Huo Yun'er's death was undoubtedly a huge blow to the two children at the time.
Huo Yutong seemed to have lost her soul, often falling into a daze, lost in thought.
For the young girl Huo Yun'er and Lin Xi represented family and friendship respectively, both important pillars supporting her world. Now that one of these pillars has suddenly disappeared, one can imagine how much damage it would do to her spirit.
Lin Xi's pressure also increased dramatically.
With Huo Yun'er gone, the Duchess's rejection of Huo Yutong naturally intensified. At that time, Lin Xi, who was only a second-level cultivator, was powerless to help even if she wanted to.
In order to resolve this predicament, Lin Xi made a bold decision.
"So, in order to help Yutong escape the dual shadows of reality and her mental anguish, I took her with me and ran away from home."
Ultimately, what binds Huo Yutong is the Duke's Mansion.
As long as Huo Yutong is there, she is destined to be constantly oppressed.
Then all we need to do is take Huo Yutong and leave that place.
Lin Xi smiled sheepishly.
"To be honest, I was quite overwhelmed at first. Only after leaving my comfort zone did I realize how difficult it is to live entirely on my own."
At that time, Lin Xi had not yet summoned Emiya, so Unlimited Blade Works did not exist. There was very little that two children, both under ten years old, could do in that situation.
Although Lin Xi is a Soul Grandmaster, and basic needs like food and clothing Wuyou a problem for them, it's definitely impossible for them to spend money as lavishly as rich kids.
In his previous life, he was just a college student with little social experience. In this life, he had only been a child for a few years, and his social experience had not increased at all. It can be said that his situation at that time was a wake-up call for his naivety.
In addition, there are various other troubles, such as being wary of malicious individuals, the issue of keeping watch while camping, and the general disdain for children...
Looking back now, it was a busy yet fulfilling time.
"I see..."
Wang Dong lowered his eyes.
She didn't have Huo Yutong's ability to sense emotions, but even so, she could tell from Lin Xi's expression and tone how difficult those days had been.
It's incredibly difficult for a child under ten years old to be wandering the streets with an even younger child who has just suffered a huge blow, no matter how precocious Lin Xi is.
Lin Xi waved her hand with a wry smile.
"Don't make that face. No matter what, we've made it big now. We have our own business, and our strength has completely transformed. Yutong has also recovered from the setbacks of the past. We are truly happy now."
As he spoke, he gave Wang Dong an incredibly bright smile.
Wang Dong breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's good."
Over the past year, she has gained a thorough understanding of Lin Xi and Huo Yutong's personalities. They are both absolutely good people, and she herself would be unhappy if they could not find happiness.
However, Lin Xi's next words made her body suddenly stiffen.
That's why I will never forgive an enemy who tries to ruin my wonderful life.
"... well?"
Wang Dong looked up blankly, only then realizing that Lin Xi's smile had disappeared and her gaze was now incredibly cold.
Wang Dong forced a smile and asked, his voice trembling:
"What do you mean, Lin Xi? Are you saying I'm going to ruin your lives?"
How could that be? She felt like she was already friends with them!
Although Lin Xi always deliberately teased her, and Huo Yutong always seemed to be annoyed with her, she could still sense that their attitudes towards her had softened considerably since the beginning of the semester.
How could she possibly hurt her friend!
"Indeed, you won't, at least not now," Lin Xi gently shook her head, "But the people around you will."
He turned to look at Sea God Lake. For some reason, Wang Dong felt that although he was looking at Sea God Lake, his gaze was not on the lake surface at all, but rather fixed on some existence in the void.
"As I said, I can foresee the future to some extent. So I knew long ago that your father, whom you've never met, would want to harm Yutong, which is why I was so reluctant to share a dorm room with you when we first met."
"Is that so...?" The long-standing mystery was solved, but Wang Dong felt no joy whatsoever; her face turned pale. "Then why are you explaining this to me now?"
Why tell her all this at this particular time?
"Because I feel your feelings for me are growing stronger." Lin Xi continued, still gazing at Sea God Lake, his expression unreadable to Wang Dong. "If we're destined to be enemies, it's probably better for both of us to clarify things sooner rather than later."
Just like in 2.7, when the Tezcatlipoca reprimanded Ritsuka Fujimaru.
Mingming she knows the current relationship is fake, she is unwilling to tell the director the truth, clinging to the seemingly beautiful present without giving any thought to the future.
As a result, the director suffered a major blow and was even prepared to leave them.
He firmly believed that it would be better for both parties to be honest about this matter sooner rather than later.
Wang Dong felt a little short of breath.
"So, if—and I mean if—I really were to do something detrimental to Huo Yutong in the future, what would you do?"
In an instant, Wang Dong felt as if he were about to die.
Lin Xi finally shifted his gaze from Sea God Lake, looked at her seriously, and said without a trace of confusion:
"If it really comes to that, I'll put a bouquet of flowers at your grave out of consideration for the year we spent together."
"..."
Wang Dong was completely speechless.
She could sense the aura emanating from Lin Xi; it was a murderous intent.
Anyone standing in front of Lin Xi now, no matter who they are, can confidently say: this guy is serious.
He wasn't unaware of what the sentence meant; rather, he arrived at this conclusion through continuous reflection after gaining an understanding of it.
In Wang Dong's memory, she had felt murderous intent from Wu Feng and Dai Huabin, but she had never felt murderous intent from Lin Xi.
Because he never took them seriously; he always treated them like children playing house.
Who would get angry at a young child?
Seeing her standing there in a daze, Lin Xi walked over to her and patted her on the shoulder.
"That's all I wanted to say. Go back and think it over carefully. You can tell Tai Tan Niu Tian if you want. I'll apply to the college to change dorms next semester. I hope you won't make a choice that disappoints me. Goodbye."
After saying that, he left without looking back, ignoring Wang Dong's slightly red eyes.