Tang San was just about to say something when a black shadow suddenly shot out of the jungle, launching a surprise attack at him. Tang San's mental strength was formidable, and he sensed the danger. He pushed off hard with both legs and flipped backward, dodging the fatal blow. The powerful impact still sent him flying. After several attempts to break his fall, he landed on one hand and suffered a few superficial injuries.
The black shadow gradually came into view. Its alternating black and red markings looked bizarre, and its oval shell made it resemble an ugly insect.
"Watch out! It's a Blood Armor Beetle. It must be at least ten thousand years old. Be ready to scatter and retreat at any moment. Xiao Ao, Flying Mushroom Sausages!" Tang San made the right call. Zhao Wuji was already injured, and no one among them could stop a ten-thousand-year Blood Armor Beetle.
At Tang San's words, Oscar immediately tossed Flying Mushroom Sausages to everyone. Oscar had no combat duties, so he had made plenty of them in case of an emergency.
Everyone ate a Flying Mushroom Sausage, and a pair of translucent red wings suddenly appeared on each of their backs.
They immediately fled in different directions.
The Blood Armor Beetle let out a strange roar, quickly curled into a ball, then went after Zhu Zhuqing. No one had expected the Soul Beast to act so decisively.
The Flying Mushroom Sausages were about to wear off. Zhu Zhuqing glanced back at the Blood Armor Beetle hot on her heels, and seemed to recall a similar scene from that same year.
The wings on Zhu Zhuqing's back turned into tiny specks of light and slowly faded into the air.
She slowed her fall and landed safely. Glancing back at the Blood Armor Beetle still in pursuit, she quickly urged her Soul Power and ran on.
"No. My Soul Power will run out sooner or later." Zhu Zhuqing gritted her teeth, but still refused to give up.
"If that person were still here, would he save me?" A rare smile tugged at Zhu Zhuqing's lips.
The long chase had already enraged the Blood Armor Beetle. It roared and sped up, extending long tentacles from both sides of its body.
The distance between Zhu Zhuqing and the Blood Armor Beetle rapidly dwindled.
Feeling the growing presence of death behind her, Zhu Zhuqing slowly closed her eyes.
The Blood Armor Beetle's long tentacles were just about to touch Zhu Zhuqing.
Three metallic clashes rang out behind her, followed by a thunderous crash.
Jiang Siming had been looking for the others when he heard the commotion in the distance. A sense of dread seized him, and he hurried over.
He never expected to arrive just in time to see the lecherous Blood Armor Beetle trying to grope the sexy young Zhu Zhuqing.
Would Jiang Siming stand for that? He swung his sword three times, KO'ing the scum of a Soul Beast.
Zhu Zhuqing felt herself fall into a warm embrace.
When Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes again, Jiang Siming was holding her in his arms.
She looked at the handsome man's profile as he held her, and became more and more certain that Jiang Siming was the person who had saved her all those years ago.
"You're safe now." Jiang Siming turned to look at Zhu Zhuqing, who was staring at him.
His dark eyes seemed to hold a magic that drew Zhu Zhuqing in.
"Zhuqing, are you all right?" Jiang Siming asked, looking at her in surprise.
"I-I'm fine." As she spoke, she buried her face in Jiang Siming's chest, pressing her developing breasts against him.
A line popped into Jiang Siming's mind: "Kid, do you have a lot of question marks?"
"Wait, Zhuqing. Men and women shouldn't be so intimate." Jiang Siming blushed. Even though he had lived two lives, he was still a genuine virgin!
"Jiang Siming, did you save a little girl five years ago?" Zhu Zhuqing buried her face deep in his chest and held him tightly, as if she never wanted to let him go.
"Five years ago? Let me think. Uh... I think something like that did happen. But I never take credit for doing good deeds. I'm always helping old ladies cross the street and things like that." Jiang Siming shamelessly replied.
"Will you marry me?" Zhu Zhuqing asked bluntly.
"Wait, Zhuqing, is this your way of repaying me?" Jiang Siming asked in surprise. Inside, he was screaming, Am I grooming a minor?!
"Ever since I was little, no one in my life has ever helped me. There's never been any warmth in my family. You're the first person who was willing to help me. You helped me escape the fate my family had chosen for me," Zhu Zhuqing said, her voice tinged with sadness.
Jiang Siming slowly eased Zhu Zhuqing away. For some reason, he felt deep sympathy for this stubborn, resolute girl before him.
"Zhuqing, calm down. I didn't know your family was testing you back then. I was just doing what a righteous Soul Master should do. If you're forcing yourself to like me because you're grateful that I helped you escape your family's fate, wouldn't you just be falling into another kind of imprisonment?" Jiang Siming said, suddenly realizing how true his words were. He wasn't some incorruptible Liu Xiahui, but the values he had learned from the Communist Party in his previous life made him unable to accept the idea that repaying a favor meant offering oneself in marriage.
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head. Her eyes gradually reddened, and tears welled up, trembling in their corners.
"What's wrong with me?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, as if challenging him.
Jiang Siming couldn't help stroking Zhu Zhuqing's hair. He lifted her chin and gently wiped away her tears.
"Don't cry. You're wonderful, Zhuqing, but we're still young. Sometimes, being together isn't about a moment's impulse, but about the feelings that build over time. Impulses are fleeting. After that, all that's left is silently bearing the consequences. I don't want you to make the wrong choice and end up unhappy. If you did, I'd blame myself." Jiang Siming gently tried to talk her through it.
"Will you give me a chance? Let me prove it to you." Zhu Zhuqing looked firmly into Jiang Siming's eyes.
Jiang Siming didn't know what to do. Still, he didn't want to disappoint Zhu Zhuqing.
"All right. Then let's start with a trial period. We'll be boyfriend and girlfriend. If you change your mind, tell me." Jiang Siming stroked Zhu Zhuqing's silky hair.
There was no way Jiang Siming, a virgin in both his lives, wouldn't be moved when a beautiful young girl confessed to him. But the views on love he had carried over from his previous life meant that he still dreamed of finding a pure, genuine love.
The Story Began with a Bag of Dog Food
The two stood there in a daze, awkwardness hanging in the air.
Fortunately, Zhao Wuji arrived and broke the awkward silence.
"Hey, what are you two doing? I've been worried sick, and you're over here kissing and cuddling." Zhao Wuji was very unhappy about having to watch them feed him a mouthful of dog food.
At his words, Zhu Zhuqing turned away shyly. A blush appeared on her cool, beautiful face, making Jiang Siming's heart race. No wonder there were so many simps in my previous life. Now I finally understand why they pursued aloof goddesses so relentlessly.
Jiang Siming turned to Zhao Wuji, his face full of helplessness.