The Heart Demon slowly turned, took on Zhu Zhuqing's appearance, and walked up to press close against her. "Hehe, I knew it. You can't bear to let him go, but you can't swallow your pride and are too embarrassed to ask him outright. But that's all right. With me here, all those problems can be solved." The Heart Demon caught Zhu Zhuqing by the chin and turned her exquisite face to meet his eyes.
"Y-you're his martial soul, aren't you? Then why are you helping me? Or did he send you?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, her face flushed.
Although the Heart Demon's transformation made Zhu Zhuqing feel as though she were looking in a mirror, having someone hold her face still sent an inexplicable heat stirring deep inside her.
"You don't need to worry about that at all. Have you forgotten what he said? I'm a special martial soul." The Heart Demon released Zhu Zhuqing's face, stepped back twice, and spread his arms as he elegantly introduced himself.
"I'm a self-aware top-tier martial soul. Unlike those useless things, I have thoughts of my own. I can tell that you're a strong girl, and I admire that. That's why I came to help you behind my master's back." The Heart Demon opened his arms toward Zhu Zhuqing and drew her into a tight embrace, speaking into her ear in an intoxicating tone. "Right now, I'm actually the truest part of your heart, so you can trust me completely."
The red haze in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes thickened a little, and she murmured her assent unconsciously. "Mm."
Seeing that Zhu Zhuqing had lowered her guard, the Heart Demon whispered softly into her ear, "Qin Ye has a habit of going out for a walk at night. If you want a chance to be alone with him, arrange a chance encounter by the little river at Shrek Academy tonight. Then you can do whatever you want to do. Hehe." With that, the Heart Demon released Zhu Zhuqing's delicate body and retreated.
"Wait! What should I do?" Zhu Zhuqing asked anxiously as she watched the Heart Demon about to disappear.
"Do whatever you want. Anything is fine. That's something you have to ask yourself." From a distance, the Heart Demon pointed at Zhu Zhuqing's heart. "Follow your heart's truest desires. If you really like him, say it out loud. Otherwise, just stand quietly by and watch other women take him away."
"Your chance to return to the Star Luo Empire and take revenge is right before your eyes. Think of the humiliation and abuse you suffered there. Zhu Zhuqing, are you really willing to remain beneath Zhu Zhuyun forever?"
"Be bold and do what you want, Zhu Zhuqing. Believe in yourself. You must believe that you're more alluring than most women, and that is your strongest weapon for winning Qin Ye's heart."
The Heart Demon vanished completely, but his beguiling words kept playing over and over in Zhu Zhuqing's mind, deepening her hatred of those bitter days in the Star Luo Empire.
Suddenly, Zhu Zhuqing raised her head, a faint red haze filling her eyes as her fingers slowly curled into fists. In her heart, she declared firmly, Zhu Zhuyun, I will return to the Star Luo Empire. Sooner or later, I'll repay every bit of the pain you inflicted on me.
Ding! Zhu Zhuqing's corruption value +15. Zhu Zhuqing's current corruption value: 25. Total accumulated corruption value: 45 points. Master, please keep up the good work.
Another notification from the Heart Demon sounded in Qin Ye's mind, and he chuckled inwardly. At this rate, it won't be long before I unlock my First Soul Skill.
Of course, Qin Ye had sent the Heart Demon out. This was his martial soul-how could Qin Ye possibly be unaware of its movements?
A slight smile curved Qin Ye's lips as he said goodbye to Ning Rongrong. "All right, Rongrong. Then I'll gladly take you as my adorable little sister. If you ever need anything, just contact me. I'll come whenever you call."
With that, Qin Ye turned and walked toward Xiao Wu, who had kept her head lowered the entire time.
Xiao Wu was caught in a fierce inner struggle. She did not know what had happened to Tang San, but she could tell that the Brother San who had loved, cherished, and protected her had changed completely.
Brother San, could it be that you don't like me anymore?
"Hello. Is your name Xiao Wu?" Qin Ye's voice suddenly pulled Xiao Wu back to reality. His unexpected greeting startled her, and her ears shot upright.
"Oh, yes, it is," Xiao Wu answered flusteredly. "Did you need something?"
"Nothing much, really. I just noticed that you've kept your head down, and I was worried you'd been injured in the fight earlier. Could you let me look at your wounds? I've learned a little about bandaging, so perhaps I could help."
"N-no, I'm fine." Xiao Wu shook her head. "I'm not injured. I was just thinking about something else and got distracted. Thank you for your concern." Xiao Wu bowed politely in thanks.
Although Qin Ye and Tang San had some disagreements, Qin Ye had shown nothing but friendliness toward everyone else from beginning to end. Coupled with Tang San's sudden change in temperament, this made Xiao Wu wonder whether Tang San really was the one in the wrong.
That was why Xiao Wu had not developed much aversion toward Qin Ye.
"Were you thinking about Tang San? What's your relationship with him, then? Do you mind if I ask?" Qin Ye asked.
"W-we're brother and sister. Um, but not by blood," Xiao Wu replied with her head lowered.
"Brother and sister?! What kind of brother acts like that!" Ning Rongrong said angrily. "I have lots of older brothers in my family, and they all treat me wonderfully. They'd never yank a girl's arm like some control freak. How is someone like him anything like an older brother?" With her hands on her hips, Ning Rongrong walked angrily over to Xiao Wu and gently held her tense arm.
"Xiao Wu, you need to see him more clearly. If you ask me, Tang San doesn't seem like a good person at all. His desire to control you is ridiculously strong. Sooner or later, those feelings are bound to make him hurt you. You should stay away from him."
After hearing that, Qin Ye could not help giving Ning Rongrong a mental thumbs-up. That was nothing short of a divine assist, Ning Rongrong!
"B-but Brother San wasn't like this before," Xiao Wu countered softly, her voice full of hesitation. Even she did not believe her own words.
Tang San had indeed been fiercely protective of her before, but at least he had taken her feelings into account. Today, however, he had torn away his disguise completely, exposing the most overbearing side of himself. That left Xiao Wu utterly disappointed in him, and he even felt like a stranger to her.
"Men change," Ning Rongrong said. "Maybe he was pretending to be a good person all along to fool you, just so he could win your trust. Now that he's exposed himself and doesn't want to act anymore, he's turned into the big bad wolf and shown his true face." Ning Rongrong gently comforted Xiao Wu. "Xiao Wu, I can tell you're a kindhearted girl. You mustn't let someone like Tang San deceive you. Look at Brother Ye. Someone like him is what an older brother should be. Compared with Tang San, Brother Ye is the good person."
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