Xiao Wu's Secret—Your Identity Doesn't Matter to Me

After dinner, Zhu Zhuqing returned to her room to study the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone. Lin Chen stopped Xiao Wu, who was about to leave, and said he wanted to talk with her alone.

Xiao Wu blinked curiously, but she still followed him into his room.

Lin Chen closed the door and gestured for her to sit in a chair. He poured himself a glass of water, leaned against the table, and fell silent for a moment, seemingly choosing his words.

Seeing how serious he looked, Xiao Wu felt a little puzzled.

Lin Chen rarely wore such an expression. Usually, he always looked calm and unruffled, as if everything were under his control, yet today he seemed somewhat hesitant.

"What is it?" Xiao Wu asked. "If you have something to say, just say it. Why are you hemming and hawing with me?"

Lin Chen set down his glass and looked at her, his gaze earnest and calm.

"Xiao Wu, I know your true identity."

The smile on Xiao Wu's face froze.

The air in the room seemed to solidify at that moment. The evening breeze outside the window stopped, and even the leaves of the osmanthus tree ceased swaying. Xiao Wu sat in the chair as if she had been immobilized by a spell, completely motionless.

Her pupils widened slightly. Her lips parted, but no sound came out.

Several seconds passed before she finally asked in an incredibly soft voice, "Y-you... what did you say?"

"I said I know your true identity." Lin Chen repeated himself, his tone as peaceful as ever. "You are a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form, a Soft Bone Rabbit, aren't you?"

Xiao Wu's body trembled violently.

Her first instinct was to run. Her body tensed reflexively, her muscles contracted, adrenaline surged through her veins, and countless thoughts flashed through her mind.

How did he know? When had he found out? Would he tell anyone else? Would he...

But she did not run.

Because she saw Lin Chen's eyes.

Those black eyes held no fear, no disgust, no calculation, none of the things she feared seeing. There was only calmness, and a warmth she knew well.

It was the look he always had whenever he looked at her.

Xiao Wu's tense body slowly relaxed.

She lowered her head, clutching the hem of her clothes with both hands, and remained silent for a long time. Then she spoke, her voice slightly hoarse. "When... when did you find out?"

"A long time ago," Lin Chen said. "I already guessed it back at Nuoding Academy."

Xiao Wu raised her head, her eyes reddening. "Then why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Because it doesn't matter." Lin Chen looked at her and spoke seriously. "Whether you're a soul beast or a human, it's all the same to me. You are the Xiao Wu I know. That's enough."

Xiao Wu's tears fell at once.

She was not someone who cried easily.

During the five years at Nuoding Academy, she never cried when she got hurt fighting others, never cried when teachers scolded her, and never cried even when soul beasts chased her down.

But at that moment, upon hearing Lin Chen say those words, her tears became like floodwaters bursting through a dam, impossible to stop.

She covered her face, her shoulders shaking as she cried like a child.

Lin Chen did not step forward to comfort her, nor did he say anything unnecessary. He simply stood there quietly and waited for her to finish crying.

After quite a while, Xiao Wu's sobs gradually softened. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and raised her head. Her eyes were red, as was the tip of her nose, making her look both pitiful and a little funny.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner that you knew?" Her voice was thick with tears and carried a hint of grievance. "I kept this secret bottled up all by myself for so many years. I didn't dare tell anyone. I was afraid that if people found out, they would come to capture me, that they would want to kill me for my soul ring... I was so scared..."

"You don't need to be afraid anymore." Lin Chen walked over, crouched before her, and met her eyes. "With me here, no one can hurt you."

Xiao Wu looked at him. Tears welled up in her eyes again, but she held them back.

"You said just now that you had something to give me?" She sniffled and asked.

"Mm." Lin Chen nodded. "There is an immortal herb in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well called Lovesick Heartbroken Red. It has a special effect: after taking it, it can completely conceal the aura of a soul beast that has taken human form. From now on, even if a Titled Douluo stood right in front of you, they would not be able to see through your true identity."

Xiao Wu was stunned.

Completely conceal a soul beast's aura?

Ever since she was young, she had known that her identity was a ticking time bomb. Though she usually acted carefree and carefree, deep inside she had always harbored a profound fear.

She feared that one day someone would see through her identity and want to kill her for her soul ring. She feared dragging Lin Chen down, dragging down the people she cared about.

If there truly were such an immortal herb that could free her completely from that fear...

"Where is that immortal herb?" Xiao Wu's voice trembled slightly.

"It is still in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well," Lin Chen said. "That herb is rather special. To pick it, someone with the deepest emotions and truest nature must water it with the hot blood of a sincere heart. Only then can it be plucked. In a few days, I'll take you there and bring it back."

Xiao Wu looked at him, her eyes reddening again.

But this time, she did not cry. She took a deep breath and nodded firmly. "Okay."

She stood up, walked over to Lin Chen, and looked up at him. Her eyes were still red, but her gaze had regained its usual determination and brightness.

"Lin Chen."

"Mm?"

"Thank you."

Her voice was soft, but utterly sincere.

Lin Chen smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair. "Why are you being so polite with me?"

Xiao Wu did not dodge, allowing him to mess her hair into a tangled heap. She lowered her head, a faint smile hidden at the corner of her lips, and softly said, "Then I'm going back."

"Mm, get some rest early."

Xiao Wu walked to the door, pulled it open, then turned back to look at him once more.

"Lin Chen."

"Mm?"

"I like you."

After saying that, she ran out at once and slammed the door shut with a bang.

Lin Chen stood in the room, staring at the closed door in a daze for quite a while before he could not help but laugh.

That little rabbit was getting bolder and bolder.

He lowered his head and looked at the Ice Dragon Ring and Fire Dragon Ring on his fingers. The Fire Dragon King's consciousness immediately emerged, brimming with gossip. "Oh my, the little girl confessed. Little brother, aren't you going to chase after her and show some response?"

"What does it have to do with you?"

"Of course it has to do with me! I'm the spirit of your ring. If you're dating, I have to help advise you!"

"No need."

"Don't be so cold. Ow! Sister Ice, why did you hit me?"

"Be quiet." The Ice Dragon King's voice rang out coldly. "Don't disturb his rest."

The Fire Dragon King muttered a few aggrieved complaints before finally quieting down.

Lin Chen smiled and shook his head. He walked to the window and gazed at the bright moon outside.

Moonlight spilled across the academy, draping everything in a silvery veil.

On the distant path, a slender figure was hopping toward the dormitory, her braid swinging back and forth behind her.

Lin Chen watched that figure, and the smile at the corner of his lips lingered for a long time.