Chapter 253 Epilogue - The New World Arc (50)
Like Zhen Zhu, Yu Qingzhou never expected to meet her here.
In particular, the girl's hesitant yet ultimately uttered "Senior Brother" made Yu Qingzhou feel as if he were in another world.
In fact, this was the first time Yu Qingzhou had heard someone address him as "senior brother" since returning to the sect.
Those who once called themselves that—too many of them—have lost their lives in that terrible war.
Some of the remaining people believed Yu Qingzhou's claim that he had betrayed them and turned against them in the face of battle, and therefore deeply resented him.
Naturally, it was impossible for him to call him "senior brother" again.
As for the other group, Yu Qingzhou was very grateful for their trust.
Therefore, he was even more unwilling to see anyone among them be unjustly implicated because of their close association with someone who bore the name of a traitor.
Therefore, it is best to avoid seeing them as much as possible.
Meeting Zhenzhu at this time and place was purely coincidental.
Although he hadn't expected it beforehand, Yu Qingzhou still considered it a kind of fate to be able to see the girl one last time before leaving the sect.
Especially—
Even now, the other party is still willing to call me "senior brother" as before.
So naturally, Yu Qingzhou returned the girl's smile.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two fell silent without prior arrangement.
Yu Qingzhou had already made all the necessary arrangements before leaving, so she had nothing more to say at this point.
So, I just waited for the other party to speak.
Seeing the girl's conflicted expression, as if she wanted to speak but didn't know where to begin, Yu Qingzhou didn't urge her.
My departure is a foregone conclusion.
Now, Yu Qingzhou has lost his status as a disciple, no longer anyone's senior or junior brother, from now on he is just himself.
No longer needing to deal with sect affairs, it seemed there was no longer any need to continue cultivating...
After all, Yu Qingzhou's original intention in cultivating...
His senior sister... and his master... these two people whom Yu Qingzhou once regarded as the most important people in the world... are both gone.
Thinking of this, Yu Qingzhou couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.
However, he quickly adjusted his mood... Now is not the time to be sentimental.
In short, he has plenty of time now.
If that's the case, why not spare some time to listen to what the girl in front of us has to say?
Moreover, if I had to say, the purpose of this trip was to repay the debts of karma.
So the girl in front of us might very well be part of it all.
After all, if he weren't himself, and if the soul contract hadn't been so inadvertently binding him, Ah Xiao would probably have fallen for a girl like this.
She is lively and cheerful, yet gentle and delicate.
Most importantly, the other person genuinely likes the boy.
Yu Qingzhou still remembers the pastries that were presented in the food box that year.
It was clearly filled with the feelings of a young girl.
Li Xiao not only didn't realize it, but also acted as if nothing had happened and excitedly brought it to Yu Qingzhou, urging him to eat it together.
However, now that Yu Qingzhou knew the feelings behind it, how could she possibly accept it with a clear conscience?
Yu Qingzhou then resolutely refused the other party, his tone so blunt that even he himself was surprised at the time, which caused the young man a lot of grievances and suspicions...
If it were me now, I would probably use a gentler approach.
However, as time passed and she looked back on herself then, Yu Qingzhou suddenly made a new discovery.
At that time, his resolute attitude was less because he was eager to sever ties with the boy, and more because he realized the wavering deep within his heart.
(We can't let things continue like this...)
(Otherwise, sooner or later... sooner or later you'll be dragged into it and unable to extricate yourself...)
That's why Yu Qingzhou so urgently asked her Uncle Chang to stay away from the boy after that.
Such an act of giving up halfway is almost unprecedented for Yu Qingzhou, who has always taken the sect's mission as his own responsibility and will do anything to achieve his goal.
Ultimately, after Chang Shibo reasoned with him and appealed to his emotions, the request was rejected.
Just as Yu Qingzhou was hesitating about how to continue his relationship with Li Xiao, the latter reappeared in front of him as if nothing had happened.
As if he were heartless, he handed a thick and sturdy vine to Yu Qingzhou.
Then, meeting the latter's puzzled gaze, he simply lowered his head and awkwardly thrust a section of his snow-white neck in front of Yu Qingzhou's eyes.
Go ahead and hit me.
These few simple words conveyed the tragic grandeur of a hero's heartbreak.
Seeing this, Yu Qingzhou became even more confused.
Why would I... hit you for no reason?
Upon hearing this, Li Xiao suddenly raised his head, and his emerald eyes instantly shone with an unusual light.
The boy could hardly contain his joy, but when he actually spoke, he still hesitated with a hint of trepidation.
[You...you're not angry anymore?]
Why am I getting angry for no reason?
Yu Qingzhou simply spoke her mind, but the next moment she saw the other person's face turn pale, as if all the color had drained from their face in an instant.
The light in his eyes suddenly dimmed.
【really……】
He muttered to himself.
His already tall and slender figure, which had suddenly grown taller due to his growth spurt, looked rather thin and pitiful when the wind blew through him.
Before Yu Qingzhou could feel any sympathy, the boy craned his neck again, gritting his teeth and insisting, "Then just hit me."
Yu Qingzhou had no idea what was wrong with Li Xiao.
Hearing such a strange request for the first time, Yu Qingzhou felt baffled, but judging from the current situation, it seemed that a fight was inevitable.
If that's the case...
Yu Qingzhou held one end of the rattan cane and flicked her wrist gently.
Then a loud blast of air was heard—
At the same time, Li Xiao's hurried shouts rang out.
Wait! Wait a minute!
Yu Qingzhou stopped as instructed and looked at the flustered boy.
His eyes silently asked... What's wrong now?
He was the one who demanded to be beaten, and he was also the one who suddenly called it off. When will this ever end...?
Having understood Yu Qingzhou's meaning, Li Xiao also felt a little guilty.
"Um... could you please not hit me in the face?"
Yu Qingzhou had no intention of hitting the other party in the face, or rather, he never intended to actually make a move.
【Why? 】
Because getting slapped in the face hurts more.
[...]
If you're afraid of pain, why are you actively coming over to ask for a beating?
Yu Qingzhou was speechless.
【But if that makes you feel better, then I might as well do it—】
Having said that, Li Xiao closed his eyes tightly, stiffened his neck, and adopted a resolute posture of offering his neck for execution.
Yu Qingzhou finally realized where the problem lay.
He looked at Li Xiao with a mixture of amusement and exasperation: [Who told you I was angry?]
He paused, then couldn't help adding: "Also, who refers to themselves as 'sir' while apologizing?"
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