Different Choices

"Sorry, but I really don't have one." Xue Qingxi spoke calmly as he sized up the man before him.

When he saw the blond hair and double pupils, he pondered for a moment before nodding in understanding. He turned and gave Tang San a look.

Then he cut off the man's rising anger. "I think I know who you are. In that case, how about we move to a private room at the restaurant and talk?"

Dai Mubai froze for a moment, then nodded with an unpleasant expression.

Having received the signal, Tang San led them forward a few steps and entered the Great Tang Merchant Guild's restaurant with his identity token.

"Young Master, shall I have the guards stand watch?" The restaurant manager looked at the unfamiliar faces behind Tang San and asked with a smile.

"There's no need for that. We're only talking for a little while." Tang San's tone was gentle. The manager understood and led them to the meeting room on the top floor.

"Please come in, Mr. Dai Mubai." Xue Qingxi led the two girls into the room first, while Tang San smilingly greeted the person lingering at the door.

Hearing himself addressed by name, Dai Mubai's mood instantly brightened. He obediently entered the meeting room.

"Looks like you've been doing quite well!" An odd smile hung at the corner of Dai Mubai's lips as he neatly took a seat not far from Zhu Zhuqing.

"Of course. Anywhere is better than the Zhu Family!" Zhu Zhuqing did not speak. Ning Rongrong was the one who answered.

Though she did not know the relationship between the two, Zhu Zhuqing's stiff body was enough to prove that he was someone she did not want to encounter.

Dai Mubai did not get angry at those words. Instead, he nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Before I left, who knew the outside world could be this wonderful?"

Puzzled by his good mood, Ning Rongrong lowered her head and poked Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing snapped out of her emotions and looked up at Dai Mubai, her gaze calm. "Running into each other today was purely an accident. Please forget that you ever met me."

"Why? You don't want to see me?" Dai Mubai's face instantly darkened.

"Yes." Zhu Zhuqing's tone was firm, her expression composed.

"I need to know why." Dai Mubai instantly bristled, pressing one hand against the table as he leaned closer to her.

Looking at the person closing in on her, Zhu Zhuqing sighed softly, then smiled. "I have a home now."

Dai Mubai's thoughts churned at those sudden words. He froze where he was, then slowly straightened up. After a long silence, he said hoarsely, "So you don't want me anymore?"

"You were the one who left first, Dai Mubai." Zhu Zhuqing swallowed down a trace of bitterness, her tone flat and calm.

Back then, because they were engaged, they had always depended on each other for survival, saving each other beneath the oppression of their older brother and sister.

But Dai Mubai, unable to endure the constant oppression because of his pride, had fled on his own. From then on, only one person remained in that hell.

"Fine." Dai Mubai lowered his head, his voice hoarse. "Then we won't meet again."

After saying that, he swiftly stood up, pushed open the door, and left.

Zhu Zhuqing watched his retreating back, recalling that silent escape from a year and a half ago, before slowly withdrawing her gaze.

"Our senior sister sent word that she wants us home for dinner. Let's head back quickly."

Tang San's words broke the silence in the room first. Zhu Zhuqing pulled herself from her memories, looked around at the three concerned faces, and smiled as she nodded.

"Then let's hurry back, or Lingling will definitely make us do extra training!" Ning Rongrong flashed a brilliant smile, grabbed Zhu Zhuqing, and headed for the door.

"That really is possible." Xue Qingxi smiled in agreement, and Tang San nodded along.

The four of them strode out of the restaurant in pairs and headed back the way they had come.

"Didn't you go to the Great Spirit Arena? Why are you back so early?" Tang Ling leaned against the sofa and opened her eyes to look at Tang San as he entered.

Tang San paced over and sat beside her, grabbing her hand. "Senior Sister, you promised you'd never abandon me, right?" As he spoke, his eyes reddened.

"Yes, Senior Sister will never abandon A-Xuan." Tang Ling's brow twitched as she hurriedly pulled him closer. "What's wrong? Did something happen to you?"

"Not me. It's Zhuqing. Turns out she and Dai Mubai are engaged." Tang San rested his head on Tang Ling's shoulder.

