Mistaken for a Love Rival by Dai Mubai?

Setting out for the Heaven Dou Empire with Zhu Zhuqing, Ye Xuan learned a few things about this world through her.

Although Ye Xuan had read the novel and understood the general trajectory of the plot, he didn't know much about the fundamental realities of this world.

After all, a book couldn't possibly detail every single triviality.

Yet, if one were to live in this world, these were things one simply had to understand.

Through their conversations along the way, Ye Xuan gradually began to appreciate the charm of this young girl, Zhu Zhuqing.

This charm, naturally, did not refer to her appearance; when it came to looks, none of the major female characters were lacking in that department.

It was primarily her temperament.

To travel thousands of miles from the Star Luo Empire to Shrek Academy just to find Dai Mubai—where else could one find such a devoted woman?

It was a pity that the current Dai Mubai was wallowing in depravity in Soto City; it truly wasn't worth it for her.

However, Ye Xuan didn't say much about these matters.

He had only agreed to escort her on this journey, and he had no intention of involving himself in anything else.

The five years of training in the illusion had fundamentally altered his temperament.

Coupled with the fact that he was living his second life, he had no interest in playing house with those little brats.

The rest of the journey was uneventful.

The time he saved Zhu Zhuqing must have been the greatest crisis she would face.

After all, if there had been any greater danger, she would never have made it to Shrek Academy in the original story.

A few days later, Ye Xuan and Zhu Zhuqing arrived in Soto City.

The first order of business upon arriving in Soto City was, naturally, to have Zhu Zhuqing treat him to a hearty meal.

Inside the restaurant, Zhu Zhuqing watched Ye Xuan eat like a reincarnated glutton and couldn't help but wonder: just who was this man?

He was so young and so powerful, yet his ravenous way of eating was like that of a famine victim, as if he hadn't had a full meal in years.

But as a master of his caliber, Zhu Zhuqing didn't believe he could actually be starving.

Little did she know, Ye Xuan hadn't just gone without a full meal for a few years—he hadn't eaten at all.

After the meal, Ye Xuan said to Zhu Zhuqing, "Now that we've reached Soto City, I won't be escorting you any further."

"Thank you, Brother Ye. Here are 100 gold soul coins as a token of my gratitude for your protection," Zhu Zhuqing said, pulling out a small bag filled to the brim with gold soul coins.

Ye Xuan took it, weighed it slightly, and said, "Very well, I'll accept it."

He was indeed penniless at the moment and truly needed money to get by.

As for how to make more money later, that wasn't difficult for him.

This world had bounties, and there were always people looking to hire teams to hunt spirit beasts; these were all ways to earn a living.

With formidable strength, it wasn't hard to survive anywhere.

However, just as he was about to leave, Zhu Zhuqing asked curiously, "By the way, Brother Ye, you can't be that old, can you? Don't you plan on going to Spirit Hall Academy to cultivate?"

"Go to Spirit Hall Academy to cultivate? Not interested."

Ye Xuan waved his hand with his back to her and walked out of the restaurant.

However, no sooner had he stepped out than his path was blocked.

Seeing the man blocking his way—with golden hair and dressed in ornate aristocratic attire—his identity was self-evident.

"Do you need something?" Ye Xuan asked, looking at him.

"Who are you? How dare you provoke Dai Mubai's woman?"

Dai Mubai glared at Ye Xuan and demanded an answer.

"Provoke your woman? Why don't you ask her what's going on?" Ye Xuan replied coldly.

At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing heard the commotion outside and walked out.

Seeing Dai Mubai, she stepped forward and asked, "Brother Ye escorted me here to find you. What is the meaning of this? Why are you blaming him?"

Zhu Zhuqing held no ill will toward Dai Mubai yet.

In the original story, the reason she grew to loathe Dai Mubai after arriving at Shrek Academy was because she discovered the kind of life he was leading there.

But since she had only just arrived and hadn't learned anything yet, she explained the situation to him in good faith.

"Brother Ye? Escorted?" Dai Mubai didn't like the sound of that address; he felt it was far too intimate.

"You two can explain it yourselves. I'm leaving."

Ye Xuan prepared to walk away, but Dai Mubai wouldn't allow it.

He didn't want to let Ye Xuan leave without getting things cleared up.

"Wait! You haven't told me who you are or how you know Zhuqing!" Dai Mubai demanded.

Originally, Ye Xuan had no intention of getting involved in these matters, but given the man's incessant pestering, even a clay figurine would have a temper, let alone Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan turned around and swept a glance at him.

That single look was enough to make Dai Mubai shudder in fear.

However, he quickly steadied himself; in his eyes, this person looked even younger than he was, and he refused to believe that this man could be stronger than him.

It was also because of Ye Xuan's escort that Zhu Zhuqing had arrived in Soto City earlier than expected.

Therefore, Dai Mubai had not yet encountered Tang San.

Had he already crossed paths with Tang San, he likely wouldn't be thinking this way.

"You aren't worthy of knowing who I am. If you insist on pestering me about how I know Zhuqing, why don't you first explain how many girls you've met and played with here in Soto City?" Ye Xuan demanded.

At this questioning, Dai Mubai's face flushed bright red.

Because everything Ye Xuan asked was the truth.

But he certainly couldn't admit it, so he said indignantly, "Stop spouting nonsense! I see now—you're trying to slander me just to get close to Zhuqing, aren't you! If I hadn't caught a glimpse of Zhuqing on the street today and felt she looked familiar, I might have let you deceive her."

Dai Mubai had been out playing in the city with girls as usual today when he spotted Zhu Zhuqing and her companion.

Sensing something was off, he had followed them.

Of course, to avoid Zhuqing discovering he was with other women, he had made those two women leave first.

It was precisely because of this that he had arrived a little late, giving Ye Xuan enough time to finish his meal.

Watching Dai Mubai argue with a red face, the intelligent Zhu Zhuqing realized at once that what Ye Xuan said was likely true.

Although she didn't know how Ye Xuan had learned these things, it was no longer important compared to what Dai Mubai had done.

She had traveled all the way from the Star Luo Empire, enduring such hardship—what was it for?

Wasn't it to find Dai Mubai and support one another?

She had always believed that the royal struggles of the Star Luo Empire were too cruel, and that Dai Mubai must have been having a very difficult time out here on his own.

But if he was wallowing in depravity here, then what did her efforts amount to?

Was she just moved by her own self-sacrifice?

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Dai Mubai, her tone turning cold as she said indifferently, "What Brother Ye said is true, isn't it?"

"How could that be? I've been working hard on my cultivation at Shrek Academy. Once you enter, you'll see how strict the academy's management is; where would I find the time to do the things he mentioned?" Dai Mubai hurriedly explained.

"You're lying!" Zhu Zhuqing stared at him. Having known him since they were children, she could tell at a glance whether he was lying or not.