Zhang Lexuan Leaves Star Luo City

"You're both going to be his future wives?" Xu Jiujiu's voice trembled slightly.

Xu Jiujiu was completely falling apart inside. How could this be? Sob, sob, sob.

I'd have been better off not knowing. Who would understand this? My fiancé never came back, but two women claiming to be his future wives did.

While Xu Jiujiu was still spiraling, Di Qiuxi and Zhang Lexuan dealt her another blow.

Future Zhang Lexuan in particular could not suppress the smile at the corner of her lips when she saw Xu Jiujiu in this state.

Di Qiuxi nodded. "Yes. My name is Di Qiuxi. How should I put it? I suppose I count as half a reincarnator—I have some memories of the future."

"My name is Zhang Lexuan, the senior disciple of Shrek Academy. My situation is rather special. I have two souls."

The more Xu Jiujiu listened, the more absurd it seemed. What did it mean that her ten-year-old fiancé already had two wives—and that she had never even known they existed?

If not for her status as a princess and the people present, Xu Jiujiu would have long since run into a corner to secretly draw circles.

Even so, those few words made Xu Jiujiu collapse onto the floor. Her eyes, which had only just stopped crying after learning that Liu Lin was alive, grew wet again.

"He already has you two. What does he need me for?"

Seeing her look like such a defeated loser, Zhang Lexuan could not help but laugh.

She remembered how, in her previous life, Xu Jiujiu had proudly pointed at herself and said, "I was his first woman. Unlike certain people who still haven't even been with their husband,"

which had angered Zhang Lexuan so much that she had nearly fought Xu Jiujiu.

If Liu Lin had not happened to return and witness it, the scene would have been truly ugly.

Now, seeing Xu Jiujiu sitting on the ground with reddened eyes, completely unlike the proud princess from her previous life, the little grudge in Zhang Lexuan's heart instantly vanished.

Di Qiuxi laughed as well, but she crouched in front of Xu Jiujiu and tilted her head at her. "Why are you crying? After I took human form, you were the first person he told me to find."

"Don't you know how important you are in his heart?"

Xu Jiujiu raised her head and looked at Di Qiuxi through tear-blurred eyes. "Really?"

"Really. At the time, he barely had enough time to speak. His final words were to tell Jiujiu that he was fine."

Di Qiuxi reached out and poked Xu Jiujiu's forehead. "You think you lost? You won big, alright?"

"We crossed timelines and space to get here. But you? You were by his side from the very beginning."

"You and he were always together. Even everyone in the Star Luo Empire knew the story of Viscount Zhongyong and the princess."

"Do you know how much I envy you?"

Xu Jiujiu sniffed, her voice still choked with sobs. "Then why did he still find you two?"

Di Qiuxi and Zhang Lexuan exchanged glances, signaling for Zhang Lexuan to answer.

Zhang Lexuan looked away and said calmly, "Probably because our future selves pursued him too closely, and he was too embarrassed to refuse."

Di Qiuxi pouted. "I didn't pursue him. The thread of fate connected itself."

Zhang Lexuan replied, "I didn't really pursue him either. The ring delivered itself."

Watching the two start bickering again, Xu Jiujiu laughed through her tears.

The three of them chatted for a while longer, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed.

Xu Jiujiu wiped away her tears and returned to her chair. Though her eyes were still red, she was clearly in much better spirits.

Di Qiuxi took the initiative to talk about her time in the Star Dou Forest, about how she would sneak off to the stream every day to catch fish, only to be dragged back by the Scarlet King.

Zhang Lexuan also rarely joined in, mentioning how she had cultivated back in Shrek Inner Court.

As Xu Jiujiu listened, she suddenly felt that these two did not seem quite so detestable after all.

Zhang Lexuan looked at the sky outside, which was gradually darkening, and stood up.

"I'm leaving. I originally came out this time to search for Liu Lin, but now I know he's safe."

"I also need to travel the continent for a while, so that when sudden developments arise in the future, I'll be able to protect you."

"When Liu Lin returns, I'll come see you again."

Di Qiuxi nodded, while Xu Jiujiu wished her well.

Zhang Lexuan walked out of the side hall, her figure gradually fading into the lingering glow of the setting sun.

Her moon-white dress fluttered gently in the evening breeze, making her appear all the more cool and captivating.

"Why didn't you go out and chat with them too?"

Within the Sea of Consciousness, future Zhang Lexuan smiled at her present self.