He spoke softly. "A year and a half ago, Dai Mubai left the Star Luo Empire alone and left Zhuqing there by herself.

It suddenly reminded me of my previous life. You left first too, leaving me alone in the Tang Sect."

Having heard the full story, Tang Ling sighed softly and turned to stare into Tang San's eyes. "I won't break any promise I've made. A-Xuan, you have to believe me."

"I do believe you, Senior Sister. It just makes me a little sad when I think about it." Tang San did not look away, muttering awkwardly under his breath.

Tang Ling lightly knocked his forehead. "Always making trouble."

Then she raised her arms and hugged him. "Don't be afraid. Senior Sister won't leave you."

Tang San hugged her back tightly, swallowing the words at his lips and only giving a muffled hum.

If you knew how I felt about you, Senior Sister, you would definitely leave without hesitation.

Tang San felt somewhat dejected. He wanted to tell his senior sister his secret, but the outcome was impossible to predict. If he lost her, she would be someone he could never find again, no matter how desperately he searched.

Meeting again after reincarnating following death was already such an incredible thing. He probably would not be lucky enough for it to happen a second time.

"You brat, what are you thinking about? Why are you hugging me so tightly?" Tang Ling's amused words pulled Tang San back to his senses.

"Ah! I-I was just spacing out." Tang San swiftly released the person in his arms and stammered, the tips of his ears red enough to drip blood.

Seeing his appearance, Tang Ling smiled and patted his head. "Have I chased away those bad feelings?"

Tang San stared blankly for a moment, then nodded as he looked at her smile.

"Then I'll be off first. There's still someone waiting for counseling!" Tang Ling stood after speaking, but instead of leaving, she lowered her head and looked at him.

Tang San blinked and looked up at her. "Alright, Senior Sister. See you at dinner."

"Alright, see you at dinner." Tang Ling's smile widened. Then she pointed at the materials on the table that she had been reading for quite some time. "Go take a look at those. Clear your head."

Tang San obediently nodded and walked over to sit at the table. Tang Ling left in satisfaction upon seeing this.

The little brat was overthinking. Maybe he was just too idle. Keeping busy would do him good!

Tang Ling sighed and headed toward the courtyard on the left.

"May I come in?" Tang Ling lightly knocked on the bedroom door and asked softly.

Zhu Zhuqing, inside the room, was startled awake by the sound. She raised a hand to wipe away her tears, got up, and opened the door. "Of course. Ling, why are you here?"

"I came to see you." Tang Ling looked over her condition and stepped inside. Zhu Zhuqing closed the door and followed behind her toward the cushioned couch by the window.

"Can you tell me what you're thinking?" Tang Ling looked with concern at the expressionless girl across from her.

"It's actually nothing." Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head at the question. "We used to depend on each other for survival. After he left, I felt as though the sky had fallen.

When I came from the Star Luo Empire and was being hunted down, I kept thinking about whether he would appear like before and save me.

But he didn't. When I was on the verge of death, it was you and the others who saved me. I..."

"You feel that you've found something better and want to let go of Dai Mubai. But he suddenly appeared, and you don't want to go back to how things used to be.

So you feel a little guilty, wondering whether you're being too selfish and heartless?" Tang Ling saw her voice growing lower and lower and spoke the words for her.

"Yes. I never imagined that one day, I would stop loving him. He protected me ever since we were little. Am I being too heartless?" Zhu Zhuqing nodded heavily, her voice hoarse as she looked at Tang Ling with reddened eyes.

Tang Ling sighed and reached out to stroke her head. "Not at all. This isn't your fault. You simply don't love him anymore.

Besides, he was the one who left first. And if it weren't for us, you would probably still be chasing after him, wouldn't you?"

Zhu Zhuqing fell silent after hearing that, then nodded.

"Then there's no need to dwell on it. He chose what he believed was best, and so did you." Tang Ling comforted her softly before offering advice. "If you still feel guilty, then keep being friends with him.

There was no right or wrong in what happened back then. There still isn't now. You simply made different choices."

After a long silence, Zhu Zhuqing softly agreed. "Alright."