A fist smashed into his chest, throwing him into the air. The unbearable pain penetrated into his guts, tears threatened to creep out of his eyes. He landed on the floor and groaned before stumbling to his feet. He eyed the attacker, and an awkward expression appeared on his face. Not even an ounce of anger could be seen on his face. "How have you been?" he asked embarrassedly.
Leng Yueyan looked at him with crimson eyes, veins popping on her forehead due to anger. Qin Meng, however, didn't see her anger. There was something else hidden behind that facade. Worry, care, concern, disappointment. All kinds of emotions.
"Yueyan?" asked Qin Meng when she didn't reply. He rubbed his nose awkwardly under her piercing gaze. In the end, he sighed and strolled towards her. He grabbed her hand, but she dodged him.
He shook his head. "I know you are upset, but can you please listen to me?"
"Why should I?" said Leng Yueyan with a cold face.
Qin Meng smiled. He knew she was just showing him her temper. Otherwise, she wouldn't waste her time on him. He knew her too well. "Because," he paused, looking into her eyes, "because I love you."
She flushed, in a somewhat panicky manner, and before she could calm down, Qin Meng held her silky hand and whispered into her ear, "I'm sorry."
Leng Yueyan's heart raced—when she felt his warm breath on her earlobe—jumping inside her chest furiously. She took a deep breath and pushed him away. "Not like this," she said. "On your knees."
Qin Meng smiled again and fell on his knees. Shocked, Leng Yueyan rushed and held him. "That's enough." There was no way she would let him do that. How could she humiliate him like this? She just wanted to tease him a bit. Never thought Qin Meng would really fall on his knees.
"Alright, let's go." She held his hand and dragged him out of the cafeteria.
The people were still shocked by the turn of events. But soon the whispers filled the surrounding.
"What now?" asked Zeng Hong.
"What do you mean by 'what now'?" said Yan Yunjie in displeasure. He grabbed Li Hong by his neck and said, "Didn't the boss ask us to discipline him?"
"Oh, I almost forgot about this ungrateful bastard." Wu Hui's eyes glittered in anticipation as he rubbed his hands. Li Hong, who was already depressed, turned pale as a sheet. He could visibly imagine the torture that he had to go through. Tears rolled down his cheeks, but no one showed him any sympathy.
——
"Why did you leave like that, Lord?" asked one boy from behind He Chen.
He Chen paused, looking in the distance. "He's not as simple as we thought him to be." He eyed his people behind him and went on. "Qin Meng is no weaker than me."
"What?!" The eyes of the people widened in shock.
One of them frowned and asked, "But how is that even possible? He is no longer a cripple is already a miracle. How could he achieve a cultivation that high in such a short time?"
"I don't know," He Chen shook his head. "I'm just saying what I felt. Maybe I'm wrong. Otherwise, the competition is going to become a lot more interesting."
"No matter what, he'd never be able to match our Lord," said another member of the Profane Devils.
He Chen smiled disdainfully. "You are right. No matter how strong they are. They are nothing in my eyes. I'm already about to achieve another breakthrough." Then he sauntered away. Others followed him excitedly.
——
"So that's what happened," nodded Leng Yueyan after hearing his explanation. She could understand his situation. Qin Meng must have felt helpless when he could do nothing to protect the only person he cared for.
However, she also felt bitter remembering that he had vanished just like that without informing her. All kinds of terrible thoughts found a home inside her head at that time. She even thought he had run away because he was terrified of the people of the Derus Empire. Feeling guilt and shame as she told it to Qin Meng.
"Silly girl," Qin Meng didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "How could I leave you because of fear? I'd prefer dying, instead—"
"Shhh," she closed his mouth with her gorgeous hand. "Don't say things like that. Death has to go through me before it could reach you."
Qin Meng smiled. Not lingering on the same topic. "So, how did you deal with them?" he asked.
"I told them I already have someone I love, and they left." Leng Yueyan grinned as she looked at him. "I almost feel sorry for them. It's hard to find good people nowadays."
Qin Meng rolled his eyes at her. She was avoiding the topic, and she must have her reasons to do it. He didn't force her, either. Then he remembered something and said, "Actually, I have a gift for you."
"Do you, really?" she said, looking at him suspiciously.
"What kind of look is that?" he shook his head. Then waved his hand and crimson liquid appeared in his hand. He'd already covered his hand with a layer of fire to protect it.
The first thing Leng Yueyan noticed was the storage ring, a surprise visible on her face, but soon her gaze shifted towards the liquid in his hand. Her eyes widened. "Spirit Liquid?"
"Yes," nodded Qin Meng. "It's grade 4 Spirit Liquid and fire type at that. You also have a fire and water type dual Martial Spirits. You can use it to cultivate. Right?"
"Yes," said Leng Yueyan, but then shook her head. "But you need it more than me. You are already behind others in cultivation. So you should use it for yourself."
"But—"
"No if or but," interrupted the girl. "We won't talk about it anymore. Take it."
"But I have a lot of Spirit Liquid," grinned Qin Meng, and even more liquid gushed out of the ring like a stream. Leng Yueyan's eyes widened. Qin Meng chuckled and said, "This is not a tenth of the total Spirit Liquid I have."
It was the first time he had seen her so shocked.