Chapter 28: Clear Distinction Between Gratitude and Resentment
"What?! Did this girl notice me?!"
Hearing Xiao Yu's firm words, Yao Chen was momentarily stunned, then began pondering where she might have exposed herself.
Thinking it over, Yao Chen could only recall that brief moment earlier at the Jia Lie family when she stepped in to protect Xiao Yan.
But there really was no other option. In that situation, if she hadn't stepped in to shield Xiao Yan a little, he wouldn't be sleeping so soundly now.
Thinking about this, Yao Chen couldn't help but feel exasperated with Xiao Yan.
This kid is reckless to the extreme! A direct confrontation with a furious High level Da Dou Shi's strike as a mere Dou Practitioner? You've got guts, but don't you know how dangerous that was? At the time, I was so scared I broke into a cold sweat. Without my help, you'd have every bone in your body shattered by now.
But regardless of the circumstances, the fact remains: I've been exposed.
Fortunately, from Yao Chen's observations, Xiao Yu, though somewhat hot-tempered, is a sensible girl who understands priorities. She's far better than Xiao Mei with her loud, fussy personality.
Although Yao Chen had been trying to avoid exposure as much as possible, Xiao Yu had already called her out with such certainty. Continuing to play dead would seem unbecoming.
With this in mind, Yao Chen's figure slowly emerged from the ring. Hovering mid-air, she looked helplessly at Xiao Yu and was about to speak when Xiao Yu's next words caught her completely off guard.
"I must be losing my mind. How could a ring have a consciousness?"
Xiao Yu chuckled self-deprecatingly, gently removed the ring from Xiao Yan's chest, and sat back down in her chair.
At that moment, Xiao Yu's peripheral vision seemed to catch something. She tilted her head slightly, only to see a stunningly beautiful ethereal figure floating mid-air, her expression frozen in astonishment.
Who is this?
Xiao Yu stared blankly at Yao Chen, while Yao Chen stared blankly back at Xiao Yu. The two remained silent, locking eyes, as an awkward tension filled the air.
In contrast to the room's quiet, Yao Chen's mind had begun to race.
So, this girl was just speaking casually? Then could you at least not use such a decisive tone next time?
Xiao Yu was equally dumbfounded. She had merely spoken offhandedly, never expecting something so unexpected to appear.
Faced with this situation, Xiao Yu's first thought was:
This woman is stunningly beautiful.
Yao Chen's appearance was indescribably exquisite, beyond what even poetic phrases like "a face that could cause the downfall of cities" could capture. Even Xiao Yu, as a fellow woman, couldn't help but be mesmerized.
Such beauty was beyond Xiao Yu's comprehension, making her momentarily wonder if she was still dreaming.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of mutual silence, Yao Chen raised her delicate hand, breaking the stalemate.
"Well, um, girl, I'm just a hallucination, nothing to worry about."
As she spoke, Yao Chen's figure began to fade. Xiao Yu immediately snapped out of her daze, stood up abruptly, and glared at Yao Chen.
"Stop that! What kind of hallucination is this real?!"
"This only shows how shallow your experience is. On the Dou Qi continent, there are illusions far more realistic than this. It's nothing unusual."
Yao Chen shook her finger lightly as if correcting Xiao Yu, then waved dismissively.
"Sweet dreams, and goodbye."
"Don't you dare to disappear!!!"
Seeing Yao Chen's figure about to vanish completely, Xiao Yu shouted furiously, pointing at her.
"You're the one behind Xiao Yan's Dou Qi depletion, aren't you?!"
"That's such an unpleasant way to put it. I merely borrowed his Dou Qi for a while. Why use words like 'behind it'?"
Yao Chen spread her hands in helplessness, her expression filled with resignation, which only made Xiao Yu grit her teeth in frustration.
"Taking without permission is theft! Don't you even understand that principle?!"
Three years! During the three years when Xiao Yan lost his Dou Qi, although the Xiao family internally supported him, the entire Wu Tan City had ridiculed him!
Even in other cities, countless people had learned of how the once-talented Xiao Yan of the Xiao family had become a laughingstock!
Although Xiao Yan never outwardly showed it, every member of the Xiao family knew how much sorrow lay hidden in his heart!
And all of this was because of Yao Chen!
Looking at the furious Xiao Yu before her, Yao Chen scratched her cheek, unable to refute.
On this matter, she was undeniably in the wrong. There was no argument to be made.
Just as the situation was about to become awkward, Xiao Yu, who had been filled with indignation, suddenly calmed down. She looked up at the hovering Yao Chen and spoke softly.
"Then it's true. Earlier, during Xiao Yan's clash with Jia Lie Bi, you intervened to help him, didn't you?" After finishing her sentence, Xiao Yu lowered her head slightly towards Yao Chen, surprising her. "On behalf of Xiao Yan, I thank you."
"You're quite the girl. Just a moment ago, you were ready to hold me accountable to the end."
Yao Chen propped her face with her hand, clearly unprepared for Xiao Yu's sudden change in attitude. She had assumed Xiao Yu would stubbornly fixate on her misdeeds.
"Gratitude is gratitude, and grievances are grievances. They must not be conflated." Xiao Yu raised her head and looked at Yao Chen, speaking softly. "You did take Xiao Yan's Dou Qi, but your help earlier is also a fact. As his cousin, it's only right for me to express my thanks."
Hearing Xiao Yu's words, Yao Chen's ruby-like eyes glimmered faintly.
The Xiao family's younger generation is almost overly upright.
Gratitude is gratitude, and grievances are grievances. Addressing the matter, not the person—this upright mindset must undoubtedly have been influenced by Xiao Yan.
"This explains a lot of things," Xiao Yu said, sitting back in her chair and crossing her long, slender legs. She looked up at Yao Chen with arms folded. "Xiao Yan and the Xiao family disciples advanced to Dou Practitioner within three short months of training in the back mountain. That must have been your doing too, right?"
Yao Chen did not respond, only shrugging lightly in tacit acknowledgment.
Xiao Yu stared at the sleeping Xiao Yan for a long while before turning back to Yao Chen.
"What should I call you?" Xiao Yu asked, but before Yao Chen could answer, she waved her hand dismissively. "Never mind. I'm not really interested in your name anyway."
"…"
Yao Chen was speechless. She could tell that Xiao Yu still held a grudge about the Dou Qi issue, and her attitude was unmistakably unfriendly.
At this point, Xiao Yu spoke again.
"Clearly, Xiao Yan knows about your existence, and I have no right to interfere with his decisions." She paused and continued sternly, "But I have one personal request."
Xiao Yu fixed her gaze firmly on Yao Chen and spoke slowly.
"Please, never betray Xiao Yan's trust in you."
Seeing Xiao Yu's earnest expression, Yao Chen did not reply but instead gave a light nod, affirming her stance.
Satisfied with the response, Xiao Yu exhaled deeply, walked to the door, and glanced sideways at Yao Chen.
"If Xiao Yan had trained alone in the back mountain, he could have reached Dou Practitioner in just two or even one month, right?" Xiao Yu glanced at Xiao Yan on the bed and continued, "If possible, I hope that while you're with Xiao Yan, you can teach him to be a little more selfish."
"That's asking for the impossible." Yao Chen raised her eyebrows slightly and glanced at Xiao Yan. "You know your cousin's character better than I do."
"…True enough."
Xiao Yu smiled wryly, then left the room.
Selfishness would never be part of Xiao Yan's character.
It was innate and unchangeable.
(End of Chapter)
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