Classes at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy had ended. Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan had searched the sports field for Qian Renyue for ages without finding her, so they sent Yu Tianheng to ask Meng Shenji at the education committee office. Once they learned that Qian Renyue had left early, they decided not to wait. They had never expected to run into her now.
"Sister Yanzi! Brother Tian Heng! Sister Lingling!"
Hearing Dugu Yan's voice, Qian Renyue immediately turned around. These three were her closest friends at the academy. Since she was younger, they always gave way to her, and Dugu Yan sometimes even asked Yu Tianheng to bring her tasty food and drinks. Thanks to them, life at the academy had not been too boring.
"Sister Yanzi, what a coincidence! Fancy running into you here!" Qian Renyue immediately let go of Guang Ling's arm, spread her arms, and rushed straight toward Dugu Yan.
Only a road separated the group from the two of them. As Qian Renyue ran toward Dugu Yan, Dugu Yan also opened her arms and walked toward her. They met and embraced, and Qian Renyue looked especially happy.
Even happier than when she had received her gift earlier.
"Yueyue." Dugu Yan smiled faintly and gently patted her back. "It really is a coincidence, but Lingling suggested we come this way. We never thought we'd actually run into you."
"Ah, no one knows me like Sister Lingling!" Still hugging Dugu Yan, Qian Renyue winked at Ye Lingling. A little embarrassed, Ye Lingling looked away without a word.
Seeing this, Yu Tianheng merely smiled helplessly and shook his head, saying nothing.
"Ah, Sister Yanzi, you have no idea! That rotten old man quadrupled my training today. Quadrupled it! I ran for three whole hours. I was dead tired!"
"And last time, that old man told me there wasn't enough time anymore, so he actually wanted me to sleep less at night and use my sleeping hours to train! I rolled my eyes at him right away!"
"And another thing..."
Qian Renyue chattered on and on, holding Dugu Yan's hand. Almost everything she said was a complaint about Meng Shenji. She called him a rotten old man at every turn, making it clear that she really did not like him much.
Dugu Yan listened patiently to her complaints about a certain Shenji, occasionally chiming in. The two laughed softly, and every so often Qian Renyue whispered something to Dugu Yan, whose expressions were quite a sight. It was as though they shared countless secrets. As they traded remarks, they completely forgot the people on either side of the road.
"..."
Their sisterly affection should have been something to celebrate, yet after Qian Renyue let go of his arm, Guang Ling felt an emptiness inside. Especially when he saw her utterly unclouded smile, he suddenly realized that Qian Renyue did not necessarily need his company.
For a moment, he did not know what expression to wear as he watched these two girls who cherished each other.
Truth be told, his heart ached.
It was the ache of sadness, not jealousy.
"Sister Yanzi, let me introduce him. That's my grandpa, Guang Ling!" Qian Renyue spoke close to Dugu Yan's ear. As she introduced Guang Ling, she even made a point of glancing back at him, her eyes curved with a smile that was especially soothing.
Guang Ling was briefly taken aback, then hurriedly put away the unpleasant expression on his face. He averted his gaze, trying to look less fierce, but with no expression, he was already a cold slab of stone.
Dugu Yan followed Qian Renyue's gaze. She had intended to offer a polite nod of greeting, but Guang Ling looked away, so naturally the greeting came to nothing. Dugu Yan did not feel embarrassed, seemingly used to it. She whispered into Qian Renyue's ear, "Your grandpa is just like mine. They're both so cold toward outsiders."
Dugu Yan and the others had seen Guang Ling and Qian Renyue interacting earlier. Had she not been uncertain whether the girl in the fitted training clothes was really Qian Renyue, she would not have called out to confirm it.
Qian Renyue had changed out of her uniform when she left the academy. She had always thought the uniform was ugly and disliked wearing it, so that was nothing unusual.
"Really? Your grandpa is like that too?" Qian Renyue feigned surprise and took the opportunity to ask about Dugu Bo. "My grandpa is a Titled Douluo. Is yours a Titled Douluo too?"
They had known each other for a month and had hit it off at first sight, but neither had shared her family background or identity yet. Since the conversation had reached this point, Dugu Yan did not hide it. "Mm-hmm! My grandpa is a Titled Douluo too!"
"Oh, then I guess all Titled Douluo have that same crappy temperament!" Qian Renyue said innocently.
"Honestly, you." Dugu Yan smiled helplessly and poked Qian Renyue's forehead. "Don't talk nonsense."
"Hmph, got it." Qian Renyue pouted, then waved at Guang Ling. "Grandpa Guang Ling, these are my friends. Would you like to meet them?"
"..."
Guang Ling looked very aloof as he swept his gaze over Dugu Yan and the others. He had had no intention of getting acquainted with these youngsters, but-
"Yueyue, I bought you a little bell. See if you like it?"
Yu Tianheng noticed Guang Ling's indifference. To spare Qian Renyue any embarrassment, he took a gift box from his Soul Tool and walked toward her and Dugu Yan. "I just bought this at the jewelry shop. If you don't like it, I'll get you something you like next time."
How could Qian Renyue not be happy to receive two gifts in one day?
"Thank you, Brother!" She accepted the gift box Yu Tianheng handed her. Inside was a silver bell of excellent quality. One glance made it clear that he had spent quite a bit on it.
Qian Renyue could barely contain her smile. She was so adorable that Yu Tianheng instinctively reached out to pat her head, smiling gently. "As long as you like it."
Just then, Guang Ling, who had been on the opposite side of the road, suddenly flashed behind Qian Renyue and pulled her into his arms.
"Huh?" Qian Renyue bumped into Guang Ling's embrace. His firm chest was warm and strong, and she could not help letting out a soft cry. "Grandpa Guang Ling?"
Guang Ling's expression looked rather grim. He frowned, seemingly harboring deep hostility toward Yu Tianheng.
Trying to dig up my little cabbage?
You're courting death.
Sensing that something was wrong with the man holding her, Qian Renyue quickly grabbed the hem of Guang Ling's clothes. Frowning slightly, she spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear. "Grandpa Guang Ling, they're my friends. They're very good to me. Please don't hurt them."
"..."
After hearing this, Guang Ling's brow furrowed even more deeply.
Could my little darling like this boy, who isn't even as good-looking as me?
"Greetings, Senior."
After Dugu Yan quietly informed him, Yu Tianheng also learned that the man before them was Qian Renyue's grandpa. Both were very well brought up. No matter how Guang Ling regarded them, as juniors, they still greeted him first.
Only then did Guang Ling realize that Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng were a young couple.
The little gestures between them were unmistakably intimate. Even if Guang Ling had never eaten pork, he had seen pigs run. He was certain that these two youngsters were definitely a couple!
Then...
He lowered his eyes to Qian Renyue. Had I misunderstood?
Before you continue