at her waist. She stared at it for a long while before quietly moving to Ling Qianyue's side and gently nudging his clothes with her fingertip. "Want some?"

Ling Qianyue opened one eye and saw the crooked Amber Studio mark stamped on the candied fruit, the most expensive shop in Star Luo City. He recalled the price tag of three Silver Soul Coins he had seen in its display window when passing by that morning.

"Too sweet." He deliberately turned his head away. From the corner of his eye, he saw the tips of the girl's ears flush a faint pink. "Still, thanks."

He reached out, took the candied fruit, and put it into his mouth.

"Can you help—"

Ling Qianyue immediately spat the candied fruit back onto the oiled paper. "What?"

Zhu Zhuqing froze. She truly had not expected such a reaction from Ling Qianyue. Before she could finish speaking, her words caught in her throat.

After staring blankly for a moment, she frowned in annoyance and muttered softly, "You really are... strange."

Ling Qianyue found her slightly embarrassed and angry expression amusing, but he put on an innocent look. "What's wrong?"

Zhu Zhuqing answered crossly, "Nothing."

So Ling Qianyue put the candied fruit back into his mouth, earning a glare from Zhu Zhuqing.

"Did you do that on purpose, or by accident?"

Ling Qianyue chuckled as he ate the candied fruit. "Purposely by accident."

At that, Zhu Zhuqing clenched her teeth even tighter. Her carefully maintained iceberg persona nearly cracked as she balled up her tiny fists, looking adorably fierce.

"Hmph." Zhu Zhuqing stopped paying attention to Ling Qianyue and said in a muffled voice, "Goodbye."

Ling Qianyue watched Zhu Zhuqing's retreating figure and could not help smiling. Rather than let her keep worrying over matters at home, it was better to distract her first.

Besides, changing Zhu Zhuqing's personality from the original story would be a long-term project.

Now that they were in the same class, Ling Qianyue would have to be an idiot to let her slip away. A little kitten he raised himself was the best kind of kitten.

The time for the students to familiarize themselves with the campus quickly passed, and Class One gathered in the classroom once more.

"Choose your own seats first, everyone. If they prove unsuitable later, I'll rearrange them." Teacher Ma Guobao, who was in charge of Class One, spoke.

Perhaps because he had taught Dai Gonggong a lesson earlier, Ling Qianyue noticed that many of the boys looked at him strangely. Reverence? Fear?

Dai Gonggong came over at that moment. "Hehe, Boss, I've already spread the word. You pick your seat first."

"Pfft, you big mouth." Ling Qianyue rolled his eyes at him. "Thanks."

He walked to the second-to-last row and sat directly in the window seat.

The seats were quickly taken. Perhaps because Dai Gonggong had privately spread word that he had a bad temper, the seat behind him remained empty.

"Oh, we meet again. You didn't even tell me your name earlier?" Ling Qianyue looked at Zhu Zhuqing, who had arrived last.

Zhu Zhuqing's expression stiffened. She nodded. "My name is Zhu Zhuqing." Then she sat behind him.

From afar, Dai Gonggong keenly noticed this scene, his gaze shifting back and forth between Zhu Zhuqing and Ling Qianyue.

A month quickly passed.

Ling Qianyue also gained a clearer understanding of Zhu Zhuqing's situation.

Before she was three or four years old, Zhu Zhuqing had enjoyed a carefree childhood.

She had a mother who loved her and an older sister who played with her.

After she turned four, her sister began distancing herself from her, and the family's resources began to be redirected.

It was not until Zhu Zhuqing awakened her martial soul at six and was chosen by the royal family to pair with Dai Mubai—so that they could contend against Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun for the position of Crown Prince in the future—that Zhu Zhuyun completely tore off her mask, even threatening her with death.

From then on, Zhu Zhuqing became depressed, though her drive to cultivate increased instead.

"Do you have any candied fruit today?" Ling Qianyue held out his hand toward Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing slapped away his outstretched hand irritably. "No!" Was this guy going to keep mooching off her forever? Did he think she was his snack bag?

"You're in a bad mood today?"

Zhu Zhuqing did not answer, but her gaze grew more despondent.

Seeing this, Ling Qianyue could not help asking, "Did your sister bully you again?"

She sighed. "No."

"Ling Qianyue."

"Hmm?"

Zhu Zhuqing glanced at him and softly asked, "Would you say we're friends?"

"Heh." Ling Qianyue rubbed his chin. "You're usually so cold, and I never see you talk to anyone else. In this class, I'm probably the only one who talks to you regularly.

If I denied it, wouldn't that mean you have no friends at all? That would be too pitiful." He let out a mournful sigh.

Zhu Zhuqing felt no reaction whatsoever. Over the past month, Ling Qianyue's barbed remarks had been countless. Words this harmless could not stir her heart in the slightest.

He didn't deny it. Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flickered slightly.

"Come with me somewhere." She grabbed Ling Qianyue by the shoulder of his clothes and immediately pulled him outside.

"Hey, hey, hey?" Ling Qianyue raised an eyebrow, brushed away Zhu Zhuqing's little hand, and slowly walked alongside her.

"Where are we going?"

"Outside the academy, to see someone."

Ling Qianyue narrowed his eyes. "And after that?"

Zhu Zhuqing paused, confusion flashing through her eyes. She shook her head. "We'll come back after seeing them."

Ling Qianyue continued asking, "Why don't you dare go by yourself?"

At his words, Zhu Zhuqing slowed slightly. Another trace of confusion flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by indifference. "I just want someone to go with me. Nothing else."

"Let's go." Ling Qianyue shook his head. "Hopefully, this will be at least a little entertaining."