A Sudden Confession

"Senior, thank you for the explanation. The sky is growing dark, and since the final assessment doesn't begin for another five days, we won't impose any further. We'll come back in five days." Mu Qian said, feigning a relaxed tone.

The cold indifference Hu Liena had shown toward Yan had long since vanished, leaving behind only gentleness and a faint hint of shyness.

"It's the least I could do. You must have just arrived in Martial Soul City, right? Why don't... why don't I treat you both to the best restaurant nearby to taste the delicacies of our Martial Soul City?"

Mu Qian was stunned for a moment; he hadn't expected this girl to be so proactive. This was only their first formal meeting!

Yesterday didn't count as a formal meeting at all, as neither side even knew the other's name; only today could they be considered to have truly met.

Seeming to notice Mu Qian's hesitation and fearing he might misunderstand, Hu Liena quickly explained, "Don't worry, I... I'm not that kind of casual person, it's just..."

Hu Liena had eyes only for Mu Qian, and she seemed to have completely ignored Zhu Zhuqing standing right beside him.

Before she could finish, Mu Qian felt his sleeve being tugged tightly. He looked back to see Zhu Zhuqing with her head bowed, her lips pressed together, looking somewhat nervous.

Zhuqing... is she worried about making things difficult for me? She hasn't said a word.

"No need, Senior. We'll just wander around on our own; I wouldn't want to trouble you any further." Mu Qian declined.

"It's... it's no trouble at all..." Hu Liena said intermittently, her eyes filled with both anticipation and nervousness.

Mu Qian's mouth twitched. He had only offered a polite refusal, and he hadn't expected her to force the issue so strongly.

Sigh.

Looking at the expectation in Hu Liena's eyes, Mu Qian couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

So, it turns out that being too outstanding as a man can also be a source of trouble.

However, he still shook his head. "We have some other matters to attend to, so let's leave it for today."

"Besides, once we pass the assessment, we'll be fellow students. There will be plenty of opportunities."

He would let things with Hu Liena take their natural course. Mu Qian wasn't so pure-hearted that he could only love one person; otherwise, Zhu Zhuqing wouldn't be by his side.

But he wasn't a philanderer either. Yet, once he truly developed feelings, he would risk his life to protect them, so he wouldn't make decisions lightly.

Being too hasty wasn't necessarily a good thing.

"Alright then." A trace of disappointment flashed through Hu Liena's eyes, but she quickly recovered.

Mu Qian was right about one thing: since they would be in the same academy, why worry about a lack of opportunities?

As for Zhu Zhuqing, she didn't believe she was inferior to her. It was a fair competition; until the very end, no one knew how it would turn out.

As for the talk of sharing him, that was just her joking.

With Hu Liena's pride, how could she ever truly be willing?

Unless Mu Qian's excellence reached a point where she felt she wasn't worthy of him...

Forget it, there will be chances later. I need to go back and tell Teacher about him, Hu Liena thought to herself.

As the Saintess of Martial Soul Hall, her future partner had to be the most outstanding among their peers, or else she would face resistance from the entire Martial Soul Hall.

However, in her view, Mu Qian's talent was definitely sufficient. But if she wanted to be with him in the future, she still needed to gain her teacher's approval.

Hu Liena wanted to help, to see if she could draw her teacher's attention to Mu Qian.

After leaving Martial Soul Hall Academy, Mu Qian looked relaxed, walking side-by-side with the graceful figure beside him along the brightly lit streets.

"I didn't expect to have to wait another five days. I just checked out of our room this morning; if I had known, I would have booked it for a few more days."

Mu Qian felt somewhat helpless. He would have to go back to the hotel and check, though he didn't know if he could still get a room given the current situation in Martial Soul City.

Zhu Zhuqing didn't respond. She walked silently with her head down, as if deep in thought.

Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks and stood still, looking at the slightly puzzled Mu Qian, her beautiful eyes trembling slightly.

"Mu Qian... do you, like me?" Zhu Zhuqing's voice was very soft. Asking this question seemed to take every ounce of her strength.

"Why so sudden..."

Mu Qian was so taken aback by this sudden question that his footsteps faltered.

Have I... just been confessed to?

He looked up at the night sky, sparkling with starlight, and fell silent, asking himself the same question in his heart.

Do I like her?

In his mind, he recalled the past year they had spent together.

Mu Qian realized that from their initial contact, which had been driven by ulterior motives, to giving his all for a promise, and then to... the times when he faced danger, his first instinct wasn't his own safety, but hers.

This girl was so sensible it made his heart ache. On the surface, she was cold and seemed tougher than anyone else.

But inside, she was more fragile and tender than anyone...

He did like her; Mu Qian was certain of that.

But this girl, who had eyes only for him, made him feel a sense of guilt.

Because in his world, it was destined that she would not be the only one to fill it.

Besides her, there were others Mu Qian cared about just as much.

What exactly is love?

Perhaps ten thousand people would have ten thousand different answers.

Zhu Zhuqing gazed at Mu Qian with burning eyes, her heart filled with a mix of anticipation and trepidation.

Have I just... confessed?

She hoped to receive the answer she longed for, yet she feared hearing a soul-crushing rejection from Mu Qian's lips.

Over the past year, Zhu Zhuqing's world had been completely filled by this sunny boy; likewise, he was the last remaining glimmer of light in her heart.

To be honest, she knew she had been provoked by Hu Liena. If she were rejected, would they even be able to face each other in the future?

By then, the two of them would likely never be able to return to how they were before.

Zhu Zhuqing dared not imagine the darkness she would have to face if she were rejected.

At that point, she probably wouldn't be able to face him either, would she?

Mu Qian was certain of his feelings for Zhu Zhuqing, but recalling what the Snow Maiden had told him before he left, he felt a pang of reluctance.

He did not want to deceive her, nor did he want their relationship to be tainted by any ulterior motives or impurities.

Thinking of this, Mu Qian's expression firmed up: "Zhuqing, I like you..."

Under Zhu Zhuqing's expectant gaze, Mu Qian spoke the answer she had been waiting for.

Mu Qian continued, his voice steadying: "However, I also don't want to lie to you. I want to tell you about the burdens I carry..."

As he spoke, Mu Qian's gaze suddenly sharpened, his pupils reflecting her beautiful face as if she were the only figure left in the entire world.

A cool, soft sensation touched his lips, causing Mu Qian's heart to tremble and his mind to go blank.

For the first time in his life, he experienced this feeling of hearts pressed against one another.

It was fulfilling, and it was beautiful...

Zhu Zhuqing's warm, soft lips brushed lightly against Mu Qian's before pulling away instantly.

The young girl's face was burning hot, her eyes darting away, unable to meet Mu Qian's gaze directly.

"Don't say anything more, this is enough." Zhu Zhuqing leaned into Mu Qian's embrace, pressing her cheek against his chest so he couldn't see her expression.

Mu Qian's body stiffened slightly before he relaxed, slowly pulling the girl into a tighter hold.

In this moment, their hearts were closer than ever before, leaving an indelible mark on each other's lives.