Xiao Wu and Su Ming still hadn't crossed the boundary of being siblings without blood ties. That fragile line had yet to be broken, and yet, Su Ming had made such a move!
Initially, Xiao Wu was indeed shocked by Su Ming's sudden actions. However, as she calmed down, she found she wasn't repulsed by it at all—in fact, she felt a bit delighted. Was Su Ming finally making his move on her?
Just a few days ago, after Rongrong's advice, Xiao Wu began to feel a sense of urgency. If Su Ming still didn't make a move, she had resolved to take the initiative herself. But she hadn't expected it to happen so suddenly!
Su Ming, on the other hand, felt it was about time. After all, he and Xiao Wu had been together for six years, during which Xiao Wu had been his "sister." Their bond was strong enough now, though he had never found the right opportunity to act.
At Notting Academy, they were either cultivating or surrounded by other working students, leaving no privacy. At Shrek Academy, the situation hadn't improved much. Now, with just the two of them alone, Su Ming decided it was the perfect moment.
Titan Giant Ape: "Ah, right, sure, it's just you two humans, and I, as a soul beast, don't matter, huh?"
This trip to Star Lake had two goals for Su Ming. First, he wanted to spar with the Titan Giant Ape to test his strength. Second, he wanted to gauge Xiao Wu's reaction and see if he could establish their relationship. If successful, this would also serve as meeting her family—an informal "meet-the-parents" visit.
Of course, the family was incomplete for now. Xiao Wu's mother wasn't present, but Su Ming planned to bring her back in the future for a more formal introduction.
Seeing that Xiao Wu didn't seem angry or resistant, Su Ming felt a wave of relief wash over him.
Though his diary entries were bold, those were private thoughts. In truth, in his past life, he'd been single since birth. Navigating a romantic relationship was a whole new experience for him. Seeing Xiao Wu's shy response, Su Ming felt confident enough to take the next step.
Xiao Wu, snapping out of her initial shock, shyly murmured, "Brother, why are you being so sudden?"
With a gentle smile, Su Ming replied, "Xiao Wu, we've known each other for six years now. We're very close, and you know how I feel about you. I want to take things further—would you be my girlfriend?"
Xiao Wu was touched by the confession. Though there were no grand gestures or ceremonies, such things didn't matter to her. What mattered was Su Ming himself. She nodded slightly, indicating her agreement.
Su Ming noticed her rabbit ears turning a bright red, a clear sign of her nervous excitement—much like his own.
Despite his composed demeanor, Su Ming's heart was pounding furiously, even faster than during combat. After all, this was his first-ever confession, and it had been successful!
Titan Giant Ape: Didn't Sister Xiao Wu say Su Ming was her brother in the human world? How did he suddenly become her mate?
The Titan Giant Ape was utterly dumbfounded by this sudden shift in their relationship.
Then, Su Ming spoke again, "Xiao Wu, since you agreed, my second purpose in coming to Star Lake is to meet your family."
Xiao Wu's heart swelled with joy at his words. Unfortunately, her mother wasn't around to share in this moment. Feeling a twinge of sadness, she said softly, "Brother Su Ming, in Star Lake, my only family are Da Ming and Er Ming. Da Ming is a hundred-thousand-year Azure Bull Python, and Er Ming, well, you've already met."
Su Ming nodded inwardly. He had anticipated that mentioning "family" would prompt Xiao Wu to bring up her mother. Patiently, he asked, "What happened to your mother?"
Xiao Wu's eyes reddened, and her mood turned somber. "My mother… she passed away when I was young. She was also a hundred-thousand-year Soft-Bone Rabbit who had taken human form. But now, she's nothing more than a soul ring for the Spirit Hall's Pope, Bibi Dong. I've been working hard on my cultivation so that one day, I can avenge her."
Su Ming pressed on, "So your mother was killed by Bibi Dong?"
He deliberately phrased it this way. In the original Douluo Dalu, the cause of Xiao Wu's mother's death was left ambiguous. However, in Divine Realm Legends, Xiao Wu herself had stated that her mother had been fatally wounded in the Star Dou Forest by a powerful entity.
Xiao Wu shook her head. "No. My mother went to the Star Dou Forest's dangerous regions in search of my father. When she returned, she was gravely injured. I witnessed her sacrifice herself to Bibi Dong, but I never understood why. Bibi Dong was too strong, and I was too scared to intervene. I could only hide and watch."
As she spoke, Xiao Wu broke down in Su Ming's arms, finally releasing the emotions she had been suppressing for so long.
Su Ming gently patted her back, offering silent comfort. Letting her vent now was the best way to help.
Once Xiao Wu calmed down, Su Ming looked her in the eyes and said, "Though I don't know the exact nature of the relationship between your mother and Bibi Dong that led to the sacrifice, as long as Bibi Dong hasn't frequently used your mother's soul ring and bones, I have a way to bring your mother back in the future. Xiao Wu, do you trust me?"
Before Xiao Wu could respond, Er Ming, who had been holding back, finally erupted. His deep, booming voice echoed through the forest, "Human, don't go too far!"
Su Ming blinked, genuinely puzzled. What had he done that was "too far"? He hadn't even minded Er Ming acting as a third wheel.
Er Ming: "Listen to yourself! Is this how a human should behave?"
Er Ming continued angrily, "Human, when sister Xiao Wu first entered the human world, she was naive and vulnerable. I tolerated her recognizing you as her brother because she lost her father young and longed for family. I understood that.
"But now you dare to make her your mate? Isn't that crossing the line?"