Xu Peinian: What a Sin! (Thanks to "Autumn Breeze" for the monthly pass!)

On a small path within the academy.

Zhu Zhuqing walked half a step behind Xu Peinian, and the two of them proceeded in silence.

Zhu Zhuqing did not speak much. Usually, Xu Peinian was the one to start a conversation, and she would reply with a few words.

"Zhu Zhuqing, did you come alone? Where is the aunt from last time?"

At his words, Zhu Zhuqing lowered her eyes, seeming to recall some painful memory. Her lips moved slightly, and her trembling voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum.

"Aunt Ruo sacrificed herself to protect me."

Ah, I think I just killed the conversation... Xu Peinian awkwardly rubbed the tip of his nose before opening his mouth to apologize.

"My condolences. I didn't mean to bring up something so painful."

Zhu Zhuqing quickly composed herself and even took the initiative to ease the awkwardness.

"It's fine. You didn't know beforehand."

"..."

"What are your plans from now on?"

Xu Peinian avoided the previous topic and found another subject.

"Um... I haven't thought about it yet. If I had to say, then it would be becoming stronger—strong enough to control my own fate."

After witnessing the scene at the registration office, Zhu Zhuqing did not reveal all her thoughts, only admitting part of her plans.

Knowing Zhu Zhuqing's current circumstances, Xu Peinian naturally thought of her family's situation.

It seemed that, unlike in the original story where she resigned herself to settling for Dai Mubai, the current Zhu Zhuqing might have been moved by what he had said. Or perhaps she had realized something herself. In any case, she had broken free from her old cage and taken a step toward a fuller future.

"That's good. Spirit Hall Academy is a fine choice. Here, you can obtain the best resources and develop your potential to the fullest."

Xu Peinian stopped and turned to look at the girl behind him, whose figure did not match her personality.

After a pause, he added.

"If you encounter any difficulties, you can come find me. I'll provide whatever help I can."

In some ways, her joining Spirit Hall Academy was partly because of him. And now that she had no family or friends here, Xu Peinian felt it was necessary to look after her a little.

"Mm."

A warm current rose in Zhu Zhuqing's heart. She did not refuse the kindness of the man before her, though if she truly ran into trouble in the future, someone as proud as her probably would not take the initiative to seek Xu Peinian's help.

"Brother Xu, good morning. What a coincidence running into you here."

Xu Peinian looked over and found that it was Old Poison's granddaughter, Dugu Yan.

"Mm, good morning, Yan. I'm showing a friend around the academy."

Ever since subduing Poison Douluo three years ago, Xu Peinian had arranged for his granddaughter to study at Spirit Hall Academy. This both held Dugu Bo's weak point in his grasp and served as a reward for him.

After all, could the treatment offered by the greatest Spirit Hall Academy in the world possibly be worse than that of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team?

Although Dugu Yan was a few years older than Xu Peinian, her grandfather served him, so she had no choice but to respectfully call him Brother Xu.

Fortunately, his strength and talent really were greater than hers. Otherwise, even if Dugu Yan called him that, she would only be outwardly convinced.

When Zhu Zhuqing saw another unfamiliar, beautiful woman speaking so warmly with Xu Peinian, she sighed inwardly at how good his luck with women was, while an unavoidable trace of bitterness arose in her heart.

Thus, after Dugu Yan had gone far away, Zhu Zhuqing gathered her courage and did something that did not fit her usual character.

"Xu Peinian."

"Mm?"

"I... are we friends?"

"Of course we are."

Xu Peinian could not help finding Zhu Zhuqing's question rather baffling, and then he asked.

"What's wrong, Zhu Zhuqing? Why ask something like that?"

"If we're friends, then don't call me Zhu Zhuqing."

"If I don't call you Zhu Zhuqing, then what should I call you..."

"Just call me Zhuqing."

Her voice grew quieter and quieter toward the end, as though those words had exhausted all the strength in her life.

After saying that, Zhu Zhuqing blushed and turned her head to the side, not daring to look at Xu Peinian again for fear of hearing him refuse.

