At a street corner in Suotuo City, Zhu Zhuqing wandered aimlessly with her head lowered and a glimmer of tears in her eyes, the scene she had witnessed at the Rose Hotel replaying in her mind.
Dai Mubai was actually living a life of wine and women here, whispering sweet nothings with other women and even taking them to a hotel. She truly felt deeply betrayed.
She was no fool. On the contrary, she was perfectly clearheaded and understood exactly what this meant.
"Perhaps I never should have come here, nor should I have placed any hope in a coward who fled before battle," Zhu Zhuqing said self-mockingly.
She raised her head toward the sky. The sunlight was just right, and the azure heavens were as clear as if they had been washed clean, as though even the dark clouds had vanished without a trace.
What a sunny day it was!
Zhu Zhuqing gazed up at the sky, but her heart was shrouded in gloom. She wanted to cry, yet no tears would come.
Originally, she had still harbored a sliver of hope, imagining that Dai Mubai was enduring humiliation here and bearing a heavy burden while waiting for an opportunity.
But now, there was no opportunity left at all. His behavior had already proved that he had sunk completely into depravity and given up on himself.
Had he ever spared a thought for her? He had given up alone, but it endangered both their lives. Just as Zhu Zhuqing sank into agonizing turmoil, a familiar voice reached her ears.
"Miss Zhu Zhuqing, there's no need to be so heartbroken over a scumbag."
Jun Yi appeared behind her and offered words of comfort as he looked at her sorrow-stricken face.
"Big Brother Jun, you already know?"
"Yes. When I saw that Young Master Dai earlier, I figured out his identity and his relationship with you from your reaction. He should be the Star Luo Imperial Family's second prince who fled abroad, your fiancé, Dai Mubai, right?" Jun Yi said.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded sorrowfully.
Jun Yi continued, "I also know a little about the Star Luo Imperial Family and the Zhu Family, including some of your secrets. If I'm not mistaken, those Soul Masters who were pursuing you earlier were sent by your older sister, weren't they? Their goal was to prevent you from meeting Dai Mubai and thereby threatening her position."
"Yes." Zhu Zhuqing sighed again.
"I understand how you feel right now. You risked your life and traveled all the way from the Star Luo Empire to this little Suotuo City, just to find Dai Mubai and seize a sliver of a chance at survival. Yet you found him making no effort to improve, living a life of wine and women here. Naturally, your heart is filled with sorrow."
A bleak smile appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's face. "There's nothing I can do. I was born into the Netherworld Zhu Family. I have no room to maneuver. With fate as it is, I can only pin my hopes on him."
Jun Yi shook his head. "Miss Zhu Zhuqing, that way of thinking is wrong. You don't need to pin your hopes on anyone else. You have to believe in yourself. You possess tremendous perseverance. As long as you cultivate diligently, you'll definitely be able to stand at the summit and look down upon the mortal world."
"When that time comes, you can hold your destiny in your own hands, and no one will be able to sway your thoughts." Looking every bit the master, Jun Yi earnestly guided her.
"But..."
"No buts, Miss Zhu Zhuqing. You only need to focus on cultivating diligently. You don't have to worry about what lies behind you." Jun Yi patted Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder.
Jun Yi's words seemed to strike a chord in Zhu Zhuqing's heart.
Jun Yi, meanwhile, kept his foot on the accelerator, determined to pour plenty of chicken soup down Zhu Zhuqing's throat.
"After spending these past two days together, you've probably noticed that Rongrong's background and mine are unusual. You could put it this way: as long as we wish it, your life won't face any threats."
"But I'd much rather you rely on your own efforts and gain the strength to make your family and your enemies fear you. So work hard, Miss Zhu Zhuqing. You don't need to worry so much, nor do you need to pin your hopes on others. Remember, your destiny rests in your own hands. If you work hard, you will definitely reap rewards."
As bowl after bowl of chicken soup from Blue Star was poured down her throat, Zhu Zhuqing was left repeatedly stunned. Although she had yet to voice her agreement, the look in her eyes was clearly changing little by little.
Finally, Zhu Zhuqing nodded firmly and said resolutely, "Thank you, Big Brother Jun. I understand now. I'll cultivate diligently so no one can ever hurt me again!"
"That's the spirit! I have faith in you!" Jun Yi laughed heartily. His words of encouragement had achieved their intended effect, and the effort he had spent coming up with so much chicken soup had not gone to waste.
Jun Yi did admire Zhu Zhuqing. Although her talent in the original story had been poor, with only level-seven Innate Soul Power, she had reached level twenty-seven before the age of twelve through hard work, one level higher than Ning Rongrong in the original story.
That showed just how hard she worked. Moreover, she was kindhearted and broad-minded, even forgiving that lustful tiger Dai Mubai later on. A girl like her truly was an angelic existence.
Now that he had the ability to help her, Jun Yi was willing to reach out and give this helpless girl a hand, allowing her to live according to her own will and make her own life shine.
"Then let's head back and find Rongrong first. She's probably still waiting for us at the Rose Hotel."
"Mm-hmm." Zhu Zhuqing nodded firmly and followed Jun Yi toward the Rose Hotel.
In a teahouse a short distance down the street, a middle-aged man sat sipping tea before saying with a smile, "Kid Jun really is quite something. He has one grand principle after another at his fingertips, and he certainly has a knack for comforting people."
"Still, that little girl really is pitiful. The fiancé she traveled thousands of miles to find was out living a life of wine and women. Any other girl would have broken down already. This girl has quite a resilient nature. If Rongrong could have the same mindset as her, I could rest easy."
The speaker was none other than Bone Douluo. Naturally, he had heard the entire conversation between Jun Yi and Zhu Zhuqing. He was quite pleased with Jun Yi's actions; helping someone who had lost heart was always better than letting her die in despair.
"But why did I sense a trace of a Soul Beast's presence? Could there be a trade in Soul Beasts here in Suotuo City too?"
Although Bone Douluo secretly protected Ning Rongrong and Jun Yi, he usually observed them through his spiritual power rather than staying too close, to avoid being discovered by Jun Yi. After all, he knew that Jun Yi's spiritual power was strong and could easily locate him.
Just now, Bone Douluo had sensed a trace of a Soul Beast's presence not far from Ning Rongrong, which had piqued his curiosity. But he had not thought much of it, assuming that Soul Beasts could also be sold in Suotuo City. After all, this was not uncommon in Heaven Dou City.
Thus, he had not considered the possibility of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast taking human form, instead assuming that the presence came from an ordinary Soul Beast.
Bone Douluo drained his teacup in one gulp, then took out a Gold Soul Coin and tossed it onto the table. His figure vanished without a trace.
(End of chapter)