"Hu Liena?"
Zhou Chen murmured as he gazed at the elegant, golden-haired beauty descending the spiral staircase.
Though it had been six years, Zhou Chen immediately recognized her as Hu Liena, the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall.
This left him both incredulous and pleasantly surprised.
He couldn't forget that night when, out of compassion, Hu Liena defied the orders of the Spirit Hall elders and helped him, a complete stranger, escape from the Hunting Soul Forest.
He also remembered when he was too exhausted from overusing his soul power to keep running, it was Hu Liena who gritted her teeth and carried him on her frail shoulders for hundreds of miles.
He couldn't forget Hu Liena shielding him with her trembling back when they were surrounded by the Star Luo Royal Secret Guards, with no hope of escape.
Nor could he forget her silently watching him with tears streaming down her face when they had to part ways.
Over the past six years, in quiet moments, Zhou Chen often thought of this kind and devoted girl, worrying about her safety and missing her presence.
Zhou Chen initially thought it would be a long time before they met again, but fate often works in mysterious ways.
"Zhou Chen, what are you looking at?"
Zhu Zhuqing had been flipping through the hotel directory at the counter, choosing a room, but when she turned her head slightly, she noticed Zhou Chen staring at another woman!
This instantly awakened her inner tigress, and she coldly glared at Zhou Chen, demanding in a loud voice.
"Zhou Chen?"
On the staircase, Hu Liena, with her keen hearing from her Fox martial soul, trembled upon hearing this familiar name buried deep in her heart. She quickly turned to look in the direction of the voice.
Her gaze met a pair of eyes as bright as the stars, filled with surprise and longing.
And those eyes belonged to a young man dressed in splendid purple, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, standing tall and strikingly handsome.
It was him! It was really him!
This was the figure she had longed for day and night.
Though six years had passed, and the boy who once shattered all obstacles with a single punch and cleaved mountains with a sword had grown, changing in appearance, his gaze and the aura of regal confidence were unmistakable.
Instantly, Hu Liena felt her whole body tremble with emotion, her eyes growing warm as tears involuntarily flowed.
The two of them communicated silently across the distance, sharing their feelings through their eyes.
"Zhou Chen, who is she?"
A cold voice questioned, accompanied by sharp pain from a pinch at his waist, snapping Zhou Chen back to reality.
He turned to see Zhu Zhuqing's icy expression and replied with gentle apology, "Zhuqing, she is my savior, and the one I promised to protect."
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily stunned and turned to look at Hu Liena closely.
Enchanting!
This was the word that automatically surfaced in Zhu Zhuqing's mind upon seeing Hu Liena.
The golden-haired, white-and-gold-dressed beauty possessed an irresistible allure that could captivate anyone, even other women.
In terms of looks and figure, Zhu Zhuqing felt she was a match for her, but the natural allure in Hu Liena's every movement was incomparable.
This immediately aroused a strong sense of vigilance in Zhu Zhuqing!
Even though Ning Rongrong had tried various ways to get close to Zhou Chen, Zhu Zhuqing had never been concerned.
As a duke's daughter, Zhu Zhuqing understood that exceptional men were rare resources, attracting many admirers was normal, and competition for them was expected.
Her father, the current Duke of the Zhu family, had over a dozen wives and concubines. She and her second sister, Zhu Zhuyun, were not born of the same mother.
But this enchanting woman before her made Zhu Zhuqing unusually wary, even afraid.
She feared Zhou Chen would be charmed by this vixen, feared he would stop loving her, or even abandon her.
The mere thought of this possibility made Zhu Zhuqing feel despondent.
Meanwhile, Hu Liena also noticed Zhu Zhuqing.
Moments ago, she had eyes only for Zhou Chen, unaware of the black-dressed girl beside him.
This girl seemed about Zhou Chen's age, at least five or six years younger than Hu Liena, with a cold demeanor, beautiful face, and an enviably striking figure.
Though Hu Liena was confident in her looks, she had to admit this girl was stunning, on par with her.
This sparked a surge of jealousy in Hu Liena.
She wanted to question Zhou Chen, why he had promised to protect her forever, yet after just six years, he was with another woman!
With graceful steps, Hu Liena approached Zhou Chen and Zhu Zhuqing.
Without even glancing at Zhu Zhuqing, she looked straight into Zhou Chen's eyes and asked, "Do you remember what you told me? 'If love can last forever...'"
"...then why fret over the morning and evening?" Zhou Chen completed the sentence, speaking slowly and deliberately.
His eyes were slightly warm, but as a man, he couldn't show weakness by crying in public.
"It really is you."
Hearing those words, Hu Liena's tears flowed unrestrained, her voice filled with passionate emotion and a hint of sobbing, "It's been six years, Zhou Chen, did you think of me?"
"I did."
Though Zhou Chen's voice was calm, it carried undeniable sincerity.
For Hu Liena, that single word, "did," was the most touching declaration.
She suddenly didn't want to care about the black-dressed girl beside Zhou Chen anymore.
Hearing Zhou Chen say he thought of her, seeing him safe and sound, was enough.
Even if Zhou Chen wasn't with her, or not solely with her, she accepted it.
Just like six years ago, while carrying Zhou Chen during their escape, she had thought:
Zhou Chen, as long as you are alive, I only wish for your well-being!
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