Xiao Wu and Su Ming were still just non-blood-related siblings. That invisible barrier between them hadn't been broken yet, so how could Su Ming suddenly kiss her like that? At first, Xiao Wu was completely stunned by his bold move, but as she calmed down, she didn't feel any resistance—there was even a little joy in her heart. Was Su Ming finally making his move on her?
A few days ago, after Rongrong had given her some advice, Xiao Wu had started to feel a sense of urgency. She thought if Su Ming didn't make the first move, she would have to, but she hadn't expected it to happen so suddenly!
Su Ming, on the other hand, felt it was about time. After all, they had known each other for six years, and Xiao Wu had been like a sister to him for all that time. Their relationship had deepened naturally, but there never seemed to be the right moment.
At Notting Academy, they were either busy training or surrounded by other work-study students. At Shrek Academy, there were even more interruptions. But now, it was just the two of them. Su Ming felt that this was the perfect opportunity.
Titan Giant Ape: Ah yes, sure, you two are humans, and I'm just a soul beast, so you don't care about me, right?
Su Ming had two reasons for coming to Star Lake: one was to spar with the Titan Giant Ape, and the other was to gauge Xiao Wu's reaction, to see if they could solidify their relationship. If things went well, this could even count as meeting her family—though it wasn't complete, as her mother wasn't present. Once her mother was resurrected, it would feel more official.
Su Ming noticed that Xiao Wu didn't seem angry or resistant. On the outside, he maintained his calm demeanor, but inside, he let out a sigh of relief. Even though he was bold in his diary entries, that was just because no one could see them. In his past life, he'd never dated, so he was still figuring out how to navigate relationships.
Seeing Xiao Wu's reaction, Su Ming felt confident enough to take the next step.
Xiao Wu, snapping out of her initial shock, blushed and asked shyly, "Brother, why so sudden?"
Su Ming smiled warmly, "Xiao Wu, we've known each other for six years. We're close, and you probably already know how I feel about you. So, I'm asking—do you want to take the next step and be my girlfriend?"
Hearing Su Ming's confession, Xiao Wu was moved. Even though there was no grand proposal, none of that mattered to her. What mattered was Su Ming himself. So, she nodded slightly in agreement.
Su Ming noticed how her rabbit ears had turned completely red, a sign that she was just as emotionally stirred as he was. Though he appeared calm, his heart was racing faster than it ever had, even in battle. It was his first time confessing, and he was relieved it had gone well!
Meanwhile, the Titan Giant Ape was in turmoil: Didn't Xiao Wu say Su Ming was just her human brother? How did he suddenly become her partner?!
The giant soul beast was utterly bewildered by this turn of events.
Su Ming then said, "Xiao Wu, since you've agreed, my second reason for going to Star Lake was to meet your family."
Xiao Wu hadn't yet mentioned Da Ming's existence, so Su Ming had left the word "family" vague, waiting for her to bring it up.
Hearing that Su Ming wanted to meet her family, Xiao Wu felt a mix of happiness and sadness. She was glad he cared, but sorrowful because her mother was no longer around.
With a touch of sadness in her voice, Xiao Wu explained, "My family at Star Lake only includes Da Ming and Er Ming. Da Ming is a 100,000-year-old Sky Blue Bull Python, and Er Ming, who you've already met, and my mother…"
Su Ming had anticipated this, knowing that Xiao Wu would mention her mother when talking about her family. Gently, he asked, "What happened to your mother?"
Xiao Wu's eyes reddened, and her emotions dropped as she explained, "My mother passed away when I was young. She was also a 100,000-year-old Soft Bone Rabbit who had taken human form, but she became a spirit ring for Spirit Hall's Pope, Bibi Dong. I've been training hard, hoping one day I can avenge her."
Su Ming continued, "So, your mother was killed by Bibi Dong?"
Su Ming asked deliberately because, according to the God Realm Chronicles, Xiao Wu had once said her mother had been fatally injured by a powerful entity in the Star Dou Forest before her death.
(Note: In Douluo Dalu 1, it wasn't explicitly stated that Bibi Dong killed her, and the story's later inconsistencies made it unclear. We'll go with the God Realm Chronicles version for accuracy.)
Xiao Wu shook her head. "No. My mother went to a dangerous part of the Star Dou Forest to look for my father, but she came back mortally wounded. I watched her sacrifice herself to Bibi Dong. I didn't understand why at the time, and I was too scared of Bibi Dong's power to do anything but hide."
As she spoke, Xiao Wu began to cry softly in Su Ming's arms, finally releasing the sorrow she had long held inside.
Su Ming quietly patted her back, letting her vent her emotions without saying much. It was best for Xiao Wu to let it all out.
Once she calmed down, Su Ming looked into her eyes and said, "Even though I don't know the exact relationship between your mother and Bibi Dong that led to the sacrifice, as long as Bibi Dong doesn't constantly use your mother's spirit ring and bones, I'll find a way to bring your mother back. Xiao Wu, do you trust me?"
Before Xiao Wu could respond, Er Ming's booming voice cut through the forest, "Human, don't push your luck!"
Su Ming was confused. Where did I go too far? I didn't even complain about you being a third wheel.
Er Ming: Are you kidding me?!
Er Ming continued, "Human, when Xiao Wu first entered your human world, I didn't say anything when she called you her brother. I understand she lost her father young and might have wanted a human relative. But now you're asking her to be your mate? That's crossing the line!"