"Alright."

Xu Peinian looked at the shy appearance of the usually aloof girl and did his best to hold himself back.

After all, the girl before him was probably already embarrassed beyond measure. If he made another joke or something, she really would have to dig a hole and bury herself in it.

From this, Xu Peinian could also tell that her cold exterior was merely a protective shell. It was not that she wanted to keep everyone at a distance, but that her upbringing had forced her to distance herself from others.

Only the very few people she was willing to trust could knock open her heart.

There had been almost no one like that in the early part of the original story, but now, perhaps there was one.

"Zhu Zhuqing, have you been assigned a dormitory yet?"

"Call me Zhuqing."

The girl abruptly turned her head back and seriously interrupted him.

Even with her cheeks covered in a rosy blush, her clear, secluded eyes remained fixed on him without blinking.

Xu Peinian, who had grown used to calling her Zhu Zhuqing, could only correct himself when he saw how serious she was.

"Uh, Zhuqing?"

"Mm."

Only then did Zhu Zhuqing withdraw her gaze and continue answering his question.

"The dormitory hasn't been assigned yet. I'll go ask about it later."

Perhaps the earlier action had used up all her courage. After chatting for only a little while, Zhu Zhuqing found an excuse and fled in panic.

Watching the leather-clad catgirl with the alluring figure gradually walk away, Xu Peinian helplessly shook his head before heading toward the dormitory area.

He had to comfort Hu Liena, that vinegar jar, or who knew what outrageous thing she might do.

"Stupid A-Nian, dumb A-Nian!"

Hu Liena cursed through gritted teeth, her little fists occasionally swinging through the air as though the air before her were the A-Nian who had angered her.

"You hateful vixen. I never thought you, Zhu Zhuqing, would be the first to arrive."

"Isn't it just a little bigger than mine? What's so great about that? A-Nian is still as captivated as ever. Besides, mine aren't small either."

At the thought of Zhu Zhuqing being alone with her A-Nian, Hu Liena was so furious that her chest rose and fell, stirring up stormy waves.

"If it really comes to it, I'll kill them all, then take A-Nian somewhere with no one around and live a shameless life together."

A sickly red color filled Hu Liena's eyes, and the corners of her mouth rose uncontrollably into an eerie curve.

She was on the verge of completely falling to darkness.

"Sister Liena, are you in there?"

Xu Peinian's call came from outside the courtyard, pulling Hu Liena back from the brink of losing her mind.

The unnatural red in her eyes faded, and Hu Liena returned to her image as a gentle, alluring older sister.

She deliberately softened her voice, making it so seductive that it could melt a person's bones.

"So Junior Peinian still remembers to come see this senior sister? Aren't you keeping your well-behaved girlfriend company?"

When she loved him, she called him A-Nian; when she did not, she called him Junior Peinian... Xu Peinian shouted loudly from outside.

"Sister Liena, it's not what you think. Zhuqing isn't my girlfriend, just an ordinary friend I've only met once. Open the door first, and we can go inside to talk."

"Oh my, you're already calling her Zhuqing, yet you still say she's just an ordinary friend."

Hu Liena's tone was obviously dripping with jealousy, but her body honestly went ahead and opened the courtyard gate for him.

Xu Peinian had just wanted to go inside to talk when a slender, fair hand blocked his way.

"Junior Peinian, let's talk in the courtyard. I'm afraid your Zhuqing might misunderstand."

Hu Liena deliberately stressed the words "your Zhuqing," and shot him a resentful glare.

Xu Peinian felt like he had two heads and neither was enough, but considering how well Hu Liena usually treated him, he could only steel himself and coax her.

"Nana, be good. You're the only one in my heart. I'm not familiar with her."

As he spoke those scumbag lines, Xu Peinian used his ever-effective head pat on her.

Just as Hu Liena was about to be soothed, a familiar cool, mature female voice came from outside the courtyard.

"Peinian, do you live here too?"

"..."

Xu Peinian: I'm tired. Just end me already.