Chu Qing turned around and saw Rongrong. Three years had passed, and she had shed the childishness of her youth. Her long, jet-black hair fell to her waist, and her figure had become graceful and shapely. The only thing that hadn't changed was the pair of adorable dimples that appeared whenever she smiled.
"Rongrong, what did you say? It's time to hunt for your third Soul Ring?" Chu Qing asked in confusion.
"That's right! The dean said so himself. He said we're setting out as a group in five days. Wait, didn't the dean tell you when he called you in today? Brother, you..." Rongrong suddenly realized something and looked at Chu Qing with concern.
Chu Qing hadn't had an easy time here over the past two years. His progress had stalled, and although the dean had valued him at first, Flender and Zhao Wuji had grown increasingly indifferent as his strength remained stuck. As for the chubby Ma Hongjun, after Chu Qing had beaten him soundly, he'd stopped provoking him openly, but the disdain in his eyes remained.
And this time, the dean hadn't even notified him. It was obvious he didn't want to take Chu Qing along. When the dean had called him in today, he hadn't mentioned the trip at all; he'd only assigned him to receive the new students.
Everything showed how unwelcome Chu Qing was. By now, most of the students at Shrek had broken through to level 29, and Rongrong had reached level 20 a year ago and obtained her second Soul Ring. With the help of an Immortal Herb and her own talent, she had now broken through to level 30. Only Chu Qing remained stuck at level 29, and that worried her greatly.
Chu Qing smiled gently and stroked Rongrong's smooth hair. "Don't worry, Rongrong. I've found the perfect way to solve my problem. I'll definitely break through to level 30 within five days."
Looking at the beautiful young woman before him, Chu Qing felt warmth bloom in his heart. Over the past two years, he'd often been miserable because he couldn't advance. Only Rongrong had stayed by his side, never abandoning him.
Rongrong's face lit up with delight. "Really, brother? That's wonderful! I knew this little problem wouldn't stump you!" In her excitement, she grabbed Chu Qing's hand.
Her face turned red, and she was just about to pull away, but Chu Qing didn't let go. Instead, he tightened his grip on her hand.
Their eyes met, and an inexplicable feeling welled up between them. Neither said a word, but their affection passed between them in the silent air.
Rongrong was the first to lose her nerve. She quickly pulled her hand away, blurted out, "Brother, I'm off!" and hurried away.
Chu Qing smiled without saying anything, then left as well and headed to his dormitory.
Since nobody valued him, he didn't have a roommate. Chu Qing had a room to himself, and he was quite content with that.
He felt the flow of Soul Power throughout his body again. His Soul Power had long since nearly overflowed, gathered so densely it seemed almost tangible, yet it remained firmly locked at level 29, never breaking through. Now, at last, the opportunity had come.
Chu Qing smiled and soon fell into a deep sleep.
Early the next morning, before the sun had risen, when the eastern sky had just begun to pale, Chu Qing got out of bed and stepped outside. He was going to the dining hall to get something to eat, but as he came out, he saw a girl walking in.
She wore a little pink top. Her eyebrows curved like the moon, and her small face was soft and rosy, giving her a sweet, charming air. But her expression was heavy and conflicted. At last, she stopped outside Chu Qing's door, looking as if she wanted to speak but couldn't bring herself to.
Chu Qing didn't rush her. He silently watched her until she finally couldn't hold back any longer. "Chu Qing, could you please spare Third Brother?"
Chu Qing froze, then let out a mocking laugh. "Spare him? Xiao Wu, do you even know what you're saying? From the beginning, I never wanted anything to do with Tang San. He was the one who kept coming after me, again and again. I was magnanimous and let it go. When he enrolled, I even called him junior. I thought we'd put the past behind us. But what did your Third Brother do? Hm? Used a Hidden Weapon in secret? Tried to kill me? If I hadn't sensed it with my Soul Power, I might not be standing here now, listening to you ask me to forgive him."
Xiao Wu looked at the handsome young man before her. A ray of sunlight slipped through the shadows of the trees in front of the house and fell across Chu Qing, making his already manly face seem even more radiant.
She bit her pearly teeth, her whole body tense. Her small lips moved as if to speak, but in the end, she couldn't say anything. She hated what Tang San had done, too, but she still couldn't bring herself to give up her bond with Third Brother. And she couldn't refute Chu Qing, either.
"Even setting all that aside, are you saying you did nothing wrong?" Xiao Wu looked at Chu Qing with resentment. She didn't want her Third Brother to become so sinister. He used to be such a composed young man! The moment Chu Qing came up, he became someone else entirely, like a venomous snake. Sometimes, even she was a little afraid when she looked at him.
Chu Qing sneered. He couldn't understand the rabbit's train of thought. What did she mean, was he saying he'd done nothing wrong? As if he'd been the one to start it. In a fit of violence, he seized Xiao Wu by the throat and said with a feral grin, "What, do you want to do something for your precious Third Brother?"
Xiao Wu struggled with her pale, delicate hands, trying to pry Chu Qing's arm loose, but it was no use.
Only when he saw Xiao Wu's face turning pale did Chu Qing let go. He looked at her with a cold expression.
Xiao Wu gasped for breath. After a while, she lifted her head again and stared into Chu Qing's bewitching eyes. "For Third Brother, I'm willing to do anything! Anything at all, as long as you promise not to hurt him."
Chu Qing smiled. "That's easy. Come closer."
Xiao Wu's eyes lit up, and she hurried over, gazing at Chu Qing with hopeful anticipation.
Chu Qing leaned toward Xiao Wu and bit down on her adorable earlobe. His masculine breath brushed against her neck as he said, "This is what I want."
Xiao Wu understood what Chu Qing meant. She lowered her head shyly. For Third Brother, she was willing to do anything.
Chu Qing smiled smugly, swept the petite Xiao Wu into his arms, and carried her toward the room.
Xiao Wu's chest rose and fell violently. Her smooth little legs bent and tensed by turns. For some reason, she didn't seem to resist very much.
"Chu Qing, be gentle..." She lowered her head in embarrassment, leaning against the strong chest of the man before her and closing her eyes.
Meanwhile, Tang San was suddenly jolted awake by a nightmare. In the dream, Xiao Wu had suddenly said to him, "I'm sorry, Third Brother. I'm leaving."
His chest tightened with distress, a suffocating pressure welling inside him. How could he have such a dream? He and Xiao Wu had always been close; they'd never even argued. Her calling him "Third Brother" still rang in his ears. How could he dream something like that?
Tang San furrowed his brows, suddenly feeling as if something had been added to his head.