"You know I'm not much of a talker. I'm a little socially anxious."

"Then why aren't you like that in front of him?" Future Zhang Lexuan moved close, watching her past self with a teasing look.

"Enough already. I... I just..."

Seeing her past self stammering, unable to explain herself, future Zhang Lexuan finally could not hold back her laughter.

"Alright, I'll stop teasing you. We should travel the continent for a while, so that if something unexpected happens in the future, we won't be powerless to stop it."

Zhang Lexuan heard her future self speak to her in a very serious tone.

"Mm, let's go."

After watching her leave, Xu Jiujiu turned to look at Di Qiuxi.

She sized Di Qiuxi up several times and found that this golden-haired, red-eyed girl looked rather dazed and spoke bluntly, completely unlike Zhang Lexuan.

"Qiuxi, what are you planning to do next?" Xu Jiujiu asked.

"I plan to stay here and wait for Liu Lin to return. Can you help me find somewhere to live?"

Xu Jiujiu's eyes lit up. She decided to properly sweet-talk this future rival in love who seemed a little slow: "No problem. Enroll at Star Luo Royal Primary Academy. I'll arrange it for you."

Di Qiuxi's eyes brightened. "Really?"

"Of course. I'm a princess. From now on, you'll be my junior. If you need anything, just ask me."

She suddenly leaned close to Di Qiuxi's ear and asked in a lowered voice, "You said Liu Lin called you his wife in the Sea of Consciousness earlier?"

Di Qiuxi nodded, her cheeks faintly flushing.

Xu Jiujiu patted Di Qiuxi's shoulder in satisfaction.

"It's fine, it's fine. We can talk slowly later. Tell me everything about him, and I'll help you analyze it."

That night, Xu Jiujiu took Di Qiuxi to see Xu Jiawei and told him that Liu Lin was safe.

Xu Jiawei remained silent for a long time after hearing this. Then he leaned back in his chair, tipped his head up, and let out a long breath.

"It's good that he isn't dead." Still leaning against the chair back, an expression of immense relief appeared on his face.

The guaranteed SSR pull hadn't died, his angel investment hadn't gone to waste, and Xu Jiawei's future brother-in-law was still alive.

He immediately ordered the large-scale search to stop and gradually recalled the personnel who had been sent out.

Early the next morning, Xu Jiujiu took Di Qiuxi to Star Luo Royal Primary Academy to complete her enrollment procedures.

Sunlight spilled across the plaque above the academy gates. The morning breeze gently brushed through the ginkgo trees on either side, and several golden leaves spiraled down onto the bluestone steps.

Just as they reached the academy entrance, they ran into two people coming their way.

Huo Yuhao carried his old but tidy backpack on his back, his pinkish-blue short hair glimmering faintly in the morning light.

Wang Dong walked beside him, her pinkish-blue short hair somewhat tousled as she yawned.

Huo Yuhao was briefly stunned upon seeing Xu Jiujiu, then quickly stepped forward. "Sister Jiujiu, Brother Liu hasn't come to the academy for days. Do you know where he went?"

Xu Jiujiu said that Liu Lin had gone out to handle some business and would not be back for a long time.

Huo Yuhao nodded, the worry in his eyes fading somewhat. "That's good. When Brother Liu comes back, I'll grill fish for him again."

Wang Dong looked at Di Qiuxi from the side, her brows knitting slightly.

For some reason, she had an indescribable feeling toward this golden-haired, red-eyed girl.

It was not dislike, but rather some instinctive reaction etched into her bones.

Di Qiuxi was also looking at Wang Dong, and she felt the same way.

She searched through the fragments of memory in her mind but found no impression of this face. Yet that inexplicable feeling would not go away.

Wang Dong spoke first, her tone carrying a hint of scrutiny. "What's your name?"

"Di Qiuxi." She paused and stared into Wang Dong's eyes. "Have we met before?"

Wang Dong froze for a moment, then shook her head.

Di Qiuxi did not press further. She merely glanced at Wang Dong once more before following Xu Jiujiu into the academy.

After walking a few steps, Xu Jiujiu asked her in a lowered voice, "Do you know that pinkish-blue-haired girl?"

"No. But my intuition tells me there's something off about her. I can't say exactly what it is."

Updates may be a little late these next few days. The author's new book is about to begin its trial run, so please forgive me.

Sorry, everyone.

If any of you like my new book, please add it to your bookshelf to show some support. I'll give it a try tomorrow.