"Damn it! Why-why won't it work!" Dai Huabin snapped his eyes open, veins bulging at his temples, and slammed his fist into the floor with a dull thud.
Today, yet another attempt at Deep Meditation had ended in failure. Chaotic thoughts swarmed through his mind like maggots burrowing into bone, tearing at what remained of his self-respect.
Zhu Lu woke with a start. The sight of her fiancé's face, twisted with pain, made her heart ache. She had never neglected her own cultivation and had long since surpassed Dai Huabin as he was now.
But she had never cared about any of that. She merely comforted him softly. "Huabin, don't be like this. Take your time. We'll find another way."
Her love for Dai Huabin was genuine. Even after he had fallen this far, she had never abandoned him.
"Another way? What other way is there!" Dai Huabin violently knocked away the hand she had reached out to soothe him. His bloodshot eyes blazed with displaced fury. "What can you do besides spout this useless crap? Get out! Get the hell out! I don't want to see you!"
He poured all the venomous resentment he had nowhere else to vent onto the one woman who still remained by his side.
Zhu Lu staggered from his shove. Her eyes instantly reddened, but she fought back her tears. This scene had repeated itself far too many times over the past year.
She had long since grown accustomed to his temper and unpredictable moods. Only a numb ache remained in her heart. "All right, Huabin. I'll leave now. Don't be angry. Get some rest, and we'll think of another way tomorrow."
Her voice choked. She gave him one last look, then silently left the room, gently closing the door behind her.
Deathly silence