Zhu Zhuqing's Path Had Also Gone Off the Rails?

Zhu Zhuqing withdrew her gaze and gently shook her head. "No, I was just passing by."

She could not possibly tell two strangers that she had fled the Star Luo Empire and traveled thousands of miles to find her fiancé, who was living it up in Suotuo City.

Although Lin Yi knew everything, saying such things aloud would only make her seem even more pitiful.

[Just passing by? That was awfully vague.]

[Still, it was understandable. Who would want to admit they were going to find their scumbag fiancé?]

[But then again, according to the original plot, she did make it all the way to Dai Mubai without any danger.]

[Not long after that, though, she saw Dai Mubai at the Rose Hotel with a pair of twin beauties. Tsk, tsk... that scene was really something.]

Xiao Wu, sitting beside him, nearly burst out laughing.

Zhu Zhuqing's story was simply too entertaining.

But what kind of nonsense was stuffed inside Lin Yi's head?

It was fine if he knew it himself, but saying it out loud... no, thinking it—had he considered other people's feelings?

After all, she could hear Lin Yi's Heart Voice, and she knew Zhu Zhuqing most likely could as well.

Zhu Zhuqing did not know that Xiao Wu could hear Lin Yi's Heart Voice, nor did she notice Xiao Wu's expression.

After all, Lin Yi's Heart Voice was far more captivating than the cute girl beside her.

At that moment,

Zhu Zhuqing's heart churned like a stormy sea. Imagining the scene Lin Yi had mentioned, she could only feel that her fiancé was utterly disgusting.

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's expression, Xiao Wu became even more certain that she could hear Lin Yi's Heart Voice too.

Still, she pretended not to know and responded naturally, "Oh, is that so? Then where are you planning to go next?"

Zhu Zhuqing took a light breath to calm herself. "I haven't decided yet."

As she spoke, her gaze unconsciously drifted toward Lin Yi.

Sure enough, Lin Yi's Heart Voice rang out again.

[You've got to be kidding me?]

[Wasn't your goal to go to Suotuo City? How had you not decided yet?]

[Could it be that Zhu Zhuqing's storyline had gone off the rails too?]

[No, that couldn't be right. I hadn't done anything.]

Zhu Zhuqing's heart stirred at those words.

According to her original plan, she had indeed intended to go to Suotuo City to find Dai Mubai, then head to Shrek, the academy that "only accepted monsters."

But after hearing Lin Yi's Heart Voice, she no longer wanted to take that path.

Hearing those thoughts, Xiao Wu could not help curling her lips. You had not done anything?

You had done plenty—just not anything you knew about.

Then her eyes shifted, and she suddenly had an idea.

Since Lin Yi's father wanted her to motivate Lin Yi and make him cultivate diligently, would having another companion—and another source of "motivation"—work even better?

With someone as hardworking-looking as Zhu Zhuqing by his side, would Lin Yi feel some pressure?

And if he did not cultivate properly and had to keep relying on girls to protect him, would he feel ashamed and work even harder?

Besides, Zhu Zhuqing's situation was truly pitiful. Xiao Wu felt that if she could help, she should.

In any case, Lin Yi's Heart Voice had already revealed so much information. Even if Zhu Zhuqing did not travel with them, she probably would not go looking for Dai Mubai again.

Since that was the case, it would be better to let her come along. They could look out for one another.

Having made up her mind, Xiao Wu broke into a bright smile. "Zhuqing, since you haven't decided where to go either, why don't you come with us? We can look out for each other on the road."

Lin Yi: "???"

[Wait, what was going on?]

[Little Rabbit, had you lost your mind? You were already troublesome enough alone, and now you wanted to add another person?]

[And Zhu Zhuqing obviously had her own destination. Why would she travel with us?]

[She should hurry off to her Suotuo City. We should mind our own business and leave each other alone.]

Lin Yi was ranting madly inside, but outwardly, he could only maintain a smile. "Um... wouldn't that be inappropriate? Miss Zhu probably has her own plans."

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Lin Yi, then at Xiao Wu.

She had heard Lin Yi's Heart Voice and knew he did not want her to join them.

Yet the more he resisted, the more curious she became.

What secrets was this young man hiding?

Why could his Heart Voice reveal so much information?

If she followed him, could she learn more about her family's fate?

Perhaps she could even find a way to break the deadlock.

With that in mind, she said, "If you do not mind, I can travel with you for a while."

Lin Yi: "..."

[No, why did you agree so easily?]

[In the original story, you were an aloof goddess who kept strangers at a distance. How could you so readily agree to travel with two strangers?]

[It was one thing for Xiao Wu's storyline to go off the rails—she had followed me for five years—but you, Zhu Zhuqing, had only just met me. Why had yours gone off the rails too?]

[Could my personal charm really be that overwhelming??]

Lin Yi had ten thousand question marks in his mind, but he still tried to dissuade her. "Um... Miss Zhu, neither of us is particularly strong. Traveling with us might delay your journey."

"It's fine." Zhu Zhuqing shook her head, her tone calm. "I'm not in a hurry. Besides, I think I can learn more by traveling with you."

Lin Yi's mouth twitched.

[Learn what? How to be a slacker?]

[Miss, wake up. I'm determined to live a low-key life. What good could you possibly learn from following me?]

[Though having a beautiful woman traveling with us would be rather pleasing to the eye.]

[But that created another problem. With two beauties beside me, we'd be the center of attention everywhere we went. How could I keep a low profile then? How could I live peacefully?]

Hearing Lin Yi's Heart Voice, Xiao Wu could not help rolling her eyes.

This guy was as "low-key" as ever.

Still, her initial goal had been achieved.

She glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, then immediately smoothed things over with a cheerful smile. "All right, Lin Yi. Zhuqing already said she isn't in a hurry, so stop refusing over and over. Another companion means another bit of strength. And Zhuqing looks pretty strong too. With her around, we'll be safer."

As she spoke, she turned to Zhu Zhuqing, her eyes carrying a sincere smile. "Zhuqing, don't mind him. Lin Yi is just a little... well, overly cautious."

Lin Yi's mouth twitched again.

[Overly cautious? This is called being wise, all right!]

[Little Rabbit, you were being awfully generous. Did you know who she was?]

[The second young lady of the Star Luo Empire's Zhu Family, Dai Mubai's fiancée. If that identity were exposed, there would be trouble after trouble.]

[She looked safe enough now, but what if we ran into people from the Star Luo Empire sent to hunt her down, or Dai Weisi's people?]

[I still wanted to live a few more years...]

[But forget it. Do whatever you want.]

[The plot had already gone so far off the rails that even its mother wouldn't recognize it. One more person or one less made no difference.]

[At worst... if we really ran into trouble, I'd play dead and let them handle it.]

Lin Yi sighed inwardly. "Fine. Whatever makes you happy."

When Xiao Wu heard Lin Yi finally relent, a sly smile flashed through her eyes.

She stood and tossed several pieces of firewood into the campfire. The flames immediately grew stronger.

"Then it's settled!" She patted the dry grass beside her and laughed. "Zhuqing, sleep over here with me tonight."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "Thank you."

She looked at the smiling Xiao Wu, then at Lin Yi across from her, who wore an utterly lifeless expression. Suddenly, she felt that this group might be more interesting than going to find the fiancé who might still be drowning in decadence.